Curious Minds at Work cover image

Curious Minds at Work

Latest episodes

undefined
Nov 3, 2024 • 36min

CM 278: Lorraine Besser on Living a Richer Life

Lorraine Besser, author of "The Art of the Interesting," explores the concept of psychological richness—mental stimulation gained through curiosity and wonder. She discusses how integrating pleasure and meaning is essential but often leaves us feeling incomplete. Besser highlights the importance of challenging experiences and unstructured thinking, urging listeners to redefine fulfillment and consider the power of friendships. She emphasizes that embracing curiosity and personal agency can lead to a deeper, more enriching life.
undefined
Oct 21, 2024 • 54min

CM 277: Emily Austin on a Recipe for Happiness

Emily Austin, a modern-day philosopher and author of "Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life," dives into the wisdom of Epicurus. She explores how ancient insights can help alleviate anxiety and enrich friendships. Austin challenges the myth of Epicurus as a mere hedonist, highlighting the three types of desires and their impacts on happiness. She emphasizes the importance of genuine connections over superficial ones, and comfort in confronting mortality, advocating for laughter as a tool for understanding ourselves. Discover how the past can illuminate our path to well-being.
undefined
Oct 6, 2024 • 50min

CM 276: Mary Anderson on Success without Stress

Mary Anderson, a psychologist specializing in high-achievers and author of "The Happy High Achiever," uncovers the hidden anxieties behind success. She discusses the dangers of perfectionism, emphasizing healthier mindsets for personal growth. Anderson introduces strategies to combat burnout and self-doubt, including the importance of celebrating our victories. She also shares insights on the transformative power of gratitude and maintaining healthy relationships, helping listeners navigate their paths without the burden of stress.
undefined
Sep 22, 2024 • 42min

CM 275: Mithu Storoni on Working Smarter

Mithu Storoni, a knowledge worker focused on enhancing productivity through innovative solutions, dives into optimizing work habits. She compares brain function to a car engine, highlighting the importance of adapting work styles to align with our brain's natural rhythms. The discussion covers hyper efficiency, contrasting modern productivity with historical standards, and emphasizes the value of quality over quantity. Storoni offers strategies for overcoming mental fatigue and personalizing productivity to boost engagement and performance in today's fast-paced environment.
undefined
Sep 8, 2024 • 47min

CM 274: Keith Sawyer on Group Genius

We like the idea of the lone genius, that one person who developed a game-changing innovation. But whether or not we realize it, research shows that creativity is collaborative. Yep. You heard that right. And we have lots of examples: the development of the airplane, the Internet, the mountain bike, and so many more. We’re schooled in the notion that creativity is an individual thing, yet research shows, again and again, that it’s not. Instead, it’s through connecting with others, then working alone, and then connecting again, that we innovate. Keith Sawyer has studied groups and creativity for decades. His book, Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration, elucidates what group genius looks like, why it works, and what it takes to cultivate it, so we can develop game-changing innovations. This book changed how I see groups, creativity, and the connection between the two, and the research findings are fascinating. Episode Links Group Creativity and Collaboration Everyone Can Be More Creative – But Not Alone Being More Creative in Everyday Life is Simple Interview with Moshe Bar The Team Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here. Support the Podcast If you like the show, please rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you subscribe, and tell a friend or family member about the show. Subscribe Click here and then scroll down to see a sample of sites where you can subscribe.
undefined
Aug 26, 2024 • 52min

CM 273: Kasley Killam on the Art and Science of Connection

Kasley Killam, a public health expert and author, advocates for the recognition of social health as a crucial component of well-being. She discusses the loneliness epidemic and the importance of meaningful relationships, proposing practical strategies to enhance social connections, including the innovative 531 guideline. The conversation also explores the dual role of technology in social health and shares inspiring stories, highlighting how nurturing relationships can lead to happier, healthier lives.
undefined
Aug 12, 2024 • 54min

CM 272: Julia Hotz on the Connection Cure

Julia Hotz, an author dedicated to exploring alternative health solutions, discusses her book, The Connection Cure. She reveals how social prescriptions—like nature, art, and community service—can enhance mental and physical well-being, sometimes even more than traditional medications. Hotz shares powerful stories, including the transformative journeys of individuals like Frank and Heather, showcasing the healing effects of creativity and connection. This conversation highlights the urgent need for integrating social health into modern medical practices.
undefined
Jul 29, 2024 • 42min

CM 271: Anna Goldfarb on Modern Friendship

Anna Goldfarb, author of 'Modern Friendship,' dives into the intricacies of maintaining friendships in a fast-paced world. She discusses the importance of nurturing connections for well-being and shares insights on what to say when building deeper friendships. Goldfarb highlights the evolution of friendships across generations and the value of 'medium friends' in casual settings. With practical advice, she presents a unique friendship cleanse and emphasizes the significance of adaptability in navigating toxic relationships. A must-listen for anyone seeking to enhance their social bonds!
undefined
Jul 15, 2024 • 50min

CM 270: Alex Budak Helps Us Become Changemakers

Author Alex Budak shares insights on becoming a changemaker and leading positive change at any level. He discusses the importance of mindset, humility, adaptability, dealing with resistance, and leading change through culture. He also introduces the concept of micro-leadership and the changemaker canvas tool for executing and communicating change.
undefined
Jul 1, 2024 • 57min

CM 269: Dacher Keltner on How Awe Helps Us Thrive

This year, we witnessed a solar eclipse. Walking the streets of my neighborhood that day, looking through my solar eclipse glasses and sharing them with others, I felt a profound sense of awe. And I saw that awe, that wonder, reflected in the faces of the people around me. For one or two hours, we were part of something bigger than ourselves. And that experience took us out of ourselves. It softened and connected us. Experiences like that are what made me want to read Dacher Keltner’s latest book, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. In this conversation, we talk about what awe is, how it works, and why it matters. We also talk about how to build more awe into our lives. Episode Links Here’s Why You Need to Be Cultivating Awe in Your Life An Awe Walk Strengthen Your Leadership with the Science of Awe Interview with Norman Farb author of Better in Every Sense The Team Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here. Support the Podcast If you like the show, please rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you subscribe, and tell a friend or family member about the show. Subscribe Click here and then scroll down to see a sample of sites where you can subscribe.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode