Podcast
The Entrepreneurial Mindset Project
Hosted by Gary Schoeniger · EN
In a world that often celebrates high-tech founders and overnight success stories, The Entrepreneurial Mindset Project turns the spotlight toward a different kind of hero—the everyday entrepreneur.
Hosted by internationally recognized author and educator Gary Schoeniger, this podcast features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, educators, and changemakers who are unlocking human potential through entrepreneurial thinking.
From classrooms to boardrooms, from overlooked communities to global institutions, we explore the powerful mindset that enables ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Whether you're looking to start a business, lead a team, or reinvent your life, this podcast will challenge you to think differently, act boldly, and create meaningful change—wherever you are.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Life Is Not A Dress Rehearsal With Nico Yeats Zeelie
2w ago01:30:32Tap to summarizeIf life is not a dress rehearsal, then what will you do with it?That's the question at the heart of this conversation with Nico Yeats Zeelie — an entrepreneurial mindset facilitator from South Africa who, after attending a faculty training workshop with ELI, took a simple framework back to his students and watched it change the way they saw themselves and what was possible.In this episode, Gary and Nico explore what happens when students stop waiting for permission — and begin to see themselves as capable of creating value, shaping their future, and changing the trajectory of their lives. They discuss agency, identity, purpose, and the idea that life is not something that just happens to you.This is a conversation about human flourishing — and what becomes possible when ordinary people are given the tools to think differently.
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The Mindset Advantage With Evan Bush
4w ago01:29:37Tap to summarizeWhat happens when someone with slightly-above-average talent learns how to optimize their mind? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with Evan Bush — a professional goalkeeper in Major League Soccer who, at 39 years old, is still competing at the highest level.At 15, Evan discovered he could train his brain the same way he trained his body — through visualization, mindfulness, and intentional preparation. More than 25 years later, those same techniques are still the foundation of his performance.This is not a conversation about sports. It's a conversation about intentionality, incremental goals, and the idea that life is supposed to be an adventure — not something that just happens to you.
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Agency, Mindset, And Human Potential With Anita Shankar And Paul Spurzem
Apr 1601:34:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Entrepreneurial Mindset Project, we sit down with Anita Shankar and Paul Spurzem from Johns Hopkins University to explore the root of human potential: agency. Through their global work, Anita and Paul reveal how the simple ability to make decisions and take purposeful action is far from an abstract concept—it is the catalyst that determines whether we stay stuck or move forward. In this wide-ranging conversation, we cover: The tangible impacts of agency on health, learning, and daily motivation.Why personal agency is an often-overlooked dimension in entrepreneurship, education, and human development.The powerful roles that mindset, culture, identity, and social influence play in helping people see new possibilities for themselves. Tune in to discover the hidden logic that enables ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things!
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Unlocking Human Potential In South Africa With Linda Dhladhla
Apr 201:10:30Tap to summarizeIn a country grappling with high youth unemployment, what if the solution wasn't finding jobs, but building the capacity to create them? This is the mission of Linda Dhladhla from Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies in South Africa. In this conversation, we explore the powerful idea that unlocking human potential in South Africa requires a massive mindset shift. Linda's story—from his mother's side-hustles to her work shaping national education programs—reveals why 'entrepreneurship' is less about starting the next big venture and entirely about cultivating entrepreneurial competencies in every student. Discover how prioritizing discovery learning, agency, and adaptability can equip an entire nation to thrive in an evolving economy.
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From Policy Wonk To Movement Builder — A Conversation With Cameron Cushman
Mar 1401:13:38Tap to summarizeIf nearly two out of three Americans say they have a business idea, why do so few ever act on it?That question sits at the heart of today’s conversation.Welcome to another episode of The Entrepreneurial Mindset Project, where we explore the hidden logic that enables ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.Today I’m joined by Cameron Cushman, co-creator of 1 Million Cups — a simple Wednesday morning experiment that grew into a national movement supporting entrepreneurs in communities across the country.Cameron began his career in trade policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce, helping share the “secret sauce” of American entrepreneurship with the world. But it wasn’t until he arrived at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City that he discovered something important: the real secret wasn’t policy — it was community.In this conversation, we explore what actually helps people move from intention to action — why community matters, why “weak ties” often prove stronger than close friends and family, and why, as Cameron likes to say, a dolphin tank beats a shark tank when it comes to real growth. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t reserved for the venture-backed elite. It’s a way of thinking — and engaging — that becomes possible when the right conditions are in place.I hope you enjoy my conversation with Cameron Cushman.
