The People Teaching People Podcast

Tiana Fech
  • 5.0 (5)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The People Teaching People Podcast is the place to talk about all things teaching and learning. Hosted by educator, course development consultant, lifelong learner, and mom of three, Tiana Fech, this podcast will dive into how education truly plays an important and integral role in all facets of our lives – how we work, do business, live, play, explore, and build relationships. Get curious and be inspired by personal reflections and conversations about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of teaching and learning in a world where there is always more to discover.

  1. 5D AGO

    074: Everyone Has a Story with Tiana Fech

    Have you ever moved through your day surrounded by people… and realized how little you actually know about the stories they’re carrying? The person at the checkout. A colleague in a meeting. Someone you pass on the sidewalk. Each one is living a story shaped by experiences, relationships, loss, hope, and questions you may never fully see. In this episode, I reflect on what happens when we slow down enough to remember that everyone has a story and how that awareness quietly changes how we listen, connect, and show up with one another. Through moments from podcast conversations, personal experiences, and reflections on learning in relationship, this episode explores what becomes possible when we move through the world with a little more presence and curiosity.   Listen in as we talk about: 1:00 Remembering that everyone has a story 4:01 Practicing curiosity in everyday conversations 4:58 Seeing the human behind the work 8:09 Learning in relationship with one another 12:31 Noticing whose stories we’re used to hearing 14:02 Making space to listen 15:35 The invitation beneath the stories we share   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    REMEMBERING EVERYONE HAS A STORY Every person we encounter is shaped by experiences we often know nothing about. Remembering this doesn’t require knowing someone’s whole story. It’s more about carrying a gentle awareness that there is always more beneath the surface than what we see in passing. When we move through the world with this in mind, it softens quick judgments and invites more care into everyday interactions. It changes how we interpret behaviour, how we hold moments of tension, and how we notice the humanity in people we might otherwise overlook.   PRACTICING CURIOSITY Curiosity doesn’t have to look like asking big questions or having profound conversations. Often, it shows up quietly in the way we stay present, allow pauses, and follow the threads of someone’s story when it takes an unexpected turn. When curiosity leads, conversations become less about steering toward an outcome and more about making room for what wants to be shared. Over time, this kind of presence builds trust and opens space for people to show up more fully as themselves.   SEEING THE HUMAN BEHIND THE WORK Behind every role, title, or area of expertise is a person shaped by lived experience. When we make space for that story, learning becomes more than information-sharing. It becomes relational. We start to notice how someone’s work is connected to what they care about, what they’ve lived through, and what they’re still figuring out. The conversation shifts from “what do you do?” to “who are you becoming?” and that shift changes how learning lands.   LEARNING IN RELATIONSHIP So much of what shapes us happens in relationship with others. Learning deepens when it’s grounded in connection, conversation, and shared experience rather than delivered in isolation. When people feel seen and heard, they’re more willing to reflect, to try, and to stay with the messy middle of growth. Learning in relationship creates conditions for honesty, for uncertainty, and for real change over time.   NOTICING WHOSE STORIES WE HEAR The stories we’re exposed to shape how we understand people, places, and events. And often, the versions we receive are partial. Some voices are amplified. Others are missing. Holding this awareness gently doesn’t mean doubting everything we hear. It means staying open to the possibility that there is more to the story than the version we’ve been given. This kind of openness expands perspective and makes room for learning that includes more people and more lived realities.   MAKING SPACE TO LISTEN Listening isn’t just about hearing words. It’s about creating space for someone else’s experience to land without rushing to fix, advise, or relate it back to ourselves. Small shifts – pausing before responding, asking one curious follow-up question, staying with what feels unfinished – can quietly change the quality of connection. These moments don’t need to be dramatic to matter. Over time, they shape how safe people feel being real with us.   THE INVITATION BENEATH THE STORIES “Let stories make the world feel a little smaller, and our connections to each other feel a little more possible.” Different lives, different paths, and still familiar human threads. Beneath every story is an invitation to see the person, stay curious, and let our sense of “we” grow a little wider. When we listen with care, we begin to notice what we might have otherwise missed – the courage behind decisions, the grief beneath defensiveness, the hope woven into uncertainty. Stories don’t just inform us. They quietly reshape how we move through the world with one another.   Podcast episodes mentioned: The Part-Time Jungle Podcast Episode 16: Good Sleep is a Game Changer with Eva Klein  Episode 36: Behind the Scenes with Catriona Le May Doan The People Teaching People Podcast Episode 16: Transforming Menstrual Equity Through Education and Sustainability with Madeleine Shaw  Episode 27: Nursing Education and Mentorship with Karen Lane Episode 46: Ecofriendly Cleaning and Community Spirit with Monika Scott and Robyn Mair of Mint Cleaning

