Real Talk School Leadership with Dan Mault

Episode #8 - What Disney Can Teach Us About Schools: Designing Experiences That Engage, Motivate, and Inspire

In this episode of Real Talk School Leadership, we explore what might seem like an unexpected connection — what Disney can teach us about schools. From the moment you walk into a Disney park or resort, every detail is intentionally designed to create an unforgettable experience. The lighting, the music, the interactions, the storytelling — nothing is left to chance. And the more we step back and think about it, the more we realize: Schools are designing experiences every single day too. The question is… are we doing it intentionally? In this episode, we dive into how Disney’s approach to experience design, Imagineering, motivation, and human connection directly connects to the work we do in classrooms, schools, and organizations. Grounded in research such as: *  Pine & Gilmore’s The Experience Economy *  Deci & Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory *  Edmondson’s work on Psychological Safety *  Goleman’s research on Emotional Intelligence we unpack how engagement, creativity, and motivation don’t happen by chance — they happen by design. We also explore how the smallest details — the way we greet students, structure lessons, and respond to mistakes — shape the climate and culture of our schools over time. This episode ties directly into the broader work of the Creative Schools Model, emphasizing the alignment of people, process, climate, and structures to create environments where students and staff can truly thrive. If we want more engaged students, more motivated staff, and more meaningful learning… We don’t just need better strategies. We need better-designed experiences.

Episode #7 - Understanding People: The Key to Better Teaching and Stronger Teams

In this episode of Real Talk School Leadership, we take a step back from systems and strategies to focus on something that sits at the center of it all — understanding people. We spend a lot of time in education talking about curriculum, instruction, and outcomes. But the reality is, none of that works the way we want it to if we don’t truly understand the students in front of us, the colleagues we work with, and the teams we’re part of. Grounded in research from Carl Rogers, Amy Edmondson, Daniel Goleman, and Zaretta Hammond, this episode explores how understanding people impacts: *  Student engagement and willingness to take risks  *  Teacher collaboration and team dynamics  *  Leadership decisions and school culture  We unpack the idea that behavior is often just the surface — and how shifting from “What’s wrong?” to “What’s happening?” can completely change how we respond in classrooms, meetings, and leadership situations. We also connect this back to previous conversations around thinking preferences and the problem-solving process (Clarify → Ideate → Develop → Implement), showing how understanding how people think leads to better outcomes for everyone. Because at the end of the day, better schools aren’t built through better systems alone. They’re built through better understanding of people.

Episode #6 - Creativity by Design: Rethinking What School Can Be

What does it really take to prepare students for a future we can’t predict? In this episode of Real Talk School Leadership, Dan Mault introduces the core ideas behind his upcoming book, Creativity by Design: A Practical Guide to Innovation, Student Engagement, and Creative Teaching. This conversation dives into one of the biggest challenges facing schools today—how to move beyond compliance-driven learning and begin developing students who can think, adapt, and create. Dan breaks down the Creative Schools Model—a practical framework built on curiosity, thinking, exploration, innovation, and environment—and explains how these elements work together to shape meaningful learning experiences. More importantly, this episode goes beyond theory. You’ll walk away with simple, actionable strategies you can use immediately. This is just a small snippet of what is inside the book! If you’re a teacher, principal, or educational leader looking for realistic ways to bring creativity into your classroom or school—without adding one more thing to your plate—this episode is for you. Because the future isn’t waiting. And neither should we.

Episode #5 - Play = Problem Solving: Why Elementary Classrooms Need More Play, Not Less

In this episode of Real Talk School Leadership, we dig into something that often gets squeezed out of elementary schedules — play — and why research says that’s a mistake. If we truly want students who can think critically, solve complex problems, and innovate in a rapidly changing world, then play isn’t extra… it’s essential. Grounded in research from Jaak Panksepp, Stuart Brown, the American Academy of Pediatrics,  Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, and Roberta Golinkoff, this episode explores how play strengthens executive function, boosts academic performance, builds creativity, and supports the problem-solving process we’ve been talking about all season — Clarify, Ideate, Develop, Implement. We also address the real tension educators feel right now: packed schedules, curriculum pacing, assessments, and academic pressure. The question isn’t whether we can “afford” play, it’s whether we can afford not to. If we want students prepared for a world defined by innovation, automation, and rapid change, we must teach them how to think — not just what to memorize. References American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20182058. Brown, S. (2009). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Avery. Golinkoff, R. M., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2016). Becoming brilliant: What science tells us about raising successful children. American Psychological Association. Hirsh-Pasek, K., Zosh, J. M., Golinkoff, R. M., et al. (2015). Putting education in “educational” apps: Lessons from the science of learning. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 16(1), 3–34. Panksepp, J. (2007). Can play diminish ADHD and facilitate the construction of the social brain? Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 16(2), 57–66. Torrance, E. P. (1977). Creativity in the classroom: What research says to the teacher. National Education Association. World Economic Forum. (2023). The future of jobs report.

Episode #4 - Leadership & Climate: How Environment Shapes Innovation, Culture, and Results

In this episode of Real Talk School Leadership, I  explore how organizational climate and culture shape everything from collaboration and innovation to staff engagement and student success. Building on earlier conversations about thinking preferences, psychological safety, and the problem-solving process, this episode zooms out to examine the environments leaders and teams create every day, whether intentionally or unintentionally. We unpack the important distinction between climate and culture, drawing on research from Ekvall, Amabile, Edmondson, Heifetz, Puccio, and others. While leaders play a critical role in shaping direction and tone, this episode makes it clear that everyone in an organization contributes to sustaining a healthy climate and culture through daily interactions, collaboration, and shared ownership. Although the conversation is rooted in education, the lessons apply to any organization working to improve collaboration, innovation, and outcomes. This episode is a reminder that leadership is not just about managing systems, it’s about designing environments where people can do their best work. ----- References Amabile, T. M. (1996). Creativity in context. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press. Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999 [https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999] Edmondson, A. C. (2012). Teaming: How organizations learn, innovate, and compete in the knowledge economy. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Ekvall, G. (1996). Organizational climate for creativity and innovation. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 5(1), 105–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/13594329608414845 Heifetz, R. A., & Linsky, M. (2002). Leadership on the line: Staying alive through the dangers of leading. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. Puccio, G. J., Mance, M., & Murdock, M. C. (2011). Creative leadership: Skills that drive change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.