The Smart Thinking Podcast

By Ted Neitzke IV

What's The Smart Thinking Podcast about?

Ted Neitzke brings you the "The Smart Thinking Podcast." Smart Thinking is for anyone and everyone -- because we are all leaders. Join us weekly for reflective activities and strategies to grow yourself and others.

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The Smart Thinking Podcast episodes:

06.23.2024
Episode 308: Reviewing Your Strategic Life Plan (Process Tool & Leadership)
In this episode Ted shares the importance of doing a personal strategic review in the summer by utilizing process and taking clarity breaks. Too often we are not taking time to reflect on what works, what needs iteration and what...
06.09.2024
Episode 307: Forces for Change (Tools)
Too often in summer or between projects we employ retreats to look at results and we create a bunch of documents that rarely get deployed. This usually occurs because people are using lagging data and negotiating on what the culture...
06.02.2024
Episode 306: Seven Books for Summer - A Great Summer of PD (Learning & Leadership)
Ted is sharing books that he believes must be read this summer to help us all grow as leaders. Especially, those that serve children or have children. The curated list of texts are meant to be read in order to...
05.27.2024
Episode 305: Do you EnJOY? (Reflection and Process)
When the seasons change, it provides us the opportunity to seek improvement through process. Take a listen as Ted describes a process to help you find the joy in your life. We choose to enJOY our work and there are two...
05.19.2024
Episode 304: You Want Stronger Readers? (Leadership & Process)
How do we get more children and adults to read? Take a listen as Ted shares a strategy for increasing the amount of children reading. It all boils down to one key idea -- if we want children to read...
05.05.2024
Episode 303: Finish Strong (Leadership and Process)
How will you remember this school year? Take a listen as Ted explains a process to use to help you and your system reflect - with intention - in an effort to create a realistic memory of the year. Learn...
04.27.2024
Episode 302: A Conversation with Neuroscientist Dr. Jared Horvath: Emotions, Reading, Parenting, AI & More! (Reflection & Leadership)
Ever wonder how memory is impacted by emotions, or how the amount of books in your home informs your child's intellectual skills, or how electronics are impacting development or what AI is doing to the brain? Wonder no longer --...
04.21.2024
Episode 301: Leadership AND Followership (Reflection)
We all need to be both leaders and followers and we can do that if we CARE. Listen as Ted explains the need for us each to be in two lanes at once - lead and follow. CARE is a...
04.14.2024
Episode 300: Celebration of 300 “You Should Absorb The Nudge” (Reflection)
Listen as Ted reminds us of the power of listening to the "nudges." This is the 300th episode of the podcast and Ted walks through how important it is to listen to the ideas of others and shares a simple...
04.07.2024
Episode 299: The Real Narrative: "Our Story" (Reflection & Tool)
Too often in our organizations, we forget to provide the leadership so that we have a strong cultural understanding of our journey. As a result, we need a process. Join Ted as he explains why and how to create a...
03.17.2024
Episode 298: Your Individual Advocacy Plan (IAP) (Leadership & Process)
What is your process for advocating for yourself and your strengths? Too often other people judge us and do not understand us so we need a process to help others see our strengths. Join Ted as he shares a process...
03.10.2024
Episode 297: “Stop Being Afraid of Being Afraid” A Conversation with Greg Harden (Leadership & Reflection)
This conversation with author and mental fitness guru Greg Harden is going to change you, your leadership and maybe even your life. His book is fantastic, his career is amazing, and this conversation is a game changer. Take a listen...
03.03.2024
Episode 296: Empathy Diminishes Fear: The Appendix Episode (Reflection and Leadership)
Join us for a discussion of how an emergency surgery supercharged Ted's belief that empathy is the greatest leadership quality. Hear as he discusses the great care he received and how the healthcare workers supporting him diminished his vulnerability by...
02.25.2024
Episode 295: Conversations with Outcomes- An Discussion with Author Craig Weber
What is your intentional process to ensure you get the best from an interaction with someone else? Seriously, people you like, people you work with, people you over and even people on the opposite side of politics? Join us a for...
02.18.2024
Episode 294: Six Books For Spring! (Learning & Growing)
As we look to the start of spring and a break for many of us, I want to give you some texts to read to invest in yourself and others! This list of texts is best read in the order...
02.04.2024
Episode 293: Let's Talk About Strengths! A conversation with Tim Hodges (Reflection and Tools)
Gallup has so many great resources and one of my favorites is the Clifton Strength Finder. Join me for a conversation with Dr. Tim Hodges who over sees the Clifton Strengths Institute and learn how to apply your strengths and...
01.28.2024
Episode 292: The Advantage of a Short Attention Span (Tool & Reflection)
