The Curious Middle

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How to Live a Psychologically Rich Life with Shigehiro Oishi May 14, 2025

Show notes

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meant-for-you/id1036108112?i=1000661332590Are you living a psychologically rich life? In this episode we discuss what it means to be psychologically rich and how you can generate more richness. In "Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life", Shigehiro Oishi, Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago, shares his research and the ways leading a psychologically rich life can transform how you prioritize your days and goals.

As Shige shares, "a psychologically rich life is a life filled with diverse, unusual, interesting experiences that change your perspective; a life with twists and turns; a dramatic, eventful life instead of a simple and straightforward one".

For those of you who feel that something is missing from your lives, or that your dreams and goals don't fit with societal expectations, this conversation is for you. Shige Oishi has given us the language and concept for living our lives in search of experience, adventure, learning and connection.

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if you enjoyed this podcast, consider our podcast with Nicole Avant on gratitude and our series on Narcissism with Dr. Ramani:

Topics Discussed:

05:07 - The the three pillars of a happy life

14:13 - How narrating your experiences enriches the experience

20:12 - A psychologically rich day involves a wide range of emotions

22:18 - Happiness used to be good luck and fortune, but now happiness is personal success

25:41 - Happiness is more like a batting average

32:03 - Happiness is not the intensity but the frequency of positive emotion

36:13 - As we age, curiosity and, and exploration wane, and how to balance it

39:09 - psychological richness mindset can help deal with difficult life situations

Why So Many Gen Zs Can't Take a Joke with Ted and Courtney Balaker Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Filmmakers Courtney and Ted Balaker discuss their latest documentary surrounding the mental health crisis among Gen Z. Their film based on the book, The Coddling of the American Mind, by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff, was made to spark critical discussions, including conversations across college campuses.

We discuss the alarming trends in Gen Z's mental health, the role of social media, and the impact of educational environments that often prioritize emotional safety over intellectual freedom and critical thinking.

Please listen to this enlightening discussion that will alert you to concerning Gen Z cultural trends.

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Links from conversation

Yardena Schwartz on the 1929 Massacre in Hebron That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Yardena Shwartz, an award-winning journalist and Emmy-nominated producer, joins us to discuss her book, Ghosts of a Holy War. Yardena's book focuses on the 1929 Hebron massacre, allowing us to see the shocking parallels between the historical events of 1929 and the October 7th massacre in Israel. Hebron, an ancient city with archeological finds going back some 5,000 years, is in the controlled territory of both governments. For thousands of years, Hebron has had great religious importance for both Jews and Muslims.

Despite Yardena's credentials, and her book's relevance to the current news cycle, "Ghosts of a Holy War" book has been largely ignored by mainstream media and literary circles. It is not a stretch to assume that the historical information revealed in this book goes against the dominant stories in mass media, that seek sources that support their simplified oppressor and oppressed narrative.

As history repeatedly shows us, if we don't understand the past, we are doomed to repeat it. The misinformation leading to the 1929 massacre, and the way the massacre was interpreted by the world, is a repeat of what we have seen since October 7. We have seen denials of the recorded atrocities on October 7, misinformation and marches praising the violence as glorious resistance. How can we end the cycles of violence in the region if we don't understand the root causes? It feels like we are trying to cure cancer by taking an Advil and screaming about the pain. Yardena's book shares the historical root causes of the cancer of violence that has plagued the region since 1929.

Yardena's book also recounts stories of friendship and muslim families that protected their neighbors. The Jewish families and students in Hebron were not prepared for the violence because they lived peacefully and happily with their neighbors. In 1929, just as today, misinformation from leaders with bad intentions, fueled horrifying fury, and religiously driven violence.

We hope that more people decide to learn the history of the region through credible journalists and historians, instead of repeating dangerous misinformation and lies. For the sake of every innocent child, please make time to find the historical truth.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

