Have you ever noticed how often we talk about curiosity… but rarely stop to explore what it really means? What it looks like in our everyday lives? Or how it quietly shapes the way we connect, learn, and grow?
Over the years, as a student, a teacher, and now a parent, I’ve come to see curiosity as more than just a trait. It’s a mindset. A way of being. A quiet, steady force that keeps us open to ideas, to people, to possibility.
In this episode, I dive into what it means to be curious. I share stories from my own learning journey - moments when curiosity helped me shift my perspective, deepen a connection, or simply slow down and notice something I might’ve missed. We’ll explore why curiosity matters more than ever in the way we teach, parent, and show up in the world.
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Listen in as we talk about:
02:25 The heart of curiosity
08:36 Building connections through curiosity
10:48 The courage to be curious
14:05 Embracing the learner mindset
15:58 Everyday curiosity
19:41 Childlike curiosity
21:10 The power of curiosity
Connect with Tiana:
Website: https://tianafech.com
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Facebook: @tianafech
Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course
THE HEART OF CURIOSITY
Curiosity is more than a fleeting thought. It’s a mindset, a spark that invites us to learn, explore, and connect. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about asking the questions and being willing to follow where they lead. At a neurological level, curiosity literally rewires our brains to learn more deeply and remember more clearly. And while curiosity often lives alongside awe and wonder, they’re not the same. Awe is what we feel in the presence of something vast and humbling - like standing at the edge of Machu Picchu at sunrise. Wonder is that wide-eyed delight in the everyday - the kind kids seem to find effortlessly in puddles, bugs, and cracks in the sidewalk. Curiosity, though, is what happens when we notice a gap in our knowledge and feel drawn to close it. It’s what turns a beautiful glass heart on a desk into a doorway to an artist’s story, a deeper connection, and a new way of seeing. Curiosity opens the door to meaning. It helps us notice more, learn more, and connect more deeply with the world around us.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS THROUGH CURIOSITY
Curiosity isn’t just about asking questions. It’s how we grow, connect, and make sense of the world around us. It helps us challenge our assumptions, see beyond our own perspectives, and build empathy. I’m often reminded of Adam Grant’s idea that lifelong learners believe they can learn something from everyone they meet. That mindset came to life for me at Pearson College, where I studied alongside students from nearly 90 countries. It showed me how curiosity can unite people across cultures and create space for deeper understanding. Over the years, this podcast has also become a powerful source of curiosity for me - fueling meaningful conversations and inspiring new ways of thinking. Curiosity opens the door to empathy, growth, and connection and when we stay open to learning from others, we all move forward together.
THE COURAGE TO BE CURIOUS
Even though curiosity is a powerful force, it doesn’t always come easily. Sometimes we assume we already know enough, worry about looking silly, or simply don’t slow down long enough to wonder. One of the biggest barriers? The instinct to be critical before we’re curious - to judge before we ask. But when we start with questions instead of conclusions, we open the door to deeper learning and connection. Misinformation and echo chambers, especially online, can make this even harder by narrowing our view of the world. It takes intentional effort to step outside our comfort zones, to listen to different perspectives, and to stay curious even when it’s uncomfortable. But that’s where the growth lives - in the messy middle,