Podcast
The Elemental Educator Podcast
Hosted by Tyler Comeau · EN
The Elemental Educator Podcast explores the defining moments behind exceptional leadership.
Hosted by Tyler Comeau, school principal, doctoral researcher, author, and speaker, the show features in-depth conversations with educators, executives, entrepreneurs, athletes, and world class thinkers who have led through uncertainty, adversity, and change.
Every episode is built around four elemental forces that shape every leader:
🌍 Earth: the values that ground us.
💨 Air: the adversity that strengthens us.
💧 Water: the change that transforms us.
🔥 Fire: the decisions that define us.
This isn't a podcast about quick leadership tips or trendy management advice. It's about understanding how extraordinary people think, grow, and lead when the stakes are highest.
Because every great leader is forged through the elements.
Decide with Fire. Stand on Earth.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Is Inclusion Just Better Exclusion? (What Most Schools Get Wrong) | Dr. Shelley Moore
Mar 3001:01:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Elemental Educator, Dr. Shelley Moore dismantles one of the most dangerous assumptions in education:If a student is struggling, something must be wrong with the student.What if that assumption is the problem?Shelley is an inclusive education researcher, consultant, and global speaker who has spent her career helping schools rethink how learning actually works.This conversation will challenge how you think about inclusion, special education, and what it really means for students to succeed.The shift is simple, but powerful:You can’t change students. But you can absolutely change conditions.What You’ll Learn In This Episode• Why most “inclusive” classrooms are still excluding students• The difference between access, placement, and true belonging• Why education systems default to blaming students• How changing conditions unlocks student success• What teachers were never trained to do in diverse classrooms• Why IEPs should function like “seed packets” instead of deficit reports• How to design lessons that include all learners without adding workload• Why inclusion benefits every student, not just those with identified needsIf you lead, teach, or influence learning environments, this episode will fundamentally shift how you approach your work.Connect With MeWebsitehttps://www.elementaleducator.comIf this episode challenged your thinking, explore more conversations designed to help leaders rethink systems, not just students.Connect With Dr. Shelley MooreWebsitewww.drshelleymoore.comConsultingwww.outsidepinconsulting.comYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@FiveMooreMinutesInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/drshelleymoore/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/drshelleymoore/Chapter Markers00:00 Introduction Trailer02:30 When did Shelley realize the problem wasn’t her?04:45 What would she say to her younger self in that moment?06:30 At what point do we stop blaming students for struggling?08:30 What if the system around students is the real issue?12:00 Why should IEPs never be deficit-based?13:00 Why is lowering expectations the wrong move?14:00 Does inclusion actually benefit high-achieving students?16:30 What does real inclusion look like in a complex classroom?20:30 Why weren’t teachers trained for today’s classrooms?26:30 What are simple changes that reduce barriers immediately?30:00 Why can’t we lead from a state of triage?33:00 What’s the most important question every teacher should ask?49:00 Why is “what’s the goal?” the most powerful shift in teaching?55:00 Why does dignity matter more than courage in leadership?55:40 What does it really mean to dismantle special education?57:20 How should schools prepare students for an AI future?
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Why Most Schools Fail to Improve Teaching (And What Actually Works) | Dr. Matthew Rhoads
Mar 1000:59:12Tap to summarizeMost schools try to improve teaching the wrong way.They rely on top-down professional development, one-off workshops, and “sit and get” training sessions that feel productive in the moment but rarely change classroom practice. In this episode of The Elemental Educator, Dr. Matthew Rhoads explains why those approaches fail and what actually helps professional learning spread through a school system.Dr. Rhoads is an instructional leader and education technology expert focused on AI integration, inclusive teaching, and helping educators improve student learning across TK-20 education. Together we unpack how coaching, diffusion of learning, and intentional leadership create the conditions for real instructional improvement.One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is simple but powerful:Instructional improvement does not scale through mandates. It scales through relationships, coaching, and momentum.If you are a principal, district leader, instructional coach, or educator trying to improve teaching across your school or system, this conversation will challenge the way you think about professional learning.Inside this episode:• Why top-down professional development often fails• The biggest mistake leaders make when trying to improve teaching• Why one-off PD sessions rarely lead to lasting change• How instructional coaching spreads learning across schools• The difference between forcing adoption and building momentum• Why leaders must choose between being instructional leaders or managers• How AI and technology fit into modern instructional leadershipIf you care about improving teaching and learning in a way that actually sticks, this episode will give you a different lens for thinking about professional learning and leadership.Chapter Markers00:00 Why do most schools try to improve teaching the wrong way?01:37 What is the fastest way a leader can accidentally kill instructional improvement?02:01 Why is one-off “sit and get” PD the number one killer of professional learning?04:40 What role does instructional coaching actually play in improving teaching?12:15 How can leaders build momentum instead of forcing change?22:40 What does effective instructional coaching look like in practice?34:10 Are school leaders acting as instructional leaders or just managers?46:05 How does AI fit into instructional leadership and professional learning?58:30 What should school leaders focus on if they want real instructional improvement?Connect With Me Website https://www.elementaleducator.com If this episode sparked an idea or challenged how you think about leadership, visit the site and explore more conversations designed to help leaders make better decisions under pressure.Connect With Dr. Matthew RhoadsWebsitehttps://matthewrhoads.comLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-rhoads-ed-d-95772120/Instagramhttps://instagram.com/DrRhoadsEDUX / Twitterhttps://x.com/mattrhoads1990If this conversation helped you rethink professional learning, share it with another educator or school leader who cares about improving teaching and learning.Subscribe for more conversations about leadership, innovation, instructional improvement, and decision making in education.
