“What I love most about curiosity is sitting with someone I don’t know, asking what makes them tick, what brought them to this day, just really leaning into it — and enjoying it.” ~ Mike Morales

Mike Morales has just retired from the military, served as a White House Fellow, and has gone to both business and divinity school. We might never have met had a friend not made the introduction. “He is like sunshine,” she wrote. She didn’t mention his impressive credentials (other than a certain TEDx Talk on curiosity). She simply assumed we’d appreciate one another as people.

That was reason enough to have lunch — and then to invite him here to keep the conversation going.

As he puts it, curiosity is the gateway to connection.

Listen to Choose to be Curious #81: Curiosity Is the Gateway to Connection.

Mike and I talked a lot about connecting dots, weaving threads, linking hands.

Which got me thinking about the all the ways we can connect dots. About building and maintaining relationships in general — and my mother-in-law’s in particular…

Listen to Curiosity to Go, Ep. #54: Connect the Dots

Catch Mike Morales’ TEDx Talk: Curiosity is the Antidote for Loneliness.

Sound alchemist Yoko Sen introduced me to Mike.

Listen to the whole Sondra’s Story episode and check out Jennifer Mendelsohn’s work.

Theme music by Sean Balick.  Check out Sean’s new album “From the Pines” .

You can subscribe to Choose to be Curious on Apple Podcasts/ iTunes and Stitcher.

Check out the Choose to be Curious shop!*

*Any purchase from the Choose to be Curious shop supports Arlington Independent Media. Please also consider making a donation at wera.fm. Thanks!

Every C2BC conversation has its pearls that roll across the floor as we sit in the studio. This week I heard a gem that Mike attributed to his military training and that spoke to my experience as well… #truth