Beta
Logo of the podcast Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life

Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life (Tracy Clark)

Explore every episode of Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life

Dive into the complete episode list for Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life . Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

Rows per page:

1–50 of 58

Pub. DateTitleDuration
19 Apr 2024How might we create space for mindset shifts in learning experiences? with Lily Higgins00:47:29

In this episode, Tracy is joined by Lily Higgins, the founder of The Intervention Bureau, a learning experience design consultancy where she partners with agencies and thought-leaders to design signature sessions fueling her crusade against boring, ineffective workshops. They discuss the importance of creating space for mindset shift within learning experiences and the role of facilitation as an act of love. Lily shares insights on the power of play and the concept of life as a game. They also explore her signature “Serendipity Walk” experience. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of experiences and the importance of autonomy and ownership in learning.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Facilitation is an act of love. Facilitators hold space for groups to tap into their collective wisdom and create something greater than the sum of their parts.

  • Autonomy is crucial for mindset shifts. Learners need to feel ownership over their learning journeys to integrate new ideas and make meaningful changes.

  • Life is a game, and we can redesign it. Game Thinking helps us see the world as a series of games with rules, roles, goals, time, space, and objects. We can change our behavior and shift systems by tweaking any of these elements. Instead of focusing solely on changing people's mindsets, we can look for ways to redesign the game itself.

Links & Recommendations:

Books: 

The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath: https://amzn.to/4cT75MB 

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker: https://amzn.to/3UkmpdM

Free Play: Improvisation in Art & Life by Stephen Nachmanovitch: https://amzn.to/3Jjahn0

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell: https://amzn.to/49UMvc5 

Connect with Lily: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-higgins-980519b8/

The Intervention Bureau: www.theinterventionbureau.com

Book a 90-min experience design consultation with Lily: https://calendly.com/lilyhiggins/experience-design-consultation

30 Oct 2023Building Organized Spaces with Kerry Ann Pearce00:48:19

​​​​Tracy Clark & Kerry Ann Pearce talk all about building organized spaces and entrepreneurship. Kerry Ann shares her journey from the Bahamas to Buda, Texas where she launched and now runs her professional organizing services company, Luxxe Organizing. We talk about some of the reasons why people end up with too much stuff and too little space and how she approaches helping others decrease the stress of STUFF.


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Kerry Ann Pearce


Organizing Recommendations: Please note these are Kerry Ann's affiliate Links below.

Velvet hangers- https://amzn.to/3SlHEvc

Pantry Storage bins- https://amzn.to/3QBrCw2

Over door organizers- https://amzn.to/40gmKQ2

Lazy susan- https://amzn.to/3QCEMbT

Closet storage bins- https://amzn.to/3QlvqQN

Glass food storage containers- https://amzn.to/49hZepO

BPA Free Plastic food storage containers- https://amzn.to/3SiUJ8w

Decorative baskets- https://amzn.to/40ic03G

Expandable shelves- https://amzn.to/3sf2DVP



Socials:

28 Jun 2024How Might We Bring Impactful Order Out of Chaos? with Alma Quiroga00:52:27

In this episode, Tracy speaks with Alma Quiroga about one of her 12 favorite problems, “how might we bring impactful order out of chaos?” 

They explore the power of storytelling and narrative in shaping organizational culture and behavior so that business can be a force for good, from the inside out. Alma shares her journey of building people-first organizational cultures and challenging traditional business paradigms. They discuss the need to recognize and understand the stories that drive behavior within organizations and the importance of creating environments where people can thrive. They also highlight the complexity of navigating individual and collective stories within organizations and offer insights for leaders in understanding and shaping organizational narratives. 

By recognizing the power of storytelling and creating spaces for collective storytelling, organizations can co-create their culture and navigate transitions more successfully.


Key Takeaways:

Storytelling is deeply ingrained in human nature and is how we relate to each other.

Our brains are wired to make sense of the world through storytelling, and humans naturally order the chaos of the world and their own internal world in a story format.

Understanding how humans make sense through story is essential for effective communication and change management in organizations.

By recognizing the power of storytelling and creating spaces for collective storytelling, organizations can co-create their culture and navigate transitions more successfully.


Alma’s Recommendations: 

Book Recommendations:

Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins by Annette Simmons: https://amzn.to/4cqFq56

The Story Factor by Annette Simmons: https://amzn.to/4eGiwrQ

The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gotsschall https://amzn.to/3xrXCvT

Organizational Culture and Leadership by Edgar Schein: https://amzn.to/4bE0NPb

Humble Leadership, Second Edition: The Power of Relationships, Openness, and Trust by Edgar Schein: ⁠https://amzn.to/3VMfWb0

Managing Transitions by: William Bridges & Susan Bridges https://amzn.to/3znNPaN

Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used by Peter Block: https://amzn.to/4cCf8MI


Podcast Recommendations:

Beautiful Questions Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TuliandAlma

Work Life Podcast: https://adamgrant.net/podcasts/work-life/

Radio Ambulante: https://radioambulante.org/en

Invisibilia: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510307/invisibilia


Connect with Alma: 

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/almaquiroga/

27 Jan 2023Building an Authentic Career with Tina Chessher 00:42:48

Tina Chessher and Tracy Clark talk about transitioning to a career that aligns with your strengths while leaving room for growth. Tina shares her learnings from her own transition from childcare work to the financial and insurance services industry and what she learned along the way. Tina unpacks how she leads with authenticity and connection and the learning mindset she brings to her career.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Tina

Socials

22 Mar 2024How might we create space for mindset shift in learning experiences? With T. Mark Meyer00:52:20

In this episode of Building Thinkers Tracy interviews T. Mark Meyer, author of "The Art of Being Authentic." They dive deep into creating space for powerful mindset shifts that transform your learning and life experiences. They cover the following topics:

  • Discovering your purpose: Uncover what truly drives you and learn to express it authentically.
  • Confidence vs. self-esteem: Understand the key differences and their impact on your journey.
  • Leading with authenticity: Explore how to be a more genuine and impactful leader.
  • Redefining success in education: Move beyond traditional measures and create a more meaningful path.
  • Staying true to yourself: Learn practical tools to stay aligned with your purpose, even when it's challenging.

This episode is your guide to the ongoing adventure of authenticity. Join the conversation and discover a fresh perspective on connecting with your true self.


For more information, check out the resources T. Mark shared below:


Books

The Art of Being Authentic by T. Mark Meyer https://amzn.to/3PwgPCu

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown https://amzn.to/3Pvze2f

True North by Bill George https://amzn.to/3Pvze2f


Socials

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troelsmarkmeyer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authentictmarkmeyer/


10 Jun 2022Building Sticky Learning Experiences with Davis Staedtler00:41:41

Tracy Clark & Davis Staedtler talk about three things people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to building learning experiences. When it comes to designing learning experiences, strike the right balance between being timely and timeless. 

Episode Resources

Books

Podcasts 



06 Apr 2023Building Consciousness with Tony Wang00:50:27

​​​​Join Tracy Clark and Tony Wang as Tony shares his personal transformation stories and insights into how to overcome common obstacles on the path to self-discovery. In this episode, you'll hear Tony's perspective on what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to making an introspective change and clearing unwanted thoughts and emotions. From navigating difficult emotions to breaking free from limiting beliefs, you'll explore potential ways of thinking that could inspire working towards breakthroughs in your own life.

