“Facts are facts. Some things happened or didn’t happen, and when we’re willing to see clearly, we give ourselves the possibility to choose differently.”

In this conversation, Theresa and Walker sit down with Dr. Brent E. Metz, a sociocultural anthropologist at the University of Kansas, to explore what it truly means to learn, reflect, and view the world—and ourselves—with greater compassion and clarity.

Dr. Metz shares stories from his early life, his years of fieldwork in Latin America, and the teachers who quietly shaped the course of his life. They talk about the courage it takes to question what you’ve been taught, the power of curiosity, and the unexpected places where wisdom shows up.

They explore how culture shapes our understanding of intelligence and emotion, why discomfort is often a doorway to growth, and how the next generation is carrying a remarkable sense of ethics, awareness, and possibility. This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and notice the places where your own knowing is asking for space.

What you’ll learn:

→ Why reflection helps us make wiser, more grounded decisions

→ How culture shapes our understanding of intelligence, emotion, and success

→ Why humility and curiosity create space for deeper insight

→ How mentors influence our lives in ways we don’t always see

→ Why younger generations offer real hope for the future

About Dr. Brent Metz

Our guest is Dr. Brent E. Metz, a sociocultural anthropologist at the University of Kansas and Director of the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies. His work bridges long-term field research with the heart of a teacher—guiding first-year students, mentoring study-abroad groups (including Fulbright fieldwork in Guatemala), and helping people see from perspectives beyond their own.

He shows up for students as whole people, naming what they carry, encouraging curiosity, and modeling reflection, steadiness, and emotional honesty.

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Episode Links & Resources

🌿 Learn more about Dr. Brent E. Metz

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Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome + introducing Dr. Brent Metz

02:00 Early life, learning, and cultural identity

11:00 Mentors, teachers, and unexpected wisdom

18:00 Reflection, emotion, and becoming aware

26:00 Choosing a path + the cost of commitment

33:00 Curiosity, worldview shifts, and inner knowing

44:00 Hope for the next generation

58:00 Closing reflections + gratitude

Topics we explore in this episode include:

wisdom and self-awareness, cultural identity, emotional reflection, learning and curiosity, mentorship, growth across generations, compassion, clarity, inner knowing