Radical Curiosity: One Man's Search for Cosmic Magic and a Purposeful Life

by Ken Dychtwald

"A modern-day Siddhartha story." --Michael Murphy, Founder of the Esalen Institute and best-selling author of The Life We Are Given
Dr. Ken Dychtwald has dedicated a renowned career to envisioning our potential as we grow up and grow older. Through his books and teaching, he has helped millions of people make sense of today's longevity bonus. Now, in an entirely different kind of book, Dychtwald dives deep to examine his own life in the context of his work, passions, and incredible breadth of experience to show readers his key to a meaningful, masterful and purposeful life: a cyclical process of reflecting, learning and teaching-- that never ends, no matter what stage of life one is at. The result? An approach to taking on challenges, facing frightening moments, soaring to new heights, and cultivating personal growth that Dychtwald calls Radical Curiosity.
Using memoir and storytelling to illustrate a process that is both ambitious and humble, Dychtwald shares experiences not just of success and failure, but of the nuanced spaces between. From his working class roots in New Jersey to the "tuned in, turned on, dropped out" cliffs of Big Sur and the pinnacle of the human potential movement; from launching his company Age Wave and collaborating with presidents to accepting profound personal loss and coming to terms with his own experience with aging, Ken Dychtwald's Radical Curiosity is both a glimpse into a visionary's extraordinary world, and a guide for claiming a powerful vision of one's own. Ultimately, Radical Curiosity is a call to action: asking that we add more purpose, service and empathy to our lives, regardless of age.

352 pages, Hardcover

Published April 6, 2021

Reviews

[SundayAtDusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I still have a few chapters left in this book, I'm giving it up. The author's self-reflection just doesn't resonate with me at all. Every time I return to the book to read a little more I sigh. I'm tired of sighing. Hence, three stars for a neutral rating since I didn't finish the book.

(Note: I received a free ARC of this book from Amazon Vine.)

[Burns Cheadle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4: an interesting personal perspective on the development of a global thought leader in the field of gerontology. I have a lot of respect for Ken Dychtwald and his advocacy for recognizing the potential of the rapidly growing segment of the population aged 50 and older. This book comprises a sequence of short biographical essays—and occasional interview transcripts—arranged in a rough chronological order. They describe Dychtwald's progression from a youthful seeker of the 1960s human potential movement, largely fomented at the Eslaen Institute at Big Sur, to a highly-respected author, speaker, consultant and cofounder (along with his wife Maddy) of Age Wave. In places, the writing is spotty as is the proofreading in my Kobo version of the book, but the tale itself is fascinating. A recommended read for those interested in the field of gerontology and the societal impacts of the aging demographic.

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dyctwald certainly thinks a lot of himself. I was looking for some helpful wisdom and there are a few interesting anecdotes, but mostly it is lots of pages of self-obsession and ego.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hollow and empty.