Fueling Creativity in Education

Dr. Matthew J. Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett

The Fueling Creativity in Education podcast provides listeners with unique insights into the field of creativity research, including best practices for applying this knowledge to a traditional school environment. Thanks to deep dive interviews with renowned creativity scholars, respected practitioners, and passionate educators, every teacher and administrator will walk away with new strategies that inspire and support student and teacher creativity in and out of the classroom.

  1. -9 h

    10 Actions for Fueling Creativity: Build Relationships

    📘 Purchase Your Copy of The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education What makes someone feel safe enough to share a new idea? In this fourth episode of the Summer 2026 Listen and Learn Series, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood explore one of the most important actions for nurturing creativity in education: Build Relationships. Whether you're a first-year teacher looking for feedback, an experienced educator proposing a new initiative, or a school leader hoping to inspire innovation across your staff, creativity rarely happens in isolation. It grows in environments where people feel trusted, respected, and supported enough to take risks. This episode examines why strong relationships are the foundation of creative learning communities. Matthew and Cyndi discuss how psychological safety encourages educators and students to share unfinished ideas, experiment with new approaches, and learn from failure without fear of judgment. Listeners will also discover simple but meaningful ways to strengthen relationships in the classroom, including celebrating important moments in students' lives, showing genuine curiosity about their experiences, and creating opportunities for authentic connection. Beyond the classroom, the conversation highlights how supportive relationships among teachers and school leaders can foster a culture where creativity extends throughout an entire school. The episode concludes with a reflective activity that invites educators to consider the relationships that encourage their creativity and those that unintentionally discourage it, offering a practical first step toward building stronger, more creative communities.   Be sure to subscribe to your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

    9 min

  2. 23 juin

    10 Actions for Fueling Creativity: Be Deliberate

    📘 Purchase Your Copy of The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education If we say creativity matters, are we teaching it with the same intention we bring to literacy, mathematics, and other core subjects? Or are we assuming it will simply emerge on its own? In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast Listen and Learn Summer Series, Dr. Matthew Worwood introduces the first action from The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education: Be Deliberate. Drawing on an early experience designing a digital media and moviemaking program, Matthew reflects on a surprising challenge that revealed an important lesson about creativity. Despite being given an open-ended assignment, students across multiple schools produced remarkably similar ideas. The experience led him to question a common assumption in education: that open-ended tasks automatically produce original thinking. In this practical episode, he explores:  Why creativity should be taught with the same intentionality as other important skills What happens when educators assume originality will emerge on its own How open-ended assignments can still produce predictable outcomes The difference between offering choice and deliberately targeting creative thinking  Why students need support and strategies to generate original ideas How instructional design influences creative outcomes The importance of identifying creativity as a learning goal, not just a byproduct Ways educators can intentionally build creativity into existing lessons and routines Why small changes can have a meaningful impact on creative development How deliberate teaching practices help students develop skills beyond academic standards Matthew also reflects on how educators who successfully foster creativity often do so because they intentionally design learning experiences that target creative thinking, curiosity, and idea generation alongside subject content. If you are an educator looking to strengthen creativity in your classroom, this episode offers an important reminder that creativity grows when we teach it with purpose.   Be sure to subscribe to your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

    11 min

  3. 16 juin

    10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education: Keep Open

    📘 Purchase Your Copy of The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education How often do we shut down an idea before it has a chance to develop? And what opportunities might we miss when we judge ideas too quickly? In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast Listen and Learn Summer Series, Dr. Cyndi Burnett introduces the second action from The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education: Keep Open. Listen in as Cyndi explores why creativity requires us to resist the urge to immediately judge ideas and instead remain open long enough to discover what might be hidden within them. Through a simple classroom example, she demonstrates how even an impractical idea can reveal a valuable insight when we take the time to understand the need behind it. In this practical episode, she explores: – Why our first reaction to new ideas is often judgment – How quickly dismissing ideas can limit creative thinking – The difference between evaluating an idea and staying open to possibility – Why even unrealistic ideas may contain valuable insights – How positive judgments can stop idea development just as quickly as negative ones – The importance of separating idea generation from evaluation – What happens when students feel their ideas are immediately dismissed – How awareness of our own judgment patterns can strengthen creativity – A simple exercise for monitoring judgments throughout the week – Why keeping ideas open creates opportunities for better solutions to emerge Cyndi also shares a classroom assignment she has used for years that helps students recognize just how often they judge ideas without realizing it. If you are an educator, school leader, or anyone interested in fostering creativity, this episode offers a simple but powerful practice for creating more space for curiosity, exploration, and possibility.   Be sure to subscribe to your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

