Podcast
Unfinished Minds
Hosted by Ben Zimmer and Amy Leask · EN
Unfinished Minds is a weekly podcast about teaching, learning, and staying curious in a messy, beautiful world.
Hosted by Ben and Amy—partners in life, business, and nerdery—the show explores what it means to learn on purpose. Blending personal stories, reflective questions, and the occasional philosophical rabbit hole, each episode invites listeners into a warm, thoughtful conversation about how people grow and why it matters.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, team leader, or curious human, Unfinished Minds is your space to think out loud, learn together, and stay unfinished—on purpose.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Curiouser and Curiouser: Why Some Learners Just Gotta Know
Dec 900:25:38Tap to summarize"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled."In this episode, Amy and Ben tumble down the rabbit hole of their shared core value: Curiosity. We explore that undeniable itch - the one that makes some learners just gotta know how things work, even when the answers aren't easy.We debate whether true learning can happen without that spark, or if we are just "going through the motions." The conversation expands into how curiosity acts as a form of bonding (holding hands while staring into the abyss), why "stocking the cupboard" with skills is the ultimate future-proofing strategy, and whether it’s possible to be too curious.Finally, we discuss a powerful mental pivot: how to turn the anticipation of conflict into an opportunity for connection by simply asking questions.
Transcribe →Beyond the Bots: Surprising Lessons from Two Decades with FIRST Robotics
Oct 2900:05:18Tap to summarizeIn this special excerpt from Unfinished Minds, Amy and Ben reflect on their 20-year journey with FIRST Robotics and the unexpected impact it had on their lives and work.What starts as a conversation about robots becomes something deeper:How robotics competitions teach more than just STEMWhy inclusion, collaboration, and confidence are at the heart of great tech educationHow students of all abilities and interests find a place in roboticsWhat it means to teach with robotics, not just about roboticsWhether you’re an educator, mentor, parent, or just someone who believes learning should be hands-on and human-centered, this is a celebration of what can happen when kids are given tools, trust, and a little bit of creative chaos.
Transcribe →Talking Shop: Where Curiosity Meets Confidence
Oct 1700:24:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Unfinished Minds, Amy and Ben reflect on their early experiences with tech education. From junior high shop class and sewing soccer balls to fixing vintage electronics and mentoring robotics teams, they explore how hands-on learning builds more than skills.What starts as a look back becomes a deeper conversation about:• The confidence that comes from making and fixing• How gender and academic bias kept many learners out of tech• Why robotics and other hands-on programs build collaboration and creativity• How technical literacy prepares us for a future shaped by AIPlus, Ben redeems his six-year-old self after a long-ago record player mishap by reviving a 1984 boombox.This is a hopeful episode about the joy of creating, the value of tech in all its forms, and how we can better prepare the next generation to understand and shape the world around them.
Transcribe →If Memory Serves...
Sep 2300:26:33Tap to summarizeHow much of our learning depends on memory? In this episode of Unfinished Minds, Amy and Ben get candid about their very different relationships with memory, from recall superpowers to sticky notes and forgetfulness, and how that shapes not just how they learn, but how they teach, parent, and build careers.Together, they explore:• Whether a strong memory is a superpower or a crutch• How schooling built around memorization left lasting marks• Why open-book tests and hands-on learning feel different for different brains• How forgetting can actually be costly and sometimes even dangerousIt’s a funny, personal, and insightful conversation about what sticks, what doesn’t, and what learning could look like if we embraced memory differently.
Transcribe →One Perfect Bite: Learning in Nuggets
Sep 900:27:43Tap to summarizeIs long-form learning the only way to grow?In this episode, Amy and Ben unpack the value of learning in small bites, what they lovingly call “nuggets.” From distracted kids to time-starved adults, they explore how short, meaningful learning moments can be just as impactful as lengthy lectures. With stories from the classroom, the boardroom, and real life, they challenge the idea that learning has to be long to be deep.
Transcribe →The Thinking Behind The Thinking
Jul 800:23:32Tap to summarizePhilosophy has a branding problem. Dead guys, togas, and tweed jackets might come to mind, but what if philosophy is actually the plumbing behind all our thinking? In this episode, Amy and Ben unpack the often misunderstood world of philosophy, and why it matters more than ever.From asking big questions with kids, to facilitating thoughtful workplace conversations, they explore how philosophy shows up in classrooms, boardrooms, and dinner tables, often without us even realizing it. Plus, a few favourite stories from Amy’s time running philosophy workshops for kids and teams.Whether you’re a lifelong learner or just someone who’s ever wondered “why,” this one’s for you.
Transcribe →The Magic of “Yes, And” in Learning
Jun 2400:25:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Amy and Ben dive into the power of "Yes, And" for learning. Borrowed from improv, this simple rule can transform classrooms, corporate training, coaching, and team conversations. They explore when to embrace ideas, when to redirect, and why confidence and curiosity thrive in spaces where learners feel safe to explore. Tune in for practical insights and a few laughs.
Transcribe →Does Learning Make Us Happy?
Jun 1000:24:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Amy and Ben explore the complex relationship between learning and happiness. Drawing from philosophy, neuroscience, and personal stories, they examine whether the pursuit of knowledge brings joy or stress, why curiosity might matter more than contentment, and how delayed gratification shapes our long-term happiness. From the thrill of discovery to the grind of mastering a skill, this conversation tackles what it truly means to "become the dance."Whether you thrive in learning new things or struggle with the discomfort of the unknown, join us for a thoughtful dive into why and how learning matters to our happiness.We are all unfinished minds. Let’s keep learning.
Transcribe →Gym Class, Dodgeball, and the Lessons We Didn’t See Coming
May 27, 202500:19:59Tap to summarizeIt was never just gym class…In this episode, Amy and Ben revisit their time in “geek gym,” a Grade 9 PE class created for students who weren’t exactly athletic superstars.With humour and humility, they explore the surprising lessons gym class taught them about fairness, teamwork, autonomy, perseverance, and play. From dodgeballs and failed rope climbs to leadership and parenting, this conversation unpacks how physical education shaped them more than they expected—and why movement, challenge, and community still matter.Whether you loved PE or loathed it, this one’s for anyone who’s ever surprised themselves.We are all unfinished minds. Let’s keep learning.
Transcribe →Still Chasing Gold Stars
May 19, 202500:24:30Tap to summarizeGrades and marks: powerful tools or outdated measures?In this episode of Unfinished Minds, Amy and Ben ask whether we ever really leave the world of report cards and performance reviews behind—or if we just keep chasing stars in different forms.They reflect on grades as students, teachers, parents, and leaders. From multiple choice exams and essay triage to modern workplace performance reviews and gamified apps, this conversation unpacks how we measure success, why we crave validation, and whether numbers ever tell the whole story.Expect questions, stories, and some good old-fashioned purple pen feedback.
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