CURIOSITY with Jon Cooke

What happens when curiosity stops being a compass and starts being noise?Jon Cook, owner of Plague Productions, a themed entertainment company that designs Halloween experiences and immersive environments - sat down with me to talk about curiosity in ways I didn't expect.We didn't just talk about how to be more curious. We talked about what happens when you're too curious. When the ideas flood in faster than you can follow them. When the spark that used to energize you starts to overwhelm you.Jon's journey from scare actor to designer taught him something most creative leaders don't talk about: that the strongest teams aren't built on structure, they're built on trust. That curiosity thrives in chaos when people feel safe enough to figure things out together. That ego gets in the way of growth the moment you think you're the smartest person in the room.We also got into the lessons hiding inside failure. The scrappy problem-solving that happens when you don't have the budget you wish you had. Why Orlando's creative community feels different. What it takes to build a work culture where people actually want to stay. And how curiosity (when it's working right) feels less like a thought and more like a full-body sensation.This conversation reminded me that curiosity isn't just about asking questions. It's about knowing which questions to follow, which ones to let simmer, and when to give the whole thing a rest so the answers can find you.If you've ever felt creatively stuck, burned out, or unsure which spark to chase next - this one's for you.🎙️ Jon Cook / Plague Productionsplagueproductions.comWhat We Talked About:Why curiosity can overwhelm you (and what to do about it)How scare actors build trust in ways corporate teams don'tWhat happens when you surround yourself with people smarter than youWhy failure is where curiosity does its best workThe scrappy mentality that keeps creative work aliveHow to recharge when the work starts draining the joy out of itWhat makes Orlando's creative scene so vibrantWhy work-life balance is one of the hardest things creatives have to figure outWhat curiosity feels like when it hitsIf this resonated:This episode is part of the Little Birdie Podcast, where we explore what it means to lead with heart, serve with flair, and create with joy. Every episode is built around a single word and this time, it's Curiosity.Want to bring more curiosity into your team, your leadership, or your next event?Learn more at littlebirdieconsulting.com