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Discussion thread: the science of Awe and Wonder is published! (Patreon)

Published:
2026-06-04 19:56:53
Imported:
2026-06

Content

This episode is published and ready to hear wherever you get podcasts! Let’s talk about it.

Okay so I’ve been wanting to record with Dr. Dacher Keltner for actual years and the (dark sky) stars finally aligned. And yes, I just realized we should have titled it Awelogy. Even though that’s an Elegy.

No matter, because as a UC Berkeley psychology professor and a legend in his field, Dr. Keltner illuminated why awe and wonder are such potent and essential feelings. Noticing the vastness of the world — from clouds to space to someone you love, travel, a walk, and even death — are all experiences and moments that make life richer.

What did you think? Any moments of awe (recent or lasting) you want to share? I’d love to hear them. Yesterday a squirrel took up residence in our garage, and there was a lot of awe seeing a tail sticking out of my Dad’s old Air Force satchel. We built her a home outside and are hoping to coax her out gently today. Okay. Your turn.

All ears,

AW Dad

Ps: the bird vrbo was awesome

Files

Awe Psychology (WONDER) with Dr. Dacher Keltner - alie ward

Awe?! You can study this? You can, and it turns out it's really important for our mental health.

Comments

Claire Gebben

This podcast brings me so many moments of awe! I learn so many incredible facts! 🤩

Rich Jester

Needed a little awe and wonder in my life today. Thanks for that

Christian Crayton

I live near New Orleans and the Mississippi River that I see is a massive, powerful and chaotic force of nature, full of ships and surrounded by heavy industry. But this week I got to visit Minneapolis, and saw a calm, gentle Mississippi River flanked with beautiful parks and shared communal spaces. I was in awe that in Minnesota the river is used as a place for humans to enjoy instead of a place for humans to exploit.

Olga Kolesnikova

I totally experienced awe recently (a few months ago...) when I was jogging along the seafront and it was sunset. I was getting these endorphins from running and I was listening to music and the sea and the sky and all the windows in all the buildings were on fire with this bright orange sunset and the breeze was so milky warm. It was so crazy euphoric... and yet I can't seem to get into a regular running routine lol

Doug Pettepier

I just recently made my first trip outside the U.S. I experienced awe several times during my 10-day vacation in Europe. One such time was seeing the Eiffel Tower in person and seeing Paris from the first floor. A second time was seeing Alpsee and the mountains near Hohenschwangau in southern Germany. The lake and mountains are breathtaking.

Britt Kline

I listened to this today on my commute because I needed this medicine! And it was that. Thank you , Ologies team! Awe is so wonderful, it’s even AWEsome just hearing and thinking about it! ✨💓✨

CurtisDawg

This episode, like all the others, was AWESOME!

Sarah McNeil

Oh I can’t wait to listen to this! Experiencing awe and wonder (thanks, Aotearoa sunrises and mountain parrots and coastal orca) completely changed my life, and is what’s made me go back to school for science communication so I can hopefully work in conservation one day (I also have Ologies and Alie to thank for that 🤭). These emotions are such antidotes for these persistently terrible times we’re living in, and I really think they can change the world!

Arella Zarina

This was such a needed episode, one of the ologies goats, and it helped me realised why i was so happy a few months ago and also why this podcast has been so important to me. But i had so many questions, wish we couldve asked :( maybe someone can share their thoughts? I used to have so much awe for so many things, i was always pointing others to pay attention to the bugs or the sky or the food or anything else, i was jumping up and down for joy so much, but then it kind of just stopped. Can i get tired of feeling awe? It feels so devastating. How do i get my spark back? Even if i find exciting things in my everyday life, it doesnt have the same longlasting impact. But i must add that the point about not feeling lonely was great advice, appreciate it!

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

When I experience intense moments of awe do I immediately burst into tears? Yes. Did I weep my way through the entire Artemis II mission? Yes. Did I just completely weep my way through this entire episode? Also yes.

