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What Has the Journey Already Given You?

What are you gaining while you work toward a goal?

In this episode of Calm Clear Curiosity, Christopher Johnson reflects on Ursula K. Le Guin’s observation: “It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

Paired with Dolly Parton’s America, the podcast series from Jad Abumrad and Shima Oliaee explores how our experiences shape us before we reach a destination. The series’ questions about music, identity, home, and belonging offer a starting point for considering what we carry with us as our lives change.

Drawing on connections across his career and his experience learning to swim as an adult, Christopher considers the value we can overlook when completion becomes our only measure of progress. Along the way, we develop skills, build relationships, and sometimes discover that our goals have changed.

A question to carry with you: If you haven’t reached your destination yet, what has the journey already given you?

In this episode

00:00 Ursula K. Le Guin’s quote
00:59 How goals guide us
02:22 Introducing Dolly Parton’s America
03:46 Home, identity, and belonging
04:52 Connections across a varied career
06:05 Life during the preparation
07:11 Valuing progress when the outcome is uncertain
08:18 How curiosity can change our direction
09:15 Listening recommendation and reflection
10:26 Closing and credits

Listen and connect

Dolly Parton’s America

Connect with Christopher Johnson on LinkedIn and subscribe to his newsletter for more reflections and recommendations.

Music by Jerome Gray of Cleveland Heads.

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About Calm, Clear Curiosity

Calm, Clear Curiosity is a weekly exploration of ideas worth thinking about. Each episode begins with a quote and follows the questions it raises through books, podcasts, journalism, conversations, and other discoveries.

Hosted and produced by Christopher G. Johnson of Calm Clear Media.

Music by Jerome Gray of Cleveland Heads.

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Connect with me on LinkedIn for more ideas about curiosity, communication, media, and the ways we connect with one another.

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Keep curious.