And, in a lighthearted segment, Tony also shares some of his other favorite things, including a chili oil that he claims is better than sriracha and extra well-done fries from In N Out.

*This podcast is not intended to provide medical or mental health advice. The opinions and experiences of our guests are their own. Tony discusses his experiences with plant medicine and how it played a role in his emotional breakthrough. We encourage you to consult with your physician before exploring any new forms of therapy and healing.


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Tony Wang

Books 

Other Recommendations

Socials


23 Feb 2024How Might We Truly Put the Learner at the Center of the Learning Conversation? with Chris Skees00:46:23

In this episode, Tracy Clark interviews Chris Skees, a learning product manager at Cisco Meraki, about putting the learner at the center of the learning conversation. Chris shares his background and journey in the learning and development field, highlighting the importance of understanding personas and meeting learners where they are. He emphasizes the need for learning professionals to talk to learners and gather data to validate assumptions and make informed decisions.

Chris also discusses the importance of measuring learning outcomes and connecting learning initiatives to business goals. He envisions a future where learning is personalized and engaging, leveraging technology to anticipate learner needs and provide targeted support.

In this conversation, Tracy and Chris explore the concept of a product mindset and how it can transform the way L&D professionals approach their work. They also discuss the learner-centered approach of Justin Welsh and the power of listening to learners' needs. 


For more information, check out the resources Chris shared below:


Books

Transformed by Marty Cagan https://amzn.to/3TqRxXm


Podcasts

The Learning & Development Podcast: Developing A Digital Mindset With Myles Runham https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/developing-a-digital-mindset-with-myles-runham/id1466927523?i=1000514937966

The L&D Career Club Podcast: How to Become a CLO with David James https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-become-a-clo-with-david-james/id1540650959?i=1000609468785


Courses

Justin Welsh: LinkedIn OS https://learn.justinwelsh.me/linkedin


Socials

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cskees/

28 Jul 2023Building a Life of Adventure & Continuous Personal Growth with Alexia Raven00:58:58

Tracy Clark & Alexia Raven talk about building a life of continuous adventure and personal growth. Alexia shares her mindsets and practices for making ongoing progress towards her goals personally and professionally.

Alexia gives a mini-master class on marriage and shares her potentially controversial viewpoint that marriage is “easy”. We talk through what prompted Alexia to move from Hollywood to the Hill Country and start her own company, Maverix Insights and Strategy, after over two decades of corporate work in the qualitative research space, including at the top executive levels as Vice President of Warner Brothers Discovery Global Research & Insights Group, and roles at iHeart Radio, Lin Television and FOX Broadcast Network. 


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Alexia Raven

Books 

  • Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior | By Jonah Berger | I am fascinated by society & culture and why people make the decisions they do.  Jonah Berger writes that we are all influenced by others and most of the time this is subconscious - we don’t even realize it.  

  • The Millionaire Next Door | By Thomas Stanley & William Danko | I read this many many years ago, but it really changed my perception with money and how to manage it.  Such a great resource.  

  • Braving The Wilderness |  By Brene Brown |At Warner Bros. we had the privilege of having Brene come speak to the studio.  After that, I read her book and it gave me some real-world tips I use in my everyday life.  What is the story I’m telling myself?  I use that a ton!  

Socials

05 Aug 2022Building Entrepreneurial Confidence with Kimberly Borges00:57:47

​Tracy Clark & Kimberly Borges talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to building an apparel brand, manufacturing products, and going from vision to action as an entrepreneur. Kimberly shares about the women entrepreneurs in her family and how she is currently working to make PWR WMN, her apparel brand, more inclusive and empowering.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Kimberly Borges

  • Book - Breakthrough Advertising | Eugene M. Schwartz
  • Podcast - How I Built This| Guy Raz

Socials

06 Sep 2024How Might We Increase Flow and Creativity to Bring Joy to Work? with Gretchen Fox Palmer00:52:07

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy speaks with Gretchen Fox Palmer about one of her twelve favorite problems: “how might we increase flow and creativity to bring joy to work?”

Gretchen opens up about her personal path to self-awareness, including how she identified and dismantled her own hyper vigilance at work. From a self-described "toxic executive" to a champion of conscious leadership, she reveals how this process led to immediate positive changes in her team's culture, offering valuable lessons for leaders at all levels. 

Now, Gretchen teaches performance-driven organizations, teams, and leaders through her EQ @ Work program, focusing on the five EQ skills that can rescue employees from burnout. Her approach to emotional regulation and resilience is what has taken her from merely surviving to truly thriving.

The conversation explores the importance of vulnerability and joy in the workplace. It emphasizes the need for vulnerability to be approached with care and used as a tool for connection.

Tracy and Gretchen discuss how increasing flow and creativity to bring joy to work requires prioritizing emotional intelligence skills, which are easy to learn and have quick transformative outcomes. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • Emotional intelligence skills are easy to learn and have quick transformative outcomes.

  • Leaders need to prioritize emotional intelligence to create emotionally healthy performance-driven cultures.

  • Feedback and vulnerability are essential in creating a culture of growth and productivity.

  • Joy can be structured and designed for in organizations by tying it to well-being, fostering connection, and prioritizing people's livelihoods.

  • Emotional capacity plays a crucial role in individual and organizational well-being, and it can be developed through self-awareness, boundary-setting, and healthy coping mechanisms.

Gretchen’s Recommendations: 

Books: 

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://tinyurl.com/zvrwp6jk

The Presence Process by Michael Brown: https://tinyurl.com/3ya9ke2a

Podcasts: 

Satsang with Mooji: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/satsang-with-mooji/id1134425259

Connect with Gretchen: 

MTO Agency: https://mtoagency.com/

01 Nov 2024How might we create space for mindset shifts in learning experiences? with Gina Sipley00:50:04

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy interviews Dr. Gina Sipley to discuss one of her twelve favorite problems: "How might we create space for mindset shifts in learning experiences?" Dr. Sipley is a community college professor and first-generation college graduate who fosters inclusive spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can explore how their relationship with both online and offline texts shapes their identities.

They delve into the concept of lurking in online spaces, examining its impact on learning and participation, and exploring strategies for fostering meaningful engagement in digital environments. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding lurking as a common practice, the benefits and harms associated with it, and strategies for curating diverse perspectives on social media. The conversation also touches on the role of perfectionism in online participation and the need for protective curation. 

The episode emphasizes the significance of mindful social media engagement and the value of diverse voices in broadening our worldview.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lurking has become the dominant way we interact online

  • Curating diverse perspectives on social media is crucial

  • Protective curation helps individuals navigate online spaces

  • Engagement with social media should be mindful and intentional


Gina’s Recommendations: 


Book Recommendations: 

https://amzn.to/48uTXva

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Bias by Safiya Umoja Noble https://amzn.to/48uy7Ie

Country of the Blind: A Memoir At The End of Sight by Andrew Leland

https://amzn.to/3YLj3Tb

Trolling Ourselves to Death: Democracy in the Age of Social Media by Jason Hannan

https://amzn.to/40uCl0G


Podcast Recommendations:

You’re Wrong About https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-wrong-about/id1380008439

The Measure of Everyday Life https://measureradio.net/

Transforming Society https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/transforming-society-podcast/


Connect with Gina: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsipley/

You can subscribe to my newsletter, Words. by hitting the subscribe link on https://www.ginasipley.com/ 

I am a great resource for lurking and social media strategy, all things community college and the K-16 pipeline. I particularly love supporting first generation college students. 

