The Nature of Nurture

The Nature of Nurture helps us make sense of ourselves as human beings living during strange and stressful times. By using current phenomena as context (like covid, cults, and political polarization), this podcast delves deep into the nature vs. nurture debate by exploring how our minds and mental health are shaped by lived experience.

The Nature of Nurture is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Nature of Nurture, a education show with 0 episodes published.

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  The Nature of Nurture

  Power and Integrity: Can They Coexist? Humanity in Leadership, with Jeff Katz

  Aug 16, 202639 minS5

  In this special live episode of The Nature of Nurture, Leslie sits down with longtime friend and accomplished entrepreneur Jeff Katz for a conversation about leadership, power, integrity, and what it takes to remain connected to yourself while navigating ambition and success. Jeff's career has included founding Orbitz, serving as CEO of Swissair, holding senior leadership roles at American Airlines and Sabre, and leading LeapFrog, giving him a unique perspective on what separates meaningful leadership from the pursuit of power for its own sake. Together, Leslie and Jeff examine the state of modern leadership and why honesty, humility, and a willingness to say "I don't know" can be more valuable than charisma or certainty. Jeff reflects on the qualities he believes define strong leaders, including integrity, transparency, listening, and giving people a clear sense of mission. He also explains why one of the most important career decisions a person can make isn't simply what company to work for, but who they choose to work with and for. The conversation explores Jeff's own evolution as a leader, from chasing power, money, and promotions early in his career to developing a deeper understanding of what success means to him. He shares lessons from building Orbitz, working with investors and entrepreneurs, and learning when standing by his principles was worth the professional consequences. Through these experiences, Jeff reflects on the importance of mentorship, making mistakes, trusting your instincts, and learning to distinguish external success from personal integrity. Leslie and Jeff also explore the formative experiences that shaped his understanding of compassion and perseverance. Jeff discusses being raised by parents who survived the Holocaust and the lasting lessons they passed down to him, including the compassion he learned from his mother and the perseverance he learned from his father. The conversation becomes especially personal as Jeff reflects on how profound loss changed his relationship with leadership and himself. He shares the experience of leading an airline through a fatal plane crash that killed 240 people and the responsibility of facing thousands of grieving family members without having easy answers. For Jeff, experiences like these stripped away the possibility of hiding behind corporate language and fundamentally transformed the way he thought about truth, responsibility, and humanity. Ultimately, Leslie and Jeff consider how ambition can coexist with integrity and why the relationship we maintain with ourselves may be one of the most important relationships we have. Jeff encourages people to pursue meaningful work, surround themselves with leaders they respect, remain willing to listen and learn, and resist sacrificing their values for money, status, or proximity to power. This episodes ends with an audience Q&A that can be found in the Patreon membership community for the show: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheNatureofNurture Thank you to everyone who participated. Guest Jeff Katz is an entrepreneur and longtime business leader whose career has spanned technology, aviation, travel, and consumer products. Trained as an engineer at MIT, Stanford, and the University of California, Jeff founded Orbitz, served as CEO of Swissair, held senior leadership positions at American Airlines and Sabre, and served as CEO of LeapFrog. He has also been recognized five times as one of the 25 most influential people in the travel industry. Resources & Links The Nature of Nurture TheNatureofNurture.com Patreon Membership https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheNatureofNurture Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheNatureofNurture This podcast is available in all podcast apps. Credits Hosted and produced by Leslie Carr Guest: Jeff Katz Live event hosted at The KINN in Venice (Los Angeles) #leadership #integrity #entrepreneurship #power #authenticity #careeradvice #selfdevelopment #orbitz #thenatureofnurture Disclaimer This episode includes discussion of leadership, corporate culture, political and business figures, the Holocaust, grief, loss, and a fatal aviation accident. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guest and are intended for educational and informational purposes.

