Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life

If you think creativity is just for artists, this episode will absolutely change your mind. I sat down with Cyndi Burnett, an incredible creativity specialist, to dig into the real power of creativity, not just in art, but in how we solve problems, lead teams, educate others, and even take care of our own well-being. We talked about how science and art intersect in the creative process, how AI can...

You’ve been thinking about productivity all wrong, this episode will change that. I sat down with Steven Puri, a former Hollywood exec turned venture capitalist. Our conversation will change the way you think about creativity, leadership, and what it actually means to be productive. In this episode, we dive into everything from intelligent failure in entrepreneurship to the surprising role physica...

Podcast growth and longevity don’t happen by accident, they happen by design. I’m especially excited about this episode because I’m introducing you to someone who’s been behind the scenes of this show, our podcast manager, Alexis Archuleta. If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast, or want to make yours feel more aligned, you’re going to love this conversation. Alexis shares how she went fr...

Ever feel like your story needs a rewrite? In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Kristin Hiemstra, and wow, what a conversation. Kristin's career journey is anything but linear, and she brings such a refreshing perspective on self-leadership and embracing the full spectrum of who we are. We talked about rewriting the stories we tell ourselves, moving through imposter sy...

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Mario Varvoglis, whose journey from Greece to becoming a thought leader in creativity and innovation is anything but ordinary. What really stood out to me, and what I think will speak to you, is Mario’s belief that creativity isn’t just this magical, spontaneous thing. It actually requires structure. That might sound counterintuitive, but trust me,...

If you're looking for an episode that challenges the way you think about leadership, personal growth, and the power of creating space for others, then you won’t want to miss this conversation. My guest this week is Emmanual Guillory, a passionate advocate for higher education and a leader in student affairs. We dive deep into his journey from higher education to advocating for meaningful change in...

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, I’m joined by Meghan Stevenson, a talented ghostwriter and collaborator in the publishing world. Meghan takes us through her journey, from being a passionate reader to launching her own ghostwriting and editing business. We dive deep into the world of prescriptive nonfiction, and I pick Meghan’s brain about the importance of finding the right fit i...

I’m joined by AJ Crabill to talk about the evolution of education and how we can better empower students and schools to unlock their full potential. We dive into why curiosity should come before judgment when it comes to understanding student behavior and why teaching behavioral skills is just as important as academic ones. AJ shares some powerful insights from his own experiences and stresses the...

Vanessa Alves-Ruiz has a background in journalism and facilitation, and we dive deep into the power of mindset shifts, how creating space for new ways of thinking can truly transform learning and leadership. We talk about the role of intuition in facilitation, why simplicity in communication is so important, and how teams can shift from blame to responsibility. Vanessa also shares a fascinating ca...

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, John Puts joins me to explore the fascinating intersection of humanity and technology. We dive into how embodiment practices can help us reconnect with ourselves and others.  John shares his journey, moving from a high-pressure career at Google to a more fulfilling path focused on human connection and growth. We discuss how to activate human potent...

I’m so excited about this episode because I get to chat with the incredible Emy Mylona about something we don’t always associate with the workplace, play ! Emy shares her journey from being a shy student to becoming a passionate advocate for bringing play into professional spaces. We dive into how play can unlock human potential, spark collaboration, and make work more engaging. We also tackle som...

In this episode of  Building Thinkers , I sit down with Tom Goulooze to discuss the power of intentional experience design and how it’s reshaping the way we approach meaningful moments at work and beyond.  Tom shares his unique journey from agile coaching to creating his freelance business, Tomfoolery , where he specializes in crafting transformative experiences for teams and organizations. We div...

In this episode of Building Thinkers, I sit down with Adis Sophie to talk about how to bring more flow and creativity into our work. After spending years in the corporate world, Adis now leads How to Design Your Life workshops in Amsterdam, helping people create more meaningful careers and lives. We dive into what it means to find work that truly energizes you, the role of intuition in making care...

As we kick off the start of the new year, I'm reflecting on the season of amazing guests and their insights. I dive into the topic of clarity and share how it can be a game-changer for decision-making, goal-setting, and overall life satisfaction. I talk about how gaining clarity can help build momentum, and also how slowing down to focus on what truly matters is just as important. I walk you t...

I’m joined by Katie Conley, a luxury travel advisor and hospitality professional. We dive into one of my favorite problems: “How might we activate human potential through travel?” Katie shares her fascinating journey as a travel advisor and the importance of crafting personalized, immersive travel experiences. We explore how travel impacts human experiences, the challenges of information overload,...

I’m joined by Said Saddouk to dive into one of my 12 favorite problems: “How might we increase flow and creativity to bring joy to work?” Said is a virtual facilitation expert who transforms online sessions from dull and disengaging to impactful and inspiring. With his expert training, practical techniques, and passion for connecting with his audience, Said helps facilitators, educators, and team...

This conversation with Dr. Gina Sipley stretched me in the best kind of way. In this episode, we dig into one of my twelve favorite problems: How might we create space for mindset shifts in learning experiences? Gina is a community college professor, a first-generation college graduate, and someone who’s deeply committed to building inclusive spaces where people can explore how texts (both online...

I'm joined by Jovonee King to discuss one of my twelve favorite problems, “how might we make thinking visible?”  Jovonee is a Scaled Solutions Engineer at Miro, with a rich background in customer education and a passion for transformative collaboration. She shares her journey with us, highlighting her commitment to education, inclusivity, and community building. We dive deep into the concept o...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Alaina Szlachta to discuss one of my 12 favorite problems: how might we close the research-practice gap (or the knowing-doing gap) across sectors like education and community work? Dr. Szlachta, a Measurement Architect, is deeply passionate about making data literacy more accessible, especially for professionals in education. During our conversation, we dive into...

Have you ever felt like you're stuck on repeat, with the same negative thoughts running through your mind? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Stephanie Silver to explore one of my 12 favorite problems: how might we rewrite broken soundtracks? These "broken soundtracks" are those limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns that often keep us from moving forward. Stephanie’s lif...

Ever looked around your workplace and wondered, "Why does joy feel so rare here?" In this episode of Building Thinkers, I dive into that question with someone who’s been on both sides of the leadership spectrum: Gretchen Fox Palmer. We unpack one of my twelve favorite problems: how might we increase flow and creativity to bring joy to work? Gretchen’s story is incredibly personal and pow...

What if you could literally see the way your mind works? In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, I’m diving into one of my 12 favorite problems: How might we make thinking visible? And I couldn’t think of a better person to explore this with than Kevin Alster. Kevin is a strategic advisor at Synthesia, an AI video platform that turns text into instructional videos, and his perspective on...

What if the real challenge in learning isn’t what we teach, but how we think about access and behavior? In this episode, I’m joined by design researcher Nick Petch to dig into one of my twelve favorite problems: “How might we close the research-practice gap across social impact sectors?” Or as I like to call it, bridging the knowing–doing gap. Nick and I cover a lot of ground. From redefining what...

Ever feel like you're living in chaos and just trying to make something meaningful out of it? Today, I sit down with Melissa Pickering - someone who knows a thing or two about creating impactful order out of complexity. Melissa has led product at places like LEGO, Willow, and now Bose, and she’s been in the thick of launching her own EdTech startup. She’s the real deal when it comes to solving...

What if the key to working with AI isn’t becoming an expert, but learning how to think more simply? In this episode, I sit down with Eli Wood to dig into how we can consistently replace complexity with insight. Eli leads Black Flag Design, a collective of creative technologists, designers, and product strategists tackling some of the most complex AI challenges out there. We talk about what it real...