What does it mean to think deeply and live freely in an age of distraction? Philosopher Jon Burmeister reflects on his journey from analytical rigour to embodied integration, exploring whole-person education, the history of ideas, and reclaiming attention in a fragmented world.

Conversation Themes

• Whole-person education as liberation: How liberal arts education fosters curiosity, creativity, and self-knowledge while encouraging openness to change and growth.
• Deep thinking and the attention economy: Why reclaiming focus isn’t just about resisting distractions, but about preserving our capacity to care about what truly matters.
• Ideas as living histories: Viewing philosophy as a dynamic, evolving tradition and understanding our role in shaping and inheriting the collective intellectual journey.
• Flourishing through integration: How Jon balances analytical thinking with embodied practices like yoga, meditation, and breathwork to harmonise the mind, body, and emotions, inspired by Aristotle’s vision of flourishing.
• Reimagining technology’s role: Jon’s intentional approach to living in the digital age, from setting boundaries to fostering deeper attention and presence in a world designed to fragment focus.

About the Guest
Jon Burmeister is Associate Professor Of Philosophy at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. His research interests are in philosophy of technology, philosophy of computing, philosophy of mind, and German Idealism. View Jon's academic profile and publications.

Full Show Notes
Visit the Grokkist podcast hub for a full digest of this episode including highlights and links to stuff we discussed: https://grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast/s4e5-jon-burmeister

Recorded 4 April 2024

Website: grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast | Email: podcast@grokk.ist | Socials: @grokkist
Music: Kleptotonic Swing by Tri-Tachyon

Kendra Fee-McNulty, founder of Raveloe+Co, leads an empathy-driven marketing consultancy that helps mission-driven organisations find their voice and share their stories authentically. We discuss effective storytelling and how to balance creativity and commerce without compromising your values.

Conversation Themes

• Kendra’s personal journey, including her experience as an adopted child and how it influenced her need to belong and excel, shaping her communication skills and career choices.
• Empathy as a Superpower: The ability to empathise deeply with others by understanding their thoughts, fears, and barriers.
• Misunderstanding and Connection: How misunderstandings arise from the gap between intention and perception, and how they can lead to disconnection but also offer opportunities for deeper connection and understanding.
• Building Scaffolding: The necessity for people, especially those who are curious and caring, to build personal scaffolding to thrive in environments not always conducive to authenticity and growth.
• Authentic Communication: The importance of authentic communication for mission-driven organisations to effectively share their stories and connect with their communities.

Links and Resources

• Raveloe+Co website
• The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
• Spotlight syndrome
• Pygmalion effect

Full Show Notes
Visit the Grokkist podcast hub for a full digest of this episode including highlights and links to stuff we discussed: https://grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast/s4e4-kendra-fee-mcnulty

Recorded 7 March 2024

Website: grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast | Email: podcast@grokk.ist | Socials: @grokkist
Music: Kleptotonic Swing by Tri-Tachyon

Brittany is a silversmith, non-traditional educator, and the creative force behind Full Desert Weirdo. Together we rethink the edges of normalcy, illuminating how our quirkiest traits not only shape an ever-changing personal identity but also hold the potential to remake the world around us.

Conversation Themes

• The Value of Outliers
• Social Norms and Conformity
• Autism and Neurodivergence
• Personal Identity and Reclamation
• Mutability and Change

Links and Resources

• Full Desert Weirdo website
• Applied Behaviour Analysis and Ivar Lovaas

Full Show Notes
Visit the Grokkist podcast hub for a full digest of this episode including highlights and links to stuff we discussed: https://grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast/s4e3-brittany-cole-houston

Recorded 25 January 2024

Website: grokk.ist/stillcuriouspodcast | Email: podcast@grokk.ist | Socials: @grokkist
Music: Kleptotonic Swing by Tri-Tachyon