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  Episode #10

  Beyond Pronouns: A More Nuanced Exploration of Gender, with Tara Trask

  Aug 2, 20261h 10mS5

  In this episode of The Nature of Nurture, Leslie sits down with nationally recognized trial and jury consultant Tara Trask for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about gender identity, authenticity, and what it means to truly know yourself. After decades of feeling different without having the language to explain why, Tara shares the journey that led her to publicly embrace her identity as a genderqueer, non-binary woman and the profound sense of belonging that followed. Together, Leslie and Tara explore the difference between gender identity, gender expression, and gender roles, examining how culture, family, biology, and personal experience all shape the way we understand ourselves. Rather than focusing on the political debates that often dominate public conversations about transgender people, they broaden the discussion to explore the everyday realities of living authentically and the many ways people relate—or don't relate—to traditional ideas of masculinity and femininity. Tara reflects on growing up in Texas, losing her mother at a young age, and being raised by a father navigating his own unresolved trauma. She shares memories of feeling disconnected from traditional girlhood from early childhood, finding inspiration in gender-defying role models like Grace Jones, and eventually recognizing herself in the stories of other gender-diverse people decades later. She also discusses how discovering the LGBTQ community—and realizing she belonged within it—became one of the most healing experiences of her life. Throughout the conversation, Leslie and Tara examine the importance of language, representation, and visibility, while acknowledging the complexity of identity and the limitations of labels. They discuss why questioning gender can be valuable for everyone, regardless of where they ultimately land, and how greater self-awareness can foster empathy rather than division. The episode also explores the intersection of authenticity, freedom, and self-acceptance, touching on topics including childhood development, gender socialization, menopause, sexuality, family dynamics, and the evolving cultural conversation surrounding gender. Together, Leslie and Tara make the case that understanding ourselves more honestly allows us to better understand one another. Ultimately, this conversation is an invitation to move beyond stereotypes and assumptions, approaching gender with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to listen to experiences that may differ from our own. Guest Tara Trask is the founder of Trask Consulting and has spent nearly three decades as a nationally recognized trial and jury consultant. In recent years, she has become an advocate for greater understanding of gender diversity, sharing her personal journey as a genderqueer, non-binary woman in hopes of fostering empathy, education, and more nuanced conversations about identity and authenticity. Resources & Links UCLA Research cited during the discussion: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/trans-adults-united-states/?utm_source=chatgpt.com The Nature of Nurture TheNatureofNurture.com Patreon Membership https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheNatureofNurture Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheNatureofNurture This podcast is available on all major podcast platforms. Credits Hosted and produced by Leslie Carr https://www.instagram.com/drlesliecarr/ Guest: Tara Trask https://www.instagram.com/tara_trask/ Recorded at SLAP Studios LA #genderidentity #nonbinary #genderqueer #authenticity #lgbtq #transally #selfdiscovery #mentalhealth #identity #thenatureofnurture Disclaimer This episode includes discussion of gender identity, transgender and non-binary experiences, sexuality, grief, childhood trauma, mental health, and personal identity. The conversation reflects the personal experiences and perspectives of the guest and host and is intended for educational and informational purposes. It should not be considered medical, psychological, or legal advice.

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  The Nature of Nurture

  A Special Announcement About a Live Event

  Jul 27, 20263 minS5

  I'm hosting a live podcast recording on Thursday July 30, 2026 at The KINN in Venice (Los Angeles). Just wanted to make sure you know. Here's the ticketing link: https://luma.com/TheNatureOfNurture Use the code Nurture for 10% off at checkout. And here's the Patreon link if you want to check it out: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheNatureofNurture

