Sunday Edition | September 14, 2025
- Olga Nesterova
- 11 hours ago
- 6 min read
Because life is more than politics — and kindness still matters.
This Week: CURIOSITY
When times grow heavy and the world feels uncertain, curiosity remains our spark. It’s that little ember inside us that makes us ask why?, that nudges us to explore, to learn, and to stay open. Curiosity is not only how knowledge takes root—it’s how our minds find calm, order, and even joy. By seeking answers, we train our brain to focus on growth rather than fear. And in that process, we gift ourselves tranquility, resilience, and the possibility of wonder.
🎭 CULTURE SNAPSHOT
A Fashion Farewell with a Twist
Giorgio Armani’s final act was as dramatic as any runway reveal. In his will, the late icon instructed his heirs to sell or list his empire—ending his lifelong resistance to luxury conglomerates. Potential buyers include LVMH, L’Oréal, and EssilorLuxottica. Alternatively, Armani’s empire could debut on the public market, closing the curtain on an era of independence.
Apple Leans Into AI Translation
The new AirPods Pro 3 will live-translate conversations in real time. With competitors like Google Pixel Buds and Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses already in the race, Apple’s entry may finally push translation tech into the mainstream, making global travel, classrooms, and workspaces more connected.
Star Wars Treasure
Image: Propstore The actual lightsaber used by Darth Vader in two films sold at auction for a galactic $3.6 million.
Charlie Sheen’s Wild Memoir
Image: Variety The former highest-paid actor on TV reveals he once flew a passenger plane after eight shots of Scotch. Enough said.
Ed Sheeran at the Desk
Ed Sheeran finally recorded a true NPR Tiny Desk concert, bringing warmth (and singalongs) to NPR’s office space. His pandemic-at-home version already drew 15M views—expect this one to soar.
Swatch’s Cheeky Protest
Swatch released a limited-edition watch with swapped “3” and “9” to mock America’s 39% tariffs on Swiss goods.
Dolly in Vegas
Dolly Parton returns to Las Vegas this December for her first residency in 32 years. Six shows, six nights, already sold out.
🌿 DID YOU KNOW?
When we learn something new, our brain releases dopamine—the “reward chemical”—which makes us feel pleasure and motivates us to keep exploring. Curiosity activates the hippocampus (responsible for memory) and prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making), meaning new knowledge both sharpens memory and reduces stress. In short: curiosity literally makes us happier, healthier, and mentally younger.
Science Spotlight: The Brain’s Secret Handshakes
Lecturer and neuroscientist Dr. Lila Landowski recently shared a remarkable video that reveals how our nervous system grows and repairs itself. The footage shows growth cones—tiny, webbed, hand-like structures that sit at the tips of developing neurons. Their spidery “fingers,” called filopodia, are constantly reaching, touching, and testing their environment, searching for the right connection.
When we are developing in utero, every growing neuron is equipped with one of these growth cones, feeling its way through a maze of cells until it finds the exact partner it’s meant to connect with.
Imagine: 86 billion neurons in the human brain, each one wired with astonishing precision. A motor neuron will never mistakenly plug into a taste cell—this is biology’s equivalent of perfect wiring. Once a growth cone locks onto its match, it disappears, leaving behind a strong, lasting connection.
The video also demonstrates what happens after physical trauma, like a spinal cord injury. Growth cones can resprout in an attempt to repair the damage, but unlike during development, they often struggle to find their original targets. That’s why recovery after such injuries can be so difficult.
And if you’re wondering—is this what happens when we learn something new? The answer is no. Learning relies on a different process called synaptic plasticity—the creation and strengthening of tiny connections called synapses, which are much smaller than growth cones.
Fun fact: Dr. Landowski captured this video by accident nearly 15 years ago. About to discard a dish of neurons, she took one last look under the microscope, noticed something extraordinary beginning to happen, and hit “record.” What she caught was a rare, living glimpse of the brain’s most curious builders at work.
✨ Curiosity isn’t just what fuels us—it’s what fuels our very biology.
FOR THE MIND
Our brain is a muscle—it thrives on challenge, novelty, and stimulation. By leaning into curiosity, we keep our minds agile and youthful, no matter our age.
Five Ways to Keep Your Brain Young
Learn a new skill – whether it’s chess, dancing, or coding. Novelty sparks growth.
Challenge your memory – swap phone notes for recalling grocery lists or phone numbers.
Move daily – physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain.
Stay social – conversations keep our brains flexible and emotionally tuned.
Practice mindfulness – meditation or journaling reduces stress and strengthens focus.
Brain Foods
Just as muscles need protein, your brain thrives on nutrients that fuel focus, memory, and calm.
Add these foods to your plate:
Blueberries – antioxidants for memory and learning.
Walnuts – omega-3s for cognitive clarity.
Dark chocolate – flavonoids to boost mood and brain power.
Broccoli – vitamin K for sharp memory.
Green tea – L-theanine for calm focus.
LET'S COOK
Cooking is curiosity in action: experimenting with flavors, textures, and traditions. Here’s a recipe that nourishes your brain as much as your taste buds.
Brain-Boosting Recipe: Salmon with Walnut Pesto & Blueberry Spinach Salad
Grill or pan-sear a salmon fillet with olive oil, lemon, and sea salt.
Blend walnuts, basil, garlic, and olive oil into a simple pesto.
Toss fresh spinach with blueberries, a drizzle of balsamic, and a sprinkle of feta.
Plate the salmon with walnut pesto on top, salad on the side.
Rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and greens—this dish fuels your brain’s best work.
FOR THE BODY
Fall is the season of golden light and crisp air—perfect for rediscovering movement in ways that cost nothing but time.
Five Free Fall Activities
Leaf walks – explore trails, collect colors, and notice the changing world.
Outdoor yoga – use a park or backyard, connect breath to the cool air.
Group hikes – invite friends, share thermoses of tea, make it an adventure.
Dance in your living room – joyful cardio with no rules.
Stargazing – curiosity begins by simply looking up.
FOR THE SOUL
Curiosity nourishes the soul because it asks us to look closer—at stories, people, and possibilities. Here are a few inspirations.
Movies About Curiosity & Kindness
Hugo (2011) – An orphan in a Paris train station discovers hidden connections between invention, cinema, and human dreams. A story of wonder and the magic of discovery.
The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) – A cross-cultural culinary adventure where curiosity about food bridges divides between families and cultures.
October Sky (1999) – The true story of a coal miner’s son whose fascination with rockets, sparked by Sputnik, changes his future through science, education, and kindness.
Documentary Spotlight 🎥 Jane (2017) – A stunning documentary about Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, and her lifelong curiosity about the natural world.
I had the treat of meeting her at the last Clinton Global Initiative—a moment that reminded me how curiosity, compassion, and courage can truly change the world.
📖 Book Recommendation of the Week
Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends On It by Ian Leslie—a beautiful reminder that curiosity isn’t a luxury, but a survival skill.
😀 HAPPY MOMENTS
Videos guaranteed to make you smile.
This week on Curating Culture, we’re heading to the Shabazz Center. As Malcolm X once said: “My alma mater was books, a good library… I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.”
Premiering tonight at 8 p.m. ET, on our YouTube
🕊️ CLOSING WORDS
To live with curiosity is to embrace the mindset of a forever student.
Try new things, follow your dreams, and lean into the unknown with courage. Curiosity isn’t just about finding answers—it’s about finding joy. Let it be your guiding light toward fulfillment, connection, and happiness.
As always—Stay ONEST.
O.N.
Happy Sunday—And remember, life is more than politics.
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