Learning Through Experience

Yale School of Management
  • 4.8 (32)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Learning Through Experience

In this new season of the Learning Through Experience podcast, we’re digging into something that resonates deeply with everyone right now: facing uncertainty. In a time marked by political shifts, social upheaval, and personal challenges, uncertainty isn't just a backdrop—it’s the environment we’re all navigating. But rather than viewing it as something to endure or escape, Heidi invites listeners to explore how we can learn our way through uncertainty, finding meaning, resilience, and even growth in the process. In these episodes, you’ll hear from a diverse range of guests who bring their own stories, insights and perspectives on what it means to confront the unknown. From personal transformations to organizational shifts, from the micro to the macro, we’ll explore how facing uncertainty can become a catalyst for learning—inviting curiosity, fostering grit and shaping new ways of being. Importantly, this isn’t a deep dive into the science of uncertainty or a prescriptive guide to resilience. Instead, it’s an open, accessible exploration of the human experience. Heidi and her guests will reflect on the felt, emotional dimensions of navigating the unknown—those moments when clarity feels just out of reach, and yet, something new begins to emerge. Learning Through Experience has always been about more than just facts; it’s about the journey of discovery. This season, as we face uncertainty together, we hope to uncover not just how to survive it, but how to grow, connect and find meaning along the way. Welcome to Season 4. We love having you here. Learning Through Experience is produced through Yale School of Management. Subscribe on YouTube and in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. For deeper insights and reflections about each episode, subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter. We love to hear from listeners and viewers about what resonated, topics and guests you hope we take on, and of course, about your experience! Reach out to us at LTEpodcast@yale.edu.

  1. 1D AGO

    Joy is an Inside Job: Art, Gratitude and Cultivating Resilience

    What does it take to cultivate joy—not as a fleeting feeling, but as a steady presence—even in times of deep uncertainty? In this luminous conversation, Dr. Heidi Brooks is joined by psychologist and author Emma Seppälä and artist Clara Nartey to explore the resilient, regenerative power of joy. With insights drawn from neuroscience, personal experience and artistic practice, Emma and Clara reflect on how inner sovereignty—the ability to return to center amid chaos—can help us meet the world with greater creativity, calm, and connection. From Clara’s practice of beginning each day in prayerful gratitude to Emma’s decades of meditation and breathwork, Heidi and her guests share how joy can be cultivated as a discipline of attention and care, and reflect on joy as an “inside job”—one that begins with how we treat ourselves and ripples outward in our relationships, our work and our communities. Together, they invite us to consider: What might it look like to build a “circle of delight” around ourselves and others—a nest of safety, authenticity and beauty?  This episode is for anyone seeking a more rooted, soulfully sustainable way to face uncertainty—and to offer something healing to the world in return. Learning Through Experience is produced through the Yale School of Management. What resonates with you about this conversation? We’d love to hear from you—reach out to LTEpodcast@yale.edu. And subscribe to the monthly LinkedIn newsletter for additional insights and reflections about episode topics and questions to ponder.  Watch this video on YouTube.   Resources Read "Sovereign: Reclaim Your Freedom, Energy, and Power in a Time of Distraction, Uncertainty, and Chaos" by Emma Seppälä See Clara Nartey’s artwork, including her “Joy of Living” installation at Yale School of Management’s Evans Hall  Follow Emma’s Psychology Today blog series, “Feeling It”  Listen to Clara’s first Learning Through Experience conversation with Dr. Heidi Brooks: “The Power of Art to Cultivate Joy”   Show Notes & Key Moments 00:00 – Welcome Back to Joy Heidi sets the stage for a conversation about joy as a practice of resilience during uncertain times–and a shared realization that joy often appears where you least expect it. 02:14 – Boarding School, Pandemic, and the Birth of Joy Clara shares how hardship shaped her commitment to joy: “You either succumb to the situation—or find a way out using joy.” 03:42 – Inner Wealth, Outer Poverty Emma reflects on cultures where joy thrives in the absence of material wealth: “You can’t put the human spirit down.” 08:45 – Training the Mind for Turbulence Emma offers practices like breathwork and meditation as tools to cultivate resilience and unlock creativity: “The quality of your life depends on the state of your mind.” 14:35 – Art as Emotional Translation Clara describes how her joy—or pain—flows directly into her textile work, regardless of what’s visible on the surface. Both Clara and Emma speak to the mystery of creativity: “It’s like the work is asking to be made—and I’m just the channel.” 23:19 – The Trouble With Toxic Positivity They explore the power of authenticity over forced optimism: “Sometimes the most uplifting thing is just being present through the hard stuff.” 33:37 – What Is Sovereignty? Emma defines it as reclaiming our inner space from inherited self-criticism: “You can’t unsee what you’ve seen.” 37:23 – Joy Begins With You        Clara reminds us: “You can’t give joy to others from a place of emptiness.” And something to sit with: Something to sit with: “Gratitude will float you through the rushing waters.”

