Passion Struck with John R. Miles - Unlocking the Power of Curiosity: How It Drives Innovation & Success w/ John R. Miles EP 289

Starting point is 00:00:00 Coming up next, on Passion Struck, psychologists and neuroscientists worldwide have found that curiosity is not exclusive to children. In fact, it has been shown to be a catalyst for exploration and an essential factor for healthy development and learning. Cultivating curiosity can lead to numerous benefits, including psychological well-being, resilience, subjective happiness, as well as a sense of

Starting point is 00:00:25 purpose in life. Moreover, it's associated with a lower risk of depression and fewer negative emotions. Welcome to PassionStruct. Hi, I'm your host, John Armiles, and on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips, and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you. Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself. If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long form interviews the rest of the week with guest-ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators,

Starting point is 00:01:06 scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes. Now, let's go out there and become PassionStruck. Hello everyone and welcome back to Momentum Friday, an episode 289 of PassionStruck. Ranked by Apple is one of the top 20 health podcasts and thank you to each and every one of you comes back weekly to listen and learn, how to live better, be better, and impact the world. And in case you didn't know, a passion struck is now also unsindicated radio on the AM FM 247 National Broadcast.

Starting point is 00:01:35 Catch us every Monday and Friday from 5 to 6 PM, on Apple Music or wherever you listen. Links will be in the show notes. If you're new to the show, thank you so much for being here. You simply want to introduce this to a friend or family member. We now have episode starder packs, which are collections of our fans' favorite episodes that we organize in the convenient categories that give any new listener the great way to

Starting point is 00:01:54 get acclimated to everything we do here on the show. Either go to Spotify or PassionStruct.com slash starder packs to get started. And in case you missed it, earlier this week, I interviewed my friend Terry Cole, who is a psychotherapist, relationship expert, and the best-selling author of the book Boundary Boss. In our interview, we discussed the keys to creating healthy boundaries and an inspired life. I also had on University of California Berkeley professor, Dacker Keltner, who is one of the leading experts in the world on the biology of human emotions, and we delve into the exclusive emotion of awe, exploring how it transforms our brains and our bodies. And in case you like those episodes or todays, I would so appreciate it if you would give us a five-star rating interview. I know I have

Starting point is 00:02:36 to ask, but they go such a long way in helping us improve the popularity of the show, and more importantly bringing more people into the passion-starch community, where we can teach them how to live a limitless life, and provide them doses of hope, inspiration, connection, and meaning. I also wanted to acknowledge our fan of the week Alex Hallis, who writes, The best way to change your mindset, John Armiles is down to earth, and he's also brilliant. Easy to listen to, but also, I open it. Each of his podcasts holds little gems of life tips that really resonate with me. I am super grateful for his podcast. It's my favorite to listen to

Starting point is 00:03:09 when I work out at the gym. Thank you so much, Alex, for that incredible review, and for all of you who give us reviews and ratings. Now, let's talk about today's episode. Humans are naturally curious creatures, with a seemingly insatiable appetite for exploration and discovery. But what does it mean to be truly curious? How can we use our creativity to unlock new levels of understanding and creativity in ourselves? This age-old question has puzzled philosophers, scientists, and thinkers alike. As we delve into the deaths of human curiosity, we will uncover the evolutionary reason behind this innate trait that sets us apart from

Starting point is 00:03:47 other species. In this episode, I'll explore the power of curiosity. From harnessing its potential benefits, cultivating an inquisitive mindset, I'll explain the psychology of curiosity and neurological aspects to comprehend how our brains process data seeking. I'll discuss different types of curiosity, such as perceptual curiosity and epistemic curiosity, and their respective roles in shaping our experiences. I'll also examine the important link between curiosity and success. By going through several studies that highlight its impact on personal growth, creativity, problem solving abilities,

Starting point is 00:04:22 and overall well-being. Finally, I'll reveal some of the amazing benefits from nurturing a curious mindset, both professionally and personally. Join me on this fascinating journey to unravel why humans are such curious creatures. Thank you for choosing PassionStruck and choosing me to be your host and guide on your journey to creating an intentional life now. Let that journey begin. I am really excited about today's episode and I was really intrigued when I started to do the research on curiosity. And one of the things I really dived into was what is the evolutionary reason for why we are so curious. And what I found is that humans are curious by nature.

