In this episode of The Innovation Show, Aidan McCullen welcomes back Manu Kapur, author of Productive Failure, to explore the science of learning through failure.

We uncover the Basic Knowledge Fallacy, debate Direct Instruction vs. Discovery Learning, and introduce the Four A’s of Learning (Activation, Awareness, Affect, Assembly). Manu also explains why variability, struggle, and pretesting drive deeper learning, adaptability, and long-term success.

Whether you’re an educator, business leader, coach, or lifelong learner, this conversation will transform the way you think about learning and growth.

00:00 – Introduction and Sponsor Message

00:33 – Welcoming the Guest: Manu Kapur

01:01 – Understanding the Basic Knowledge Fallacy

05:07 – Direct Instruction vs. Discovery Learning

08:08 – The Science Behind Productive Failure

14:01 – The Importance of Variability in Learning

21:14 – Pretesting and the Role of Struggle in Learning

26:43 – Final Thoughts and Cognitive Reflection Test

• Why the path to learning is as important as the knowledge itself

• The strengths and limits of direct instruction and discovery learning

• How the Four A’s of Productive Failure create lasting understanding

• Why variability and desirable difficulties improve adaptability

• How struggle, pretesting, and impasses unlock deeper insights

📺 Watch more episodes of The Innovation Show: The Innovation Show on YouTube

🌐 Learn more about Manu Kapur: www.manukapur.com

📘 Get Manu’s book Productive Failure: https://amzn.to/3KrdV1Q

What if failure wasn’t the end, but the beginning of real growth? In this episode, Aidan McCullen sits down with Manu Kapur, author of Productive Failure, to explore how struggle, setbacks, and mistakes can actually unlock deep learning, creativity, and adaptability.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why productive failure is the secret to lifelong learning

• How to turn mistakes into powerful growth mindset strategies

• Why even “good lectures” don’t always create deep understanding

• How leaders and innovators can use failure to adapt in a changing world

• The psychology of resilience, success, and transformation

Find Manu Kapur: https://www.manukapur.com

From a soccer career cut short by injury to becoming a global thought leader in education innovation, Manu shares stories and research that challenge how we think about failure. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, parent, or entrepreneur, this conversation will help you embrace failure as a pathway to success.

What can bees teach us about leadership, teamwork, and innovation? 🐝

In this episode, Philip Atkinson — organizational coach, beekeeper, and author of Bee Wise: 12 Leadership Lessons from a Busy Beehive — shares powerful insights from the hive that apply directly to modern workplaces.

We explore:

• Why the queen bee is not really the leader of the hive

• How the waggle dance is a perfect metaphor for communication

• Why bees switch jobs throughout their lives and what that means for career growth

• How swarms make better decisions by consensus

• The importance of diversity, innovation, and collaboration in thriving organizations

📖 Learn more about Philip’s work and book: beewisebook.com

🌐 Company site: hive-logic.com

📲 Socials: Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn → @BeeWiseBook

👤 Connect with Philip on LinkedIn: PhilipAtkinsonHiveLogic

✨ All proceeds from Bee Wise support Bees for Development, a charity helping families worldwide build sustainable livelihoods through beekeeping.