#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.

#32 Patrick Dubois: Why Curiosity Converts Better Than Commission

Patrick Dubois, a seasoned sales professional discusses the power of questions in sales and personal growth. Patrick emphasizes the importance of understanding the real reasons behind lost sales and how genuine curiosity can enhance relationships and build trust. He shares his journey from aspiring veterinarian to corporate sales and the transformative impact of knowing one's strengths and values. The conversation also explores the intersections of Patrick's passions for animals, wine, and coaching, providing deep insights into aligning one's career with personal strengths and authentic self-expression.

#31 Kevin Kelly: The Future Belongs to the Question-Makers

Host Ken Woodward talks with Kevin Kelly, who shares his insights on the power of questioning for personal and societal growth, discussing the role of questions in driving innovation and fostering understanding. He emphasizes the importance of inefficiency and exploration in formulating impactful questions, contrasting this with AI's tendency to provide average answers. Kelly also discusses his long-term projects, such as the 10,000-year clock with the Long Now Foundation, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking and striking a balance between stability and adaptability. The discussion highlights the value of embracing disequilibrium for intellectual and technological advancement and challenges the notion of productivity by suggesting that waste and failure are integral to the discovery process.

#30 Tim Molnar: Intentionally Cracking Love's Enigma Through Analytics

Host Ken Woodward talks with Tim Molnar, who shares how he developed his strategic dating framework by applying research principles to dating, emphasizing the importance of asking better questions about ourselves and potential partners. He explores how traditional metrics like "feeling a spark" can be misleading compared to questions about safety, visibility, and energy levels after being with someone. The conversation highlights how self-awareness, intentional action, and thoughtful questioning can increase the probability of building fulfilling relationships while also creating space for continued growth and evolution within partnerships.

#29 Dave Reynolds: Cultivating Transformational Growth Through Questions

Host Ken Woodward talks with Dave Reynolds, CEO of the Rumin8 Group, about the impact of purposeful questioning in leadership and coaching. Reynolds shares his journey of learning the value of questions through his mentor Pablo, emphasizing transformation over transactional leadership. They discuss the importance of preparing for coaching conversations, asking in-depth questions, and fostering a culture of coaching and accountability in organizations. Reynolds also introduces concepts from his new book "Radicle Growth," which focuses on using questions to drive personal and organizational growth. The episode highlights the need for leaders to go beyond surface-level interactions, commit to ongoing development, and engage more deeply with their teams through strategic questioning.

#26 Chad Littlefield: The Catalyst for Collaborative Conversations

Chad Littlefield is the co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of We and Me (www.weand.me). The organization aims to help leaders, educators, and events make connection easy. His successful 2015 Kickstarter for We! Connect Cards: Create Conversations that Matter, which is comprised of cards with questions on the front and a stretch on the back intended to make conversations fun and meaningful. Forbes calls Chad a “global expert on asking questions that build trust and connection in teams.” He is a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and creator of Connection Toolkit™, which is now being used to create conversations that matter on campuses and companies in over 80 countries worldwide.

Chad and his late partner Will Wise launched their books How to Make Virtual Engagement Easy and Ask Powerful Questions: Create Conversations that Matter, both #1 Amazon Bestsellers. Chad's YouTube channel has over a million views, and he hosts the annual Connectors Summit in December to bring people together to hone their skills and meet like-minded people leading the vital work of connecting. He lives and delivers the enthusiasm you expect for someone trying to change the world through intentional connection.

The conversation delves into the transformative power of asking meaningful questions and building connections. Chad shares his journey of discovering the impact of questions, We Connect Cards' origin, and intention's role in effective questioning. The discussions also explore practical strategies for fostering deep connections and the societal impact of genuine curiosity. Full of insights and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in enhancing their communicative skills and fostering stronger relationships.

#22 Ken Woodward: 2024 Recap, Reflections, and A Look Ahead

This episode features a solo reflection by Ken Woodward, the host of the Curated Questions podcast, on episodes from 2024. Ken provides an overview and insights from 19 different episodes. Snapshots include significant points, questions, and background with various guests, including activists, authors, executives, and performers. Topics range from personal growth, mentorship, and identity to end-of-life reflections, historical contexts, and the use of questions in different facets of life. The episode note ends with a call for listener feedback and plans for improvements in 2025, emphasizing community growth and listener engagement.

#21 Shreyaa & Esha Venkat: A Clarion Call For Kindness & Social Good!

