Agency, Mindset, And Human Potential With Anita Shankar And Paul Spurzem
April 16, 2026
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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Unlocking Human Potential In South Africa With Linda Dhladhla
April 2, 2026
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…
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From Policy Wonk To Movement Builder — A Conversation With Cameron Cushman
March 14, 2026
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…
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Mastery Over Memory: The Future Of Learning With Tony Wagner
January 29, 2026
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…
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Redefining Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship With Thom Ruhe
January 15, 2026
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…
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