The Importance Of Curiousity (Episode 1 - Archive)The Importance Of Curiousity (Episode 1 - Archive)
Relational Recovery
Wes Thompson and Austin Hill talk about curiosity as an aspirational value at The Refuge Ministry, contrasting it with judgment and shame. They suggest that a humble, question-asking posture can support more compassionate relationships and recovery work.
6:57•26 Jul 2026
Curiosity Over Judgment: Building a Kinder Recovery Culture
Episode Overview
- Curiosity is presented as a core value that supports relational health and recovery.
- Judgment is described as having your mind made up, while curiosity keeps an open mind and reduces assumptions.
- Asking questions is suggested as a first response, rather than giving advice or pushing back.
- Curiosity is linked to humility, acknowledging "I don't know something, but I do want to learn."
- Practising curiosity is said to act as a healing balm, fostering compassion for oneself and others.
“"Curiosity is that like healing balm to that situation, because it forces you to show yourself some compassion and to show others compassion just by being curious."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This archive episode of Relational Recovery zooms in on one deceptively simple idea: curiosity. Host Wes Thompson and co-host Austin Hill chat about how being curious can reshape culture inside The Refuge Ministry and support people wrestling with addiction and unwanted behaviours.
Wes sets the stage by talking about the values already lived out in their community: "unconditional love, safety, God at work, and intentionality." Alongside those, he explains that curiosity, presence and resiliency are aspirational values they’re working towards. The focus here is on curiosity as a practical way to become more relationally healthy. Drawing from his experience in a "very religious environment" filled with shame and guilt, Wes contrasts judgment with curiosity.
Judgment, he says, is when "you kind of have your mind made up" and lean on assumptions about yourself or others. Curiosity, on the other hand, "lends itself to a more open-mindedness" and a learner’s posture: asking questions first instead of rushing to advice or criticism.
Austin adds that true curiosity "requires a level of humbleness" and a willingness to admit, "I don't know something, but I do want to learn." He calls curiosity "that healing balm" for judgment, because it naturally leads to compassion—for yourself and for the people around you. Asking genuine questions like "Why is this person acting out? Why am I acting out?" opens the door to understanding rather than shame.
This episode is especially helpful if you’re trying to build a kinder inner voice or create safer relationships while working on recovery. It offers a simple but challenging invitation: what would change if, instead of judging, you started by being curious—about yourself, about others, and about what God might be doing?
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