The Curiosity Advantage: Why Wonder Is the Missing Ingredient in Innovation (W/ Nash Fung)

What if the biggest thing holding back your growth isn’t a lack of knowledge, but a lack of curiosity?

In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, Dr. Kien Vuu sits down with keynote speaker, magician, and innovation expert Nash Fung to explore why curiosity may be one of the most powerful skills for thriving in today’s rapidly changing world.

From immigrating to the United States as a teenager to overcoming insecurities through magic, Nash shares how curiosity helped shape his journey and ultimately became the foundation of his work with organizations around the world.

Together, they discuss the connection between curiosity and innovation, what children can teach us about creativity, how assumptions limit our potential, and why human connection may become even more valuable in the age of AI.

Along the way, Nash reveals surprising lessons from nearly two decades as a crisis counselor, explains what magic teaches us about human perception, and shares practical ways to cultivate more wonder, creativity, and possibility in everyday life.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why curiosity is the fuel behind innovation and growth
• How childhood experiences shape the stories we tell ourselves
• The surprising lessons learned from 18 years on a crisis hotline
• What magicians understand about memory, perception, and human behavior
• Why assumptions are the enemy of curiosity
• How children naturally think differently than adults
• The role of human connection in an AI-powered future
• Simple ways to cultivate curiosity in your work and life