Get ready, folks, this one’s a doozie! This solo episode became a “manifesto of sorts” as I shared my current definition of the “Renaissance Mindset”. This mindset is a philosophy that helps explain the complicated, sometimes seemingly contradictory actions of Renaissance People that set us apart.

I look at survey data from past guests to explore what it means to be “multi-passionate”, and I dive headfirst into research around being a “lifelong learner”. I once again share neuroscientist Paula Croxson’s elegant explanation of the “left brain vs right brain” myth. I discuss patterns in how Renaissance People think and act, where we shine, the critical role we can play in today’s world and so much more.

If this conversation sparks ideas for you (even if it’s a challenge to something I’ve said), reach out and let’s connect! You belong in the Renaissance People Community!

Promised Show Notes Materials (take a drink):

• Sign up for updates on my podcast and what’s happening in the Renaissance People Community.
• Work with me to Find Your Golden Thread
• Join the Renaissance People group on Facebook
• Sign up to learn more about Fertile Grounds, a monthly virtual gathering of multi-passionate Renaissance People tentatively schedule to launch in late summer 2026
• Lifelong Learning in the Educational Setting: A Systematic Literature Review by Win Phyu Thwe and Anikó Kálmán
• Profiles of epistemological beliefs, knowledge about explanation norms, and explanation skills: changes after an intervention by Eric Klopp, Theresa Krause-Wichmann and Robin Stark
• Lifelong learning tendency scale: the study of validity and reliability by Yelkin Diker Coúkuna and Melek Demirel
• Patrick Meaney’s LinkedIn post about shaping your career like a bramble
• Sara’s LinkedIn post with her Left Brain, Right Brain artificial choice rant
• A Brief History of the Resting State: the Washington University Perspective by Abraham Z Snyder and Marcus E Raichle
• Review of the split brain work that Brenda Milner was part of (credit also to Mike Gazzaniga for this research)
• Range: Why Generalists Thrive in a Specialized World by David Epstein
• Habits of a Renaissance Man: Learning how to learn from Leonardo da Vinci (curriculum PBS Learning Media)

This episode includes clips from all of my guest episodes so far! Here are the links:

• Ep. 2: Operating at the Intersection of STEM, Creativity and Fun with Nancy Scales Coddington, Multi-Passionate
• Ep. 3: Embracing an Outside-the-box Mind with Melissa Vining, Boundary Spanner
• Ep. 6: The Secret Lives of Multi-Passionates with Marika Luneau, Multi-Passionate
• Ep. 7: Pitching Your Own (Ph)uture with Stephanie Castillo, Jill-of-all-trades
• Ep. 8: Bringing Worlds Together Full Circle with Jess Rowell, Renaissance Woman
• Ep. 9: A Mind for Memory with Brian Skellenger, Survivalist
• Ep. 10: The Forever Revolution with Jenni Gritters, Multi-Passionate
• Ep. 11: Side Quest Unlocked with Elin Filbey, Multi-Passionate
• Ep. 12: A Different Kind of Wonderful with Paula Croxson, Renaissance Woman
• Ep. 13: It’s All or Nothing with Morgan Anderson, Multi-Passionate
• Ep. 14: Capture the Flow with Alycia Buenger, Multi-Passionate

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A few themes I discussed:

00:59 My podcast categories choices

01:56 Survey says…we’re passionate!

04:45 Lifelong learner rabbit hole

10:38 Going wide AND deep

12:34 Live hard, play hard

14:04 Paula Croxson explains the myth of “left brain” vs “right brain”

17:28 Expansion and boundary spanning

19:49 Our intensity

20:51 Learning and sharing

22:04 Systems thinking

23:25 Comfort with nuance

24:01 Defining Renaissance Person

27:11 Why not “generalist”?

30:25 Your Fertile Grounds invitation

If you’re extra curious, check out Renaissance Woman Consulting to learn more about some of the many types of work I do.

And should you care to support the production of this podcast, I’d love it if you’d buy me an oat milk cappuccino, my caffeinated beverage of choice.

This podcast is hosted and edited by Sara Kobilka.

Theme music is by Brian Skellenger

Podcast distribution support provided by K.O. Myers of Particulate Media