An Awe Walk Through History and Possibility

In this episode of The Science of Happiness, host Dacher Keltner explores the transformative power of 'awe walks' through public spaces, focusing on a journey led by psychologist Bob McKinnon through Harlem. The walk highlights historically significant sites—from City College's Great Hall to Alexander Hamilton's former home, Stryver's Row, the Harlem Y, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture—each revealing stories of resilience, belonging, and upward mobility. Students on the tour experience profound emotional and intellectual awakenings, feeling a deeper connection to their community and a renewed sense of agency. The episode delves into the science of awe, showing how such experiences foster curiosity, motivation, and a sense of place, especially for marginalized and immigrant students facing systemic challenges. McKinnon emphasizes that social mobility isn't just about economics but about narrative, identity, and the recognition of both headwinds and tailwinds in life. The episode concludes with a call to reframe the American story—not as a myth of pure individualism, but as one rooted in collective history, shared struggle, and the enduring power of belonging.