Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life

Building Thinkers is based on the realization that there is exponential potential in the things we build, from mindsets and behaviors, to resumes and meal-plans, but sometimes insights and impact seem out of reach or overly complex. In the Building Thinkers podcast we will explore a wide range of topics (business, education, organization, habits, therapy, finances, research to name a few) unpacking the design, strategy, and details behind the things we build to create accessible blueprints for you to explore and apply to your own learning and life. There is no limit to what you can learn.

Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life is a education podcast hosted by Tracy Clark, with 103 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Tracy Clark hosts Building Thinkers: Accessible Blueprints for Learning & Life, a education show with 103 episodes published.

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  Episode #20

  How to Eat for Long-Term Health and Energy

  Sep 25, 202623 minS4

  What if the food on your plate is either slowly breaking you down or building you up? In an effort to continue the ongoing theme of living a flourishing life here at Building Thinkers, I sat down with Brad Fuster. He’s a university provost, former world-touring percussionist, and someone who went from 245 pounds, smoking a pack-a-day, and a chronic arthritis diagnosis to being 53, medication-free, and in the best health of his life. Brad has been whole food plant-based since 2013, and in this conversation he explains the difference between veganism and actually eating well, he shares the practice that put his psoriatic arthritis into full remission, and he breaks down why protein is probably the last thing you need to worry about. Key Takeaways: There’s a meaningful difference between being vegan and eating a whole food plant-based diet. The medical system is built around symptom management, not true wellness. Water fasting can reset your microbiome and improve health. Inflammatory conditions can potentially be addressed through diet and fasting. You don’t have to go fully plant-based to see benefits in your health. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:49 Brad’s transition to a plant-based diet 5:24 Myths about protein in vegan diets 8:17 The new food pyramid and nutrition education 12:35 Difference between veganism and whole food plant-based diet 15:38 Brad’s experience with water fasting 19:39 Practical tips for increasing whole food plant intake 21:10 Environmental impact of animal agriculture 22:15 Final thoughts Resources Mentioned: Leading with Change When the System is Stacked Against You with Brad Fuster Thrive Fitness by Brendan Brazier Check out Rich Roll on Instagram The Game Changers (Documentary) by James Cameron EdUp Innovation with Dr. Neal Barnard Your Labs Are Normal, But You Feel Awful - Now What? (Feat. Elise Clark) Connect with Brad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-fuster-3540a350/ Podcast: https://www.edupexperience.com/edupinnovation/ SFBU: https://www.sfbu.edu/about/our-leadership Connect with Me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannclark08/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkers/ Building Thinkers Newsletter: https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build. And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved. If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #19

  Leading with Change When the System Is Stacked Against You

  Sep 11, 202638 minS4

  Building Thinkers has had a front-row seat to the work happening at SFBU, and this episode is a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to reimagine how people learn. My guest, Brad Fuster, is the Provost of San Francisco Bay University and host of the EdUp Innovation Podcast, and he's spent more than two decades in higher education. We go deep on what it really takes to challenge the status quo, lead through resistance, and build something new when the structures around you are designed to stay the same. We also get into the MBA program launching at SFBU this September, a fully AI-integrated, flexibly paced degree designed around the way humans want to learn, at a fraction of the cost of a traditional program. Whether you're building a company, leading a team, or just trying to grow in a world that keeps changing, the lessons in this conversation go beyond the university. Key Takeaways: What it really takes to lead change when the system is designed to resist it Why wrapping full support around learners changes everything (99.7% retention proves it) The curriculum innovation that Google, Apple, and Tesla are taking notice of Why bolting AI onto old systems is the wrong move and what to do instead How a $10K MBA is redefining what accessible, human-centered learning looks like What higher ed’s crisis means for anyone building something new Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:57 How a disillusioned provost ended up rebuilding from the inside 04:33 Why "reimagining" is just a buzzword for most institutions 08:35 The bold leadership move that's actually saving struggling schools 08:44 What entrepreneurs need to understand about leading change 10:00 The nuclear option that stops bold leaders in their tracks 13:27 Why faculty resistance is more complicated than you think 14:43 What it actually looks like to put students first 18:07 The retention stat that changes the conversation 19:14 The curriculum Google, Apple and Tesla are paying attention to 25:26 Why AI in education is being done wrong and what right looks like 31:37 How to build pro-social skills in an online program 33:36 What happens when learning meets the real world 35:24 If only people knew this about higher ed 37:52 Closing thoughts Resources Mentioned: Leadership: Key Competencies for Whole-system Change by Lyle Kirtman & Michael Fullan Whatever It Is, I’m Against It by Brian Rosenberg MBA Pro+ SFBU Connect with Brad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-fuster-3540a350/ Podcast: https://www.edupexperience.com/edupinnovation/ SFBU: https://www.sfbu.edu/about/our-leadership Connect with Me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannclark08/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkers/ Building Thinkers Newsletter: https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build. And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved. If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #17

  You’ve Had a Long Week. But Is the Wine Actually Helping?

