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WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA? is the podcast where today’s leaders and innovators share the big ideas that brought them to where they are today. Learn about the stories, skills, and inspirations behind some of today's most successful minds. Guests will reflect on the journeys they’ve taken, from kid to career, that helped them make an impact in our world. If you’re a parent or an educator, you dream of bright futures for the young people in your life. On WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?, join us while today’s leaders - authors, entrepreneurs, even astronauts! - reflect on the big ideas that helped them achieve their goals. Brought to you by Destination Imagination, the leading project-based learning experience for students, WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA? shares today’s successes to build tomorrow’s futures.
Episodes

Thursday Jun 09, 2022
Episode 8: Johnny Wells
Thursday Jun 09, 2022
Thursday Jun 09, 2022
In our season finale, host Michele Tuck-Ponder shares a conversation with DI’s Director of Education, Johnny Wells! Johnny tells us his opinions on the four Cs, shares how his 30 years as a teacher prepared him for the world of DI, and gives us some behind-the-scenes knowledge into how decisions are made at Destination Imagination HQ.
You can learn more about Johnny and his role at DI by visiting our website.
If you’d like to learn more about the STEAM Activities page mentioned in this week’s episode, click here.
Listen to this week’s episode wherever you get your podcasts. A transcript is available here.
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Danse Macabre - Big Change by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3588-danse-macabre---big-change
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Blippy Trance by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5759-blippy-trance
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Thursday Jun 02, 2022
Episode 7: Shira Ali
Thursday Jun 02, 2022
Thursday Jun 02, 2022
This week, host Andrew Whitmire chats with Shira Ali, founder of REI Chics, a property management training and consulting firm. Shira takes us through the decision making process behind leaving her corporate job to start her own business, and gives us some insights to the many skill sets she uses in her work.
You can learn more about Shira and her podcast, Manage Your Property with Ease, by visiting her website.
This week, we ask you to learn more about Destination Imagination by signing up for our introductory webinar. Visit our website to register for a live session or download a captioned video today!
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Danse Macabre - Big Change by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3588-danse-macabre---big-change
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Beauty Flow by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5025-beauty-flow
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Thursday May 26, 2022
Episode 6: Teri Rizvi
Thursday May 26, 2022
Thursday May 26, 2022
In this episode, host Michele Tuck-Ponder chats with the University of Dayton’s Teri Rizvi, author and co-founder of the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop. Teri tells us about the inspiration behind the creation of this famous writing workshop. We also learn more about Teri’s new book, One Heart with Courage, and how she finds time to pursue writing in addition to her other responsibilities.
You can learn more about Teri on her website, or click here to learn more about the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop.
If you’d like to learn more about the STEAM Activities page mentioned in this week’s episode, click here.
Listen to this week’s episode wherever you get your podcasts. A transcript is available here.
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Danse Macabre - Big Change by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3588-danse-macabre---big-change
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Blippy Trance by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5759-blippy-trance
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Thursday May 19, 2022
Episode 5: Global Finals
Thursday May 19, 2022
Thursday May 19, 2022
This week, most of our staff and volunteers are in Kansas City, Missouri, for our Global Finals tournament. If you’ve never attended Global Finals, it’s an event unlike any other - so we asked some of our alumni to describe their experience for you.
This week, we ask you to consider making a charitable donation to Destination Imagination. Click here to make your contribution today.
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Thursday May 12, 2022
Episode 4: Antwaun Thompson
Thursday May 12, 2022
Thursday May 12, 2022
In this week’s episode, host Michele Tuck-Ponder chats with Antwaun Thompson, aka Coach T, Executive Director of JLT Fieldhouse and owner of Coach T’s Corner. Coach T shares his stories from the basketball court and tells us about the leadership skills that can be gained through team sports.
You can learn more about Coach T and his leadership programs by visiting his website.
This week, we ask you to learn more about Destination Imagination by signing up for our introductory webinar. Visit our website to register for a live session or download a captioned video today!
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Danse Macabre - Big Change by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3588-danse-macabre---big-change
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Beauty Flow by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5025-beauty-flow
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Thursday May 05, 2022
Episode 3: Malika Dudley
Thursday May 05, 2022
Thursday May 05, 2022
“I don’t balance. Nope. I feel like that’s just not a thing. There is no balance…communication research backs this up; you shouldn’t multitask…your brain doesn’t work that way. When I’m doing news, I am just doing news.” - Malika Dudley
This week, host Paige Curtis sits down with Malika Dudley, broadcast meteorologist for KITV4 Island News in Hawaii! Malika talks us through her process for communicating big information with the masses and how remote work options opened up new possibilities. Malika also shares a bit about her multitude of other projects - including The Communification Podcast - and how she navigates having many roles.
You can learn more about Malika and the Communification Podcast by visiting MalikaDudley.com.
In this episode, we tell you more about our free guide on STEAM activities to use at home or in the classroom. To download this free resource, visit our website.
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Danse Macabre - Big Change by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3588-danse-macabre---big-change
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Blippy Trance by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5759-blippy-trance
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Episode 2: John and Mark Cronin, Part 2
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
“My advice: Follow your heart. Follow your dreams. Work hard. Show you can do.” - John Cronin
“Don’t ever focus on somebody’s limitations. Be awed by the possibilities.” - Mark X. Cronin
Part 2 of 2! Join us for Part 2 of our interview with John and Mark Cronin, founders of John’s Crazy Socks. In this episode, John and Mark tell us more about their advocacy work for people with differing abilities, how they use communication in the workplace, and their initiatives to spread happiness. John even answers our Rapid Fire questions! Mark and John also tell us more about their upcoming JCS Champions, which provides business resources for people with different abilities.
Learn more about John and Mark Cronin by visiting JohnsCrazySocks.com.
In this episode, we ask you to consider making a charitable donation to Destination Imagination. Click here to learn more about and make your contribution today.
Click here for a transcript of today’s episode: https://dihq.box.com/s/d08rpn07zterv6jwn3zsb59irpuevmdg
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Danse Macabre - Big Change by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3588-danse-macabre---big-change
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Pleasant Porridge by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7614-pleasant-porridge
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Episode 1: John and Mark Cronin, Part 1
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
“We’re in this for the long haul, so we’re looking to make personal connections and share the experience with our customers - we’re looking to create an experience for our customers. Once you believe that, then it becomes manifest in everything you do.” - Mark X. Cronin
In our Season 2 premiere, host Paige Curtis sits down with John and Mark Cronin, a father and son duo who are the founders of John’s Crazy Socks. In part 1 of our interview with John and Mark, they share the origin story of their business, what makes them unique, and even how they got some ideas from a Jon Favreau movie. John and Mark also open up about John’s journey as a person with Down Syndrome, and how their business gives them the opportunity to advocate for people with different abilities.
Learn more about John and Mark Cronin by visiting JohnsCrazySocks.com.
In this episode, we ask you to learn more about Destination Imagination by signing up for our introductory webinar. Visit our website to register for a live session or download a captioned video today!
Click here for a transcript of this episode: https://dihq.box.com/s/y62l1c4c7d17k8qv0sxzvs55kgwd8v0k
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Beauty Flow by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5025-beauty-flow
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod

Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
What’s the Big Idea? - Season 2 Teaser
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
WE'RE BACK! Season 2 of What's the Big Idea? debuts April 21.
Join us for a new round of interviews, including authors, teachers, entrepreneurs, meteorologists, and more!
What's the Big Idea? is available wherever you get your podcasts.
Music Attributions: Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song... License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
TRANSCRIPT:
MICHELE: Hi, I’m Michele Tuck-Ponder, Executive Director of Destination Imagination and host of DI’s career podcast - What’s the Big Idea?
On What’s the Big Idea?, you’ll hear from fascinating industry leaders about how they created successful careers using the key tools of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
Guests like Andrew Berry, General Manager of the Cleveland Browns:
ANDREW BERRY: All jobs are work, but all jobs don’t necessarily have to feel like work.
MICHELE: Chloe Kontos from MD Anderson Cancer Center:
CHLOE KONTOS: I’m not a scientist, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t work on these issues or work in this domain. So I think that it’s really important to have the courage to try out different domains and areas and not think that you need to be an expert. There are generalist roles in these STEM fields...and that means that you are part of the STEM workforce.”
MICHELE: And many more leaders spanning fields of science, technology, fine arts, and more.
And now, we’re on to Season 2! I hope you’ll join us as we speak to a new group of leaders and innovators in all new episodes.
Season 2 of What’s the Big Idea? streams on Thursdays, starting April 21st, wherever you get your podcasts.

Thursday Oct 21, 2021
Episode 12: Legumes in Space with Ted Tagami (Part 2 of 2)
Thursday Oct 21, 2021
Thursday Oct 21, 2021
“I see some young adults - and it kinda frustrates me a little bit - at top notch universities, that cannot really critically think. They know how to use the tools, and they know how to get direction, but if I say ‘Solve this problem’ and it’s kind of an open ended problem, they’ll basically be asking for a set of instructions. And so that ability to really look and abstract the problem - it’s something we really need to develop very early on.” - Ted Tagami
Part 2 of 2! In our Season 1 finale, guest host Andrew Whitmire finishes his conversation with Ted Tagami from Magnitude.io. Ted tells us about how he uses the four Cs (especially critical thinking!) in his work in the space industry, shares the value of being a lifelong learner , and answers the age old question - does pineapple belong on pizza?!?!
This week, we ask you to consider making a charitable donation to Destination Imagination, so you can fuel more creative educational experiences for young people around the world. Click here to make your contribution today.
Thank you for listening to Season 1 of What’s the Big Idea?. More episodes will return in 2022!
Music Attributions:
Wallpaper by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4604-wallpaper
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Pleasant Porridge by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7614-pleasant-porridge
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Danse Macabre - Big Change by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3588-danse-macabre---big-change
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Carefree by Kevin MacLeod