Podcast Summary: The Lazy Genius Podcast

Episode 448: How Wonder Shows Up When You Slow Down

Host: Kendra Adachi ("The Lazy Genius")
Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this warm and relatable episode, Kendra Adachi explores how true "wonder"—that sparkle and sense of joy—doesn’t come from perfectly executed plans but instead emerges when we slow down and notice the moments unfolding around us. Especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Kendra invites listeners to let go of manufactured memories and expectations, instead focusing on practical ways to cultivate mindfulness and appreciation. Packed with personal stories, actionable advice, and her signature “lazy genius” permission to let things be imperfect, Kendra also shares foolproof party food math, highlights a wonderful listener hack, and closes with a tender pep talk for anyone struggling to enjoy the holidays.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nature of Wonder and How We Experience It

Timestamp: 10:17-25:00

• Wonder is Not Manufactured:

  • Kendra emphasizes that wonder isn't about what you plan or try to manufacture.
  • "Wonder does not come from what you plan or try to manufacture. Wonder comes when you notice. Wonder and holiday magic and memories come from the most unintended places." (10:41)

• Personal Story:

  • Kendra shares a heartfelt recollection about her daughter, Annie, choosing to skip Thanksgiving dinner plans in New York and opt for rest instead.
  • The unexpected pivot led to a simple yet unforgettable evening, highlighting how letting go of rigid plans can create meaningful experiences.
  • "It was maybe the best part of my trip. I just kept looking at her like she was the greatest thing. We enjoyed each other so much... And it was not planned. In fact, it was against the plan." (14:00)

• Perspective Changes Everything:

  • How we respond to unforeseen changes (“being a lightning rod for wonder”) can turn disappointment into joy.
  • Kendra praises her husband for modeling this attitude, showing how infectious it can be within a group or family.

2. Noticing vs. Manufacturing: Letting Others Experience Their Own Wonder

Timestamp: 25:01-32:30

• Allowing Everyone Their Own Experience:

  • Different people notice and are delighted by different things, especially kids.
  • "Don't force your lens on them. Kids often notice different things than adults do anyway. So just let them notice and find wonder in their own way. It might show you something, too." (23:38)

• A Museum Lesson:

  • Observing her own children (and other families) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kendra notes the value of quiet presence over directing others to “important” sights.
  • "I mostly stayed quiet...and in that slowness there was so much wonder." (26:52)

3. Practical Ways to Slow Down and Notice Wonder

Timestamp: 32:31-38:45

Kendra’s "Three Things to Do Right Now":

• Look Around:

  • Pause to notice sensory details and interactions around you.
  • "You cannot notice and experience wonder if you don't slow down enough to look around." (32:50)

• Stay Quiet:

  • Hold space for others' noticing instead of narrating or prompting, especially if you’re usually the “showrunner.”
  • "Staying quiet keeps you from accidentally directing the group on what they should notice. It also keeps you from trying to manufacture the wonder. You’re just smiling and happy to be there." (34:38)

• Let Things Happen:

  • Prepare environments, but don’t try to control outcomes.
  • Even if no one joins you in a puzzle or activity, you haven’t failed at making memories.
  • "You can find wonder in any of them. So those are the three things you can do right now: look around, stay quiet, and let things happen." (36:22)

4. Practices to Cultivate Noticing Year-Round

Timestamp: 38:46-45:02

Kendra suggests ongoing, low-pressure practices:

• One Line a Day Journal:

  • Jot a sentence or two every night; over years, you see the beauty in the ordinary.
  • "It’s maybe the main thing that started helping me notice the small things that make life beautiful." (39:22)

• One Second a Day Video App:

  • Capture a second of video when you remember; stitched together, it tells a story of your real life.

• Intentional Photography:

  • Inspired by friends, take photos of everyday moments, not just events or posed scenes.

• Intentional Presence in Daily Tasks:

  • Choose an ordinary daily action (e.g., making coffee) and do it mindfully, without digital distractions.