I am interested in problem solving at scale and I welcome speaking and consulting opportunities. 

I would love to connect with other folks who bridge scholarly and creative pursuits for social good.

24 Feb 2023Building & Nurturing Communities of Practice with Anamaria Dorgo00:53:43

Join Tracy Clark and Anamaria Dorgo in a compelling conversation on the critical factors that contribute to building a thriving community of practice. In this podcast episode, Anamaria shares valuable insights on how purpose and values play a vital role in narrowing the gap between community vision and reality.

Discover the secrets to building a sustainable community that benefits both individuals and organizations. Anamaria challenges community builders and leaders to adopt a co-creation approach anchored in human-centered design. By consistently tending to the norms and contributions of the community, you can foster an environment where growth and innovation flourish.

Are you ready to take your community-building skills to the next level? Then, tune in and learn from the incredible communities of practice thought leader, Anamaria Dorgo!

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Anamaria

Books

Podcasts

Learning

Socials & More

07 Nov 2023My 12 Favorite Problems with Tracy Clark00:24:46

In this episode, Tracy Clark explores the idea of holding a dozen of your favorite problems in mind and why it is a powerful reflection exercise. We talk about multipotentialites and how this activity can help us get more clear about what matters to us, even when there are lots of possibilities on the table. We dig into the question, what is the work we want to be doing?  We also consider how the 12 Favorite Problems reflection activity can be a helpful filter for what we say yes and no to. 

FREE Downloadable Template - My 12 Favorite Problems https://courses.buildingthinkers.com/pl/2148005479

Tracy answers the questions:

  • What is this idea of holding a dozen of your favorite problems in mind?
  • Why does this idea matter?
  • How can you identify your 12 Favorite Problems?


Episode Resources: Recommendations from Tracy Clark

Books

Socials


FREE Downloadable  Template - My 12 Favorite Problems - https://courses.buildingthinkers.com/pl/2148005479

04 Oct 2024How might we close the research-practice gap across social impact sectors? with Dr. Alaina Szlachta00:56:08

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Dr. Alaina Szlachta to discuss one of her 12 favorite problems, “how might we close the research-practice gap (the knowing-doing gap) across social impact sectors?"

Dr. Alaina Szlachta is a Measurement Architect who's passionate about making data literacy accessible for education professionals. In the discussion, they dive deep into the world of data-driven learning, the importance of bridging the research-practice gap, creating a learning culture, and more. 

Alaina’s insights on building a strong learning culture, the power of feedback, and the importance of both quantitative and qualitative data will leave you thinking about how we can better use data across many of our domains and improve performance. They also touched on how personal problem-solving and experimentation play a critical role in developing data literacy, both at work and in everyday life.

If you're looking to elevate the way you or your organization approaches measurement and data-driven decision-making, Alaina's expertise will offer valuable guidance.


Key Takeaways:

  • Data-Driven Learning: Organizations should shift away from traditional learning methods and focus on collecting data to identify specific performance gaps and challenges. This data-driven approach allows for more targeted and effective learning initiatives.

  • Prioritizing Professional Development: A culture of continuous learning is essential for organizational growth. Companies should invest in opportunities and provide the necessary support to help employees develop their skills and knowledge.

  • The Power of Practice: Practical experience is key to developing valuable skills. Engaging in problem-solving and experimentation allows individuals to apply their knowledge in real-world situations and foster a growth mindset.

  • Data Literacy: Understanding and utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data is crucial for making informed decisions. Developing data literacy skills can empower individuals to analyze information and drive positive outcomes.

Alaina’s Recommendations: 

Book Recommendations: 

Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring, by Dr. Alaina Szlachta https://amzn.to/4ePySgT

Partner for Performance, by Ingrid Guerra-Lopez https://amzn.to/4eKB6hu

Show the Value of What You Do, by Patricia Pulliam Phillips https://amzn.to/47V1Jye



Podcast Recommendations: 

2 Bobs: https://2bobs.com/

Clark Howard: https://clark.com/podcasts/

Creator Science: https://podcast.creatorscience.com/


Connect with Alaina: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drszlachta/

Website: https://dralainaszlachta.com/ 

Newsletter: https://dralainaszlachta.substack.com/

08 Mar 2024How might we use the power of habit to improve? with Jonathan Butterworth00:57:38

In this episode, Tracy interviews Jonathan Butterworth about the power of habits and how they can be used to improve various aspects of life.


Jonathan shares his background as an entrepreneur and his experience in building people and teams. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the desired outcomes before implementing habits and making necessary sacrifices.


Jonathan also discusses the balance between hustle and rest, and the need to align goals and habits. He provides insights on maintaining focus in a distracted world and shares his approach to creating content and managing time effectively.


For more information, check out the resources Jonathan shared below:


Books

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius https://amzn.to/495qOoU

Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani https://amzn.to/493YWld

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson https://amzn.to/4cpuQvq


Podcasts

Lex Fridman Podcast https://lexfridman.com/podcast/

The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes https://lewishowes.com/sogpodcast/

Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett https://stevenbartlett.com/the-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast/


Socials

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbutterworth/

30 Dec 2022Building on the Bottom-Line Benefits of Play at Work with Kirsten Anderson00:48:08

Tracy Clark & Kirsten Anderson talk about the power of play and why Kirsten sees play as the antidote to fear. Kirsten explains why play and productivity should not be at odds with one another and identifies the bottom-line benefits of play at work. Kirsten shares how the lessons from her imaginative, thriving toy store days inspired her to help more adults solve sticky challenges through the power of play at work.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Kirsten Anderson

Books

Podcasts

Courses

Eleven Minutes to Mars Course

Socials

11 Aug 2023Building Clarity & Motivation to Learn with Kristiaan Hartmann00:50:56

​​​​Tracy Clark & Kristiaan Hartmann talk about building clarity and motivation to learn.  Kristiaan spoke to his own challenge in making decisions at important crossroads in life and how he learned to trust his intuition take action and change course when necessary as he went from snowboard instructor at 17 to people manager to lecturer and entrepreneur. 

Kristiaan shared how he and his co-founder at Prototype You use best practices from lean, agile, design thinking and behavioral design to help professionals get from inspiration to action. We talked about the power of a posture of experimentation and a bit about Kristiaan’s current business prototype where he is putting into practice the same methods he teaches to others to help entrepreneurs take meaningful action within a structure of trusted and supportive accountability. 


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Kristiaan Hartmann

Books 


Socials


25 Mar 2023Building Effective Communication Skills Across Cultures with Paola Pascual 00:40:38

In this episode of the Building Thinkers Podcast, host Tracy Clark is joined by cross-cultural communication expert Paola Pascual, who shares her insights on effective communication across cultures and languages.

Listeners will learn about key mindset shifts and self-awareness techniques that can help non-native English speakers feel more confident in their communication skills and even access more of their full selves in their non-native language. Paola also highlights the positive impact that a vibrant multicultural community can have on work and innovation efforts and what native English speakers can do to decrease linguistic bias in conversations and collaboration.

