Kelly Corrigan Wonders cover image

Kelly Corrigan Wonders

Going Deep with Charles Duhigg on Choice and Context

Sep 17, 2024
Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and bestselling author, dives into how literature shaped his worldview. He discusses the influence of William James's 'The Varieties of Religious Experience' on faith and choice. The conversation explores the power of awe and its role in enhancing our lives, alongside the importance of mindset in pursuing happiness. Charles also reflects on the relationship between personal choices and societal influences, ultimately highlighting the personal growth that arises from open conversations.
56:11

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Charles Duhigg reflects on how reading 'The Varieties of Religious Experience' reshaped his understanding of psychology and life's choices.
  • The significance of context is emphasized, illustrating how diverse backgrounds affect one's ability to engage with complex ideas.

Deep dives

The Impact of Transformative Reading

Reading can have a profound and transformative effect on one's life, particularly when a significant book is encountered at an important developmental phase. In this episode, Charles Duhigg reflects on the pivotal impact of 'The Varieties of Religious Experience' by William James, which was assigned to him during his college years at Yale. This book opened his eyes to the psychological aspects of religion and its importance in human experience—a realization that dramatically shifted his perspective. Duhigg emphasizes how the process of grappling with the book's dense concepts helped him forge a deeper understanding of not only the material but also the significance of ideas in shaping one’s life.

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