Ep. 6: The Big Awesome

By: Florence Williams

Florence learns about the new heady Science of Awe from Dacher Keltner, psychologist and director of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. She takes a lesson in awe and then, duly armed, she heads out into the wild - solo - but under the guidance of adventure therapist Aleya Littleton. Littleton brings along equipment to test before and after heart rate variability, a measure of real-time stress response. Florence wants to see if she and some other women can cultivate awe - this understudied and positive emotion - for resilience and emotional balance - skills we all need for the future.©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC

Inspiring and informative

Really enjoyed hearing these nature experiences and some science behind it. I am a big camper/nature lover so it validated my experiences and made me take my ‘leisure’ more seriously. I will be less likely to feel guilty for blowing off a weekend to go camping :)

Why not beep the F Bombs?

Good articles. I wish I there was a way to indicate when the F Bombs are not beeped. It does not make it a story suitable for young ears. It is the reason for a star being deducted.

The whole series was amazing

I loved listening to this series and tagging along on the adventures of this podcast. The three-day effect is real, at least it is for me, and now I go to a three-day retreat in the woods with much more intention and confidence than before.

Very informative

Connecting with the wide world and the nature really opens up a lot of possibilities It reminds us that we are just part of the universe just a speckle of sand on the beach

Take A Walk... I love it!

I recommend The Three Day Effect to everyone. I have felt the “ awe” that the author describes. Yes, just like Florence Williams, I too have fallen in love with trees.
The book is describing what is known in Japan as “ forest bathing”. People needing a break from daily duties, go as a group with guides to immerse themselves in the sights, smells, and ambience of a mountain forest. It’s great that scientists are quantifying data to document this effect. It’s a good read, or in our case, a good listen. Enjoy!