Throughout the episode, Paola draws from her own experiences and her current role at Talaera working with individuals and organizations across cultures, providing practical advice and strategies for improving cross-cultural communication.

Whether you are a non-native English speaker seeking to improve your communication skills or a professional working in a multicultural environment, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable tips for building effective communication skills across cultures.


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Paola Pascual

Upcoming Free Webinar! Working Across Cultures (link goes to registration page) 

Talaera - Business English Training for Global Teams  https://www.talaera.com/


Books 


Socials


Paola Pascual on LinkedIn

02 Sep 2022Building Up People: Seeing & Sharing the Power of Human Potential with Greg Garner00:51:42

Tracy Clark & Greg Garner talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to developing and leading others and what he is learning in his role as a learning and performance specialist at a pharmaceutical research company. Greg shares about his doctoral work at the intersection of education, psychology and design and challenges us to think about productivity in new ways.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Greg Garner

Books

Socials

21 Oct 2022The Building Thinkers Story with Tracy Clark - interviewed by Greg Garner00:46:12

In this special episode the roles are reversed as Greg Garner interviews Tracy Clark about her story and what ignited her desire to unleash human potential. Tracy and Greg talk about the core principles that ground the work she does with clients, the twists and turns of her career path and how her own insatiable desire for positive impact drives a sense of purpose and the action oriented collaboration signature to her learning strategy services. 


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Tracy Clark 

Books

Socials

08 May 2023Building a Better Way to Manage Stress with Stephanie Simpson00:46:01

Tracy Clark and Stephanie Simpson talk about conscious leadership and becoming more “human” at work. At a time when change is happening at an exponential pace, having the tools to navigate ambiguity and adversity is vital. Stephanie shares how her unique experience in the performing arts and arts education comes into play as she coaches clients and teams to nurture the connection between mind, body, and spirit.


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Stephanie Simpson


Books 

Podcasts

Socials

10 Feb 2023Building a Fitness Lifestyle with Daniel Raz 00:44:56

​​​​Tracy Clark & Daniel Raz talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to fitness and health goals. Daniel shares the small shifts that can make a big impact on our health and confidence and how he helps his clients make lasting changes.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Daniel Raz

Socials

02 Oct 2023Building Experiential Learning & Living with Romy Alexandra00:48:50

​​​​Tracy Clark & Romy Alexandra explore experiential learning and jump into the deep end of the duality of learning and development work. In this episode, Romy shares opportunities she sees to bring more humanity into the learning space. We talked about the power of the rules of open space not only for learning experience design but also as a handy mental reframing tool she applies to her life. Romy shares how those involved in learning experience design can love our participants more than our design and what it looks like for that to play out in real-time ways in our sessions. 

For more foundational information on what experiential learning design is, check out the resources Romy shared below. 


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Romy Alexandra

Books 


Socials & Learning Links

16 Dec 2022Building Leaders in the Navy with Jason Fite00:54:45

Tracy Clark & Jason Fite talk about what leadership skill development looks like in the military. Jason explains why he reads biographies rather than traditional leadership books and why indecision is the Achilles heel of leadership. Jason shares how understanding your own strengths and weaknesses is foundational to any leadership position and about his upcoming role as a new commander of a naval warship.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Jason Fite

Books

Socials

15 Sep 2023Building Customer Education Experiences with Jordan Hopkins00:48:24

​​​​Tracy Clark & Jordan Hopkins talk all things customer education -  including how to build customer education experiences that support informed, happy customers and better business outcomes. We talked about the power of simplicity in learning experience design and why less is almost always more. Jordan shares his take on how engagement isn’t always loud or overt and lessons he’s learned from traditional education, internal L&D work and customer education at Intellum.  


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Jordan Hopkins:


Books 

Podcasts


Socials


01 Dec 2023Building Results Driven Leaders with Vaughn Sigmon00:50:39

In this episode, Tracy interviews Vaughn Sigmon, a corporate executive turned entrepreneur and founder of Results Driven Leadership. From his executive role at Carmax leading a team of over 3,000, to his entrepreneurial role as the founder of Results Driven Leadership, Vaughn shares his insights and strategies on a wide range of topics including leadership, giving feedback,  time management, and maintaining consistency. 

They discuss the importance of being people-first in leadership and how successful companies prioritize their employees. Vaughn emphasizes the need for investing in employee development and providing regular feedback.

The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships with employees and aligning individual and organizational goals. They delve into the challenges of delegation and the power of consistency in achieving success. In this conversation, Tracy and Vaughn discuss the importance of consistency and growth in the creative and business world. They also explore the challenges of perfectionism and fear of criticism.

Takeaways:

  • Being people-first is a core value of successful companies, and leaders should prioritize the growth and development of their employees.

  • Investing in employee development and providing regular feedback are essential for fostering a learning culture within an organization.

  • Building relationships with employees and aligning individual and organizational goals are key to creating a motivated and engaged workforce.

  • Delegation can be challenging, but it is necessary for effective leadership and time management.

  • Consistency is crucial in achieving success and reaching long-term goals.


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Vaughn Sigmon

Books 


Podcasts

Socials


02 Jan 2024The Building Thinkers Goal Guide00:32:33

In this episode Tracy Clark steps through The Building Thinkers Goal Guide, a set of vision planning and strategic reflection activities for multi-potentialites.


Download the FREE Goal Guide Here - https://courses.buildingthinkers.com/goalguide


Looking for more support to make progress on your Big Idea? Learn more about The Learning Agility Cohort Here - https://courses.buildingthinkers.com/learningagility

26 Jul 2024How Might We Bring Impactful Order Out of Chaos? with Melissa Pickering00:35:12

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy speaks with Melissa Pickering, an accomplished product development expert with a rich background in leadership. Melissa's impressive career spans from launching her own EdTech startup, iCreate to Educate, to solving complex challenges at Lego by integrating digital and physical experiences, to making a significant impact at Willow, a company focused on products for moms. Currently, she leads product development as a Senior Director of Product at Bose.

The main theme of their conversation revolves around one of Tracy's 12 Favorite Problems: "How might we create impactful order out of chaos?" Melissa's passion for untangling complex challenges and breaking them down into manageable parts makes her the perfect guest for this topic. She shares her insights on both the people and product sides of creating order and discusses the creative tension between structure and flexibility, particularly in innovation and product development.

Melissa also delves into the urgent need for focus, the dynamics of quick decision-making versus taking time to reach a consensus, and the wisdom of allowing innovation to emerge from a deeper examination of options and opportunities. Her expertise, insights, and leadership lessons offer valuable takeaways for anyone involved in product development, team leadership, or personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Embrace the chaos: In product development and organizational change, some level of chaos is necessary for innovation and progress.

  • Focus is key: In a world of constant distractions, cultivating focus and presence is crucial for individual and team productivity.

  • Don't overcomplicate: Avoid unnecessary complexity in product development and problem-solving by focusing on user needs and core assumptions.

  • Influence for lasting change: Driving change through influence and collaboration leads to greater ownership and sustainable results.