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Why Leadership Feels So Hard (And Why That Means You’re Doing It Right) | Dr. Corey Steeve
Mar 201:02:42Tap to summarizeMost leaders secretly believe that if they were better, smarter, or more experienced, things would feel less complex.That belief is wrong.In this episode of The Elemental Educator, I sit down with Dr. Corey Steeves to confront one of the most damaging myths in leadership: that complexity is a signal you are failing. Instead, we argue that complexity is the job. The weight, the ambiguity, the competing priorities, and the pressure are not proof you are unqualified. They are proof you are leading.As Corey shares in the episode, many principals and high-stakes leaders feel isolated while navigating innovation, change, and uncertainty . We unpack how to reframe that isolation, how to build intentional networks of support, and why white-knuckling your way through leadership is not a badge of honor.If you remember one sentence from this conversation, remember this: you do not need to carry the load alone.Inside this episode:• Why strong leaders still feel overwhelmed• The myth that “good principals shouldn’t have challenges”• How to reframe complexity as opportunity• The danger of leading in isolation• A practical way to identify and strengthen your network of support• Why grace and reflection are leadership skills, not weaknessesThis conversation will help you stop interpreting pressure as personal deficiency and start seeing it as part of the leadership arena you were chosen to step into.00:00 What if complexity isn’t a sign you’re failing?03:56 Why do so many leaders believe they shouldn’t have this many challenges?05:45 What problem does this episode actually solve for principals?06:18 How do you tell the difference between a principle and a preference?12:30 What happens when leaders try to “white knuckle” complexity?20:45 Why does isolation make complexity feel heavier than it is?31:10 How can you intentionally reflect on your network of support?44:20 What would you tell your younger self about leading under pressure?52:40 How do you build innovation without doing it alone?59:03 Why can’t anyone prepare students or organizations for what’s next by themselves?01:02:00 What should leaders do next after hearing this conversation?Website: https://www.elementaleducator.comIf this episode sparked something for you, I’d love to hear from you. Visit the site, connect, and explore tools designed to help you make decisions you can explain, defend, and repeat under pressure.LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-corey-steeves-071894271?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appLeadership Reflection Form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jGJLlSje2PFQj-bO9cPVeyMVzOb9TW1F3OA1z0u6VI4/edit?usp=drivesdkResource Document:https://drive.google.com/file/d/14imPwNJjCuHWLIrmOb-xcvox8f8sAAg-/view?usp=sharingIf this conversation helped you rethink leadership under pressure, leave a review and share it with another leader who needs to hear that complexity is not a verdict on their competence.Subscribe for more episodes focused on decision making under pressure, values-rooted leadership, and building resilient teams.
