The Smart Thinking Podcast

Each of us need to grow forward. Coaching yourself and others through tools and processes is the best way to increase your leadership capacity and skill sets. Take a listen as we explore how to apply some of the best practices in coaching to support all those we serve and mostly ourselves. This type of coaching is applicable in every arena we find ourselves in – personally and professionally.

Take a listen as we discuss how to increase your ability to have meaningful conversations. Ted and Craig discuss how to lean into our difference, and they review strategies to support strong interactions that are purposeful. Vulnerability and authenticity are always difficult at work and finding impactful processes and behaviors to increase empathy are key. This episode will help you see new ways...

On every journey, we need to intentionally review (reflect) how far we’ve come and set goals (project) to ensure successful completion. Take a listen as we discuss a strategy that is fun and engaging and will allow you to increase your leadership and support students, colleagues, and yourself through intentional strategies to support growth. All of this by talking to or writing your younger self a...

Would you like to get the people around you to be the best version of themselves? Would you like to be able and willing to take risks, adopt change, and collaborate? Well, you need to make it safe for them. Take a listen as Ted shares a process for increasing psychological safety in the classroom, conference room, and boardroom. Remember - a question never asked -- is never answered. We need to as...

Parenting is the single greatest calling and responsibility for each of us that is at the same time equally being unnerving and frustrating. It is a lonely business where we have more questions than answers. Join us on this episode as we explore questions raised by parents at one of the smart thinking parenting sessions offered by Ted. If you are interested in Ted coming to your school or workplac...

What is the impact of technology in the classroom? Well, after over a decade of schools around the world utilizing technology in the classroom, the results are in, and they’re not great. Join Ted and Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath as they discuss Jared’s newest research and his book The Digital Delusion. You will leave this conversation wanting to read the book and significantly shift your current belie...

Over the course of a school year or project, people tend to decrease in their tolerance for others while at the same time increasing their understanding of people. When this happens we need to reframe how we treat others so that -- we and they -- find success. Too often we begin to grow frustrated and then emotions from all parties take over. Take a listen as we share the impact of positive reinfo...

Micro resolutions lead to macro outcomes. Join us as Ted shares five ways to support your well-being and mental fitness heading into your weekend, your week, or the New Year. These are five practical steps that allow you to learn, grow, and go forward with a better level of control. These steps will reduce anxiety and increase your ability to be present. Smart Thinking Shorts Ted Tools and Book  

There is a lot of time being spent on student behaviors in early childhood across all school systems. Children are struggling with self-regulation, learning, social as well as emotional control. These challenges are having a BIG impact on everything from learning to staff well-being. On this episode we look at the history of early childhood education and review what schools can do, parents can do...

What process do you use to support the well-being of yourself and others? Ted explains the application and the neuroscience behind the SCARF model (David Rock) and how growing your understanding of the SCARF principles can create an increased sense of control and a tool to support individual and cultural well-being.  Status: Refers to an individual's relative importance to others Certainty: Deals...

Two questions are addressed on this episode. How do I support my child so that they fend and fail for themselves and how do I deal with the manipulation of children as a parent? Ted discusses parenting techniques and this episode is very relevant for anyone who works with, supports, teaches, or cares about children. Share this one far and wide to help parents and guardians support more resilient a...

This conversation is a fantastic reminder of the impact we all have on others - especially how young people can change our direction. Listen as Ted and Matthew explore the impact of maintaining positivity, listening to the influences around you and finding joy in the work of life. Matthew’s journey from musician to music teacher, professor and motivator comes from a place of genuine curiosity and...

Dedication to gratitude is a skill worth building and this is what Ted focuses on in this episode. Listen as we take a fun approach to gratitude and supporting those we are around so that they are stronger as individuals. You will hear a great way to use music to demonstrate gratitude and make dedications to elevate others. Most importantly this process will help others see and hear how that they...

Each generation has the ability to define itself and grow into the role of leadership. Take a listen as Ted and Tim discuss how to support the newest workforce generation and support their success in life and leadership. Tim’s new book is a fantastic read, guide, and tactic filled study. If you want to be a great leader of/for others, it begins with empathy and this book will grow your skills and...

Take a listen as Ted explores how we can grow our ability o respond to situations with solutions instead of complaints. You see, complaining and criticizing is easy if you don't have the skills to seek solutions or strategies. Everyone has a response when they are squeezed and Ted shares with you his "8 is Enough" tactics to help you as well as help you help others.    

There are three things that we all control: our happiness, our engagement, and our choices. On this episode Ted talks about how we can increase our own engagement by empowering ourselves and checking our mindset while using tools to find empowerment. Ted explains how to use AI to help you increase your engagement in areas where you may struggle and/or how to coach others to higher levels of engage...

This fall Ted has compiled a great reading list to help you, help yourself. Help you grow skills as a parent or to support parents and one book to increase your perspective. This fall's collection: Aristotle’s Guide to Self Persuasion: Jay Heinrichs The Happiness Files: Arthur Brooks Fight, How Gen Z is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America: John Della Volpe Good Inside, A Guide To Bec...

Join us for a conversation with author and leader Rainey Briggs as we explore the impact of others in our formation and leadership evolution. Learn how tenacity rules the day as we move forward through our lives and discover some great tactics for life and leadership. Book: Beyond the Label: A Leaders journey from IEP to EdD Purchase HERE      

When you are new to an organization or team, it is critical to understand the landscape. Too often leaders forget to employ a process to help them create a map and end up stepping on system or individual landmines. Take a listen as Ted shares a process to help you collect the things that trigger organizational frustration and individual frustration so that you can create a proactive map and find s...

The new book MindCraft, by Aaron Sadoff is a wonderful text that describes all of the positive ways in which you can approach your daily leadership. Join Ted and Aaron as they discuss the highlights of his new book and also reflect upon the ways in which they have both grown as leaders. Aaron shares many ways to grow your leadership, mindset, and strengths.    Purchase Book Here: MindCraft, The Ar...

Why do most initiatives in schools and the workplace fail after only a few months? Answer: We ignore the needs of the people or students. People are not going to adopt new ideas unless they can grow together through shared experiences. Take a listen as Ted explores the impact and importance of taking a field trip and seeing, hearing, and feeling the world around you. Experiences shared together cr...

For 350 episodes Ted has suggested reflection in your daily practices. On this milestone episode, he describes a process and shares tools to help you increase your well-being through intentional reflective practices. Why? If you don't fill your brain, it'll fill itself with all the wonderful weirdness it is capable of creating.  Tools can be found here

In this conversation Bob and Ted (not a morning radio show) have a great discussion around leadership, life, and Bob's two new books. Bob is a creative, humble and gifted architect who describes his process for getting the most out of other people with inspirational ideas and mindsets. This conversation will help you learn, grow, and go into the storm!    Books: The Story in Your Head & Along...

Too often we get stuck because of the culture and we need to find ways to support ourselves and others so that we can collect wisdom from the amazing people around us. Join Ted as he shares a great teaming tool to help you build a stronger and safer classroom, teaming environment, meeting or board room. Less judgment and more investment!    If you could share one piece of advice with your past sel...

The energy at the beginning of a journey is critical. Take a listen to for a strategy and a mindset to help you launch this year! The ABC's of hiking is applicable and fun!   Here we go season 9!