#54 Jill Reilly: The Permission Paradox & Why Questions Matter More Than Approval!

"The most fundamental relationship in any change process is the one that you have with yourself. It's the questions that you ask yourself first and foremost that are the game changers." - Jill Reilly

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward is in conversation with global citizen and author Jill Reilly to explore the power of questioning in navigating life’s complexities.

Jill shares her journey from the Midwest to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond, reflecting on her experiences as an aid worker and the lessons that shaped her understanding of change and personal agency.

They discuss the importance of self-permission, processing grief, and the need to adapt amidst societal and technological upheaval. With insights from her new book The Ten Permissions: Redefining the Rules of Adulting in the 21st Century, Jill emphasizes the transformative potential of asking the right questions to unlock personal growth and resilience.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#53 Ken Woodward: Impactful Questions: Am I My Brother's Keeper?

"Am I my brother's keeper? Is answered in the daily work of showing up, being challenged, getting it wrong, being corrected, and showing up again." - Ken Woodward

In this solo episode, Ken Woodward explores one of humanity's oldest and most challenging questions: "Am I my brother's keeper?" Born from Cain's evasion after murdering Abel, this question continues to shape how we answer fundamental issues about immigration, homelessness, healthcare, and who deserves our care.

Drawing from his 101-week walk through every street and alley in Washington, DC, Ken reflects on how he spent 50 years answering "no" to this question while convincing himself he was answering "yes." He shares powerful conversations with Raymond Coates about the Sugar House in Charleston, encounters with a woman who demanded accountability, and the devastating costs of both saying yes and saying no.

This episode challenges listeners to examine their own complicity, confront inherited assumptions, and honestly assess who they've decided doesn't count as "brother." Ken offers four concrete takeaways to help transform this ancient question from theological abstraction into daily practice.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#50 Mike Hilson: Why "Who Do I Say I Am?" Changes Everything!

"Who am I? Was never gonna turn out well. Who do I say I am? Had a chance." - Mike Hilson

Mike Hilson is the Senior Pastor of New Life Church based in La Plata, Maryland. Since 1999, the church has grown under his leadership from a congregation of less than 100 into several churches and video venues. The New Life Network of churches now averages more than 5,000 in regular attendance across Maryland, Northern Virginia, and online.

Mike currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Southern Wesleyan University. He is also a member of the Chesapeake District Board of Administration for the Wesleyan Church. He lives in the D.C. Metro Area with his wife, Tina and their three adult sons.

Mike has written several books, including Napkin Theology, Speak Life, A Significant Impact for Christ, Heart of a Leader: Moses, and a series of books called Coffee with the Pastor.

These successes led to numerous invitations to teach and coach leaders from multiple regions, states, denominations, and nations.

In this episode, host Ken Woodward welcomes Pastor Mike Hilson, senior pastor of New Life Church. They delve deep into how questions shape identity, leadership, and personal growth.

Mike shares his journey, from wrestling with self-identity as a child to leading a thriving network of churches. Key discussions include the necessity of creative boredom, the evolution of the question 'Who do I say I am?', the importance of strategic delegation, and balancing doctrinal adherence with familial love.

The episode addresses how asking the right questions can uncover more profound truths, facilitate effective leadership, and nurture valuable relationships.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#49 Naomi Campbell: The Key to Helping Others Find Their Own Questions!

"Questions are an extremely sophisticated thinking skill that everyone can use and practice all the time." - Naomi Campbell

In this episode, host Ken Woodward is in conversation with Naomi Campbell, Director of the Right Question Institute (RQI) Legal Empowerment Program. They delve into the transformative power of teaching people to ask questions, highlighting its impact across various fields, including education, legal practice, and healthcare.

Naomi shares her journey from an inquisitive childhood encouraged by her family and school, through law school at Harvard, to her work in Mexico City advocating for migrant workers. The episode emphasizes the importance of questioning as a sophisticated skill that fosters personal agency and enhances democratic participation. Naomi also discusses RQI's unique methods for teaching this skill and how they support change agents in different communities.

The conversation provides insightful examples of how empowering people to formulate their own questions can lead to meaningful social change and better navigating decision-making systems.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#48 Ken Woodward The Curated Questions Origin Story: When It All Began!