Maybe we all need to learn a new habit. Short-term memory when leading. In other words, how to move ourselves along quickly so that we don't get trapped in a narrative that causes us more stress and pressure. Well, as...
01.21.2024
Episode 291: Generational Diversity: A Conversation with Author Tim Elmore
Join me for a conversation with author Tim Elmore as we discuss his newest book: A New Kind of Diversity. Our conversation focuses on how to bridge the gap between generations and become more empathetic for those you serve. I highly...
01.14.2024
Episode 290: Take a Walk: The Power of Organizational Field Trips (Process and Tool)
Too often we miss the opportunity to SHOW our teams why we need to change. Take a listen as we explore the impact of taking organizational field trips. Where do you need to go and visit? Describe a process you could employ...
01.07.2024
Episode 289: It’s Halftime! Let’s Create Some Energy for the School Year!!! (Process & Reflection)
Do you have an intentional strategy to bring energy to the staff and students as you enter the second half of the year? You do now. Take a listen and hear a few ways in which you can provide the energy...
01.01.2024
Episode 288: 2024- The Year of Generosity (Reflection and Process)
This year, we need to practice being better to ourselves. Take a listen as we explore a great communication process for self reflection and goal setting. Hear why we need to be more generous -- not necessarily to others --...
12.17.2023
Episode 287: Two Future Educators and Their Dad (Reflection)
I thought I’d turn on the mic and sit down with my kids and ask them to describe their experiences as college students and why they want to be teachers.
12.11.2023
Episode 286: Hope: Because It All Works Out (Reflection and Process)
It is the time of the year for us to focus on belief. Belief in ourselves, our abilities and the future. That is - hope. Take a listen as we explore the research behind hope and utilize two great people...
12.03.2023
Episode 285: Are you Coachable? (Leadership & Reflection)
Are you good at being coached? Do you have the courage and vulnerability needed to improve to be the best version of yourself? This episode offers reflections, tips, and looks at specific ways to become more coachable as well as...
11.19.2023
Episode 284: The Neuroscience of Thanks (Reflection and Tool)
What happens to your brain when you're grateful? It send hormones through your body and supports joy! Gratitude supports mental fitness and your overall well-being. Good news - we have a holiday called Thanksgiving and we'll help you in this episode...
11.05.2023
Episode 283: Managing “The Kids.” Reflections for Parents and Teachers (Tactics)
Kids can be challenging and adults can sometimes make it harder on themselves as a result of inconstant behaviors. Take a listen as we discuss what needs to happen in order to have strong kids. Clarity creates predictability. Predictability creates consistency in...
10.29.2023
Episode 282: Take Note: The power of the note! (Reflection and Tactics)
Be intentional about demonstrating gratitude in writing. Not always texts - but cards and paper! Take a minute to see how others are leading and recognize it and share it with them and even their family!
10.22.2023
Episode 281: What is your brand and are you a great teammate? (Reflection and Tactics)
How are you described when you're not in the room? Are you paying attention to your brand? Take a listen as Ted describes five different brands on a team and reflect upon which you are most like: Captain Cheerleader Therapist Nurse Detective This is a great...
10.15.2023
Episode 280: Unspoken Expectations Can Never Be Met (Process and Leadership)
In your life and leadership, how many unwritten rules do you have? Take a listen to a process that will support you getting a clearer set of working expectations for those you love and serve. We too often have expectations for...
10.08.2023
Episode 279: Five Books For Fall 2023 (Leadership)
Leaders are readers and readers lead by sharing their learning. Here are five books for you for this fall. One to help with decision making, one to help with perspective, one to help develop as a leader, one to help...
09.24.2023
Episode 278: Leaders Are The Biggest Fan (Reflection)
Being a fan of those around you is a leadership quality. Join us for a reflection of the key characteristics of great fans. Great fans are constantly cheering for you, promoting you and guiding you. List the people you’re a fan...
09.18.2023
Episode 277: Parenting 101: Reflections (Wisdom)
Parenting can be so difficult and rewarding all at once. Take a listen as we reflect on how to support your children with great parenting skills.
09.11.2023
Episode 276: Caution: Change Ahead. The Chesterton Principle (Process and Reflection)
Driving change and being thoughtful are critical in change management. Change often fails because we are not intentional in investigating why things exist before we change them. Take a listen and learn away to avoid this mistake. Describe where you can institute...
09.04.2023
Episode 275: Advocate For You - A Me & We Process (Tool)
Being yourself is difficult. Listen as we share a process to speed transitions and support authenticity so that more people are successful. This is a simple process that will accelerate relationships, trust, and collaboration.
