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.

All platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/212/

Authentic learning is about process, not polish. Messy work is real work.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel—we need to reconnect with what matters in learning.

Students need to see themselves in their work and communities.

Teachers are not meant to be the sole experts—bring in community voices.

There’s power in learning “out loud” and sharing what we don’t know.

Start with tiny experiments and let curiosity lead.

Real change in schools begins with relationships and relevance.

00:00 - Intro to Laura Williams and Authentic Learning
04:38 - What Does “Authentic” Really Mean in Education?
08:22 - Lessons from Educator Partnerships
12:10 - Connecting Students with Community Experts
16:55 - Project-Based Learning Without Perfection
21:43 - Barriers to Authenticity in School Systems
26:02 - Starting with Tiny Experiments
29:11 - The Role of Curiosity and Student Voice
33:45 - Bringing the Public into the Classroom
37:19 - Tools, Frameworks, and First Steps for Teachers
42:00 - Final Reflections and Where to Learn More

Authentic Learning Alliance

Join the Network

Her book, The Improvement Game

Follow Laura: @mrswilliams21c on IG, X, LinkedIn, Bluesky, TikTok

All platforms and past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode:
YouTube Version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l_Kht8WObY&feature=youtu.be

Focus is not about more effort—it’s about better strategy and self-awareness.

ADHD is not a deficit in intelligence but a challenge in managing attention and regulation.

Productivity must include mental health, not come at the cost of it.

Transitions—into university, new careers, or independent learning—can be overwhelming without support systems.

Reflective practices, safe spaces, and collaborative environments are essential for real learning and growth.

Understanding the why behind distraction helps build better habits and not just guilt cycles.

Psychologically informed practices help students and professionals reclaim autonomy in high-demand environments.

Burnout often stems from mismatched expectations and lack of recovery.

Compassionate teaching starts with giving ourselves permission to pause, reflect, and realign.

00:00 Alicia’s Journey into Psychology and Education
06:00 Applying content from Tiny Experiments into her practice
12:30 Focus & Excitement for Learning,
14:00 Power of Vulnerable Spaces and Moving Into Education Spaces
17:30 Procrastination?
20:00 Burnout in High-Pressure Academic and Workplace Settings
24:55 Building Systems That Align With Wellbeing
31:00 Cell Phones In Classrooms
36:00 Less Tolerance For Boredom

39:00 Final Thoughts and Ideas Worth Sharing

43:00 Misconceptions of Engaged vs. Learning and the Perception of Either

Alicia Peña Bizama Website

Tiny Experiments

• Podcast 210 where I speak with author of Tiny Experiments and founder of Ness Labs

Upcoming Sessions with Alicia

Understanding ADHD and Strategies to Improve Focus and Productivity

Friday 09.05.25 at 15:00–16:00 UK time

Monday 12.05.25 at 15:00–16:00 UK time

Check Eventbrite or her website for registration

Aaron’s Full Podcast Archive

All platforms and past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode: www.coffeeforthebrain.com/210
YouTube Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0arJOqDbE

Linear goal-setting can trap us in burnout and a deficit mindset.

Learning and growth are nonlinear—curiosity and experimentation create deeper impact.

Traditional definitions of success often limit creativity and autonomy.

Tiny experiments help reclaim control, joy, and discovery in our personal and professional lives.

The education system can benefit from embracing experimentation over rigid outcomes.

Community and conversation are powerful tools for mental health and learning.

Neuroscience helps explain why curiosity and self-compassion are crucial for sustainable progress.

Instead of obsessing over perfection, we can focus on consistent iteration and playful learning.

Self-defined success leads to healthier productivity and long-term well-being.

Educators and knowledge workers alike need safe, brave spaces to question norms and try new paths.