• Yearbook Playbook:

  • A customizable notebook to collect small memories, notes, photos, or discoveries throughout the year.

  "The only reason that daily noticing might be helpful is because it helps you build the practice and see how ordinary thing after ordinary thing is actually kind of extraordinary." (44:12)

5. Foolproof Party Food Math

Timestamp: 45:03-50:14

Kendra shares her simple formulas for never running out of party food:

• Equation 1: Six bites per person per hour.

• Equation 2: Three choices per 10 people.

• Example: 15 people × 2 hours × 6 bites = 180 bites, divided across 5 dishes.

• Double up on anything wrapped in bacon (“they go so fast!”).

• No need for over-catering—these formulas are “bites,” not servings.

  "Six bites per person per hour and three choices per ten people... you’re talking bites, not servings, and you're not gonna go wrong." (48:36)

6. Lazy Genius of the Week: Megan's Keychain Ornaments

Timestamp: 50:15-53:08

• Megan from Bogota, Colombia, gathers keychains from family trips, removes the chains, and repurposes them as Christmas ornaments—avoiding clutter and building yearly reminiscing into their traditions. "Is that not a fantastic idea?...such a great way to remember a trip without adding clutter to your home." (52:28)

7. Mini Pep Talk: When You’re Not Enjoying the Holidays

Timestamp: 53:09-56:16

• It’s okay not to enjoy holidays—preference is individual, and there’s nothing wrong with you.
• However, if you’re overwhelmed, unmet expectations or prioritizing everyone else, it’s okay to pause and adjust.
  • "Plans are not all or nothing. They're not pass/fail. Neither are expectations. So...be honest about them, feel them, and also keep going by remembering that good is here right now." (55:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Slowing Down:
  "Contented people are just unmoved by obstacles. In fact, they often find them to be a great source for a story...I just want to remind you not to force the issue. Let people experience whatever they'd like in the moments that you're sharing together and be a lightning rod for wonder." (20:10)

• On Group Noticing:
  "Letting people see and sit with what they enjoy...the noticing is where the wonder happens anyway." (28:34)

• On Failing Plans:
  "Plans are not all or nothing... It did not go the way I hoped, but that didn't mean that the whole thing was a bust, right?" (55:21)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 10:17 – Main theme introduction: How Wonder Shows Up When You Slow Down
• 14:00 – Personal story: Annie’s NYC Thanksgiving pivot
• 23:38 – Letting kids experience and notice in their own way
• 26:52 – The lesson of quiet noticing at the Met
• 32:50 – Three Ways to Notice Wonder: Look Around, Stay Quiet, Let Things Happen
• 39:22 – Daily habit ideas: One Line a Day Journal
• 45:03 – Foolproof Party Food Math tutorial
• 50:15 – Lazy Genius of the Week: Megan’s keychain ornaments
• 53:09 – Mini Pep Talk: When You’re Not Enjoying the Holidays

Episode Tone & Language

Kendra’s tone is patient, encouraging, and sprinkled with playful self-deprecation and warmth. Her language is direct and empathetic, often admitting her own mistakes or tendencies while inviting listeners to release pressure and find joy in the ordinary.

Takeaways

• Wonder is not something you plan—it is something you notice when you slow down.
• Your perspective and attitude are more important than perfect execution or tradition.
• Practical noticing can be cultivated through simple, sustainable practices.
• Let everyone, including yourself, experience moments in their own way.
• There is no shame in not enjoying the holidays—or needing to recalibrate expectations and slow down.

For Further Reflection

If the episode resonated, consider the following:

• Which ordinary daily moment could you practice noticing, phone-free?
• Could you try Kendra’s low-pressure journaling or video practices?
• How might you let expectations loosen a bit, both for yourself and those around you, this season?

Resources Mentioned

• Find curated “Podcast Flights” episode collections and other playlists under Kendra Joiner Adachi on Spotify.
• Learn more about the Yearbook Playbook and her book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, at thelazygeniuscollective.com.

“Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.”
—Kendra Adachi