The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast

George Couros (https://www.masb.org), for an inspiring conversation on the future of education. Together, they explore practical strategies for innovation: building digital student portfolios, curating a positive online presence, engaging families, and balancing foundational skills with character development. They delve deeply into how AI is transforming learning and leadership, why educators should model curiosity by learning new tools first, and how schools can take proactive steps to create meaningful and lasting change. This episode also looks ahead to the MASB Annual Leadership Conference (https://www.masb.org/learning/upcoming-events/annual-leadership-conference/), where George will deliver the keynote address. The conference brings together school board members, superintendents, and education leaders from across Michigan to collaborate, learn, and shape the future of education. If you’re attending, this episode is the perfect primer to get you thinking about how innovation, relationships, and vision can work together to serve students. 🎧 Listen and Subscribe: Podbean: https://www.youtube.com/c/GeorgeCouros     ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

George Couros reads a powerful passage from "The Pivot Year" by Brianna Wiest and reflects on the choices and sacrifices we all make when pursuing our goals. He shares personal stories—from missing moments with family to starting piano lessons at 49—to illustrate how every “yes” comes with a “no,” and why being intentional is crucial. Instead of dwelling on regret, George encourages listeners to live with purpose today: rebuild relationships, pursue postponed dreams, and remember that it’s never too late to begin again. 🎧 Listen now and start designing a life that feels meaningful, not just busy. 🔗 Links & Resources: 📖 The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest: https://www.amazon.com/Pivot-Year-Brianna-Wiest/dp/1949759628 Amazon 📰 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://georgecouros.com/about-me/email/ George Couros+1 📚 Check out my books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/George-Couros/author/B0192TISQ0 🎙️ Subscribe to The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast: https://twitter.com/gcouros  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgecouros/

In this episode, http://bensound.com/

In this solo episode, George Couros reflects on how technology can shape who we are and how we connect with others. Drawing on his keynote for the Florida Association of Educational Data Systems (FAEDS) and his own journey from being anti-technology to embracing thoughtful use, George shares three powerful ways educators and leaders can shape technology intentionally: Elevate Communities: Use technology to build connection and share stories that bring schools and families closer together. Stoke Curiosity: Go beyond surface-level information and foster deep thinking and understanding. Support Well-Being: Design tech use to improve mental health, not add stress. George explores how tools like social media and notifications affect our behavior, why intentionality is key, and how we can choose to shape our tech use rather than let it shape us. 🎧 Listen now: https://mailchi.mp/georgecouros/shaping-tech-usage-15555690

In this episode, radio and media personality Lady Jade (@IamLadyJade) shares her inspiring journey from a 19-year radio career to becoming a sought-after host, keynote speaker, and real estate investor. She reflects on the powerful influence of educators, the importance of kindness and mentorship, and why financial fluency should be a priority in schools. Lady Jade also opens up about the challenges of caring for a parent with dementia, encouraging listeners to embrace life's pivots, seek mentors, and use their gifts to uplift others.   Please connect with Lady Jade on Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/iamladyjade   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this short solo episode, George Couros explores the power of listening in education. He shares a personal story from his experience as a basketball referee to illustrate how constant talking can become noise, and then explains how thoughtful questions help students discover and own their own perspectives.   When we use our voice sparingly, listen with intention, and create space for authentic student expression, our words eventually carry more weight.

In this episode of the #InnovatorsMindset, George Couros speaks with Eric, a high school English teacher from Brunswick Schools (Maine), who shares his journey from dropping out of high school to earning a master’s in creative writing and becoming an educator. Eric describes his new approach, “critical lens learning,” which provides students with practical lenses and domain-specific vocabulary to examine texts, develop critical thinking, and take ownership of their learning. They discuss real examples: using primary sources, composition modes, and professional perspectives to engage different learner types (Resistor, Passenger, Achiever, Explorer from The Disengaged Teen) as detailed in the book: https://www.thedisengagedteen.com/ , highlighting classroom strategies that empower students, foster curiosity, and are immediately actionable by teachers.     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

In this episode, George Couros shares a personal story from his early days as a college basketball official when he made a clear bad call. Instead of hiding it, he admitted the mistake on the spot, changing the tone of the game and earning unexpected respect. George connects this moment to leadership in schools, classrooms, and even parenting. Admitting mistakes is not a sign of weakness, it is a way to build credibility, create space for growth, and foster deeper trust. Explore why vulnerability is essential for effective leadership and how modeling humility can transform relationships in education and beyond.   Referenced post: Vulnerable Leadership: https://georgecouros.com/vulnerable-leadership/   👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d

Join us October 15, 2025, at the R2i2 Conference Center in Columbia, South Carolina, for the Learning Forward South Carolina Annual Conference, titled Navigating What’s Possible.  https://events.humanitix.com/learning-forward-sc-annual-conference In this episode, George Couros speaks with Jason Fulmer and Angie Rye about the conference’s focus on innovative, personalized professional learning and the opportunity to highlight South Carolina schools that are finding practical solutions under real constraints. They discuss the theme "Navigating What's Possible," a push for innovative, personalized professional learning, and the importance of showcasing South Carolina schools that have found practical solutions under real constraints.   Attendees can look forward to meaningful networking, actionable strategies to implement immediately, dynamic breakout sessions, school showcase presentations from local schools defying the odds, and a featured keynote by George Couros, the internationally recognized educator and author known for his work in innovation and learner-centered leadership. This event is designed for educators at every level seeking inspiration, fresh perspectives, and the opportunity to build lasting professional learning networks that support leadership, classroom success, and student growth. You can learn more and register at the full link: https://events.humanitix.com/learning-forward-sc-annual-conference   ___________     👉 Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media using #InnovatorsMindset   🌐 More at: https://georgecouros.com   🎙 Full audio podcast: https://linktr.ee/gcouros   Follow George Couros: Twitter: https://twitter.com/gcouros   Instagram: https://instagram.com/gcouros   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgecourosauthor/   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/george-couros-a5146519   📚 Books by George Couros: The Innovator's Mindset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986155497?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   What Makes a Great Principal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334739?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Because of a Teacher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833433X?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Because of a Teacher 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/194833450X?tag=onamzgeorge0f-20   Innovate Inside the Box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948334127?ref=exp_gcouros_dp_vv_d   Music from Bensound - http://bensound.com/

George Couros reflects on his summer speaking tour and the renewed energy he witnessed among educators heading into a new school year.   He shares how vulnerability, openness to growth, and a superintendent’s example of embracing feedback set the tone for stronger communities.   The conversation highlights the importance of balancing innovation with core fundamentals like literacy, numeracy, and character, and explores how relationships and connection remain central to meaningful learning.