Wandering Weirdly

Episode 11: Living Without a Map

Maybe the goal isn’t to follow the map perfectly. Maybe it’s to trust the compass enough to keep going, even when you don’t know exactly where you’ll end up.  In this episode of Wandering Weirdly, we explore what it really means to live without a map, and why so many of us end up there, whether we planned to or not. Because even when we do make plans, life has a way of rewriting them. We talk about the tension between structure and spontaneity, and what happens when you realize that no matter how carefully you plan, things rarely unfold the way you expected. Annie shares how she’s learned (sometimes the hard way) that sticking to the plan doesn’t always lead where you actually want to go, and how finally trusting her intuition changed everything. Thomas reflects on how even with constant planning, his day-to-day life shifts in unexpected ways, and how following curiosity often leads somewhere better than the original plan. Along the way, we explore: * Why plans so often fall apart, and why that’s not necessarily a bad thing * The difference between having a map and following a compass * How intuition can guide decisions more effectively than rigid plans * The idea of setting intentions based on feelings rather than outcomes * Why curiosity often leads us somewhere unexpected but meaningful * Letting go of the need to control how things unfold * The role of “mistakes” as information rather than failure * Moving beyond binary thinking of right/wrong or good/bad * How travel reflects the way we move through life * Why the most meaningful experiences often happen in between the plans We also talk about what it means to “calibrate your compass”—learning to recognize what alignment actually feels like so you can move toward it, even when you don’t know exactly where you’re going. For both of us, that process has less to do with creating a perfect roadmap and more to do with building a relationship with ourselves. That means checking in, adjusting, and trusting that we’ll recognize the right direction when we feel it. For curious, multi-passionate people, this can feel both freeing and uncomfortable. It asks us to release the illusion of certainty and instead move forward with trust, curiosity, and a willingness to be surprised. Maybe the goal isn’t to follow the map perfectly. Maybe it’s to trust the compass enough to keep going, even when you don’t know exactly where you’ll end up.  What’s coming up on Wandering Weirdly: Next time, we’re wrapping up Season 1 in the most Wandering Weirdly way possible. We look back at the conversations that shaped this season, share some of our favorite moments, and explore what might be coming next—from trying new experiences and reporting back, to bringing other voices into the mix. We have no set plans and no fixed format. Just curiosity leading the way (as usual). Connect with your hosts:  Find Annie at explorerannie.com [https://explorerannie.com]  Find Thomas at thomasbeutel.art [https://thomasbeutel.art] Discover more podcasts about authentic and unconventional living at bolddeparturenetwork.com [https://bolddeparturenetwork.com]. Thanks for wandering with us!

Episode 10: Finding Belonging as an Explorer

Fitting in is about changing who you are to match the space, but belonging is about finding spaces where you don’t have to change at all. In this episode of Wandering Weirdly, we explore the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, and why that distinction often matters more than we realize. For many of us, especially as multi-passionate and unconventional humans, fitting in is something we learn how to do. A sense of belonging is something we often spend much longer searching for. Join us as we talk about what it felt like growing up just a little out of step, navigating spaces where we could blend in but never fully relax. The subtle ways we learned to adapt, and what it takes to slowly unlearn that. Annie shares what it’s been like to move through environments where she could “fit,” but never quite felt at home, and how finding the right people later in life changed that. Thomas reflects on the difference between being accepted on the surface and being truly understood, and how belonging often begins with just a few genuine connections. Through this conversation, we explore: * The difference between fitting in and belonging * Why fitting in often requires hiding parts of yourself * Growing up feeling like an outsider (even when things look “normal”) * How masking shows up and why it’s hard to let go * The role of curiosity in creating real and meaningful connections * Finding your people in unexpected places * Why belonging doesn’t require shared interests, but shared openness * How different environments shape our sense of belonging * The idea that you don’t have to belong everywhere * What it feels like to be seen without needing to explain yourself We also talk about how belonging isn’t something we can force or manufacture. It’s something we recognize, often in small, quiet moments where we feel safe enough to be fully ourselves. For curious, multi-passionate people, this can be a powerful shift. It asks us to move away from trying to fit into spaces that don’t quite work and toward trusting that there are people and places where we won’t have to. What’s coming up on Wandering Weirdly: Next, we explore what it means to live without following a map, and why that might be exactly what many of us are meant to do. We talk about the tension between planning and trust, how life rarely unfolds the way we expect, and why learning to follow your inner compass can lead to experiences far better than anything you could have mapped out in advance. From intuitive decision-making to letting go of rigid expectations, this conversation is an invitation to move through life with a little more curiosity, a little more trust, and a lot less pressure to get it “right.” Connect with your hosts:  Find Annie at explorerannie.com [https://explorerannie.com]  Find Thomas at thomasbeutel.art [https://thomasbeutel.art] Discover more podcasts about authentic and unconventional living at bolddeparturenetwork.com [https://bolddeparturenetwork.com]. Thanks for wandering with us!

Episode 9: Cycles of Curiosity

In this episode of Wandering Weirdly, we explore the idea that not everything in life, or creativity, is meant to be linear. Sometimes we start something and keep moving forward. Other times, we just don’t. There are moments when projects and interests pause, stall, or drift into the background, only to return later with new clarity. We talk about what it means to move through seasons of interest, energy, and focus, and why stepping away from something doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve abandoned it. Annie shares her experience of wanting to force progress on projects that matter to her, while also recognizing that there are times when she simply can’t. It’s part of learning to trust that the energy will come back. Thomas reflects on how creative work often requires more exploration before it’s ready to move forward, and how those missing pieces tend to arrive in their own time. Along the way, we explore: * Why creativity and curiosity tend to move in cycles rather than straight lines * The experience of setting something down and coming back to it later * How outside expectations can make us question our natural rhythms * The tension between wanting control and learning to trust the process * Why leaving space (instead of filling it) can be surprisingly difficult * The role of reflection and closure when a season comes to an end * How different environments—especially travel—can create natural resets We also talk about how nature offers a useful model for understanding our own patterns, reminding us that growth, rest, and renewal all have their place. For curious, multi-passionate people, this can be a challenging shift. It asks us to move away from constant productivity and toward something more cyclical, more intuitive. Because we understand that not everything that pauses is unfinished. Sometimes, it’s just waiting for the right season. 🌿 What’s coming up on Wandering Weirdly: Fitting in asks you to change, but belonging asks you to be seen. If you’ve ever felt like you could blend in anywhere, but never truly belonged anywhere, this one’s for you. Next time, we’ll explore belonging vs. fitting in, and why real connection starts when you no longer feel the need to hide parts of yourself. Connect with your hosts:  Find Annie at explorerannie.com [https://explorerannie.com]  Find Thomas at thomasbeutel.art [https://thomasbeutel.art] Discover more podcasts about authentic and unconventional living at bolddeparturenetwork.com [https://bolddeparturenetwork.com]. Thanks for wandering with us!

Episode 8: Choosing Your Yes

In this episode of Wandering Weirdly, we explore a deceptively simple question: How do we decide what to say yes to? For curious, multi-passionate people, this question comes up constantly. There are always more ideas, projects, places, and possibilities than time or energy to pursue them. We talk about the tension between curiosity and commitment, the challenge of choosing one path without closing the door on everything else, and the strategies we use to navigate it all. Annie shares how she’s learned to pause before saying yes—giving herself space to check whether something truly fits into her life right now. Thomas talks about the difference between surface excitement and deeper alignment, and how creative projects often reveal their true demands only after we begin. Along the way, we explore: * Why saying yes to one thing means saying no to many others * How multipotentialites can experiment without overcommitting * The value of low-stakes exploration before diving in fully * Why alignment often matters more than excitement * The difference between dabbling, experimenting, and committing * How tools like journaling, mind maps, and “hot lists” help us stay focused We also touch on the role of intuition in decision-making and why many explorers rely on a feeling of resonance rather than rigid systems. For people with curious minds and wide-ranging interests, the goal isn’t to eliminate possibilities. It’s learning how to choose intentionally, while still leaving room for discovery. Exploration isn’t just about what we say yes to. It’s also about what we’re willing to let go. What’s coming up on Wandering Weirdly: Not everything is meant to be linear? In our next episode, we wander into seasons, cycles, and the art of stepping away, knowing you’ll come back exactly when you’re ready. Connect with your hosts:  Find Annie at explorerannie.com [https://explorerannie.com]  Find Thomas at thomasbeutel.art [https://thomasbeutel.art] Discover more podcasts about authentic and unconventional living at bolddeparturenetwork.com [https://bolddeparturenetwork.com]. Thanks for wandering with us!

Season 1, Episode 7: Curiosity and the Rabbit Hole

What happens when curiosity takes over, and suddenly you’re ten tabs deep, watching videos, reading forums, sketching plans, and imagining what could be? In this episode of Wandering Weirdly, we talk about depth—what it means for explorers, multi-passionate humans, and endlessly curious minds. We explore the joy of going deep down rabbit holes: learning everything you can, building new skills, and letting your curiosity fully lead. We also talk honestly about the potential burnout and overwhelm that can come from these periods, and the fine line between meaningful preparation and avoidance. We share real examples, from building DIY geophones and model railroads to planning long-distance treks through Scotland, and reflect on how depth can: * help us feel more alive * support better planning and presence * turn into avoidance if we’re not paying attention We also dig into the tension between depth and breadth, the times when it feels nourishing to focus deeply on one thing, and when it’s better to zoom out, sample widely, or take a pause. Along the way, we talk about: * How curiosity “pulls” us into deeper focus * How to notice when planning becomes procrastination * Why experimentation matters more than certainty * How generalists build creativity through synthesis, not mastery If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing curiosity “wrong,” or struggled to decide how far to follow an idea before taking action, this episode is an invitation to rethink depth, on your own terms. What’s coming up on Wandering Weirdly: If curiosity is our compass, how do we decide which direction to follow? In the next episode, we talk about the tricky balance between saying yes to the things that light us up… and leaving space for the adventures we haven’t discovered yet. Connect with your hosts:  Find Annie at explorerannie.com [https://explorerannie.com]  Find Thomas at thomasbeutel.art [https://thomasbeutel.art] Discover more podcasts about authentic and unconventional living at bolddeparturenetwork.com [https://bolddeparturenetwork.com]. Thanks for wandering with us!