Fueling Creativity in Education

Welcome to Season 11 of the Fueling Creativity in Education podcast! Co-hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood are back—and this season, we’re excited to offer video episodes on YouTube in addition to our regular audio format. To kick off the new school year, Matt and Cyndi each share three go-to activities they use to set the stage for creative teaching and teaching creativity from day one. These activities help students build trust, take creative risks, and tap into their own curiosity—whether they’re in an elementary classroom or a college seminar. 🎒 In this episode, you’ll learn: How Matt uses the Marshmallow Challenge to spark conversations about the creative process How Cyndi’s short creativity prompts build momentum and engagement early in the semester Practical ways to embed creativity in education while supporting classroom community 📝 Read Matt’s blog post: Using the Marshmallow Challenge to Kickstart the Creative Process 📺 Explore Cyndi’s YouTube channel 🌐 Visit us at FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more resources and to subscribe to our Extra Fuel newsletter. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching journey, this episode offers meaningful, ready-to-use strategies to inspire creative thinking and start the year strong.

As part of our Fueling Creativity in Education Throwback Series, co-hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood selected this episode to help educators reignite their passion for creative teaching as they prepare for the new school year. In this powerful conversation, they welcome back Dr. Ron Beghetto and Laura McBain, Co-Director of the K12 Lab at the Stanford d.school, to explore the lessons behind their book, My Favorite Failure: How Setbacks Can Lead to Learning and Growth. Together, they dive into how educators can reframe failure as a catalyst for learning, growth, and teaching creativity in a more human-centered way. Discover how personal stories of failure, classroom strategies, and emotional vulnerability can be used to foster creativity in education. Learn the difference between mistakes and failures, and why acknowledging emotions, expectations, and risk-taking is essential for both teachers and students. Whether you're a new teacher or a veteran looking to try something bold this year, this episode will inspire you to see failure as a starting point—not an ending.

As part of our Fueling Creativity in Education Throwback Series, co-hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood selected this episode to help educators reignite their passion for creative teaching as they prepare for the new school year. In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Frank LaBanca—educator, researcher, and founding principal of Westside Middle School Academy Magnet—shares his powerful approach to inquiry-based learning. As one of the few principals in the country who still teaches in the classroom, Frank offers a unique lens on how to cultivate creativity and problem-solving through student-driven exploration. Discover how teaching students to ask better questions can transform learning, why project-based learning empowers both teachers and students, and how real-world feedback—not just teacher evaluation—deepens creative growth. From developing faculty to embracing uncertainty, Frank’s insights offer practical and philosophical guidance for educators committed to teaching creativity in meaningful, lasting ways.

As part of our Fueling Creativity in Education Throwback Series, co-hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood handpicked this episode to help educators gear up for a new school year with fresh ideas for teaching creativity in the classroom. In this conversation, elementary STEAM teacher Andrea Mango shares how she brings creative teaching to life by connecting creativity research with everyday classroom strategies. From building student choice into projects to creating a safe environment for risk-taking, Andrea offers practical insights on engaging all learners—including those reluctant to participate. Whether you’re teaching STEAM or looking to kickstart creativity across the curriculum, this episode is filled with back-to-school inspiration for cultivating creative thinking from day one.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! In this special summer edition of the Fueling Creativity in Education podcast, hosts Matthew Worwood and Peter Reynolds welcome renowned children’s author, illustrator, and songwriter Barney Saltzberg. Best known for his playful, heartfelt stories like Beautiful Oops and Crazy Hair Day, Barney shares insights into his two newest books: Just a Banana and Rabbit's Feet. The episode explores how Just a Banana uses humor and interactive surprises to encourage children and educators to see everyday objects—like a banana—in new and creative ways, reminding listeners of the value in play, divergent thinking, and finding joy in imagination both at home and in the classroom. The conversation then shifts to Barney’s second new release, Rabbit’s Feet, a thoughtful story born from artistic experimentation that ultimately champions selfless acts and doing what’s right without seeking recognition. Whether you’re a parent or an educator, this episode provides inspiration for nurturing creativity in children, and practical ideas for promoting a growth mindset through creative storytelling and play-based activities. Don’t forget to check out the show notes for links to Barney’s books, his YouTube creativity challenges, and further resources to enrich your summer reading and professional development journey. Eager to bring more creativity into your school district? Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and join their Creativity Network for Educators at Curiosity2Connect! Check out our Podcast Website to dive deeper into Creativity in Education! For more information on Creativity in Education, check out: Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education

Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! In this special Listen and Learn episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood welcome back Katie Trowbridge, an educator with over 20 years of experience and the creator of the CREATE method. Katie discusses her newly released book, Deeper Thinking in the Classroom, which is designed to guide educators in weaving creative and critical thinking strategies into existing K-12 curricula. She emphasizes that creativity is not just for the arts—debunking the myth that it’s a classroom “add-on”—and showcases how curiosity forms the foundation of deeper thinking across all subjects. The CREATE method (Curiosity, Risk-taking, Experience, Attitude, Team building, and Evaluation) provides teachers with practical steps and a clear structure for nurturing student creativity and critical thinking. Katie also talks about her companion book, aimed at helping teachers recognize and cultivate their own creativity both personally and professionally. The conversation highlights the importance of evaluating creativity in classrooms, not just through traditional rubrics, but by involving students in co-creating assessment criteria, fostering self-reflection, peer evaluation, and metacognitive skills. Practical tips and resources are shared, reinforcing the book’s hands-on approach, and connecting to topics discussed in previous episodes—making this episode a valuable resource for educators seeking to reinvigorate their teaching with strategies for deeper, measurable creative engagement. Eager to bring more creativity into your school district? Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and join their Creativity Network for Educators at Curiosity2Connect! Check out our Podcast Website to dive deeper into Creativity in Education! For more information on Creativity in Education, check out: Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education

Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! In this special summer Listen and Learn episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education podcast, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood welcome back the inspiring Principal EL to discuss his new book, "Meet Their Needs and They'll Succeed." Principal EL, a celebrated educator and chess coach, shares the heartfelt story behind his book—highlighting how a personal hospital experience inspired him to reflect on the importance of meeting every child’s individual needs with care, compassion, and love. He introduces his “four C’s of school success”: being crazy about kids, curious about their lives, providing consistent support, and cultivating a culture of love, resilience, and creativity in schools so that every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Throughout the episode, Principal EL addresses the misconception that joy and learning cannot coexist and passionately advocates for the vital role positive relationships and community partnerships play in transforming students' lives. He shares practical strategies from his book, including trauma-informed teaching, creative teaching practices, and fostering a school environment where both educators and students thrive. By emphasizing the power of teaching creativity alongside emotional well-being, this conversation offers inspiration for building dynamic, supportive classrooms. Whether you’re an experienced school leader or new to education, this episode will leave you motivated to create a meaningful impact through daily acts of joy, encouragement, and belief in every child's potential. Don’t miss out on this energizing conversation and check out the full summer reading list at Curiosity2Create.org and join their Creativity Network for Educators at Curiosity2Connect! Check out our Podcast Website to dive deeper into Creativity in Education! For more information on Creativity in Education, check out: Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education

Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! In this special summer Listen and Learn episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Cyndi Burnett and Matthew Worwood welcome back Dr. Anna Abraham, the E. Paul Torrance Professor and Director of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development at UGA. Dr. Abraham introduces her new book, The Creative Myths and Truths, which explores seven enduring myths—or “myth truths”—about the creative brain. The conversation unpacks popular misconceptions, such as the oversimplified notion of the "creative right brain," the perceived link between creativity and madness, and the influence of dopamine, intelligence, psychedelics, and even brain injuries on creative thinking. Dr. Abraham explains that while these ideas often contain a kernel of truth, they are frequently exaggerated or distorted—especially in educational settings. This episode is essential listening for educators passionate about Creative Teaching and teaching creativity in meaningful ways. Dr. Abraham emphasizes the importance of moving beyond appealing but inaccurate narratives and instead grounding classroom practice in scientific research. She offers practical strategies for those looking to cultivate creativity in education, including how to use accessible language while still honoring the complexity of the science. Be sure to check out the episode for thought-provoking perspectives, and visit the show’s summer reading list for more resources—including where to find Dr. Abraham’s book in Kindle format. Eager to bring more creativity into your school district? Check out our sponsor Curiosity2Create.org and join their Creativity Network for Educators at Curiosity2Connect! Check out our Podcast Website to dive deeper into Creativity in Education! For more information on Creativity in Education, check out: Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education

Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, a senior research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of "The Creativity Choice," dives into the transformation of creative ideas into real outcomes. She emphasizes that creativity goes beyond the arts, playing a crucial role in education and problem-solving. Dr. Pringle dispels myths about creativity, illustrating how constraints can spark originality. She also discusses how emotions influence creativity, offering practical advice for educators to harness their feelings for better outcomes.

In this vibrant summer series, co-hosts reflect on their recent retreat and share new book projects aimed at enhancing creativity in education. They introduce five authors discussing exciting new books that inspire creative teaching. Listeners can look forward to engaging thematic collections on the podcast's website, covering topics from the Arts to STEM. The hosts also discuss their efforts to improve online visibility and foster audience interaction, encouraging a summer of reflection and personal growth.