"Those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it... the similarities of what happened on October 7th and the 1929 massacre are shocking." — Polina, ~03:30 (04:25.74 segment)
"You had the Muslim clerics and Jewish rabbis dancing together at weddings." — Polina, 04:25
"3,000 Muslim men, armed with swords, axes, and daggers, marched through the ancient Jewish quarter of Hebron." — Yardena, 10:56
"At least 250 of them were saved by their courageous Muslim neighbors who risked their own lives to hide them." — Yardena, 13:17
"If in 1929 Hebron was a beacon of coexistence in Palestine, today it's the antithesis of coexistence." — Yardena, 15:41
"He convinced his people that the Jews of Palestine were actively working to destroy Al-Aqsa... he weaponized Islam." — 20:19
"Hitler even considered the Mufti an honorary Aryan." — Yardena, 41:21
"I asked children, what are you taught about peace? They couldn't answer me. They didn't understand the question." — Yardena, 01:00:03–01:02:24
"My book has only been covered in conservative media... the liberal, supposedly fact-based media sphere is just not interested in this story because it challenges the narrative they're trying to sell." — Yardena, 01:04:34
"Supporting Hamas is anti-Palestine... if you can both perpetuate the lie of genocide while also praising October 7th and the terrorists who carried it out, there's something wrong here." — Yardena, 01:06:51
"It was extremely disorienting because I felt that day as if I was walking into the pages of history I had spent the last four years reading and writing about." — Yardena, on October 7, 01:13:34
"Antizionism is inherently anti-Semitism... when you hold the one Jewish state to different standards than every other state, clearly you have a problem with there being a single Jewish state." — Yardena, 01:22:29
"There are 57 Muslim countries in the world, and one tiny little Jewish state." 01:22:29

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One Semester of Civics: Sharon McMahon on the Threat You Didn't See Coming Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

When it comes to understanding our government, we often find ourselves asking, "What would Sharon say?" So we did. We invited Sharon McMahon, America's favorite government teacher and the force behind @SharonSaysS, to help us unpack why civics education in the U.S. has been defunded, sidelined, and under-taught for decades.

Sharon shares eye-opening insights about a troubling reality: many students graduate with little more than a single semester of civics, leaving them unequipped to understand how their government actually works. This lack of knowledge isn't just an educational failure it's a civic crisis. When citizens don't understand the basics of how power is structured or how change happens, we risk not only disengagement, but also a national security vulnerability and a weakening of our democracy itself.

How can we make America better if we don't understand how America works? How can we expect meaningful progress if the next generation doesn't grasp the role of local elections or how laws are made?

When people aren't educated about their own system of government, cynicism grows. Trust erodes. And disengagement becomes the norm—followed by frustration and the belief that everything is rigged.

We dive into the case for rebuilding a consistent, nationwide civics curriculum—and the enormous challenge of doing so in a country where education policy is decided by 50 separate state boards and over 14,000 local school boards.

This conversation matters. Please listen, learn, and share with your community!

Quotes:

"We have under-educated our citizens for existence in a very complex democracy."

"We need to understand the problem before we can make meaningful change."

"The civil rights movement didn't just happen because a bunch of members of Congress were like, what the right thing to do?"

-Sharon McMahon

"How are we supposed to make America great again if we don't understand how it works?" ----Polina Rubin

Zoom In:

06:49 Why aren't people saying in government that maybe we should prioritize civics education
08:10 The United States has an incredibly decentralized education system compared to other democracies
13:27 Whether the federal government should be involved in curriculum decisions is hotly debated
20:37 Elimination of Department of Justice or Department of Education could negatively impact students
23:23 Thoughts on the costs of education in the US compared to other countries
29:31 Every other developed nation takes far more steps to abate childhood poverty than we do
31:51 If you have two parents, you're more likely to not be in poverty

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Communism Survivor: From Kiev to American Patriot Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Like both of us (your co-hosts Polina and Yelena) Viktoria was born in the Soviet Union. VIktoria immigrated to the USA from Kiev with her family when she was 10. After getting interested in politics a few years ago, Viktoria started a highly successful Instagram page (communistsurivivor) , as a place to share her experiences and political opinions. Viktoria's childhood in the former Soviet Union has shaped her politics and inspired her to share the realities of life under communism.

We hope that Viktoria's thoughts on the differences between life in the Soviet Union and the opportunities available in the U.S. encourage you to apply a critical eye when you come across communist and anti-capitalist propaganda.

If you have experience of living under an oppressive regime, and when you grow up listening to the stories of how your parents and grandparents struggled, you are more likely to treasure the immense privileges that come with freedom. We feel this perspective is particularly relevant in today's heated climate, where many college students in the West are expressing hatred for their own country without a basic understanding of the historical realities and struggles that led to their freedoms.

Viktoria on Instagram

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Notable Quotes:

"Being a Communism survivor is something that definitely molds you into a certain way of being."

