The Junior Warden: Noticing Capacity Before It’s Gone
Download MP3This episode focuses on the behavioral function of the Junior Warden, centered on the skill of noticing. The conversation examines how awareness of internal signals—physical, emotional, and cognitive—determines whether work should continue or pause before depletion undermines effectiveness.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- The Junior Warden’s first behavioral skill is noticing.
- Interoception provides critical data about capacity and limits.
- Modern life makes stopping and recharging unusually difficult.
- Behavioral judgment requires slowing down to listen inwardly.
- Calling labor to refreshment is an active, disciplined choice.
💬 Featured Quotes
- “When we talk about applying the junior warden role at a behavioral level… the very first skill that stands out is the skill of noticing.” (0:00–0:14)
- “Noticing your own bodily sensations is a skill called interoception.” (0:31–0:38)
- “It’s actually probably less a skill and more of its own sense.” (0:38–0:42)
- “Taking the data from your body and using it to inform how you operate.” (1:00–1:14)
- “That skill… will give you a lot of insight into what kind of information you're looking for behaviorally.” (1:24–1:39)
- “To determine whether or not to call the craft from labor to refreshment.” (1:47–1:54)
- “Stop what you're doing and recharge the batteries.” (1:54–2:00)
- “Which is very, very difficult to do in our modern society.” (2:00–2:07)
- “We have to start by being quiet.” (2:09–2:12)
- “Slowing down the sort of mental cognitive process.” (2:12–2:18)
- “Listening to your internal environment, your physiological responses.” (2:23–2:30)
- Tim Dedman
- Jorge
Creators and Guests
Host
Brian Mattocks
Host and Founder of A Mason's Work - a podcast designed to help you use symbolism to grow. He's been working in the craft for over a decade and served as WM, trustee, and sat in every appointed chair in a lodge - at least once :D