    18 min

  2. FEB 10

    073: Learning by Doing: Building Frock Box with Jenna Hill

    What does it really take to build a successful brand without retail experience, paid ads, or chasing trends? In this episode of People Teaching People, I sit down with Jenna Hill, founder and CEO of Frock Box, to break down the real mechanics behind growing a community-led business from a basement startup into a multi-million dollar brand. Jenna shares how Frock Box began as a solution to a personal pain point during early motherhood, and how listening closely to women has shaped every stage of the business, from the styling model to customer experience to team culture. We talk about building without outside funding, why Jenna avoided ads and hype-driven growth, and how education, trust, and connection became the company’s true growth engine. This conversation is a grounded look at what actually works when you build slowly, intentionally, and in alignment with real life. No shortcuts, no theatrics, just honest lessons from the inside. If you’re building a business, nurturing an idea, or questioning whether you need to follow the “standard” playbook to succeed, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight.   Listen in as we talk about: 01:00 Jenna’s story 03:50 Going from idea to Frock Box 06:58 Creative roots to retail 11:24 Choosing a word of the year 17:21 Learning through the messy middle 23:26 Listening to the nudges 26:42 Behind the scenes of Frock Box 30:50 Education at the heart of Frock Box 35:14 Being a mentor 39:05 Learning by watching mom 41:00 Looking ahead at Frock Box 42:32 The teacher who challenged her 44:50 Being proud of the people  46:48 Always being curious to learn  47:55 Dream conversations 49:14 The power of connection    Connect with Jenna: Website: https://www.frockbox.ca/ Instagram: Jenna Hill: @iamjenna3 Frock Box: @frockboxcanada LinkedIn: Jenna Hill Facebook: @frockboxcanada TikTok: @frockbox   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    GOING FROM IDEA TO FROCK BOX Jenna traces the start of Frock Box back to early motherhood and the long days spent roaming malls with babies in tow. She remembers a small but real frustration: loving comfy leggings but never finding tops that felt good to wear with them. What began as a personal need for something thoughtful on a changing body slowly became a bigger idea about how clothing shapes how you show up in the world. She noticed how the right outfit could shift your mood, your posture, and even your sense of possibility. She also saw a gap in Canada for something that felt personal and accessible, without the hassle of cross-border shopping. Out of everyday conversations with friends and a desire to help women feel more seen, a business began to take shape. It was rooted in the belief that small, thoughtful experiences can change how a day feels.   CREATIVE ROOTS TO RETAIL Jenna shares that Frock Box did not come from retail experience at all. It came from a love of building things, creating, and bringing people together. Her background in graphic design and photography shaped how she thinks about business. Those creative roots taught her that community comes first, that people want to feel like they belong, and that connection is often what turns an idea into something real. She brings that same lens into Frock Box, grounding the brand in belonging rather than trends. Alongside that heart for community is her bias toward action. She is willing to try ideas quickly, knowing that some will work and some will not. For her, momentum comes from starting before everything feels perfect. Even with hindsight about branding or naming, she holds an easy honesty about building with what you know at the time. The courage to begin is often what carries things forward.   CHOOSING A WORD OF THE YEAR Jenna reflects on how one word can become a steady guide for the year. It becomes a simple anchor for how you move, decide, and show up. Her word, rooted, helps her hold two things at once. It keeps her grounded in her instincts and values while also giving her permission to flow, experiment, and try new things. She notices how different seasons of life call for different kinds of energy. Her past word, bloom, captured growth and expansion. Rooted, on the other hand, is about staying steady below the surface, even when things stretch and shift above ground. For her, this practice is not about chasing perfection. It is about choosing something that keeps her connected to who she is while she explores what is next. It becomes a small habit that brings clarity back to everyday decisions.     LEARNING THROUGH THE MESSY MIDDLE Jenna says that building Frock Box has been a daily lesson in trusting herself, embracing the creative chaos of how her mind works, and leading in a way that actually fits who she is. Along the way, she has become deeply aware of how emotional this work can be, especially in how women speak to themselves and what they believe they are allowed to wear. She notices how old messages and quiet self-criticism show up in the mirror. Her hope is to offer small moments of lightness and confidence through the styling experience. She also speaks honestly about the harder lessons, including missteps, financial risks, and choices that do not land the way you hoped. Her story holds both truths at once. Not every decision works out, and there is always more happening behind the scenes than what we see on social media.   LISTENING TO THE NUDGES “How fun it is to sit and dream about what could be.” Jenna shares that she has learned to recognize her nudges by paying attention to how her body responds, especially as she has gotten older. For her, the signal is clear when an idea keeps her awake at night because she feels excited and can’t stop thinking about it. She mentions that this pull usually shows up around business, and while she knows not everyone is wired the same way, she gently challenges people to consider what it might feel like years from now to have never answered that call. When she looks honestly at the risks of trying something and strips away the fear of being judged, what’s left often feels far more manageable than it first appeared. She speaks about the joy of dreaming about what could be, paired with a willingness to do the work to make it real, and her hope that her daughters will one day find work that feels meaningful, even if not every part of it is enjoyable.   BEHIND THE SCENES OF FROCK BOX Jenna explains how Frock Box has evolved from a simple idea of delivering an outfit to someone’s door into a more flexible, thoughtful experience shaped by listening closely to what women actually need. She realized early on that bodies are not one-size-fits-all, that stylists cannot see what is already in someone’s closet, and that choice matters, so the model shifted to a five-piece favourites box that women can try at home and keep only what works for them. The process is designed to fit real life, with personal stylists using profiles and visual cues to make thoughtful selections, and with easy returns that remove pressure from the experience. Over time, small changes, like previewing a box by text before it ships, have helped build more trust and better results. At the heart of it all is her commitment to making personal styling more accessible for busy Canadian women, including those in rural communities, and to building real connection through listening, adapting, and growing alongside the people she serves.   EDUCATION AT THE HEART OF FROCK BOX Jenna shares that teaching and learning are woven into everything Frock Box does, and that the business has become less about selling clothes and more about helping women feel confident through thoughtful styling support. She explains how education now sits at the centre of their work, from colour analysis sessions that help people understand what actually works for them, to in-boutique styling sessions where small, practical shifts can change how someone feels in an outfit. These experiences are not about chasing trends, but about learning what fits your body, your life, and your sense of self. As Frock Box continues to grow, she sees this education piece expanding even further, shaped by listening closely to what their community is asking for and building services that help women walk into their closets feeling capable, confident, and ready for their day.   BEING A MENTOR Jenna shares that when she mentors new entrepreneurs, she starts by helping them lay all the risks on the table and get honest about what they are actually comfortable with, rather than feeling pressured to go “all in” right away. She challenges the idea that you have to quit your job or take big leaps before you even know if an idea is viable, and instead encourages people to build in ways that fit their real lives, responsibilities, and risk tolerance. She also emphasizes the importance of knowing who your business is for, starting from a real pain point you understand, and finding what will genuinely set you apart from others in the space. Alongside clarity about customers and differentiation, she reminds people to cut through the noise of conflicting advice and to find a friend, mentor, or community to think out loud with, because ideas often need to be spoken before they can take shape.   LEARNING BY WATCHING MOM Jenna shares that what she hopes her daughters learn goes beyond the idea that you can do anything you set your mind to. She wants them to look deeper and notice what truly lights them up. She knows how much of life is spent at work and how heavy it can feel to stay in something that does not feel meaningful. She describes her own best days at Frock Box as simple moments of connection, like sitting outside a fitting room, wat

