Flourish FM

Episode #1: Todd Kashdan on Navigating Unpleasantness and Creating Change

Jul 9, 2022

In this podcast, Todd Kashdan, author and TEDx speaker, discusses flourishing and the relationship between curiosity and openness to experience, affective science, and psychological flexibility. The conversation explores negative emotions in education, the importance of an open mindset for creativity, navigating motivations and change in work, and the significance of negative emotions in leading a good life. Kashdan also emphasizes the lack of curiosity and interest in exploring diverse topics and discusses building cultural norms and embracing boredom to stimulate new possibilities.

01:13:40

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Episode guests

Todd Kashdan

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Quick takeaways

Distress tolerance is crucial for character development and resilience.

Curiosity plays a vital role in personal growth and intellectual development.

Embracing negative emotions is important for a nuanced understanding of well-being and achieving goals.

Deep dives

Distress Tolerance and Developing Character

Distress tolerance is important in developing character and living a meaningful life. It involves the ability to endure hardships and negative emotions for the pursuit of personal growth and the well-being of others. By developing distress tolerance, individuals can put on armor to withstand the challenges of life and develop resilience. This quality allows individuals to persevere in the face of adversity and seek meaning and purpose. Distress tolerance also promotes character virtues such as courage, perseverance, and the ability to withstand pain. It plays a crucial role in finding one's own voice and living life on one's own terms.

Introduction

2min

The Power of Curiosity and its Connection to Well-being

22min

Exploring Negative Emotions in Education and Introducing the Anti-fragile Academy

3min

The Importance of an Open Mindset and Negative Emotions in Creativity

7min

Navigating Motivations and Change in Work

4min

The Importance of Negative Emotions

30min

Exploring Curiosity, Compassion, and Building Cultural Norms

5min

Discussion on 'The Sweet Spot,' New Book, and Guest Information

3min

This week we talk with Todd Kashdan, author and TEDx speaker about flourishing.

Key takeaways will be the relationship between your various areas of specialization and human flourishing, including but not limited to:

- curiousity and openness to experience

- affective science (specifically pleasantness and unpleasantness or "positive and negative" emotions)

-psychological flexibility done through conversations

Todd Kashdan, Ph.D., received the American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Scientific Award in 2013 and Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year at George Mason University in 2010. He has published over 210 scientific journal articles on psychological strengths such as curiosity and courage, emotional agility, meaning and purpose in life, social relationships, leveraging stress for optimal performance, resilience, and well-being.

Author of several books, Kashdan’s latest is The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively. His work has been featured on CNN and NPR, as well as media outlets including the Harvard Business Review, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, Fast Company and Scientific American.

He is a TEDx speaker and works with organizations as diverse as Mercedes-Benz, the World Bank, United States Department of Defense, Merck, Hormel, General Mills, Gensler, the Gap, and Standard Chartered Bank. He gives keynotes and workshops to business executives, schools, parents, retirees, scholars, and health professionals.