The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast
I am a learner, author, speaker, and sometimes I make podcasts talking about any and all of these things. One day, I will rap in my podcasts officially making me a SoundCloud rapper.
Episodes

Jul 8, 2021
Jul 8, 2021
14 min
What are some ways that we can support all learners and ensure that we maintain focus? This conversation between Debbie Tannenbaum and George Couros centers on these three questions:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher-self?
Links:
Debbie Tannenbaum Twitter - https://twitter.com/tannenbaumtech?lang=en
Debbie Tannenbaum Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tannenbaumtech/
TRANSFORM: Techy Notes to Make Learning Sticky - https://www.amazon.com/TRANSFORM-Techy-Notes-Learning-Sticky/dp/177753495X
Quotes:
"The more that I have connected with people, the better teacher I became."
The struggle of learning, building relationships with students, educational leadership, Innovate Inside the Box, George Couros, Innovator’s Mindset, professional learning, moving schools forward, covid-19, remote learning, virtual learning
George Couros, What makes a great teacher, what makes a great principal, k-12 podcast, first year teacher advice, educational leadership, george couros, innovator’s mindset, professional learning
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Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jul 4, 2021
Jul 4, 2021
47 min
What is literacy in 2021? Clement Townsend answers this opening question asked by George Couros and shares more about what he is doing with media - specifically video - and how that embodies some of the ideas shared in The Innovator’s Mindset and Innovate Inside the Box. Townsend shares some amazing ways to integrate skills and concepts into the classroom and, more specifically, into media, video creation, and editing. “We can change the way that we teach students basic skills (in a way) that is more relevant and relatable but also has benefits that they can utilize in their everyday life.” Townsend shares some amazing ways to make sure that integrating video is not just an add-on but truly integrated into the classroom curriculum in ways that are meaningful to the learners.
Links:
George Couros Blog (Innovation and Vinyl Records) - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/13116
Video Journalism Pro - https://www.videojournalismpro.com/
Clement Townsend Twitter - https://twitter.com/ClementTV_?s=20
Clement Townsend Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ctownsendtv/?hl=en
Clement Townsend Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CTownsendTV
Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jul 2, 2021
Jul 2, 2021
26 min
Another month of amazing educators and amazing ideas shared during the #TheInnovatorsMindset Podcast! In this month’s highlights, you will hear some great insights from Evan Whitehead, Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy, Ellen Linnihan, Dr. Catlin Tucker and Dr. Katie Novak, Dr. LaQuita Outlaw, Dr. Julie Warner, and Mike Mohammad! Hear their highlight clips and then check out their full episode by clicking the links below!
Timecodes:
2:53 Intro Music
3:01 Evan Whitehead
6:00 Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy
11:48 Ellen Linnihan
12:40 Dr. Catlin Tucker and Dr. Katie Novak
17:40 Dr. LaQuita Outlaw
22:12 Dr. Julie Warner
25:09 Mike Mohammad
25:58 Closing
Links:
Never A Better Time To Practice #Gratitude by Patrick Larkin - https://patrickmlarkin.blog/2020/03/17/never-a-better-time-to-practice-gratitude/
Evan Whitehead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HykVJruYgtc
Evan Whitehead reflects on some powerful questions about learning loss and social-emotional learning in this clip of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast: Three Questions on Educators that Inspire with Evan Whitehead.
Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f47kv44xn8&t=1s
Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy share more about their new book, Project-Based Learning: Real Questions, Real Answers, in this clip of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast: A Focus On Project-Based Learning - A Convo with Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy. Hear more about how project-based learning and direct instruction can be infused.
Ellen Linnihan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHqw5IS-3Vc
Ellen Linnihan has some powerful advice about “marinating”. Her thoughts, as shared in this clip of the full podcast, Capturing the Classroom - A Convo with Ellen Linnihan reminds us how to sit back and think before responding or reacting.
Dr. Catlin Tucker and Dr. Katie Novak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTV0jLq0DIU
How do Blended Learning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) connect? Dr. Catlin Tucker starts off this conversation with ways to overcome the "initiative overload" that happens in education. Hear from the authors of the new book, UDL and Blended Learning, Dr. Catlin Tucker and Dr. Katie Novak, as they share more about the connection between blended learning and UDL. How do we create more flexible learning experiences and how do we do that in blended learning environments? Dr. Catlin Tucker and Dr. Katie Novak answer this exact question by giving clear examples of how to identify and eliminate the barriers that our learners face.
Dr. LaQuita Outlaw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdY9TE7vjX8
Dr. LaQuinta Outlaw shares what makes her school culture one where people are not only valued but also feel valued. In this clip of the full episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, The Importance of Being Seen - A Convo with Dr. LaQuita Outlaw, Dr. Outlaw reflects on the culture that school leaders cultivate.
