Choose to be Curious

Lynn Borton
  • 4.9 (21)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Choose to be Curious is a show all about curiosity. We talk about research and theory, but mostly it's conversations about how curiosity shows up in work and life. Now syndicated and available via Pacifica RadioNetwork.

  1. Ep. #308: CheapNFreeDC: Curiosity, Passion & Purpose, with Estee Levine

    5D AGO

    Ep. #308: CheapNFreeDC: Curiosity, Passion & Purpose, with Estee Levine

    Research tells us that by leaning into externally-focused curiosity – “what do I notice that the world needs?” – and internally-focused curiosity – “How might I be able to contribute?” – we can find meaning and a sense of purpose in our lives. We can find what lights us up. Estee Levine did just that. She got curious about where her passions might fill some of the gaps in her community and she set out to do something with that information. She created CheapNFreeDC, an Instagram account that features destinations and activities that are (you guessed it!) cheap and free in and around Washington, DC. It's a celebration of people, creativity and community. Follow Estee Levine on Instagram @ CheapNFreeDC. Photo's featured artist is Reggie “Art” Gillumo, on Instagram @ artgillumo Theme music by Sean Balick. "UpUpUp and Over” by The Balloonist, via Blue Dot Sessions. Estee is shown in front of a mural by Reggie "Art" Gillumo: https://www.artgillumo.com

    28 min
  2. Ep. #307A: Might Curiosity Hibernate?

    12/04/2025

    Ep. #307A: Might Curiosity Hibernate?

    I’m taking a little break in December. Call it some curiosity R&R — curiosity respite & re-airs. I’ll get a production break, and my radio audiences will continue to enjoy uninterrupted listening, thanks to Pacifica Radio Network, with four great C2BC Classic re-airs. We'll be back with a great lineup starting January 1st. Of course, I don’t want you to miss out, so here’s a peek at what my radio audiences will be getting in case you'd like to listen along. Maybe you’ve heard these episodes before, maybe not. They're a wonderful sample of curiosity in action. I hope you enjoy them. And for those of you nice enough to subscribe and actually read this post, some vaguely-related pictures to repay your loyalty. :) Thanks, as always to Sean Balick for our theme music. "The Little Powder" and "Night Light" by Nursery, via Blue Dot Sessions.

    6 min
  3. C2BC-307 Bonus: Analogies (6 min)

    11/25/2025

    C2BC-307 Bonus: Analogies (6 min)

    I couldn't fit everything in this week, so here is what Jack Laws and I drew from the Big Jar of Wannabe Analogies. #analogy Episode webpage: https://lynnborton.com/2025/11/27/curiosity-nature-journaling-with-john-muir-laws/

    6 min
  4. Ep. #307: Curiosity & Nature Journaling, with John Muir Laws

    11/25/2025

    Ep. #307: Curiosity & Nature Journaling, with John Muir Laws

    "Slow down to the speed of wonder." ~ John Muir Laws This is an episode about nature journaling, but Jack would be the first to say: it isn't about the journal, it's about the journey. He's developed interdisciplinary programs that combine art with science and train us to observe the world with rigor and joy -- strengthening our capacity to be intentionally curious. John Muir Laws: https://johnmuirlaws.com Theme music by Sean Balick; other music by Sketchbook, via Blue Dot Sessions. Visit the episode webpage here: https://lynnborton.com/2025/11/27/curiosity-nature-journaling-with-john-muir-laws/

    28 min
  5. Ep. #306: Skip the Small Talk, with Ashley Kirsner

    11/20/2025

    Ep. #306: Skip the Small Talk, with Ashley Kirsner

    Enough with the polite, front parlor pablum of the past -- and onward toward rich discussion, mindful discourse, self-disclosure, and – dare I say it? – curiosity! Wanting to do something about the epidemic of loneliness among her peers, Ashley Kirsner set out to find a way to help people build their conversational and self-revelatory muscles. Enter Skip the Small Talk. Skip the Small Talk: https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com Theme music by Sean Balick; “Are We Loose Yet” by Bodytonic, via Blue Dot Sessions.

    28 min
  6. Ep. #305: Curiosity & Creativitry: The Know-How, Practice & Mastery of Creativity, with Stan Lai

    11/13/2025

    Ep. #305: Curiosity & Creativitry: The Know-How, Practice & Mastery of Creativity, with Stan Lai

    “Creativitry," writes legendary playwright Stan Lai in the preface to his new book of that name, "Doesn’t exist as a word. Just as all creative things do not exist -- until they do. "Rhymes with Artistry, and Chemistry, and Sorcery. "The know-how, practice and mastery of creativity." The overlap, undercurrents and  interplay of creativity and curiosity come up a lot here, which only heightened my delight at being joined by creativity master Stan Lai, known as “the major contemporary Asian playwright of his time...perhaps of all time." More about Stan Lai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Lai Theme music by Sean Balick; “A Certain Lightness” by Migration, via Blue Dot Sessions.

    28 min
  7. Ep. #304: Curious in Mind & Body, with Qudsiya Naqui

    11/05/2025

    Ep. #304: Curious in Mind & Body, with Qudsiya Naqui

    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.

    28 min
  8. Ep. #303: Curiosity & Finding Good, with Brian Fretwell

    10/29/2025

    Ep. #303: Curiosity & Finding Good, with Brian Fretwell

    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.

    28 min
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4.9
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Choose to be Curious is a show all about curiosity. We talk about research and theory, but mostly it's conversations about how curiosity shows up in work and life. Now syndicated and available via Pacifica RadioNetwork.

Information

  • Creator
    Lynn Borton
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    375
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Choose to be Curious

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