Creativity Loves Difference

Joanne Lockwood

Tags: Cultural Intelligence, personal growth, human connection, Diverse Perspectives, Creativity Explorer, Global Cultures, Inclusive Thinking, Curiosity Driven, Unique Rule Sets, Creative Problem Solving

How Curiosity and Cultural Difference Ignite Creativity and Problem-Solving

Fredrik Haren explores the liberating interplay between curiosity and creativity, uncovering how genuine diversity of perspective empowers us to challenge cultural norms, redefine personal rules, and unlock untapped human potential.

In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood welcomes Fredrik Haren to discuss the potent role of difference in unlocking creativity and innovation. The conversation navigates how stepping outside one’s comfort zone – be it through travel, cross-cultural parenting, or simply rethinking everyday norms – ignites curiosity and challenges entrenched beliefs. Together, Joanne and Fredrik emphasise that while homogeneity breeds complacency, it is embracing multiple perspectives that genuinely fuels human potential. Their insights cover personal anecdotes from global travels, practical lessons from multicultural family life, and the overlooked value of questioning one’s own rulebook for living and working.

Fredrik, known globally as The Creativity Explorer, has spent over two decades traversing more than 75 countries to uncover how diverse cultures foster creative thinking. Originally based in Sweden, his years living in Asia—including China and Singapore—provided a rich lens through which he re-examined the intersection of diversity and innovation. Fredrik’s career as an author and international keynote guest has seen him address vast audiences, distil wisdom from personal and professional encounters, and synthesize creative lessons from everything from off-grid living to multicultural parenting. His recent book, “The World of Creativity,” explores creativity across 37 countries, revealing the secrets behind truly inventive minds and highlighting how openness to difference lies at the heart of meaningful progress.

Throughout their discussion, Joanne and Fredrik explore why curiosity precedes knowledge, how technology, travel, and communities of interest dissolve barriers, and the necessity of self-reflection to nurture authentic creativity. They challenge listeners to ask: who sets the rules I live by, and how might embracing others’ ideas transform my own thinking? The key takeaway is a call to crowdsource wisdom across borders and disciplines, urging everyone to appreciate the freedom of making up your own rules as the most fertile ground for creativity. Tune in for fresh perspectives on belonging, innovation, and how difference truly drives creative breakthroughs.

Published: 23.04.2026

Recorded: 12.01.2026 Episode Length

Duration: 0:56:49

Shownotes:

AI Extracts and Interpretations
app.castmagic.io The Inclusion Bites Podcast #206 Creativity Loves Difference
Other Links
seechangehappen.co.uk SEE Change Happen: The Inclusive Culture Experts
Inclusion Bites Podcast on YouTube

Clips and Timestamps

Culture Shock in Beijing: “They served the food and gave me a fork, a knife, a spoon, chopsticks and a Chinese spoon.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:07:43 → 00:07:48]

Viral Topic: Multicultural Parenting Challenges: “Because if I married a Swedish person and lived in Sweden, we would raise them Swedish. I mean, no discussion. But now we had to talk about it. Are we doing Swedish way or Filipino way? Because they are very different ways of raising children. For example, in Sweden, we do not hit our kids.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:10:08 → 00:10:23]

Viral Topic: Global Delicacies Challenge: “Somewhere in the world someone finds this yummy. And it was such a big change for me to try it because when I tried all of this different things, suddenly I could enjoy it because I said someone finds this yummy.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:20:05 → 00:20:20]

Viral Topic: The Power of Unique Self-Expression
“If everyone found their inner theme, the message that only they can deliver, but it’s important that everyone needs to hear, then, then that’s what we should aim for.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:28:03 → 00:28:13]

Personalised Learning in the Classroom: “All are reading about dinosaurs, but they’re doing it from their perspective of what they want to learn at the moment.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:30:41 → 00:30:45]

Seeing the Forest from Both Sides: “Because when you walk through a forest or a wood and you turn around every 50 metres, you will see twice as much forest because every tree, every stone will look. You will see it from both sides, so you’ll see twice as much.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:37:30 → 00:37:40]

Viral Topic: Technology Expanding Worldview: “For the first time in human history, it’s possible to have a technology that connects Anyone, anywhere.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:44:13 → 00:44:18]

Viral Topic: The Modern Layers of Identity: “The village didn’t disappear because we invented the kingdom and the kingdom or the nation, we just added a layer. I’m still Frederick, I still have my family, I still have my neighbours, I still live in Liding it, which I’m still part of Stockholm, I’m also Swede, I’m part of the eu. And then now add one layer on top of that, which is I’m also a human being and I communicate with friends all over the world. So all the other layers are still there, we just layer.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:45:25 → 00:45:50]

Why Don’t We Adopt Brilliant Ideas Faster?: “It blows my mind that we are not better. I mean, we have Internet for 25 years, so it’s not that we don’t have the technology anymore. We have the technology to look what other people are doing and sometimes we even see, oh, my God, look, they’re doing it better than us. And then we’re still not doing it.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:47:14 → 00:47:30]

Viral Topic: Why is Sweden behind Mongolia on passport technology?
“It blows my mind.”
— Fredrik Haren [00:48:45 → 00:48:46]

Definition of Terms Used

What is Cultural Intelligence?

