Jenna Bacon, Campus Carrier arts and living editor

Ali Luciani, Campus Carrier asst. arts and living editor

Scott Shigeoka, author of “Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World,” will discuss the practice of curiosity and how it can shape people’s perspectives, relationships and everyday experiences today at 7:30 p.m. in McAllister 119.

Shigeoka’s connection to Berry began when John Hinman (72C), a resident at the Spires, discovered Shigeoka’s book at a bookstore. After reading it, he felt compelled to reach out. 

“I purchased it, read it, enjoyed it so much that I did something I’ve only done a couple of times in my life,” Hinman said. “I emailed Scott, told him what a great book he had written and how much I loved it.”

Shigeoka said he appreciates when readers email him because he can then ask them what they learned from his book and how they are applying it to their lives. 

“John is a one-of-a-kind person,” Shigeoka said. “He was so vibrant and vivacious, and he saw [“my book”] as this very delicious thing. He was like, ‘I’ve gotten so much from it, and it taught me so much, and I’m spreading it all across the senior living community,’ and I was like, ‘I want to learn more about you.’ So, we had a really fantastic conversation.”

The email led to a year-long collaboration. Hinman worked alongside others to help create a condensed workbook version of the book aimed at senior citizens. From there, the idea evolved into something more interactive: a workshop designed to bring together older and younger generations through curiosity.

“We get started and very quickly and succinctly pair up the participants,” Hinman said. “Typically, five from Berry, five from the Spires. Our only requirement in pairing up is that you pair up with someone that has at least a 50 or 60 year age disparity. We think that’ll be a better experience.”

Christine Earp, resident services director at the Spires, helped organize the workshops and emphasized their impacts.

“It’s been very enlightening to see the different perspectives from those that have a lot of life experience and those that are just beginning life experiences,” Earp said. “And it’s been very eye-opening on both sides to see the students here, the older person’s perspective and for the younger and for the older people to hear the younger generation’s perspective as well.”

Earp said that the workshops focus on three main ideas: inward curiosity, outward curiosity and curiosity about the world. 

“The workshops are three parts,” Earp said. “First, starting with inward, yourself, being curious about yourself, what your values are, what your desires are and how you operate. Secondly, outward, being curious about other people, their lives, what they’re, you know, going deeper than just ‘how’s the weather’, ‘how are you?’ And then thirdly, how do we impact the world in a in a better way?”

Residents have responded positively, especially to the opportunity to connect with students. 

“They have loved it,” Earp said. “They love any interaction with Berry students. I think it helps to keep them young and in touch with the  younger generation.”

According to Hinman, these workshops not only foster meaningful connections but also help participants recognize and appreciate the deeper value of those connections.

“It’s a way of feeling connected,” Hinman said. “You begin to notice overlaps and think, ‘Wow, your family is like my family.’ In a time marked by deep division, not just among political, racial and religious groups, but even at an individual level, there is a growing sense of isolation and separation. That is why the idea of connection resonates so strongly with me. I value feeling connected.”

For many participants, the experience has reshaped how they approach conversations. Beverly Copen, a Spires resident involved in the workshops, said that curiosity improves communication. 

“I am 100% convinced that seeking curiosity will improve someone’s life dramatically,” Copen said. “Because then you feel comfortable in asking a question that is different than the way you ask it before.” 

Copen assisted Hinman in preparing certain discussion prompts for each pairing, which consisted of one Berry student and one Spires resident. One of the prompts that Copen contributed was “What would you do if you wanted to increase your relationship with either your grandparents or your grandchildren?” She was pleased by the participants’ response. 

“They loved it,” Copen said. “They could relate to it, and everybody had something to say. It was a great door opener. Then they would come back into the circle at  [the main table] and talk about what they learned.”

Shigeoka’s upcoming event will highlight the power of curiosity and how it can be utilized to make new connections and bridge generational gaps. Audience members will be invited to participate in their own curiosity exercise. 

“It’s going to be really meaningful, and I think folks are going to walk away with a new friend,” Shigeoka said. “Perhaps a new friend in a different generation, which is what is so cool. I am so excited for folks to come and have that experience.”