Questionist with Anne Hylden — Let's practice curiosity together.

Anne Hylden
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  • Self-Improvement

Curious about curiosity? It's the single habit that can make you both smarter AND more fun to talk to. Join me for monthly chats about the art and process of asking better questions! Come for the practical tips and tools; stay for the mind-expanding insights. Educator, science writer, and host Anne Hylden hasn't always been good at putting her questions into words. Now she interviews a range of people with one important thing in common: they all value curiosity. Through these conversations, Anne invites you to discover the power of thoughtful questions — and perhaps try a few out yourself. Join the conversation at patreon.com/questionist Submit "I'm Glad I Asked" stories to questionistpod@gmail.com

Episodes

  1. How to get to the bottom of a story — Investigative journalist & TV news producer Cheryl Mettendorf Spreitzer — Questions at Work

    Feb 1

    How to get to the bottom of a story — Investigative journalist & TV news producer Cheryl Mettendorf Spreitzer — Questions at Work

    There’s always another side to the story, and there’s always another question to ask. That’s what Cheryl Mettendorf, Special Projects Producer for 6abc Action News in Philadelphia, is here to remind us. Cheryl is also a writer/producer for two documentaries about investigations she has worked on. Listen in to hear how she does it, what motivates her, and what advice she has for other questionists. You can see Cheryl’s investigative stories at: https://6abc.com/consumer/ Cheryl's IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13286767/ --- If you like the show, please leave a review! Don't know how? Check out this article with step-by-step instructions: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/promotion/how-to-write-podcast-reviews/ Join the conversation about the episode: patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Host, editor, & executive producer: Anne Hylden Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    43 min
  2. Questions to Ponder #002 - What's the purpose of all these 'shoulds'?

    Jan 12 ·  Bonus

    Questions to Ponder #002 - What's the purpose of all these 'shoulds'?

    Anne shares some questions to help you think about your New Year’s resolutions differently. References: Michelle Stortz: https://michellestortz.com/%f0%9f%a7%98-the-inner-dialogue-project/ Heavyweight podcast: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/heavyweight Jay Kannaiyan TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/L5ae0-JwDl8 --- Join the conversation about the episode: http://patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Host, editor, & executive producer: Anne Hylden Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    10 min
  3. How to ask questions about touchy subjects — Leadership trainer, contemplative painter, and meditation teacher Bronwen Mayer Henry — Questions at Work

    12/21/2025

    How to ask questions about touchy subjects — Leadership trainer, contemplative painter, and meditation teacher Bronwen Mayer Henry — Questions at Work

    Bronwen Mayer Henry is an artist, teacher, mom, and leadership trainer at an organization dedicated to building respect and understanding between people of different faiths. So she has learned how to turn a tense conversation that might carry a lot of assumptions or biases into a beautiful opportunity for connection. Go to www.InterfaithPhiladelphia.org to see upcoming programs. Bronwen’s website: https://www.BronwenMayerHenry.com/ Bronwen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChooseJoyOverPerfection/ --- If you like the show, please leave a review! Don't know how? Check out this article with step-by-step instructions: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/promotion/how-to-write-podcast-reviews/ Join the conversation about the episode: patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Host, editor, & executive producer: Anne Hylden Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    49 min
  4. At work, in life, and while walking the dog: the questions we ask most often — Bobisode #001

    11/14/2025 ·  Bonus

    At work, in life, and while walking the dog: the questions we ask most often — Bobisode #001

    Anne and Bob each share a few of the questions that we find ourselves asking a lot. --- If you like the show, please leave a review! Don't know how? Check out this article with step-by-step instructions: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/promotion/how-to-write-podcast-reviews/ Join the conversation about the episode: patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Host, editor, & executive producer: Anne Hylden Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    28 min
  5. How to have a great conversation when you don't know what to talk about — “Data doctor” and homeschool parent Derek Lee — Questions at Work

    10/30/2025

    How to have a great conversation when you don't know what to talk about — “Data doctor” and homeschool parent Derek Lee — Questions at Work

    Derek Lee is a data architect, IT consultant, and homeschool parent whose approach to questions is shaped by his atypical way of experiencing the world. At work, he uses questions to unearth inefficiencies and annoyances so he can make them better. At home, he’s figuring out how to best support an inquisitive kid’s self-directed education. And he’s got a few good questions up his sleeve for getting to know other humans. --- Join the conversation about the episode: patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Host & executive producer: Anne Hylden Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    39 min
  6. Questions to Ponder #001 - Do you ever feel guilty for not being 'productive' all the time?