Dr. Julie Warner
https://youtu.be/E3klKxTUYrU
The connection between literacy and social engagement is clear when we look at how our learners develop literacy skills. Dr. Julie Warner shares more about how she has reflected on how she learns best and what she has recognized in the learners that she is working with. Social engagement can translate to effectively teaching literacy skills in the classroom - hear more about this statement in this clip of The Innovator's Mindset Podcast: Failure Before Success - A Convo with Dr. Julie Warner on Learning from Mistakes.
Mike Mohammad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7t7jQHpZ2M
Hear the clip from Mike Mohammad explaining the advice that he would have appreciated taking during his first year of teaching!
The Innovator's Mindset and Innovate Inside the Box can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/gcouros
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jul 1, 2021
Jul 1, 2021
13 min
Give yourself patience and time...just one of the reminders from John Cabral, superintendent of Taunton Public Schools. Hear this advice and more as Cabral and Couros discuss the following:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
Links:
Taunton Public Schools - https://www.tauntonschools.org/
Taunton Twitter - https://twitter.com/Taunton_Schools
Taunton Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tauntonpublicschools/
Quotes:
"Give yourself time...you have got to give yourself time." - JC
"The higher you go up in education, the more people you serve, not the other way around." GC
Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jun 27, 2021
Jun 27, 2021
34 min
“We don’t learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience.” - John Dewey
This opening quote from John Dewey perfectly summarizes the conversation that Dr. Julie Warner and George Couros have in this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast. Dr. Warner, author of the newly released book titled Failure Before Success: Teachers Describe What They Learned from Mistakes as well as other books, shares more about what she has learned from her experiences. As a former educator to now working with the federal government in the education department. Dr. Warner shares some amazing thoughts and ideas.
Links:
Adolescents’ New Literacies with and through Mobile Phones (New Literacies and Digital Epistemologies) - https://www.amazon.com/Adolescents-Literacies-through-Digital-Epistemologies/dp/1433144085
Failure Before Success: Teachers Describe What They Learned from Mistakes - https://www.amazon.com/Failure-Before-Success-Teachers-Describe/dp/1475857489/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=failure+before+success+julie+warner&qid=1622316436&s=books&sr=1-1
Dr. Julie Warner Twitter - https://twitter.com/newliteracy/media?lang=en
Dr. Julie Warner Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_jules_m_w/
Dr. Julie Warner Website - https://www.juliemwarner.com/
Quotes:
"...it is learned through that social engagement with their peers...If social engagement works to teach literacy skills, how can we foster that in the classroom?"
"We have agency, as teachers, to effect change."
"We don't often talk about our mistakes...and that does teachers, especially new teachers, a disservice..."
Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jun 24, 2021
Jun 24, 2021
16 min
Social LEADia on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Social-LEADia-Students-Citizenship-Leadership-ebook/dp/B072R3MS7Q/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=social+leadia&qid=1622744017&sr=8-1
Aubrey Bright in Stories that Connect Us - https://www.amazon.com/Aubrey-Bright-Stories-that-Connect/dp/1953852017/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=jennifer+casa+todd&qid=1622685790&s=books&sr=1-3
Raising Digital Leaders - https://jcasatodd.com/parenting/
Jennifer Casa-Todd Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jcasatodd/?hl=en
Jennifer Casa-Todd Twitter - https://twitter.com/JCasaTodd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Clip Description:
What is the best that is going to happen when we focus on cyberbullying and what not to do? This question and a great alternative are shared in this clip of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast: Three Questions on Educators that Inspire With Jennifer Casa-Todd. Hear more about the books that Casa-Todd has authored and co-authored and how we can move, as Casa-Todd states, “beyond digital citizenship to digital leadership.”
Quotes:
"It is the whole child that I need to teach." -JCT
Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jun 23, 2021
Jun 23, 2021
12 min
Dr. Jared Smith and George Couros talk about sports, reading, education, and share personal stories in this episode of Three Questions on Educators that Inspire with Dr. Jared Smith. Hear all this and more as Dr. Smith answers these questions:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher-self?
Links:
Dr. Jared Smith Twitter - https://twitter.com/jaredsmithphd?lang=en
Dr. Jared SmithWebsite - https://www.drjaredsmith.com/speaking
The Group Project Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-group-project-podcast/id1508769326
Learning Curve (the book) - TBD
Quotes:
"I want those kids excited to know that someone is noticing the things they are involved with."
"I wish I had done more of the things that interested them."
Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jun 20, 2021
Jun 20, 2021
1hr 2 min
What is project-based learning, how do we implement project-based learning, and how can we get our learners to embrace project-based learning? Ross Cooper (AKA Coop-a-Loop) and Erin Murphy share more about their newest book, Project-Based Learning: Real Questions, Real Answers! Listen and share the keyword from this episode in the YouTube comments to win a signed copy of Project-Based Learning authored by Ross Cooper and Erin Murphy! Cooper, Murphy, and Couros have some fun with the soundboard during this podcast and the energetic conversation goes over curriculum and project-based learning in all grade levels.
Links:
Erin Murphy Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/murphysmusings5?lang=bg
Erin Murphy Website - http://psumurphette.com/
Ross Copper Twitter - https://twitter.com/RossCoops31?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Ross Cooper Website - http://rosscoops31.com/
Project-Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers. How to Unpack PBL and Inquiry - https://www.amazon.com/Project-Based-Learning-Questions-Answers/dp/1948212250
Hacking Project Based Learning - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986104981?ie=UTF8
George Couros Blog Post: You are the Solution - https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/11305
#RealPBL on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hashtag/realpbl?lang=en
Quotes:
"There is a difference between making something simple and simplifying something..."RC
"Bringing predictability...almost a routine to these projects...but still giving student flexibility regarding what the process and product might look like. " RC
"How might we design conditions for our students to move forward in our absence?" RC
"Project-Based Learning is a compilation of questions we have been asked...here is how we messed this up in the first place and how we tried to fix it. " EM
Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jun 17, 2021
Jun 17, 2021
14 min
Ellen Linnihan and George Couros reflect on the power of storytelling and the impact of when we bring content to life. As a bonus, viewers have the opportunity to make an amazing GIF of Couros laughing at his own joke! Hear how Linnihan responds to these questions:
Who is a teacher that has inspired you and why?
Who is an administrator that has inspired you and why?
What advice would you give your first-year teacher self?
Links:
Ellen Linnihan Twitter - https://twitter.com/ellenlinnihan?lang=en
Ellen Linnihan Instagram - instagram.com/ellenlinni/?hl=en
Capturing the Classroom with Video (book on Amazon - available July of 2021) - https://www.amazon.com/Capturing-Classroom-Creating-Students-Anytime/dp/1952812054/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&qid=1618168129&refinements=p_27%3AEllen+Linnihan&s=books&sr=1-2
Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

Jun 13, 2021
Jun 13, 2021
57 min
“There is a huge difference between being valued and feeling valued - and one is more important than the other.” This opening quote from George Couros sums up the conversation with Dr. LaQuinta Outlaw. Dr. Outlaw shares a #teacherthings moment that made her want to be part of her current district because she felt that she mattered. Dr. Outlaw also shares an amazing strategy of carrying a book around and tells why she does this and how it builds relationships! Dr. Outlaw also takes some time to reflect on what she is proud of this school year and how she acknowledges the struggles of her staff. Hear all of this and how Dr. Outlaw takes a moment to “turn the podcast mic” and ask Couros a question about what he would do as a school leader at this time. Couros and Dr. Outlaw also spend the last few minutes of the podcast giving suggestions to Kallea, Couros’ 4-year-old daughter!
Links:
UCLA Head-Up GIF - https://media.giphy.com/media/VFB3CJM2dBAk3WTqCH/giphy.mp4
Allyson Apsey One Question Survey - https://allysonapsey.com/2020/03/15/covid-19-edition-of-the-monday-morning-staff-check-in/
Todd Whitaker - http://www.toddwhitaker.com/cms/uploads/Motivating_Teachers_During_Difficult_Times.pdf
Innovate Inside the Box - https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127
Dr. Outlaw Twitter - https://twitter.com/drloutlaw?lang=en
Quotes:
"When people feel heard, they actually contribute more to the culture and the environment because they then are empowered..."
"I try to amplify the voices of the quietest person in the room."
"...the culture was one where when someone walked through that front door that they felt that they were already home, that were already a part of something, and that they mattered."
"The tough times are where you have the opportunity to build relationships more simply by acknowledging and helping to support...give whatever it is that is needed at the time."
"...tell me where you are and let's get you to where you need to be."
Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter or Instagram at #InnovatorsMindset.
More at georgecouros.ca
George Couros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros
George Couros on Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros
George Couros on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/
George Couros on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519
For the full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros
The Innovator's Mindset:https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Mindset-Empower-Learning-Creativity/dp/0986155497/ref=zg_bs_69830_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ARY8KZTA242NVFMHF9X0
Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Inside-Box-Empowering-Innovators/dp/1948334127/ref=zg_bs_69830_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=75E0ZS6R2J330FAM9Y0A
Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/





