In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

Tara’s journey from classroom teacher to instructional coach, district leader, and now Director of Publishing at Dave Burgess Consulting.

Why mentors who see potential in us can change the entire trajectory of our lives.

The Be REAL framework (Relatable, Expose vulnerability, Approachable, Learning through life) and why it matters in every relationship.

Lessons from Cannonball In about fear, confidence, and tuning out the “dabblers” who sit on the sidelines.

How Tara sustains her energy and creativity through systems: journaling, fitness routines, accountability groups, and her “ups and downs” T-chart.

The importance of self-care and giving yourself permission to put your needs on the calendar first.

The healing power of story and why fitting in is the opposite of true belonging.

Why Listen:
If you’ve ever felt torn between giving everything to your work and finding space for yourself, Tara’s perspective offers both inspiration and practical strategies. This conversation is about teaching, yes — but it’s also about building a life where you can thrive.

Resources & Links:

Connect with Tara: Website | Twitter/X

Tara’s books: Be REAL: Educate from the Heart | Cannonball In

Join the Conversation:
What’s the “jump” you need to take in your own classroom or life?

Share your reflections in the comments or tag me and Tara on social media.

Listen & Subscribe:
[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]

All platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/2134

Resources Referenced in Podcast

• Book referenced in podcast: The Net and the Butterfly
• Podcast 213: Tools, Totems, and Totalities

Learn More & Connect:

Learn more about Steven: www.TheSukha.co/media

Community: Join over 34K members at The Sukha

Instagram: @the_sukha_co

Twitter/X: @stevenpuri

This is not your typical education or leadership interview. This conversation has us chatting about:

How Hollywood taught Steven the true art of collaboration

The myth of “just work harder” and why outcomes and not hours matter most

His “Two-Problem Creativity” strategy and what neuroscience reveals about ideas in the shower

The power of having dedicated spaces and rituals to unlock deep work

Why being bored is essential for creativity and how education might be missing this entirely

What Transformers and middle school students have in common when it comes to learning environments

Why the culture you build in teams, families, or classrooms matters more than any productivity app

“If you give someone one thing to work on, they’ll overthink it. But give them a second task and the creativity starts to breathe. It’s always about the other thing.” – Steven Puri (modified from the convo)

Steven brings a rare blend of technical depth, storytelling mastery, and raw honesty. He talks candidly about failure, what he learned from Hollywood burnout, and why he believes today's generation is at risk of having their lives stolen by the scroll.

For educators, this episode offers real-world insight into how to design space for curiosity, not just content delivery. And for leaders, it's a reminder that trust, clarity, and mission-driven work beat micromanagement every time.

If you're a teacher, creator, parent, or just someone navigating the chaos of modern work and life this episode will shift how you think about focus, learning, and growth.

The Sukha – https://www.thesukha.co

Join The Sukha community – 34K+ members and counting

Book: The Net and the Butterfly by Olivia Fox Cabane and Judah Pollack

Related Episode: Podcast 213: Tools, Totems, and Totalities

Follow Steven:

Instagram: @the_sukha_co

Twitter/X: @stevenpuri

Media + bio: www.thesukha.co/media

[00:01] Steven’s Hollywood-to-tech origin story

[00:09] Why creativity is never “on demand” and how boredom fuels innovation

[00:15] The “two-problem” rule for creativity & the neuroscience of distraction

[00:22] Designing remote teams around flow, not control

[00:30] Culture, mission, and what makes people actually show up

[00:38] How education and corporate systems both crush curiosity and what we can do about it

“Productivity isn’t about squeezing more out of your day—it’s about creating space for what really matters. Including your life.” – Steven Puri (modified from the convo)

What We Talk About:

Why “technology” means more than just tools

The role of totems in identity (think: cars, smartphones, fashion tech)

How totalities define entire systems in education and society

The enchantment of technology—and how it competes with human connection

AI as artificial “ignorance” and the narrowing of imagination

The lost art of boredom and its role in creativity

What convivial design looks like in daily life (yes, the family dinner table!)

Practical takeaways for teachers, parents, and anyone seeking digital balance

Key Takeaway:
This episode is a reminder to educators and humans alike: if we want deeper learning, richer relationships, and authentic joy, we must intentionally create space for boredom, presence, and human connection.

• Technology is more than tools as it also shapes identity and entire systems.
• Conviviality (connection and community) is a powerful counterforce to tech hegemony.
• Educators should challenge assumptions that students are digital natives.
• We must create space for boredom, listening, and authentic face-to-face human interaction.
• AI may reduce imagination by boxing in our thinking and we must stay aware of its limitations.
• Reflection and reconnection found as time around a dinner table or time in nature can reset our human values.

Buy the book Tools, Totems, and Totalities and explore the deeper social and cultural dimensions of technology.
Reach out to Dr. Batteau at a.batteau@wayne.edu for further conversation.

Dr. Allen Batteau Bio:

Allen W. Batteau, PhD is a cultural anthropologist, professor at Wayne State University's Department of Anthropology, and former director of the University's Institute for Information Technology and Culture. He is the author of The Anthropology of Aviation and Flight Safety (2001), Anthropological Approaches to Culture, Aviation, and Flight Safety (2002, and numerous other books and articles including Technology and the Common Good in a Democratic Society (2020). A certified private pilot, his research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the US Air Force, the National Aeronautics and Space Ad-ministration, and numerous other corporate and international bodies. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.