Saying Yes to Discomfort and New Beginnings with Gwendolyn Dolske

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Gwendolyn Dolske. Dolske is aLos Angeles-based philosophy professor, writer, and host of the podcast Good Is in the Details. Gwendolyn shares her journey from academic routine to creative exploration, the vulnerability of stepping into the media space, and the transformative surprise of becoming a parent alongside launching her show.

About the Guest:

Gwendolyn Dolske PhD is a writer, educator, speaker, and producer of the award winning podcast Good Is In The Details. In all areas, her work focuses on using the wisdom of thinkers from her studies in Philosophy to navigate and explore issues of today.  She is the author of Tips From The Professor. A Guide to College Success, Philosophy Unplugged, and scholarly articles emphasizing Existentialism. Gwendolyn has taught Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Fullerton, and Gonzaga University. 

Main Topics Covered:

• Academic comfort zones and why Gwendolyn chose philosophy
• Navigating career satisfaction, routine, and intellectual curiosity
• The decision to launch a podcast as a midlife creative leap
• Vulnerability, self-doubt, and being a woman in a public, media-facing role
• Unexpected personal growth through parenting and embracing imperfection
• How podcasting provided a space for curiosity and community
• The value of learning new things, risking discomfort, and living authentically

Quote from the Episode:

“The desire for a perfect presentation—I was almost forced to let go of it. And I’m glad I did, because now when something goes a little bit sideways, it doesn’t bother me as much. I’m like, oh, this is life. That’s what makes life good. That’s what makes life fun.” — Gwendolyn Dolske

Timestamps: [00:00:23] Gwendolyn calls Los Angeles home

[00:00:38] Transitioning from busy to downtime with mystery novels

[00:02:52] Routine life as a professor and academic comfort zone

[00:05:08] Why philosophy? Childhood curiosity and passion for deeper meaning

[00:07:37] Life applications for a philosophy degree

[00:10:36] Relationship changes and creating space for new adventures

[00:15:37] Starting a podcast outside her comfort zone

[00:22:10] Addressing vulnerability as a woman of “a certain age” in media

[00:29:05] 2019: Embracing podcasting and unexpected new motherhood

[00:33:24] Letting go of perfectionism and embracing imperfect adulting

[00:36:19] What Good Is in the Details is all about

[00:39:02] The podcast as a space for deep thinking and growth

Connect with the guest at GoodIsInTheDetails.com

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