"When you're someone's guest, one of the best ways to connect is to ask them questions and have this model of curiosity you carry about you." - Austin Graff
Austin Graff has seen much of the world. Born to American parents, he grew up in Russia and Kazakhstan and returned to the United States for college in Michigan. He has lived in Washington, DC, for nearly 20 years and is married with a seven-year-old daughter.
Austin has spent his entire career in social media and digital marketing. He started at non-profits, then shifted to larger companies such as Coca-Cola and, until recently, the Washington Post. In 2022, Austin launched Curiosity & Connection, which combines media consulting and travel guides. His family joins him on adventures as he explores and writes about DC's 131 neighborhoods and various global destinations.
Austin shares deep insights into raising inquisitive children with high emotional intelligence, planning and executing worldwide travel with care for the local community, living a designed lifestyle, and describing what is necessary for a level 10 community. This journey is characterized by Austin's humility, love for people, and insatiable curiosity.
Episode Notes
Austin's obsession as a Local Guide for Google Reviews [2:10]
Growing up in Tatarstan, Russia as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) [3:05]
Being the outsider fosters curiosity and questions [5:19]
Appreciation for local cultures [8:36]
Appreciation for Washington DC's culture [10:10]
Nuance and noticing the details of the local area and people [11:44]
Writing comprehensive Washington DC neighborhood travel guides [14:15]
Using curiosity and questions in a marriage [17:25]
Avoiding pain by asking relational questions [19:55]
Raising a child with high emotional intelligence [22:30]
The healing that comes from being a parent [25:20]
Learning with an inquisitive child [28:25]
Fearless travel through nearly 100 countries and desired destinations [30:45]
How Austin's daughter chooses her travel destinations [32:40]
Questions to ask when evaluating travel destinations [35:10]
Caring for local businesses and knowing when to tell the stories or not [38:30]
Diving into social media and influencer marketing [42:45]
Career highlights [45:40]
Odyssey planning and designing a desired life [47:52]
Community, how it is defined, developed, and lived [51:45]
Friendships take time [59:30]
Asking questions of social media (1:04:30]
Asking questions and cultivating space for the answers [1:07:18]
Where to follow Austin Graff [1:10:52]
Resources Mentioned
Curiosity and Connection
Fancy Nancy Goes to Paris
International Justice Mission
Coca-Cola
Washington Post
Designing Your Life
Odyssey Planning
Beauty Pill
Producer Ben Ford
Questions Asked
Russia and Kazakhstan are not the standard zip codes for an American child; can you fill in the details for those who have not heard the story?
How did this growing-up experience foster curiosity and questions?
Has appreciation for local cultures grown out of not belonging?
What does your practice of asking questions with your wife look like?
What were the high/low points of your week?
Where do you see ourselves and family in 5/10 years?
What are your disappointments?
What was it like growing up in your family when you were at the age of seven?
How do you handle a very inquisitive daughter's questions coming at you?
How many countries have you visited?
What is at the top of the list of places you haven't visited yet?
What filters does your daughter use as she chooses a travel destination?
What questions do you ask when considering destinations?
What is the context we are stepping ourselves into?
What did it feel like for this country's masses during this time?
What is the historical context, and what is the culture like now?
What are some of the biggest joys you have seen in the people there?
What are some of the biggest disappointments or tensions in the area?
How can we be responsible travelers?
What is better for the earth?
Is it better to stay in a hotel or Airbnb?
Should we use public transit?
If using a tour guide, are they ethical or local? Do they give back to the community?
Asking local non-profits in the area about local social issues.
How do you find hidden places?
Do you want your story told?
What shifted you from Non-profit companies to Coca-Cola and the Washington Post?
How often do you and your wife discuss the Odyssey plan?
How do you intentionally become part of developing a community?
What have you done to foster the community where you live?
Do you like McDonald's French fries or Burger King's french fries better?
What kinds of questions do you wrestle with in a deep level of community?
What is stopping you from having this conversation with your friend?
What questions about social media are we not asking?
What question am I not asking that I should be?
How am I being authentic but also true to the privacy of my life?
How am I giving grace to the people I am following?
How is [media] affecting our culture and mental health through comparison?
Do you have any thoughts or encouragement about questions and how we might use them that we haven't touched on so far?
What else?
Asking of AI: What questions should I ask to get to know them better?
