Jim Intriglia’s Blog

What’s a Renaissance Soul?

Renaissance Souls (RS) are knowledgeable and talented people whose underlying passion is to constantly redefine their passions. RS  are driven by a constant curiosity and wonder about the world in which they live.

As career professionals, RS prefer a variety of endeavors rather than focusing on just one or two professions. They strive to broaden their their career options rather than working to narrow their choices. When succeeding in a particular endeavor, RS choose to move on to another area of interest rather than expanding on that success.

So, what do you want to do?

Asking a Renaissance Soul this question is like asking Mr. Spock of Star Trek fame how he feels.

After reading Margaret Lobenstein’s book several years ago, I realized why I always had trouble answering this question. The question “What do you do” is much too one-dimensional for a RS, as we are typically engaged in many different endeavors at any given time.

Who are Renaissance Souls?

You likely know many Renaissance Souls; they are people that typically possess a broad base of knowledge, talent and skills. Rs are likely engaged in several different occupations at any given time.

For example, a RS as a CEO of a healthcare organization may also be engaged as a practicing health care provider. They may also be active as a writer, authoring books or publishing a weekly column for a trade journal. At the same time, they may own and operate an entrepreneurial Internet-based business, that has nothing to do with their chief interest in health care.

Do I Know any Renaissance Souls?

The easiest way to find out if a person is a RS is to ask them what they do. If they hesitate and return a quizzical look, you likely are talking to a RS. If they have talent and established professions in two or more areas simultaneously, you likely are talking to a RS. A much better question to ask a RS at a social gathering would be “So, what interests you?”.

Am I a Renaissance Soul?

Take the Renaissance Soul Quiz and find out the extent of your RS tendencies.

Renaissance Souls Now and Throughout History

Renaissance Souls (RS) are nothing new. Our Founding Fathers were Renaissance Souls, as they exhibited RS traits such as possessing a working knowledge and expertise in broad range of areas. Benjamin Franklin for example, was an inventor, politician, educator, publisher and likely America’s first true entrepreneur.

Likewise, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, both exercised multiple talents and trade skills (architecture, agriculture, surveying) as well as politics.

Colorado, especially in the Denver-Metro Front Range area, is chock-full of  multi-talented Renaissance Souls. That’s one reason why I have made Colorado  my home since 1991.  I am surrounded by talented and engaged RS that share my sense of curiosity and wonder about the world.