The Innovator’s Mindset Podcast

In this deeply personal podcast episode, George Couros reflects on one of the hardest seasons of his life and the lessons that helped him move forward. After experiencing profound loss, personal struggle, and moments of feeling completely stuck, George shares three simple but powerful ideas that shaped his healing, restored his purpose, and reignited his creative spark. This conversation explores grief, resilience, leadership, health, and the importance of small actions when life feels overwhelming. Through stories of loss, personal transformation, and rediscovering meaning, this episode offers encouragement for anyone navigating change, exhaustion, or uncertainty. Listeners will hear reflections on: Why the things we dread most often become our greatest teachers How being the best interaction in someone’s day can change both lives Why movement, even imperfect movement, matters when you feel stuck Rebuilding purpose after loss and burnout Why comeback stories are still being written, including yours This episode is for educators, leaders, creatives, and anyone searching for clarity, motivation, or hope during difficult seasons. Whether you are feeling worn down, finding your spark again, or somewhere in between, this conversation is a reminder that forward is still possible. If you are looking for a podcast about resilience, leadership, grief, personal growth, and finding purpose again, this episode will meet you where you are.   ___________     👉 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, veteran teacher Jennie Gyford dives into her new book Teach Like the Floor Is on Fire and shares honest, funny, and deeply relatable stories about classroom chaos, student behavior, and how teaching has changed. She breaks down practical strategies for building strong relationships, simplifying grading, and using technology and AI in a way that supports learning without adding to teacher stress. If you want real talk about the daily challenges teachers face, along with solutions you can use tomorrow, this conversation delivers. Check out Jennie’s book here: Teach Like the Floor Is on Fire https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Floor-Jennie-OKelley-Gyford/dp/B0G16HLLGG   ___________     👉 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 the surprising story behind choosing the cover for his upcoming book, Forward Together. After asking his community for help, he expected quick confirmation of his preferred choice. Instead, he received more than five hundred personal responses that shifted his thinking and changed the final design and took the time to respond to each one.  George talks about how he used ChatGPT and a designer to generate ideas, why he chose direct email feedback instead of a form, and how the process helped him understand the power of listening and genuine connection. He explains how technology can support creativity and collaboration when it is used with intention, and how this experience helped him live the principles he teaches in his work. But the real value of technology is in how we connect with each other. Without that, the design might look nicer, but it loses it authenticity. Listeners will gain insight into leadership, community building, and the value of staying open to ideas that challenge your assumptions. George also shares gratitude for the people who helped shape the project and the lessons he will carry into future work.   ___________     👉 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 and literacy advocate Karen Vaites take a deep look at the science of reading, why strong foundational skills matter, and how states and districts can accelerate achievement. They explore the rise of the Southern Surge, the impact of coaching and high quality curriculum, and why third grade proficiency must be treated as a system wide priority. The conversation also highlights how domain knowledge fuels comprehension, how technology and AI can support literacy without replacing core skill development, and practical moves school and district leaders can make to strengthen reading and writing instruction. This episode is a helpful guide for educators who want to build sustainable and scalable literacy improvement.   Check out Karen's substack: https://www.karenvaites.org/ X account: https://x.com/karenvaites   ___________     👉 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/

This episode explores how artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping both the workplace and the classroom. George Couros breaks down why the old phrase, preparing students for jobs that do not yet exist, now requires an update, since AI is also eliminating many entry level roles. He explains why adaptability, ongoing learning, and practical AI fluency are becoming essential for students who want to thrive in a world where work is changing faster than ever. George also examines the growing debate around removing laptops and phones from classrooms and discusses why foundational skills still matter, but only when they become the base for deeper thinking and wiser use of technology. Drawing on research, real world examples, and reflections from his earlier writing, he highlights the difference between knowing how to learn and simply knowing how to earn good grades. This episode offers a balanced path that blends core literacies with problem solving, curiosity, and responsible use of AI so that students are prepared for the future rather than protected from it.   ___________     👉 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/