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You have built your Foundation of Self; now it's time to start living it.

In this episode of Self Talk, we talk about Genuine Curiosity—the foundational tool at the heart of the Foundation of Self framework. We'll revisit the three core pillars of the work—non-judgment, awareness, and gentleness—and explain why genuine curiosity is the guide you'll return to time and again as you continue to develop your Self.

Shift from self-judgment to self-understanding, using curiosity to explore thoughts, emotions, patterns, and relationships with compassion and clarity. 

We'll also explore how genuine curiosity transforms our interactions with others, reduces ego-driven narratives, and helps us remember our deeper connection to one another and to Source itself.

Be more curious than defensive.
—Brené Brown

EPISODE TIMELINE

• Opening Quote & Welcome (0:00–0:02)
  Brené Brown’s reminder to “be more curious than defensive” sets the tone as Rachel introduces this season’s focus: living the foundation of self.
• Foundation of Self & Genuine Curiosity (0:02–0:04)
  A brief recap of last season’s foundation work and an introduction to genuine curiosity as the base layer for relating to self, others, and reality without judgment.
• The Three Pillars Recap (0:04–0:07)
  Non-judgment, awareness, and gentleness are revisited as the core pillars that allow genuine curiosity to function without collapsing into criticism or control.
• What Genuine Curiosity Sounds Like (0:07–0:12)
  Rachel models how genuine curiosity sounds in inner dialogue and explains how it differs from judgment, emphasizing suspension of shaming “othering.”
• Curiosity in Inner Work – Examples (0:12–0:18)
  Through real-life examples (repeating relationship patterns, “I hate everybody,” and not progressing fast enough), she shows how to investigate the origins of thoughts and behaviors as an objective observer.
• Curiosity in Relationships (0:18–0:24)
  Genuine curiosity is applied to interactions with others, helping us not take things personally, widen our lens, and create space for compassion and connection.
• Deeper Truth & Sacred Curiosity (0:24–0:28)
  Rachel frames us as ambassadors of source—unique expressions of consciousness—and describes curiosity as a sacred way that awareness comes to know itself.
• Daily Practice Invitation (0:28–0:32)
  Listeners are invited to notice at least one moment each day when they choose curiosity over judgment and to meet their discoveries with gentleness.
• Closing & Offerings (0:32–0:36)
  Rachel share

Write Your Self Open is a revolution in self-development that blends guided meditation, journaling, and supportive group discussion led by holistic psychotherapist Rachel Astarte.

It's all the benefits of personal transformation + community-building without the constraints of talk therapy.
Join anytime. No previous meditation or writing experience necessary.

http://writeyourselfopen.com

Got a question about your self?
Send it to me at rachel@selftalkpodcast.com and it may be featured on a future episode. 

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Music:
"Ave Marimba"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0