The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast

What does it take to build a culture where innovation is expected, supported, and sustainable?

In this episode of The Innovator's Mindset Podcast, George Couros is joined by Tim Bearden, Superintendent of West Ottawa Public Schools, and Todd Tulgestke, Associate Superintendent for Innovation & Secondary Instruction, to explore how their district developed an Instructional Compass that centers relationships in every learning experience.

Rather than creating another initiative that sits on a shelf, West Ottawa spent a full year working alongside teachers and school leaders to design a shared instructional framework that emphasizes how students learn, not just what they learn. The result is a living document displayed in every classroom, revisited each year, and owned by the people who use it every day.

The conversation also previews the district's upcoming opening day for more than 450 staff members, where the goal extends beyond professional learning. The hope is that every educator leaves feeling inspired, empowered, and trusted to innovate. As Tim and Todd explain, when teachers experience the same joy, autonomy, and sense of belonging that we want for students, meaningful change becomes possible.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why relationships are the foundation of meaningful innovation.

How to create instructional frameworks that teachers actually own.

The difference between focusing on what we teach and how we teach.

How collaborative design builds long-term commitment.

Why giving educators permission to innovate is essential for student success.

Practical leadership strategies for building a culture where creativity and trust thrive.

If you're a superintendent, principal, instructional coach, or teacher leader looking to strengthen culture while improving instruction, this conversation offers practical ideas that can be implemented in any school or district.

West Ottawa Public Schools Instructional Compass - https://www.westottawa.net/academics/instructional-compass/

 

___________

 

 

👉 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:

X: https://x.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:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

 

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/

Read the full Substack post:
https://georgecouros.substack.com/p/3-lessons-four-years-after-starting

Subscribe to my Substack:
https://georgecouros.substack.com/subscribe

 

Four years ago, I packed up my minivan with my dogs, Cooper and Odom, and drove from Edmonton, Alberta, to a new life in Orlando, Florida.

Starting over was exciting, terrifying, and ultimately transformative.

In this solo episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, I share four lessons I have learned since making that move: how a fresh start can help you build a new version of yourself, why sometimes you have to leave to feel appreciated, how easy it is to overlook the opportunities already in front of us, and why you have to create the life you want rather than the one others think you should live.

Whether you are navigating a new job, relationship, home, goal, or chapter of life, I hope these reflections remind you that change does not automatically create something better. You have to make it that way.

Get your copy of “Forward, Together” here on Amazon!

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

 

___________

 

 

👉 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:

X: https://x.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:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

 

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/

What does it take to innovate when everyone else is playing it safe?

In this episode of The Innovator's Mindset Podcast, George Couros sits down with legendary film producer Larry Kasanoff, author of A Touch of Madness, to explore why the biggest breakthroughs in film, business, and education often begin as ideas that others dismiss as impossible.

Drawing from his experiences producing films like Platoon and Mortal Kombat, Larry shares why true innovation requires the courage to move away from the comfortable "middle" and pursue ideas that challenge conventional thinking. From listening to a sixth grader who changed an iconic movie character, to explaining why Blockbuster missed Netflix, this conversation is filled with practical lessons for leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to create meaningful change.

George and Larry also explore what these ideas mean for education today.

They discuss how schools can nurture creativity instead of compliance, why authentic learning matters more than simply earning grades, and how AI presents both opportunities and challenges for developing original thinkers.

Whether you are leading a school, building a business, or simply trying to bring a new idea to life, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about risk, creativity, and innovation.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why the safest path often leads to irrelevance

How listening to your audience creates better ideas

Why asking is one of the most powerful innovation strategies

Lessons educators can learn from the film industry

How creativity can be developed, protected, and encouraged

The role of AI in authentic learning and creative work

📘 Get Larry Kasanoff's book, A Touch of Madness: How to Be More Innovative in Work and Life... by Being a Little Crazy: https://a.co/d/07N0isaK

Reflection Questions

Are you encouraging innovation, or rewarding people for playing it safe?

How can you create an environment where creative risk-taking is valued?

What opportunity have you assumed was impossible simply because you never asked?

___________

 

 

👉 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:

X: https://x.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:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

 

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/

What makes professional learning actually valuable for educators?

In this episode, I reflect on a recent keynote with nearly 400 school and district leaders in Pinellas County and share three powerful ideas that can transform professional learning experiences for teachers, principals, and leadership teams.

Drawing from themes in my book Forward, Together, this conversation explores how leaders can create learning experiences where people feel seen, heard, appreciated, and challenged to grow.

In this podcast, we discuss:

• Why educators need professional learning that feels relevant and personalized
• The importance of helping people “see themselves in the story”
• How humor and authenticity build stronger connections in leadership
• The “Warm Bath, Cold Shower” approach to leadership and growth
• Why people are more open to challenge when they know you genuinely care
• How school leaders can create better cultures for learning and innovation
• Practical strategies for making PD more meaningful and impactful

Whether you are a teacher, principal, superintendent, instructional coach, or district leader, this episode shares actionable ideas to improve professional learning, leadership development, and school culture.

If you are looking for ways to improve staff engagement, build trust, encourage innovation, and create more meaningful learning experiences in schools, this conversation is for you.

 

3 Questions for Consideration:

 

How can school leaders create professional learning experiences where educators feel both supported and challenged to grow?

What strategies help teachers and staff feel seen, heard, and valued during professional development?

How can districts make professional learning more relevant, personalized, and impactful for educators?

 

Signed Copies of Forward Together: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JEY8PVRZ6PUJS

 

Link to Newsletter: https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?u=9381017234135a9c6d5f7419a&id=f6260d0fce

 

Forward Together: https://a.co/d/011l40jv

 

___________

 

 

👉 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:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

 

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/

What does it look like when a CEO models the same learning, risk-taking, and growth she hopes to see throughout her organization?

In this episode of The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast, George Couros speaks with Brittany Lewis, CEO of Haven Schools, about creating a culture where high expectations for students are matched by a willingness to keep learning and improving as adults.

Brittany shares how her own visibility as a learner matters. Rather than asking others to take risks from the sidelines, she puts herself up front, tries new things, and demonstrates that growth requires a willingness to be vulnerable, reflect, and improve. Her example helps create the conditions for staff to take risks in their own learning and find better ways to serve students.

The conversation also explores an important question about change: Do we initiate change, or do we wait for change to happen to us? When we take an active role in creating change, we are better positioned to shape what comes next instead of simply reacting to it.

This episode is a conversation about high expectations, leadership, organizational learning, risk-taking, and the power of modeling the growth we hope to see in others.

Learn more about Haven Schools.

Questions for Reflection:

How do leaders model the learning and risk-taking they hope to see in others?

How can high expectations for students be matched by high expectations for adult learning and growth?

Where might we initiate change instead of waiting for change to happen to us?

___________

 

 

👉 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:

X: https://x.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:

Forward, Together:

https://a.co/d/99RGvl3

 

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/