About The Lab

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

The Wonder Lab

The Magic of Wonder & Awe

Wonder is the feeling that makes us 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. That sudden shift changes something inside us. The noise in our heads grows quieter. Our worries stop taking up the whole sky. We feel smaller but not diminished, part of something larger and less alone within it. Life feels less predictable, and our minds open to new ideas, different perspectives and possibilities hidden by routine.

That matters because wonder and awe do more than brighten a moment. Research has linked wonder and awe with lower stress, greater wellbeing and life satisfaction, more joy, compassion and generosity, a stronger sense of connection and even the feeling that time is more abundant. Some studies have also found associations with fewer day-to-day physical complaints, including headaches, body aches and trouble sleeping, as well as lower levels of inflammatory markers in the body.

In a world of fractured attention and growing disconnection, wonder and awe are not luxuries. They can help us feel more present, connected and alive. That idea sits at the heart of The Wonder Lab, a community project exploring the experiences that help people flourish, what everyday life may be crowding out, and how we can create more room for them.

Wonder isn't frivolous. It's one of the ways life reminds us that it's larger than our problems, our routines and our screens.

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 on 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.

Founder & Facilitator

Community Advisor

Amie Brochu, MSW, PhD

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.

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.

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

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.