"We won the lottery because we were able to not only come here, but we have the relativity of the two worlds that make us so grateful and so patriotic."

"If you're not involved in politics, politics is going to get involved in you."

"The problem with communism is that it doesn't take human nature into account."

Topics Discussed:

02:35 The Telepathy Tapes
03:59 Adolescence on Netflix
05:55 Intro to Viktoria
16:20 Communism will never work with humans because it's incompatible with human nature
21:27 Most people in the west don't recognize the patterns of anti-government protests
21:53 Victoria started Communism Survivor after becoming passionate about politics
25:35 Advice for those trying to grow their Instagram accounts
33:22 Being banned on Instagram several times
39:50 Trump's treatment of Ukraine
50:12 Vktoria's career in integrative nutrition

Erin Molan: Fearless Reporter and Advocate for Humanity Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

We are thrilled to share our conversation with respected broadcaster Erin Molan. Throughout the world, many people have discovered Erin for fearless commentary and stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

As she does in her videos, Erin discusses the importance of condemning Hamas and standing against terrorism, emphasizing that true support for children in Gaza means advocating for the eradication of the group that endangers their lives and future. We discuss the erosion of Judeo-Christian values in Western society and how the erosion of these principles can lead to moral confusion and the acceptance of violence.

Erin shares why she does this work for her daughter's future, and the future of all children. We discuss the role of the media in shaping narratives, and the responsibility we all have to protect the values of freedom and safety for future generations. This is not just a conversation about politics; it's a call to action for everyone who believes in a just world.

Erin's new show on X

A few of Erin's videos:

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these conversations:

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Show Notes:

00:00 Why condemning Hamas and standing against terrorism is the best gift any of us can give

04:55 Moving away from Judeo Christian values

07:14 How is it controversial to be against terror

10:40 No Other Land won for Best Documentary despite being full of falsehoods

14:25 The two side narrative

18:55 You are allowed to change your opinion when more information is presented to you

24:17 This is an existential fight

Bloom Where You are Planted, and Then Travel the World with Jeannie Ralston Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Jeannie Ralston is the founder of Next Tribe, a travel company that offers transformative retreats for women over 45. Jeannie shares how she leapt from adventure to adventure starting as a journalist in New York City to a lavender farmer in Texas, and eventually to a globetrotting entrepreneur. Her adventures have taken her from the rolling hills of rural Texas to the vibrant streets of San Miguel Allende, where she homeschooled her children while exploring the world with her husband, a National Geographic Photographer.

Jeannie shares how she chose to deal with the unexpected challenges of rural Texas life and became the Lavender queen through her thriving lavender farm business, while also creating the community she desperately needed. All of Jeannie's life experiences have shaped her vision for Next Tribe, where she curates retreats that go beyond typical travel experiences. On a Next Tribe retreat participants engage with local women and immerse themselves in the culture of their destinations.

Listen in as Jeannie shares her story, favorite travel destinations, including Turkey and Morocco, and how her retreats create lasting bonds.

https://nexttribe.com/

******************************************************************************

Other Topics Discussed:

The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blosssoming

Tamara De Lempicka Art Exhibit at the SF De Young Museum

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

The Thing About Jellyfish at Berkeley Rep

Limperatrice

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Raising Good Citizens - An Urgent Call to Action with Lindsey Cormack Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

This conversation is about reversing the trend of cynicism and erosion of trust in our government through education. Lindsay Cormack, an associate professor of political science and author of "How to Raise a Citizen", joins us to discuss the state of US Government education in our schools. You may be surprised to learn that every state decides how much time to devote to this topic, and how to test students. Due to the inconsistent and often insufficient government education for millions, our students are leaving high school without a solid knowledge of our government functions and how to be a part of it. How will there be social changes if our young adults don't understand our government, opt out and believe that the system is rigged?

Our government was designed to change slowly to ensure stability. We need to ensure our students understand how they can be forces of change through their votes and by joining coalitions and groups that they believe in. Today, many high school graduates have not read the constitution, aren't aware of who represents them , and they lack the most basic understanding of the division of responsibilities in our government. If our students don't understand the brilliance of our constitution, we can see why they would take it for granted and not do their part as active citizens. Lindsey's book gives parents a framework for having discussions about government and politics with their children. In this conversation, Lindsey shares recommendations for how parents can teach their kids to be good citizens with easy to follow tips for every age group. This episode is an urgent call to action for all parents to prioritize civic education and to help their children learn how to make a difference in their communities. We want to thank all teeachers who dedicate themsevlves to our students.