Starting point is 00:05:06 We possess an inborn urge to investigate and comprehend our environment, whether through pursuing literature, testing theories, or simply posing queries. Being curious helps us stay abreast of current developments, equipping us with the knowledge to converse more effectively, as well as fostering stronger relationships. Our curiosity is an essential part of our development. Without it, we would never grow or evolve. Our predecessors urged to understand and modify the atmosphere that they lived in has been fundamental to the evolutionary process.

Starting point is 00:05:41 Our ancestors needed this innate trait to survive and thrive in their surroundings. But why did we evolve with such an insatiable desire for knowledge? Let's dive into some of the reasons for our inherent curiosity. One of the most fundamental reasons that humans develop curiosity was simply the need for survival. Back when life was more precarious, being curious about one's surroundings meant staying alive, people had to know what would happen if they walked off a cliff, or perhaps ate a poisonous plant. Learning from these experiences helped them avoid potentially fatal mistakes.

Starting point is 00:06:14 Natural selection also plays a significant role in shaping RNA curiosity as well. More curious people tended to be better equipped at finding food sources, identifying potential threats, and discovering new lands that offered safety and resources. As a result, individuals with heightened curiosity levels were more likely to pass on their genes through reproduction. In addition to individual survival benefits, social advantages are tied to human curiosity. Curious people tend to form stronger bonds within their communities by sharing information and collaborating on problem-solving tasks. Essential aspects of early human society that relied heavily on teamwork. Curiosity allowed for cultural transmission, enabling early humans

Starting point is 00:06:58 to learn from one another, passing on valuable knowledge and skills through generations. Curiosity also enabled collaboration because by working together and sharing information, curious individuals could solve problems more effectively than those who did not engage in cooperative behavior. In essence, our curiosity has been a driving force behind human evolution. Our desire to discover has enabled us to move beyond our comfort zones, adjust to unfamiliar situations, and form strong interpersonal connections that have significantly impacted the present-day world.

Starting point is 00:07:33 So next time you ask why or seek out new experiences, remember that it's your innate curiosity at work. The evolutionary rationale for inquisitiveness plays an integral role in the progression of humanity, providing us with a chance to glean knowledge from experiences and investigate novel possibilities. Now let's further dive into how curiosity impacted human development. We possess a deep-seated inclination to seek out knowledge and investigate our environment, which enables us to develop and progress. But what is it that drives curiosity?

Starting point is 00:08:05 And how does it affect human development? There are two different forms of curiosity, perceptual curiosity, and epistemic curiosity. Our perceptual curiosity is driven by the need to understand our environment better. It's a kind of curiosity that leads us to ask questions such as, what's that noise? Or, why did they do that? This curiosity spurs us to investigate and explore, allowing us to gain insight into our environment, build wisdom, and come up with novel concepts. Epistemic curiosity, on the other hand, is more internally motivated. It involves seeking knowledge for its own sake, rather than simply understanding how things work in the present moment. This type of curiosity can take individuals on an expedition of discovery and imagination

Starting point is 00:08:48 as they try to understand their part in the cosmos or why something simply functions as it does. Another fascinating aspect of curiosity is its relationship with memory. Research has shown that our brains are more likely to retain information when we're curious about something. This happens because the human brain has been honed over time to modulate the hippocampus, a region in the brain responsible for forming new memories. HIPOCampus, dependent learning, is dependent upon, cues from both perceptual and epistemic

Starting point is 00:09:19 curiosity. Illucidating why humans are so eager to attain new information. Throughout life, when there's no instant gratification, research indicates that even babies demonstrate this type of behavior. When confronted with novel objects or circumstances, indicating a strong correlation between cognitive growth and inquisitiveness right from the get-go, curiousness as we talked about before greatly influenced human evolution, granting us insight into our environment and ourselves while promoting problem-solving aptitude, as well as invention. By tapping into this natural instinct, we can uncover more profound meaning and purpose behind everyday experiences. As Confucius said, life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. Curiosity is an essential component of human development,

Starting point is 00:10:06 and it can be cultivated to help us reach our highest potential. Next, I will delve into a psychology and neuroscience. Behind Curiosity, the better comprehend the extent of its impact on our behavior, as well as the way that we interact with our surroundings. Philosopher and psychologist William James called curiosity the impulse towards better cognition, meaning that it is the desire to understand what you know that you do not.

