“This is one of the things with the fast world that we’re in: how do we get people to stop — and to question?” ~ Mónica Quesada Cordero

Solutions journalism is a rigorous form of reporting the focuses on responses to problems. No more handwringing; no more oversimplifying. This approach embraces the complexity and, in so doing, manages to restore our faith in the news.

Mónica Quesada Cordero and her colleagues at el Colectivo 506 have learned a lot in their five years of bringing solutions journalism to Costa Rica.

They have curiosity lessons for journalism — and life itself.

We talk about the upside of complicating the narrative, building a library of what works, the beauty in shades of gray, finding common ground in the complexity, the relief that comes with transparency, and the value in asking an extra what else?

We should be able to be curious — and wonder more. Why do I feel this way? — (First look in.) — Why would others not feel the way I feel? And why do they feel the way they feel? And where can we meet? Because in the end, that’s the goal.

Listen to Ep. #297: Curiosity Lessons from Solutions Journalism, with Mónica Quesada Cordero

Mónica Quesada Cordero is an award-winning photo journalist and co-founder (with Katherine Stanley Obando and Pippa Kelly Furness) of el Colectivo 506, an independent media outlet founded in Costa Rica in 2020 by this group of women passionate about the rural communities of Costa Rica. Their biligüal (English/Spanish) digital magazine focuses on solutions journalism for and from Costa Rica.

Mónica and her colleagues invite you to participate in el Colectivo 506‘s 5th anniversary celebration activities! Check out what’s coming up in the months ahead.

Learn more about SoJo in my conversation Solutions Journalism: An Exercise in Curiosity, with Marie von Hafften and see what the Solutions Journalism Network is up to.

Curious about curiosity and journalism conversations? You might enjoy these C2BC Classics: Curiosity & Journalism with Drew Costley; The Inquiring Minds Behind Science Writing, with Kim O’Connell; & Meeting People Where They Are, with Andy Isaacson.

Theme music by Sean Balick; “A Burst of Light” by Delray, via Blue Dot Sessions.

You can subscribe to Choose to Be Curious on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.