Karen Walrond on the joys of dabbling

from Disrupted · host Connecticut Public Radio

When was the last time you dabbled in something? In this episode of Disrupted, author Karen Walrond talks about the joys of dabbling and the space where dabbling and activism meet. She shares how trying activities like sports, pottery or baking—even if you're not good at them—can expand our definition of self. We also visit Jason Ramos' New Haven dance studio, Baila Con Gusto CT, where dabblers learn how to Salsa, Bachata and Merengue in community with one another. Plus, Spanish artist Esther Gonzalez reads her essay, “How to Reset Your Artistic Life.” GUESTS: Karen Walrond: Author of ‘The Lightmaker's Manifesto’ and ‘Radiant Rebellion’. Her latest book is ‘In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur’ Jason Ramos: Founder of Baila Con Gusto CT, a dance studio in residence at St. Paul & St. James Church in New Haven Esther González: Artist and author of the essay ‘How to Reset Your Artistic Life.’ Find her artwork on Instagram. And read more of her essays on her Substack, Journal Rash. Special thanks to the students at Baila Con Gusto CT who spoke to us about what inspires them to dance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 12, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

NOW PLAYING

Karen Walrond on the joys of dabbling

0:00 49:00

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

Mind The Disruption National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health Mind the Disruption is a show about people who refuse to accept things as they are. It's about people pushing for better health for all. It's about people like us who have a deep desire to build a healthier, more just world. On Mind the Disruption, a podcast by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (NCCDH), you’ll hear the stories of people who have disrupted the usual ways of doing things in their organizations, communities, and society in pursuit of better health for all. In weaving together interviews with community organizers, public health practitioners, researchers and more, we ask the question: what does it look like to challenge the status quo for health equity?Season 1 and 2 are out now!This podcast is hosted by Bernice Yanful and created, developed, and produced by Rebecca Cheff, Carolina Jimenez, Pemma Muzumdar, and Bernice Yanful (all Knowledge Translation Specialists at NCCDH). The Mind the Disruption project team is led by Rebecca Cheff, with tech

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Disrupted?

This episode is 49 minutes long.

When was this Disrupted episode published?

This episode was published on February 12, 2026.

Can I download this Disrupted episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!