    10/20/2025 ·  Bonus

    Questions to Ponder #001 - Do you ever feel guilty for not being 'productive' all the time?

    Listen, ponder, then share! --- Gift link to full essay by Tom McAllister: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/opinion/ai-outsource-writing-memoir.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uU8.T_V9.7-Pqveyml5F3&smid=url-share Excerpt read with permission from the author. Link to interview from TED conference: https://youtu.be/lGeoH4SaFIo?si=QzOkmcsamRTJjGOj --- Join the conversation about the episode: patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Host, editor, & executive producer: Anne Hylden Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    6 min
  7. How to question someone who might be lying to you — Detective John "Greg" Schell — Questions at work

    10/12/2025

    How to question someone who might be lying to you — Detective John "Greg" Schell — Questions at work

    How does a seasoned detective question victims, witnesses, and suspects? Find out in this episode. Detective John Schell (who also goes by Greg) has been with the Philadelphia Police Department for almost 25 years and has solved many, many cases. But his success in this profession doesn't come from acting like a tough guy. --- Join the conversation about the episode: patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Host & executive producer: Anne Hylden Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    41 min
  8. On asking important questions when questioning seems hard or frowned upon — Ordained minister & clinical psychologist Sherry Davis Molock — Questions at work

    10/04/2025

    On asking important questions when questioning seems hard or frowned upon — Ordained minister & clinical psychologist Sherry Davis Molock — Questions at work

    How do you maintain strong relationships? How do you confront a difficult colleague? How do you lead a more fulfilling life? You start by asking questions. Sherry has picked up quite a few techniques for asking questions — and listening to the answers — in her years of teaching, research, faith-based ministry, and working as a therapist. Sherry Davis Molock, Ph.D., M.Div., is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at The George Washington University, where she conducts research on the prevention of suicide and HIV in African American adolescents and young adults. She's also an ordained minister and co-founder of the Beloved Community Church, now affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Sherry's faculty page: https://psychology.columbian.gwu.edu/sherry-molock Beloved Community Church: https://www.belovedcommunitychurchmd.org/about-our-church/ --- Join the conversation about the episode: patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    45 min
  9. Questioning tips from a career spent cultivating curiosity — Natural philosopher & podcaster Sean Carroll — Questions at work

    09/27/2025

    Questioning tips from a career spent cultivating curiosity — Natural philosopher & podcaster Sean Carroll — Questions at work

    Sean shares some of his deep questions about the universe, things he's learned from being a physicist, philosopher, and professor, and some personal insights from years of hosting his own podcast. Sean Carroll, Ph.D. is the Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University and Fractal Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. He has written six books (and is apparently working on more), and he has hosted a podcast called Mindscape for six years. More about Sean and his work: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/ --- Join the conversation about the episode: patreon.com/questionist Submit an "I'm Glad I Asked" story: QuestionistPod@gmail.com --- This episode is a production of Questionist Media, LLC Outro music: "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi

    45 min
  10. Meet your host, Anne Hylden, in conversation with her favorite person — Intro Episode

    09/27/2025

    Meet your host, Anne Hylden, in conversation with her favorite person — Intro Episode

    Meet your host, Anne Hylden. Find out what this show is all about as she discusses her ideas and motivations for wanting to talk about questions with absolutely everyone. Then, at the end of the episode, find out how to join the Questionist community for opportunities to practice your own question-asking skills — and contribute to future episodes! --- Recorded, edited, and produced by Anne Hylden. Please forgive the minor audio hiccups — I'm new at this! Special guest appearance by Bob Rarig. Outro music is "HedKandi Fashion Luxury" by HedKandi.

    24 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Curious about curiosity? It's the single habit that can make you both smarter AND more fun to talk to. Join me for monthly chats about the art and process of asking better questions! Come for the practical tips and tools; stay for the mind-expanding insights. Educator, science writer, and host Anne Hylden hasn't always been good at putting her questions into words. Now she interviews a range of people with one important thing in common: they all value curiosity. Through these conversations, Anne invites you to discover the power of thoughtful questions — and perhaps try a few out yourself. Join the conversation at patreon.com/questionist Submit "I'm Glad I Asked" stories to questionistpod@gmail.com

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