Curious Minds at Work

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Award-winning science writer David Robson discusses overcoming loneliness by understanding cognitive biases and building social connections. Topics include shared reality, evolution of social pain neurons, navigating social relationships, self-expansion, gratitude, and human social potential.