Melissa’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations: 

Switch by Chip & Dan Heath: https://amzn.to/4caFvZL

Powerful by Patty McCord: https://amzn.to/3Sl0RMF

The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath: https://amzn.to/4dbCcCf

Connect with Melissa: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjpickering/

20 Sep 2024How might we rewrite broken soundtracks (limiting beliefs)? with Stephanie Silver00:59:03

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy and Stephanie Silver discuss one of Tracy’s 12 favorite problems, “how might we rewrite broken soundtracks?” The concept of "rewriting broken soundtracks," refers to the limiting beliefs and negative thoughts that often replay in our minds. 

Stephanie’s incredible life story is one of resilience and healing in the face of deep trauma and heartache. She shares her deeply personal journey with overcoming those broken soundtracks to build a life beyond what she could have imagined.

In this conversation, Tracy and Steph discuss the power of rewriting our internal soundtracks and overcoming limiting beliefs. They explore the origins of these scripts and how they shape our lives.

Tracy and Stephanie share their personal journeys with soundtracks and how they have found freedom and joy in rewriting them.  They emphasize the importance of recognizing and challenging negative thoughts, and offer guidance for those who want to start exploring and rewriting their own soundtracks. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Soundtracks are the limiting beliefs and negative thoughts that get stuck on replay in our mind. These internal dialogues can significantly impact our feelings and actions. Recognizing and challenging negative thoughts is the first step in rewriting broken soundtracks.
  • Neuroplasticity allows us to rewire our brains and create new, positive neural pathways.
  • Rewriting broken soundtracks requires self-reflection, honesty, and a willingness to challenge our own beliefs. 
  • Perceptions of success and failure vary among individuals. Stephanie challenges the notion that one must hit "rock bottom" to initiate change, arguing that personal definitions of bottom differ widely.
  • They discuss the importance of viewing one's challenges from different perspectives to foster change. By embodying positive beliefs about oneself, individuals can shift their energy and influence how they are perceived by others.



Book Recommendations: 

Anywhere, USA by Stephanie Silver https://amzn.to/4d8E6TH

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza https://amzn.to/3Xzqf3e

Existential Kink by Dr. Carolyn Elliott https://amzn.to/3Xvb37i

Radical Honesty by Brad Blanton https://amzn.to/3zqEpeO 

The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein https://amzn.to/4dbsHTm



Connect with Stephanie: 

https://www.vine-collective.com/

Podcast: https://www.vine-collective.com/mvp-business/

21 Apr 2023Building Ecosystems for Never Ending Learning with Toby Newman00:49:12

Tracy Clark & Toby Newman explore strategies for building seamless learning ecosystems that minimize friction between learners and the learning process. Discover how this approach fosters adult learner agency and unlocks limitless learning potential. Toby shares his insights on the intersection of AI and Learning Technology, the potential for improving our learning ecosystems, and the power of being a generalist in learning and development. 

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Toby Newman

Books 

Socials

Community

14 Jan 2023Building Effective School Boards with AJ Crabill01:03:01

​​​​AJ Crabill and Tracy Clark talk about how to build effective school boards and what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to school governance. AJ shares his perspective on what school boards' singular vision and purpose should be and why so many have veered from this direction. AJ shares what he learned from his experience in several remarkable school district turnarounds and his time in state-level education leadership regarding the continuous improvement cycle. AJ previews his upcoming book - launching in March of 2023 - Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Be Effective.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from AJ Crabill

Socials

14 Jul 2023Building Visual Thinking Practices with Manuel S. Herrera00:48:29

​​​​Tracy Clark & Manuel S. Herrera talk about the power of drawing to make thinking visible. Manuel shares about creativity, art, visual literacy and why we sometimes may put our creative practices aside for a period of time. Manuel reflects on his career in education and edtech and the new opportunities opening up through his own illustrations and creative practices. We also talked about how Manuel learned how to illustrate children’s books and more about how several of his upcoming collaborations and projects came to fruition. 


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Manuel S. Herrera 

Books 

Podcasts

Socials

  • You can Manuel on Instagram & Twitter at @manuelherrera33

26 Aug 2023Building Learning Agility 00:21:54

In this episode, Tracy Clark explores the idea of learning agility and why it is the ultimate competitive advantage for modern work and life.

Tracy answers the questions:

- What is learning agility?

- Why does learning agility matter?

- How might we begin to develop learning agility? Including three practical ideas for getting started with your own learning agility development.

Tracy shares how reflecting on her own learning story helped her recognize the power of this concept and its direct impact on her personal and professional growth.


Books

The Power of Habit: Why we do what we do in life and business | By Charles Duhigg

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | By Greg McKeown

Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead & Live without Barriers | By Jo Boaler


Socials

All the Building Thinkers socials and such - https://linktr.ee/buildingthinkers

Build Your Thinker - https://courses.buildingthinkers.com/newsletter





26 Apr 2022Season 1: Building Thinkers Trailer00:02:17

In this trailer Tracy Clark shares what the Building Thinkers podcast is all about and why she decided to explore the world of podcasting as a way to continue her own learning and create accessible blueprints on a range of topics (business, education, organization, building habits, therapy, finances, research, and learning science to name a few). 

18 Oct 2024How might we make thinking visible? with Jovonee King00:48:37

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Jovonee King to discuss one of her twelve favorite problems, “how might we make thinking visible?” 

Jovonee is a Scaled Solutions Engineer at Miro, with a rich background in customer education and a passion for transformative collaboration. Jovonee shares her journey, highlighting her commitment to education, inclusivity, and community building.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of making thinking visible and explore how Miro enhances collaboration by fostering inclusive environments for idea sharing. Jovonne discusses the power of visualization in accelerating learning, overcoming perfectionism, and igniting creativity. 

You’ll also get a sneak peek into the future of Miro, including exciting new features aimed at boosting creativity and innovation. Plus, we dive into Jovonne's personal interests in DIY projects and upcycling, showcasing how digital tools can reimagine physical spaces.

Key Takeaways:

  • The importance of taking risks and learning from different experiences for career growth

  • Visualization is crucial for effective collaboration and idea sharing

  • Overcoming perfectionism is crucial for creative processes 

  • Visualization helps create an inclusive canvas that allows all voices to be heard

Jovonee’s Recommendations: 

Book Recommendations: 

Other Links: 

Try Miro - https://miro.cello.so/Wviex1qZaSS 

Canvas ‘24 - https://canvas24.miro.com/

Miro Community - https://miro.com/community/


Connect with Jovonee: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovonee/

09 Feb 2024How Might We Help Activate Human Potential? with Sandhya Sudhakar00:52:02

Tracy Clark and Sandhya Sudhakar discuss the importance of knowing oneself at work and how it’s critical to activating human potential. Sandhya shares her personal journey of experiencing burnout and leaving the corporate world to start her own business focused on helping individuals understand their innate potential and make choices that align with their true selves. They discuss the consequences of not knowing oneself at work, the role of self-reflection and the Enneagram in personal growth, and the need for rest and self-care. They also explore how leaders can create systems and structures that support individual differences and foster trust within teams. The conversation explores the importance of building trust and collaboration in teams and embracing our humanity at work. 


For more information, check out the resources Sandhya shared below. 