    52 min

  3. JAN 27

    072: What’s the Big Idea with Tiana Fech

    Have you ever finished a class, a meeting, a workshop, or even a podcast episode and thought, “Okay… but what was the point?” Not because it was poorly done. Not because it lacked care or intention. But because there was so much information – so many ideas, examples, and details – that the thing you were meant to carry with you never quite surfaced. I’ve had that experience many times. And I’ve also been on the other side of it – sharing thoughtfully, preparing carefully, and still realizing afterward that the message didn’t quite land. This episode is about the big idea – the one thing we hope someone carries with them long after all the details fade.   Listen in as we talk about: 1:00 Why the big idea matters 2:43 What’s the big idea?  3:12 When the big idea is missing 4:28 Why clarity on the big idea changes everything 4:52 Where the big idea shows up 5:22 Staying grounded in the big idea 6:50 Questions that create focus on the big idea 7:37 A guiding lens for the big idea 9:17 The cost of an unclear big idea 11:54 So, what’s the big idea?    Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    WHY THE BIG IDEA MATTERS When communication lacks clarity, people leave unsure of what they were meant to understand, remember, or do next. It’s easy to get pulled into sharing more context, more examples, more supporting information often with the best intentions. But without a clear anchor, learning becomes diffuse and effort doesn’t translate into impact. Focus isn’t about doing less; it’s about making meaning visible.   WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? “The big idea is the anchor. It’s the throughline.” The big idea is the core message beneath everything else. It’s the central question being explored or the one insight someone could still name after the details fade. It gives purpose to examples, stories, and strategies. Rather than asking people to remember everything, the big idea helps them know what to hold onto. Details don’t disappear. They simply fall into place.   WHEN THE BIG IDEA IS MISSING Even well-designed learning experiences can fall flat when the big idea isn’t clear. Content can be thoughtful, engaging, and full of value, yet still leave people struggling to explain what it was actually about. This often happens when everything feels important and nothing is prioritized. In those moments, clarity doesn’t fail because of a lack of effort. It fails because the point was never named.   WHY CLARITY ON THE BIG IDEA CHANGES EVERYTHING When the big idea is unclear, attention scatters and next steps feel uncertain. When it is clear, learning sticks. Conversations gain direction. Decisions feel easier. Clarity doesn’t erase complexity or nuance; it helps people navigate it. It tells them where to focus and what matters most within the messiness of learning and work.   WHERE THE BIG IDEA SHOWS UP The need for a clear big idea extends far beyond formal learning environments. It matters in meetings, strategy sessions, emails, social content, presentations, and everyday conversations. Any time information is being shared or guidance is being offered, a learning experience is taking shape. The underlying question remains consistent: what should someone walk away with?   STAYING GROUNDED IN THE BIG IDEA Clarity strengthens when the big idea is named early, even when it feels obvious. It deepens when the big idea is used as a filter helping determine what supports understanding and what distracts from it. Returning to the big idea throughout a process doesn’t diminish it; it reinforces meaning and connection. Focus is often created not by adding more, but by choosing with intention.   QUESTIONS THAT CREATE FOCUS ON THE BIG IDEA Difficulty naming the big idea is often a sign that more clarity is needed and not more content. Asking reflective questions can surface what truly matters: what’s the one thing someone should remember, what question is being answered, what shift is being invited. When those answers feel fuzzy, it’s an opportunity to refine the message rather than expand it.   A GUIDING LENS FOR THE BIG IDEA Having a single guiding idea, like a word for the year, can shape decisions, attention, and energy over time. A clear lens helps determine what aligns and what doesn’t. It creates consistency without rigidity and focus without pressure. When choices are anchored in something intentional, saying yes and saying no both become easier.   THE COST OF AN UNCLEAR BIG IDEA For people who naturally notice details, patterns, and connections, a missing big idea can feel overwhelming rather than supportive. Without a clear place for information to land, learning can feel exhausting – like holding everything at once with nowhere to rest. Naming the big idea doesn’t remove detail; it gives it structure and purpose.   SO, WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? Whether you are designing learning, leading teams, creating content, or communicating with intention, the question remains the same: what’s the big idea? What is meant to be carried forward? When that big idea is clear, everything else finds its place. Focus doesn’t come from doing less. It comes from being deliberate about what truly matters.

