Episode 112

112 - Awkward Awesomeness

112 - Awkward Awesomeness

If you’re looking for a book that will help you turn your social awkwardness into an awesome asset, then “The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That’s Awesome” by Ty Tashiro, PhD is the perfect read for you. This book takes a fresh approach to the topic of social awkwardness by highlighting its positive aspects, such as the ability to pay close attention to detail. Not only that, but it also provides practical tips for improving your social skills, like creating a chart of emotional responses to help navigate social situations and focusing on fairness, kindness, and loyalty when trying to be likable. In this podcast, we dive into the author’s insights on the topic and how you can use them to identify areas of awkwardness in your own life and create a plan for improvement. So, if you’re ready to take a step towards becoming a more confident and socially skilled individual, tune in to this episode now!

https://tytashiro.com/awkwardaweasome/

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/04/awkwardness-why/524385/

https://www.ted.com/talks/ty_tashiro_why_we_re_socially_awkward_and_why_that_s_awesome

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3371

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Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

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Start with Small Steps
Thoughtful personal growth through small, realistic steps you can use in everyday life.

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About your host

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Jill McKinley

I’m Jill from the Northwoods. Professionally, I work in Health IT, where I untangle complex systems and help people use technology more effectively. But at heart, I’m a curious lifelong learner—always exploring how things work, why people grow the way they do, and how even the smallest steps can spark real transformation. That curiosity fuels everything I do, from problem-solving at work to sharing insights through my creative projects.

My journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I faced a rough childhood, and books became my lifeline. They introduced me to voices of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the natural world around me. Those pages taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and helped me see that wisdom is everywhere—waiting to be noticed, gathered, and shared.