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  Episode #9

  The Strangest Things: Navigating Life’s Synchronicities, with Curtis Gwinn

  Jul 5, 20261h 17mS5

  In this episode of The Nature of Nurture , Leslie sits down with Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and showrunner Curtis Gwinn, whose credits include Stranger Things , The Walking Dead , The Leftovers , and Narcos . Friends from high school, Leslie and Curtis reflect on the formative experiences that shaped Curtis's life and career, from a childhood marked by housing insecurity and family instability to becoming one of television's most accomplished storytellers. Together, Leslie and Curtis explore how early adversity, mentorship, and the search for belonging influenced Curtis's creative path. They discuss the role of humor as both a coping mechanism and a form of self-protection, the transition from comedy to dramatic storytelling, and how therapy transformed not only Curtis's personal life but also his approach to writing, creativity, and emotional honesty. The conversation moves beyond Hollywood into deeper questions about meaning, synchronicity, and the relationship between storytelling and the human psyche. Drawing on Jungian psychology, Curtis shares profound personal experiences involving dreams, intuition, and symbolic moments that challenged his understanding of reality and reshaped the way he thinks about creativity, spirituality, and the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. Through discussions of resilience, mentorship, vulnerability, and artistic risk, the episode examines how identity is formed through both hardship and connection. Leslie and Curtis also reflect on the changing entertainment industry, the importance of authentic storytelling, and why the next generation of creators has more opportunity than ever to surprise audiences by telling deeply personal stories. The conversation concludes with Curtis's reflections on hope, creativity, and the future of filmmaking, encouraging aspiring artists to embrace uncertainty, continue making meaningful work, and trust that genuine human connection will always remain at the heart of great storytelling. Guest Curtis Gwinn is an Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and showrunner whose television credits include Stranger Things , The Walking Dead , The Leftovers , and Narcos . He began his career performing and writing with the Upright Citizens Brigade before transitioning into dramatic television, where he has become known for emotionally grounded, character-driven storytelling. Resources & Links The Nature of Nurture TheNatureofNurture.com Patreon Membership https://www.patreon.com/thenatureofnurture Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thenatureofnurture This podcast is available in all podcast apps. Credits Hosted and produced by Leslie Carr Guest: Curtis Gwinn Recorded at SLAP Studios LA Disclaimer This episode includes discussion of trauma, homelessness, mental health, dreams, spirituality, and personal transformation. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered psychological or medical advice.

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  Episode #8

  Heated Rivalry: Understanding a Phenomenon, with Goldie Jones

  Jun 21, 20261h 8mS5

  In this episode of The Nature of Nurture, Dr. Leslie Carr sits down with filmmaker, writer, director, and content creator Goldie Jones to explore the unexpected cultural phenomenon of Heated Rivalry, the hit television series that has inspired an unusually devoted fan community and sparked conversations far beyond the world of entertainment. Together, Leslie and Goldie examine why the show has resonated so deeply with audiences, including the emotional, psychological, and even transformational responses many viewers report after watching it. Drawing from Leslie's background as a psychologist and Goldie's expertise in storytelling and filmmaking, they discuss concepts such as corrective emotional experiences, trauma, authenticity, neuroplasticity, and the power of narrative to shape the way we understand ourselves and others. The conversation takes a deep dive into the craft behind the series, exploring how character development, point of view, visual storytelling, symbolism, dialogue, performance, and production design contribute to the show's emotional impact. Goldie shares insights into the storytelling techniques that make the series so compelling, including the use of subtext, visual motifs, mirrors, lighting, and character psychology. Leslie and Goldie also discuss the show's portrayal of trauma, identity, family expectations, and vulnerability through its central characters. They examine how different forms of trauma—both overt and subtle—shape human behavior, relationships, and self-expression, and why so many viewers have found aspects of themselves reflected in the story. The episode concludes with a broader conversation about the state of modern storytelling, the relationship between art and commerce, and what the entertainment industry might learn from the success of a series built on sincerity, hope, emotional honesty, and meaningful human connection. Guest Goldie Jones is a Wyoming-born, Los Angeles-based writer, director, filmmaker, and content creator. After more than a decade working as a director of photography, Goldie transitioned into directing and screenwriting, earning recognition for award-winning screenplays, short films, and commercial work. Their in-depth analysis of Heated Rivalry has attracted millions of viewers online and sparked conversations about storytelling, filmmaking, character development, and media literacy. Resources & Links: Goldie Jones https://www.goldiejones.com Goldie Jones on Instagram: www.instagram.com/glitchgestaltgirl The Nature of Nurture https://thenatureofnurture.com Dr. Leslie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlesliecarr Goldie Jones on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/glitchgestaltgirl The Nature of Nurture on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thenatureofnurture Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thenatureofnurture This podcast is available on all major podcast platforms. #HeatedRivalry #LGBTQStories #MentalHealth #Filmmaking #TheNatureOfNurture Credits: Hosted by Leslie Carr Guest: Goldie Jones Produced by Leslie Carr Recorded by Chi Ogilvie at SLAP Studios LA and edited by Asher Freidberg. Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion of trauma, mental health, neurodiversity, identity, family dynamics, and emotional healing. The views expressed are for educational and informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment.

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