Books 

Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most -https://amzn.to/3TLBCEq

The First, the Few, the Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America- https://amzn.to/43uvxQb

The Essential Enneagram - https://amzn.to/49aEqPU

Discovering Your Personality Type - https://amzn.to/3TkjcJm


Podcasts

Working Your Way https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/working-your-way/id1714936726

https://hbr.org/podcast/2018/02/lead-with-authenticity


Enneagram Resources:

Socials: 

https://www.selfatwork.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandhya-sudhakar/ 

https://www.instagram.com/selfatworksandhya/

07 Feb 2024Building AI-Powered Support for Diabetes Care with Shemmy Majewski00:49:15

Tracy Clark & Shemmy Majewski talk about the inflection point of this moment in time when it comes to AI and Machine Learning and how Shemmy’s own journey with diabetes fuels his passion for harnessing its power to enhance the lives of those living with diabetes.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Shemmy Majewski


Books 


Socials

09 Jul 2022Building Instructional Design Support for Teachers with Alton Riggins00:59:24

​​Tracy Clark & Alton Riggins talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to supporting teachers and building learning experiences for all students. Alton tells us how he supports teachers as they try new things and he makes an intention to launch his own internet presence – get ready for a YouTube channel and TED Talk by Alton in the future.

Episode Resources

Books

Favorite Ed-Tech Tools (because he isn’t into podcasts yet)

Socials

Twitter: @AltonSocrates

LinkedIn: Alton Riggins

04 Nov 2022Building Operational Rigor with Gillian Calley00:53:13

Tracy Clark & Gillian Calley talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to making structures to help make impactful projects possible. Gillian shares her pathway from office administrator to chief of staff and how being a “non-traditional” college student helped develop skills and mindsets she carries with her today. Gillian and Tracy talk about the power of communication in an organization and the connections between relationships, psychological safety, and effective operations.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Gillian Calley

Books

Podcasts

Socials

14 Jun 2024How might "be where your feet are" become my primary way of being? with Shani Persson00:51:21

In this episode, Tracy talks with Shani Persson about one of her twelve favorite problems: How might “be where your feet are” become our primary way of being? 

Shani is the co-founder of Wonder, an insight and experience design lab which aims to inspire and support companies, institutions, groups or individuals to help themselves and others thrive through more human experiences. 

They discuss the importance of creating contexts that take into account the fact that we are human beings with brains, bodies, and lives. They explore the role of self-inquiry and self-awareness in creating meaningful work experiences. They also delve into the challenge of saying no and the need to listen to ourselves. The conversation emphasizes the practice of being present.

Key Takeaways: 

Recognize the importance of being present and enjoying the process, rather than constantly striving for the next thing.

Learn to say no and set boundaries to maintain energy and focus. The facade of control can lead to addictive behaviors and a constant need for dopamine hits.

The awareness of mortality can awaken us to what truly matters in life and help us reevaluate our priorities.

Being present and letting go of urgency can bring more joy and clarity to our lives.


Shani’s Recommendations: 

Books: 

Essentialism by Greg McKeown https://amzn.to/4bhrk4F

Connect with Shani: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanipersson/

Wonder: https://www.justwonder.co/ 

05 Apr 2024How might "be where your feet are" become our primary way of being? with Hanna Finissi00:56:28

In this episode, Tracy and Hannah discuss the importance of being present and intentional in our lives. They explore the impact of conditioned beliefs and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The conversation highlights the need to be fully present in each moment (be where your feet are) and the consequences of not doing so. 

They talk about the practice of mindfulness through meditation and how it can lead to a life of peace and fulfillment and they discuss the obstacles to mindfulness, such as fear and the desire for safety and familiarity. They emphasize the importance of taking aligned actions and finding sustainability in growth and action. 


Takeaways

  • Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention on purpose in the present moment, non-judgmentally.

  • Practicing mindfulness through meditation helps to exercise the mindfulness muscle and live a life of peace and fulfillment.

  • Being fully present in the moment amplifies happiness and reduces ruminations about the past and anxiety about the future.

  • Taking aligned actions and finding sustainability in growth and action are key to living a fulfilled life.

Hanna’s Recommendations: 

Books:

Frequency by Penny Pierce https://amzn.to/4ayHOW8

The Inner Matrix by Joey Klein https://amzn.to/3U1WzLx

The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer https://amzn.to/3TKhZLU


Podcasts

The Expanded Podcast

Where Should We Begin?

The Michael Singer Podcast


Find Hanna:

Soultrustignite.com

https://www.instagram.com/soultrustignite/

16 Sep 2022Building Innovative Products & Securing Patents with Alex McFadyen00:51:35

Tracy Clark & Alex McFadyen talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to developing a new product and the process of securing a patent. Alex shares his unique approach to developing, what he likes to call "assets", and building a business to the point of passing it off for someone else to run. So, what should you do with your "big" idea? Alex shares his thoughts on how to start, equity tips, and some of the first questions VCs have in mind during that first pitch. 


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Alex McFadyen

Books

Socials

23 Aug 2024How might we make thinking visible? with Kevin Alster00:52:39

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Kevin Alster to discuss one of her 12 favorite problems, “how might we make thinking visible?” 

Kevin is a strategic advisor at Synthesia, an AI video communications platform that translates text into professional, instructional AI videos.  They explore the importance of using concrete, pictorial, visual, and abstract representations to help learners understand complex concepts. They also emphasize the need for a product design mindset and an experimental approach when incorporating AI and technology in learning experiences. 

In this conversation, Tracy and Kevin discuss how storytelling is a powerful tool for making thinking visible and communicating complex concepts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Making thinking visible involves using concrete, pictorial, visual, and abstract representations to help learners understand complex concepts.

  • A product design mindset and an experimental approach are crucial when incorporating AI and technology in learning experiences.

  • Unbundling tasks and identifying which ones can be impacted by AI can lead to more efficient and effective learning processes.

  • Leveraging AI tools, such as large language models or custom models, can enhance the learning experience and improve outcomes.

  • The process of learning and growth involves going broad, diving deep, and trusting your brain to make connections.

Kevin’s Recommendations: 

Follow-up resources:

Book Recommendations: 

Podcast Recommendations: 

Connect with Kevin:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinalster/

24 Jun 2022Building Memorable Customer Service Experiences with Katie Conley00:54:13

Tracy Clark & Katie Conley talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to building memorable customer experiences. Katie tells us why companies shouldn’t be afraid to make a mistake in the customer service experience and why nothing is too small to celebrate.

Episode Resources

Books

Podcasts

Companies

16 Jun 2023Building Courage from Within with Amanda Parker00:55:57

Tracy Clark & Amanda Parker talk about building courage from within. With a remarkable career journey from NYC marketing to working with jaguars in Panama for the World Wildlife Fund and for clients such as the World Economic Forum, World Bank, Unicef, and General Assembly - Amanda’s experience in organizational and individual transformation shines throughout our conversation as she shares her insights and challenges us to consider what might be on the other side of that resistance we feel and leads us to a place where we find the courage to take the next right step forward. If you are ready to get unstuck and consider what courage looks like in your own life, take a listen and let me know what you think.


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Amanda Parker


Books


Podcasts


Socials & More


For more from Tracy Clark & Building Thinkers check out https://linktr.ee/buildingthinkers

31 May 2024How might we rewrite broken "soundtracks" (limiting beliefs)? with Sara Huang00:51:48

In this episode of the Building Thinkers Podcast, Tracy speaks with Sara Huang about one of her twelve favorite problems: How might we rewrite broken soundtracks (limiting beliefs)?

