Choose to be Curious

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!

In this lively discussion, dating coach Tim Molnar, author of Date Smarter, dives into the art of modern dating. He highlights how curiosity can transform dating experiences, sharing insights from his 'me-search' in social science. Tim discusses practical strategies like setting a personalized date number and embracing rejection as data. He emphasizes small experiments to enhance connections and even reveals why an interest in green smoothies can be surprisingly attractive, showing us that curiosity is key in love!

Join neuroscientist Matthias Gruber, a professor at Cardiff University's Motivation and Memory Lab, as he unpacks the fascinating science behind curiosity. He discusses how curiosity fuels learning and enhances memory retention in young people and adults. The conversation highlights groundbreaking studies linking curiosity to cognitive mapping and classroom engagement. Gruber also explores the relationship between stress tolerance and curiosity, revealing its impact on exploration and educational practices. Prepare for a mind-expanding exploration of how curiosity shapes our learning experiences!

Lisa Kristine, a humanitarian photographer and fine artist, sheds light on the power of storytelling through photography. She discusses how curiosity fuels both her work and personal experiences, encouraging deeper connections with the subjects she captures. Lisa addresses the transformative impact of her craft in raising awareness about human trafficking and the importance of genuine relationships with marginalized communities. The conversation also delves into redefining narratives and celebrates presence as a vital component in both art and life.