How Tiny Experiments Lead to Big Breakthroughs with Anne-Laure Le Cunff

This week, I’m bringing back one of our most popular episodes—my conversation with neuroscientist, writer, and Ness Labs founder Anne-Laure Le Cunff. When we first spoke in 2024, she was deep in her PhD, balancing academic rigor with writing for a broad audience, all while sharing her journey in public. Now, she’s releasing her new book, Tiny Experiments, which explores how small, intentional experiments can unlock personal growth and creativity. Anne-Laure’s approach to navigating uncertainty, following curiosity, and designing an intentional life is something I deeply align with. And I wanted to revisit this conversation because it’s packed with insights on how world-class creators forge their own paths—without a roadmap. Whether you’re familiar with Anne-Laure’s work or hearing from her for the first time, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s get to it! In this episode: [00:00] - Intro [01:59] - Liminal moments and navigating life's crossroads [05:41] - Lessons from neuroscience on embracing the in-between [10:44] - The power of intuition in decision making [30:07] - Cultural roots and identity [40:03] - Learning from failure [46:38] - Ness Labs [48:34] - The journey of learning and growth [49:22] - The power of authenticity and community [50:07] - Embracing personal evolution [51:35] - The impact of public learning and mistakes [53:00] - Exploring inner growth through psychedelics [54:47] - Ayahuasca experiences [57:42] - The significance of ancestral pain and healing [01:09:41] - Creative process and the virtue of writing in public [01:15:44] - Navigating between academic research and public engagement [01:19:30] - The personal content diet and the anti-library concept [01:27:53] - Envisioning the future and reflecting on personal growth Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.