00:00 Welcome + Introduction of Anne-Laure
03:10 Linear Thinking vs. Nonlinear Exploration
06:15 Anne-Laure's Shift from Corporate Life to Purpose-Driven Curiosity
10:50 The Origins of Tiny Experiments
14:20 Power of Community and Learning in Public
2o:45 Neuroscience of Learning and Curiosity with Plus, Minus, Next
26:00 The Beauty of New Learning With Published Book
30:30 How to Start a Tiny Experiment Today
Educators as Explorers, Not Just Executors

Ness Labs Community

Tiny Experiments: A Book by Anne-Laure Le Cunff

• Book website

Anne-Laure’s Keynote at SXSW

Anne-Laure on Twitter/X

Aaron’s Full Podcast Archive

• Learning is a vulnerable experience that requires admitting what you don't know.
• Creating engaging learning experiences is essential for both students and teachers.
• Trust and faith in the learning process are crucial for transformative education.
• Experience is the best teacher, and learning should be experiential.
• The education system needs to be remade to support teachers effectively.
• AI can enhance learning but does not replace the need for human creativity and experience.
• Creating a safe space for failure is necessary for real learning to occur.
• Communal learning experiences foster trust and collaboration among educators and students.
• Professional development should focus on what teachers are doing, not just what they are being told to do.
• Education should prioritize ideas and personal expression over performative tasks.

00:00 Introduction to CodeJoy and Kelsey Derringer
03:10 The Importance of Lifelong Learning in Education
05:57 Vulnerability in Learning: A Personal Perspective
09:01 Breaking the Education System: Kelsey's Journey
11:53 Innovative Approaches to Teacher Engagement
15:02 Creating Interactive Learning Experiences
18:06 The Role of Social Learning in Education
21:01 Reframing Teacher and Student Roles in Learning
26:33 The Nature of Learning and Experience
27:50 Human Evolution and Learning Challenges
28:50 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning
30:12 The Importance of Iteration and Failure
32:35 The Role of Experience in Education
34:35 Creativity and Trust in Learning
36:48 The Intersection of AI and Education
39:22 Shifting Focus from Performance to Ideas
42:10 The Human Experience in Education
46:09 Building Trust and Community in Learning

• CodeJoy
• CodeJoy on Socials
• 25 Days of Making
• The Artist's Way
• Hans Zimmer Isn't Scared of AI

• Mindfulness and emotional intelligence are essential in education to support the well-being of both students and educators.
• Establishing a noble goal and understanding one's why can help educators stay connected to their purpose and navigate challenges.
• Taking the time to pause, reflect on emotions, and choose self-care strategies can help educators manage stress and prevent burnout.
• Providing space for vulnerability and self-care in the education system is crucial for the overall well-being of educators and students. Educators need to prioritize their own well-being and practice self-awareness and self-care.
• The KCG framework (Know Yourself, Choose Yourself, Give Yourself) can help educators navigate difficult situations and manage their emotions.
• Emotions are data and should be acknowledged and understood.
• Education should focus on the whole child and provide educators with the tools and support they need.
• Showing up for others and spreading love can have a profound impact on individuals and communities.

• "Mindfulness and emotional intelligence are essential in education."
• "Establishing a noble goal and understanding one's why can help educators stay connected to their purpose."
• "Taking the time to pause, reflect on emotions, and choose self-care strategies can help educators manage stress and prevent burnout."
• "Emotions that are in your body for like six seconds."\"KCG: Know Yourself, Choose Yourself, Give Yourself"

00:00 Introduction and Background
10:30 The Work of Challenge to Change
23:07 Creating Space for Self-Reflection
27:40 Challenges of Bringing Mindfulness Practices into Schools
29:36 The Importance of Emotions in Education
33:55 Managing Emotions in Challenging Situations
38:14 Bringing Emotional Intelligence into the Classroom
44:48 Creating a Culture of Empathy and Understanding

• Challenge To Change
• Guided Mindfulness
• Six Seconds
• Jordan Turner Bio
• KCG. Know Choose Give