The best leadership lesson we learned this year wasn’t about getting it right—it was about knowing when to pause, own the mess, and rebuild with care. On the next episode of Take the Elevator, Gen and Kory sit down with Tamara and Danya—early childhood educators, professors, and the duo behind Talk Early To Me and TD Growth Unboxed—to close the year with an honest conversation about rest, resilience, and continuing when the plan falls apart.

From 2 a.m. creativity vs. shower breakthroughs to imposter syndrome in classrooms, meetings, and living rooms, the laughs quickly give way to real talk. You’ll hear how stopping mid-course can become a master lesson, why “keep going” sometimes means baby steps back to joy, and how confidence can be something you quietly wear into any room.

They also share what they unboxed this year—launching a podcast, formalizing the business, aligning a shared vision—and name what’s next: a first book, deeper belonging, and finishing their PhDs. Saying it out loud matters.

You’ll walk away with practical tools for families before preschool—turning everyday moments into learning labs that build confidence, self-regulation, and executive function—plus an open invite for educators and teams ready to elevate with humor, presence, and purpose.

If this conversation sparks something, subscribe, share, and leave a review with your next baby step.

Look up—and let’s elevate.

To contact Tamara and Danya:

IG: @tamara_danya_ece

https://talkearlytome.buzzsprout.com/

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386th Floor: Year-End Reset from Early Childhood Tips to Big Girl Energy