The Come Home Podcast

Why the Center for Human Skills—and why now?

In this episode, Griffin Gervais and Beth Rice sit down to share the story behind the evolution of SEL4NC and the work that ultimately led to the creation of the Center for Human Skills.

What began as a statewide effort to advance social and emotional learning in North Carolina has continued to evolve alongside the needs of the people and communities it serves. Over the years, the work increasingly revealed something bigger: the skills at the heart of SEL aren't limited to schools or young people. They shape how all of us navigate emotions, build relationships, communicate, collaborate, make decisions, lead, and adapt throughout our lives.

Griffin and Beth reflect on that journey—from their own paths into this work and the growth of SEL4NC, to the conversations and experiences that began pushing them to think beyond a single field or set of terminology.

They also explore why this evolution feels especially important now. As technology reshapes the workforce, organizations navigate growing complexity, and communities wrestle with disconnection and polarization, the need to intentionally develop our human capabilities is becoming increasingly clear.

The Center for Human Skills grew out of that realization.

This conversation is an inside look at how we got here, what we've learned along the way, why we're broadening the work, and what we hope to build next: an organization dedicated to helping people and organizations intentionally develop the human skills that allow us to thrive—in school, at work, in leadership, in relationships, and in our communities.

This isn't a departure from where we've been. It's an evolution of it.

Welcome to the Center for Human Skills.

To learn more and follow the journey of the Center for Human Skills, connect with us through SEL4NC (website) on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Richard Hua on Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, and Human-Centered Systems

What does it actually take to build healthy cultures, emotionally intelligent leadership, and human-centered organizations?

In this episode of The Come Home Podcast, I sit down with Richard Hua, Founder & CEO of EPIQ Leadership Group and a globally recognized leader in emotional intelligence, leadership development, and organizational transformation.

Over the course of his career, Richard has led large-scale global teams, developed leadership and emotional intelligence programs that have impacted more than 1.5 million people worldwide, and founded the EQ@Amazon community, which grew to over 70,000 members and became the largest employee-led community at Amazon. His work is grounded in a deep belief that emotional intelligence and human connection are essential to building high-performing teams, healthy cultures, and sustainable leadership.

Together, we explore the connection between individual emotional intelligence, leadership capacity, and the systems that ultimately shape culture, trust, belonging, and performance.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss:

• Why emotional intelligence is foundational to effective leadership

• The human skills leaders must develop before they can influence culture

• The gap between organizations talking about trust, belonging, and psychological safety and actually operationalizing those ideas

• How emotionally intelligent leadership scales across teams, organizations, and systems

• What it takes to create cultures that are sustainable, healthy, and high-performing

• Why emotional intelligence and human development matter even more in the age of AI

One of the biggest themes throughout this conversation is that healthy cultures are not built through slogans, values statements, or surface-level initiatives. They are built through the daily behaviors, relational practices, and emotional capacities of leaders and teams over time.

This conversation sits at the intersection of leadership, human development, and systems design and reinforces something we continue to believe deeply at Come Home Collective:

As technology and systems continue to accelerate, emotionally intelligent leadership becomes even more essential to creating environments where people can truly thrive.

Connect with Richard:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richhua/
• Website: https://www.richardhua.co/

If you have questions based on this episode, ask here: https://answersfrom.me/griffin 

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Beth Rice—Founder of Wellbeing4Learning—to explore what it means to truly center wellbeing in education and organizations. From her personal journey as a school psychologist and teacher to leading state-level SEL and MTSS initiatives in North Carolina, Beth shares what it takes to co-create resilient, caring learning and work environments.

Together, we unpack wellbeing at both the individual and systems levels—why it’s more than self-care, how it’s embedded into policy and practice, and what it looks like when humans are supported as whole people. We also dive into Beth’s work launching communities of practice, her reflections on leadership, and how Wellbeing4Learning is helping schools and organizations lead with humanity at the core.

If you care about sustainable educator support, emotionally safe learning environments, and building systems where everyone belongs—you don’t want to miss this one.

Connect with Dr. Beth Rice & Wellbeing4Learning

Explore more of Beth’s work and access over 70 free resources to help embed wellbeing in your own context.

• 🌐 Website: wellbeing4learning.org
  
  
• 💼 LinkedIn: Dr. Beth Rice
  
  

You’ll also find links to additional social media and a growing library of tools and practices designed to support educator, student, and organizational wellbeing.

