100 Deep Questions from We Are Not Really Strangers

“The shortest distance between two people is a good conversation.”

If you’re in a classroom, on a team, or just trying to connect better with family or friends, deep conversations matter. They help people feel seen, heard, and understood. One of the most powerful tools for sparking those conversations is a simple question.

Inspired by the popular card game We’re Not Really Strangers, this blog shares 100 thought-provoking questions you can use in your sessions. Plus, we’ll show you how to bring them to life using interactive gaming tools designed to make interactions more personal and engaging.

What is “We’re Not Really Strangers”?

“We’re Not Really Strangers” (often abbreviated as WNRS) is a card game and social movement created by Koreen Odiney. It’s designed to help people go beyond surface-level conversations and form deep, meaningful connections with strangers, friends, partners, or even colleagues.

What’s the Purpose of WNRS?

The game is based on the idea that sharing feelings and being open helps people connect better. Through thought-provoking questions, it encourages players to open up and truly see and understand each other.

How Does It Work?

The game has different levels of questions:

Level 1: Perception – First impressions
Level 2: Connection – Emotions and experiences
Level 3: Reflection – Deep insights and takeaways

The game also includes wildcard cards with action-based prompts, such as “write something down and reveal it later.”

Why Is It Popular?

• Used for icebreakers, relationship building, and even mental health exercises
  
• Encourages self-awareness and honest communication
  
• Loved on platforms like Instagram and TikTok for its relatable questions

Where Can You Use WNRS-style Questions?

You can use these in:

• Team-building meetings
  
• Workshops or coaching sessions
  
• Classrooms
  
• Virtual presentations 

• Even one-on-one check-ins

Why Use Deep Conversation Starters?

• Build trust in classrooms and teams
• Encourage reflection and emotional honesty
• Make virtual or hybrid meetings more human
• Make it easier for people to express feelings

100 Thought-Provoking Questions to Spark Deep Conversations

Self-Reflection

Purpose: Encourage participants to think deeply about themselves.

• What’s something you wish more people knew about you?
• What’s a mistake you’re grateful for?
• What are you most proud of recently?
• When do you feel most like yourself?
• What does success mean to you?

Relationships

Purpose: Explore connection, empathy, and trust between people.

• What makes you feel most loved?
• What’s one thing you’ve never told your best friend?
• Who has impacted your life the most and why?
• How do you define trust?
• When do you feel truly seen?

Aspirations & Dreams

Purpose: Spark inspiration and future goals.

• What’s a dream you’ve let go of?
• What’s one goal you haven’t shared with anyone?
• What would you try if you knew you couldn’t fail?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• What’s something on your bucket list?

Values & Beliefs

Purpose: Understand personal ethics and beliefs.

• Do you believe people can change?
• Is honesty always the best policy?
• What’s a belief you’ve recently questioned?
• What value guides most of your decisions?
• Would you rather be respected or liked?

Mental & Emotional Health

Purpose: Foster emotional intelligence and openness.

• What’s your emotional state right now?
• How do you deal with stress?
• What’s something you’re afraid to feel?
• What emotion do you find hard to express?
• What’s a mental health habit that helps you?

Time & Regret

Purpose: Reflect on past decisions and time management.

• What’s a moment you wish you could relive?
• What would you change about your past?
• Do you fear getting older?
• What’s your biggest regret?
• What’s something you wish you had started earlier?

Society & Culture

Purpose: Spark broader worldview discussions.

• What social issue matters most to you?
• How do you define privilege?
• What’s something society gets wrong?
• What role does the media play in your thinking?
• How do you handle cultural differences?

Change & Resilience

Purpose: Understand how people deal with transitions.

• How do you deal with failure?
• What change shaped your life the most?
• Are you comfortable with uncertainty?
• What’s the hardest change you’ve faced?
• What helps you stay strong in tough times?

Random Deep Dives

Purpose: Add unexpected twists to keep things fresh.

• What’s something you believe that most people don’t?
• If your shadow could talk, what would it say?
• What would you write in a letter to your future self?
• What does silence mean to you?
• If your life were a book, what would the title be?

Creativity & Imagination

Purpose: Unlock playful thinking and creative expression

• What would your dream art project be?
• If you could design a theme park, what would it be like?
• What’s the most creative thing you’ve ever done?
• Which fictional world would you live in?
• What would your imaginary friend say about you today?

