Social Curiosity Podcast

What if the things you're counting on for happiness are the very things that could leave you empty? Most of us build our lives around a handful of sources — and never question what happens when one of them breaks down. Rob Bailey, author of The Happiness Inputs , joins the Social Curiosity Podcast to explore why narrowing your happiness to just a few sources is a recipe for emotional volatilit...

From Necessary Being to Necessary Baby: Why Christmas Was Always Coming What if Christmas wasn't Plan B? What if the baby in the manger was always coming—not just prophesied, but inevitable? In this Christmas Eve episode, DeAngelo Burse explores the true meaning of Christmas through philosophy, theology, history, and anthropology. Starting with the ontological and cosmological arguments for Go...

What if your stress isn't the problem—it's the message? In this powerful conversation, Princess Castleberry, author of The Truth Is in the Trigger , reveals why the very triggers driving your burnout might be the key to unlocking your greatest leadership potential. With over 20 years advising Fortune 500 companies on enterprise risk and crisis response, Princess has witnessed firsthand how unexami...

What does it mean to lead with congruence? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with my brother Gabe Smith—West Point graduate, former Army officer, and Chief Operating Officer at Greenhouse Coaching—to explore the critical gap between who we say we are and who we actually show up as. Gabe opens up about his journey from the Pentagon on September 11th to the battlefields of Iraq, and how year...

What does it really take to thrive in a world where careers are changing faster than ever? In this thought-provoking episode of Social Curiosity , DeAngelo Burse sits down with Dr. Brandi Baldwin — founder and CEO of Millennial Ventures — for a candid conversation about leadership, identity, and the human side of the future of work. Dr. Brandi, creator of Taking on the Enemies of Our Future , chal...

On this episode of Social Curiosity , host DeAngelo Burse welcomes the one and only Mike Goodwin — nationally acclaimed comedian, TEDx speaker, and humor coach known for his signature bowtie, clean comedy, and powerful storytelling. A standout on America’s Got Talent , Dry Bar Comedy , BET, Amazon Prime, SiriusXM, and the USO Europe Comedy Tour, Mike brings more than just laughs — he brings transf...

What if the secret to better leadership—and a better life—starts with interrogating yourself ? In this powerful episode, former SWAT officer and detective turned leadership strategist Justin Atherton joins DeAngelo Burse to explore how high-pressure law enforcement principles can help us lead with greater clarity, confidence, and impact. As the Vice President of Proactive Leadership and founder of...

What if the most powerful shift in your life started with a single decision—to make the now non-negotiable? In this deeply moving episode of Social Curiosity , keynote speaker, best-selling author, and customer experience expert Katie Mares shares her incredible journey from crisis to calling. As a survivor of domestic abuse and a single mother of three, Katie didn’t just rebuild her life—she rede...

In this episode of Social Curiosity , DeAngelo talks with Dr. Saswathi Natta—a social scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur whose unique journey includes a PhD in Sociology from the University of Maryland, a B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering, and a certificate in South Asian Studies from Princeton. Together, they explore the pivotal moments and key decisions that have shaped her path, how she appro...

In this special episode, we honor the life and work of the late Hank Thurmond IV—an applied psychologist who deeply explored the power of psychological boundaries and the troubling dynamics of mobbing, including the role of personality disorders. Recorded before his passing from cancer on April 16, 2025, Hank offers profound insight into how our deepest wounds can become sources of psychological g...

In this insightful episode of the Social Curiosity Podcast, DeAngelo and Dion Baker explore the transformative power of operational excellence (OpEx). Dion, an expert in organizational performance, shares his journey and groundbreaking perspectives on aligning business efficiency with human-centric values. From redefining operational excellence to emphasizing the significance of trust, communicati...

Born in Ukraine, Anton Tyulyu faced a life-changing challenge when a rare reaction to the polio vaccine left him paralyzed. With unwavering support from his family, he learned to walk again using leg braces—turning adversity into strength. Fueled by gratitude and determination, Anton earned a degree in finance while embracing his love for the outdoors and music. Whether hiking trails or playing gu...

In this episode, DeAngelo breaks down the meaning behind the Social Curiosity Podcast and explores Aristotle’s idea that knowledge is valuable for its own sake. He shares why staying curious about others is essential for learning, growth, and connection while also expressing his unique mission to help people flourish.