" Once you have the question, the hard part begins." - Ken Woodward

In this solo episode, host Ken Woodward delves into the origin and development of the 'Curated Questions' project, which began in 2018. Ken shares his personal journey of curiosity, inspiration from Tim Ferriss' podcast, and the influences that led to the creation of his blog and subsequent podcast.

Highlighting notable milestones and influential interviews, Ken discusses the structure and purpose of the Curated Questions website and its various elements, including famous questions and lists. He also reflects on the profound impact of asking meaningful questions, illustrated with personal anecdotes.

The episode encourages listeners to embrace curiosity and engage with the world through the power of well-chosen questions.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#46 Dr. Matt Lampe: Why the Right Question Feels Like an Invitation

"The meaning of your communication is the result you are getting." - Dr. Matt Lampe

With a Doctorate from Alliant International University's California School of Professional Psychology, Matt has dedicated his career to transforming how organizations approach change, leadership development, and workplace agility.

He is currently leading enterprise-wide organizational change efforts as part of Business Oregon's flagship modernization initiative, which focuses on aligning internal systems, strengthening operational infrastructure, and enhancing statewide service delivery to help businesses throughout Oregon.

Sponsored by the non-profit Science For Work, Matt hosts the "Science for Work Podcast," where he explores the science behind creating healthier, more effective work environments through conversations that translate heady scientific research findings into practical action steps.

His consulting practice helps organizations navigate complex transformations through change management, leadership development, strategic planning, and project management—combining data-driven insights with compelling storytelling.

Matt's philosophy centers on creating cultures where people can thrive. He's learned that data alone isn't enough to drive change; it's the combination of solid research with relatable storytelling that truly motivates action and engagement. And if that wasn't enough, he is also a contributing writer to PositivePsychology.com.

In this podcast episode, host Ken Woodward delves into the significance of questions in both professional and personal spheres with Dr. Matthew R. Lampe, an expert in organizational change and leadership development. Highlighting the vital role questions play in verifying communication, navigating change, and building trust, Matt shares insights from his experience in managing organizational transformations and personal growth. The conversation also touches on the deep tradition of yearly trips to Yosemite, offering a unique perspective on how consistent reflection against an unchanging backdrop can facilitate personal growth and evolution. Additional elements include updates about the curated questions community, announcements of new features, and an introduction to the Science for Work Podcast.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#45 Dr. Latorial Faison: The Power of Asking "What Do I Do Now?" Instead of "Why Me?"

"When I even think that I wanna give up, I can't because people like this put their life on the line so that I could have better opportunities." - Dr. Latorial Faison

Dr. Latorial Faison is an HBCU and Virginia State University Professor, Poet, Author, Independent Scholar & Senior Military Spouse. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in English and a Doctoral degree in Education. Faison is Chair of the Department of Languages & Literature and Assistant Professor of English at Virginia State University and has authored over sixteen books.

Faison's research study, The Missed Education of the Negro: An Examination of the Black Segregated Experience in Southampton County, Virginia 1950-1970, focused on Riverview High School, a segregated Black High School that existed in Courtland, Virginia, and explores the nuances of Black segregated education during the Jim Crow Era.

Faison's latest work, Nursery Rhymes in Black was released in June of 2025 and blends tradition, memory, and resistance through a reimagination of familiar childhood rhymes through the lens of Black history and lived experience. This volume just received a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

Not one to rest on her laurels, her next work Blood at the Root, will be released in the coming months, which speaks directly to the historical and ongoing violence, erasure, and resilience that define the African American experience.

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Latorial Faison, a professor, poet, and scholar. Dr. Faison shares her journey from growing up in a small town in Virginia, being raised by her grandparents, to becoming a notable academic and author.

