Book excerpt: In Turning Small Talk into Big Talk, Jan Janura helps readers move below the surface and experience deep, meaningful conversations that are not only interesting, but even life-changing. Small talk is awful, awkward, and ultimately useless—and everyone knows it. When is the last time you had a significant conversation with your spouse, your kids, your best friend, your neighbor, or a close business associate? No, not small talk. We do enough of that with our fingers in five-word text “conversations” or in dull, surface-level, face-to-face interactions. Small talk isn’t getting us anywhere. What we need today more than ever is “Big Talk,” real conversations in which we dig deep into our souls and discuss intriguing topics that truly shape the world and impact our daily lives. Conversation is undoubtedly the most important part of a relationship, whether it’s business, personal, or spiritual. It’s the only way to truly get to know someone, and it’s the best method in strengthening your bond with a business partner, spouse, friends, your children, and even God. Each of us wants to interact with others, and all of us want to be heard. The conversations we each have can truly change the world—or destroy it—and the words, questions, and answers each of us use (or don’t use) can alter our own life and the lives of everyone around us. So, why wouldn’t we choose to make our conversations as impactful and memorable as we can? In Turning Small Talk into Big Talk, Jan Janura unpacks the simple, easy-to-apply method he’s used throughout his career to turn dinner parties and other gatherings into fun, interesting, sometimes life- and career-changing experiences. If you find yourself desperate for deeper connection in your most important relationships, or if you find yourself responsible for regularly hosting clients or co-workers, this book is the missing tool in your tackle box!