About The Lab

We create and study experiences that support mental wellbeing, deepen human connection, and make life feel more alive.

The Wonder Lab

Why Wonder & Awe Matter

Wonder is the feeling that makes you pause, lean closer and think, “I never noticed that before.” Awe arrives when something is so beautiful, vast or astonishing that the world suddenly feels bigger than we imagined. Both pull us out of autopilot. They wake up our attention, loosen familiar assumptions and open the door to curiosity, creativity and possibility. In those moments, life feels less predictable and the mind becomes more open to new ideas, different perspectives and possibilities we may have stopped noticing.

That matters because wonder and awe do more than brighten a moment. Research suggests they ease stress, help us step outside our own worries, strengthen positive emotions and deepen our connection to other people and the wider world. They remind us that we are part of something larger while bringing us more fully into the life happening right in front of us. When we make room for wonder and awe in everyday life, they help us feel more present, more connected and more alive. The ordinary doesn’t have to stay ordinary.

Our Core Belief

A Good Life Requires More Than Coping

Wellbeing is about more than getting through the day. We need regular opportunities to feel curious, creative, connected, and fully alive. Research suggests that mental wellbeing and human connection grow when meaning, beauty, play, and belonging become part of everyday life.

Our People

Interdisciplinary Minds

Ethan de Winter

Ethan is a certified therapeutic arts facilitator and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor. He combines cognitive, emotional, and creative frameworks to help people strengthen self-awareness, resilience, and authentic expression.

Drawing the contemplative traditions of Asia, artistic practice, and contemporary evidence-based approaches, Ethan makes time-honoured knowledge accessible for modern life. His work transforms these ideas into imaginative, practical experiences that support mental health and wellbeing.

Rashmi Bhansal

Rashmi is a multifaceted wellness practitioner and artist blending the realms of yoga, mindfulness, and creative expression to nurture holistic healing and self-awareness. With a background in psychology, yoga instruction, and creative expression, Rashmi offers a unique blend of expertise to guide individuals on their paths to self-discovery and wellbeing.

Founder

Community Advisor

Amie Brochu, MSW, PhD

Community Advisor

Matthew brings expertise in public health research, program evaluation, and social prescribing. His guidance helps ensure our research uses credible methods, reflects diverse community perspectives, and produces findings organizations can put into practice.

Matthew Liang

Community Advisor

Amie is a dynamic educator and mental health social worker. Through her work, she empowers individuals and communities to overcome adversity with compassion and resilience. As a skilled consultant, Amie provides invaluable guidance and support to organizations seeking to create safe and nurturing environments for healing and growth.

Partner in Empirical Wonder

Bring a Community Wonder Workshop to your organization, workplace, or neighbourhood. We partner with groups that want to support mental wellbeing, deepen human connection, and offer their communities an engaging and memorable experience.