 Listening & Communication

 Purpose: Improve group understanding and listening habits

• Do you feel truly heard in conversations?
• How do you show someone you’re really listening?
• What’s the difference between hearing and listening?
• What makes a conversation meaningful?
• What’s a question you wish people asked more often?

Life Choices & Turning Points

Purpose: Reflect on big life decisions

• What’s the most important decision you’ve made so far?
• How do you know when it’s time to move on?
• What’s one choice that changed everything for you?
• Have you ever taken a leap of faith? What happened?
• What decision do you still think about today?

Learning & Curiosity

Purpose: Tap into growth and lifelong learning

• What topic could you talk about for hours?
  
• What’s something new you learned recently?
  
• What do you want to understand better?
  
• What’s a skill you wish schools taught?
  
• When do you feel most curious?

Morals & Dilemmas

 Purpose: Challenge thinking and reveal ethics

• Would you rather lie to protect someone or tell a hurtful truth?
• Is it okay to break rules for a good cause?
• What would you do if no one were watching?
• Can the ends ever justify the means?
• Have you ever stood up for something unpopular?

Technology & Modern Life

Purpose: Reflect on digital habits and impacts

• What’s your screen time like?
• How does tech help or hurt your mental health?
• What app do you wish didn’t exist?
• What role does social media play in your life?
• Do you feel more connected or more alone online?

Vulnerability & Honesty

Purpose: Build trust and deeper bonds

• What’s something you’re afraid to admit?
• When did you last feel truly vulnerable?
• What’s a hard truth you’ve accepted?
• How do you react when someone opens up to you?
• What does being “real” mean to you?

Nature & Environment

Purpose: Foster a deeper connection with the planet

• Where’s your happy place in nature?
• What’s one thing you’d protect in the world?
• Do you feel responsible for the planet?
• What’s your favorite memory in nature?
• How does the environment impact your mood?

Identity & Culture

Purpose: Encourage awareness of heritage and uniqueness

• What traditions shaped who you are?
• What’s something unique about your background?
• How has your culture influenced your worldview?
• What’s a stereotype you’ve dealt with?
• What part of your identity are you most proud of?

Perspective Shifters

Purpose: Invite mindset shifts and new outlooks

• What’s something you changed your mind about?
• How do you handle someone who disagrees with you?
• What’s a perspective you wish more people had?
• What do you think the world needs more of?
• If you were born 100 years ago, who would you be?

Self-Discovery

Purpose: Explore personal growth and self-awareness

1. What habit has changed your life the most?
2. What’s one thing you’d tell your younger self?
3. How do you define happiness for yourself?
4. What’s a fear you’ve overcome recently?
5. Which part of your personality are you most proud of?

How to Use These Questions in Slidea

Slidea lets you turn questions into interactive slides. Depending on the type of question, here are some ways to use them:

• Open-Ended Slide: Let people type their thoughts anonymously
• Poll/Select Answer: Offer multiple introspective options
• Word Cloud: Gather single-word emotional reactions
• This or That: Make it playful with two bold choices

Flexible Slide Types: You can use these questions across 15 different slide types to fit your needs

You can use these slides in:

• Icebreaker rounds
• Mental wellness check-ins
• Team-building sessions
• Parent-teacher meetups

Conclusion

Deep conversations can strengthen bonds, spark new perspectives, and create lasting memories. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking with strangers, close friends, family members, or colleagues; the right questions can turn an ordinary chat into something meaningful and unforgettable. 

These 100 conversation starters, inspired by We’re Not Really Strangers, are designed to help you connect on a deeper level, inspire openness, and encourage genuine understanding in any setting.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use these questions in a classroom? 

Yes! Use open-ended or poll slides to make student voices heard.

Q2. Are these questions suitable for work? 

Yes, especially for team bonding and check-ins. Use judgment and adjust tone.

Q3. Can I mix these with other slide types in Slidea?

 Absolutely. You can combine them with a mix of slides to keep your session engaging.

Q4. Can users respond anonymously? 

Yes, Slidea supports anonymous responses on many slide types.

Q5. Can I mix fun and deep questions together?

Absolutely. Balancing light and thought-provoking questions keeps the mood engaging.