08.27.2023
Episode 274: Empathy: Lessons From An Unlikely Leadership Text (Reflection)
Leadership lessons are everywhere - -well that is of course if you're looking. This week join us for a discussion on the power of empathy and the lessons learned from a young adult fiction novel. Empathy is a key driver...
08.20.2023
Episode 273: Focus on the Asset (Reflection & Tool)
Need a framework for focusing on the positives? Take a listen as we explore asset v. deficit thinking and the impact it has on the world around you! Smart Thinkers - -they bet on the strengths of others! Describe your habit....
08.13.2023
Episode 272: This Year: Balance and Boundaries (Tool & Process)
It is time for us to create the conditions for success in communications in schools. Flexibility/freedom & protections/permissions. Listen as we explore two f's and two p's and how to use a tool to set expectations and create empowered and engaged...
06.25.2023
Episode 271: The Reboot Checklist: Catch Yourself Before Burning Out (Reflection & Leadership)
What is your process to monitor your life? How are you proactively stopping yourself from burning out? Take a listen as we discuss the symptoms, signs and solutions for burnout and share a process for you to check yourself! Describe the behaviors...
06.18.2023
Episode 270: Summer Reads, Listens, and Reflections (Leadership & Growth)
Here are four books to read and two artists to listen to this summer. Books: The School of Life: Confidence Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More With Less The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy) Be Your Future Self Now Listen: Ben...
06.11.2023
Episode 269: Take The Risk and Live In A State of Gratitude: A Recipe For Transition and Graduation (Reflection & Leadership)
What is your message to those in transition and graduating? Take a listen as we break down the four areas to focus on to support others to be the best version of themselves and help you. These are the prompts to...
06.04.2023
Episode 268: A Great Relationship is 70/30! (Reflection & Leadership)
What are the keys to a great relationship? Simple- give and take as needed, don't keep a scorecard, the playground rule of "do over's" and traditions. Take a listen as we explore those tenants and learn a bit about how to...
05.30.2023
Episode 267: Memorial Day: Learn Through Curiosity (Reflection & Leadership
The history of others can help you lead people in new ways. Take a listen as we explore Ted's great-grandfathers history and how a little curiosity goes a long way to remember the leadership, service and impact of others. List those...
05.21.2023
Episode 266: Safety from Predictability: Tips to Reduce Educator/Student Anxiety (Reflection & Process)
We owe it to those we serve to create practices that increase predictability and reduce anxiety. Take a listen as we explore a strategy to end the year with a preview and reduce worries over the summer. Describe your opportunities to...
05.07.2023
Episode 265: Check Out and Tune Up (Leadership & Process)
Listen to a process so that you can take advantage of the end of the season (school year) and create the conditions so that staff and students can come back next year stronger! Check Out Prompts: What matters to me most here...
04.30.2023
Episode 264: Your Relationship with Music: A Conversation with Author, Scientist, and Music Engineer Susan Rogers
Take a listen as we explore the perseverant life of Susan Rogers. Imagine if your teacher could say "I am a neuroscientist who has also worked with Prince, Van Morrison, T-Bone Burnett, The Violent Femmes, The Bare Naked Ladies, David...
04.23.2023
Episode 263: The Discipline of Being Positive: Lessons from a Shearwater (Reflection & Leadership)
We'll explore how positivity is learned and takes discipline to master. We also learn about a tough little one that can give us the courage to take on any size storm. PLUS - Two great processes to support your culture, family...
04.16.2023
Episode 262: Fuel Joy- Avoid Negative Contractions! (Leadership & Reflection)
Negative contractions need to be eliminated from your culture and the focus needs to be on the positive ways in which we've worked. As we finish the year - finish strong focusing on how little time we have left to...
03.19.2023
Episode 261: Purposeful Check Up (Reflection & Process)
It is critical to regularly check up on those you care about. Listen as we discuss a quick process to use to ensure you avoid the "weirdness" too often associated with demonstrating care for others. Describe your approach to checking in. List...
03.05.2023
Episode 260: A Neuroscientist, Music Producer, Chef, Psychologist and a Nun – Books (Tools)
Take a listen as Ted rapidly reviews and suggests a few books to support your growth and leadership. This is What It Sounds Like- Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas The Creative Act: A Way Of Being – Rick Rubin Unreasonable Hospitality – Will...
03.05.2023
Episode 260: A Neuroscientist, Music Producer, Chef, Psychologist and a Nun – Books (Tools)
Take a listen as Ted rapidly reviews and suggests a few books to grow your leadership! Make time to grow your knowledge and increase your wisdom for others. This is What It Sounds Like- Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas The Creative Act:...