  Aug 28, 202616 minS4

  What if the glass of wine you pour every night isn't a reward, it's a signal? I sat down with Keelie Louise, a Sober Curious Mentor and Psychology-Based Coach who rebuilt her life after decades of using alcohol to quiet a mind that never felt like enough. This conversation isn't about sobriety in the all-or-nothing sense — it's about getting curious about why you reach for that drink in the first place. Keelie breaks down the real science behind what alcohol does to your dopamine baseline, your cortisol levels, and your ability to show up as the high performer you know you can be. We talk about how to navigate the social pressure of 'just have one,' how to figure out who actually fills your cup, and why falling down on this journey might be the very thing that gets you to the life you've always known was possible. Key Takeaways: If you say you need a drink, that’s worth paying attention to. Alcohol gives you a dopamine spike, but it’s also dragging your baseline happiness down. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for not drinking. Getting sober curious isn’t just about removing alcohol, it’s about figuring out who actually fills your cup. Falling down is part of the process, the difference is whether you ask yourself why. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:03 Why ‘I need a drink’ is a red flag 06:14 What even one glass of wine does to your body 08:06 How to handle social challenges without owing an explanation 10:40 Why falling off the wagon might be the thing that saves you 12:19 Who fills your cup when alcohol leaves the room? Resources: SAMHSA’s National Helpline NIAAA Connect with Keelie: Website: https://keelielouise.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keelie-louise/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_keelie_louise/ Connect with Me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannclark08/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkers/ Building Thinkers Newsletter: https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build. And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved. If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #17

  Is This Your Life or Someone Else’s? | Building a Flourishing Life Retreat

  Aug 14, 202622 minS4

  You've gone to the conference, read the book, felt inspired for exactly four days, and then life swallowed you whole again. My friend of over 20 years, Katie Conley, luxury travel advisor and founder of the Adventurous Women's Travel Club, joins me to talk about why we built something different — a women's retreat rooted in genuine intentional living and life design, not just another agenda-packed with content. Together we unpack the wheel-of-life framework, the mid-career identity shift nobody warns you about, and what it really means to re-evaluate your life without blowing it up entirely. This conversation is for the woman who's capable and driven and still quietly wondering if she's chasing the right things. If personal growth and reflection have ever felt too theoretical to actually stick, this is the episode that makes it practical. We talk about what real connection looks like when women are given space to show up fully, why flourishing is less about having it all figured out and more about asking better questions, and how women's empowerment starts with making room for yourself first. Key Takeaways: “Is this my life or someone else’s?” - the first question worth asking. You’re not short on time. You’re short on room. Solo reflection only gets you so far. Community accelerates clarity. The wheel of life: a simple tool for seeing where you’re actually at. Gratitude and presence aren’t soft skills; they’re rooted in neuroscience. Good learning design makes the difference between inspiration and implementation. The mid-career shift: from doing everything to orchestrating everything. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:17 Using the Wheel of Life for self-assessment 05:27 The mid-career identity shift 07:41 Why build this women’s retreat vs. a travel trip? 08:39 What ‘re-evaluating your life’ actually means 10:22 What you’ll leave this retreat with 12:08 Who is this retreat for? 13:59 The benefits of getting away to reflect 15:49 How we plan to help women realize their own dreams and goals 17:27 Addressing the skepticism 18:06 Why in-person community still matters 20:54 Outro Resources Mentioned: Build a Flourishing Life Retreat Harvard Global Flourishing Study Tracy's Goal Guide Connect with Katie: Website: https://culturedconcierge.travel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culturedconcierge/ The Adventurous Women’s Travel Club: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/vERNcpM Connect with Me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannclark08/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkers/ Building Thinkers Newsletter: https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build. And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved. If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #16

  How to Have Hard Conversations (With Someone You Love)

  Jul 31, 202638 minS4

  You know that conversation you keep rehearsing in the shower and rescheduling in real life? The one with someone you love that's started to feel more like a standoff than a way back to each other? That's exactly what I dig into in this episode with Sara Blanchard. She’s the co-host of the What Do You Mean By That? podcast, author of Dear White Women, and a life coach rooted in positive psychology who's spent years studying what it actually takes for people to thrive. Sara shares why our closest relationships are a bigger predictor of long-term health than cholesterol. Yes, really. There's 80 years of Harvard research behind it. She gives us practical tools for staying in the room when the topic is hard and the stakes are personal. We talk about the two-minute rule that changed how she greets her family, why every action makes sense from the perspective of the person doing it, and how to get curious instead of furious when someone says the thing that makes your whole body tense up. If there's a hard conversation you've been avoiding, this episode might be the nudge and the roadmap you've been waiting for. Key Takeaways: Relationships are the cornerstone of long-term health and happiness. Asking 'What do you mean by that?' deepens understanding and connection. Slowing down and building time affluence improves relationships. Physical and emotional regulation are key to responding, not reacting. Curiosity about others' perspectives fosters compassion and reduces conflict. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:25 What does it mean to live a “flourishing life”? 06:21 Time affluence vs. productivity 10:11 How to have hard conversations with people you love 16:07 Connecting before correcting 20:22 Curiosity over judgment & understanding behavior 28:31 Why hard conversations deepen relationships 32:21 Different doesn’t mean deficient 34:09 Preparing for hard conversations: know your triggers Resources Mentioned: The Happier Hour by Cassie Holmes Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations by Charles Duhigg | TEDxManchester It’s Not About the Nail Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg Dear White Women by Sara Blanchard and Misasha Suzuki Graham Unscripting Parenting Connect with Sara: Website: https://www.sarablanchard.com/ What Do You Mean By That Podcast: https://www.whatdoyoumeanbythat.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatdoyoumeanbythatpodcast/ , https://www.instagram.com/sarablanchardauthor Connect with Me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyannclark08/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingthinkers/ Building Thinkers Newsletter: https://building-thinkers.kit.com/24cdc43dcf More About Building Thinkers: I'm your host, Tracy Clark, and this is where potential becomes reality through deliberate curiosity, reflection, practice, and play. The Building Thinkers podcast is based on the realization that there's exponential potential in the things we build. And so, in my little corner of the internet and podcasting land, I want to take my 12 favorite problems, these are my constant curiosities, and I want to go deeper. I want to build thinkers. This is a community of multi-potentialites who may be disoriented by all the possibilities of success we envision but haven't yet achieved. If any of that sounds like you, come listen in. Welcome to the Building Thinkers podcast.

  ListenShow Notes

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