The StartEdUp Podcast and the Power of Young Entrepreneurialism

​By John Clements, Principal of Nipmuc Regional High School
With a name like The Inspired Learning Project, it was only a matter of time before we featured Don Wettrick on our blog. As a teacher, author, CEO of StartEdUp, and educational adventurer, Don has become a source of excitement and encouragement for educators who are interested in evolving school to take advantage of modern learning opportunities.

Through the StartEdUp podcast he regularly shares moments of inspiration by highlighting the work of students, sharing the ideas of influential educators, and connecting with leaders from the world of business as a way to bridge the gap between schools and the professional world. Beyond that, he has also infused all of his work with an entrepreneurial spirit. His podcast is an example of how great ideas continue to evolve through reflection and dedication. From “Monday Motivation” episodes to features of his students to a series of interviews with thought-leaders, the StartEdUp podcast provides a public and transparent example of the power of iteration.

In this resource share, we’re excited to highlight one of StartEdUp’s Young Entrepreneur Spotlight (YES) episodes. This podcast shares the story of Manu (Swish) Goswami, a 19-year-old who turned his experience as a student into an entrepreneurial endeavor. The themes that arise in this spotlight are a reminder of the power and potential of the journey toward modern learning. Check out the podcast to learn about the following:

• At the 5-minute mark tackle the question “Why not now?” and tap into the potential of students as entrepreneurs.
• At the 9-minute mark find out what Goswami means when he says, “In order to be truly lucky you have to prepare for it.”
• At 10:15 learn about why we should celebrate our failures.
• At 13:30 discover how students can maximize the use of social media.
• At 17:00 explore the challenges of solving interesting problems and leading.
• At 21:00 hear Goswami’s answer to the question, “If you were to teach, what course would you design?” (Hint… you won’t find this course in most programs of study.)
• At 23:00 listen to them discuss tapping into the “what ifs?” of our passions. ​

Interested in more from
Don Wettrick and StartEdUp?
Join us for an interview with Don on Thursday, January 17th at 3:30pm EST as we explore his work as a teacher, podcaster, author, and source of inspiration for teachers and leaders who are doing the work to evolve school. Our conversation, "Changing School through Innovation and Entrepreneurship", will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. Access the interview and follow-up discussion by following the link: http://bit.ly/InspiredLearningChat