How to Make Your Small Talk Big - Today’s stories for you

May 1, 2021 Hello. Every day, we’ll send you stories we think you’ll love. Let us know what you’re interested in to improve your recommendations. Choose your interests From Stress & Anxiety Opinion | How to Make Your Small Talk Big As we emerge from social isolation, there are ways to make our conversations richer and deeper.  From California Arnold Schwarzenegger Is No Longer the Governor of California. Right? Amid a pandemic and a recall, Mr. Schwarzenegger has been in demand at his Los Angeles mansion, embracing his unlikely role as California’s “elderly statesman.” From National Security Afghan Blast on Eve of U.S. Pullout Deadline Kills at Least 27 If the blast was the work of the Taliban, as the Afghan government asserts, it would be the most overt signal yet that the peace deal is off. From Business & Technology Netflix Chronicles Byron Bay’s ‘Hot Instagrammers.’ Will Paradise Survive? Tensions between protecting and capitalizing on the image of the famous Australian beach town have exploded over a new reality show. From United Kingdom Decorating Scandal Engulfs Boris Johnson and Puts Fiancée in Spotlight Critics see the hand of Carrie Symonds in the costly makeover of the couple’s apartment and other political dust-ups. Supporters see “outdated sexist tropes.” IMPROVE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS Modern Love The joys and tribulations of love Books to Read Suggested reading from Times editors Self Care Advice, beauty, health, new ideas COLUMNS AND SERIES The latest updates for you From Modern Love He Delivered for Me How my UPS man went from annoyance to emotional lifeline. From Sunday Routine How the Owner of a Doggie Day Spa Spends His Sundays Brian Taylor runs the business out of his home, but he has also started a mobile service, which has grown popular during the pandemic. From Up Next A Model Steps Behind the Camera Miles Garber, a former runway fixture, is married, a new father and has started his own studio. TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT From L.G.B.T.Q. From Best Friends to Platonic Spouses Some people are taking their friendships to the next level by saying “I do” to marriages without sex. From At Home Renovating Your Kitchen This Summer? Proceed With Caution. Supply chain problems and labor shortages have made home improvement projects even more complicated. From Sports Tom Brady Charted a New Path. Aaron Rodgers Struggles to Do the Same. When Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks like Brady, Rodgers and Russell Wilson grow frustrated with their teams, the nature of N.F.L. contracts makes it hard to scramble away. Brady ultimately succeeded by running out the clock. From At Home The Vanished Glamour of Midcentury Print Media Great examples of photography and editorial design abound at the Jewish Museum. (Catch the catalog, too.) From Maureen Dowd Opinion | The Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden Show Two plain-spoken guys get together down in Plains. THAT’S IT FOR TODAY Help us find the best stories for you. Choose your interests To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to the Times | Get the NYT app Change Your Email | Privacy Policy | Contact | Advertise | California Notices The New York Times Company 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018