What's The Smart Thinking Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Smart Thinking Podcast episodes:

Episode 308: Reviewing Your Strategic Life Plan (Process Tool & Leadership)

Episode 307: Forces for Change (Tools)

Episode 306: Seven Books for Summer - A Great Summer of PD (Learning & Leadership)

Episode 305: Do you EnJOY? (Reflection and Process)

Episode 304: You Want Stronger Readers? (Leadership & Process)

Episode 303: Finish Strong (Leadership and Process)

Episode 302: A Conversation with Neuroscientist Dr. Jared Horvath: Emotions, Reading, Parenting, AI & More! (Reflection & Leadership)

Episode 301: Leadership AND Followership (Reflection)

Episode 300: Celebration of 300 “You Should Absorb The Nudge” (Reflection)

Episode 299: The Real Narrative: "Our Story" (Reflection & Tool)

Episode 298: Your Individual Advocacy Plan (IAP) (Leadership & Process)

Episode 297: “Stop Being Afraid of Being Afraid” A Conversation with Greg Harden (Leadership & Reflection)

Episode 296: Empathy Diminishes Fear: The Appendix Episode (Reflection and Leadership)

Episode 295: Conversations with Outcomes- An Discussion with Author Craig Weber

Episode 294: Six Books For Spring! (Learning & Growing)

Episode 293: Let's Talk About Strengths! A conversation with Tim Hodges (Reflection and Tools)

Episode 292: The Advantage of a Short Attention Span (Tool & Reflection)

Episode 291: Generational Diversity: A Conversation with Author Tim Elmore

Episode 290: Take a Walk: The Power of Organizational Field Trips (Process and Tool)

Episode 289: It’s Halftime! Let’s Create Some Energy for the School Year!!! (Process & Reflection)

Episode 288: 2024- The Year of Generosity (Reflection and Process)

Episode 287: Two Future Educators and Their Dad (Reflection)

Episode 286: Hope: Because It All Works Out (Reflection and Process)

Episode 285: Are you Coachable? (Leadership & Reflection)

Episode 284: The Neuroscience of Thanks (Reflection and Tool)

Episode 283: Managing “The Kids.” Reflections for Parents and Teachers (Tactics)

Episode 282: Take Note: The power of the note! (Reflection and Tactics)

Episode 281: What is your brand and are you a great teammate? (Reflection and Tactics)

Episode 280: Unspoken Expectations Can Never Be Met (Process and Leadership)

Episode 279: Five Books For Fall 2023 (Leadership)

Episode 278: Leaders Are The Biggest Fan (Reflection)

Episode 277: Parenting 101: Reflections (Wisdom)

Episode 276: Caution: Change Ahead. The Chesterton Principle (Process and Reflection)

Episode 275: Advocate For You - A Me & We Process (Tool)

Episode 274: Empathy: Lessons From An Unlikely Leadership Text (Reflection)

Episode 273: Focus on the Asset (Reflection & Tool)

Episode 272: This Year: Balance and Boundaries (Tool & Process)

Episode 271: The Reboot Checklist: Catch Yourself Before Burning Out (Reflection & Leadership)

Episode 270: Summer Reads, Listens, and Reflections (Leadership & Growth)

Episode 269: Take The Risk and Live In A State of Gratitude: A Recipe For Transition and Graduation (Reflection & Leadership)

Episode 268: A Great Relationship is 70/30! (Reflection & Leadership)

Episode 267: Memorial Day: Learn Through Curiosity (Reflection & Leadership

Episode 266: Safety from Predictability: Tips to Reduce Educator/Student Anxiety (Reflection & Process)

Episode 265: Check Out and Tune Up (Leadership & Process)

Episode 264: Your Relationship with Music: A Conversation with Author, Scientist, and Music Engineer Susan Rogers

Episode 263: The Discipline of Being Positive: Lessons from a Shearwater (Reflection & Leadership)

Episode 262: Fuel Joy- Avoid Negative Contractions! (Leadership & Reflection)

Episode 261: Purposeful Check Up (Reflection & Process)

Episode 260: A Neuroscientist, Music Producer, Chef, Psychologist and a Nun – Books (Tools)

Episode 260: A Neuroscientist, Music Producer, Chef, Psychologist and a Nun – Books (Tools)

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