The Elemental Educator Podcast

Empathy is often mistaken for softness, kindness, or emotional sensitivity. But in this conversation, empathy advocate and author Mimi Nicklin shows us something fundamentally different: empathy is a hard skill rooted in the brain, essential for psychological safety, leadership, collaboration, and even human survival.

We explore why so many leaders struggle to listen, how stress and urgency shut down empathy neurologically, and why patience and consistency are the real engines of cultural change. This episode is a call to rethink how we lead — not with more control, but with deeper understanding.

Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElementalEducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/

For Speaking, Consulting, Coaching, Collaborations, or Guest Recommendations https://www.empathyeverywhere.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miminicklin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miminicklin/ Book: Empathy at Work (available on Amazon)

#EmpathyInLeadership #HumanCenteredWork #PsychologicalSafety ABOUT THE ELEMENTAL EDUCATOR 

The Elemental Educator is a global platform exploring leadership through four human forces: Earth (Values), Air (Adversity), Water (Change), and Fire (Decision-Making). Here, leaders, educators, and curious thinkers learn how to build organizations and communities where people feel grounded, challenged, supported, and empowered to act. This is leadership for a world in motion.

What You’ll Get from This Episode In this deeply human conversation, Leading Our Own Way host Andrew White opens up about authenticity, trauma, and the cost of pretending everything is fine. From enduring workplace bullying to nearly losing his life to stress, Andrew shares how vulnerability became his turning point. Together, we explore what it means to create safety in leadership, how connection transforms culture, and why showing up as your true self is not weakness—it’s the foundation of trust.

This episode challenges every leader, educator, and creator to reconsider how they build connection, give feedback, and define success in environments that often reward performance over people.

Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElementalEducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/

For Speaking, Consulting, Coaching, Guest Recommendations, or Other Inquiries https://www.instagram.com/leadingourownway

#AuthenticLeadership #Vulnerability #TraumaInLeadership #HumanConnection

About the Elemental Educator The Elemental Educator podcast explores the four elements of lasting leadership—Earth (values), Air (adversity), Water (change), and Fire (bold decisions). Each episode bridges real-world leadership with human stories, helping you lead with purpose, compassion, and clarity in a world that often rewards the opposite.

What You’ll Get from This Episode In this episode, The Teacher’s PT Martin Malone shares how one devastating teaching experience led him to rebuild his life, his health, and his purpose. From losing all income during COVID to building an online coaching business that serves thousands of educators, Martin’s story reveals the tension between luck and skill, and the courage it takes to stay authentic when easy money calls. We explore the ethics of saying no, the power of small habits, and why every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become.

Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElementalEducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/

For Speaking, Consulting, Coaching, Guest Recommendations, or Other Inquiries https://www.instagram.com/theteacherspt

#AuthenticLeadership #ValuesInAction #TeacherWellbeing

About the Elemental Educator The Elemental Educator podcast explores the four elements of lasting leadership—Earth (values), Air (adversity), Water (change), and Fire (bold decisions). Each episode bridges insight and application, helping leaders, educators, and creators align their actions with authenticity, courage, and purpose.

What You’ll Get from This Episode In this conversation, creator, strategist, and educator Mike Saad breaks down what it really takes to build a brand that lasts. From content that converts to the discipline behind creativity, we explore why most creators get stuck in volume over value—and how to shift toward clarity, consistency, and community. Mike and Tyler unpack the difference between chasing views and leading with purpose, revealing why trust and transparency remain the most sustainable growth strategies in the creator economy. Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElementalEducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/ For Speaking, Consulting, Coaching, Guest Recommendations, or Other Inquiries [email protected] Connect With Our Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmikesaad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmikesaad Skool: https://skool.com/the-content-classroom-3968 #AuthenticLeadership #ContentStrategy #CreatorMindset About the Elemental Educator The Elemental Educator podcast bridges leadership and creativity, offering actionable insights rooted in values, resilience, adaptability, and bold decision-making. Each episode is designed to challenge your thinking, sharpen your purpose, and equip you to lead with clarity in a noisy digital world.

