Welcome to the show, where we explore the hidden logic that enables ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. I recently sat down with Anita Shankar and Paul Spurzem from Johns Hopkins University to talk about something I’ve come to believe sits at the root of almost everything we care about, agency. The ability to make decisions and take action on things that matter. Now that may sound simple, but the implications are profound. When people
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In a world that often celebrates high-tech founders and overnight success stories, The Entrepreneurial Mindset Project turns the spotlight toward a different kind of hero—the everyday entrepreneur.
Hosted by internationally recognized author and educator Gary Schoeniger, this podcast features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, educators, and changemakers who are unlocking human potential through entrepreneurial thinking.
From classrooms to boardrooms, from overlooked communities to global institutions, we explore the powerful mindset that enables ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Whether you’re looking to start a business, lead a team, or reinvent your life, this podcast will challenge you to think differently, act boldly, and create meaningful change—wherever you are.
Episode Blogs
In a country grappling with high youth unemployment, what if the solution wasn’t finding jobs, but building the capacity to create them? This is the mission of Linda Dhladhla from Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies in South Africa. In this conversation, we explore the powerful idea that unlocking human potential in South Africa requires a massive mindset shift. Linda’s story—from his mother’s side-hustles to her work shaping national education programs—reveals why ‘entrepreneurship’ is less
If nearly two out of three Americans say they have a business idea, why do so few ever act on it? That question sits at the heart of today’s conversation. Welcome to another episode of The Entrepreneurial Mindset Project, where we explore the hidden logic that enables ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Today I’m joined by Cameron Cushman, co-creator of 1 Million Cups — a simple Wednesday morning experiment that grew into a
Why do students become less engaged the longer they are at school, which greatly diminishes their critical thinking skills? Tony Wagner, Senior Research Fellow at the Learning Policy Institute, is advocating for a complete education reform and vastly revamping the future of learning. He joins Gary Schoeniger to discuss how to reinvent learning approaches to make school less boring and disengaging for young people. He also talks about what it takes to move beyond
If entrepreneurs are inspired, empowered, and genuinely love what they are doing, their efforts can lead to profound economic development. Gary Schoeniger speaks with his longtime friend Thom Ruhe, President and CEO of NC IDEA. Together, they discuss what it takes to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems – not just programs or funding pipelines, but cultures of agency, inclusion, and possibility. Thom also explains why mindset may be the missing piece in economic development and