# #022 - Effective project-based learning from astrophysicist turned entrepreneur, professor, with Joshua Spodek of NYU, Spodek Academy, USA

- Show: [The Hardware Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur)
- Published: 2017-04-19
- Length: 58m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-19-022-effective-project-based-learning-from-astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur-pro
- Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehardwareentrepreneur/022.mp3

## Summary

Joshua Spodek, a professor at NYU and founder of Spodek Academy, discusses his transition from an astrophysicist to a hardware entrepreneur and leadership educator. He details the founding of Submedia, a company that commercialized a hardware invention for in-tunnel motion pictures, and the challenges they faced, including the 9/11 attacks and market shifts. Spodek explains his 'method learning' approach to leadership, which applies exercises from acting and sports to teach social and emotional skills, contrasting it with traditional lecture-based education.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-19-022-effective-project-based-learning-from-astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur-pro#t=0) Introduction: Joshua Spodek and Submedia
- [6:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-19-022-effective-project-based-learning-from-astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur-pro#t=411) The Origin of Submedia and the Zootrope Concept
- [13:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-19-022-effective-project-based-learning-from-astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur-pro#t=823) Prototyping Mistakes and the Value of Experimentation
- [18:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-19-022-effective-project-based-learning-from-astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur-pro#t=1093) Submedia's Failure and the Pivot to Business School
- [26:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-19-022-effective-project-based-learning-from-astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur-pro#t=1610) Method Learning: Applying Acting and Sports to Leadership
- [37:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-19-022-effective-project-based-learning-from-astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur-pro#t=2225) Project-Based Learning in Education and the Future of Teaching
- [44:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-04-19-022-effective-project-based-learning-from-astrophysicist-turned-entrepreneur-pro#t=2691) Habits, SIDCHA, and Cultural Observations

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Submedia (company)
- Spodek Academy (company)
- NYU (company)
- Columbia University (company)
- Inc magazine (company)
- Leadership Step by Step (product)
- Zootrope (product)
- Inside the Actors Studio (other)
- Marshall Goldsmith (other)
- Seth Godin (other)

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- [S6E23 Mihir Shah | Buying & Growing a High Performing Machine Shop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-06-06-s6e23-mihir-shah-buying-growing-a-high-performing-machine-shop) (Being an Engineer)
- [KiwiCo: Sandra Oh Lin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-25-kiwico-sandra-oh-lin) (How I Built This)
- [220 - Managing Oneself, Reflections and a New Series on ICH](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-12-31-220-managing-oneself-reflections-and-a-new-series-on-ich) (Let's Combinate)
- [Khan Academy: Sal Khan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-21-khan-academy-sal-khan) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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