Coming soon.

Coming soon.

What if students saw themselves not just as learners, but as world builders, empowered to design, problem-solve, and imagine new possibilities through playful learning?

In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cindy Burnett and Dr. Matthew Warwood dive into the dynamic potential of game-based learning and world-building with guests Stephen Slota and Trent Hergenrader. Together, they unpack how treating students as designers—rather than passive recipients of information—fosters creativity, critical thinking, and authentic engagement. Drawing from their experiences as educators and co-authors of The World Building Workshop, Stephen Slota and Trent Hergenrader share insights on leveraging narrative, choice, and playful contexts to deepen learning, regardless of technology access or subject area.

The conversation explores the difference between true game-based learning and surface-level gamification, emphasizing the power of agency, narrative, and exploring “messy,” real-world problems. Listeners will gain practical insights on aligning classroom activities with learning goals, infusing creativity, and adopting a facilitator mindset. Whether you’re game-curious or an experienced educator, this episode highlights how world building can transform classrooms—and help students make meaningful connections to their own lives.

Stephen Slota

Stephen Slota is an educational technologist, learning theorist, and interactive storyteller. He has directed major projects for organizations like CVS Health, Pfizer, and Arizona State University, where he explores how game mechanics and narratives can enhance engagement, creativity, and learning. A former high school biology teacher, Stephen Slota draws on years of classroom experience and research at the University of Connecticut to promote playful learning as a transformative tool in education.

Trent Hergenrader

Trent Hergenrader is an Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing, and Director of the Center for World Building and Storytelling at Rochester Institute of Technology. He’s the co-editor of "Creative Writing in the Digital Age" and "Creative Writing Innovations," and author of "Collaborative World Building for Writers and Gamers." Trent Hergenrader integrates fiction writing, role-playing, and collaborative design to help students view learning as a creative, participatory process.

For more resources and to connect with the guests, visit theworldbuildingworkshop.com.

Be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration.

Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

In this captivating episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cindy Burnett and Dr. Matthew Warwood sit down with Dr. Tessa Forshaw and Richard Cox Braden, co-authors of "Innovation Ish," to unpack what it truly means to think and act like an innovator. The discussion dives deep into the often-blurred lines between creativity and innovation, clarifying how creative problem solving underpins real innovation. Dr. Tessa Forshaw and Richard Braden share insights from their research into over 80 creative problem solving methodologies, revealing the common mindsets that drive successful innovation and challenging the myth that innovation is reserved for billion-dollar companies or those with flashy resources.

Listeners will discover practical strategies for fostering creative confidence in the classroom, ways to help students see and solve novel problems, and the critical importance of mindsets like metacognition and awareness of cognitive biases. Whether you’re an educator looking to inspire creativity in your students or a leader striving to integrate innovation into your organization, this episode is packed with actionable advice and fresh perspectives. Don’t miss the hosts’ and guests’ personal stories about their most creative educational experiences—and learn why integrating creativity and innovation is not about following the trendiest processes, but about empowering everyone to notice, empathize, and experiment in everyday life.

Be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration.

Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

If AI can generate endless ideas, does that mean it's actually more creative than humans—or are we losing something uniquely ours in the process?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett welcome Dr. Florent Vinchon, an occupational psychologist and researcher at Paris Nanterre University, to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence and human creativity. Florian shares insights from his recent research, including his involvement in an AI and creativity manifesto and a new book collaboration. Together, the trio explores pressing questions around whether AI can truly be creative, what originality means in the age of generative AI, and how the concept of co-creativity between humans and machines is evolving. They trace historical perspectives—from Greek mythology to contemporary science fiction—revealing that our fascination with creative machines is far from new, but is now more relevant than ever in educational settings.

The conversation dives deeply into the classroom implications of integrating AI tools, raising important considerations about fostering creativity, critical thinking, and meaningful learning experiences. Florian emphasizes the unique value of human originality and the motivational aspects of creativity that AI cannot replicate. The hosts challenge the notion of using AI purely for ideation, urging educators to encourage students to develop their own ideas before augmenting them with AI-generated inputs. They also engage in a lively discussion on the dangers of anthropomorphizing AI, the importance of seeing these systems as tools rather than collaborators, and strategies for responsibly incorporating AI into student learning. The episode closes with personal reflections on the role of meaning in creativity and an inspiring story about innovative teaching methods.

Be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration.

Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

Is our education system stifling creativity by sticking to labels and standardized solutions—or can we truly unleash the creative potential of every student and teacher?