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Why Most School Change Initiatives Fail (And How to Actually Make Them Work) | Lisa Riegel
Feb 2301:08:05Tap to summarizeJoin host Tyler on The Elemental Educator podcast as he chats with strategist and change catalyst Lisa Riegel. Discover why most leaders fail not from lack of ambition, but because change stays theoretical. Lisa shares insights on operationalizing aspirations, the role of brain science in perceptions and resistance, her 8C Commitment Framework, and practical strategies for engaging employees, reducing fear, and driving lasting change in education and beyond. Perfect for leaders seeking fulfillment and better outcomes.Timestamps below!Connect with Lisa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/Learn more about the podcast: https://www.elementaleducator.comSubscribe for more leadership insights!#Leadership #ChangeManagement #EducationChapter Markers00:00:00 - Intro: Why Leaders Fail at Change00:01:15 - Real Change Starts in the Brain00:03:37 - When Change Collapses: Common Pitfalls00:06:04 - Welcome & Grounded Moments Segment00:07:56 - The Human Side of Leadership00:09:00 - How Perceptions Are Formed in the Brain00:12:52 - Early Indicators of Stress Responses00:15:00 - Name It, Own It, Control It Activity00:18:00 - Resistance as Unaddressed Fear00:21:00 - The 8C Commitment Framework Explained00:25:00 - Clarity and Coherence in Change00:30:00 - Cadence for Sustainable Change00:35:00 - Culture and Psychological Safety00:40:00 - Celebrating Wins and Building Trust00:45:00 - Collaboration and Collective Efficacy00:50:00 - Biggest Barriers to Effective Change00:55:00 - Classroom Management and Relationships01:00:00 - Spark or Burn: Decision Making Under Uncertainty01:05:00 - Resilience as Key to Leadership01:07:00 - One Key Takeaway & Guest Question
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Why Most People Don’t Challenge Their Boss (And How to Do It Right)
Feb 1701:00:47Tap to summarizeChallenging your boss can feel like career suicide, but knowing how to disagree with leadership respectfully, strategically, and confidently is a critical leadership skill under pressure. In this episode, we break down how to challenge your boss without killing your career by grounding your approach in core values, clear reasoning, and disciplined communication.My guest, Mark Pearmain, shares real-world insight on navigating conflict with senior leaders, influencing up the chain of command, and protecting trust while advocating for better decisions. If you’ve ever struggled with pushing back, handling workplace conflict, or speaking up to authority, this conversation will give you practical tools you can use immediately.You’ll learn:How to disagree with your boss professionallyHow to manage conflict with leadershipHow to protect your credibility under pressureHow to communicate tough feedback upwardHow to make value-based decisions at workThis is leadership in real time. No bravado. No shortcuts. Just better decisions you can explain, defend, and repeat.🔗 Connect with Tyler:https://link.me/tylercomeau🔗 Connect with Mark Pearmain:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-pearmain-0a456324If you're a leader navigating stress, incomplete information, and accountability without control, this episode is for you.00:00 – Why Leadership Can’t Live in a Bubble01:01 – Meet the Guest & His Leadership Philosophy01:55 – The Moment Leadership Became Real (9/11 Classroom Story)03:20 – 10 Seconds of Courage04:56 – When Safety Illusions Break06:47 – “It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done”09:18 – The Secret: Distributed Leadership10:05 – Teams Beat Heroes11:12 – Your Anchor in Pressure: Integrity13:42 – Challenge Up vs Empower Down (Real Examples)14:36 – AI in Schools & Local Decision Making16:05 – Why Employees Fear Speaking Up18:40 – How Leaders Create Speak-Up Culture21:02 – The Right Way to Challenge a Leader23:30 – Principle or Preference Game25:05 – The Leadership Skill Most Leaders Get Wrong59:52 – Final Takeaways & Closing Thoughts
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Why Leaders Avoid Responsibility (It’s More Revealing Than You Think)
Feb 901:15:21Tap to summarizeDo leaders avoid responsibility because it’s heavy, or because it exposes who they really are?In this episode of The Elemental Educator, I sit down with Danny Bauer, founder of Better Leaders Better Schools, to unpack why responsibility isn’t just about workload, but identity, values, and visibility.We explore why leadership gets lonely, why so many leaders hide instead of ask for help, and how responsibility becomes lighter when it’s shared inside the right community. This conversation moves from deep personal stories to practical leadership tools you can use immediately.You’ll hear:Why responsibility feels revealing before it feels heavyHow isolation quietly erodes leadership effectivenessWhat strong leaders do instead of going it aloneHow to tell if you’re leading reactively or proactivelyA simple “pre-mortem” tool to make better decisions under pressureWhy community isn’t optional for sustained leadershipIf you lead without full authority, carry invisible pressure, or feel like you’re supposed to have it all figured out, this episode will hit close to home.Listen for one idea. Take one action. That’s where leadership actually changes.Connect With MeInstagram: / elemental_educatorYouTube: / @elementaleducatorTikTok: / elemental.educatorWebsite: https://www.elementaleducator.comLinkedIn: / tyler-comeau-961a49310For Speaking, Consulting, Coaching, Guest Recommendations, or Other Inquiries📩 tyler@elementaleducator.comGuest: Danny BauerBetter Leaders Better SchoolsWebsite: https://betterleadersbetterschools.comBooksThe Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap: https://amzn.to/4lFViEvMastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader: https://amzn.to/41hQJsNBuild Leadership Momentum: https://amzn.to/4mAj3PKThe Remarkable Vision Formula: https://amzn.to/4mY02XgCalm in the Chaos: https://amzn.to/3JqneieX: https://twitter.com/heydannybauerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heydannybauerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heydannybauer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heydannybauer/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwVE_oB3URcg7ghv2Mn3yiQ?sub_confirmation=1Chapters:0:00 What happens when your leadership is challenged publicly?1:00 Do leaders avoid responsibility because it’s heavy or because it’s revealing?3:55 Who does leadership require you to become?6:45 What makes leadership feel lighter when it’s shared?9:40 Why do leaders expect change without implementation?13:35 Is hiding easier than facing responsibility head-on?16:10 Why is isolation one of leadership’s biggest traps?18:30 What advice helps leaders reset toward connection?21:40 How do you know if you’re leading reactively or proactively?23:05 What is a leadership pre-mortem and why does it work?25:05 How can one tool prevent future leadership failures?26:45 Principal or Preference: is responsibility a choice or a condition?29:10 Should humor be considered a leadership skill?31:20 Is vulnerability more persuasive than expertise?33:10 Should culture be shaped by what leaders do, not what they say?36:05 Why does community accelerate leadership growth?39:00 What do leaders gain by watching others in the hot seat?41:50 How does proximity to decision-making sharpen judgment?44:10 What separates proactive leaders from reactive ones?47:05 How do leaders build support before pressure hits?49:40 Why does leadership change when you stop going it alone?52:10 What responsibility is leadership asking you to own next?
