Would you rather speak to 1,000 people from a stage—or make small talk with 20 strangers at a barbecue?

Billy and Joe both chose the stage.

In Episode 22, two self-described introverts explore what introversion actually means, why it isn’t the same as shyness or social anxiety, and where “ambiverts” fit into the equation. They compare social batteries, recovery time, work conferences, unexpected grocery-store encounters, solo travel, remote work and the strange comfort that comes from having an assigned role at a social event.

Billy shares how volunteering completely transformed an intimidating singles gathering, while Joe reveals why filming wedding B-roll provides the perfect excuse to briefly disappear. They also discuss practicing social skills, finding the balance between solitude and isolation, and why enjoying people doesn’t mean wanting unlimited access to them.

Plus: an introvert rapid-fire round covering texts versus calls, concerts versus house parties, solo vacations, Irish goodbyes and strangers at the door.

Where do you fall: introvert, extrovert or ambivert? And which would you choose—1,000 people from a stage or small talk with 20 strangers?

🌐 Learn more about the show: https://opentabspc.com

Subscribe, leave a comment and join Billy and Joe for two friends, zero structure and way too many open tabs.

Chapters:

00:00 1,000 People or 20 Strangers?

01:20 Two Introverts Walk Into a Podcast

03:33 What Introversion Actually Means

05:38 Introversion vs. Shyness and Social Anxiety

07:34 Do We Become More Introverted With Age?

12:50 Introvert, Extrovert, or Ambivert?

13:08 The Wedding Test

16:09 Billy’s Singles-Group Story

19:45 Volunteering at Dragon Con?

20:12 The Work Conference Dilemma

23:30 Can Social Skills Be Practiced?

30:05 Avoiding People at the Grocery Store

35:52 Five Seconds of Fear or a Lifetime of Regret

38:08 Paying the Social Battery Bill

40:38 How Work Drains Introverts

43:02 Remote Work, Isolation, and Finding Balance

46:59 Introvert Rapid Fire

51:39 What We Love About Being Introverts

53:48 We Like People in Manageable Doses

#Introvert #SocialBattery #OpenTabsPodcast