Definition: Cultural intelligence is the capability to relate to and work effectively across cultures and cultural contexts, involving awareness, sensitivity, and adaptability to differing cultural norms and practices.
Relevance: In the episode, understanding and strengthening cultural intelligence is highlighted as a key driver for inclusion, creativity, and effective global collaboration.
Examples: Adapting leadership style to teams in different countries, or being open to new parenting methods when raising children with mixed cultural heritage.
Related Terms: Cross-cultural Competence, Emotional Intelligence, Intercultural Communication, Global Mindset
Common Misconceptions: Some assume cultural intelligence simply means having travelled or having foreign friends, when it actually requires active learning, curiosity, and practical adaptation to cultural nuances.

What is an Inner Theme?

Definition: An inner theme refers to a person’s unique, core message or perspective that is shaped by their life experiences and intrinsic motivations—essentially, their personal “why” and outlook expressed through their actions or creative output.
Relevance: This episode discusses the importance of identifying one’s inner theme as a foundation for authenticity, creativity, and meaningful self-expression, making inclusion and innovation more personal and impactful.
Examples: A speaker whose life experiences drive them to advocate for embracing curiosity and difference, or an educator who centres their teaching around student-led learning because of their inner beliefs.
Related Terms: Core Values, Personal Brand, Self-authorship, Creativity
Common Misconceptions: It is often confused with surface-level interests or professional branding; unlike those, an inner theme is deeper and emerges from authentic self-reflection rather than external expectations.

What is Heimskir?

Definition: Heimskir is an old Icelandic (Viking) term meaning “moron” or “stupid person,” originating from the word for “home.” It describes someone who remains homebound and does not seek knowledge or experiences from beyond their immediate surroundings.
Relevance: Used metaphorically in this episode, it encapsulates the idea that lack of curiosity or refusal to explore beyond one’s comfort zone inhibits intelligence and creativity—central themes in the conversation about inclusion and diversity of thought.
Examples: Remaining rigid in one’s practices without exploring how other cultures approach similar challenges; refusing to consider innovations from elsewhere.
Related Terms: Closed-mindedness, Parochialism, Intellectual Stagnation
Common Misconceptions: It is often limited to physical travel, but in the episode, it is framed more broadly as a call to mental and cultural exploration.

What is Montessori Education?

Definition: Montessori education is a child-centred educational approach where pupils choose learning activities based on their interests, with guidance from teachers who create prepared environments, rather than following a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
Relevance: The concept is referenced as a model for nurturing individuality and curiosity, paralleling the episode’s argument for encouraging people and teams to discover and develop their unique talents and perspectives as the bedrock of inclusion and creativity.
Examples: Allowing children to choose to study dinosaurs through reading, drawing, or model-making, fostering autonomy and a joy for learning.
Related Terms: Individualised Learning, Child-led Instruction, Self-directed Education
Common Misconceptions: Montessori is often presumed to be unstructured or lacking discipline, but in fact, it relies on carefully designed environments and trained educators to support student growth.

What is an Eatarian?

Definition: Eatarian is a tongue-in-cheek self-ascribed dietary identity mentioned in the episode, describing someone who only eats meat from animals that themselves kill other animals (carnivorous or omnivorous animals), and abstains from eating animals that are strictly vegetarian.
Relevance: This niche concept is introduced to illustrate self-created rule-sets, creative personal decision-making, and breaking free from conventional thinking—applicable to broader themes of inclusion and embracing difference.
Examples: Eating chicken and fish (as they eat other animals) but not cows or horses (as they are vegetarian).
Related Terms: Vegetarianism, Carnivorism, Dietary Identity, Food Ethics
Common Misconceptions: It is sometimes mistaken for an advocacy or ethical stance; in the context of the episode, it is presented more as an exercise in making one’s own choices, rather than a widely held or practical dietary movement.

Episode FAQ for Reference

What is Cultural Intelligence? The episode defines this as the ability to understand and adapt to different cultural contexts, which is essential for creativity, global collaboration, and building inclusive environments.
What is an Inner Theme? Explained as a deeply personal message or worldview unique to an individual, driving authentic expression and innovation.
What does Heimskir mean? An Icelandic word meaning ‘moron’, specifically someone who never leaves home to learn from others, applied here to warn against intellectual stagnation and encourage curiosity.
What is Montessori Education? A method of learning where students’ interests guide their education, emphasising individuality and self-motivation, and used as an analogy for inclusive learning environments.
What is an Eatarian? A playful term for someone who eats only animals that are themselves carnivorous or omnivorous, representing a unique and self-determined approach to dietary ethics as an analogy for creative thinking.