Once Upon a Stranger

Preeminent researcher and professor of the psychology of kindness Dr. Gillian Sandstrom reveals how making connections with strangers leads to positive shifts in our everyday lives.

Do you ever feel lonely, even in a crowd? Do you feel anxious or worried about what others think of you, or struggle to make friends? You are not alone. But the truth is, opportunities for positive connection and community are all around you.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Gillian Sandstrom reveals that by talking to strangers, we can unlock more joy, curiosity, and goodwill every day. In an age when loneliness is a social health crisis and harmful behaviors like groupthink increase our perception of distance and polarization, this transformational guide explains the benefits of stretching our perceived limits and connecting with our fellow humans, including:

Increased happiness and wellbeing

Improved social skills and self-esteem

Reduced anxiety and social biases

Expanded connections and social circles

Combining powerful scientific findings with stories from her own life, Dr. Sandstrom offers us a new vision of a life well lived, when we have the courage to reach out and simply say, “hello.”