Episode
7

Unlocking Creativity and Maximizing Gratitude

w/
Dr. Glenn Fox and Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman
by Flow Research Collective
#
7
August 1, 2023
Creativity at its core is doing something novel and meaningful.
Dr. Glenn Fox and Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman

About the episode

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Glenn Fox and Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, both of whom are dear friends and partners with the Flow Research Collective. 

Dr. Fox is one of the world’s leading experts in the neuroscience of gratitude and the Head of Program Design, Strategy, and Outreach at the USC Performance Science Institute.

Dr. Kaufman is a humanistic psychologist He received his PhD in cognitive psychology from Yale University and was named by Business Insider, one of “50 groundbreaking scientists who are changing the way we see the world.”

In today’s episode, we talk about the neuroscience of creativity, how gratitude impacts the brain and how it can boost both your creativity and level of baseline gratitude.

In this episode, you will learn about:

  • Accomplishments and contributions (6:40)
  • What is creativity (9:50)
  • What is gratitude (11:50)
  • Gratitude, stress relief and happiness (12:50)
  • The difference between gratitude and appreciation (13:20)
  • Newness of appreciation (15:20)
  • What is the relationship of gratitude and creativity (16:20)
  • A gratitude practice as a filter on life (19:00)
  • Worrying about performance and anxiety (27:40)
  • On daydreaming (31:00)
  • The research on gratitude and flow of Flow Research Collective (36:15)
  • Personal gratitude practices (42:10)
  • The  death bed proxy (46:00)
  • What is the right time for creativity (50:00)
  • Dealing with emails (52:00)
  • Maslow’s theory of transcendence (56:00)
  • The most helpful skill (1:00:00)

About the guests

Dr. Glenn Fox is the Head of Program Design, Strategy, and Outreach at the USC Performance Science Institute.  

A neuroscientist by training, he began at USC, working as a research assistant in the Brain and Creativity Institute, after which he went on to earn his PhD in the Neuroscience Graduate Program and complete a post-doctoral fellowship with Professors Hanna and Antonio Damasio. 

Glenn is at the forefront of research on gratitude and human performance.  Glenn teaches “The Science of Peak Performance” during the Spring Semester, leads trainings with leaders and groups, and conducts research on mindset and physiology.

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is a humanistic psychologist, exploring the depths of human potential. 

He has taught courses on intelligence, creativity, and well-being at Columbia University, NYU, the University of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. 

He is interested in using his research to help all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. 

Kaufman’s early educational experiences made him realize the deep reservoir of untapped potential of students, including bright and creative children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability. 

Scott likes to share his enthusiasm of psychology through his teaching, writing, speaking, and podcast.

Resources

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