The Curiosity Advantage in the AI Era with TV Host Lauren Petrowski

Every night at the dinner table, Lauren Petrowski's family plays a game you might already know, rose, bud, thorn. Then they added a fourth: water. Who did you water today, or who watered you? Her kids look forward to it so much that they have started noticing small acts of kindness all day long, just so they have something to share. Lauren has spent 20 years asking people questions on camera, from breaking news in the field to 5-minute morning show interviews to her own Instagram series, Let's Get Curious. She says curiosity is not something you either have or don't. It's a skill, and she walks through exactly how to build it, in yourself and in your kids. We get into what to do when one kid opens up the moment you see them and the other needs to wait until bedtime, why kids need to be bored instead of entertained, and the one question Lauren says you can always ask another mom. And since this is the AI Empowered Mom podcast, I had to ask: what is AI doing to our curiosity? Lauren's answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no, and it changed how I think about letting a chatbot write my own interview questions. Chapters 00:00 Rose, bud, thorn, water, and why curiosity matters now01:35 Welcome, Lauren Petrowski01:46 A day in Lauren's life right now02:29 Calendar chaos and one AI nudge03:42 Curiosity as a career05:03 Planned questions versus thinking on her feet06:33 Is curiosity a skill you can learn07:21 Living in her curiosity era08:13 Getting kids to open up, by age10:25 Teaching kids to ask better questions11:45 What AI is doing to our curiosity12:57 The risk of handing your questions to AI14:15 The question Lauren wishes more people asked her15:16 Chatbot mode: holiday small talk swaps15:58 One question to ask, one to skip, with another mom16:55 A recent win worth celebrating17:53 Where to find Lauren and Let's Get Curious18:03 Closing thanks18:17 Key takeaway and how to follow the show About Lauren Lauren Petrowski is a TV host with 20 years of on-camera experience, from breaking news reporter to morning show anchor. She now hosts lifestyle segments for stations in Austin and Waco, works as a media communications coach, speaker, and MC, and hosts Let's Get Curious, an Instagram interview series with founders, creators, and the people making Austin interesting. She is a mom of 2. Instagram: @LaurenPetrowski Connect with AI-Empowered Mom Newsletter: https://www.aiempoweredmom.com/Instagram: @aiempoweredmomEmail: [email protected] What is the best question someone has asked you lately? Send it to me. A follow and a rating help other parents and caregivers find the show.