    14 min

  4. JAN 13

    071: Building & Growing Mabel’s Labels with Heart with Julie Cole

    What does it really take to build a purpose-driven business that reflects your values and grows alongside your life?  In this episode of The People Teaching People Podcast, I sit down with Julie Cole, Co-Founder and Senior Director of Public Relations of Mabel’s Labels, to explore the deeply human story behind one of Canada’s most loved parenting brands. Julie shares how a simple product gap, combined with her son’s autism diagnosis, became the catalyst for leaving law and stepping into entrepreneurship. Together, we talk about the realities of building a company while raising six children, how values shape leadership and culture, and the long-game mindset required to grow without sacrificing what matters most. This conversation is a reminder that the way we build matters just as much as what we build.   Listen in as we talk about: 01:00 Julie’s story 03:54 The origin of Mabel’s Labels 06:45 Being better together 09:10 The skills that come with you 11:00 Learning as you grow 12:30 The unromantic reality of entrepreneurship 15:51 Building culture with care 20:59 Values as a compass  24:39 Shaping a business idea 28:18 Writing her book 33:00 Giving back with intention 36:55 Learning and growing together with peers 38:43 Looking back with pride 39:38 Learning never stops 42:24 Keeping your brain moving Connect with Julie: LinkedIn:  Julie Cole  Mabel’s Labels Website: https://mabelslabels.ca/ Instagram: @juliecoleinc  @mabelslabels Facebook: @julie.cole @Mabelhood   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    THE ORIGIN OF MABEL’S LABELS Julie reflects on a journey that didn’t begin with an entrepreneurial plan, but with paying attention to what life was asking of her. While working as a lawyer and raising young children, she noticed a simple but frustrating gap for parents trying to keep track of their kids’ belongings. At the same time, her eldest child received an autism diagnosis, which shifted everything and made it clear that being deeply present, flexible, and fiercely supportive mattered more than staying on a traditional career path. The idea for Mabel’s Labels grew at the intersection of these moments – a practical solution shaped by real family needs and built alongside her sister and close friends during an intense season of raising small humans and juggling full-time work. What carried it forward in those early years was community, word of mouth, and a willingness to try, even when the path felt uncertain and demanding. Sometimes the most meaningful work emerges when we respond to a season of change with courage and care, and allow a small idea to grow alongside our lives.   BEING BETTER TOGETHER Julie shares that building a business with co-founders brings both complexity and comfort. With four people at the table, there were different personalities and opinions to navigate, but also complementary skill sets, shared workload, and a sense that the risk felt more manageable when it was divided. Bootstrapping together made starting feel possible, and in the pre-social-media days, having partners meant the journey wasn’t a lonely one. They became built-in support for each other through babies, sick kids, and real life, grounded in care not just for the business but for one another’s families. At the same time, Julie is clear that collaboration only works when there’s alignment – around vision, expectations, and how the work is shared – knowing that effort will ebb and flow as life does. When people are clear on where they’re headed and willing to carry the load together, the work feels not just lighter, but more human.   THE SKILLS THAT COME WITH YOU  Julie reflects on how her legal background, while it once felt far removed from entrepreneurship, became an unexpected asset in building the business. She reminds listeners that none of our past experiences are wasted. We bring every skill set with us, even when our path changes. Within their founding team, each “past life” showed up in practical ways, from finance and design to teaching and law, creating a well-rounded foundation in the early days. For Julie, that meant reviewing agreements, navigating complex conversations, and drawing on problem-solving and negotiation skills that extended well beyond the courtroom. The work may have looked different on the surface, but the thinking behind it was deeply transferable. When you stop questioning why you learned what you learned and start trusting that it shaped how you think, you begin to see how every chapter contributes to what you’re building now.   LEARNING AS YOU GROW Julie describes how growth has a way of revealing both blind spots and hidden strengths, often at the same time. In the earliest days, everyone did everything, working out of a basement and focusing on getting the product out the door. Then the business grew, employees were hired, and suddenly there were entirely new questions about HR, systems, and responsibilities they hadn’t needed to think about before. Each stage brought a fresh round of learning, whether that meant taking a course, bringing in outside support, or figuring out how to navigate technology and e-commerce without anyone being a natural expert. Along the way, gaps became clearer, but so did capabilities they didn’t know they had. Growth doesn’t come from having it all figured out at the start, but from staying curious, adaptable, and willing to learn your way into what comes next.   THE UNROMANTIC REALITY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP Julie speaks candidly about what it really looked like to build a growing business while raising six young children. The days were long, the nights even longer, and sleep was often sacrificed in favour of packing orders, answering emails, and keeping things moving once the kids were in bed. She pushes back on the glossy version of entrepreneurship, reminding us that behind the talk of freedom and flexibility were basement work sessions at 2 a.m., constant exhaustion, and hard trade-offs. Flexibility made it possible to be present for school trips and family moments, but it didn’t make the work disappear. It simply shifted it to late nights and early mornings. Julie also emphasizes the importance of being honest about capacity, expectations, financial trade-offs, and appetite for risk before diving in. Entrepreneurship can be deeply rewarding, but it demands grit, realism, and a clear-eyed understanding of what you’re choosing to give and to get in return.   BUILDING CULTURE WITH CARE Julie reflects on how growing a team gave her and her co-founders the rare opportunity to intentionally shape the culture they wanted to work in. Having built the company during a season of diapers, playdates, and very full lives, they prioritized values like trust, productivity, and flexibility over rigid hours and appearances. Instead of measuring commitment by who was in the office from nine to five, they focused on goals, outcomes, and whether the work was getting done in a way that supported real life. This approach created a family-friendly environment, strong morale, and remarkable retention, with many team members choosing to stay or even return after leaving. Julie also shares how true growth required learning to let go, delegate, and trust others to do things differently, even when it was uncomfortable. When leaders leave their ego at the door, focus on results, and build systems that work for people and the business, teams don’t just function – they thrive.   VALUES AS A COMPASS Julie shares how core values at Mabel’s Labels aren’t just words on a wall, but living guideposts that shape culture, decisions, and relationships. From hiring and onboarding to partnerships and community involvement, their values help clarify what aligns and what doesn’t, especially when choices feel complicated or tempting. She explains how turning down a collaboration with a larger brand, despite the opportunity it presented, ultimately protected trust, integrity, and the relationship they had worked hard to build with their community. Values also show up in the hills Julie is willing to stand on publicly, including inclusion and human rights, even when it means losing customers along the way. What she’s learned is that values don’t shrink a business. They attract the right people, deepen loyalty, and create a sense of shared purpose that feels bigger than profit. When decisions are rooted in what truly matters, alignment follows, and so does the kind of work you can feel good about at the end of the day.   SHAPING A BUSINESS IDEA Julie frames a business idea as something that often starts with noticing a small but persistent frustration in everyday life – something that could work better, look better, or feel easier. She encourages paying attention to those moments and then getting curious, asking questions, and doing the groundwork to see what already exists and where there might be room to do it differently. That means talking to people, using your networks, learning from others who’ve gone before you, and tapping into local entrepreneurship supports that can help with everything from research to prototyping. Along the way, Julie normalizes hearing plenty of no’s and not worrying about looking foolish for asking honest questions. When you’re willing to stay curious, do your research, and keep reaching out anyway, a business idea becomes something you can actually build – one conversation at a time.   WRITING HER BOOK Julie shares that writing her book grew from a long-held desire to make the journey of building a business and raising a family feel a little easier for someone else. Writing had always been part of her life, from early blogging days to short-form st