Starting point is 00:10:32 He noted that in children, it drives them towards objects of novel, sensational qualities. That, which is bright, vivid and startling. But how does this work on a neurological level? The first thing we're going to explore is dopamine. The fuel for our curious minds, our brains, are wired to reward us when we satisfy our curiosity. When a curiosity-driven activity leads to the acquisition of knowledge, dopamine is discharged into our bodies and creates positive sensations. When we explore new ideas or experiences and learn something new due to our curiosity driven actions,

Starting point is 00:11:08 dopamine gets released into our systems, making us feel good. I'm going to explore two reasons for why this dopamine effect happens. The first one is the information gap theory, which was created by psychologist George Lohanstein, where he suggests that curiosity arises when there's a gap between what we know and what we want to know. This creates an emotional itch that can only be scratched by seeking out more information.

Starting point is 00:11:34 The second one is predictive coding theory. According to this theory, developed by neuroscientist Karl Frostine, the brain constantly tries to predict the future, looking at events based on past experiences, like trying to guess the end of a movie or song lyrics before they happen. So any deviation from this expected pattern triggers curiosity. Now let's explore the power of why.

Starting point is 00:11:57 We often associate asking questions with children. You know those curious creatures that never seem to run out of why questions, but as adults, we should embrace this tendency as well. The act of asking questions can facilitate a more profound understanding of complex matters, as well as inspiring innovative solutions. In fact, historical figures such as Albert Einstein and Leonardo DaVinci were renowned for their epistemic curiosity and incessant questioning, understanding the psychology and neuroscience behind curiosity allows us to appreciate its importance in driving personal growth and success. Embracing our innate desire to explore novel experiences or ideas while remaining open-minded, throughout life's journey will undoubtedly lead to greater personal

Starting point is 00:12:45 and professional fulfillment. Unraveling the intricacies of curiosities, underlying psychology and neuroscience is a multi-faceted pursuit, yet it may hold the key to us comprehending our own human actions. As we explore reasons why we are curious, it becomes apparent how this trait can be used for our personal success and growth. So now that we've gone through the psychology and neuroscience of curiosity, let's go through and recap some of the reasons why we're curious. Curiosity is an essential part of the human experience, and it's no accident that we're wired this way. There are several reasons why humans are naturally curious, ranging from survival instincts as I've

Starting point is 00:13:25 talked about already to the pursuit of pleasure. Let's discover how we are naturally curious and why these factors drive us. The first reason for our curiosity lies in evolutionary advantages. Our ancestors needed to be curious about their surroundings in order to survive. They had to seek out new food sources, identify potential threats, and seek out new territories to inhabit. This drive for exploration helped ensure the continuation of our species. Next, curiosity is needed for learning. We all know that knowledge is power, but did you ever stop to think about why? Curiosity compels us to discover and explore more about our environment, enabling us to make smarter choices in advance in life. In fact, studies have shown that people who are more curious tend to learn

Starting point is 00:14:11 faster and retain information longer. Next, let's explore the connection between novelty and curiosity. New experiences stimulate our minds like nothing else can, which is precisely why humans crave so much novelty. When faced with something unfamiliar or unexpected, we feel compelled by a natural urge, or even a sense of adventure, to explore further, whether it's trying exotic foods or traveling to off the beaten path destinations. This quest for new experiences keeps us engaged and motivated pushing us to grow as individuals. Creativity also helps us to unlock our potential. By exploring unfamiliar concepts and activities, we expose ourselves to new understandings, viewpoints, and answers to questions. It's no wonder that some of the most successful entrepreneurs and innovators are known for their