    10 min

  4. 9 juin

    Disconnect to Reconnect: Creativity Beyond the School Year

    What happens when we give ourselves permission to slow down? And how might moments of rest, reflection, and play help fuel our creativity for the year ahead? In this special summer episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett reflect on the end of another school year and share their plans for disconnecting, recharging, and reconnecting with the activities that bring them joy and inspiration. Listen in as they discuss the importance of creating space for mind wandering, creative hobbies, and meaningful experiences beyond work. They also offer a preview of the upcoming summer Listen and Learn series, inspired by their new book, The Future Creative: 10 Actions for Fueling Creativity in Education. In this thoughtful conversation, they explore: – Why creativity often needs periods of rest and recovery – How slowing down can help us think more clearly and creatively – The value of disconnecting from technology and productivity pressures – Why mind wandering can be a powerful creative practice – How hobbies and personal interests can help restore energy and focus – The importance of reconnecting with activities you loved as a child – Why creativity should be nurtured both inside and outside of work – How small daily habits can support wellbeing and creative thinking – The challenge of balancing professional goals with personal renewal – Ways educators can create space for reflection during school breaks – How AI might help reduce routine tasks while preserving meaningful creative work – What listeners can expect from the upcoming Listen and Learn summer series Dr. Matthew shares how golf has become a creative outlet that helps him disconnect from work and focus on learning, growth, and being present in the moment. Dr. Cyndi reflects on returning to dance after many years away and the joy of reconnecting with a lifelong passion that has always been part of her creative identity.   If you are an educator preparing for the months ahead, this episode offers encouragement to slow down, make space for yourself, and embrace the experiences that help creativity flourish. Be sure to subscribe to your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

    23 min

  5. 2 juin

    From AI in the Classroom to Creativity in the Movies: A Conversation with James Kaufman

    How is artificial intelligence changing the way we think about creativity and learning? And what can movies teach us about the creative process, healing, and human expression? In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett welcome back Dr. James Kaufman, one of the leading scholars in creativity research, for a wide-ranging conversation about AI, education, creativity, and his latest work exploring creativity through film. Listen in as the conversation reflects on the newly released book Generative Artificial Intelligence and Creativity: Precautions, Perspectives, and Possibilities, co-edited by James Kaufman and Matthew Worwood. Together, they discuss the promises and concerns surrounding AI in education, including its impact on learning, creative thinking, feedback, and assessment. The discussion then shifts to James's newest book, Creativity Through the Movies, where he explores how films can help us better understand creativity, motivation, grief, healing, and the human experience. In this thoughtful conversation, they explore: – The different perspectives creativity researchers hold about AI and its future impact – Why the creative process may matter more than the final product – How AI can support productivity while potentially limiting originality – The risks of relying on AI for thinking, learning, and creative work – Why educators may need to focus more on process rather than product in assessment – The role of AI in providing feedback and supporting creativity research – How AI could help assess creativity at a larger scale – Why meaning, purpose, and creative identity matter in an age of automation – The relationship between creativity, wellbeing, and personal growth – How creative activities can help people process grief and difficult life experiences – What movies reveal about creativity as a human journey rather than a final achievement – Why everyday creativity can be just as meaningful as professional creative accomplishments James also shares examples from films such as Ghostlight, Hamnet, and Sing Sing, highlighting how creative expression can help people navigate loss, build connection, and find meaning during challenging times. If you are an educator, researcher, creative professional, or simply curious about the future of creativity, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of both the opportunities and challenges emerging in a rapidly changing world.   About the Guest Dr. James Kaufman is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education and one of the world's leading creativity researchers. He has written or edited more than 60 books and is widely known for co-developing the Four C Model of Creativity with Dr. Ronald Beghetto. His research spans creativity, meaning, motivation, intelligence, and education, and he has developed several widely used measures of creativity. His recent projects include Generative Artificial Intelligence and Creativity: Precautions, Perspectives, and Possibilities and Creativity Through the Movies.   Be sure to subscribe to your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

    33 min

  6. 26 mai

    Mastery, Feedback, and Communication: A Season 12 Reflection with Jimmy Wilson

    What helps students build creative confidence over time? And how do mastery, feedback, and communication shape the way students learn, create, and see themselves in the classroom? In this final reflection episode of Season 12 of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett welcome back resident scholar Jimmy Wilson to revisit key themes from the season through the lens of current creativity research. Listen in as the conversation connects ideas from episodes on handwriting, AI, sports, game-based learning, creativity, and neurodiversity. Together, they explore why some traditional learning practices still matter, how mastery-based approaches can support creative confidence, and why feedback continues to play such an important role in student growth. In this thoughtful conversation, they explore: – Why handwriting may support creativity, retention, and deeper thinking – How slowing down the learning process can improve understanding – The connection between mastery and creative self-efficacy – Why repeated practice and experimentation help students build confidence – The challenges and opportunities within mastery-based learning – How games and sports naturally support experimentation and iteration – The role of feedback in helping students refine and strengthen ideas – How AI tools may help teachers provide more frequent and meaningful feedback – Why creative learning should include multiple ways for students to demonstrate understanding – The importance of balancing structure with flexibility in assessment – How creativity research is beginning to focus more on strengths within neurodiversity – Why traits like hyperfocus, curiosity, and experimentation can be creative strengths – The growing research connection between creativity and meaning in life Jimmy also reflects on how creativity research is shifting toward more possibility-centered approaches that recognize different ways of learning, thinking, and engaging in the classroom. If you are an educator interested in creativity, assessment, neurodiversity, or student motivation, this episode offers research-based insights and practical reflections on how learning environments can better support both mastery and creative growth.   About the Guest Jimmy Wilson is the resident scholar for the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast and a doctoral researcher exploring creativity, neurodiversity, and education. His work focuses on topics including ADHD, dyslexia, autism, creative self-efficacy, and how different learners engage with creative processes in educational settings. Throughout Season 12, Jimmy followed the podcast conversations closely and connected emerging themes back to current creativity research.   Be sure to subscribe to your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

