162. Getting Comfy w/ Not Knowing

"I don't know." Do those three words make you feel a bit uncomfortable? Yeah, you're not alone. In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, we highlight the concepts of awe and intellectual humility and how they can help us embrace more curiosity, avoid rigid thinking, and help us to stay more connected to the world around us (yes, even amidst political and social challenges). We've got some practical tips to take quick action so you can tap into the surprising freedom that sits within "not knowing."

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Key moments:

00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab

00:38 The Power of Awe and Intellectual Humility

01:08 Defining Awe and Intellectual Humility

02:20 The Importance of Intellectual Humility

03:32 Mental Health Benefits of Awe and Humility

07:22 Understanding Cognitive Biases

09:16 Combating Rigidity with Curiosity and Flexibility

13:05 Practical Steps to Cultivate Awe and Humility

15:30 Everyday Awe and Final Thoughts

16:54 Closing Remarks and Resources

Sources and Notes:

• Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. 

• Stellar, J. E., Gordon, A., Anderson, C. L., Piff, P. K., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2018). Awe and humility. Journal of personality and social psychology, 114(2), 258–269. Access. 

• More episodes like this:
  • Mental Health & The Male Hubris, Female Humility Effect (ep. 157)
  • Seeing the Goodness in Others, Yourself, & The World (ep. 66)
  • You Are That Vast Thing You See with Great Telescopes (ep. 18)
  • The Surprising Benefits of Not Knowing (ep. 16)
• Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at Joylab.coach for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies.

• Check out our favorite resilience-boosting reads at Bookshop.org. 

On Jan 1st, 2025, the Joy Lab Podcast and Program moved from Natural Mental Health to the nonprofit Pathways North.

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