Taking us back to the lockdowns of COVID-19, Chris shared that this period was a time where he felt disconnected from those around him. To counteract the impact, he embarked on a personal project to sustain and deepen his connections with others. 

Chris studied Applied Social Sciences at RGU and graduated in 2016. Looking back to his studies, he notes the course as the catalyst that fuelled his curiosity about human interactions and research methodologies. His coursework in sociology and psychology instilled a deep interest in understanding people and the world around him. It was during his dissertation project (where he conducted qualitative interviews and a focus group) that he honed his skills as an interviewer.

And his learnings came in good use in October 2021 when Chris started to interview family and friends about their lives and his relationship with them. What started as a hobby to get to know the people in his life better, soon evolved into a self-published book aimed at encouraging others to do the same.

"I wanted to explore the tapestry of my family and friends’ stories,” he shares. "My previous academic experiences have given me the tools to conduct effective interviews, and it’s been fascinating to use those skills in a personal setting.”

'Conversations' is a short and sweet non-fiction book that takes readers through the project and some of the stories he’s captured along the way. It touches on topics such as human connection, mental health and friendship among others.

Echoing the sentiments of his interviews, Chris believes everyone has a narrative worth sharing. His book serves as a guide to encourage readers to initiate meaningful conversations with their loved ones.

Chris hopes his book will encourage readers to explore enriching narratives and discover an alternative route to connect with the people on a deeper level.

He adds: "I want to inspire others to initiate similar conversations. It's about holding space for stories to unfold, for connections to deepen."

'Conversations' is available now in digital and paperback formats on Amazon.