1568: Curiosity and Human Purpose from The Book of Odd Awakening with Todd Leblanc

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

From space‑lab clean rooms to the inner universe of human awareness, my guest Todd R. LeBlanc has spent decades exploring both the frontiers of technology and the depths of consciousness. In this episode, we talk about his journey from seasoned space‑lab manager to author of The Book of Odd and his new project, The Book of Odd: Awakening. Todd explains why our greatest “technology” isn’t rockets or AI, but awareness itself—our ability to live in the present moment, ask better questions, and recognize that “right now” is the only place we ever have any agency. We dig into what most people get wrong about time, the anthropic principle and our role as conscious observers, and why cultivating curiosity, gratitude, and critical thinking is more powerful than chasing status or stuff.

You’ll hear how Todd structures his days around meditation and writing before he gives any energy to his day job, why he believes we should “give our best self to ourselves” first, and how simple habits like journaling, reading, and daily reflection can lead to a quiet but profound awakening. We talk about seeing hidden wonder in everyday things—from toilets and soccer balls to the Panama Canal and public libraries—how to protect yourself from misinformation by strengthening your own mind, and why he thinks we’re each just one line in a much larger language of existence carried through our DNA and culture. If you’re ready to become more present, more curious, and more intentional with your one “flicker” of time, this conversation will give you both inspiration and concrete first steps.

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