Innovating the Museum Model
Mon Jan 26 2026
Dioramas just don't cut it anymore for museums that want to keep new generations of kids interested in their collections. Instead, George Saunders has steered the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in a direction that has kept the 125-year-old institution relevant, in an age when almost anything in the world can be seen on a computer screen.On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Saunders explains how his industry has changed—and how he's developed the mindset to make it happen.
Table of Contents:
1:14 Life-changing executive coaching • 2:32 Creating the "10-year plan" • 3:14 "It's not just about making money" • 4:22 Developing a strong moral compass • 5:25 What people don't realize about museums • 7:07 Surviving COVID-19 • 9:56 Today's challenges for museums • 15:42 The career "identity crisis" • 18:10 Developing an innovative workforce • 19:41 What if you were an executive coach? • 21:35 Rebuilding community • 13:08 Show notes and credits
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Dioramas just don't cut it anymore for museums that want to keep new generations of kids interested in their collections. Instead, George Saunders has steered the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in a direction that has kept the 125-year-old institution relevant, in an age when almost anything in the world can be seen on a computer screen.On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Saunders explains how his industry has changed—and how he's developed the mindset to make it happen. Table of Contents: 1:14 Life-changing executive coaching • 2:32 Creating the "10-year plan" • 3:14 "It's not just about making money" • 4:22 Developing a strong moral compass • 5:25 What people don't realize about museums • 7:07 Surviving COVID-19 • 9:56 Today's challenges for museums • 15:42 The career "identity crisis" • 18:10 Developing an innovative workforce • 19:41 What if you were an executive coach? • 21:35 Rebuilding community • 13:08 Show notes and credits