Curated Questions Ken Woodward

"Connection is the sharing of one person's experience, that leaves both people better" - Brian Fretwell

Brian, the Founder of Finding Good, is on a mission to transform conversations. His unique methodology, rooted in the science of connection, has the power to turn listening from a transaction into a transformation. It's a beacon of hope for those seeking more meaningful interactions.

Brian has explored how listening can be the most effective tool for change when we use the right questions. He also touches upon the concept of 'experience vs projection,' highlighting how our own experiences can sometimes cloud our understanding of others. As a teacher in juvenile corrections, he saw how better questions influence behaviors. As a facilitator and consultant in mining, oil, and gas companies, he helped people see how better listening can help save lives. Today, he works with individuals, entire school districts, and large organizations to develop stronger connections through the power of questions. His TEDx talk has over 2.5 million views, and his social media posts have also garnered millions of views.

Brian weaves together how neuroscience, community, and our stories form the bonds of connection with those we choose to engage. During a portion of the conversation, he uses the Success Mapping framework to understand Ken's motivation for this podcast. He then introduces the 'blueberries' analogy, a metaphor for personal experiences, and explains how genuine curiosity about these experiences is critical to real connection and a path toward addressing loneliness.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

"My biggest transition was going from asking questions from a knowledge-focused perspective to asking questions from an understanding perspective." - Steffanie Easter

Steffanie Easter grew up in Durham, North Carolina, and is a proud alumnus of North Carolina State, where she earned her chemical engineering undergraduate degree and, later, from the Catholic University of America, a master's degree in engineering. The latter portion of her illustrious 34-year career as a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian includes positions such as executive director of the Navy's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology and the first civilian director of Navy staff for the Chief of Naval operations.

Steffanie was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2002. She has been recognized with multiple awards including the Presidential Rank Award, the Secretary of the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Army Exceptional Civilian Service Award, and the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award. She also received the 2010 Black Engineer of the Year Award for Professional Achievement and the 2009 Women of Color Award for Managerial Leadership.

Since 2020, Steffanie has shifted to the private sector and served as a strategy executive and board member, helping companies work with the government.

Steffanie recounts learning through asking questions while growing up and her early career as a US Navy civilian. She explains mentors' impact in shaping her inquisitive leadership style, what taking risks looks like, and how to lead with transparency. Additionally, Steffanie discusses navigating power structures as a minority woman decision-maker, how one can be an ally through effective leadership, and her current pursuit of improving as a listener and practicing self-care.

"Our inability to ask better questions of each other, and build proximity, is the reason why we went from larger porches and shorter fences to taller fences and smaller porches." - Bobby Morgan

Bobby Morgan is passionate about education and started his career teaching math in Camden, New Jersey, which was voted one of the most dangerous cities to live in. The students taught him a lot. He is now an assistant principal in New Jersey's Willingboro Township school district outside Philadelphia. As a school district board member, he gains further insight into the inner workings and challenges school districts face.

Additionally, Bobby is a speaker and consultant who builds disruptive educators through culturally responsive teaching, social justice education, and restorative practices. Much of this work is publicly expressed through The Liberation Lab Podcast.

Bobby Morgan opens the episode by recounting the realization that his approach to teaching did not inspire the intended results in his students. This realization prompted a process of unlearning while asking questions and listening to the very students he was there to teach. This conversation provides an exhaustive list of questions for students, teachers, parents, and anyone involved with school-aged kids... and we are all students. Bobby provides practical, real-world examples of meaningful ways to serve every aspect of the educational system by building disruptive educators.

Jenny Hegland fosters connections and relationships wherever she lands. As a University Community Engagement Relationship Manager, golf instructor, community disaster recovery lead, and listening poet, Jenny pays sincere attention to those she engages. She has two loves; Jenny serves as the Executive Director of The Good Listening Project and co-founder of Unlimited Boundaries.

Jenny opens with heroics in Saipan in the aftermath of a typhoon, then recounts how community engagement and outreach fueled activism and making a difference in the community. Jenny explains the role of the listening poet and the impact it has had on her and those she serves. We discussed her parents' role in encouraging questions and how questions can be a pathway to healing. Other topics include community, grief, and loneliness. Jenny also shares two of her listening poet poems and the backstory that inspired them.

"When you're someone's guest, one of the best ways to connect is to ask them questions and have this model of curiosity you carry about you." - Austin Graff

Austin Graff has seen much of the world. Born to American parents, he grew up in Russia and Kazakhstan and returned to the United States for college in Michigan. He has lived in Washington, DC, for nearly 20 years and is married with a seven-year-old daughter.

Austin has spent his entire career in social media and digital marketing. He started at non-profits, then shifted to larger companies such as Coca-Cola and, until recently, the Washington Post. In 2022, Austin launched Curiosity & Connection, which combines media consulting and travel guides. His family joins him on adventures as he explores and writes about DC's 131 neighborhoods and various global destinations.

Austin shares deep insights into raising inquisitive children with high emotional intelligence, planning and executing worldwide travel with care for the local community, living a designed lifestyle, and describing what is necessary for a level 10 community. This journey is characterized by Austin's humility, love for people, and insatiable curiosity.

"Choosing to be curious is acting on the idea that there's opportunity in the unknown, which becomes an invitation." - Lynn Borton

Lynn Borton is the creator and host of the podcast and Pacifica Network radio show "Choose to be Curious."

Lynn is a facilitator—of conversations and transformation—with more than 30 years of experience in strategic governance and change management in the non-profit sector.

Combining science, organizational learning, and leadership development, Lynn is working to synthesize the study of curiosity into something we can all appreciate: an exciting path to greater personal well-being, professional success, and life satisfaction.

What started as a curious investigation into a startup radio station in Arlington, Virginia, developed into a weekly show with guests from across the globe and over 200 episodes.

We talk about Lynn's childhood and how her parents influenced her curiosity, her career fighting for the rights of those experiencing mental illness, and the transition to exploring curiosity via a radio show/podcast. Curiosity was just the right topic to cover during this Curated Questions relaunch episode.