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+ a special shout out to Mr. Armstrong, an extraordinday 8th grade History teacher from the SF Bay Area, for teaching students to become good citizens and changing lives every day. We wish for every student to have their own Mr. Armstrong!

Finding Success as a High School Dropout with Christopher Zara Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

If you have ever felt insecure about your education, or if your lack of a degree has held you back from pursuing the life you wanted, this conversation is for you. Christopher Zara, Senior Editor at Fast Company and author of "Uneducated: A Memoir of Flunking Out, Falling Apart, and Finding My Worth", is proof that traditional paths aren't the only routes to success. Despite dropping out of high school, Christopher defied the odds and carved out a successful career in journalism without a college degree.

We discuss the educational requirements that prevent many from pursuing work they meant for, and the unattainable, and often unnecessary expectations of higher education. In addition to the absurd costs of college degrees, the extreme competition is making college out of reach for the majority of students. Although a college degree is almost always a hiring requirement for a top media organization, this was not always the case. Earlier in our country's history, journalists came from a variety of blue collar backgrounds. While no one is arguing against the value of a college education, there are also unfortunate trade-offs to the public when journalists don't represent the majority of Americans.

Christopher was lucky that his teachers noticed and encouraged his skills in writing. At age 35 when Corstoopher realized he wanted more from his life, he pitched his first article to a magazine, which was accepted. This pivotal moment set him on a path that would eventually lead to his role at Fast Company. Christopher's story is an example of following the path that feels right to you even when you dont fit into the conventional path.

Don't miss Christopher's inspiring story and join us in rethinking the role of education in our lives. Whether you're a student, a parent, or someone considering a career change, this episode will encourage you to forge your own path.

https://www.fastcompany.com/user/christopher-zara

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Timestamps:

6:21 Christopher Zara says teachers encouraged him to pursue journalism
7:22 About 10% of working journalists at that time did not go to college
13:53 How did you, how did you know writing was your thing
21:47 In the past, journalists typically were not highly educated
28:13 If you're an overtly conservative person in a newsroom, you might feel inhibited
31:35 over imposter syndrome after writing a book
35:36 What do you read to stay up to date on current events
39:05 Do you think the value of education is going to start declining in near future
45:29 What advice would you give to aspiring journalists without a college degree
47:47 Christopher Zara: A lot of hiring managers are relying on resume filters

Dream Orchestra Founder, CNN Hero and Hero to Hundreds of Kids Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Ron Alvarez, a CNN Hero finalist, musician and educator is transforming lives through teaching kids to play music in The Dream Orchestra.. Ron shares he went from a childhood in Caracas, Venezuela to changing the lives of refugee children in Sweden. Ron's story begins when he joined El Sistema, a musical and social program in Venezuela, set the course of his life.

Ron realized he wanted to pay it forward by becoming a music teacher. Eventually, Ron grabbed an opportunity to teach music to kids in an orphanage in Greenland (yes, we talk about what it's like to actually live in Greenland). After the incredible experience in Greenland, Ron moved to Sweden for a teaching job. Witnessing the influx of unaccompanied minors from Syria and Afghanistan, Ron felt compelled to make a difference with the most powerful tool he had to change lives, the power of music. The lack of funding and language barriers did not keep Ron from starting Dream Orchestra, a sanctuary for young refugees and asylum seekers, offering them a sense of community and belonging through music. Over 400 children have had their lives transformed but also enriched through the magic and language of music.

Ron is an example of the ways following what you were meant to do

CNN Hero video and article

Quotable Moments:

"Music and food always bring you back to your place and to your family."

"Music can transform the life of people. When you feel completely lost or alone, music can empower you."

"I always wanted to make good music. But I also remember... I didn't want to do this the rest of my life. I really wanted to make change."

"We scientifically know that music can provide more oxytocin to your brain and to your body. It makes you more happy."

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12:54 " Dream Orchestra started in January 2015 with unaccompanied minors from Syria and Afghanistan
23:02 How often did the orchestra practice and how is it evolved today
23:57 How Dream orchestras is changing lives through music
30:45 Music brings an emotion unique compared to other things in life
35:55 " Dream Orchestra has grown from 13 kids originally to over 400 members now
42:04 What is it like to live in Greenland

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