Through discussing her work, research, and dedication to teaching, Faison emphasizes the importance of memory, resilience, and the power of storytelling. The episode also touches on her latest book, 'Nursery Rhymes in Black,' her role in the Wintergreen Women's Writers Collective, and her vision for fostering a supportive community for her students. A recurring theme throughout the conversation is the transformative power of questions, both in personal growth and in understanding one's purpose.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#43 Dr. Jemayne King: The Scholar Who Sees Literature in Sneakers, Hip-Hop, and Gaming

"It is much safer to be vulnerable than you might think." - Ashley Kirsner

Ashley is the founder and director of Skip the Small Talk, and believes in the efficacy of high-quality person-to-person interaction for improving psychological health. She has conducted research with professors at prestigious organizations such as Cornell University, the Harvard Decision Science Lab, and the Harvard Business School, on social and clinical psychology topics ranging from decision-making and implicit biases to facial expressions in borderline personality disorder patients.

Ashley gained hands-on therapeutic experience as a suicide hotline phone responder and as a peer counselor at Cornell. Ashley received her B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University and turned down acceptances to doctorate programs in order to devote her time to Skip the Small Talk. She received a fellowship from the Harvard Divinity School for individuals who have demonstrated a social impact in the domain of creating meaningful communities. Skip The Small Talk events are regularly held internationally, as well as an online options.

In this engaging episode of 'Curated Questions,' host Ken Woodward sits down with Ashley Kirsner, the founder and director of 'Skip the Small Talk.' They explore the transformative power of meaningful conversations, the science behind vulnerability, and the surprising benefits of structured social interactions.

Ashley shares her experiences from the suicide hotline, her inspiration for starting 'Skip the Small Talk,' and how intentional question design can foster deeper human connections. The conversation also delves into the physiological benefits of social interactions, ethical considerations in community building, and the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability. Tune in to learn how these insights can help you build stronger, more authentic relationships in your own life.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#42 Ashley Kirsner: Want Connection? Skip The Small Talk

"It is much safer to be vulnerable than you might think." - Ashley Kirsner

Ashley is the founder and director of Skip the Small Talk, and believes in the efficacy of high-quality person-to-person interaction for improving psychological health. She has conducted research with professors at prestigious organizations such as Cornell University, the Harvard Decision Science Lab, and the Harvard Business School, on social and clinical psychology topics ranging from decision-making and implicit biases to facial expressions in borderline personality disorder patients.

Ashley gained hands-on therapeutic experience as a suicide hotline phone responder and as a peer counselor at Cornell. Ashley received her B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University and turned down acceptances to doctorate programs in order to devote her time to Skip the Small Talk. She received a fellowship from the Harvard Divinity School for individuals who have demonstrated a social impact in the domain of creating meaningful communities. Skip The Small Talk events are regularly held internationally, as well as an online options.

In this engaging episode of 'Curated Questions,' host Ken Woodward sits down with Ashley Kirsner, the founder and director of 'Skip the Small Talk.' They explore the transformative power of meaningful conversations, the science behind vulnerability, and the surprising benefits of structured social interactions.

Ashley shares her experiences from the suicide hotline, her inspiration for starting 'Skip the Small Talk,' and how intentional question design can foster deeper human connections. The conversation also delves into the physiological benefits of social interactions, ethical considerations in community building, and the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability. Tune in to learn how these insights can help you build stronger, more authentic relationships in your own life.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#41 Robert Sturman: The Question of Beauty: A Photographer's Pursuit

"I realized that paying attention is a form of a question." - Robert Sturman

Robert Sturman is a seeker and visual storyteller. Driven by an unshakeable belief that beauty exists everywhere. He has pursued this vision as an Official Artist of the Grammy Awards and the FIFA World Cup, and as a globally recognized photographer who captures the healing power of humanity through yoga. After studying art at UC Santa Cruz and Memphis College of Art, he discovered that his life itself, was art, and needed to become a masterpiece.

Robert has mastered finding profound beauty in unexpected places - from the streets of Manhattan to San Quentin Prison, from Kenyan orphans to breast cancer survivors bearing their scars. His philosophy is rooted in Rumi's words: "I can't stop pointing to the beauty."

Through his lens, Robert demonstrates that everyone belongs and vulnerability becomes strength. His approach reveals that the most potent questions aren't about technique, but about trust, connection, and helping people recognize their own light. He seeks beauty where others see difficulty because he understands transformation happens when we're willing to look deeper.

