The New Minds Podcast

At NuMinds we've always emphasized the need for divergent thinking and lateral problem solving. We've created programming that nurtures creativity and an innovation mindset by engaging students and teachers in narratives that require open-ended problem solving and persistence.  

But what a joy and an honor to interact and pick the brain of someone who completely embodies this thinking and mindset, and does so for a living. Phnam Bagley is a designer and creative director with experience in a vast array of fields and disciplines, from aerospace to biotech, and she joins Ben on the podcast to talk about how she and her teams tackle the creative process. Highlighted are the importance of empathy and deep collaboration in order to design a human-centered future.  

We think you'll love this organic conversation that covers the gamut on creativity from the philosophical to the very pragmatic. Hear about how Phnam and her team tackled unconnected over-ear headphones, a biotech device to help those with tremors, and what they have in mind for the future of air travel!  

You can find and follow Phnam and her work at the following channels: 

Web: https://nonfiction.design/ 

Email: [email protected] 

IG: @nonfiction.design 

TT: @nonfictiond or @phnambagley 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phnambagley/

What are the keys to purpose-driven learning and how does that lead to purpose-driving living? Is there hope of rethinking and evolving our often passion-less approach to institutional education in light of the deficiencies revealed by the pandemic? My guest for this episode is Adam Moreno, a mission-driven educator, writer, speaker and trainer whose journey from an aspiring Broadway star to drama teacher led him to some poignant insights about how to tap into the INNATE intrinsic drive in students to learn and grow. 

He's now a sought-after trainer, speaker, and blogger and his book on the keys to purpose-driven learning is set to publish (fingers crossed) in 2021. His bi-weekly Twitter chat at #UnlockPDL is a forum for other educators to tap into Adam's vision, expertise, and enthusiasm for purpose-driven learning.

Stay tuned to the end for a wonderful bonus discussion on Adam's favorites in the Musicals genre, including an unexpected hot take or two!

Links and Resources

Adam's website and blog: http://www.mrmoreno.com/

Site for Tony Wagner, the speaker who sparked Adam's transformation as discussed in the episode: https://www.tonywagner.com/

Mindset, and the dichotomy of a "fixed" vs. "growth" mindset, has come up often in the podcast and in nearly every workshop, program, or training NuMinds develops. That's because it's so foundational to nurturing a full human being ready to survive and thrive in a 21st century landscape that demands adaptability, humility, and a willingness to embrace challenge and feedback.

Today's guest is Shannon Anderson, award-winning author and teacher who has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and in USA Today. She's taken her wisdom from teaching growth mindset very directly and explicitly with students and leveraged it into a unique portfolio of children's books focused on the topic. I've been talking mindset with smart people for years, but I've never come across someone with Shannon's breadth of both passion and practical understanding of this lynchpin of learning and development.

Educators, parents, and those interested in self-development will find inspiration and tools. Shannon's enthusiasm is contagious, and her analogies and props are the tell-tale sign of a master teacher!

Creatives and aspiring authors...stay tuned until the end, when I pick her brain about her creative process as an author. ;) 

Links and Resources:

An interview with Dr. Jessica Koehler, writer for Psychology Today and owner of Koehler Academy.

We talk the science of perception, and how embracing uncertainty can open us to creativity and divergence. A few fascinating side tracks and rabbit holes included! 

Learn more about Dr. Koehler, including her incredible blog, at https://koehleracademy.com/

NOTE: This episode was recorded in Spring 2020, early in the pandemic, so you'll hear references to a new reality we were all facing at the time. Fortunately, Dr. Jessica's insights on managing uncertainty and understanding the way we relate to perception, are as relevant now as ever!

Networking strategy coach and event host Stephanie Thoma is on a mission to help introverts unlock their full inner confidence so they can inhabit they world in full expression and at the top of their potential. She is author of the book "Confident Introvert: A practical guide to connecting with others at networking events and beyond."  

In this conversation, we define and clarify what an introvert REALLY is and discuss Stephanie's own journey as an introvert and how she discovered her purpose of helping others overcome the barriers of low confidence. Her book is FULL of tools, and her holistic approach fascinates me...visualization techniques, mindset development, step-by-step methods to apply at actual networking events. Stephanie brings a very thorough, human, and empathetic approach.  

Learn more about Stephanie, her book, and her services at https://www.stephaniethoma.com/ 

I think you'll enjoy this conversation between two confident introverts who aren't SHY about pulling back the curtain on the introvert mind!

Sarah Sampson was the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Facilitator for Keller ISD in Texas, where she led the implementation of SEL and mindfulness-based activities for over 34,000 students district-wide. Among her many new projects is work with Present Moment Labs, who have developed an SEL learning system for teachers, parents, and schools.   

In this rich and heartfelt conversation, we talk about the essence and urgency of SEL and its foundation of mindfulness, including the 5 domains of SEL and the impact it has on the brain and nervous system. Sarah even guides us through 3 essential SEL practices using the cards developed by Present Moment Labs...an opening, a transition, and an optimistic closure.  

In addition to exploring SEL basics, our conversation takes some broader philosophical turns you'll find intriguing, including seeing SEL as a buffer to the dangers of social media and a nurturing embrace for the i-generation. Sarah is such a generous and inviting guest you'll be left wanting more!

Links and Resources

Present Moment Labs Curriculum and Tools - https://presentmomentlabs.com/numinds

The Social Dilemma (Netflix Documentary) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Soc...

iGen (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/iGen-Super-Con...

More about Sarah and her Projects - https://artofthecircle.com/

When definitions of giftedness seemed too narrow and insufficient to describe the rich array of experiences, abilities, and sensitivities of her students and clients, educator and therapist Paula Prober created her own definition based on a beautiful extended metaphor: rain forests.   

This inclusive, poetic, subjective way of defining the gifted experience is still going strong, two books and many blog posts later. In this conversation we chat about the origins of the metaphor, the observations and experiences that inspired it, and do even more exploration via metaphor!  

Here are some questions you can begin to ask yourself to see if YOU are a rain forest mind:  

Take the full rain forest mind "quiz" here:  https://rainforestmind.wordpress.com/... 

See Paula's recent blog post that addresses questions of equity and justice in the context of gifted education:  https://rainforestmind.wordpress.com/...