    23 min

  5. 12/30/2025

    070: Learning in the Messy Middle with Tiana Fech

    Have you ever noticed how the hardest part of learning is often the middle – the part no one really talks about? Not the shiny beginning full of ideas, and not the clear ending where everything makes sense, but the in-between space where things are still taking shape. Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to that part – in my work, in conversations, and in the quiet moments where I’m trying something new myself. And the more I notice it, the more I realize how much learning actually lives there. In the drafts. In the experiments. In the moments of uncertainty before clarity arrives. Somewhere in that noticing, the messy middle started to look different. Less like a problem to solve and more like a natural part of how we learn – a place where curiosity stretches us, where ideas shift and evolve, and where we begin to see what’s possible. In this episode, we’ll explore what the messy middle really is, why it shows up in every meaningful learning experience, and how design thinking, brave spaces, and even a good old-fashioned sandbox can help us navigate it with more confidence and heart. Because maybe the messy middle, like so many parts of life, is where real learning takes shape long before we recognize it.   Listen in as we talk about: 1:00 Understanding the messy middle 3:57 Learning in the sandbox 5:54 Design thinking in real life 7:22 Creating safe learning spaces 9:16 Clarity through the messy middle 11:26 Learning through life’s waves 13:44 Making meaning of the messy middle   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    UNDERSTANDING THE MESSY MIDDLE “The messy middle is where the learning actually happens.” The messy middle is the part of learning we rarely talk about, even though most of our growth actually happens there. It’s the space between clarity and confusion, where ideas get tested, reshaped, and sometimes set aside. Kids move through this space naturally. They experiment, adjust, and keep going without worrying about how it looks. Adults still have this ability, but we often forget that uncertainty is part of how we learn. When we start noticing the messy middle rather than resisting it, it becomes easier to see it as a necessary part of moving forward.   LEARNING IN THE SANDBOX At Mount Royal University’s recent Talent Reimagined event, one moment on the Open Recognition panel really caught my attention. Neil Hunter, Chief Learning Officer at Deloitte said something that stayed with me: “The best learning happens playing in the sandbox.” It’s a simple image, but a meaningful one. A sandbox is never perfectly smooth. You build something, change it, add to it, or start again. People join in, ideas shift, and the whole thing evolves. Many adults stop giving themselves permission to work this way, even though experimenting is often what leads to real insight. The sandbox is a reminder that learning doesn’t require a perfect plan. It requires room to explore, adjust, and try again.   DESIGN THINKING IN REAL LIFE Design thinking fits naturally with the messy middle because it’s built on iteration rather than certainty. It starts with empathy, moves into brainstorming, and encourages small tests that reveal what works and what doesn’t. No one expects the first version to be the final one. Each attempt becomes information for the next step. We use this process all the time without naming it – whether we’re troubleshooting a challenge at work or deciding what to make for dinner with whatever ingredients we have on hand. When we embrace learning as an evolving process instead of a straight line, the middle feels a lot less intimidating.   CREATING SAFE LEARNING SPACES Learning deepens when people feel supported enough to take risks. Safe learning spaces aren’t about removing the challenge; they make it possible to stay with the challenge long enough to learn from it. When people trust that their questions are welcome and mistakes won’t be used against them, they’re far more willing to explore and stretch. Whether it’s a classroom, a team environment, or a community space, the tone we set shapes what people feel able to do. When belonging is present, courage follows, and the messy middle becomes something we can move through rather than avoid.   CLARITY THROUGH THE MESSY MIDDLE The messy middle shows up in our own work too. When something doesn’t go the way we hoped, it’s easy to assume it’s a sign to stop. But often, it’s simply information: a nudge toward a new approach, a fresh message, or a different rhythm. When we step back and look again, the middle can bring clarity we didn’t have at the beginning. It helps us see what needs to shift so we can continue moving in a way that feels more aligned with the work we want to do.   LEARNING THROUGH LIFE’S WAVES On a recent trip to Mexico, I ended up in the middle of the ocean’s break zone – right where the waves build their force before crashing. It was messy, loud, disorienting, and I couldn’t stay on my feet for long. But as soon as I moved a little farther out, the waves shifted from pushing me over to lifting me up. Learning often mirrors this. The hardest moments aren’t setbacks; they’re signals that we’re in the part of the process where growth is taking shape. The momentum we’re looking for usually begins right there.   MAKING MEANING OF THE MESSY MIDDLE Reflection helps us make sense of the messy middle while we’re in it. Noticing where things feel challenging, choosing one small step or experiment to try next, and shifting the story we’re telling ourselves about the experience can soften the uncertainty. These small practices don’t erase the middle, but they give us steadiness as we move through it. Over time, we begin to see the learning that’s unfolding, even when it’s not yet visible from the outside.

    17 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    069: Learning Rooted in Belonging with Anita Chowdhury

