A purple-haired plush with a permanent scowl seems like an unlikely reminder to stay curious. But Lily has a job in Andrea’s office—and judging her isn’t it.

In this episode of How Very Human, Andrea explores how quickly we turn an observation into a story. Someone doesn’t wave. A vague meeting invitation appears. We feel unsure of ourselves. Before we have much information, we may already have an explanation.

A reflection on how past experiences shape what we notice, how our interpretations influence what we do next, and what we might discover if we leave room for another explanation.

Find Field Notes and more at AndreaHaneyPoole.com.

Until next time, get curious with me.

While recording the audiobook for The Long Way I Came, Andrea notices something unexpected: the words haven't changed, but she has. That observation leads to a reflection on memory boxes, old photographs, forgotten files, and the quiet evidence we leave behind as we grow. A field note on perspective, change, and what happens when we encounter earlier versions of ourselves.

Welcome to How Very Human, a podcast exploring the psychology, patterns, and everyday observations that shape the human experience.

I'm your host, Andrea Haney Poole—organizational strategist, author, speaker, and lifelong observer of people. Together, we'll explore leadership, relationships, work, resilience, change, and the quiet moments that reveal something bigger about what it means to be human.

Some episodes will feature conversations with thoughtful guests. Others will be field notes—simple observations that invite us to see ourselves and one another a little differently.

If you've ever found yourself asking, Why do we do that? You're in the right place.

Welcome to How Very Human.