This interview provides glimpses of Joseph J. Lagowski and his life from the time he played with a Gilbert chemistry set, to his tenure at The University of Texas at Austin. His initial interest in chemistry was further nurtured and developed thanks to an excellent high school teacher. In the interview, Lagowski discusses his research in nonaqueous solvents and his contribution to chemical education. He shares his views about active learning methods, the use of technology in education, problem solving, and the use of a systemic approach in teaching and learning chemistry. Using the cognitive apprenticeship theory, he discusses the role of the laboratory for improving interest in chemistry. A discussion on graduate programs in chemistry is also included. (Contains 1 figure.)