    What changes when learning begins from a place of belonging and connection? In this episode of The People Teaching People Podcast, I sit down with Anita Chowdhury – an educator, researcher, and community leader whose work invites a more relational and compassionate approach to teaching and learning. Anita brings together social justice, arts integration, land-based learning, and engaged pedagogy in ways that honour sustainability, relationality, and care. Our conversation explores how early experiences and relationships shape the way we learn, how community can become a powerful teacher, and why compassion and belonging matter so deeply in the spaces where learning happens. Anita reflects on hope, land, identity, and the small everyday moments that remind us what it means to support one another as humans and learners. It also invites us to notice the learning already happening all around us.   Listen in as we talk about: 01:00 Anita’s story 03:02 Roots in land and learning 08:08 Community learning in practice 13:15 Education as liberation 16:12 Land-based learning 18:08 Compassion at the heart of learning 23:54 Empowerment through Mamas for Mamas 27:26 Strength through support 31:23 Hope in everyday moments 33:25 A teacher’s lasting impact 36:29 Proud moments in learning 37:37 Curiosity for what’s next  39:36 Learning everywhere around us   Connect with Anita: LinkedIn: Anita Chowdhury  Websites: Mamas for Mamas Calgary: https://www.mamasformamas.org/calgary/ Soil Camp: https://soilcamp.ca/ Instagram: @mamasformamas.calgary Facebook: @mamasformamascalgary   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    ROOTS IN LAND AND LEARNING Anita shares that her story begins in British Columbia, where the eco-conscious culture and time spent in her family’s community garden became her first understanding of healing, connection, and caring for the land. These threads now run through her work in land-based learning and community food initiatives. As her life unfolded, she followed her curiosity and opportunities across the country, teaching art history at Mount Royal, training as an elementary educator in Toronto, and navigating the beautiful complexity of raising children while pursuing meaningful work. Through moves to Ottawa, Toronto, and back again, she discovered that each place offered something different, but Calgary kept calling her home with its strong sense of community and compassion. Her journey reflects how our earliest experiences often plant the seeds for the work we’re meant to do. And – that sometimes the place that feels like home is the one that helps us grow the most.   COMMUNITY LEARNING IN PRACTICE Anita describes juggling many roles that unfolded during an unusual moment in history including completing her education degree entirely online during the pandemic. Craving connection and hands-on teaching, she joined an experiential land-based learning program that brought her to a 30-acre regenerative farm supporting refugee children and youth. What began as a volunteer opportunity quickly became a defining experience, blending community, soil, learning, and care in ways that shaped her path forward. This work eventually led her into her master’s research and opened the door to a leadership role with Mamas for Mamas, where she now supports hundreds of families while raising her own. Through all these roles, she’s learned that meaningful work often grows from saying yes to the places and people who need us most. This allows those experiences to reshape what we imagine for ourselves.   EDUCATION AS LIBERATION “Education is a path to freedom.”  Anita shares how her master’s research is deeply influenced by educators like bell hooks and Paulo Freire, whose work introduced her to engaged pedagogy and the idea of education as liberation. With a background in the fine arts, she sees creativity and land-based learning as powerful tools for helping children expand their perspectives and understand complex social issues in ways that feel empowering rather than intimidating. She hopes young people learn that they can make a difference in their world, even through small steps, and that learning can be a space for freedom, expression, and critical consciousness. At its heart, her work reminds us that education becomes transformative when it helps people imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.   LAND-BASED LEARNING Anita shares that reconnecting with the land can begin in simple, accessible ways. She talks about how even small acts such as stepping outside for a moment, tending a struggling houseplant, or feeling the grass under our feet can help us rebuild a relationship with the natural world. These everyday practices create space for grounding and reflection, especially during times that feel overwhelming. She also highlights the guidance offered through Indigenous pedagogy, reminding us that Indigenous communities have been teaching land stewardship for generations. Whether through tiny daily choices or community-based efforts, nurturing this connection helps us feel more rooted, present, and supported by the world around us.   COMPASSION AT THE HEART OF LEARNING Anita reflects on how education shifts when we view it through a lens of compassion, maternal care, and nurturing. These are qualities that have shaped families and communities for generations. She shares that empathy isn’t just a soft skill but a transformative force across every subject and setting, especially as children and youth navigate mental health struggles, identity, and belonging. Meaningful learning lives at the intersection of science, art, and heart, and the way people feel in a learning space often matters more than the content itself. Anita connects this to the deep importance of belonging. Community, whether for new moms, newcomers, or children, creates support, identity, and trust. When people feel seen and understood, they are more open to learning, growing, and stepping into who they are becoming. At its core, this reminds us that education is most powerful when it helps people feel connected to themselves, to others, and to the communities that hold them.   EMPOWERMENT THROUGH MAMAS FOR MAMAS Anita shares how her work with Mamas for Mamas has shown her just how deeply education, community, and social supports intertwine in helping families move through and beyond periods of poverty. She explains that many people simply don’t know what resources exist or how to access them, especially when institutional barriers feel overwhelming. By offering gentle, informed resource navigation, the organization helps families understand their options, build confidence, and gradually feel empowered to seek support on their own. Whether it’s connecting a new parent with breastfeeding clinics or guiding someone toward community programs, the right information at the right moment can shift someone’s whole trajectory. At its heart, this work shows how meaningful it is when people don’t have to figure things out alone and how community can open doors that once felt out of reach.   STRENGTH THROUGH SUPPORT Anita shares that becoming a parent sparked a powerful shift in how she sees herself and what she’s capable of. Motherhood pushed her to adapt, grow, and realize she could do hard things even while navigating frontline work, graduate studies, and raising three young children. She talks about how deeply she values her “village,” the people and workplaces that honour her roles as a parent, educator, researcher, and caregiver, and how rare it is to have spaces where bringing a baby to work or prioritizing well-being is truly supported. She also acknowledges that many people don’t have those networks, which is why organizations like Mamas for Mamas are so essential in creating community for families who might otherwise feel isolated. Her experience reminds us that we’re often more capable than we think. But – having people and systems around us that genuinely support our whole selves is what makes it possible to keep showing up with care and energy.   HOPE IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS Anita shares that what keeps her hopeful, even in a world that can feel heavy, is witnessing small, everyday acts of joy. Whether it’s a moment of connection at Mamas for Mamas Calgary or time spent with families on the land, these glimpses of goodness remind her why the work matters. She believes hope is essential in education and community care, guiding us to keep moving forward and helping learners see themselves as part of a brighter future. From young activists to creative thinkers to children with big ideas, she sees so much possibility in the next generation. These moments fuel her commitment to research, advocacy, and supporting families, reminding her that even in challenging times, hope grows wherever people choose to care for one another.   A TEACHER’S LASTING IMPACT Anita shares the story of the teacher who shaped her most deeply: her high school art teacher, Paul Zavos. She remembers him as someone who taught with extraordinary compassion, creativity, and care. These qualities made a far greater impact than any technical skill or polished lesson. His belief in his students and his gentle, nurturing approach opened a pathway for Anita into art education, arts integration, and creative learning. She’s watched many of his former students go on to pursue diverse careers, all carrying threads of the encouragement he offered in his classroom. Anita still keeps in touch with him today, a testament to how meaningful those connections can be long after graduation. It’s a beautiful reminder that one caring teacher can change the direction of a life and that reaching out to t

    21 min

  7. 11/25/2025

    068: Young Voices, Big Impact – Live from PodSummit YYC 2025 with Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut