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Why Your Team Freezes Under Pressure (And How to Fix It)
Feb 201:00:12Tap to summarizeHow do you lead hard conversations, build psychological safety, and get real accountability without trying to control every outcome? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amanda Fernandez to break down the “human element” of leadership: the mindset shifts and practical tools that turn tense teams into collaborative teams.We get into:Why “I don’t know” can be a power move that builds trust (not weakness).The moment leadership stops being “control” and becomes “elevate people.”How to co-create team agreements (so accountability is shared, not dumped on the leader).What “fail forward” looks like when you’re rebuilding culture from the ground up.Why change doesn’t always explode, sometimes it spreads one ripple at a time.Plus, we run the Elemental segments:Grounded Moments (Job Guesser), Principle or Preference, Flip the Script, and Final Answer.If you’re leading in a top-down culture and you want more ownership, better ideas, and fewer silent meetings, this one’s for you.Leave a comment: What’s the one team conversation you know you need to have, but you keep delaying?Connect with Dr. AmandaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amanda-fernandez-b86890339/Website: www.waypointnorth.orgConnect With MeInstagram: / elemental_educatorYouTube: / @elementaleducatorTikTok: / elemental.educatorWebsite: https://www.elementaleducator.comLinkedIn: / tyler-comeau-961a49310For Speaking, Consulting, Coaching, Guest Recommendations, or Other Inquiriestyler@elementaleducator.com0:00 What's the hardest truth leaders avoid about how they show up for their teams?0:46 Why is saying "I don't know" one of the fastest ways to build trust?2:23 When did leadership stop being about control and start being about elevating people?4:13 How do you lead after you've been sabotaged from the inside out?6:07 How do you have a hard conversation without making it personal?9:14 Can a quick game reveal how you actually lead under pressure (Grounded Moments)?11:48 What did hauling firewood teach you about responsibility and leadership?15:15 How do you "level up" your role to scale your impact?22:12 How do team social contracts turn culture into something measurable?25:04 What do you do when someone breaks the agreement they co-signed?29:02 Principle or preference: can you answer without overthinking it?37:48 Flip the Script: how would you reframe a messy leadership dilemma?42:36 Can change spread one ripple at a time instead of blowing everything up?50:40 Final Answer: what would you choose when there's no middle option?52:03 What pushed you to start Waypoint North before you felt ready?59:25 What's the simplest "fail forward" move you can try this week?
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How Great Educators Stay Resilient Under Pressure (Ana’s Leadership Mindset)
Jun 3, 2024Tap to summarizeAna Perez:Instagram: @simply.ana.phttps://www.instagram.com/simply.ana.p/In this episode of Elemental Educator, we sit down with Ana, an educator with a unique path that led her from journalism to the classroom. Ana shares her personal story of resilience, the challenges she faced, and her unwavering commitment to supporting students and teachers.Takeaways:Resilience in Adversity: Learn how Ana overcame significant challenges, from career shifts to personal hardships, and how she found her calling in education.Innovative Teaching: Discover Ana's approach to making learning engaging and relevant for high school students, emphasizing the importance of connecting content to students' lives.Supporting Educators: Gain insights into Ana's mission to support fellow educators through her business, offering mentorship, resources, and a community for teachers to thrive.Tune in to be inspired by Ana’s journey and take away valuable lessons for your own educational practiceConnect with Me:On Instagram @elemental_educatorhttps://www.instagram.com/elemental_educator On YouTube @elementaleducatorhttps://www.youtube.com/elementaleducator On X @ElementalEduchttps://x.com/elementaleducOn Facebook @ElementalEducatorhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555973948902&mibextid=JRoKGi On Emailtyler@elementaleducator.com
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