Dr. Madelyn Blair, resilience expert and former World Bank executive, joins Ed and Jessica for a fascinating exploration of curiosity, leadership, and finding your voice. Through her three film choices, Blair reveals the deep connections between exploration, authenticity, and human potential.
Her first selection, Temple Grandin, showcases the power of thinking differently and the crucial role of support systems in developing resilience. Blair draws parallels between Temple's unique perspective on cattle movement and her own approach to coaching - stepping back to truly see what others bring to the table.
Billy Elliot resonates with Blair's belief in challenging norms and finding authentic voice, reflecting her own journey of speaking truth to power throughout her career at the World Bank. The film's themes of mentorship and self-discovery mirror her philosophy that every person is "different, but not less."
Her final choice, My Octopus Teacher, demonstrates the transformative power of curiosity and observation. Blair connects the film's intimate relationship between human and octopus to her research findings that highly resilient people are "insatiably curious."
Accompanied by popcorn and soft-boiled eggs (a nod to her farm upbringing), plus Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit, Blair's selections reveal a leader who sees potential where others see problems - turning "cracked eggs" into gold.