What you’ll get from this episode Principal-certified wellness coach and former Canadian National Barefoot Water Ski team member Michelle Sigmann breaks down how high performance translates to schools: unlearning to truly listen, building connection through communication, and replacing willpower myths with daily, sustainable habits. We examine the balance of luck and skill, the leadership cost of poor listening, and practical routines leaders can implement tomorrow to strengthen mental health, model calm under pressure, and drive lasting change. Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElementalEducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/ For speaking, consulting, coaching, guest recommendations, or other inquiries [email protected] Connect With Our Guest Website: https://www.wellnessmichelle.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellefitnessmomma #ValuesBasedLeadership #WellnessForLeaders #MindsetInPractice About the Elemental Educator Elemental Educator equips leaders with actionable strategies anchored in values (Earth), adversity navigation (Air), change implementation (Water), and bold decision-making (Fire). Each conversation translates lived experience into practical moves that unlock potential in schools and organizations.

What You’ll Get from This Episode In this episode, Chris DT Gordon shares his extraordinary journey from battling a flesh-eating bacteria to running marathons and inspiring others through what he calls the “attitude of gratitude.” We explore how resilience is built in moments of crisis, why perfection is the wrong pursuit, and how gratitude can reshape both personal and professional life. This conversation challenges you to rethink adversity, find purpose in change, and commit to greatness over perfection. Connect With Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElementalEducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/ For Speaking, Consulting, Coaching, Guest Recommendations, or Other Inquiries [email protected] Connect With Our Guest Chris DT Gordon: https://dot.cards/chrisdtgordon #ResilienceInAction #GratitudeMindset #LeadershipGrowth About the Elemental Educator The Elemental Educator podcast and platform equip leaders with actionable strategies rooted in values, resilience, adaptability, and bold decision-making. Through the metaphors of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, we create conversations that spark transformation and unlock potential for leaders at every

In this episode of Elemental Educator, Tyler sits down with Mitch Zuvela — educator, international teacher, instructional designer, and EdTech innovator. Mitch’s journey has taken him from classrooms around the world to the cutting edge of digital learning, math innovation, and educational technology. With a background in teaching, consulting for Pearson, and graduate studies at UBC, Mitch is shaping how leaders and educators can harness technology for real transformation. Leaders, CEOs, executives, managers, and educators will discover strategies for: Using technology and AI responsibly in education and leadership Transforming math instruction through new approaches Building resilience when facing pushback and adversity Embracing risk and innovation as a leadership mindset Creating a growth mindset culture in schools and organizations From principles vs. preferences in leadership to bold decisions that change lives, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone navigating education, leadership, or organizational change. 👉 Stay connected for more leadership insights: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elementaleducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/ 📬 Connect With Me For speaking, consulting, coaching, guest recommendations, or other inquiries: [email protected] 🤝 Connect With Our Guest Website: https://www.launchpointlearning.ca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-zuvela-009511128 #Leadership #EdTech #InnovationInEducation #GrowthMindset #BoldLeadership About This Channel Welcome to Elemental Educator — where leaders at every level come to grow. Here you’ll find in-depth conversations, leadership strategies, and actionable insights designed to help CEOs, executives, managers, and educators lead with values, overcome adversity, embrace change, and make bold decisions. Subscribe to join a community of leaders committed to lasting impact.

before listening to this episode I wanted to apologize for the sound quality. In wanting to keep the message out there I decided to still publish the episode, on the caveat that some concepts will be hard to hear.