    42 min

  2. MAR 28

    What Might Be: Navigating Paradox in Creating Microspaces of Justice

    What if the institutions we rely on—our workplaces, schools, and legal systems—aren’t built for full participation? And what if real change starts not from the top, but in small, intentional spaces we create ourselves? In this episode Heidi Brooks and legal scholar and change-maker Susan Sturm explore the paradoxes of institutional transformation, and how facing uncertainty–rather than seeking to eliminate it–can create new possibilities for participation, collaboration and justice.  Drawing from her new book, What Might Be: How Universities and Other Institutions Can Change, Susan shares how we can confront the tensions within our systems—between power and powerlessness, justice and exclusion, certainty and humility—without rushing to resolve them. Through personal stories and deep insights, she introduces the concept of micro spaces of justice—small but intentional environments where people model the institutional change they wish to see. These spaces, she argues, offer a path forward amid today’s polarization and institutional inertia.  This episode invites listeners to rethink their role in shaping institutions, reimagining power, and embracing paradox as a source of transformation. Listen now and join the conversation on what might be possible. Learning Through Experience is produced through the Yale School of Management. What resonates with you about this conversation? We’d love to hear from you—reach out to LTEpodcast@yale.edu. And subscribe to the monthly LinkedIn newsletter for additional insights and reflections about episode topics and questions to ponder.  Watch this episode on YouTube. Resources 📘 Susan Sturm’s book: What Might Be: Confronting Racism to Transform Our Institutions(Princeton University Press, 2025). Explore Susan’s vision for full participation and the paradoxes at the heart of institutional change. 🎭 Theater of Change at Columbia Law School Based on a methodology developed by Susan Sturm, Theater of Change is a collaboration between the Broadway Advocacy Coalition and Columbia Law School, bringing together law students, artists, and directly impacted individuals to co-create justice through performance and policy. 📝 Essay: “Paradoxical Possibility: Embracing Anti-Racism Contradictions” A compelling companion essay to What Might Be, Susan Sturm offers further insight into navigating paradox in the pursuit of justice. Show Notes & Key Moments 2:15 – Holding Contradictions: Beauty, Tragedy and Institutional Change A photograph of 9/11 memorial candles sparks a key theme: learning to sit with paradox. “I find myself in spaces of contradiction all the time. The challenge is learning how to be in both places at once.” 3:24 – Three Defining Experiences Susan shares what led her to this work: a complex family upbringing, navigating power and powerlessness in the legal system, and a transformational collaboration with Lani Guinier. 6:13 – Why Institutions Struggle with Full Participation No institution gets it right—but that doesn’t mean change isn’t possible. “The work is in moving closer, not waiting for perfection.” 9:01 – The Role of Everyday Leadership Real change isn’t just top-down. Susan challenges listeners: What’s your role in making your workplace or community more participatory? 14:57 – Micro Spaces of Justice: Change Starts Small Inspired by Adrienne Maree Brown’s idea of fractals, these intentional spaces allow us to practice the world we want to see. “They show us what’s possible—even before the larger institution is ready.” 14:41 – Why Change Requires Practice–and Why Lawyers Struggle with this Work Transformation isn’t a quick fix. “It takes practice, patience, and a willingness to fail forward.” Legal training reinforces certainty and authority—often at the cost of flexibility and relational intelligence. “The best lawyers, and the best leaders, learn to hold complexity.” 27:23 – The Power of Paradox: Making Sense of the Messy Middle Creating just institutions means navigating tensions that don’t have easy answers. Susan explores three key paradoxes—about power, identity, and the institutions themselves—that must be understood to drive meaningful change. 34:44 – What Can We Do? Moving from Awareness to Action Understanding these paradoxes is one thing—acting on them is another. Susan and Heidi explore concrete ways to make change, from shifting mindsets to building micro spaces of justice. 39:21 – Vulnerability as Leadership Real growth begins when we stop fearing mistakes. “Transformation happens when people are allowed to fail safely.” 41:45 – Learning in Public Heidi shares how she’s experimenting with vulnerability and growth in her own teaching spaces. “There’s so much here between us. We’re walking the path in real time.”

