We all want to understand the world around us, but sometimes our curiosity can lead us down some strange paths. Dr. Joe Stubbersfield is a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Winchester in the UK. He's curious about how our various stories and narratives might shape -- and are shaped by -- our curiosity. Joe has researched how morbid curiosity can lead people to conspiracy theories –  an intersection that feels, frankly, important to understand in this day and age. More about Joe Stubbersfield's work: https://www.winchester.ac.uk/about-us/leadership-and-governance/staff-directory/staff-profiles/stubbersfield.php Theme music by Sean Balick; “Rough Hewn" by Castle Danger, via Blue Dot Sessions.

I'm intrigued by the concept of social enterprises -- businesses with a sense of purpose larger than themselves. Timothy D. Craggette is founder and Chief Education Officer of NAASBI, The National Association for the Advancement of Small Business Innovation.  He trains business owners and supports small business innovation through the association and his radio show/podcast The Swift Kick Show. Timothy is a man with a purpose. I wanted to know how curiosity shows up in his line of work. Turns out, for this businessman, it's all about the people. Learn more about Timothy and NASSBI at https://www.naasbi.org Theme music by Sean Balick; “Partly Sage” by Bodytonic, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a neuroscientist and founder of Ness Labs, shares her insights on curiosity as a driving force for growth. She discusses the transformative power of an 'experimental mindset' and the creation of a supportive community during the pandemic. Emphasizing the importance of embracing uncertainty, she introduces concepts like a 'curiosity prayer' and playful analogies to illustrate how curiosity can enrich relationships. Learn how tiny experiments can lead to significant personal and collective development.

What do people who know and appreciate a place deeply see that I might not? The Mount Vernon Trail winds its way along the river, a combination national park and major commuter artery. It's a place I find myself frequently and I wondered: what am I not seeing in this place that is so familiar? The Trail is there because the Potomac River is there, an always-scenic but often-silent companion. What might I be missing? This is the second in a periodic series of shows in which we "walk a mile" in someone else's shoes, seeing the world through others' eyes. Guests: Dean Naujoks, Potomac Riverkeeper: https://www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/our-history/ Amy Zang, Washington Sailing Marina: https://boatingindc.com/washington-sailing-marina/ Ryan Miller, meteorologist & science educator: https://www.instagram.com/miller_weather/ Music by Bayou Birds, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Annabelle Tometich -- writer, editor, former food critic and now author -- joins me to explore the tricky, high-traffic intersection of identity and curiosity. Who gets to decide identity? How do we determine our own, let alone someone else's, identity? How might we allow ourselves and others a little grace to figure these things out? Find Annabelle Tometich at https://annabelletometich.com Theme music by Sean Balick; “Lemon & Melon” by Onesuch Village, via Blue Dot Sessions.

"Curiosity is fundamental to writing and to everything that I treasure," said writer Rachel Kadish as we opened our conversation. Hard to imagine, but it just kept getting better from there... Inspired by her New York Times opinion essay on teaching writers to seek "unflinching empathy", I invited her to join me for a conversation about putting our trust in the curiosity. Discover the delight that is Rachel Kadish: https://rachelkadish.com Theme music by Sean Balick; "Feathered" by The Cabinetmaker, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Peder Söderlind describes himself as a Swedish author, researcher and entrepreneur, but I believes he's an important emerging curiosity theorist. His writing and thinking on the topic are rich in all the best ways -- evocative, provocative, constructive. Our conversation moved from "local, difficult, and meaningful" problems for keeping our minds curious and framing problems as opportunities, to the paradox of fatigue and the importance of seeing. Find Peder Söderlind online at: https://curiousorganization.se Theme music by Sean Balick; "Rush of Clear Water" by Glacier Quartet Araby, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Can we capture what makes us curious? Where does our curiosity cross into confusion, or frustration? Can we place it? Might we experience it in one domain, but not another? These are the kinds of questions that animate the work of Emily Grossnickle Peterson, Ph.D., director of the Educational Neuroscience Lab at American University. Years after first meeting, we finally sat down to talk… Check out Dr. Emily Peterson’s Educational Neuroscience Lab:https://edspace.american.edu/edneurolab/ Theme music by Sean Balick; “A Burst of Light” by Delray, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Can curiosity be meaingfully infused into design processes? Cassini Nazir thinks so. From curiosity journals to bookmarks and Valentine's Day celebrations, he's full of ideas about how to invite curiosity in, by design. Cassini Nazir teaches interaction design and user experience courses in the College of Visual Arts and Design at University of North Texas. He's interested in designing ways to invite curiosity in -- and to help curiosity and care step up when empathy falters. Check out Cassini Nazir's Designing Curiosity website: https://unknowing.design Theme music by Sean Balick; “Purple Light" by Marble Run, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Summer's coming. Time to take that curiosity out for a little spin! Whether you're traveling far from home or enjoying a little "staycation," author, tour manager and explorer extraordinaire Andréa Seiger has tips for getting the most of your adventures. Why visit cemeteries, science associations and bus stops? Can you smell green? What do your knees see? Andréa is a delightful coach for our wandering curiosity muscles. Find Andréa Seiger on Instagram @UrbanSafariDC111 Theme music by Sean Balick; “Curio" by Vacant Distillery,, via Blue Dot Sessions.