What makes education truly transformative? How can schools move beyond academics to ignite passion, grit, and purpose in students?

In this episode, Stephen Carter sits down with Chad McDaniel, Senior School Advisor at World Vision, who has visited Christian schools across the country and seen firsthand what engages students at the deepest level. Together, they explore how connecting entrepreneurship with global impact creates powerful opportunities for students to flourish—by helping others flourish.

You’ll hear stories of middle schoolers running cross country for clean water, high school biology classes turning science lessons into entrepreneurial ventures, and schools redefining success by measuring impact instead of just dollars. Along the way, Chad and Stephen unpack:

• What separates a “good” school from a transformative one
• How the entrepreneurial mindset (growth mindset, grit, redefining failure, opportunity seeking) shows up in unexpected ways
• The role of mission clarity in avoiding drift while embracing innovation
• Why giving students ownership and tying learning to purpose unlocks engagement like nothing else

Whether you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent, this episode will inspire you to rethink how your community prepares students—not just for college or career, but for a life of calling and impact.

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Chad McDaniel: cmcdaniel@worldvision.org
• Learn more about World Vision Ignite: https://www.worldvision.org/ignite/
• Follow Stephen Carter and Seed Tree Group: https://www.seedtreegroup.com/

The words we use don’t just describe reality—they create it. In this episode, Stephen unpacks how language directly shapes student identity and school culture, and why every teacher, parent, and leader is really a Chief Repeating Officer. He explores the flywheel of the entrepreneurial mindset—how growth mindset leads to grit, grit leads to redefining failure, and failure redefined leads to opportunity seeking. Along the way, Stephen shares three simple but powerful language swaps you can start using today to transform the way students see themselves and their potential. If you’ve ever wondered how to intentionally build a culture that fuels entrepreneurial thinking, this episode will give you the clarity and practical tools to start right now.

In this episode of Entrepreneurial Mindset for Transformative Education, Stephen Carter sits down with Tawanna Rusk, Assistant Director at CESA and former Associate Head of School at Mount Paran Christian in Atlanta. Together, they explore how entrepreneurship education is reshaping Christian schools by cultivating grit, creativity, and responsibility in students.

From student-run businesses that serve as real-world laboratories, to the power of mentorship and teacher-as-coach models, Tawanna shares practical insights on how schools can move beyond electives to create a culture of innovation. The conversation highlights how initiatives like Personal Responsibility Time (PRT) prepare students for college and life, why collaboration across disciplines transforms learning, and how CESA supports schools in staying mission-true while pursuing academic excellence.

Whether you’re a head of school, principal, teacher, or parent, this episode offers inspiration and actionable takeaways on how to build Christ-centered entrepreneurial programs that transform both students and school culture.

Listen - EVERY school should be working toward the creation of a culture where the entrepreneurial mindset can flourish, but this culture does not happen on its own. It requires intentional language and key measurements to allow the right amount of FREEDOM, AUTONOMY, and RESOURCES for teachers to embrace innovation in order to drive student engagement. In this episode, Stephen Carter breaks down how this culture at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy enabled the entrepreneurship program to not only start (13 years ago) but to grow at an incredible rate and gain national attention. Culture is key to everything when it comes to school innovation.

In this episode, Stephen Carter sits down with longtime mentor and former Head of School at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Randy Brunk, to explore what happens when school leaders embrace a culture of yes.

For 18 years, Randy led CHCA through seasons of growth, experimentation, and deep cultural transformation—laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most replicated K–12 entrepreneurship programs in Christian education. Together, they unpack how thoughtful risk-taking, teacher empowerment, and student engagement converge to build thriving, innovative schools rooted in faith.

You’ll hear stories about:

– Launching groundbreaking programs like Personal Responsibility Time (PRT) and the Teacher Innovation Fund
– Why student engagement—not tradition—is the best metric for success
– What heads of school can do right now to foster flourishing and innovation
– How “minimum viable risk” creates space for big ideas to grow
– The power of saying yes—even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed

Whether you’re a head of school, principal, or educator looking to ignite something new in your school, this conversation is packed with real-world wisdom and actionable takeaways.

Connect with Stephen to get started with entrepreneurship at your school by visiting https://www.seedtreegroup.com/ and connect with Randy at https://next-ed.com/

In this episode, Stephen Carter sits down with Kathie Davis—educator, creative advocate, and leadership champion—to explore the powerful idea that artists are entrepreneurs. Together, they unpack how schools can help creative students see themselves as leaders and changemakers, not just performers or hobbyists. Drawing from her work at Sacred Heart Schools in Louisville, Kathie shares how integrating entrepreneurship and leadership into the fabric of education can transform how students think, create, and contribute. Whether you’re an arts educator, school leader, or parent, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and equip you with a vision for empowering every student to launch with purpose.

Want to bring this to your school?
Reach out to Stephen@seedtreegroup.com or visit seedtreegroup.com to start the conversation.

What does it look like when a school places equal value on student formation, family partnership, and real-world readiness?

In this episode, Stephen Carter sits down with Dr. Susan Crosier, Head of School at Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington, Texas—the first trademarked university model school in the nation. Together, they explore how Grace Prep is rethinking everything from classroom structure to curriculum alignment, all anchored in a bold Portrait of a Graduate that emphasizes resilience, critical thinking, and effective communication.

You'll hear how the school’s no-homework model fosters meaningful learning and family connection, why parent engagement is not optional but essential, and how their upcoming entrepreneurship program—developed in partnership with Seed Tree Group—is helping students become resilient, curious problem-solvers ready for any future. Whether you're a school leader, teacher, or parent, this episode is full of insights on creating a truly transformative education experience.

Learn more about Seed Tree Group at https://www.seedtreegroup.com/ and learn more about Grace Prep by visiting https://graceprep.org/

Stephen Carter can be reached directly at Stephen@seedtreegroup.com

In this episode, we explore one of Jim Collins’ most practical and empowering ideas: “Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs.” It’s a mindset shift that helps schools innovate wisely—by starting small, testing what works, and scaling only when the time is right. Stephen shares how this principle shaped the launch of a thriving entrepreneurship program, and how it can transform everything from student-run ventures to leadership initiatives.

Rather than betting big on untested ideas, schools can take a smarter path: run small pilots, gather real feedback, and adjust as they go. That’s how you build momentum without burning out your team or your students. This episode walks through exactly how to apply that thinking—whether you're launching a new class, rethinking PD, or trying to boost student engagement.

And it’s not just for educators. Students can learn to lead the same way—by testing ideas, failing wisely, and learning fast. If you want a strategy for building innovation into your school’s DNA without losing focus, this episode will give you the tools—and the mindset—to start small and scale with confidence.