Thinking Curious

• Themes, Principles, and Virtues

  Who knew a conversation over a cup of coffee could percolate new ideas for a podcast? Stranger still, that the podcast would focus on fairy tales and short stories as sources for lessons in human nature, values, and virtues…   In this episode, we explore the importance of virtues in our lives and how cultivating them can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. The discussion delves into the differences between virtues and values, and why the significance of virtues has diminished over time. We take a look back at the short stories and fairy tales we’ve discussed through the lens of virtuous (and not so virtuous) behavior. By revisiting short stories like The Gift of the Magi, Goldilocks, The Ugly Duckling, and others, we can recognize and discuss virtues such as compassion, courage, perseverance, and resilience, and their impact on personal growth and well-being. Discussion Points: A chat with a friend at the Toasted and Roasted coffee shop Virtues vs. values Ruminations on “virtues”…. Looking back at short stories in previous episodes for important virtues Check out earlier episodes of Thinking Curious to hear in-depth discussions of the short stories and fairy tales I mentioned in this episode Subscribe or Follow the podcast, and use the links below to access the Thinking Curious Project and The Thinking Curious Review for additional content Resources:  Thinking Curious Project Thinking Curious Review  Cognitive Development Coaching with Jessica    Toasted & Roasted Quote from Virtues and Psychology Book: Virtue and Psychology: Pursuing Excellence in Ordinary Practices Description of Virtues and Psychology Virtues For Life   The Book of Virtues 30th Anniversary Edition  Resilience from a Virtue Perspective  Perseverance  What are virtuous people like?

  --------  

  20:27
• The Ugly Duckling - From Victim to Victor

  "... my fairy-tales were just as much for adults as for children, who only understood the ornamental trappings, but only as mature adults can they see and perceive the contents. That the naive was only one part of my fairy-tales, that humour was the actual zest in them" - Hans Christian Andersen’s journal entry from June 4, 1875 The Ugly Duckling is not a simple fairytale. It appeals to children through animal characters, an exciting plot, and beautiful language, yet it also appeals to adults who can perceive the illuminating concepts and abstractions. In this episode, I dig deep into three distinct story elements that weave together to illustrate the complete transformation of our hero: Resilience, Self-Concept, and the Hero’s Journey - ending in peace and happiness for the Ugly Duckling.  Discussion Points: Hans Christian Andersen and his work Three story strands that weave together - Resilience, Self-Concept, and a Hero’s Journey Resilience - how is it illustrated? Self-concept in the duck yard - rejection and abuse The 3 stages of the ‘Hero’s Journey’ Andersen’s quote about the fairy tale Rising above discouraging words and becoming himself Encouraged by joy and hope Rescued from the ice by a kind farmer The ‘hero’s return’ and metamorphosis A quote from the author  Subscribe or Follow the podcast, and use the links below to access the Thinking Curious Project and The Thinking Curious Review for additional content Resources:  Thinking Curious Project Thinking Curious Review  Cognitive Development Coaching with Jessica    Hans Christian Andersen's Biography    Read The Ugly Duckling    The Resilient Brain   Resilience - Circle of Courage  What is Self-concept?  

  --------  

  31:00
• The Little Red Hen

  The Little Red Hen is a fable with a moral that is helpful. However, the character of the Little Red Hen has been maligned and her story demoralized. In this episode, we are going to take a look at the author and her life, along with the moral and theme of this little fable, to see if we can set the record straight.   The Little Red Hen is an American fable first published by Mary Mapes Dodge in St. Nicholas Magazine in 1874. St. Nicholas was a popular monthly American children's magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873. Dodge was the first editor of the magazine, and she continued her association with the magazine until her death in 1905.   The characters and structure of the story are meant to teach children that hard work and personal initiative are the foundation of success. The tale is based on a story Dodge was often told by her mother. Originally the other animals besides the hen consist of a rat, a cow, a cat, a dog, a duck, and a pig. Later adaptations, like the illustrated version by Florence White Henderson, often reduce the number of other animals to three- the cat, the rat, and the pig. Discussion Points: The Little Red Hen Author Mary Elizabeth Mapes Dodge - her era and her life Fables, morals, themes, and animal characters Florence White Williams version of the story An excerpt from The Little Red Hen John Locke, personal property, and civil law  The hen had a natural right to the bread she baked Similarities between the author’s life and the hen’s characteristics Subscribe or follow the podcast and use the link below to The Thinking Curious Review Resources:  Thinking Curious Project Thinking Curious Review  Cognitive Development Coaching with Jessica at Purposed Pathways  The Little Red Hen Origin and Background A Negative View of the Fable Mary Mapes Dodge Profile Mary Mapes Dodge Bio St. Nicholas Children’s Magazine Peek Inside An Issue of St. Nicholas

  --------  

  13:26
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Part 2

  Welcome to episode five of our short story series, continuing our analysis of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” In Part I, we focused on internal and external characteristics and the contrast of expected behaviors attributed to the little girl and the bears. Today, we’ll take a look at “nature vs. nurture” in humankind, through the lens of Goldilocks’ behavior. The Story: It was first published anonymously as "The Story of the Three Bears" in an 1837 volume of Robert Southey’s writings called The Doctor. The story’s characters and plot morphed through the years, from an unpleasant old woman to a sweet little girl, and from three ‘bachelor bears’ or siblings, into Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear, but the dates of these changes are disputed. Goldilocks and the Three Bears is just an old English fairytale, short and simple. Or is it?  Discussion Points: Digging into nature vs. nurture Kenan Malik and concepts of human consciousness and uniqueness Harvard scientists and biologists and nature/nurture Being “well brought up” Purpose and Agency in humankind Looking for “just right” is a statement of purpose Security and love are critical for nurture Neuroscience now sanctions “common sense” Helping children learn skills that are “just right” Subscribe or follow the Thinking Curious Review Resources:  Read the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears Listen to Part I - Goldilocks and the Three Bears Kenan Malik Article Harvard Medical Article: Nature, Meet Nurture APA’s Definition of Human Nature Article: What Are Human Beings? Perspectives from Science and Scripture Thinking Curious Project Thinking Curious Review  Cognitive Coaching with Jessica at Purposed Pathways   

  --------  

  10:27
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears

  Welcome to episode four of our short story series. In this episode, we begin Part I of our look at the seemingly simple story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” The story was first published anonymously as "The Story of the Three Bears" in an 1837 volume of Robert Southey’s writings called The Doctor. The story’s characters and plot morphed through the years, from an unpleasant old woman to a sweet little girl, and from three ‘bachelor bears’ or siblings, into Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear, but the dates of these changes are disputed. Goldilocks and the Three Bears is just an old English fairytale, short and simple. Or is it? You can’t judge a book, or story, by its cover. Discussion Points: Judging people by their external qualities- age, skin color, etc. Childhood views of the story vs. today’s  Irony is employed by flipping expectations of behaviors of bears vs. girls  Re-read the story yourself with the link below and tune in for Part II Resources:  Read the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears Cognitive Development Coaching with Jessica 

  --------  

  5:27

More Society & Culture podcasts

Trending Society & Culture podcasts

About Thinking Curious