Gossip is a prayer request with the prayer removed.

Underneath most gossip is something that began as genuine interest in a person. You noticed something, you care a little, you want to talk about it, and then the concern gets stripped out and what remains is information passed around for entertainment. The details are often accurate. What changed is the purpose.

When you catch yourself two sentences in, ask whether you would say this if they walked in now. If you are actually worried about them, pray about it or go talk to them. If you are not, let the sentence die in your mouth, which is awkward once and then finished.