Relentless Curiosity, a Necessary Delight with Scott Shigeoka — DT101 E124

Scott Shigeoka is an internationally-recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and the author of SEEK: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World. He is known for translating research into strategies that promote wellbeing and connected relationships around the globe, including at the University of California Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center and through his groundbreaking courses at the University of Texas at Austin. Today on the show, we’ll talk about Scott’s book and the power of curiosity.

Listen to learn about

>> Why curiosity matters
>> Shallow vs. deep curiosity
>> Scott’s book, SEEK
>> Ways to cultivate and practice using your curiosity
>> The power of “I don’t know” and “Tell me more”

Our Guest

Scott Shigeoka is an internationally-recognized curiosity expert, speaker, and the author of SEEK: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World. He is known for translating research into strategies that promote positive well-being and connected relationships around the globe, including at the UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and through his groundbreaking courses at the University of Texas at Austin. Scott implements his curiosity practices in the public sector, Fortune 500 companies, Hollywood, media organizations, education institutions, and small businesses.

Show Highlights

[01:59] How Scott’s love of stories and storytelling brought him to where he is today. 
[02:50] Majoring in journalism and psychology, and working in Iceland.
[04:20] Designing and storytelling at IDEO and in Hollywood.
[05:00] Scott’s response to the 2016 election and the polarization of America was a 13-month road trip around the country.
[07:29] What is curiosity?
[08:20] Shallow vs. deep curiosity.
[11:22] How Scott approached talking with people at Trump political rallies.
[13:44] The big lesson Scott learned during the road trip.
[15:42] Curiosity is listening.
[18:01] People want to feel that their stories, their lives, matter.
[18:52] Scott talks about predatory curiosity.
[21:36] What readers will find in Scott’s book, SEEK.
[22:16] Curiosity can help us bridge our differences.
[23:15] SEEK offers practical exercises and advice on how to exercise your curiosity.
[25:07] The world needs more curiosity.
[25:40] The four core “muscles” of deep curiosity.
[31:20] Working with the three cardinal directions of curiosity.
[34:40] A Miro Moment.
[36:45] Scott offers up one way we can all practice more curiosity.
[40:33] Challenge your assumptions.
[43:42] Practice intellectual humility. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know the answer.
[44:36] Effective leaders practice curiosity.
[45:29] Use “Tell me more…”
[48:15] Creating boundaries when it comes to practicing curiosity.
[52:08] Embracing discomfort.
[53:00] Curiosity is about understanding.
[55:12] Where to find out more about Scott and his work.

Links

Scott on Twitter
Scott on LinkedIn
Scott on Instagram
Seek the Book
Perspectives in Design
Scott Shigeoka
Rural Assembly: Drawing Resilience: Scott Shigeoka
Hachette Interview with
Scott
Audium: Scott Shigeoka – Bridging Divides

Book Recommendations

Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, by Scott Shigeoka
The Karma of Success: Spiritual Strategies to Free Your Inner Genius, by Liz Tran

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