The Smart Thinking Podcast

Episode 15 is a conversation with Wisconsin State Superintendent Tony Evers. We discuss everything from his days growing up on the grounds of a hospital, to making cheese and the current state of public education in Wisconsin and the nation. Join us for a great discussion around educational practices and the future of learning. This episode was recorded in the summer of 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Episode 14 asks you to reflect on your mission and describes the difference between choices and decisions. The distinction is great and we need to know the difference. So take a listen and be prepared to write your mission.   Using three terms – answer this question – why do you exist? How can you use this process to support the leadership others? How can you use this process in all areas of your life to advance yourself and others? What is the difference between choices and decisions?

Fun – why is it such a big deal when something turns out to be fun? Why is it when people tell you “it’s going to be fun” so many of us sigh? Life should be purposeful. Life should be engaging. Life should have deep meaning. Should'nt life also be fun?   Did you know that the oldest recorded joke is from around 1600 BC and is a Sumerian fart joke? Why is being fun or funny viewed as a lack of seriousness? In a world where everyone looks at a screen in their hand to capture a moment in which they are living—what can be done to capture that moment in a non-electronic way and make it fun? If you are not having fun – who are you dragging down with you? As you approach your week – how can you turn the normal into the abnormal experience and make it memorable and fun? Finally, how can you reinforce those in your life that are fun so that they know you enjoy what they do for you and how can you pay that forward to others?  

Today’s podcast is one of our bi-weekly interview episodes. Today’s guest is Jim Brindley. Jim beat three types of cancer -- four times. Listen as he discusses and describes his journey and shares a great mindest for all of us to learn from.    Reflection:  How can you reframe your life and find greater appreciation for all you have? When faced with your next challenge how can you take Jim’s point A mindset and make a more fulfilling life for yourself.   Follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/smrtthnkng

Today’s podcast is about you reflecting on your history and what influenced you to love --what you love and who fueled that passion. The episode is also a tribute to one of the people in my life that sent me in a new direction.  As a friend, parent, teacher, or leader -- how do you live your life, so that you can model for others, your passions and potentially seed them within someone else?  How can you take what is the ordinary and make it extraordinary – PowerPoint’s, interactions, assignments, a sales pitch, your lesson plans, or even a simple conversation? In the next few days how can you demonstrate your passions so that others become passionate?  LIKE -- https://www.facebook.com/smrtthnkng/

Episode 10 investigates how you approach change and your perception when faced with a “new normal.” Leadership, on all levels, is about looking at the changes around us and seeking the why. Driving your mind to understanding the change and working within the new reality is a core skill of leaders. Victims cast blame while leaders cast solutions. When faced with the reality of change, how will you approach it? Will you look at it the same way you always have or will you change your perception? As a leader, teacher, or parent, how can you support others when they are confronted with change? Will you simply tell them to deal with it or will you show them a new way to look at it? Reflect on your own attitude when faced with change. How do you model the acceptance off the shift in your reality? Do you look at the reason for change or do you try to justify not changing? Finally, when you create change in the lives of others – how can you demonstrate “what is in it for them” so that they can help their own brain and heart accept the new reality. Like is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smrtthnkng

Senator Lena Taylor, representing the 4th Senate district from Milwaukee, is this weeks extended conversation. Join us as we talk about everything from her education in grade school and high school to her journey to law school and the state senate in Madison. This conversation was recorded in the summer of 2017 and is part of a series of conversations with elected officials in Wisconsin. These episodes are designed to build a better understanding of the policy and lawmakers guiding our future in Wisconsin.   Please follow us on iTunes, Podbean or our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/smrtthnkng

This episode explores your attitude towards serving others. Service to others is a core principle of all religions and cultures. Yet the idea of service for others is constantly talked about and measured. Service is interpreted by so many in so many ways, but it boils down to one simple principle: selflessness. The concept of putting everyone you meet first. Teachers, parents, leaders – how are you developing service for others? What are your classroom/families core values and how are you reinforcing them? How are you modeling service and a “you first” attitude? When someone comes into your service station - -what is your first response? Is it – I don’t have time for this or is it let’s do this? Finally, a challenge – upon completion of this podcast how can you serve the very next person you meet? Join: https://www.facebook.com/smrtthnkng/  

This year at homecoming, will you be criticizing this generation and their traditions or will you be appreciating their unique contributions? Listen this week as we explore homecoming and the ways that we can support our children with a little wisdom and empathy. If you are a teacher, parent, grandparent aunt or uncle – how are you demonstrating your appreciation for the interests of the younger generation? Do you ever stop and say hey – explain that to me – instead of judging it and editorializing because you don’t understand it? Do you take the time to stop and have discussions about their struggles in their moment and just listen? Follow us at: www.facebook.com/smrtthnkng/

Episode 6 is the journey of one parent and how she and her family worked through incredibly difficult times and the impact addiction has on a family. You will reflect on your own role in the lives of others and the empathy you need to have to support people in your life. As you’ll hear, too many of us judge people with addictions and we fail to remember that that is someone’s child. As Em points out, we are way too quick to judge and extremely slow to understand.

The key to motivating yourself is through small victories, positive experiences and the intrinsic spark you feel when you find success. By taking the time to fix what is bugging you, slowing down, and taking a gentle step forward- -you allow yourself the greatest opportunity for success. This leads to a spark within and overrides the magnetism of pessimism Where in life do you find yourself least motivated? What is the smallest step you could take to change what is bothering you about that situation? What great thing do you want to do for yourself or others and what is the first step? If you have an Eeyore moment -- what step can you take to put a little bounce into your inner Tigger? Finally and most importantly – how can you use small step thinking to help others change for the better?

When you flip your perspective on your problems you begin to appreciate them in a new way. Mindset matters and it changes your outlook and gives you energy. Are you framing your problems as opportunities or obstacles? Are you truly putting the nature of your current issues into perspective? Are you listening to others and helping them grow through their situation? How are you modeling gratitude and motivating others with your positive perspective? Are you surrounding yourself with those that fuel your gratitude or those that drain your motivation?

Episode 3 is one of the bi-monthly conversations that I will post that I have with interesting people. I am fortunate to get into some interesting environments and meet fascinating people. This is my effort to share these conversations so that you can be a part of my unique experiences and learn along with me. I am inquisitive by nature and believe that we can all grow and learn from anyone we meet. This episode is the conversation I had with Gov. Scott Walker during the summer of 2017. We discuss everything from Star Wars to Barry Manilow as well as his apprecation for teachers. Gov. Walker shares his vision for Wisconsin and his journey from Colorado Springs to becoming the Governor of Wisconsin.

Are you staying relevant or are your relaxed? Take a few minutes to reflect upon how you can grow so that you remain relevant for yourself and others. Here is your reflection for the week: What am I going to do differently so that I can be relevant? What behaviors in myself will I work to grow? How will I stay relevant so that I can better serve others?

This is the premier of The Smart Thinking Podcast. Episode 1 introduces you to the purpose of the podcast and our goals. The podcast ends with a reflective metaphor to allow you to think about your mindset.