Curious Goat

Curiosity is a key component of creativity, learning, discovery, and exploration, but do we really know the nature of curiosity or how to grow a curious mindset? Join Matt Karlsven, PhD, as he digs into the black box of curiosity, what it looks like in the wild, and why it is a crucial skill to sharpen in the modern world. If you want to re-ignite your sense of wonder, this podcast is worth a listen. Get the book, Explore: The Art of Cultivating Curiosity, by Matt Karlsven on Amazon, tinyurl.com/4rbccuds Follow us on Instagram @ExploreGoat and ExploreGoat.com for more curiosity projects.

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Episodes

Episode 10: What if I SMASH IT?

Curiosity doesn’t always look like asking questions. Sometimes, it looks more like smashing open a computer just to see what’s inside. In this episode, I talk with Austin, a wildly curious 12-year-old who's already building his own tech empire. He shares how his love for technology began with a smashed computer—and grew into collecting retro machines, modding iPods, and learning to code. Along the way, we explore how curiosity grows in kids—and how we can nurture it when we see those early spark...

Apr 22, 2025•19 min

Episode 9: Season 2 is GO!

Season 2 is finally here! In this season, we’ll be exploring what makes kids curious and how parents can raise curious kids that grow up to change the world. BUT WAIT, there’s more! I give a BIG announcement at the end of this episode! Stick around for more in Season 2 of the Curious Goat podcast!

Apr 08, 2025•9 min

Episode 8: Embrace the rabbit hole

Nicolle Okoren takes us down the rabbit hole of curiosity as a journalist, including reporting on corruption, a bear-eating mountain man, and armed protests in Provo, Utah. She shares how her curiosity for people was cultivated as a child as her parents regularly invited interesting guests to their home. She later developed the skills to see the strange in the familiar and ask great questions. If you want to learn how to quickly boost your curiosity for the world around you, this interview with ...

Jun 01, 2023•54 min

Episode 7: What is the Explore Mindset?

What do a guitar, the ocean, and two replaced knees have in common? Find out in this episode as Matt Karlsven, PhD, shares everyday life stories that demonstrate the three components of the Explore Mindset. Follow us on Instagram @ExploreGoat for updates and other curiosity projects. For a deep dive into curiosity and how it works, get our book, Explore: The Art of Cultivating Curiosity, by Matt Karlsven, available now on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/4rbccuds Check out our website ExploreGoat.com...

May 18, 2023•18 min

Episode 6: Does the tech world need more curiosity?

Today’s guest is Alex Morrise, a senior software engineer living in Phoenix, Arizona. He tells the story of how his passion for technology developed from eight years old, fostered by his father and older brother along the way as he built Geocities websites and programmed his TI-89 graphing calculator. Alex describes how curiosity feels as a tech enthusiast, how curiosity played a role throughout his career, and how curiosity is a crucial skill for anyone working in the tech industry. He believes...

Mar 17, 2023•51 min

Episode 5: What is Curiosity?

Matt Karlsven, PhD, describes the different levels of engagement one can have with something, from curiosity to obsession. He explains the difference between passion and obsession, suggesting that it's not necessary to be passionate about every aspect of one's life. Instead, he encourages evaluating each part of life to decide if it's something to be curious, interested, or passionate about. Lastly, he encourages embracing curiosity and passion to cultivate an Explore Mindset. Key Lessons It is ...

Feb 10, 2023•10 min

Episode 4: What's a Good Question?

Kindergarteners ask far more questions than any other grade level. Why is that? How can we re-learn the art of asking questions, and what is a good question anyway? Today’s guest is Sue Gong, an expert on question-asking. Her dissertation focuses on question-asking in a university setting and it was a delight to hear her fascinating findings on what encourages and discourages good questions. Follow us on Instagram @ExploreGoat for updates and other curiosity projects. For a deep dive into curios...

Jan 26, 2023•51 min

Episode 3: Chaos on the Bus

Human beings will do almost anything to avoid unfamiliar, confusing, complex, unpredictable, and overwhelming experiences. In other words, we don’t like chaos. But learning, growing, and following your curiosity means you must regularly face challenges and navigate environments that appear chaotic. In this episode, our host, Matt Karlsven, takes us into the complex, even chaotic public transportation system of Lima, Peru, and gives six key principles to master chaos. Follow us on Instagram @Expl...

Jan 20, 2023•42 min

Episode 2: What Do Butterfly Eggs Look Like?

Today we hear the story of Luke Rowley, who has cultivated a lifelong passion for a rare species of monarch butterfly that migrates thousands of miles every year to lay eggs. Luke is a husband and father, civil engineer, and founder of GoalEngineer.com . He has written hundreds of online articles on goal setting, motivation, and other related topics. PODCAST DESCRIPTION How Childhood Curiosity Led to Professional Success: Engineer Luke Rowley's Story Luke Rowley, a professional engineer and crea...

Jan 03, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 2

Episode 1: Welcome to the Curious Goat Podcast

Welcome to the Curious Goat Podcast! What makes a person curious? What’s the purpose of curiosity? Do we have any power to direct or control where our curiosity takes us? In this episode, our host, Matt Karlsven PhD, shares examples of the power of curiosity, why it is a crucial skill for each of us, and how a curious mindset can be developed. Follow us on Instagram @exploregoat for updates and other curiosity projects. For a deep dive into curiosity and how it works, check out our book, Explore...

Dec 31, 2022•13 min•Ep. 1

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