Starting point is 00:15:01 incasional curiosity. We are curious because curious because it to learn, explore and grow by understanding why we're interested. We can use that knowledge to help foster success in our lives. Now, let's examine that very link between curiosity and success. How does being inquisitive

Starting point is 00:15:18 lead us to more remarkable accomplishments? The link between curiosity and success is simple. Curiosity pushes people towards uncertainty and allows them to approach it with a positive attitude, empathy, creativity, innovation, and the ability to learn quickly all spring from curiosity.

Starting point is 00:15:39 Let's dive deeper into this innate human trait and how it can be harnessed for personal growth and achievement. And today's fast-paced world of constant change, having a curious mindset, enables individuals to embrace uncertainty rather than fear it. This openness towards new experiences leads to better decision-making skills in both professional and personal aspects of life. For instance, consider the story of Steve Jobs,

Starting point is 00:16:04 relentless pursuit of simplicity in design, his insatiable curiosity drove him to challenge conventional wisdom, which led to Apple's incredible success. So how do you foster creativity and innovation? Let's tackle creativity first. When we are curious about something or someone, our minds open up to possibilities that might not have been considered otherwise. We tap into our creative potential by exploring new ideas and experiences without judgment or fear a failure. Just like children do, and when it comes to innovation, curious individuals continually question established norms. They're always looking for ways to improve or do things differently. This mindset is the driving force behind groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. Curacity fuels our desire to learn,

Starting point is 00:16:51 grow, and adapt. When we're curious about something, we naturally want to know more, letting us down a path of continuous learning, the capacity to quickly gain knowledge in our ever evolving environments can greatly benefit those who are aiming to remain at the forefront of their field or life. Now let's also quickly consider the role of curiosity and leadership. A leader with an insatiable curiosity will inspire their team and foster an environment where innovation thrives. They'll ask questions, challenging assumptions, and encourage others to do the same. By promoting a culture of curiosity, within their organizations, leaders can drive success through better decision-making and increased

Starting point is 00:17:32 employee engagement. In essence, embracing your innate human curiosity can lead you to a path of personal mastery, self-awareness, and even greater success in life. So go ahead and unleash your inner explorer. The link between curiosity and success is undeniable. With the right outlook, curiosity can be a potent force in helping us attain our objectives and living intentionally. By exploring the benefits of curiosity, we can further understand how this trait helps us achieve greater heights in both professional and personal endeavors. So let's now dive into those benefits of curiosity. The first thing to understand is that curiosity isn't just a fun, quirky human trait. It has profound benefits that can improve our lives

Starting point is 00:18:16 in numerous different ways. First, it enhances learning and knowledge acquisition. By making it easier for us to remember new information. When we're truly captivated by something, our minds become more open to assimilating and holding onto knowledge in a superior manner than when we feel listless or indifferent. Second, it boosts our problem-solving skills. A curious mind is always on the lookout for solutions, exploring different angles and perspectives until it finds an answer. This makes curious people better problem solvers as they're more likely to think outside the box

Starting point is 00:18:51 and come up with creative solutions others might miss. Third, it increases empathy and understanding, becoming genuinely curious about other people's experiences allows us to develop empathy, understanding their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. From their perspective, rather than judging, superficially based on assumptions or biases, being inquisitive leads to deeper connections

Starting point is 00:19:14 founded on trust and appreciation. Fourth, it fosters innovation, curiosity fuels creativity by encouraging us to explore new ideas, experiment with different approaches and take risks. This open-mindedness often leads to innovative breakthroughs in various fields from art and literature to science and technology. So if you want to be a game changer or a trailblazer, which many of you want to do who are part of the passion-struct community, it's so vital to nurture your curiosity. And fifth, it improves mental well-being.

