I’m fortunate that I can answer “radio”. People usually find that answer fascinating enough that I don’t have to tell them that it’s only 5 to 10 hours a week of my time; or that I often find that too taxing.

I then ask them what they do and proceed to act like it’s the most fantastic thing I’ve ever heard. That way we can get the subject back on them and I can feel like I dodged the bullet of shame.

I learned early on that it is a fact that people are most comfortable talking about themselves.