Noticing the details in life is eminently satisfying, yet surprisingly hard to do. Bird migration patterns, the moon phase, the details of a rearranged room all go unnoticed by most of us because our attention is fragmented.
When the pandemic hit the pause button on life, many of us realized just how much we were missing everyday. Our attention is fragmented by a phone, a to-do list, our choices. Rob Walker, author of the book The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday, has a different plan for us. His book and his course on Sam Harris’ Waking Up app prompt us to pay attention in new ways that open our eyes to the world around us.
In our conversation, Rob shares how noticing is different from mindfulness, what happens to our creativity when we learn to tune in, and how the way we direct our attention shapes who we are.
Show notes and resources: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-45-the-art-of-noticing-with
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Episode 44: Rethinking cancer fears with David Ropeik
Few health risks conjure deeply held fears as effectively as cancer. Most of us have someone close to us who has been taken by the disease, but risk communications expert David Ropeik wants us to reconsider the scope of our fears.
Drawing on decades of research and his new book, Curing Cancerphobia, David unpacks why cancer—now a treatable or chronic condition in many cases—still looms larger in our psyches than heart disease, which actually claims more lives each year.
He explains how fear drives unnecessary screenings, unproven preventions, and even aggressive treatments for cancers that might never have done harm, and reveals the psychological roots of that fear—from the sense of lost control to the visceral dread of pain and suffering.
Throughout the conversation, David draws on key insights from the psychology of risk perception:
Control vs. Imposed Risk: We fear risks we can’t control (cancer) more than those we feel responsible for (heart disease).
Fear First, Think Second: Our brain’s instinctive “uh-oh” response precedes rational thought, making early judgments emotionally charged and often distorted.
Right-Sizing Fear: By pausing to let rational thinking catch up—acknowledging the “risk perception gap”—we can make healthier, more balanced choices.
Show notes and resources mentioned: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-44-rethinking-fears-of-cancer
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Episode 43: Family estrangement with Dr Karl Pillemer
Family estrangement is a silent epidemic affecting millions, yet it's rarely discussed openly. In this episode of Reconsidering, we sit down with Dr. Karl Pillemer, a leading sociologist and gerontologist, to explore the complexities of fractured family relationships. Drawing from his extensive research, including the Cornell Family Reconciliation Project, Dr. Pillemer offers evidence-based insights and practical advice on how to navigate and mend these deep-seated rifts.
In this episode we cover:
The prevalence and impact of family estrangement in modern society
Common causes and misconceptions surrounding familial rifts
Strategies for initiating reconciliation and fostering healing
The role of empathy, communication, and forgiveness in rebuilding relationships
Show notes: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-43-family-estrangement-with
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Episode 42: Matt Abrahams on mastering impromptu speaking
In this episode of Reconsidering, we sit down with Matt Abrahams, a leading expert in communication and a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Matt shares insights from his latest book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot, offering practical strategies to enhance spontaneous speaking skills. We delve into techniques for managing speaking anxiety, the importance of reframing communication as a conversation, and methods to craft concise and compelling messages. Whether you’re navigating impromptu questions or aiming to improve your everyday interactions, this conversation provides valuable tools to communicate with confidence and clarity.
Show notes: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-42-matt-abrahams-on-mastering
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Episode 41: Taking an adaptive career path with Jesse James Garrett
In this special, live episode from the Config conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Jesse James Garrett recounts his significant career co-founding Adaptive Path, pioneering foundational processes in software design, and navigating strange waters as his company was sold to Capital One. Just as he was finding his footing as a design executive coach, he got a cancer diagnosis that reshaped his view on work and life. Now on the other side of cancer, he shares what he learned.
Transcript and show notes: http://reconsidering.org
Reconsidering explores how to navigate your career, relationships, and the values that guide you through the inevitable changes of life. Co-hosts Bob Baxley, Meredith Black, and Aarron Walter talk with deep thinkers who’ve figured a few things out about living a satisfying life filled with meaning and show you how you can too.
Ireland