Choose to be Curious

How might understanding the experiences of disability help us be more curious about our own and others' minds and bodies? And, most importantly, how might any of that help us be kinder and more patient with ourselves and each other? I’m profoundly grateful to legal scholar and disability media-maker Qudsiya Naqui for proposing today’s topic. Qudsiya Naqui: https://law.udc.edu/qudsiya-naqui/ Theme music by Sean Balick. ”Mind Body Mind" by BodyTonic, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Brian Fretwell's work grows out of a rich mix of neuroscience, anthropology, leadership and what you might call self-interested curiosity. Rather than obsessing about where we fell short and consoling ourselves we will learn from our mistakes, he encourages us to learn from our successes instead. The secret, he says, is connection. Brian Fretwell & Finding Good: https://www.findinggood.com Theme music by Sean Balick. ”Sunday Lights" by Onesuch Village, via Blue Dot Sessions.

What if there were a mechanism – a format – that kept novelty high, provided some assurance that the information being imparted was important (at least to someone), and that might tap into things we know perhaps a bit about?  Wouldn’t that seem like a pretty great curiosity vehicle? I give you PechaKucha! PechaKucha Night Knoxville: https://www.pechakucha.com/communities/knoxville Theme music by Sean Balick. “Turning on the Lights” by Speakeasy, via Blue Dot Sessions.

In this insightful discussion, Cat Fribley, the Executive Director of Birdability and an accessibility advocate, dives into making birding inclusive for all. She highlights Birdability Week's virtual events and accessible outings designed for individuals with disabilities. Cat emphasizes the importance of curiosity, sharing practical ways to connect with nature while respecting personal limits. Discover how birdsong promotes well-being and mindfulness, and learn about the BirdAbility map that helps assess accessibility at birding sites.

Haru Yamada, a sociolinguist and author of "Kiku: The Japanese Art of Good Listening," shares her insights on listening with empathy. She explores the concept of listening through multiple channels, emphasizing the difference between hearing for information and listening for identity and context. Haru discusses the role of curiosity in listening, balancing predictability and surprise. She offers practical steps for entering someone's listening space, promoting deeper connections. Listen for a light-hearted analogy linking curiosity to breakdancing!

In this conversation with Sam Furness, the Founder of Creative Quests and author of The Quester's Guide, curiosity is celebrated as the key to creativity. Sam shares the origins of his community-driven quests, emphasizing the power of structured creativity within playful frameworks. He introduces practical exercises like 'throwing paint at the wall' to spark ideas and highlights the importance of communal experiences in fostering vulnerability and innovation. Join Sam in exploring how curiosity can lead us to unexpected and joyful creative journeys!

Tyler Chisholm, a CEO and author passionate about curiosity as a leadership tool, shares insights from his book, Curious as Hell. He discusses his intriguing curiosity origin story involving a pool cue, emphasizing the importance of reflection. Tyler explains how building rapport through active listening and mirroring techniques can enhance psychological safety in teams. He also highlights the power of storytelling and metaphors in fostering understanding and collaboration. Don't miss his thoughts on framing challenges as opportunities for shared exploration!

Mónica Quesada Cordero, co-founder of el Colectivo 506 and an award-winning photojournalist, shares her insights on solutions journalism. She discusses how curiosity drives journalistic integrity and tackles the challenges of changing reader habits in Costa Rica. Mónica dives into complex reporting on issues like water access and emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to foster honesty in interviews. Her engaging analogies illustrate curiosity's significance in both journalism and life, making for an enlightening conversation.

In this engaging discussion, Mary Whatley, an assistant professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, dives into the intriguing relationship between curiosity and aging. She explores how state curiosity can actually rise with age, presenting a surprising U-shape trend. Hear her insights on the balance of trait versus state curiosity, the motivational aspects of learning, and practical ways to enhance curiosity for well-being. Reflective practices, social learning, and even playful analogies make her research both enlightening and relatable.

Creativity strategist Natalie Nixon, the CEO of Figure Eight Thinking and author of Move, Think, Rest, dives into productivity reimagined. She discusses the importance of joyful movement and strategic pauses to enhance creativity. Her innovative MTR framework—Move, Think, Rest—links physical activity, deep thinking, and rest as essential components of curiosity. She also introduces her 66-day challenge, emphasizing the value of community and playful analogies in exploring curiosity. It's a thought-provoking conversation on nurturing our creative instincts!