Episodes

  • Curiouser and curiouser

    Curiouser and curiouser
    Jan 1 2024
    Intentionally engaging until we find it interesting "I can see that my digging into things that didn't seem interesting at first glance, has yielded terrific results: Learning, surprise, and happiness to name just three. And not just for myself, but for others too." It's surprising how many things become interesting once I spend enough time digging in. Often, other people's clear interest is an indicator that digging in will be fruitful. "What do they see, that I don't?" is a question that creates within me an energizing tension. Read the article… ------ What is Open + Curious? You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations. Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/ Hello 👋 I’m Craig Constantine. My mission is cr
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    3 mins
  • Without purpose or agenda

    Without purpose or agenda
    Oct 25 2023
    Choosing a direction towards what you don't know "We want to avoid being drawn toward what we understand. In that direction lies the temptation to summarize and finish." In a conversation we can feel the urge to have a purpose in the form of a goal we are trying to reach, and we can feel the urge to know the path to that goal in the form of questions or topics to explore. These urges arise because we believe if we begin unprepared, our conversations would be rambling messes, and a complete waste of everyone's time. These urges arise because we feel we would be wandering. Read the article… ------ What is Open + Curious? You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations. Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/ Hello 👋 I’
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    3 mins
  • Roles

    Roles
    Aug 1 2023
    An actions-based perspective "When something feels off, we can consider which roles are present in the moment. Am I being a mover, and my guest a follower? Or are they perhaps being an opposer?" During a conversation we sometimes sense that it could be better. We might be aware that we are confused, disappointed, or that there's something we should shift to talking about, and yet we cannot figure out what to change. In short, we're thinking, "this conversation feels off." We're only human and a vague sense may be all we notice in the live moments of a conversation. Read the article… ------ What is Open + Curious? You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations. Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/ Hello 👋 I’m 
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    3 mins
  • Having an open posture

    Having an open posture
    Jul 13 2023
    What intention might you try setting for your next conversation? "I don't simply day-dream about my intentions when it's convenient. I consider different intentions, choose explicitly, and then work to carry that intention into a conversation." Our urge to hide influences us in subtle ways. If we feel we can't control another's thinking (in truth we can't, and we know we can't) then our instinct may be to hide. This can appear as body language, and it can affect the thoughts we have. Read the article… ------ What is Open + Curious? You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations. Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/ Hello 👋 I’m Craig Constantine. My mission is creating better conversations to spread understan
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    3 mins
  • Resources of others

    Resources of others
    Jun 20 2023
    In conversation we can help others be their best selves. "Focusing on these small things frees me from trying to imagine what is the big picture we're creating." There are so many things we could pursue in any conversation: Learning, discovery, helping our partner, even fame. So it's wise to pick something to use as a guide. What we pick, we can then hold quietly in mind as we are listening and thinking about what we might say next. Read the article… ------ What is Open + Curious? You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations. Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/ Hello 👋 I’m Craig Constantine. My mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. I want us to go from simply hav
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    2 mins
  • Being genuine

    Being genuine
    Jun 14 2023
    Releasing preconceptions can lead to delight. "We have little chance of being creative if we know, or think we know, where things are headed." In conversation we find tension within ourselves from our competing desires to lead and to follow. For genuine connection to develop, we must release our preconceptions of who the other person is, and where the conversation may lead. Read the article… ------ What is Open + Curious? You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations. Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/ Hello 👋 I’m Craig Constantine. My mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. I want us to go from simply having conversations, to actively creating better conversations
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    2 mins
  • Power of vistas

    Power of vistas
    Jun 6 2023
    Encountering vistas changes us. " “What do we want to create together?” presents a vista. We figuratively stand here and now with our partner, and we look forward to the future." We can change ourselves and our partners in conversation by presenting a vista. Read the article… ------ What is Open + Curious? You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations. Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/ Hello 👋 I’m Craig Constantine. My mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. I want us to go from simply having conversations, to actively creating better conversations. Your support makes all the difference! — Since 2011, I’ve spent countless hours and dollars keeping my various pr
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    2 mins
  • Generous silence

    Generous silence
    May 31 2023
    Silence can be an active process of giving. "When we choose silence, we're giving the other person our own time to process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without feeling rushed or judged." Silence is not simply waiting to speak; it can be an active process of giving. There is so much that can be conveyed by silence, and yet so many of us blow right past the opportunities. At a time when many are in need of personal connection, we're still filling up too many chances for silence in which to grow. Read the article… ------ What is Open + Curious? You talk with others every day, but how often do you intentionally practice the art of conversation? By sharing my thoughts here, I hope to ignite your passion for creating great conversations. Open + Curious is about discovering what better means for your conversations. You can read, listen and discuss at, https://openandcurious.org/ Hello 👋 I’m Craig Constantine. My mission is creating better conversati
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    2 mins