Maggie Jackson — The Hidden Power of Uncertainty: Why Not Knowing Is a Strength

Maggie Jackson is an award-winning author and journalist with a global reach. Her new book, Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure, explores why we should seek not-knowing in an era of angst and flux.  In this episode, I talk with Maggie about the transformative power of uncertainty, challenging cultural assumptions about certainty and success. Maggie explains how embracing uncertainty fosters creativity, resilience, and well-being. Drawing from neuroscience and personal insights, we discuss strategies for tolerating and even thriving in the unknown. From the surprising role of ambivalence in leadership to daily practices that build confidence in uncertainty, we dive into practical wisdom for navigating life’s unpredictability with grace and curiosity. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:15) - Meet Maggie Jackson (02:36) - Maggie's background and early life (04:14) - Defining uncertainty (06:49) - The importance of embracing uncertainty (11:29) - Cultural and individual perspectives on certainty (18:17) - The myth of certainty (21:45) - The benefits of embracing uncertainty (26:05) - Choosing thoughtfulness over fear (28:59) - Curiosity and tolerating the stress of the unknown (34:44) - Sitting with discomfort and using uncertainty as a tool (36:51) - Applying uncertainty in decision-making (40:47) - Personal reflections and final thoughts Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.