The Smart Thinking Podcast

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.
 

Episode 360: Life on the Upbeat: A Conversation with Dr. Matthew Arau (Leadership)

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 passion. Matthew shares how to shift culture while growing leaders from within. Listen as he describes the power of each of us and how music has influenced his life and those he serves.
 
Smart Thinking Mid-Year Retreat Registration:
https://events.cesa6.org/events/36250872939
 

Episode 359: Dedication to Gratitude (Process and leadership

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 matter! 

Episode 358: The Future Begins With Z: A Conversation with Author Dr. Tim Elmore

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 leadership as you work to support this amazing generation, Generation Z.
Book: The Future Begins with Z - order here
 

Episode 357: C2S: From Complaint to Solution (Leadership & Mindset)

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.
 
 

Episode 356: Let’s Get Engaged (Leadership & Process)

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 engagement. 
He coaches you with these steps:
Stop blaming others
Control what you can control
Check your biases
 
 

Episode 355: Readers are Leaders: Books for Fall 2025

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 Becoming The Parent You Want To Be: Becky Kennedy
Raising Mentally Strong Kids, Daniel Amen and Charles Fay
Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes, Alvin Josephy Jr.