On the Power of Curiosity | Dr. Jud Brewer

Dr. Jud Brewer is an addiction psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and Director of Research and Innovation at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center. 

Jud is passionate about understanding how our brains work, 

and how to use that knowledge to help people make deep, permanent change in their lives — 

With the goal of reducing suffering in the world at large.

This conversation, which we originally recorded and released during the Pandemic in 2021,

Looked at the deepening division in our society, the patterns of 'othering', judgment, and blame, 

Through the lens of habit formation. 

The hypothesis that Jud and I explored

Which was informed by his novel approaches to using mindfulness for habit change, was: 

If othering, us and them thinking, and judgment are in fact habits

Than it's not only possible to break them,

It’s also possible to develop habits that counteract division and nurture connection and community. 

The key question though, which just happens to be at the heart of Jud’s work,

Is How? 

In this episode we’ll explore some ideas for answering that question including:

• Insights about how our brains learn
• And Practices developed in Jud’s lab that leverage mindfulness and the power of curiosity

Practices that offer hope, and a potential path for both individual and collective healing.

We chose to re-release this episode now,

not only because it’s a unique lens to look at these challenges, 

But because recognizing our common humanity, and nurturing connection with each other is needed perhaps now more than ever. 

For more on Jud, his NYT bestselling books, trainings, and groundbreaking work using novel mindfulness programs for habit change, please visit: drjud.com

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Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:

• On Awe, Wonder, and Everyday Miracles | Jonah Paquette
• On Wisdom and Love in Troubling Times | Mark Nepo & Elizabeth Lesser

Thanks for listening!