Choose to be Curious

Once upon a time we were all curious... We take a trip back to early childhood to explore our innate curiosity as little "aggressive researchers" with Kate Graham, coordinator of Arlington Public Schools' Early Childhood and Pre-K Programs. My parents make a cameo appearance to answer that burning question, "Were you always curious?" Join us next time when we revisit Challenging Racism with Moniqu...

What if you go somewhere familiar and choose to be curious? What more do you see, hear, taste and learn? We find out on this fun visit to Arlington Farmers Market at Court House. How to make soap, taste test olive oil, store mushrooms; where the best fruit grows; who plays the charango....and some of the stories behind all the people who make up the market. Come, choose to be curious! Join us next...

Wakefield High School's US and Virginia government teacher Patricia Hunt joins me in a thoughtful conversation about what it takes to build news literacy in an age of social media and "fake news". Where do you get your news -- and how do you know it is reliable? Join us next time when we take our curiosity to the Arlington Farmers Market - woohoo: field trip!

A refreshing conversation with two young immigrants about how curiosity helps in acclimating to a new place -- and feeds their hunger to learn ore. Get past the hype of recent headlines and come enjoy a lovely half hour with these wise students, Anderson Escobar and Mariami Shengalia. And an added bonus conversation with Arturo Ramirez as he reflects on regaining curiosity and finding inspiration...

How do we know what actually works? Join international development, peace building and advocacy evaluator Carlisle Levine as we explore the power of curiosity and "evaluative thinking". Be sure to join us next time when we look at curiosity and the immigrant experience.

Evie and Sarah Priestman offer a master class in gender identity and familial respect. "Don't be afraid to be curious... and be curious again" suggests Evie as we explore a topic many people never think to question. Be sure to join us next time when we take on the power of evaluative thinking with Carlisle Levine, an international development, peacebuilding and advocacy evaluator.

So much to love about adolescence. No, really! Kate McCauley and Michael Swisher make the case for why curiosity in adolescence is so important -- and such a joy. Great insights and strategies in this conversation about a critical stage in our human and social development. Join us next time when Evie and Sarah Priestman help me explore curiosity and gender identity.

Curiosity and conflict resolution have some fascinating - and maybe surprising - commonalities. Dr. Megan Price of George Mason University's Insight Conflict Resolution Program joins me to talk about learning to bring questions to conflicts of all sorts. Join us next time when Michael Swisher and Kate McCauley take on curiosity and adolescence.

Kevin Sampson turns the focus around and interviews me - host, Lynn Borton - about the wild and wonderful path that led me to "Choose to be Curious" and where it might take all of us next. Be sure to join us next time when Megan Price, director of the Insight Conflict Resolution Program joins us to talk about curiosity's role in resolving conflicts.

By day Jesse Robinson coordinates a radio station, by night he takes to the stage. In this episode he reflects on the role of curiosity in performing, appreciating and building skills in improv theater. We talk about "yes/and", what businesses are learning about the power of improvisation and why having others' backs is so important. Be sure to join us next time when Megan Price, Director of Georg...

Challenging racism takes center stage in this provocative conversation about curiosity and race. Marty Swaim and Monique Brown bring their own insights and wisdom in exploring the impact of systemic racism and their efforts through Arlington's initiative to counter racism through stories and conversation. Truly: curiosity put to good purpose. For more information, visit www.challengingracism.org J...

Just in time for Veterans Day! Dr. Raya Kheirbek loves her work in geriatric and palliative and her all of her time spent at Washington DC's V.A. Medical Center. In this show she reflects on the power of curiosity and personal story-telling in the doctor-patient relationship. People's everyday struggles are "heroic," she says in this lovely exploration of narrative medicine, an approach that recog...

Are scientists more curious than the rest of us? National Science Foundation's Kelly Falkner explores curiosity and the scientific mindset -- and makes a call for a Curiosity Core - or is that Corps? Listen in and decide for yourself! Join us next time when Dr. Raya Kheirbek talks about curiosity and narrative medicine - story telling in service of health care.

Scott Nycum offers a wealth of insights on the hot topic of leadership. In a conversation both practical and inspiring, Scott explores the role of curiosity in leaders' success. "Curiosity has to be one of the tools that an effective leader needs to have, not just nice to have - it would almost be an essential component." Join us next time when we talk with Kelly Falkner of the National Science Fo...

Elizabeth Jones, executive director of Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington County (OAR), brings her incredible warmth to a conversation about what happens to curiosity before, during and after incarceration. We explore the impact of trauma and how to rebuild and redirect curiosity in the process of returning to home and society. Join us next time for a conversation with Scott Nycum on curios...

Brandon Charles hosts "Breaking Boundaries", a radio program about living with disabilities, and happens to be blind. He joins me to talk about the importance of curiosity on the path to empathy and moving forward with understanding one another. What do you think: is it possible to break boundaries without curiosity? Join us next time when we explore the impact of trauma on curiosity before, durin...

Arlington Detective Sara Bertollini explores the role of curiosity in law enforcement, dispels some popular myths (sorry, folks!) and revels in the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes. And what of "the curious incident of the dog in the night-time"? You'll just have to listen in... Join us next time for a conversation with "Breaking Boundaries" host Brandon Charles for a conversation about curiosity, emp...

Jenn Seiff shares her deep well of curiosity and insights drawn from the yoga tradition. We talk body awareness and listening to what our bodies are trying to tell us. Be sure to join us next time when we shift gears to talk with Arlington County Police Department's own Detective Sara Bertollini - curiosity and real life mysteries!

Tom King, comic book writer and ex-CIA operative, talks curiosity, Kierkegaard and the Caped Crusader. Is Batman curious? Is writing really weaponized empathy? Is "nerd" a good thing, after all? Tune in, Bat-fans!

An exploration of how we can learn to craft more --and more beautiful-- questions. Drawing on techniques such as design thinking and active listening, Beth Flores offers both personal and professional insights into asking more and better questions to shape our work and lives. This is one you'll find yourself mulling for days to come. And for something totally different: be sure to check back for E...

A musical exploration of curiosity and creativity with songwriter, musician and performer AJ Smith. Are you a hungry caterpillar? Be sure to join us next time when we explore forming beautiful questions.

A rich, thoughtful and thought-provoking conversation with Rev. Carolyn Richar and Sengha leader Junsen Nettles about the interplay of curiosity, spirituality and faith. Be sure to join us next time for an exploration of curiosity and creativity.

A show all about how curiosity works in our brains - featuring Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, author of "My Stroke of Insight" and of TED Talk fame. Jill joins the birds of Arlington in singing for your pleasure! Join us next time when we talk about curiosity, spirituality and faith.

A conversation all about curiosity and journalism. We explore different types of curiosity and how -- or whether -- they show up in journalism. Drew talks about what role curiosity plays in the our media, as seen through his eyes as a local news editor. And about that train whistle...

Our debut show! Introducing "Choose to be Curious" - a show all about curiosity and learning. In this first episode, we look at what research tells us about the role curiosity plays in memory and learning and get one teacher's experience cultivating curiosity in the classroom. Oh, and reveille!