Why curiosity is your career superpower: Rhea Hanrahan joins ‘The B-Side with Sri’

How do you build a well-rounded life without obsessing over what you’ll do next and how you’ll fit it all in?

In this episode of The B-Side with Sri, Connico President Sri Kumar sits down with Rhea Hanrahan, director of aviation environmental & sustainability at HMMH, to talk about curiosity and what happens when you stop chasing someone else’s version of success – and start trusting your own.

From leading an international environmental and transportation planning firm to studying wine and gems, Rhea has built a life that’s structured around what energizes her, and she’s not afraid to let go when something no longer fits.

Below are some highlights from the conversation. You can listen to the full episode below, and follow the podcast for more surprising and inspirational stories.

Say yes when it feels right and no when it doesn’t

Rhea admits her life looks busy on the outside. But to her, it comes naturally.

“I rarely say no. The harder part is knowing when to say no,” she said. “Most opportunities come from people seeing something in you that you might not see in yourself, and sometimes you just say yes to see where it goes.”

Instead of forcing a master plan, she focuses on alignment. “If something’s not fun anymore, it might be time to move on,” she said. “That applies to work, hobbies, anything.”

Balance starts with knowing what fuels you

Rhea is clear about what gives her energy: connection, curiosity, and creativity.

“I don’t feel worn down at the end of the day. I’m excited for the next thing,” she said. “If I’m not in the headspace to engage, I’ll remove myself. I don’t want to show up halfway for me or for anyone else.”

That self-awareness also shows up in her support network.

“I’m fortunate to have a safety net, emotionally and financially, that gives me the space to take risks,” she said. “Not everyone has that, and I don’t take it for granted.”

Why joy deserves a spot in your schedule

When asked how she has time for everything, Rhea’s answer is simple: she makes room for what she loves.

“I approach things with curiosity,” she said. “Even with gems or wine, I’m fascinated by the chemistry, the structure, the process behind it.”

The common thread? Joy, and sharing it. “All of my hobbies are social,” she said. “I love learning with other people and building community around what excites us.”

You don’t have to swim upstream

One of the reasons why Rhea has advanced in her career is because she follows her instincts.

“I haven’t had to swim upstream very often,” she said. “That doesn’t mean things aren’t hard. But I don’t have to psych myself up to go against my natural tendencies.”

And when it’s time to make a change, she relies on trusted voices.

“I have friends I call to help me think through things – one who grounds me, one who hypes me up,” she laughed. “Sometimes you just need to talk it out and ask, is fine good enough?”

Appreciate the little moments

At the end of the episode, Sri asked if Rhea ever feels bored. Her answer?

“Never. Even during COVID, I was worried I might, but I was fine. I find joy in small things,” she said. “A cute glass from a flea market. A quiet walk through a new neighborhood. I’ve learned to lean into it.”

Her parting advice: Don’t wait for the weekend. “If there’s something you want to do, find a way to bring little sparks of joy into your everyday,” she said. “That’s what keeps me going.”