Sara is an experienced facilitator and designer specialized in creative conflict resolution, policy work, and collaboration. The discussion centers around identifying and rewriting limiting beliefs or 'broken soundtracks.' Sara introduces concepts such as edge figures and emphasizes the importance of creating transformational spaces for personal and collective growth. The episode explores practical exercises for recognizing and reworking limiting beliefs and touches on the power of creating enriching environments for experimentation and learning. 

Key Takeaways: 

Unleash Transformation: Create space for self-reflection and connection to rewrite limiting beliefs and build a brighter future.

Reframe Your Reality: Shift limiting beliefs by understanding their energy and using it to propel yourself towards new possibilities. Pay attention to strong emotional reactions, either love or hate, and examine what those reactions may reveal about underlying beliefs.

Resonate, Imitate, Create: Sarah introduces a model for learning and growth: starting with what resonates (sparks interest), moving to imitation (practicing and experimenting), and finally reaching creation (applying and innovating in one's unique context).


Sara’s Recommendations:

Podcasts:

Finding Your Way: https://www.findingourwaypodcast.com/individual-episodes/s2e3

On Being: https://onbeing.org/series/podcast/


Books: 

Lessons from Courageous Child by Sara Huang - https://buymeacoffee.com/sarahuang/e/71071

The Power Manual by Cindy Suarez - https://amzn.to/4bSoWC8

Holding Change by Adrienne Maree Brown - https://amzn.to/3R3Mmwk

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield - https://amzn.to/3R8F2j3 

Beyond the Wall of Resistance by Rick Maurer - https://amzn.to/3KoJjLh


Other Recommendations:

https://app.7taps.com/av9kFaO3IR

https://www.conflicttransformationsummit.org/www.conflicttransformationsummit.org/stage-2.html 

https://communityresourcehub.org/resources/turning-towards-each-other-a-conflict-workbook/

https://ariseembodiment.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/So-youre-ready-to-choose-love-workbook-19.pdf


Connect with Sara:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/huangsara

www.bento.me/sarahuang

www.instagram.com/bureautwist

22 Jul 2022Building Connection & Contentment with Ali Goljahmofrad00:40:00

Tracy Clark & Ali Goljahmofrad talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to building connection and contentment. Ali shares how to intentionally re-think happy-whenitis, accept and value our own humanity, including our imperfections, and be present witnesses to joy.

Episode Resources

Books

Podcasts

Ali implores listeners to explore a wide range of content, including things that are from other arenas or perspectives that differ from your own. And with that in mind he shared his picks:

Socials

25 Jan 2024Season 2 Trailer: A Season of My 12 Favorite Problems with Tracy Clark00:03:44

The Building Thinkers Podcast is based on the realization that there is exponential potential and possibility in the things we build:

From websites to mindsets,

From freelancing firms to workout routines,

From leadership programs to checklists,

From that book proposal to the crucial conversation, we keep delaying,

From goals and habits to the soundtracks we play in our minds.

And these things we build have the potential to change our teams, our businesses, our families and in a non-hyperbolic way … really our lives. 

But sometimes the insights, research, and application can seem out of reach or overly complex. There’s a lot of noise out there and opinions and even “best practices”

In Season Two of the Building Thinkers Podcast in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 Favorite Problems, these are my constant curiosities, my life’s work, the areas I’m always reading about, researching, and experimenting with in my personal and professional life. 

And I want to go deeper, I want to –  build thinkers. 

I want to focus my attention and curiosity and growth intertwined in these topics. I want to talk with people who share these wonderings, who want to pause and question what they think they know and then also share the things they do actually know. The things they’ve learned... The things they’ve come to think of as If only people knew… in their industry, expertise, or project.




- Join the Learning Agility Cohort

- Connect with me on LinkedIn




10 Mar 2023Building a Career in Real Estate with Amanda Rickman 00:40:24

​​​​Tracy Clark & Amanda Rickman talk about how Amanda transitioned from owning a local cake shop to building a real estate business and team. Amanda shares her perspective on what’s happening in the current housing market, how she thinks about building a real estate investment portfolio, and when to delegate in your business. We also talked about the inspiration that drives her community giving and involvement.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Amanda Rickman

Books

Podcasts

Socials

19 Aug 2022Building Simplicity in Strategy with Moss Pike 00:53:17

​​​​Tracy Clark & Moss Pike talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to strategy. Moss shares about developing a managed services product and the questions he and his company are thinking about at this moment in time like: What is the purpose of our office space now? How do we have non-transactional conversations? 

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Moss Pike

Books

Socials

07 Oct 2022Building Personal Financial Literacy for High Achieving Women with Eryn Schultz00:47:01

Tracy Clark and Eryn Schultz talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to personal finance in Eryn's niche, helping high earning women with graduate degrees. Eryn takes her incredible depth of knowledge from her days of management consulting at Accenture, Harvard Business School MBA, and corporate leadership roles and she combines it with a humble and accessible heart of an educator in the courses she designs and leads. Her work has been featured on NPR, CNBC, at Harvard Business School, and Real Simple. 


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Eryn Schultz

Books

Podcasts

Socials & More

10 May 2024How might we increase flow & and creativity to bring joy to work? with Paula Amiama01:00:15

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy interviews Paula Amiama about one of her twelve favorite problems: How might we increase flow & and creativity to bring joy to work?

Over the last decade, Paula worked across marketing, the arts, sustainability, innovation, and education. She’s had stops in start-ups, non-profits, and large corporate organizations.

Currently, Paula leads the global Skilling & Learning agenda at DB Schenker, a large logistics company. Paula’s deep and wide expertise from her self-proclaimed non-linear career path, experiences, and clear life-long learning brought such powerful and unique insights in our conversation.

Tracy and Paula discuss the importance of creating flow and autonomy in work, as well as strategies for shifting perspectives to find flow. They emphasize the need to protect time and set clear agendas to prioritize flow and creativity. The conversation highlights the role of leaders in supporting and prioritizing flow for their teams.

Takeaways

  • Embrace non-linear career paths: Explore diverse interests to discover what resonates most deeply with you.
  • Prioritize reflection and journaling: Gain clarity on your true desires and motivations for greater focus.
  • Protect time for deep work: Schedule uninterrupted blocks for focused, creative activities that energize you.
  • Leaders: Foster flow through reflection: Find fulfillment in your role and create a positive work environment by prioritizing deep thinking.
  • Flow and autonomy boost motivation: Enhance productivity and job satisfaction by creating space for flow and individual choice in work.

Paula's Recommendations:

Books:

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Podcasts:

Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin

We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle

School of Embodied Arts with Jenna Ward

Connect with Paula: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulaamiama/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulaamiama/ 

Substack: https://paulaamiama.substack.com


02 Jun 2023Building Collective Impact with Anna Brewster00:37:27

​​​​Tracy Clark & Anna Brewster talk about building teams for collective impact and evidence-based health policy. We analyzed why there is such a gap between what we know (research) and what we do (practice) across many fields and what strategies make an impact. If information doesn't change behavior, what does?

Anna shares her journey from management consulting at Deloitte to cancer prevention work at MD Anderson and her recent career transition to local government policy. Anna received her masters in public health from Harvard University and is passionate about seeing the impact of government health policy in action. It was such a treat to talk with my longtime friend and hear about the incredible impact of her work in public health. 