Sisters Shreyaa and Esha Venkat discuss the challenges they faced as young activists, the importance of asking questions, and their efforts to expand the nonprofit's impact both locally and globally. The conversation also touches on their personal development, the significance of self-care, and how community service has shaped their lives. Shreyaa and Esha emphasize the importance of involving young people in sustainable development and the power of simple acts of kindness. The episode encourages listeners to consider how they can make a difference in their communities and impact the world positively. Listen in for lots of questions!

#20 EbonyJanice Moore: A Benediction For Black Womanhood And Softness!

EbonyJanice recounts how her grandmother taught her to question texts early on. She shares insights from her spiritual mentorship program, 'Dream Yourself Free', and discusses her book 'All the Black Girls Are Activists' which delves into Black women's pursuit of dreams as resistance. EbonyJanice elaborates on the power of dreaming from a place of safety rather than resistance and the impact of nurturing Black women in her community. The discussion touches on societal pressures, systemic inequities, and the potential for transformative change when Black women are listened to and supported.

#19 Jerry Colonna: A Courageous Quest For Beloved Community

Through sharing personal stories, Jerry delves into the impact of his childhood, his experiences with depression, and his path to becoming a reporter who asked probing questions and tackling subjects that elicited deep emotional responses from business executives. He also discusses historical contexts and systemic issues stemming from fear and curiosity. Additionally, Jerry discusses the importance of remembering and acknowledging personal and communal histories to build better futures. The conversation is rich with insights into how powerful questions foster growth, belonging, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

#18 Joe Primo: A Throughline: Death, Grief, Gratitude, And Grateful Living

Joe recounts his early experiences as a hospice chaplain, highlighting the importance of asking well-crafted, intentional questions to connect with and support grieving individuals. He emphasizes the foundational role of gratefulness in discovering meaning in life and shares stories from his work with children and families facing death. Joe discusses how grief, while universal and normal, is often mishandled due to societal discomfort and lack of understanding. He urges listeners to acknowledge, embrace, and integrate grief to move forward healthily. The conversation also delves into the commercialization of gratitude and how to return to its core essence as a spiritual practice. The episode concludes with Joe's reflections on living a grateful life, making improbable friends, and asking courageous questions to foster deeper understanding and connections.

#15 Kwame Sarfo-Mensah: The Vocabulary of Identity & Creating Culturally Affirming Classrooms

Kwame explores the concept of identity, including personal and social identities, and how these can affect one's experience in the world. The conversation delves into the challenges of addressing identity in educational settings and the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Kwame shares his experiences and insights on the power of questions in navigating contract negotiations, understanding student backgrounds, and self-growth. The dialogue also touches on unlearning ingrained biases and recognizing privileges. The discussion concludes by reflecting on the role of questions in fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.

#14 Bill Reed: Questions At The Heart Of Leadership, Mentorship and Relationships

The discussion delves into how questions have shaped Bill’s parenting, leadership, and mentoring approach, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and intentional relationship-building. We also explore the impact of effective questioning in meetings and mentoring relationships, focusing on Bill's current endeavors and insights into fostering a culture of transparency and authentic inquiry.

#11 Cal Fussman: A Storyteller's Quest for Connection & Belonging

Cal shares anecdotes from his experiences, such as the impact of writing to President Lyndon B. Johnson at seven, his path through journalism school, and his unique interviewing style that emphasizes curiosity and connection. From interviewing world leaders and celebrities to teaching corporate workshops on communication, Cal explains how thoughtful questioning can build trust, foster belonging, and elicit profound insights. He also reflects on his travels and the importance of understanding core human stories. The conversation underscores the transformative power of questions in shaping lives and careers.

#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.

#05 Jenny Hegland: Being a Listening Poet, Grief, and Questions as a Pathway to Healing

Jenny opens with heroics in Saipan in the aftermath of a typhoon, then recounts how community engagement and outreach fueled activism and making a difference in the community. Jenny explains the role of the listening poet and the impact it has had on her and those she serves. We discussed her parents' role in encouraging questions and how questions can be a pathway to healing. Other topics include community, grief, and loneliness. Jenny also shares two of her listening poet poems and the backstory that inspired them.

Episode #01: Rob Lawless

“It kinda felt like a punch in the gut, and felt guilty for even thinking that I could know what someone’s story was before sitting down to talk with them.” Rob Lawless

Rob Lawless is on a mission to connect with strangers one on one and get to know one another for an hour. His starting goal is 10,000 conversations, and I was his 3,097th.

Rob has crisscrossed the United States and ventured into Canada as he catalogs his steadily increasing numbers on Instagram @Robs10kFriends. He discusses his reasons behind wanting to connect with others, his vision for the future, how to build empathy, and being an active listener.

See website for full post and show notes.