In 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.

If 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.

Why 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.

If 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.

Gary 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.

A 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.

Here’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.

As technology, culture, and creativity reshape how we grow, the future of learning lies in moving beyond compliance to true curiosity and capability. Learning strategist Nick Briere shares how organizations can design experiences that do more than check boxes, empowering people to think, build, and innovate. Drawing from years of designing learning systems that balance human connection with measurable results, Nick reveals how leaders can shift mindsets, foster engagement, and turn every learning opportunity into a catalyst for transformation. He also explores how organizations can cultivate environments where learning feels less like an obligation and more like an invitation to grow, adapt, and create lasting impact across teams and industries.