Confession: I’m that person who talks to strangers on planes.

Don’t come at me, but I do it. Pretty often.

Of course, I always read the room first—if they don’t seem open, I don’t push it.

But there’s something I love about striking up a conversation with a stranger in such an intimate setting. Especially on a plane, where shoddy/overpriced wifi often disconnects us from our usual distractions.

It feels like a rare chance to truly connect.

That said, it’s really easy to put on the headphones and zone out (and don’t get me wrong, sometimes I do this too).

Striking up a conversation with a stranger can be intimidating—what if they don’t want to talk? Or worse, what if they don’t like me? It’s emotionally risky and takes real effort to be present, curious, and empathetic—especially with someone you’ve just met.

And I get it – not everyone is naturally inclined to strike up conversations with strangers (and that’s okay too).

But if you can get past the risk and the extra effort, there’s a lot to be gained:

✨ Interactions with strangers—especially those from different backgrounds—can be windows into lives we might never otherwise understand
✨ They can be an antidote to the echo chambers we create in our everyday social networks
✨ We get more comfortable with the uncomfortable and the unknown – and we become more resilient and adaptable because of it

And, then there’s this magical thing that happens between strangers on a plane, train, in a coffee shop, etc. There’s an emotional intensity that can emerge. The knowledge that you’ll likely never see the person again increases vulnerability, and deeper conversations just naturally happen.

You’re not colleagues, or family members, or friends—you’re just two strangers sharing a human moment.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot because multiple times in the past few months, total strangers have shared deeply personal stories with me, with tears flowing freely.

And I’ve realized we’re all carrying narratives that rarely find a safe harbor.

I’m not special. But I’ve learned to be curious, to ask questions that invite depth and create room for vulnerability.

Each interaction like this leaves me subtly transformed. With gratitude exchanged (and sometimes a hug), and always that warm glow of shared human connection.

These moments feel rare and beautiful to me.

They remind me that beneath the surface-level divisions of our world, we’re just humans looking to be understood.

We need more real, unguarded human connection in this world.

Have you made a genuine connection with a stranger recently?