
Awe, Wonder, and Everyday Miracles | Dr. Jonah Paquette
About this episode
What do you feel when you gaze up at the Milky Way, take in a beautiful sunset, stand before a mountain that seems impossibly high, or witness an extraordinary act of courage, kindness, or love?
Often, it's a profound sense of awe - the overwhelming feeling we experience when we encounter something vast that transcends our understanding.
In his book Awestruck, clinician, researcher, and multi-time author, Dr. Jonah Paquette, reminds us that awe-inspiring moments are all around us.
Ranging from the grand to the commonplace, its these moments that hold part of the key to living a deeply fulfilling life.
Today, Jonah and I will dive into a wide ranging conversation about the life-changing potential of awe.
Together we'll explore:
- How this powerful emotion can help alleviate some of the struggles in our daily lives, including stress, and social isolation.
- How awe can help us more effectively navigate polarization and division as we find the curiosity and compassion to build bridges across difference.
- The groundbreaking science behind awe including how it impacts our brain and nervous system.
- Powerful insights into the effects of awe and how it can transform life in flashbulb moments.
- Moving stories of people who inspire awe.
- Simple practices aimed at bringing more wonder, curiosity, empathy, and courage into our lives.
If you want to dive deeper into the topic of Awe I would highly encourage you to check out Jonah’s book Awestruck: How Embracing Wonder Can Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Connected.
Did you find today's episode inspiring? Please share with friends!
Here are other conversations we think you'll love:
- The Transformative Power of Humility | Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren
- The Key to Resilience, Growth, and Possibility | Sharon Salzberg and Dr. Barbara Fredrickson.
More about Jonah:
Jonah Paquette is a clinical psychologist, author, and keynote speaker specializing in the science of well-being and the promotion of emotional fitness for individuals, teams, and organizations. Jonah conducts keynote presentations with top organizations throughout the world, and teaches skills for well-being so that individuals and organizations can flourish. He is the author of four books. Prior to his career as a speaker and trainer, Jonah spent over a decade working in healthcare leadership at Kaiser Permanente. For more, please visit jonahpaquette.com
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Courageous Life publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Courageous Life

On the Science of Second Chances | Jennifer Doleac
The Courageous Life

On Tending to the Unfixable & Finding Beauty Anyway | Lisa Olivera
The Courageous Life

On The Art of Living | Parker J. Palmer & Mark Nepo
The Courageous Life

On Doing Work that Matters | Miroo Kim
The Courageous Life