    What sparks someone to create something meaningful and what happens when they follow that spark even before they feel fully ready? For me, this question has been circling for years. As a mom of three teenagers and someone who has spent much of her life in teaching and learning, I’m continually struck by how much wisdom, courage, and clarity young people carry especially when they’re given the space to explore, try, stumble, and keep going. Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, two Calgary sisters who began their journey with business and podcasting in the midst of their childhood and teen years discovered something powerful about happiness, connection, and sharing your voice. Their story weaves together the science, art, and heart of learning – what happens when curiosity meets action and when two teenagers decide to simply begin. In this conversation, recorded live at PodSummit YYC 2025, we explore where their journey started, what they’ve learned from interviewing world-class guests, the challenges and joys of creating as sisters, and what it means to build something with purpose. I invite you to consider your own spark: What first nudged you toward creating or sharing your voice and how has it shaped the heart of what you do now?   Listen in as we talk about: 2:02 Finding happiness in hard seasons 4:45 Beginning a podcast before feeling ready 7:16 Insights from remarkable guests 9:32 Growing together as sisters  12:12 The thoughtful work behind the mic 14:19 The power of a sincere ask 17:04 The heart behind each episode 21:02 Moments and messages that stick 23:21 Seeing the impact firsthand 25:20 Growing with each episode 28:08 The road ahead   Connect with Mercedes and Anastasia: Website: https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/  LinkedIn: Small Bits of Happiness Instagram: @small.bits.of.happiness TikTok: @smallbitsofhappiness YouTube: Small Bits of Happiness Podcast: Hack Your Happiness Retail Collection: ShopBits   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    FINDING HAPPINESS IN HARD SEASONS When Mercedes and Anastasia began Small Bits of Happiness, they were navigating something we were all moving through together – the uncertainty, loneliness, and disrupted rhythms of the pandemic. Like many young people, they were juggling school from home, friendship changes, and the swirl of big feelings that come with growing up. What helped them most wasn’t a dramatic shift but a quiet practice: paying attention to the small, steady moments that still felt good. These included walks outside, shared meals, and funny movies with their family. Those simple touchpoints reminded them that even in a challenging season, there were still moments worth noticing. Their business grew from this idea – that small bits of happiness can make a real difference, especially when life feels uncertain.   BEGINNING A PODCAST BEFORE FEELING READY Their podcast, Hack Your Happiness, started the way many meaningful things do – with curiosity and a willingness to try. Mercedes and Anastasia didn’t wait to feel fully prepared or confident. They began with what they had: a desire to connect, questions they cared about, and an openness to learning out loud. In those early recordings, they were still finding their rhythm, but each episode taught them something new about their voice, their approach, and the kind of conversations they wanted to have. Their start is a reminder that readiness often comes after we begin, not before.   INSIGHTS FROM REMARKABLE GUESTS Talking with authors, athletes, entrepreneurs, and creators has given the sisters a front-row seat to the stories behind success. What stands out most isn’t the accomplishments, but the common threads that appear again and again: resilience, curiosity, and the willingness to keep learning. Whether it’s a magazine editor, a bestselling author, or an Oscar-winning designer, so many guests return to the same core ideas about growth and fulfillment. Hearing these themes echoed by people from such different worlds has shown Mercedes and Anastasia that meaningful lives are often built through everyday choices, not perfect paths.   GROWING TOGETHER AS SISTERS Working together as co-founders has brought Mercedes and Anastasia even closer. They’ve learned each other’s strengths, found ways to navigate stress, and built a shared language around communication. They’re honest that disagreements happen, especially during busy school seasons or deadlines, but they’ve learned to pause and name what’s really going on rather than reacting to it. Just as importantly, they make space to simply be sisters – dinners without phones, shared movie nights, time spent together that has nothing to do with the business. Their partnership highlights how meaningful work can strengthen relationships when care and connection stay at the centre.   THE THOUGHTFUL WORK BEHIND THE MIC Behind every episode is a mix of preparation, creativity, and intention. Mercedes finds joy in the editing process – shaping a conversation, creating an inviting introduction, and hearing the interview again with fresh ears. Anastasia lights up when she talks about researching guests and crafting questions that feel thoughtful and relevant. Together, they approach each episode as an opportunity to create something that feels genuine and useful. Their process underscores a simple truth: podcasting is part science, part art, and part heart and all three matter.   THE POWER OF A SINCERE ASK When it comes to inviting guests, their approach is refreshingly simple. They look for people whose work they admire and genuinely want to learn from. Then they reach out. They do this with honesty about who they are, why the conversation matters, and the impact they hope it will have. One piece of advice they now carry with them came from NASCAR driver Julia Landauer: “Don’t tell yourself no”. Instead of assuming someone won’t respond or won’t have time, they send the email and let the person decide for themselves. That mindset shift has opened doors to conversations they once couldn’t imagine having.   THE HEART BEHIND EACH EPISODE “You don’t have to have the same expectation of success as everyone else. It can be different and you can aspire to do different things.” ~ Anastasia Korngut At the heart of Hack Your Happiness is a desire to offer something practical and encouraging. Mercedes and Anastasia want listeners, be it teens, parents, educators, and anyone navigating life’s questions, to walk away with ideas they can try, reflect on, or build into their routines. Over time, they’ve also learned that happiness and success aren’t one-size-fits-all. Hearing so many varied stories has shown them that changing your mind, trying new things, and shifting direction are not signs of uncertainty. They’re signs of growth. They hope their podcast helps people feel less pressure to follow a straight line and more freedom to explore what feels right.   MOMENTS AND MESSAGES THAT STICK Certain moments from their conversations linger long after the episode ends. They often return to ideas that helped them rethink their own expectations such as how confidence grows, how opportunities unfold, and how success can look different from person to person. Some lessons have shaped the way they approach decisions; others have simply offered comfort on tough days. What stands out most is how often guests share advice they wish they could give their teenage selves, especially around giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace. These reminders have become steady touch points for the sisters as they navigate school, business, and life.   SEEING THE IMPACT FIRSTHAND While much of their work happens behind a screen or a microphone, some of the most meaningful moments come from hearing how their episodes have helped others. Parents have shared how an interview sparked an important conversation at home. Teens have shared that an idea made them feel understood. Community members have come up to them at events just to say thank you. These moments remind Mercedes and Anastasia that the work they’re doing is reaching real people in real ways. And – sometimes one message, at the right moment, makes all the difference. GROWING WITH EACH EPISODE Looking back on their early recordings, Mercedes and Anastasia are proud of how far they’ve come. They’ve learned to give themselves grace, to improve one step at a time, and to trust conversations enough to let them unfold naturally. They now follow their curiosity more freely, explore ideas beyond their prepared questions, and allow the unexpected to shape the episode. Their reflections offer a reassuring truth. Growth is gradual and every creative journey is built through practice, patience, and staying open.   THE ROAD AHEAD Whether they’re designing new products, preparing to launch their Connection Journal in Indigo stores, or planning future podcast episodes, Mercedes and Anastasia speak about the road ahead with genuine excitement. They’re committed to continuing to learn, to keep refining their craft, and to stay connected to the heart of why they began. Their plans aren’t driven by pressure but by passion. They have a desire to create things that feel meaningful, helpful, and human. That’s exactly what makes watching their journey so inspiring.   — Today’s episode is produced by VOLT Productions, a full-service podcast production agency helping creators and entrepreneurs launch, grow and monetize their shows. You can learn more about the agency’s founder Simona, their work and team by going to www.voltproductions.co.

    39 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    067: Mobilizing Knowledge, Connecting People with Dr. Dawn Henwood

