The Smart Thinking Podcast

Episode 373: Books for Break (Leadership)

Spring break is around the corner and that means we'll have time to reflect, reenergize, and maybe even relax. Since we are all leaders, that means we all need to invest in ourselves so that we can increase our ability to serve others. On this episode we explore six texts and a process using AI -- to help us increase the application of our learning.
Leaders are Readers! 
 
The books:
Yes to Life, Viktor Frankly
13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don't Do, Amy Morin
The Inner Game of Tennis, W. Timothy Gallwey
The Digital Delusion, Jared Horvath
Who is Government, Michael Lewis
Theo of Golden, Allen Levi
Plus a great new release produced at Golden Bear Studios: 
Roots Run Back to You by Day Ashworth 
 
 
 
 
 

Episode 372: Lead Like A Meteorologist – Change Management (Leadership & Process)

Spring is a season of change and when we lead change, we need some reminders to help us help ourselves and others get through the natural storms of change. We will explore the key behaviors for supporting change by focusing on processes that forecast the changes for others as well as providing tools and processes to support behaviors that will allow for others to find success in all the natural newness. People are pretty good at responding to changes in the weather – if they’re prepared. The same goes for organizational change!  
 
Smart Thinking Retreat Registration: https://events.cesa6.org/events/30986398049

Episode 371: Coach Yourself and Others!!! (Leadership & Best Practices)

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. 

Episode 371: Coach Yourself and the Others! (Leadership & Best Practices))

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.

Episode 370: A Conversation with a Conversation Expert: Craig Weber (Leadership & Tactics)

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 to approach conversations so that you are more confident and authentic when working with and leading others.
 
Craig: https://weberconsultinggroup.net/ 

Episode 369: Reflect and Project (Reflection & Leadership)

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 and advising your older self.
The research is clear – reflect and project -- and you can help others (and yourself) be healthier, happier, and more engaged in life. 

Episode 368: The Trust Gap: Why Are Your Students/Teams Holding Back? (Leadership Strategy)

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 ask questions to get from complaint to solution.
Email Ted for the tool: tneitzke@cesa6.org
Buy Deb Talans new single here

Episode 367: Questions from Parents (Strategy and Reflection)

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 workplace to help empower parents - email him at ted@cesa6.org  

Episode 366: Technology & Learning Don't Mix Very Well: A Conversation with Neuroscientist/Author Jared Horvath

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 belief that technology in the classroom is a critical need. Turns out – it is not a need – it is a hinderance to learning, brain development, and skill attainment.  
Jared will be a speaker at Ted's Smart Thinking Leadership Retreat this summer in July 2026. Watch for details at cesa6.org
 
Purchase Book Here

Episode 365: Positive Reinforcement: The Cure All (Tactics & Leadership)

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 reinforcement, the research to  back it up, and ways to grow your own ability to see the good!