💬 Have questions about the episode? Ask them here: https://answersfrom.me/griffin 

In this heart-opening episode, we dive into the concept of The Whole Educator with Megan Marcus, founder of FuelEd. Megan unpacks the core belief that relationships drive learning—and that no meaningful learning happens without connection. To grow whole students, she argues, we must first invest in whole educators.

Rooted in attachment theory, one of the most widely studied models of human development, Megan explains how emotionally intelligent educators serve as secure attachment figures in the lives of their students. These relationships provide the foundation for trust, emotional safety, and academic growth.

What’s been missing from traditional teacher preparation, Megan reveals, is explicit training in the relational and emotional skills that help educators create healthy, caring learning environments. FuelEd is working to change that—providing tools, language, and practice spaces that help educators and leaders strengthen their social and emotional competencies and show up as their fullest selves in the classroom.

Throughout the episode, Megan shares invaluable insights into the emotional lives of educators, the importance of adult SEL, and how nurturing the inner life of a teacher is one of the most powerful ways to transform our schools. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about education, mental health, and human-centered leadership.

About Our Guest:

Megan Marcus: Founder of FuelEd, an organization dedicated to developing emotionally intelligent educators and leaders. Recognized by Ashoka as a leading social innovation, FuelEd equips educators with the tools and training needed to build relationship-driven, emotionally healthy learning environments.

Join us for a transformative conversation about what it really means to care for the people who care for our kids—and how the future of education depends on it.

🔗 Megan Marcus: LinkedIn
🔗 FuelEd: www.fueledschools.org

Questions about anything you heard? Ask here

In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into the world of social-emotional learning (SEL) with David Adams, CEO of The Urban Assembly. David unpacks what SEL truly is, why it’s essential for student success, and how its impact extends far beyond the classroom into every aspect of our lives.

We explore how SEL isn’t a new concept—social-emotional skills already shape our careers, relationships, and daily interactions. As a society, our systems and structures reward those who meet social and emotional standards, while those who struggle with these skills often face real challenges. What’s evolving is our approach to directly teaching SEL. David challenges the assumption that these skills develop naturally over time and makes a compelling case for explicit instruction, clear language, practical tools, and intentional spaces where students can strengthen and apply these critical skills.

Throughout the episode, David provides invaluable insights on the impact and importance of SEL, how we can embed it into schools and communities, and the role it plays in developing emotionally intelligent, adaptable, and impact-driven leaders. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about education, equity, and the future of learning.

About Our Guest:

David Adams: CEO of The Urban Assembly, national leader in social-emotional learning, Crain’s 40 Under 40 honoree, Champion of Equity award recipient, and board member at CASEL. David is a passionate advocate for integrating SEL into education and beyond, ensuring every student is equipped with the skills to thrive.

Join us for a powerful discussion on the role of SEL in education and how we can create learning environments that prepare students for success in school, work, and life.

Connect with David & The Urban Assembly:

David Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-adams-10236721/ | Email: [email protected]
The Urban Assembly: https://www.urbanassembly.org/

In this inspiring episode, we dive into the foundational work of Messy Roots with Founder & CEO Mario Jovan Shaw. Mario shares the mission behind Messy Roots: helping BIPOC leaders uncover their stories and embrace their unique paths. Our conversation explores the transformative journey from self-awareness to social impact, as Mario emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself as a leader and recognizing the broader influence one can have in the world.

We also discuss the value of simplicity in leadership and the role of allyship and community in sustaining personal and professional growth. Mario offers valuable insights into the support system Messy Roots provides, from helping leaders clarify their vision to cultivating resilience through community.

Throughout the episode, we uncover Mario's journey, his passion for fostering impactful leadership, and the powerful ways Messy Roots is making a difference across industries. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, personal growth, and the power of community.

About Our Guest:

Mario Jovan Shaw: Founder & CEO of Messy Roots, dedicated to empowering BIPOC leaders through coaching, community, and the development of their personal and professional stories. Mario’s work is reshaping leadership by helping individuals connect deeply with their purpose and inspire positive change.

Join us for a conversation that celebrates the beauty of embracing one’s journey and the transformative impact of Messy Roots in fostering authentic leadership.

In this enlightening and transformative episode, we delve into the critical role of emotional intelligence in school leadership with two distinguished experts, Dr. Robin Stern and Dr. Janet Patti. Our discussion focuses on their book "Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders" and on how leaders who embody emotional intelligence can profoundly impact and transform the culture and climate of their schools and classrooms.