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Mastery Over Memory: The Future Of Learning With Tony Wagner
Jan 2900:54:50Tap to summarizeWhy do students become less engaged the longer they are at school, which greatly diminishes their critical thinking skills? Tony Wagner, Senior Research Fellow at the Learning Policy Institute, is advocating for a complete education reform and vastly revamping the future of learning. He joins Gary Schoeniger to discuss how to reinvent learning approaches to make school less boring and disengaging for young people. He also talks about what it takes to move beyond grades and credentials to pay more attention to fostering curiosity, creativity, and purpose. Discover how to restore agency to learners and meaning to education, ultimately leading to highly empowered entrepreneurial thinking.
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Redefining Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship With Thom Ruhe
Jan 1501:43:54Tap to summarizeIf entrepreneurs are inspired, empowered, and genuinely love what they are doing, their efforts can lead to profound economic development. Gary Schoeniger speaks with his longtime friend Thom Ruhe, President and CEO of NC IDEA. Together, they discuss what it takes to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems – not just programs or funding pipelines, but cultures of agency, inclusion, and possibility. Thom also explains why mindset may be the missing piece in economic development and how to put entrepreneurial thinking at the heart of education, workforce, and economic growth. Tune in and discover why entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful forces for unlocking human potential.
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From Glen Allan, Mississippi To Morgan Freeman’s Blues Band With Keith Johnson
Dec 3001:22:41Tap to summarizeGary Schoeniger delves into the amazing life journey of Keith Johnson, whose authentic energy and resilient mindset led him to become part of Morgan Freeman’s blues band. He looks back to his childhood in Mississippi, his greatest rejection in HR, and how he fully embraced his musical talents. From singing gospel songs at his local church, forming a high school quartet, to bringing his unparalleled energy to every music gig, Keith breaks down the most important lessons that shaped and transformed his life. Learn how to take calculated risks, welcome rejection, and start showing up consistently in this eye-opening conversation.
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Entrepreneurial Mindset Education At Tec De Monterrey With Geraldina Silveyra León
Dec 401:00:52Tap to summarizeA true entrepreneurial mindset is not just about earning a profit but also creating genuine human relationships and experiences. In this episode, we dive deep into the ecosystem of Tecnológico de Monterrey (Tec), one of the most entrepreneurial university systems in the world. Geraldina Silveyra León, a transformative leader at Tec, discusses how the university has embedded entrepreneurship into the DNA of its entire system, transcending traditional academic boundaries. Sharing powerful stories about challenge-based learning, she talks about their culture centered on identifying incredible opportunities, creating positive change, and making meaningful contributions to society.
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Cultivating Entrepreneurial Mindsets On A Global Scale With Jonathan Ortmans
Nov 1300:54:09Tap to summarizeHere’s the thing that still puzzles me: We all know entrepreneurship drives innovation, creates jobs, and fuels economies. We know that. But, it's still not a core part of how we educate, how we train, how we think about the future of learning and work.Today’s guest is Jonathan Ortmans, who is, in my opinion, one of the loudest, clearest voices pushing to change that.As the founder of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, he is one of the few true global thinkers, leaders, and doers when it comes to promoting entrepreneurship as a means of both economic and human development.And it all started as a result of his own entrepreneurial journey. After starting and exiting several companies, he recognized the need to encourage and support entrepreneurship as a means of “economic gardening.” And, as an entrepreneur, he decided to do something about it.In this episode, we talk about ecosystems, policy, culture, and most importantly—how we activate the potential in ordinary people to solve problems and create value.
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