 In this episode of Elemental Educator, Tyler welcomes Dr. Stephanie Van Deynze-Snell — veterinarian, co-owner of a thriving veterinary hospital, flow state coach, consultant, and speaker. After scaling her business while raising three children, Stephanie experienced both the highs of success and the lows of burnout. Her journey back to health led her into the science of flow and sustainable leadership, helping others unlock their potential without sacrificing wellbeing. Leaders, CEOs, executives, managers, and educators will discover strategies for: Preventing burnout and reclaiming energy Using flow science to work with your biology, not against it Creating psychologically safe workplaces where people thrive Turning adversity into resilience and confidence Making bold, value-driven decisions that last Stephanie’s story offers powerful lessons for anyone navigating high-pressure leadership while balancing personal and professional life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, exhausted, or ready for change, this conversation will help you see a way forward. 👉 Stay connected for more leadership insights: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elementaleducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/ 📬 Connect With Me For speaking, consulting, coaching, guest recommendations, or other inquiries: [email protected] 🤝 Connect With Our Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstephv #Leadership #BurnoutRecovery #FlowState #WomenInLeadership #SustainableSuccess About This Channel Welcome to Elemental Educator — where leaders at every level come to grow. Here you’ll find in-depth conversations, leadership strategies, and actionable insights designed to help CEOs, executives, managers, and educators lead with values, overcome adversity, embrace change, and make bold decisions. Subscribe to join a community of leaders committed to lasting impact.

In this episode of Elemental Educator, Tyler welcomes Steve Bollar — also known as Stand Tall Steve — a nationally recognized speaker, author, former superintendent and principal, and a 2023 Global Gurus Top 30 Education Professional. With boundless energy and a proven track record of transforming culture and climate, Steve brings practical leadership insights that resonate far beyond schools. Leaders, CEOs, executives, managers, and educators will discover strategies for: Building stronger culture and climate in schools and organizations Making bold leadership decisions rooted in values Overcoming adversity with resilience and positivity Embracing change and creating lasting impact Empowering people to stand tall in every setting With stories ranging from mistakes that became breakthroughs to bold risks that sparked success, this conversation challenges you to think bigger, lead better, and take actionable steps that truly change culture. 👉 Stay connected for more leadership insights: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elementaleducator TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elemental.educator Website: https://www.elementaleducator.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/ 📬 Connect With Me For speaking, consulting, coaching, guest recommendations, or other inquiries: [email protected] 🤝 Connect With Our Guest YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@standtallsteve1330 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standtallsteve/ (@standtallsteve) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withinourranks/ (@withinourranks) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standtallsteve1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/standtallsteve/ Email: [email protected] Website: www.standtallsteve.com Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nszNXjUn3a4 #Leadership #EducationLeadership #CultureAndClimate #StandTallSteve #BoldLeadership About This Channel Welcome to Elemental Educator — where leaders at every level come to grow. Here you’ll find in-depth conversations, leadership strategies, and actionable insights designed to help CEOs, executives, managers, and educators lead with values, overcome adversity, embrace change, and make bold decisions. Subscribe to join a community of leaders committed to lasting impact.

In this episode of Elemental Educator, Tyler sits down with Christopher Fuzessy, Superintendent and Chief Education Officer of Foothill School Division in southern Alberta. Together, they explore how leaders—whether in education, business, or community organizations—can empower people, build wellbeing, and create thriving environments where everyone can succeed.

Leaders, CEOs, executives, managers, and teachers alike will discover strategies for:

• Turning leadership from transactional to transformational
• Building trust and wellbeing across teams and communities
• Empowering staff and students to flourish
• Making bold, people-centered decisions in complex times

This conversation will spark new ideas and challenge you to rethink what leadership looks like when education, business, and community intersect.

👉 Stay connected for more leadership insights:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elementaleducator
• TikTok: https://www.elementaleducator.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-comeau-961a49310/

📬 Connect With Me For speaking, consulting, coaching, guest recommendations, or other inquiries: https://www.instagram.com/foothills.superintendent

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ChirstopherFuzessy

Website: https://www.foothillsschoolfivision.ca

Email: [email protected]

#Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #EducationLeadership #Empowerment #ThrivingCommunities About This Channel 

Welcome to Elemental Educator — where leaders at every level come to grow. Here you’ll find in-depth conversations, leadership strategies, and actionable insights designed to help CEOs, executives, managers, and educators lead with values, overcome adversity, embrace change, and make bold decisions. Subscribe to join a community of leaders committed to lasting impact.