Choose to be Curious

How does an emergency department doctor manage the chaotic swirl of unknowns that show up at their door every day? What are they to make of the needs that emerge from the complex socioeconomic soup in which we all swim? Is curiosity a tool of choice? And are there lessons the rest of us might learn from an ER doc’s hard-won experience?  Milwaukee ER doctor Chris Ford replies with a resounding "Yes!" Check out Dr. Chris Ford's podcast, Pulse Check Wisconsin: https://pulsecheckwi.com Theme music by Sean Balick. ”Cases to Rest” by Bodytonic, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Malka Ranjana Kopell, CEO and trainer who teaches leaders to engage across differences, and Palma Joy Strand, research director who studies bridging relationships, explore intentional practices of respect, empathy, and curiosity. They discuss authentic storytelling, deep listening, creating safe spaces to practice curiosity, and how one-on-one connections can ripple into broader community trust.

Malka Ranjana Kopell, a leader in Civity and storytelling interventions, who designs positive relational practices. Palma Joy Strand, a practitioner and storyteller who uses personal anecdotes to spark civic connection. They explore pond-and-ripple impact, playful analogy exercises, curiosity as a fishing cast and as a snow shovel, and practical resources to practice curiosity in community.

Alicia Towns Franken, sommelier and Wine Unify leader with 25+ years in hospitality, talks wine as a sensory, social, and political lens. Short reflections cover wine education, breaking representation barriers, tasting vocabulary and aromas, building community and accessible tastings, and playful pairing ideas.

Samuel West, a clinical psychologist and creator of the Museum of Failure, redefines how we view setbacks. He discusses how a playful mindset can make failure less daunting and drive innovation. By curating failed products, he aims to destigmatize failure and encourage learning from mistakes. Samuel emphasizes the importance of curiosity in unpacking complex failures, using examples like the pinky glove to highlight lessons learned from the lack of user input. He believes owning up to failures can lead to forgiveness and personal growth.

Estee Levine, former U.S. government attorney turned community builder and creator of CheapNFreeDC, spotlights affordable and free happenings around Washington, DC. She recounts how curiosity guided career shifts, inspired a civic-minded Instagram project, and helped her navigate retirement, health challenges, and learning new digital skills. Short, practical stories about following questions and uplifting local communities.

A production break is on the horizon, paving the way for classic re-airs that celebrate curiosity. Listeners will hear insights from Anne-Laure LeComphe on focused curiosity and tiny experiments. Rob Walker discusses the art of noticing and the importance of paying attention. Maggie Jackson encourages embracing uncertainty as a source of strength, while John Hunter introduces his World Peace Game, a bold simulation of navigating the unknown. Exciting guests and topics await in January!

In this light-hearted conversation, the co-host, an advocate for curiosity and playful learning, joins Lynn to explore the realm of analogies. They dive into the art of spotting metaphors in nature, discussing hope and new beginnings. With the 'Big Jar of Wannabe Analogies,' they engage listeners to connect everyday objects to curiosity, likening it to a powerful tool, like a hammer. They challenge everyone to think of curiosity as fog—inviting thoughtful responses. The session wraps up with delightful insights and a sense of wonder.

Join John Muir Laws, a naturalist and educator at the forefront of nature journaling, as he explores the art of observation. He discusses how journaling deepens our connection to nature by slowing us down and enhancing our curiosity. John introduces his practice of 'I notice, I wonder, it reminds me' to fuel creative exploration. He also shares insights on how different forms of expression—drawing, writing, and numbers—can unlock new perspectives. Plus, he offers tips to find beauty and wonder, even in winter's stillness.

Ashley Kirsner, founder of Skip the Small Talk, is on a mission to combat loneliness through deep conversations. She shares her journey of creating structured events that encourage vulnerability and meaningful dialogue. Discover how crafting intentional questions leads to richer exchanges and enhances self-discovery. Ashley discusses the hopefulness of social interactions, especially in a world filled with negativity bias. With practical mindfulness techniques, she empowers people to navigate conversational discomfort, making every interaction an opportunity for connection.