This is the forty-fifth session of Glasp Talk!
Glasp Talk delves deep into intimate interviews with luminaries from various fields, unraveling their genuine emotions, experiences, and the stories behind them.
Today’s guest is
, a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Ness Labs. With a background at Google and a marketing leadership role in tech, Anne-Laure is also a PhD researcher at King’s College London who investigates how neurodiversity, especially ADHD, interacts with AI, curiosity, and learning. She’s the author of Tiny Experiments, a book that encourages people to adopt an experimental mindset in their personal and professional lives.In this interview, Anne-Laure shares how she transitioned from a linear, goal-oriented career path to one fueled by curiosity and continuous experimentation. She discusses her concept of a “growth loop” over a “ladder of success,” offering practical methods such as Plus Minus Next for self-reflection, Head-Heart-Hand for beating procrastination, and tangible strategies to prevent burnout. She also delves into how AI can serve as a powerful thinking partner—especially useful for exploring complex topics where we might not even know the right questions to ask. Throughout, Anne-Laure emphasizes enjoying the journey, seeing your life as a laboratory for discovery, and building community-driven learning experiences that focus on collaboration and experimentation over linear achievement.
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Transcripts
Hi, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Glasp Talk. Today, we are very excited to have Anne-Laure Le Cunff with us. Anne-Laure is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author, deeply passionate about the intersection of neurodiversity, curiosity, and learning. She is the founder of Ness Labs, a thriving learning community that helps knowledge… Read more
Highlights
Embracing an Experimental Mindset
Anne-Laure Le Cunff emphasizes shifting from a linear success model (a rigid career ladder) to an experimental mindset (a growth loop). Instead of fixating on a specific end goal, individuals should focus on curiosity-driven small experiments that help them learn and grow in unexpected ways.Practical Tools for Growth & Reflection
She introduces the Plus-Minus-Next method for continuous self-improvement—listing what worked (+), what didn’t (-), and what to adjust next (→). Additionally, the Head-Heart-Hand framework helps identify the root cause of procrastination, whether it’s a lack of rational clarity, emotional connection, or practical resources.The Role of AI & Community in Learning
Le Cunff sees AI as an invaluable tool for curiosity and exploration, enabling more in-depth research and knowledge discovery. She also highlights the power of learning communities like Ness Labs, where individuals can experiment, share insights, and support each other’s intellectual growth.
Key Questions & Insights
Q: What inspired Anne-Laure to write “Tiny Experiments”?
Anne-Laure was inspired to write Tiny Experiments by her personal experience, especially after facing burnout during her successful yet unfulfilling career at Google. She discovered that embracing curiosity and experimentation led to greater satisfaction and creativity in her work, which she explores further in her book.
Q: How does the Plus Minus Next method work?
The plus-minus-next method allows individuals to reflect on their experiences by categorizing what went well (plus), what didn’t (minus), and what actions to take next (next). This structured reflection helps in identifying patterns in behavior and emotions, serving as a tool for personal growth and iterative learning.
Q: How does Anne-Laure recommend managing procrastination?
She encourages recognizing procrastination as a signal rather than a failure. Using her triple-check method (head, heart, hand), individuals can identify whether their procrastination stems from rational doubts, emotional resistance, or a lack of skills. This approach fosters a better understanding of oneself and facilitates progress.
Q: How can curiosity be expanded using AI, according to Anne-Laure?
She sees AI as a powerful tool that expands the realm of curiosity. It enables users to explore complex questions and receive information tailored to their interests, facilitating a deeper understanding and connection between diverse topics. This turns AI into a dynamic partner in the learning process.
Q: What is the significance of generativity over legacy according to Anne-Laure?
She emphasizes generativity as focusing on making a positive impact in the present rather than worrying about the legacy one leaves behind. She advocates for engaging in meaningful actions that can ripple outward to influence future generations, thus fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity.
Book: Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World
A transformative guide to rethinking your approach to goals, creativity, and life itself from a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and creator of the popular Ness Labs newsletter.
Tiny Experiments offers not just practical tools to ensure the completion of our most vital work but also a guide to reawakening our curiosity and drive in a noisy, busy, disaffected world. This will allow us to discover and pursue our most authentic ambitions while making a meaningful contribution.
Newsletter: Ness Labs Newsletter
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Whether you want to sharpen your focus, cultivate more creativity, or simply learn new mental models, each issue delivers concise strategies you can implement immediately.
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