    30 min

  7. 19 mai

    Engage, Connect, Create: Social Media, Games, and Music in Learning

    What if some of the most powerful tools for engagement are already part of students’ everyday lives? And what happens when educators use games, music, and social media with more intention in the learning process? In this final debrief episode of Season 12 of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett revisit three conversations that challenged the way they think about engagement, creativity, and learning. Drawing from recent episodes on tabletop role-playing games, creative styles, and music in education, they reflect on how educators can create more meaningful learning experiences by building on tools and interests students already connect with. In this thoughtful conversation, they explore: – The difference between gamification and true game-based learning – How tabletop games encourage dialogue, collaboration, and perspective-taking – Why play is often missing from middle and high school learning experiences – The connection between games, creativity, and student motivation – How creative styles can help educators better understand themselves and their students – Why creativity looks different from person to person – The role of creative confidence and self-awareness in learning – How music can help students better remember and connect with content – Why creative learning experiences often stay with students longer than lectures – The growing role of social media and teacher influencers in education – How educators can use social platforms more intentionally to extend learning – Why engagement may not require completely new ideas, but better use of tools already around us Matthew and Cyndi also reflect on the power of conversation, storytelling, and shared experiences in the classroom, and why meaningful learning often happens when students are invited to actively participate rather than simply receive information. If you are an educator looking for fresh ways to engage students, this episode offers practical reflections and ideas that connect creativity to the realities of today’s classrooms.   Be sure to subscribe to your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

    22 min

  8. 12 mai

    From Teaching to Content Creation: Social Media in the Science Classroom with Dr. Raven Baxter

    What happens when teaching becomes storytelling, performance, and creative expression all at once? And how can educators use social media with purpose instead of simply chasing attention online? In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett welcome Dr. Raven Baxter, also known as Dr. Raven the Science Maven, to explore the intersection of science, creativity, music, and social media in education. Listen in as the conversation explores how Raven uses music, humor, pop culture, and storytelling to make science more engaging and accessible. She also shares why joy, authenticity, and human connection are essential parts of meaningful learning experiences both online and in the classroom. In this thoughtful conversation, they explore: – How creativity and joy can transform science learning – Why music works as a powerful tool for teaching and remembering content – The role of humor, storytelling, and pop culture in science communication – How social media can help educators build trust and connection with learners – Why intention matters when teachers create content online – The difference between creating for engagement and creating for meaningful learning – How educators can use social media to extend conversations beyond the classroom – Why students benefit when learning feels playful, creative, and personal – The importance of creating spaces where students feel safe expressing themselves – How creative projects can reveal talents and understanding traditional assessments may miss – Why adults need more opportunities for whimsy, delight, and creative expression – How small creative shifts can completely change students’ relationship with learning Raven also shares inspiring classroom examples, including students creating songs, paintings, theater performances, and even mechanical models to demonstrate their understanding of science concepts. If you are an educator interested in creativity, science communication, or student engagement, this episode offers practical ideas for making learning more human, memorable, and joyful. About the Guest Dr. Raven Baxter, known as Dr. Raven the Science Maven, is a molecular biologist, science communicator, and learning scientist whose work focuses on the intersection of science, culture, and creative expression. Her research explores how hip hop pedagogy and creative communication can transform science learning and public understanding of science. She is also the founder of The Science Haven, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to science education, and has partnered with organizations including NASA, Netflix, Pfizer, and the White House on STEM initiatives.   Be sure to subscribe to your favorite platform and sign up for our Extra Fuel newsletter for more resources and inspiration. Visit FuelingCreativityPodcast.com for more information or email us at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com.

    35 min
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À propos

The Fueling Creativity in Education podcast provides listeners with unique insights into the field of creativity research, including best practices for applying this knowledge to a traditional school environment. Thanks to deep dive interviews with renowned creativity scholars, respected practitioners, and passionate educators, every teacher and administrator will walk away with new strategies that inspire and support student and teacher creativity in and out of the classroom.

Informations

  • Création
    Dr. Matthew J. Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett
  • Années d’activité
    2021 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    250
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Site web de l’émission
    Fueling Creativity in Education

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