    43 min

  3. MAR 14

    The Growth Curriculum: How Everyday Struggles Shape Us

    What if the challenges you’re facing aren’t obstacles—but invitations to grow? In this episode, Heidi Brooks and leadership expert Jennifer Garvey Berger explore how we grow through uncertainty, not just survive it. They also discuss why change is essential for leaders, how to turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth and why embracing imperfection might be the key to thriving in an anxious world. Sharing insights from her book Changing on the Job, Jennifer talks about the power of character development, the conditions that make learning possible and the small but profound shifts that help us navigate complexity. She and Heidi unpack a paradox of leadership today—where we admire vulnerability in others but still strive for perfection ourselves. Together, they ask: What if the difficulties we encounter are actually the curriculum for our growth? Whether you're a leader facing high-stakes decisions or simply looking to approach change with more courage and curiosity, this conversation will challenge the way you think about learning, leading and transformation. Learning Through Experience is produced through the Yale School of Management. What resonates with you about this conversation? We’d love to hear from you—reach out to LTEpodcast@yale.edu. And subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter for additional insights and reflections about the episode topics and takeaways. Watch this episode on YouTube. Show Notes & Key Moments 2:40 – From Teaching English to Coaching Leaders Jennifer shares how her early love of storytelling and character development led her to leadership coaching: "I’ve always been fascinated by how people grow and change. Now, instead of just reading stories, I get to help co-author them in real time." 5:00 – When Change Becomes Unavoidable The most meaningful transformations happen when people recognize that their old ways of thinking no longer serve them: “My favorite experiences are when people say, ‘Hey, me—I need to be different.’” 11:30 – Work as a School for Adulthood Jennifer challenges the assumption that personal growth stops after childhood: “We hit 20, and suddenly there’s no more context for growth. But workplaces should be the schools of adulthood.” 22:00 – The Conditions That Make Learning Possible Instead of resisting difficulties, what if we saw them as part of our learning curriculum? Growth requires both challenge and support: “Organizations know how to push people, but they often forget to create the scaffolding that helps people rise to the challenge.” 35:00 – Noticing the Invisible Forces That Shape Us The first step in transformation isn’t action—it’s awareness: “Can I begin to notice more? The assumptions I carry? The way I react? The invisible currents shaping me?” 39:00 – Experimenting with New Ways of Being Jennifer encourages small, intentional experiments in daily leadership: “Could this meeting be a learning event? Could I approach this conversation differently?” 42:00 – The Surprising Lesson of AI & Human Connection Heidi and Jennifer discuss why some people find AI more “empathetic” than humans—and what that tells us about the way we show up for each other. 45:00 – The Lifelong Practice of Growth Something to sit with: “Getting behind our growth can be painful, but it’s also the greatest relief.”

