Supplement the learning environment with resources

Originally shared in our November 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. Most of us are taught a specific formula for success: “If I work hard, I’ll be successful, and then I’ll be happy.” But what if that formula is scientifically broken? In his rapid-fire TED Talk, positive psychologist Shawn Achor argues that our brains actually work in reverse. When we cultivate a positive mindset—fueled by gratitude—our brains flood with dopamine, making us 31% more productive and…

Opportunities are everywhere, yet they cannot always be seen with the untrained eye. Discovering these opportunities is something anyone can do, in virtually any set of circumstances. Whether you want to start a business or a side hustle, launch a non-profit, or advance your career, you can make valuable progress using the Opportunity Discovery Process. This is an overview of the process as it is described in The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage: The Hidden Logic that…

Originally posted in our October 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. What if we measured learning not by time spent in class, but by what we can actually do? In his book, Mastery, Tony Wagner critiques an education system focused on grades and tests, arguing it leaves us unprepared. He champions “mastery learning,” where individuals progress only when they can use what they’ve learned, fostering deeper motivation and real-world readiness. As Tony shared on our podcast, this…

Originally posted in our September 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. While understanding the theory of transcendent thinking is valuable in and of itself, finding ways to apply it as leaders and educators is a different matter entirely. As a complement to the research out of USC CANDLE around transcendent thinking, the team offers us some key tips for turning frameworks into practice. These tips show how educators and leaders can help learners see connections across ideas…

Originally posted in our September 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. In this Hidden Brain episode, psychologist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang explores the science of engagement and what she calls “transcendent thinking.” That is, the ability to connect immediate experiences to larger values and possibilities. Her research makes a compelling case for changing how we think about learning and teaching. Her findings indicate that when learners adopt this mindset, they develop resilience, identity, and purpose. We would argue…