This week, I’m bringing back one of our most popular episodes—my conversation with neuroscientist, writer, and Ness Labs founder Anne-Laure Le Cunff. When we first spoke in 2024, she was deep in her PhD, balancing academic rigor with writing for a broad audience, all while sharing her journey in public. Now, she’s releasing her new book, Tiny Experiments, which explores how small, intentional experiments can unlock personal growth and creativity. Anne-Laure’s approach to navigating uncertainty, following curiosity, and designing an intentional life is something I deeply align with. And I wanted to revisit this conversation because it’s packed with insights on how world-class creators forge their own paths—without a roadmap. Whether you’re familiar with Anne-Laure’s work or hearing from her for the first time, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s get to it!

In this episode:

[00:00] - Intro
[01:59] - Liminal moments and navigating life's crossroads
[05:41] - Lessons from neuroscience on embracing the in-between
[10:44] - The power of intuition in decision making
[30:07] - Cultural roots and identity
[40:03] - Learning from failure
[46:38] - Ness Labs
[48:34] - The journey of learning and growth
[49:22] - The power of authenticity and community
[50:07] - Embracing personal evolution
[51:35] - The impact of public learning and mistakes
[53:00] - Exploring inner growth through psychedelics
[54:47] - Ayahuasca experiences
[57:42] - The significance of ancestral pain and healing
[01:09:41] - Creative process and the virtue of writing in public
[01:15:44] - Navigating between academic research and public engagement
[01:19:30] - The personal content diet and the anti-library concept
[01:27:53] - Envisioning the future and reflecting on personal growth

Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

Feature interview: World Bank President David Malpass