    45 min

  4. FEB 28

    Art as Experience: How Aesthetic Experience Fuels Creativity, Collaboration, and Wellbeing

    Creative expression is essential for everyone—to think differently, connect deeply and thrive through uncertainty. In the Season 4 premiere of Learning Through Experience, Heidi Brooks welcomes Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen, co-authors of Your Brain on Art, for a thought-provoking conversation about how engaging with art can help shape the way we learn, collaborate and navigate life’s complexities. Ivy and Susan share their personal journeys into the worlds of art and neuroscience, revealing how aesthetic experiences, whether through music, visual art or movement, can rewire the brain, strengthen emotional wellbeing and foster connection. They explore the science behind neuroplasticity and the role of sensory engagement in daily life. This episode is an invitation to reimagine learning and leadership, inspiring listeners to embrace art—not just as a form of expression but as a tool for building resilience, expanding perspective and finding wonder in the everyday.  Learning Through Experience is produced through the Yale School of Management. For deeper insights and reflections about each episode, subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter. What resonates with you about this conversation? We’d love to hear from you—reach out to LTEpodcast@yale.edu.  Watch this episode on YouTube. Show Notes & Key Moments 00:00 | Welcome to Season 4: How Art Helps Us Face Uncertainty Heidi Brooks introduces the season’s theme of “facing uncertainty” and why experiences with art are essential in uncertain times. Ivy and Susan reflect on the growing impact of Your Brain on Art and the movement it has sparked. 01:54 | The Unexpected Paths to Creative Expression Susan shares how her twin sister's health journey inspired faith in art's healing powerand sparked her lifelong interest in art and neuroscience. Ivy recalls how growing up in a maker’s home led her to a career at the intersection of creativity, business and human potential. 08:41 | Why Experiencing Art Matters—-Even If You’re Not an Artist Simply listening to music, viewing a painting or standing in awe of architecture can spark emotional and neurological shifts that help us feel more connected, grounded and resilient. Heidi shares her experience bringing art into leadership education at Yale. 12:22 | Unlocking Your Brain Through Sensory Experiences Susan explains how sensory experiences activate neural pathways that support memory, learning and improved mental health. The arts, she argues, are essential for cognitive and emotional well-being. 19:09 | Relearning How to Feel, Not Just Think Ivy challenges the common belief that learning happens only through thinking, emphasizing that we are feeling beings first. They discuss why the arts should be central—not optional—in education. 30:02 | Can Art Make Us Better Collaborators? Yes. Ivy shares how incorporating art and creative exercises helped her build high-performing teams at Mattel and Google. The secret? Trust, play and shared sensory experiences. 35:56 | The Science of Group Flow: Why Shared Experiences Matter Susan and Ivy explore how teams can synchronize at a deep level. Ivy describes her experiment using sound frequencies to enhance brainstorming sessions. 43:30 | From Coping to Thriving: The Keys to Flourishing Susan breaks down what it takes to truly thrive—curiosity, awe, enriched environments and play—and how interfaces with art helps us build a capacity to thrive.. 46:52 | A Final Invitation to Notice More Ivy offers a simple but profound takeaway: “Pay attention to what gets your attention.” Noticing what moves you is the first step toward living a more enriched and connected life.  Additional Resources  Your Brain on Art website: https://www.yourbrainonart.com/ What is neuroarts? https://www.yourbrainonart.com/what-is-neuroarts Aesthetic Mindset Index https://www.yourbrainonart.com/aesthetic-mindset-index Blend of science and art improving neurological health: https://www.pbs.org/video/your-brain-on-art-1685477928/ How the Arts Can Benefit Your Mental Health: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/well/mind/art-mental-health.html How music and dance affect your brain and body: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/03/02/music-dance-painting-brain-mental-health/ ‘Your Brain on Art’ explore how even bad art makes for good health: https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/books/your-brain-on-art-health-benefits-17775845

    48 min

  5. FEB 26

    Introducing Season 4 of Learning Through Experience

    Welcome to a new season of Learning Through Experience! This season will explore something that resonates deeply with everyone right now: facing uncertainty. My conversations are with a diverse array of exceptional guests who will talk with us about how they see and experience uncertainty through their lens. Together, we’ll dig into the mindsets, practices and environments that allow us to learn, adapt and thrive, even in—perhaps especially in—these uncertain times. Welcome to Season 4. I love having you here! Watch this episode on YouTube.