Starting point is 00:19:45 Studies have shown that more curious individuals tend to experience greater levels of contentment, less anxiety, and overall improved psychological well-being. In other words, stay curious, stay happy. Incorporating curiosity into our daily lives isn't just about asking questions or seeking new experiences. It's also about embracing the unknown with an open mind and cultivating a lifelong passion for learning. As we at PassionStruct

Starting point is 00:20:12 advocate for intentional living fueled by passion and purpose, nurturing your curiosity is undoubtedly one way of achieving personal mastery on this journey. So I wanted to give you another real life example of applying curiosity. We already discussed Steve Jobs earlier, but another example is physicist and noble laureate, Richard Feynman, who had an intense curiosity about the world around him. His curiosity led him to explore topics beyond his field,

Starting point is 00:20:39 such as biology and anthropology, and that enabled him to think of new ways of embracing physics. This interdisciplinary approach allowed him to make significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics and solidified his legacy as being one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century. Success stories like Richard Feynman's and Steve Jobs demonstrate how curious individuals explore uncharted territories,

Starting point is 00:21:05 develop new ideas, and make groundbreaking discoveries. Without curiosity, these people may not have achieved and I doubt they would have their full potential, or left such a significant impact on their respective fields. So I've discussed a lot today, so let's wrap this up. Curiosity is a fundamental aspect of human nature that has helped us survive and thrive through evolution. It drives us to explore, learn, and understand the world around us. The human brain plays a crucial role in our curiosity.

Starting point is 00:21:34 It constantly seeks out new experiences and information. And it rewards us with pleasure and satisfaction. When we learn something new, we're experiencing something exciting. This is why curiosity is often described as a reward-driven behavior. I have explained through this podcast that humans are naturally curious and why harnessing this power can lead such incredible rewards. One needs to be aware of their curiosity as it is so vital for growth and development.

Starting point is 00:22:02 Peking our interest, we probe to gain insight into ourselves as well as the world around us, the Elven deep in search of answers. By cultivating a mindset of inquiry, we can use our human curiosity for problem solving, while developing open-minded exploration. Ultimately, by embracing our innate inquisitiveness, we unlock the potential within each of us, allowing amplified imagination, aptitude, foretackling complex issues, sympathy, and general contentment. So keep asking questions, explore new ideas, and seek new experiences. Your curiosity may just lead you to greatness.

Starting point is 00:22:43 And if you go to the show notes, I will provide some actionable tips and exercises that you can use to explore your curiosity even more. Please use our website links if you purchase any of the guests that we feature here on the show. All proceeds go to supporting the show. You can find our videos on YouTube at both John Armiles as well as Passion Struct Clips. As I mentioned at the beginning, we are also now on syndicated radio on the AMFM 247 National Broadcast where you can catch us Monday and Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. on Apple Music, tune

Starting point is 00:23:13 in or wherever you listen. Please go to the show notes at PassionStruct.com to hear about all the different stations that we're on. Advertise your deals and discount codes and one convenient place at PassionStruct.com slash deals. I'm on LinkedIn where you can subscribe to my newsletter and I'm also at John R. Miles on both Twitter and Instagram where I post daily. You're about to hear a preview of the passionstruck podcast I did with C. McDermott, a precision wellness practitioner who holds a doctorate

Starting point is 00:23:38 of philosophy in integrative nutrition. C. focuses on preventing disease and optimizing lifestyle through nutrition, behavioral change, mindset, and stress reduction. See as the author of the International Best Selling Book, your DNA, your life. Let's start a health revolution. Let's start a wellness revolution because in my mind, average is a standard that includes crown of disease, which I don't think anybody wants that to be average. I don't think anybody's happy with that average. And I think anybody with a chronic disease, which is up to 65% of the population and a quarter of children, if you're in that situation, you certainly can't say that's a perfect place to be currently. Remember, we rise by lifting others, so share this episode on creativity

Starting point is 00:24:19 with those that you love and care about. In the meantime, do your best to apply what you hear on the show so that you can live what you listen. And until next time, live life, Ash and Strong. you

Passion Struck with John R. Miles - Unlocking the Power of Curiosity: How It Drives Innovation & Success w/ John R. Miles EP 289

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.