Letting Curiosity Lead You to More Meaningful Work With Photographer & Nonprofit Founder John Noltner
Every once in a while, we meet someone whose story settles right into your bones, the kind that reminds you why creative work matters and how powerful it can be when we choose to follow where our curiosity takes us.
This week on The Edit, we sat down with John Noltner, an award-winning photographer, storyteller, and the founder of A Peace of My Mind. This conversation hits the heart of what so many creatives (including us!) are feeling right now.
John didn’t follow the typical photography path. He built a successful commercial career, but a quiet pull kept nudging him toward something deeper, something rooted in listening, curiosity, and human connection. Instead of ignoring it, he followed it… even though it didn’t make perfect sense on paper.
That “tiny tug” eventually turned into a meaningful and impactful storytelling projects that is now an offical nonprofit.
A Project Born From a Question
A Peace of My Mind started with one simple question:
“What does peace mean to you?”
John drove 40,000 miles across the country, setting up a public studio in community centers, libraries, street corners, and churches. He photographed strangers and listened to their stories about hope, loss, resilience, belief, kindness, and humanity.
That small moment of curiosity became a national (and now global) project that builds connection in a world that feels increasingly fractured.
Showing Up Where It Matters: George Floyd Square
One of the most moving parts of John’s story came when he shared about his time at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis.
In the days and weeks after George Floyd was killed, John brought his camera and his open heart to the intersection at 38th & Chicago simply to listen. He spent weeks in the community, hearing from neighbors, activists, artists, faith leaders, and everyday people who gathered there to grieve, process, and fight for change.
The stories he gathered there are now part of the historical record of a community demanding justice, healing, and humanity.
This is the kind of work that reminds us what creativity can do.
For the Photographer Starting Out…
If you’re new to photography and trying to figure out what kind of work you want to make, John’s story is a reminder that your career doesn’t have to fit a mold. You don’t have to know the entire path. You just have to follow the pull toward the work that feels like you.
…And for the Photographer Feeling the Pull Toward Something More
Maybe you’ve been in the industry for a long time.
Maybe the work that once excited you doesn’t light you up in the same way.
Maybe you feel that quiet whisper nudging you toward something more meaningful, but you’re not sure where it leads.
This episode is for you too.
John talks honestly about leaving the familiar behind, taking steps before things make sense, and trusting your intuition even when the path is foggy. His story meets you right in that moment of “I’m ready for something different.”
Why This Conversation Is Important
What we love most about John is that he wasn’t chasing numbers.
He wasn’t chasing profit.
He was following his curiosity.
And that curiosity led him to a project that is reaching people around the world.
If you’ve been craving work that feels purposeful, work that feels connected to your value, this episode will inspire you.
Listen to the Full Conversation
Connect with John Noltner
Support the Project: https://apeaceofmymind.org/donate/
Website: https://apeaceofmymind.org/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/apommstories
Events: https://apeaceofmymind.org/events/
Books: https://apeaceofmymind.org/shop/
George Floyd Square Video: https://vimeo.com/425925644?fl=pl&fe=vl
Links We Mentioned
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Governerds Book Club with Sharon McMahon:
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