450. Rich Reflections 82: Collaboration, Curiosity & Knowing When to Let Go

Recored in May 2026, in this Rich Reflections session of Rich Conversations, Rich takes us into the tractor cab during planting season in rural Wisconsin for a conversation about growth, acceptance, collaboration, and living with intention. After beginning with breathing, Rich looks at how life has changed from 2025 to 2026—from a year dominated by individual creation and isolation to one centered on collaboration and collective creation. He reflects on New Year’s resolutions, the importance of having something ahead of us to look forward to, and his upcoming trip to Miami as an opportunity to step away, zoom out, and see what might reveal itself. Along the way, Rich considers a different approach to self-improvement: instead of constantly trying to eliminate our flaws, what if we better understood and accepted our individual nature? He explores finding joy through awareness, appreciating where we exist in the long continuum of human history, examining the media and creativity we consume, and asking what becomes possible when we work with other people toward something larger than ourselves. The session ultimately turns toward curiosity and letting go. Sometimes progress doesn't require adding another task, ambition, or responsibility. Sometimes we gain more by doing less. And when we don't know where to go next, there is a simple compass: follow your curiosity. Questions from this session: What has been the difference between 2025 and 2026 in your life? What has been the biggest change or takeaway you've noticed? If you made a New Year’s resolution, how are you doing with it? What is something you’re energized for coming up? What are some of your flaws, nuances, or quirks that others might see as things to change—but may simply be part of who you are? How have you found joy lately? How are you consuming creativity and media? Do you notice any patterns? What bigger things could you achieve for yourself or your community if you collaborated and worked more with others? What are you curious about recently? What is something you could let go of that would benefit you dramatically—emotionally, spiritually, or materially? What does letting go look like to you? What are you energized for in the next week?