Episode 109: What Benjamin Franklin can teach us about curiosity, creativity, imagination and play,with Eric Weiner, New York Times bestselling author & travel Philosopher

In Episode 109, The Occupational Philosophers chat with Eric Weiner, an award-winning journalist, a New York Times bestselling author, and much sought-after keynote speaker on a variety of topics, including happiness, innovation strategies and the "power of place." He regularly leads writing workshops around the world.

He is a former foreign correspondent for NPR and reporter for The New York Times. He's reported from more than 30 nations, from Iraq to Indonesia, covering some of the major international events of recent times. He is the recipient of several journalism awards, including the Angel Award for coverage of Islamic affairs in Asia.

His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, National Geographic, AFAR, among other publications.

And his books include The Geography of Bliss, The Geography of Genius, Man Seeks God and The Socrates Express. His latest book, Ben & Me, has recently been published this year.

In this episode, they explore:

• What colour is Tuesday?
• The philosophy of place
• How many bags Eric has….and whether he has a collection or an obsession
• Narrative truth vs factual truth
• Moving between being a journalist and being a writer
• How creative genius springs from place and environment
• Why openness to experience is at the root of creativity
• What Benjamin Franklin can teach us about curiosity, creativity, imagination and play
• How rituals can help focus your creative energy
• Creating a ‘sandbox’ to experiment in
• The meaning of life….purpose and gritty bits…

And as ever, enjoy the Thought Experiment …this time it’s:

• Your place or mind?

Learn more about Eric

http://www.ericweinerbooks.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-weiner-17aa8639/

References

https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/michelangelo-leonardo-raphael

https://www.independentthinking.co.uk/speakers/ian-gilbert/

https://europa.nasa.gov/mission/about/

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/133768-one-s-destination-is-never-a-place-but-a-new-way

https://www.carryology.com/

https://freedom.to/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi-Fu_Tuan

https://www.celticglory.com/thin-place