In this dynamic debrief episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Warwood and Dr. Cindy Burnett reflect on three thought-provoking interviews covering the future of gifted education, repurposing technology for creative teaching, and preparing students for the future of work. They revisit Dr. Catherine Little’s insights around needs-based approaches in gifted education, emphasizing the importance of individualized learning rather than labeling, and discuss how this philosophy could be applied from K-12 through university. The conversation also addresses the challenge of balancing student interests with exposure to diverse domains, questioning when and how schools should encourage specialization versus broad exploration.

The hosts then pivot to their discussion with Dr. Punya Mishra about technology’s evolving role in the classroom, highlighting the necessity for teacher creativity and agency when integrating new tools like AI, and noting the potential drawbacks of overly prescriptive tech solutions. Wrapping up with takeaways from Dr. Ronnie Reiter Palman, they delve into the nuances of creative problem solving in an AI-influenced world—exploring how AI often produces “middle of the road” ideas and how educators must coach students to develop and recognize genuinely creative solutions. Don’t miss this lively conversation packed with practical strategies, critical reflections, and insights into creativity, technology, and gifted education’s future.

Be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration.

Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

Are we unknowingly training a generation of students for a “middle of the road” future, where creativity and critical thinking suffer at the hands of automation and convenience?

In this enlightening episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Warwood and Dr. Cindy Burnett sit down with Dr. Roni Reiter Palmon, a distinguished professor of Industrial Organizational Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. They dive deep into the world of creativity in education, exploring the essential skills students need for the future workplace, such as problem identification, empathy, and critical thinking. Dr. Roni Reiter Palmon shares practical examples and research-backed strategies, highlighting the importance of framing problems from multiple perspectives and understanding how creativity and critical thinking are intertwined. The conversation also touches on measuring creativity, the role of AI in assessment and idea generation, and the risks and rewards of integrating technology into creative educational processes.

Listeners will also gain insight into current trends shaping the field of creativity research, including team creativity, creativity with constraints, and innovative approaches to fostering creative skills in students. As the current President of the APA Division 10, Dr. Roni Reiter Palmon offers a unique perspective on emerging topics for 2025 and emphasizes the necessity of expertise and deep domain knowledge for meaningful creative work. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or creativity enthusiast, this episode provides actionable advice and thought-provoking questions to help fuel your teaching journey in the age of AI and collaborative innovation. Be sure to check out the show notes for conference links and additional resources!

Dr. Roni Reiter Palmon is the John Holland Distinguished Professor of Industrial Organizational Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. With nearly 40 years in the field, her research zeroes in on creativity and innovation in workplaces, focusing especially on cognitive and social processes, creativity measurement, skill development, and the intersection of creativity with AI and teamwork. With over 200 publications in leading journals and books, Dr. Reiter Palmon is a central figure in creativity research, currently editing the APA Handbook on the Psychology of Creativity and serving as the president of APA Division 10. In 2024, she was honored with the Arnheim Lifetime Achievement Award for her influential contributions to the study of creativity.

Be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration.

Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

Can teachers truly be creative if they’re told exactly what tools to use—and how to use them?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood welcome Dr. Punya Mishra, Associate Dean of Scholarship and Innovation at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. Dr. Mishra delves deep into the concept of “teachers as designers,” drawing on the foundational design theories of Herb Simon and his own background in engineering and design. He explains how teachers, much like designers, operate in complex, ambiguous environments where creativity, improvisation, and reflection in action are essential. Dr. Mishra introduces listeners to the TPACK framework, highlighting the intersections between content, pedagogy, technology, and context, and discusses how educators can transform everyday tools—from textbooks to cell phones—into powerful vehicles for creative learning.

The conversation expands into the pressing challenges and opportunities presented by technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in today’s classrooms. Dr. Mishra shares both his excitement and concerns about AI, emphasizing the importance of teacher agency, the risks of top-down, one-size-fits-all edtech solutions, and the need to recognize the implicit learning theories embedded in every technology. He offers examples of AI as a creative partner in both the classroom and his personal creative pursuits, while also warning about issues like bias and over-reliance on technology-generated content. The episode closes with Dr. Mishra’s personal reflections on transformative learning experiences, the vital role of teacher creativity, and a call to retain a critical, questioning stance as technology continues to reshape education.

Dr. Punya Mishra is Associate Dean of Scholarship and Innovation at Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. He wears many hats—learning engineer, professor, researcher, author, artist, and designer—and his research explores how creativity, design, and technology intersect to transform education. Known for his engaging talks and prolific scholarship, Punya inspires educators to embrace innovation while staying firmly rooted in the art and science of teaching. He believes in empowering teachers as creative professionals and gives voice to the importance of context, flexibility, and genuine care in shaping meaningful learning experiences.

Be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration.

Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.