    3 min

  6. 12/23/2024

    Reflecting on Season 3 of Learning Through Experience

    Thank you for tuning in this season on the Learning Through Experience podcast! In this season 3 reflection episode, I take a step back to reflect on the key themes, conversations, and experiences that shaped the show. This season featured several insightful and impactful conversations. I highlight discussions with guests like Lisa Lahey on overcoming change, Mark Brackett on emotional intelligence and attunement, Liliana Milkova and Jenny Frederick on the definition of education, Avi Kluger on feedback, Kim Weston on personal transformation through art, and Amy Bloom on writing to be read. As the podcast looks ahead to the new season, I am grateful to the students, team members, and listeners who have supported the podcast. I am so glad you’re here! Learning Through Experience is produced through the Yale School of Management. For more insights about each episode, subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter. Watch this episode on YouTube.

    11 min

  7. 12/20/2024

    Writing For Yourself and Writing to be Read

    Writing has the power to transport us to the depths of the human experience – to illuminate the joys, sorrows and complexities that make us who we are. In this captivating final episode of Learning Through Experience Season Three, Amy Bloom and I explore the transformative power of the written word. Amy, an acclaimed writer and psychotherapist, shares a poignant reading from her memoir "In Love," which provides a deeply personal window into her journey with her late husband's early-onset Alzheimer's. The conversation takes us into the nuanced relationship between writing for oneself and writing for an audience, as Amy offers her thought-provoking perspective on the importance of reading diverse perspectives to enrich one's creative voice. Join us as we ponder the art of revision, strategies for creating a safe and supportive environment for student writers, and all the profound ways in which reflective writing can shape our understanding of ourselves and the human experience.  Watch this episode on YouTube.   Key Topics 4:16 Reading Aloud: “In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss” Amy reads a powerful excerpt from her memoir "In Love" about her husband's early-onset Alzheimer's. 9:21 The Importance of Reading Diverse Perspectives Amy discusses how reading widely, beyond one’s own experiences, has shaped her as a writer, and emphasizes the value of understanding complex human emotions and motivations to create compelling characters. 13:18 Writing for Yourself vs. Writing for Others Amy draws from insights on her process of transitioning from private writing to crafting an engaging narrative for readers.  17:36 The Art of Revision and Refinement Amy describes her approach to the writing process, including the importance of starting with a vivid moment and building from there. She also emphasizes the need for constant revision and refinement to make the writing more compelling and accessible for readers. 24:53 Creating a Safe Space for Student Writers Writing can be a struggle and failure is inherent. Amy shares her experience teaching writing and the strategies she uses to foster a supportive, yet provocative, environment for students. 32:28 The Transformative Power of Reflective Writing There can be many sides, or perspectives, to any individual story. Amy explores the value of engaging deeply with one’s own stories and examining stories from multiple perspectives, while not shying away from the less heroic or pretty aspects of personal narratives. Additional Resources  Darien Library discussion on YouTube: Amy turns the lens inwards in In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss, a courageous memoir that challenges: what are you willing to do for the one you love? And what is our own right to die? When Her Husband Said He Wanted to Die, Amy Bloom Listened - NY Times  NY Times - How to Raise a ‘Warrior Queen’: For 12 years, Yiyun Li taught her writing students a story by Amy Bloom about the power, and limitations, of love. Confronting unbearable grief, she returned to it.

