Why a good pep talk doesn't always need to include advice

There are times in life that call for you to give a good pep talk.

Maybe your partner just lost their job. Maybe your kid has back-to-school jitters. Or maybe you're at karaoke and nervous about your performance.

To spark courage and motivation, you'll need to show your loved one — or yourself — that "you're on their side, you've got their back and they can do this," says writer and comedian Josh Linden , co-author of Tiny Pep Talks: Bite-Size Encouragement for Life's Annoying, Stressful, and Flat-Out Lousy Moments .

For some people, that might feel too hard or too high stakes. What if you say the wrong thing? How do you get someone to actually change their outlook?

Linden and comedian, writer and co-author Paula Skaggs share their ingredients for a great pep talk. Use them t