Lauren Harter

All I could think of was seeing a total solar eclipse. The first time I (and all my friends) screamed very much like Alie for two minutes. The second time we knew what to expect and it was more subdued, but no less awesome.

Micke Nordin

Is there some patreon tier that will give you an ad-free version of the podcast?

Manish Agarwal

This was a lovely episode and it really helped today… Thanks Alie! 😍

Heather

One minute a day to improve your life and decrease feelings of loneliness is something literally everyone can do. Incredible.

COLLECTIVE ART

i loved this episode! i remembered when I saw the aurora borealis with my friend in Iceland and we ran at full speed down to the water so we could see the sky better

Emily Krieger

Five minutes into listening a baby bunny hopped into the garage i was sitting in 🤗✨

Emily Krieger

this was inspirational and gave some concrete suggestions how to make daily life a little better, thank you!

Liv Cazzola

I loved the episode, but I was surprised that there were no listener questions - and the inter-woven verbo ads were blurring the lines between what is an ad vs. what is the episode itself. Anyone else notice this? Alie, can you let us know what’s going on?

Kleargle

As someone listening on a train ride on a tuesday this spoke to me

Naomi Jane

Yeah these bits felt really off-brand for Ologies - was this a specifically sponsored episode Alie? I don't necessarily mind more tailored asides for ads, but I think this episode perhaps felt less rooted in science and more subjective thoughts and feelings because of it.

Alie Ward

Hey, Liz! Yes, rather than several sponsors of the show, we just had VRBO as one sponsor and the ads for them may have felt more interwoven because we didn't have 4 or 5 ads at the break, just the one! Also the ad read may have felt more organic because I had *just* booked a spot for my birder friend's birthday and was really excited about it, ha! A little more behind the scenes: there weren't Patron questions because this was intended to be a shorter Bonus episode but we have an upcoming Menopause episode with FOUR guests + a Bonus one for that, and I needed some extra time. So we released Awe as a Tuesday episode instead of a Friday "Bonus" to give me some more time to work on the Menopause one. I actually love letting you all in on the making-of, because there are so many moving parts to get these 65 episodes/year out the door. (PLUS 50 Smologies eps.) It's bonkers.

Alie Ward

This was always intended as a shorter episode, so of course we couldn't dive as deep into Dr. Keltner's extensive neuroscience work. He is also VERY busy and we've tried to get him on for years but he declines most interviews. Luckily his book publicist is an Ologite and we landed the interview, but the window was only 30 minutes. He also is a psychologist, and unlike a lot of guests, HE asked ME some questions. So yeah, tonally it was more of a conversation and yeah, originally intended as a Bonus episode, so shorter in length.

Alie Ward

There isn't, due to our contract, but there are options for ad-free subscriptions. Our show notes always have the link: "Ad-free episodes available by subscribing to SiriusXM Podcasts+. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus."

Alie Ward

Dr. Keltners book on awe may be something that re-inspires you!

AlienOceans

This episode helped me understand why being outside didn’t help with depression until I started getting CURIOUS about how things work and feeling awe about the world ☺️❤️

Liv Cazzola

Thank you so much for this explanation, I appreciate you taking the time! You rock, this show rules - & I hope you can sniff a flower today!

Florence Yuan

such a great episode, although I wish it could have been longer! I took Dr. Keltner's Human Happiness class in college and it was one of my favorite classes I ever took. he is such a gem

Genevieve DeTrude

Hi! Long time listener, new patreon member! This episode really moved me. As Dr. Keltner described awe experiences, I realized I have been seeking them out my whole life to help calm my overly anxious mind. Even more impactful was his description of his brother: “My partner in awe.” I lost my twin brother 6 years ago, and this description hit home so hard for me. Also, I got goosebumps when Alie described her awe for her partner. Thank you for sharing this episode of awe that made me feel awe.