    37 min

  8. 12/06/2024

    Cultivating Wonderment in Teaching and Learning

    Imagine a world where education isn't just about information but about inspiring awe—a spark that transforms learning into discovery. This episode of Learning Through Experience envisions this future where teaching and learning are more collaborative, experiential and empowering, for instructors and students alike. As my guest Jenny Frederick, director of Yale's Center for Teaching and Learning, emphasized in our conversation: “When experiences bring the conceptual to life—like, wow, I get it now—it can be a moment of wonder." Join us as we discuss the value of embracing ambiguity and equipping students with the skills to navigate uncertainty—a crucial capacity in our rapidly changing world. Beyond theory, we explore how disciplines bring unique strengths and shadows to the learning experience. When classrooms become spaces where curiosity sparks discovery and uncertainty fuels growth, we unlock the potential for truly transformative learning. Wonder isn’t just a feeling; it’s a force that drives connection, resilience, and creativity in education and beyond. Watch this episode on YouTube. Key Topics 7:51 Broad Horizons: The Value of Diverse Education and Career Exploration Heidi and Jenny explore the value of a broad education and exploring different career paths and discuss the metaphor of structure and function in chemistry and its relevance to teaching. 14:06 Normalizing the Learning Journey: The Mission of the Center for Teaching and Learning Jenny describes the Center for Teaching and Learning's mission to connect learning support and teaching support, and its efforts to encourage help-seeking behavior and normalize the struggle of learning. 21:05 The Student-Centered Shift: Instructors as Guides in the Learning Process Heidi and Jenny discuss the shift towards more student-centered approaches in teaching, and the role of the instructor as a facilitator or guide. 28:04 Cultivating Wonderment: Designing Relevant and Shared Learning Experiences They explore the importance of creating experiences that foster relevance, interest, and room for wonder, as well as the power of shared experiences in a co-created learning environment. 36:03 Interdisciplinary Insights: Equipping Students to Handle Ambiguity Jenny highlights the benefits of interdisciplinary programs and richer conversations, and they discuss helping students develop skills for navigating uncertainty and ambiguity. 45:04 Wrestling with Complexity: Naming Conventions and Tackling Hard Questions Heidi and Jenny explore the desire for quick answers and the value of wrestling with hard questions, as well as the importance of naming and taming disciplinary conventions to create more open learning. 54:01 A Vision for Experiential and Collaborative Education They envision a future where education is more experiential and collaborative, with the goal of making centers like Yale's obsolete by empowering the community. Additional Resources   “Educationalist: Around the World” podcast (2022) on “leading an integrated center for teaching and learning” Inside Higher Ed Q&A (2022)

    52 min
See All (32)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

In this new season of the Learning Through Experience podcast, we’re digging into something that resonates deeply with everyone right now: facing uncertainty. In a time marked by political shifts, social upheaval, and personal challenges, uncertainty isn't just a backdrop—it’s the environment we’re all navigating. But rather than viewing it as something to endure or escape, Heidi invites listeners to explore how we can learn our way through uncertainty, finding meaning, resilience, and even growth in the process. In these episodes, you’ll hear from a diverse range of guests who bring their own stories, insights and perspectives on what it means to confront the unknown. From personal transformations to organizational shifts, from the micro to the macro, we’ll explore how facing uncertainty can become a catalyst for learning—inviting curiosity, fostering grit and shaping new ways of being. Importantly, this isn’t a deep dive into the science of uncertainty or a prescriptive guide to resilience. Instead, it’s an open, accessible exploration of the human experience. Heidi and her guests will reflect on the felt, emotional dimensions of navigating the unknown—those moments when clarity feels just out of reach, and yet, something new begins to emerge. Learning Through Experience has always been about more than just facts; it’s about the journey of discovery. This season, as we face uncertainty together, we hope to uncover not just how to survive it, but how to grow, connect and find meaning along the way. Welcome to Season 4. We love having you here. Learning Through Experience is produced through Yale School of Management. Subscribe on YouTube and in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. For deeper insights and reflections about each episode, subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter. We love to hear from listeners and viewers about what resonated, topics and guests you hope we take on, and of course, about your experience! Reach out to us at LTEpodcast@yale.edu.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada