# 324. The Practice of Active Wondering Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/brave-writer-745216/324-the-practice-of-active-wondering Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/brave-writer-745216/324-the-practice-of-active-wondering.md Podcast: [Brave Writer](https://stenobird.com/podcast/brave-writer-745216) Published: 2026-01-28T09:30:00+00:00 Episode link: http://blog.bravewriter.com/category/podcasts/ Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/82450e75-bcd3-4d98-9e6e-622015055d2a.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/brave-writer-745216/episodes/324-the-practice-of-active-wondering Duration seconds: 1889 ## Resource What happens when we slow down long enough to really wonder? In this episode, we explore the difference between rabbit trails and rabbit holes—and why both matter in learning and in life. From telephone poles and faded signs to classic children’s literature and everyday neighborhood mysteries, we reflect on how curiosity deepens when we resist quick answers and allow questions to linger. We talk about active wondering, mental stillness, and the surprising richness of slow learning in a fast world. Join us as we rediscover how noticing, wondering, and waiting can transform ordinary moments into meaningful education. Resources: Listen to our episode on Rabbit Holes and Rabbit Trails Find John Stilgoe’s Outside Lies Magic in the Brave Writer Book Shop Brave Writer class registration is open! Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing Find community at the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic , and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more! Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684 Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com Connect with Julie: Instagram: @juliebravewriter Threads: @juliebravewriter Bluesky: @bravewriter.com Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter Connect with Melissa: Website: melissawiley.com Substack: melissawiley.substack.com Instagram: @melissawileybooks Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social Produced by NOVA ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/brave-writer-745216/episodes/324-the-practice-of-active-wondering/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/brave-writer-745216/324-the-practice-of-active-wondering.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.