The most heartfelt title he answers to is Dad to Otis the Handsome Hound, an 85-pound English American Redtick Coonhound who was rescued following animal testing. Otis has nearly 7K Instagram followers and is an advocate for cruelty-free testing.

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward converses with renowned visual storyteller Robert Sturman. Robert, celebrated for his profound and inclusive photography, shares insights on capturing the healing power of humanity through his lens. The discussion explores Robert's journey from photographing idyllic beach yogis to documenting yoga practice in diverse and challenging settings, including maximum security prisons and amongst war veterans. Through his lens, he celebrates vulnerability, trust, and beauty in unexpected places. Robert also delves into his advocacy work with his rescued animal companion Otis, highlighting the critical issue of cruelty-free product testing. Throughout the episode, recurring themes focus on the transformative power of paying attention, the courageous response to criticism, and the continuous pursuit of personal and artistic growth.

This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com.

Keep questioning!

#40 Ken Woodward: Reviving Franklin's Junto: How Questions Built America

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward uncovers a forgotten antidote to our fractured discourse: Benjamin Franklin's Junto. In 1727 Philadelphia, a 21-year-old printer gathered tradesmen—the 'leather apron crowd'—for Friday night discussions that would revolutionize American civic life. This wasn't just a social club; it was a systematic experiment in collective wisdom that led to the creation of America's first volunteer fire company, lending library, public hospital, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Ken explores Franklin's 24 carefully crafted questions that transformed ordinary workers into civic leaders, revealing how debates conducted 'without fondness for dispute, or desire of victory' built both personal character and community institutions. Through themes of personal development, community awareness, civic engagement, and mutual support, the Junto proved that structured curiosity could turn individual ambition into collective flourishing.

Drawing from Franklin's original rules, including banning words like 'certainly' and fining members who spoke too definitively, Ken explains how the Junto combined three elements that modern groups often keep separate: personal growth, civic action, and genuine friendship. The episode includes a vulnerable reflection on intellectual loneliness and ends with a direct challenge: Start this Friday. Find three curious people. Ask one of Franklin's questions. See what happens.

#39 Scott Johnson: How Asking 'What Was That Like' Creates Extraordinary Connection

In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward engages with Scott Johnson, the creator of the 'What Was That Like' podcast. The discussion examines how Scott's podcast cultivates profound human connections through storytelling. Scott shares insights into his journey from a computer business owner to a podcaster, revealing the meticulous preparation and empathy required to capture extraordinary true stories. They delve into themes like the power of questions, creating safe spaces for sharing trauma, and Scott's personal journey of religious deconstruction. Highlights include profound and outlandish stories from Scott’s podcast, the impact of a supportive community, and using personal pain to create purpose. The episode is an insightful exploration of how curiosity and storytelling can break down barriers and build authentic connections.

#08 Brian Fretwell: Finding Good, Fighting Loneliness, and Embracing Self-Interested Curiosity

Brian weaves together how neuroscience, community, and our stories form the bonds of connection with those we choose to engage. During a portion of the conversation, he uses the Success Mapping framework to understand Ken's motivation for this podcast. He then introduces the 'blueberries' analogy, a metaphor for personal experiences, and explains how genuine curiosity about these experiences is critical to real connection and a path toward addressing loneliness.

#04 Austin Graff: Raising High EQ Kids, Living With Intention, & Curiosity Led Global Travel

Austin Graff has seen much of the world. Born to American parents, he grew up in Russia and Kazakhstan and returned to the United States for college in Michigan. He has lived in Washington, DC, for nearly 20 years and is married with a seven-year-old daughter.

Austin has spent his entire career in social media and digital marketing. He started at non-profits, then shifted to larger companies such as Coca-Cola and, until recently, the Washington Post. In 2022, Austin launched Curiosity & Connection, which combines media consulting and travel guides. His family joins him on adventures as he explores and writes about DC's 131 neighborhoods and various global destinations.

Austin shares deep insights into raising inquisitive children with high emotional intelligence, planning and executing worldwide travel with care for the local community, living a designed lifestyle, and describing what is necessary for a level 10 community. This journey is characterized by Austin's humility, love for people, and insatiable curiosity.