How to Talk to Strangers with Joe Quenqua

Joe Quenqua
  • 4.8 (5)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

How to Talk to Strangers is an original podcast from media executive and personality, Joe Quenqua. In each conversation, he approaches random strangers to have conversations about life, love, struggles, heartbreak, and joy. Though talking to strangers can be scary, Joe shows that it doesn’t have to be. There is connection among people - even among strangers. Because no matter how different we are, fundamentally we are all the same.

  1. 09/24/2025

    Season 1 Finale

    What a wild and amazing ride Season 1 has been! Thank you, listeners, for all going on this journey with me. I hope you enjoyed the conversations as much as I did and hope you learned a thing or two about how to talk to strangers. I cannot believe how far we've come. Stay tuned for Season 2!

    9 min

  2. 09/03/2025

    Heidi the Pilot

    Joe Quenqua is back at the airport again this week, this time striking up a conversation in an airport lounge. And while she didn't disclose her profession in the conversation, Joe spoke to Heidi, who is an airline pilot.  Did you know women only account for 6% of all airline pilots? Joe felt incredibly lucky to speak to such an interesting person and find out more about her travels, and the underrated city she calls home.

    15 min

  3. 08/27/2025

    Gus the Pianist (with his music!)

    This week, after a brief summer hiatus, Joe Quenqua returned with a conversation with Gus. While in the airport, he met Gus playing Bohemian Rhapsody on one of LAX's pianos - and his music was beautiful. Gus was leaving Los Angeles for the Netherlands, and he and Joe spoke about music, artistry, and travel.  Enjoy!

    8 min

  4. 07/30/2025

    Alex on Moving to the U.S. from Russia

    The gym is a GREAT place to meet new people. This week, I met Alex. He told me all about moving from Russia to the United States when he was young, how Moscow differs from Los Angeles (it's actually more similar to NYC!), and how to find peace in a thriving metropolis -- and lots more. Enjoy this one.

    16 min

  5. 07/27/2025

    How to Talk to Strangers: Behind the Scenes

    This week, Joe Quenqua does a solo podcast and reflects on how the show has shaped him - and been shaping up, overall.  It's a fun insight as to how the podcasting process works, especially when the show is dependent on talking to people you don't know!

    9 min

  6. 07/10/2025

    FROM ITALY: Peppino the Italian Architect

    Ciao, from Italy!  My husband and I left the kids and headed to Puglia for some much-needed R&R. There as a shopkeeper whose store was right by our hotel, and his merchandise was so gorgeous, I had to stop in and say hi. He was incredible.

    18 min

  7. 07/03/2025

    Alex on Fatherhood, Marriage, and the American Dream

    Stumbling upon Alex was such a breath of fresh air -- and it almost seemed like fate speaking to him when I did, because he discussed many things I have been thinking about as a father. Alex talks about coming to America in his 30s from Serbia and how his life and family have evolved throughout it all.  Take a listen. This one touched my soul.

    20 min

  8. 06/26/2025

    A Conversation with my HUSBAND!

    This week, the tables are turned! My husband, Art, gets the chance to interview ME! We talk all about our relationship, how to be a better listener, how to talk to strangers, my interview style, and how this whole podcast came to be.  Enjoy!

    24 min
See All (20)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

How to Talk to Strangers is an original podcast from media executive and personality, Joe Quenqua. In each conversation, he approaches random strangers to have conversations about life, love, struggles, heartbreak, and joy. Though talking to strangers can be scary, Joe shows that it doesn’t have to be. There is connection among people - even among strangers. Because no matter how different we are, fundamentally we are all the same.

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