Episode Resources - Recommendations from Anna Brewster


Books 

Podcasts

Socials


09 Aug 2024How might we close the research-practice gap across social impact sectors? with Nick Petch01:00:32

In this episode, Tracy is joined by design researcher, Nick Petch, to discuss one of her twelve favorite problems, “How might we close the research-practice gap (the knowing-doing gap) across social impact sectors?” Tracy and Nick cover an array of topics from the definition of learning to the role of access and behaviors in the learning process.

This conversation stresses the importance of creating environments that prioritize access and behaviors over mere content delivery, advocating for a shift towards human-centered design that empowers individuals. Nick shares insights on the significance of understanding oneself as a designer and the responsibility that comes with designing for others. He recommends starting with self-reflection and developing an ethnographic practice to better understand the needs and aspirations of the people being designed for. Nick also highlights the importance of design leadership and the power of participatory design.

Key Takeaways: 

Human-centered design transfers power to the people being impacted by the design process. Design plays a crucial role in the field of learning and development, and it is important to understand oneself as a designer and the responsibility of designing for others.

Design is about de-risking and understanding the problem space and context in order to solve the right problem.

Empowering the people being designed for and involving them in the design process leads to better outcomes.

Design leadership is about influencing how design is seen and valued in organizations.


Nick’s Recommendations: 


Book Recommendations: 

Being Ecological by Timothy Morton: https://amzn.to/4dujZ3D

This Human: How to Be the Person Designing for Other People by ⁠Melis Senova⁠: ⁠https://amzn.to/3YIwPGy⁠

Doing Sensory Ethnography by ⁠Sarah Pink⁠: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Ap9MGI


Connect with Nick:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickpetch

12 Jul 2024How might we consistently replace complexity with insight? with Eli Wood00:57:11

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy speaks to Eli Wood about one of her 12 favorite problems: How might we consistently replace complexity with insight? Eli is the leader of the collective Black Flag Design, a group of creative technologists, designers, and product strategists focused on complex AI applications. 

They discuss the importance of embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and developing durable skills in AI for professionals in various fields. They also explore the value of simplicity and the insights that can come from being a generalist or non-expert. 

Tracy and Eli discuss the importance of participatory design and the challenges of obtaining user feedback in sensitive data environments. He addresses the intersection of creativity and AI, debunking the notion that AI hinders creativity and instead highlighting its potential to enhance creative processes. 

Key takeaways:

  • Overcoming the complexity of AI: Eli emphasizes accessible on-ramps to AI skill-building and encourages embracing the technology rather than fearing it. He highlights the evolution of AI as a tool, similar to the transformation of photography.

  • The importance of durable skills: Eli discusses the importance of adaptive learning and executive function as crucial skills for the future of work. He introduces the "tennis" analogy as a metaphor for encouraging individual agency and action.

  • Creative pragmatism: Eli advocates for a relationship-based approach to problem-solving, prioritizing clarity over jargon. He emphasizes experimentation, mindset, and assumption-busting as key elements in achieving practical outcomes.

  • The role of AI in creativity: Eli expresses optimism about the potential for AI to enhance creativity, sharing his personal experience of increased creativity through AI-powered tools. 

  • The future of human skills: Eli believes that adaptive learning and communication will be critical skills for humans in the evolving landscape of AI. 

Eli's Recommendations:


Book Recommendations: 

The Creative Pragmatist by Amy Smilovic - https://tibi.com/products/the-creative-pragmatist-navy-green-multi

Testing Business Ideas by David J Bland - https://amzn.to/3XW1joc

Sprint by Jake Knapp - https://amzn.to/3zCgLMc

Building by Mark Ellison - https://amzn.to/3XZtrqM

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin - https://amzn.to/4f0DTEf


Podcast Recommendations: 

Lex Fridman: https://lexfridman.com/podcast/

The Daily: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736


Connect with Eli: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/notthatactor/

eli@blackflag.design

Pop Tech Conference: https://poptech.org/

28 Nov 2022Building People-First Leadership Practices with Kara Kirby00:52:27

Tracy Clark & Kara Kirby talk about what people tend to overcomplicate when it comes to building leadership skills and people-first practices. Kara shares about her experiences in top rated organizational cultures and how she took the leap to build her own service business, growing people-first companies across the globe. Oh, and if you are a Ted Lasso fan you’re in for an extra treat.

Episode Resources - Recommendations from Kara Kirby

Books

Coach Beard's Booklist via Kara Kirby

·  Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake

·  Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby

·  About a Boy by Nick Hornby

·  Football Against the Enemy by Simon Kuper

·  Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics by Jonathan Wilson

·  Coaching Soccer for Dummies by Greg Bach

·  The Greatest: The Quest for Sporting Perfection by Matthew Syed

Socials

Pop On Leadership - Podcast

15 Nov 2024How might we increase flow and creativity to bring joy to work? with Said Saddouk00:51:56

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Said Saddouk to discuss one of her 12 favorite problems, “How might we increase flow & and creativity to bring joy to work?” 

Said is a virtual facilitation expert who brings a unique approach to online engagement, transforming virtual sessions from dull and disengaging to impactful, inspiring experiences. With a mix of expert training, practical techniques, and a passion for connecting with his audience, Said helps facilitators, educators, and team leaders unlock the potential of virtual learning spaces.

In this conversation, Tracy and Said explore the themes of joy, creativity, and innovation in the workplace, particularly in virtual settings. They discuss the importance of finding joy in work, the journey to creativity, and how to foster a playful and engaging environment in meetings. 

Said shares his insights on the definition of creativity, the significance of childlike play, and practical tools and techniques for enhancing virtual meetings. The conversation emphasizes the value of community, collaboration, and the continuous pursuit of joy and creativity in professional settings.


Key Takeaways:

Alpacas and llamas are different animals 😂

Childlike play can enhance creativity and innovation

Engagement in meetings can be improved with playful elements

Virtual meetings can be transformed with simple tools and techniques

Small changes can lead to significant improvements in meetings


Butter Referral Link: https://butter.cello.so/X5aVOOcce9Z


Said’s Recommendations: 

Books: 

100 Tricks to Sound Smart in Meetings by Sarah Cooper: https://amzn.to/3ObwvK2 


People to Follow:

Cat Mulvihill

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mulvihillcatherine

YouTube: youtube.com/@CatMulvihill

Anamaria Dorgo: linkedin.com/in/anamariadorgo

Jan Keck

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jankeck

YouTube: youtube.com/@mrjankeck

Myriam Hadnes:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/myriam-hadnes

YouTube: youtube.com/@myriamhadnes

Thomas Lahnthaler: linkedin.com/in/thomaslahnthaler

Olina Glindevi: linkedin.com/in/thevisualagilecoach


Podcasts: 

Workshops.Work: https://workshops.work/podcast/

Star Talk: https://startalkmedia.com/ 


Connect with Said: 

Enhance your understanding of Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life with My Podcast Data

At My Podcast Data, we strive to provide in-depth, data-driven insights into the world of podcasts. Whether you're an avid listener, a podcast creator, or a researcher, the detailed statistics and analyses we offer can help you better understand the performance and trends of Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life . From episode frequency and shared links to RSS feed health, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge you need to stay informed and make the most of your podcasting experience. Explore more shows and discover the data that drives the podcast industry.
© My Podcast Data