The Ralston College Podcast Making Sense of Complex Systems with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying
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Oct 6, 2025 
Join Bret Weinstein, an evolutionary biologist and cultural critic, and Heather Heying, also an evolutionary biologist with a knack for pedagogy, as they explore the nature of learning and curiosity. They discuss the importance of mentorship and play in education, tackling the complexities of modern technology and hyper-novelty. With insights on fostering genuine intellectual engagement, they emphasize the need for humility in science and bridging connections between science and the humanities. Their engaging stories about nature reveal why they’re passionate about evolutionary biology.
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Creative Home And Piano Shaped Her Mind
- Heather grew up with a computer-scientist father and an artist mother, plus years of disciplined classical piano practice.
- That blend of analytic, aesthetic, and sustained practice seeded curiosity, tenacity, and imaginative freedom.
Grandfather As Mentor Sparked Inquiry
- Bret credits his grandfather as an early mentor who answered every good question and celebrated exceeding his knowledge.
- That model taught him inquiry, humility, and the thrill of discovering answers others missed.
Make Classrooms Training Grounds
- Design classrooms so students practice skills, not just consume facts; treat learning like training.
- Use active tasks and dialogue to let students improve through play and guided challenges.