Dr. Stern and Dr. Patti provide a comprehensive look into what it means to truly embody emotional intelligence. They share their extensive experience and knowledge, detailing the practical steps and strategies leaders can implement to foster a positive and nurturing environment. The conversation goes beyond theory, offering real-world examples and actionable advice that school leaders can immediately put into practice.

We also explore the process Robin and Janet use to support school districts and leaders, highlighting their approach to coaching and mentoring. They discuss what they have encountered along the way, providing valuable insights into the journey of becoming an emotionally intelligent leader.

A key theme in this episode is the pivotal role that leaders play in setting the tone for their entire organization. Dr. Stern and Dr. Patti emphasize how the behavior, attitudes, and emotional intelligence of leaders can create a ripple effect, influencing every aspect of the school environment. By setting a strong example, leaders can cultivate a culture of empathy, resilience, and positive relationships.

About Our Guests:

• Dr. Robin Stern: Co-founder and senior advisor at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, licensed psychoanalyst, co-developer of the RULER approach, and co-author of Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders.
• Dr. Janet Patti: Co-founder and CEO of Star Factor Coaching, leadership development expert, and co-author of Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders.

This episode is a must-listen for all school leaders, educators, and anyone interested in creating an emotionally healthy and supportive educational environment. Join us for this deep dive into the heart of impactful leadership and discover how emotional intelligence can be the key to transforming your school’s culture and climate.

If this conversation was of interest, I'd highly recommend getting a copy of their book that is out now: Purchase Here

Join us as we embark on a profound exploration with Dr. Sara Kuburic, widely known as The Millennial Therapist, where she has cultivated a community of over 1.6 million individuals. In this episode, we delve into the ongoing journey of self-discovery and the existential questions that shape our lives.

Together, we navigate the complexities of identity and purpose, probing the fundamental inquiries of "who am I?" and "why am I here?" Our conversation bridges theory to practice, offering deep insights and actionable strategies for living a life aligned with our true selves.

Dr. Kuburic shares her expertise as an existential psychotherapist, author, and consultant, illuminating pathways to personal growth and fulfillment. We also explore the critical importance of taking responsibility for our lives, recognizing that true empowerment begins with accountability.

Join us as we uncover the profound wisdom that empowers us to navigate the playground of life with clarity, intention, and freedom. For those seeking to deepen their understanding of the self and cultivate a life of meaning and purpose, this episode offers invaluable guidance and inspiration. Tune in as we embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.

Watch full conversation on YouTube

Connect with Sara:
Book: It's On Me (can be found in any bookstores)
Website: Sara Kuburic
IG: @millennial.therapist

Join us as we explore the dynamic role Kendra plays at Torrent, diving deep into the impact it has on personal and professional development. In our conversation, we highlight the critical importance of leaders not just talking about support but embodying it. Discover how Torrent doesn't merely articulate their commitment to people; they actively build systems, structures, and spaces to reinforce their values.

For leaders passionate about the holistic development of their teams, this episode is a treasure trove of insights. Kendra shares how Torrent operates in alignment with their values, offering actionable steps to create an environment that truly nurtures, supports, and grows individuals. 

Get ready to be inspired and equipped with tangible strategies to foster a workplace where both personal and professional development thrive. Dive into the heart of leadership that goes beyond words – leadership that embodies the work.

Connect with Kendra:
LinkedIn
Email: [email protected]
Website: Torrent Consulting

Step into the world of education and emotion in this thought-provoking podcast episode featuring Fran Amara, Principal of Northwestern Middle School. 

Together, we embark on an enlightening journey, exploring the profound transformation that takes place when a school environment is built around emotions. 

Our conversation delves into the intricacies of this process, the tangible impact it has on students and staff, and the powerful steps it takes to create a school where emotions are allowed to thrive and breathe.

Fran and I both share a deep connection with the RULER Approach from Yale's Center For Emotional Intelligence, an evidence-based approach we've been trained in and have passionately used to support the cultivation of emotionally intelligent cultures and communities.

Join us as we uncover the secrets to fostering a school environment that not only educates minds but nurtures hearts. This episode is a testament to the incredible influence of emotional intelligence in education and the incredible journey to create a space where every emotion finds its place.

Connect with Fran:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PrincipalAmara
School: Northwestern Middle School