Thecuriousmanspodcast

Why does it feel like Congress can't get anything done — even when the stakes are so high?

In this episode, I'm joined by political scientist and senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice, Maya L. Kornberg, to discuss her book Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress.

Drawing on congressional records and interviews with lawmakers, Maya reveals a system under strain — shaped by relentless fundraising, shrinking staff capacity, the pressures of social media, and even the threat of political violence.

But this isn't just a diagnosis. It's also a roadmap for reform — and a conversation about how Congress could actually start working again.

What does it mean to create something by hand in a world that's increasingly digital?

In this episode, I'm joined by visual artist and educator Robynn Smith, Professor Emeritus at Monterey Peninsula College and founder of Print Day in May.

Robynn has spent decades teaching, creating, and building community through printmaking — a medium that blends craft, experimentation, and collaboration. Through her work, she's helped artists around the world connect through a shared creative practice.

This conversation explores the power of art, the importance of process, and how creativity can bring people together across cultures and continents.

History is often told through battles, dates, and strategy — but sometimes, the most powerful stories are found in something far more personal… letters.

In this episode, I'm joined by author Jan Cress Dondi to discuss her deeply moving book, The Navigator's Letter: The True Story of Two WWII Airmen, a Doomed Mission, and the Woman Who Bound Them Together.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book tells the intertwined stories of two airmen, John B. White, and, Bob Cress — whose lives, hopes, and wartime experiences were connected through letters written to the same woman, Polley.

This is a story about love, loss, sacrifice, and the fragile threads that connect people across time and war.

What happens when history, danger, and the open sea collide?

In this episode, I'm joined by career merchant mariner and award-winning writer Bill C. Wilson to discuss his debut novel, Course Over Ground.

Set during the height of the American Civil War, the story unfolds in Mobile, Alabama, where Mobile Bay became a critical hub for blockade running and smuggling.

Drawing from his real-life maritime experience, Bill brings authenticity and intensity to a world filled with risk, survival, and moral complexity. This is a conversation about history, storytelling, and life at sea — both real and imagined.

What if the way we think about the Earth is part of the problem?

In this episode, I'm joined by award-winning Dene activist and writer Katłı̨̀ą to discuss her powerful book Mother Earth Is Our Elder: A Northern Indigenous Perspective on the Climate Crisis.

Drawing from Indigenous knowledge and lived experience, Katłı̨̀ą challenges modern perspectives on the environment — inviting us to see the Earth not as a resource to be used, but as an elder to be respected and learned from.

This conversation explores climate change, cultural knowledge, responsibility, and what it means to live in relationship with the natural world.

What does it mean to deliver the news… when you're living through history in real time?

In this episode, I'm joined by groundbreaking journalist and former ABC News and CNN anchor Carol Lin, whose voice helped guide millions through some of the most defining moments of the 21st century — including her historic live coverage during the September 11 attacks.

In her memoir, When News Breaks: A Memoir of Love and War, she shares a deeply personal and powerful account of life in journalism — navigating breaking news, global conflict, and the emotional toll of reporting from the front lines, while also balancing love, family, and identity.

This is a conversation about truth, resilience, responsibility, and what it means to bear witness to history.

History isn't just found in textbooks — sometimes, it's written in stone.

In this episode, I'm joined by author and historian Joe Lex to discuss his book All Bones Considered: 52 Laurel Hill Women.

Set in the historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, the book brings to life the stories of 52 remarkable women whose lives helped shape Philadelphia — and in many cases, the nation itself.

From reformers and pioneers to artists and unsung heroes, this conversation uncovers the powerful, often overlooked contributions of women whose legacies deserve to be remembered.

What if your memory, focus, and problem-solving skills weren't fixed traits… but abilities you could train like a muscle?

In this episode, I'm joined by six-time U.S. Memory Champion and two-time Guinness World Record holder Nelson Dellis, author of Everyday Genius: Hacks to Boost Your Memory, Focus, Problem-Solving, and Much More.

Nelson has dedicated his life to mastering memory — not just as a competitive skill, but as a tool for everyday life. In this conversation, we break down practical techniques to improve recall, sharpen focus, think more clearly, and unlock what he calls your "everyday genius."

If you've ever forgotten names, struggled to concentrate, or wanted to think more effectively — this episode is packed with tools you can start using immediately.

In this episode, I'm joined by wellness advocate, nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, and author Deena Morris to discuss her book Lessons From the Future: STORM the Empowered Empath.

Drawing from her experience in special education, communication, and emotional insight, Deena explores what it means to be an empath in today's world — and how to transform overwhelm into empowerment.

This conversation dives into emotional awareness, boundaries, intuition, and how to navigate the world with both compassion and strength.

In this episode, I'm joined by lifelong mountaineer, cross-country skier, and author Tom French to discuss his memoir, The Gap Years: Climbing, Skiing, and the Journey Back.

A senior partner emeritus of McKinsey & Company, Tom has spent decades operating at the highest levels of business leadership — while also pursuing a deep connection to the outdoors. In this book, he reflects on a profound personal journey of disruption, recovery, identity, and rediscovery through climbing, skiing, and nature.

This is a conversation about resilience, purpose, and what it means to find your way back — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.