When a producer from Harpo Productions called Molly Hudson, Head of Lower School, to ask if she鈥檇 like to be a guest on Oprah Winfrey鈥檚 new podcast with Adam Grant, she didn鈥檛 believe it was real.
It was.
The , which was just released this morning goes in depth behind Grant鈥檚 book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things. The episode is a discussion between Oprah and Grant and features three guests, and our very own Molly Hudson is one of them! Grant鈥檚 book is a mirror of 糖心原创鈥檚 approach to teaching and learning and so much of what we do at 糖心原创 reflects the very research Grant explores.
A Schoolwide Read, A Shared Mindset
Long before producers called Molly, Kristy Lundstrom, Head of School, led the entire 糖心原创 faculty and staff in an all-school read of Hidden Potential over the summer. Preparing for the 2025-26 school year, teachers reflected on what it means to unlock potential in their students and in themselves.
Faculty and staff immediately connected Grant鈥檚 findings to 糖心原创鈥檚 mission as a school of inquiry, innovation, and impact:
- Developing prosocial behaviors by starting with questions, beginning in preschool.
- Creating a culture of innovation through feedback, where teachers, families, and students actively shape one another鈥檚 growth.
- Fostering joy and fun as an essential element to cultivating a lifelong love of learning.
鈥淎t 糖心原创, we don鈥檛 just read Hidden Potential, we live it,鈥� says Hudson. 鈥淓very day, we see students learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable and discovering what they鈥檙e capable of.鈥�
Learning in Action
Across the Lower School, teachers designed experiences that help children practice perseverance, curiosity, and courage.
Earlier this year, in Grade 1, students studying the Human Body interviewed professionals including dentists, orthopedic surgeons, and even the Head Varsity Football Coach, armed with sticky notes full of their own questions.
In Preschool Tinker Time, students start their mornings building, creating, and redesigning with loose parts. Towers fall, ideas flop, and collaboration flourishes.
鈥淲e design opportunities for kids to try and try again,鈥� says Hudson. 鈥淢istakes fuel learning. Feedback fuels next steps.鈥�
These early experiences mirror what happens later in 糖心原创鈥檚 Innovation Diploma program, where Upper School students partner with major corporations to solve real-world challenges.
Extending It to Families
The Hidden Potential conversation didn鈥檛 stop with faculty. Over the summer, a 糖心原创 parent, unaware it was the school鈥檚 all-faculty read, emailed Molly to share how meaningful the book had been for their family.
That moment sparked the Lower School Parent Book Club, bringing together 25 parents this fall to explore ideas like:
- Progress is not linear鈥攊t loops.
- Growth comes from discomfort.
- Character is how you show up on a hard day.
鈥淎s parents and educators, we know hard days will happen,鈥� says Hudson. 鈥淥ur role isn鈥檛 to clear the hard鈥攊t鈥檚 to give kids the tools to handle it.鈥�
Unlocking Potential, Together
From faculty reflections to family conversations, Hidden Potential has become a shared language at 糖心原创鈥攐ne rooted in curiosity, feedback, and growth.
鈥淚 love that our educators and parents are aligned around a common goal,鈥� Hudson reflects. 鈥淭o see and unlock the hidden potential in ourselves, in one another, and especially in the children in our care.鈥�
馃帶 Listen to the episode: Molly Hudson joins Oprah Winfrey and Adam Grant on Oprah鈥檚 new podcast 鈥