Modern Mentor

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Finding your creative spark: AJ Jacobs on curiosity, gratitude & reinvention

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Mar 4, 2025

Guest

AJ Jacobs

AJ Jacobs, a bestselling author celebrated for his immersive 'method writing,' joins the conversation to share insights on creativity and risk-taking. He reveals how curiosity can combat burnout and reignite one's creative spark. Jacobs discusses transformative experiences, like living biblically for a year, and offers actionable strategies for idea generation. The duo highlights the power of gratitude and perspective in the workplace, encouraging listeners to align their roles with personal strengths for greater satisfaction.

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Episode notes

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ADVICE

Daily Idea Generation

Spend 15 minutes each morning brainstorming ideas, even if most are bad.
Embrace the volume approach to creativity; good ideas emerge from many bad ones.

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ADVICE

Free-Flowing Creativity

Generate many ideas without a specific purpose in mind.
Don't overthink initial idea generation; let creativity flow freely.

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ADVICE

Test Your Ideas

Share your ideas with others to gauge their reactions and refine your thinking.
Don't be afraid of feedback; it helps identify the most promising ideas.

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Igniting Creativity: The Art of Idea Generation

02:36 • 17min

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Reimagining Work: The Art of Job Crafting

19:41 • 7min

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The Power of Perspective and Gratitude

26:39 • 14min

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Expanding Perspectives and Family Dynamics

40:15 • 6min

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Engaging Learning for Growth

46:22 • 4min

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Encouragement for Connection and Creative Exploration

Go the Fuck to Sleep is a humorous and relatable book that parodies traditional children's bedtime stories. Written by Adam Mansbach and illustrated by Ricardo Cortés, it reflects the universal struggle of parents dealing with resistant children at bedtime. The book uses profanity and dark humor to express the inner thoughts of a parent desperate for their child to fall asleep. It has become a cultural phenomenon, resonating with parents worldwide and offering a comedic take on the challenges of parenting.

Range

Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World

David Epstein

In this book, David Epstein examines the success of generalists in various fields, including sports, arts, music, invention, forecasting, and science. He argues that generalists, who often find their path late and juggle multiple interests, are more creative, agile, and able to make connections that specialists cannot. Epstein uses stories and research studies to show that wide sampling and late specialization can be more valuable than early specialization, especially in complex and unpredictable environments. He also discusses the distinction between 'kind' and 'wicked' learning environments and the importance of balancing specialization with range for long-term success.

The Puzzler

AJ Jacobs

The Year of Living Biblically

One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

A.J. Jacobs

In this book, A.J. Jacobs embarks on a year-long experiment to live according to the Bible's rules as literally as possible. Raised in a secular Jewish family, Jacobs delves into the world of religion to understand its relevance in modern life. He follows over 700 biblical rules, from the well-known Ten Commandments to the lesser-known laws such as avoiding clothes made of mixed fibers and stoning adulterers. The book is a humorous and profound account of his journey, where he interacts with various religious groups, including Amish, Hassidic Jews, and evangelical Christians. Jacobs' experiment leads to surprising insights and personal growth, challenging his initial skepticism about religion and highlighting the complexities of biblical literalism.

Drop Dead Healthy

One Man’s Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection

A.J. Jacobs

In 'Drop Dead Healthy', A.J. Jacobs chronicles his epic endeavor to transform his body and become the healthiest person alive. After being hospitalized with tropical pneumonia and feeling ashamed of his middle-aged physique, Jacobs consulted a wide array of experts, including sleep consultants, sex clinicians, nutritionists, and dermatologists. He subjected himself to numerous workouts, such as Strollercize and Finger Fitness, and experimented with various diets, including raw foods, veganism, and extreme chewing. The book is a blend of memoir, adventure, and how-to manual, offering entertaining and scientifically sound advice on health and wellness. Jacobs' journey is marked by both humorous anecdotes and profound reflections on the pursuit of health and a well-lived life.

Thanks a Thousand

A Gratitude Journey

A.J. Jacobs

In 'Thanks a Thousand', A.J. Jacobs embarks on a global journey to thank every person involved in producing his morning cup of coffee. This deceptively simple idea transforms his life and highlights the benefits of gratitude, which include improving compassion, healing the body, and battling depression. Jacobs meets a diverse range of people, from Minnesota miners to Colombian farmers, and provides insights on how to focus on the positive aspects of daily life and practice gratitude effectively.

Rachel welcomes bestselling author AJ Jacobs, known for his immersive "method writing" approach. They discuss how curiosity, gratitude, and risk-taking can reignite creativity and combat workplace burnout. From living biblically for a year to becoming the healthiest person alive, AJ shares how diving deep into new experiences fuels his work and how you can apply the same principles to rediscover your spark.

Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.

Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.

Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.

Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.

Links:

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletter

https://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentor

https://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor

https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/

Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.

Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.

Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your professional success.

Modern Mentor is a part of Quick and Dirty Tips.

Links:

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/modern-mentor-newsletter

https://www.facebook.com/QDTModernMentor

https://twitter.com/QDTModernMentor

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