DR. KIM NOLAN—“The Moment I Chose to Stay” (A Buddhist Chaplain’s Journey Through the Veil), the Biological Power of Awe, How to Hack “Timelessness”

Full Spectrum with Molly Kawahata

We think of awe as rare. A sunset. A mountain peak. A fleeting high.

But what if we’ve got it backwards?

Awe isn’t just something that happens to you—it’s a biological lever hiding in plain sight. One that can decrease stress hormones, stretch time, and rewire attention.

In this conversation, Dr. Kim Nolan—Buddhist chaplain, psychologist, and one of the most grounded people I’ve ever known—shows us how to spot the extraordinary buried in the ordinary.

We talk about:

✅ How awe can reduce cortisol, expand time, and make you kinder

✅ The two-part formula scientists use to define awe (and how to reverse-engineer it in your life)

✅ How experiencing awe rewires your brain and makes decision-making easier

✅ The “sacred ordinary” moments most people miss (but you won’t anymore)

✅ Why awe might be one of the most powerful (and overlooked) wellness tools we have

In this week’s How-To segment, I’ll break down:

→ The 2-part formula behind awe—and why it’s not just about feeling “wow”
→ What the science says about awe and time perception, connection, and burnout
→ A method to train your brain to experience more awe, anywhere

This episode changed how I walk down the street, wait in line, and look into the distance. Because Kim’s right: Awe isn’t scarce—we’re just not looking where it lives.

With eyes wide open,

— Molly

🧠 Get the takeaways straight to your inbox. My newsletter ‘What I Wish I Knew’ shares all the research + tools I use in my own life. Sign up at mollykawahata.com/join

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🔗 View the full show notes at mollykawahata.com/podcast

🎥 Video episodes available on YouTube

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🔗 Follow for more:
YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn

Connect with Kim:
LinkedIn | TED Talk | UVM Faculty Page

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🕒 Timestamps

00:00 Accidentally wishing a man at CVS Happy Mother’s Day

02:22 Introducing Dr. Kim Nolan

03:48 Dr. Kim Nolan's Health Crisis and Awakening

17:05 Exploring the Concept of Awe

19:29 Awe in Everyday Life

49:21 The Importance of Consistency

49:40 The Playful Quality of Awe

51:11 Minimizing Harm and Doing Good

51:56 Age, Maturity, and Speaking Freely

53:24 Moments of Awe in Vulnerability

54:52 The Power of Small Acts of Kindness

57:33 The Concept of Timelessness in Awe

57:55 The Impact of Awe on Time Perception

01:00:14 Practical Steps to Cultivate Awe

01:03:32 The Role of Calling in Decision Making

01:07:35 Recognizing and Trusting Your Calling

01:13:41 Awe in Relationships and Everyday Moments

01:21:32 The How-To: How to Harness Awe in Your Own Life

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