    How can knowledge mobilization transform research into action? In this episode of The People Teaching People Podcast, we explore the insightful world of knowledge mobilization with Dr. Dawn Henwood. Dawn is a former English professor who understands both the arcane delights of research and the challenges of translating complex concepts into language and visuals that resonate with lay readers. Through her company Clarity Connect, she helps researchers develop the communication skills they need to influence partners, policy makers, and funders so their ideas can drive change. Dawn offers practical, business-oriented training that helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. She also produces knowledge translation products, such as impact stories, impact reports, white papers, video scripts, and training materials.   Listen in as we talk about: 01:00 Meet Dr. Dawn Henwood 02:55 Mobilizing knowledge, mobilizing people 05:30 From teaching to translating impact 12:18 From classroom to Clarity Connect 17:45 Misunderstandings about knowledge mobilization 20:48 Getting unstuck and starting small 22:58 Making space for creativity 27:37 Using AI with intention 33:12 Connecting people through knowledge mobilization 36:10 The teachers who shape us 38:47 A turning point in clarity 41:00 Learning from courage 43:03 The fun in learning   Connect with Dawn: Website: https://www.clarityconnect.ca/ LinkedIn: Dawn Henwood   Connect with Tiana: Website: https://tianafech.com LinkedIn: Tiana Fech Instagram: @tianafech  Facebook: @tianafech  Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course    MOBILIZING KNOWLEDGE, MOBILIZING PEOPLE Dawn describes knowledge mobilization as the process of moving research beyond academic circles and into communities where it can lead to meaningful, measurable change. While many terms have been used to describe this, like knowledge translation, research dissemination, and knowledge brokering, she explains that knowledge mobilization best captures the complexity of the process. It’s not just about translating findings into simpler language or sharing them widely. It’s about connecting people across systems and disciplines so that research can actually be used and applied. As Dawn puts it, we’re not really mobilizing knowledge. We’re mobilizing people. When those people connect and act on what’s been learned, research truly comes to life.   FROM TEACHING TO TRANSLATING IMPACT Dawn shares how her approach to knowledge mobilization is deeply shaped by learning theory and her background as an educator. She challenges the old “deficit” or “banking” model of education which is the idea that people are empty vessels waiting to be filled with information. Instead, she believes that real impact comes from engaging and enabling people to learn, get excited about new knowledge, and apply it meaningfully.   FROM CLASSROOM TO CLARITY CONNECT Dawn’s career path reflects her move from traditional teaching to helping others apply and share knowledge in practical, impactful ways. She moved from teaching literature and writing into adult education, corporate training and learning design. She discovered that the more complex the information, the more value she could bring through clear communication and thoughtful design. Now, through her company, Clarity Connect, she helps researchers share their work in ways that people can truly understand and use. What she’s learned along the way is that it’s not deep subject expertise that drives meaningful knowledge sharing. It’s curiosity, communication, and the ability to connect across worlds.   MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION Dawn highlights some common misconceptions about knowledge mobilization, starting with the idea that it’s a brand new field. While the formal scholarship around it has grown over the past few decades, the concepts have been evolving since the 1970s. People often get overwhelmed by the dozens of theories, models, and frameworks now available, assuming the process has to be rigid or overly complicated. Dawn emphasizes that knowledge mobilization actually draws on skills from multiple disciplines such as organizational change, psychology, rhetoric (the art of persuasion), and learning design. Real-world impact often begins with simple, human-centered actions, like picking up the phone and connecting with the right stakeholders. Even complex ideas can take hold when the focus is on people and relationships first.   GETTING UNSTUCK AND STARTING SMALL When people feel unsure about how to begin making their work connect in meaningful ways, Dawn suggests starting with a mix of learning and connection. For those who like a structured path, there are beginner courses, certificate programs and micro-credentials that introduce the fundamentals of knowledge mobilization and the skills behind it. But getting started doesn’t have to mean enrolling in a program. Dawn also encourages a more hands-on approach: think about who could benefit from your work, learn about them, and begin to build relationships. That could mean attending a conference, engaging on social media, or reaching out to a local community group. Big impact often starts small with genuine curiosity about who your work is for and how it might serve them.   MAKING SPACE FOR CREATIVITY When it comes to knowledge mobilization, Dawn reminds us that creativity and structure go hand in hand. Many people come from academic settings where communication tends to follow familiar patterns such as papers, presentations, posters and teaching. However, impactful sharing often calls for thinking outside the box and beyond those boundaries. To do that, you need time and mental space, which means being intentional about your work habits. Dawn encourages people to be “ruthless” with how they manage their time. This includes clearing inboxes, streamlining projects, and reducing unnecessary stress so there’s room for reflection and creative thinking. When that inevitable creative block hits, she says to recognize it as part of the process rather than a problem. Take a walk, talk ideas through with others, or jot them down when they come to you. Making space for creativity isn’t just about scheduling it in. It’s about creating the conditions where ideas have room to grow.   USING AI WITH INTENTION When it comes to knowledge mobilization, Dawn sees artificial intelligence as both promising and precarious. She’s found it can be a great tool for getting unstuck especially for those who struggle to generate ideas or need help moving from a blank page to a first draft. AI can also play a role in creating plain language summaries or early-stage materials that help research reach more people. But Dawn urges caution. What AI produces can often sound polished yet feel hollow, missing the nuance, emotion, and human connection that make communication meaningful. It can also misread audiences or even introduce mistakes when trying to “fix” writing. For Dawn, AI works best as a creative companion, not a replacement for the thought, care, and skill that come from human experience. The real impact still comes from the person behind the keyboard who is bringing context, heart, and intention to the work.   CONNECTING PEOPLE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION For Dawn, knowledge mobilization isn’t just about communicating information clearly. It’s about creating connections that help ideas take root and grow. When she rebranded her company from Clarity Studio to Clarity Connect, she did so to emphasize the human-to-human element that lies at the heart of this work. Clarity is important, she says, but it’s not enough on its own. Knowledge has to resonate to create real change. Increasingly, models and frameworks in this field are recognizing the importance of facilitation – bringing people together, not just sharing ideas with them. In her current work, Dawn sees this in action as researchers, community partners, and funders come together to turn a grassroots initiative into something lasting. When knowledge moves between people, it becomes more than information. It becomes a bridge for collaboration, understanding, and meaningful impact.   THE TEACHERS WHO SHAPE US When asked about a favorite teacher, Dawn immediately thought of Mr. Robbins, her Grade 5 teacher. Unlike most teachers of the time, he brought creativity and fun into every day. He turned lessons into games and sparked a love of learning through what we now might call experiential education. His approach made a lasting impression for Dawn, even decades later. Though she hasn’t been able to track him down, she still carries that sense of play and creativity into her own work, helping others share what they know in ways that connect and inspire.   A TURNING POINT IN CLARITY Looking back on her journey, Dawn shared that one of her proudest moments was winning an academic award for an article she wrote as a graduate student. The recognition was deeply meaningful but it also revealed something important about her path. During an interview soon after, students questioned why her article was written so clearly and engagingly, as though accessibility needed a hidden intellectual motive. That moment stayed with her. Dawn realized she simply wanted people to understand and connect with her ideas, not decode them. While the award marked a high point in her academic career, it also hinted that her future might lie beyond traditional academia – somewhere she could bring clarity, creativity, and connection together in a more open, human way.   LEARNING FROM COURAGE When asked who she’d most love to learn from, Dawn chose Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Stowe’s writing played a powerful role in shaping public opinion against slavery, but what fascinates Dawn even more is the complexi

    24 min
See All (135)

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The People Teaching People Podcast is the place to talk about all things teaching and learning. Hosted by educator, course development consultant, lifelong learner, and mom of three, Tiana Fech, this podcast will dive into how education truly plays an important and integral role in all facets of our lives – how we work, do business, live, play, explore, and build relationships. Get curious and be inspired by personal reflections and conversations about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of teaching and learning in a world where there is always more to discover.

Information