The Smart Thinking Podcast

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!

Episode 364: Truly Resolved: Tactics for a New Year and Well-Being (Tactics)

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
 

Episode 363: Remembering the purpose of kindergarten. (Leadership & Strategies)

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 and what we can do together to win back kindergarten.
 
 

Episode 362: The Gift of Well-being! Using the SCARF model. (Leadership & Tactic)

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 with the ability to predict the future and understand what to expect in a situation
Autonomy: Sense of control over one's own decisions and actions.
Relatedness: Feeling of safety and belonging within a group
Fairness: perception of fair treatment and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities

Episode 361: Parent’s Pay Attention (Leadership and Strategy)

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 and independent children.
 
Don't forget to attend the Smart Thinking Mid-Year Retreat. Register here.