Kindness Leaders in Education Series - Part 1
Host Allison Elkow Lazicky chats with Melinda Buchanan, a high school teacher in Krum, Texas who starts off the year by sharing the most kind, loving thought to her students as to why she is wearing Christmas socks. Together Allison and Melinda discuss modeling kindness as a high school teacher and encouraging them to be kind to each other. Melinda's passion for teaching and love of books makes her a great influence on her students. She chats about a positive project in which she encourages the class to look for the best in other students. What word would her students use to describe her? Melinda weighs in on that as well. Get ready to fall in love with the generosity and positivity of this Kindness Leader. She is truly a gift to the world of education.

Join host, Allison Elkow Lazicky as she kicks off her "Kindness Leaders in the World of Education" series with Jane Mintz the Director, Educator Support and Effectiveness for Ventura County's Office of Education about her role setting up all new teachers in the county with a mentor and how she supports the teachers that serve as mentors. They discuss the attributes needed to be an effective teacher. She identifies the kindness leader who influenced her to be a teacher and the student that she herself influenced to be a teacher. Jane shares a few teaching stories that will surely make you smile and takes on the 10 Question Challenge at the end of the ​show. Oh, and did we happen to mention that Jane is Allison's sister?

Join host, Allison Elkow Lazicky as she talks with Paula Zackeru about resiliency and going on with life after losing her brother, her husband and her Dad all within 17 months. Paula talks about creating her travel company, Sapphire Tours and the happiness she gets when providing people with a true New York City experience. She also shares a fun tale about the day NYC closed due to snow and what she did to make her customers have a "bluetiful" experience despite the weather. This podcast will show you what resiliency after loss looks like, for sure. Prepare to be inspired.

Join Bluetiful host, Allison Elkow Lazicky, as she interviews McKayl Novak on her job working in Promotions and Fan Engagement with the NY Jets, her goal to make a positive impact on everyone she meets and the ultimate job she someday dreams of doing! You will be entertained by McKayl's quick wit and your heart will be warmed by her positivity. Listen as she chats about being the youngest of three and the only girl and how that made her love being the center of attention. This young lady is going to take the world by storm on her quest to impact the lives of everyone she meets. Prepare for a healthy dose of positivity as you listen...

Join host, Allison Elkow Lazicky as she interviews Christine Rucci, a woman who, following a car accident in the early 1980's has endured 30+ facial surgeries as a result. Christine talks about her life, the highs, and lows following the surgeries and the psychological impact of it all. Today she works as a nurse and talks openly about how her experience and the challenges that she has overcome have made her incredibly empathetic. This show is a range of emotions but whether you are hearing the lows or the highs, one thing is consistent, and that is the strength, intelligence, positivity and both inner and outer beauty of Christine. This is an episode you won't want to miss.

Join host, Allison Elkow Lazicky, as she chats with Faigie Horowitz about her passions...advocacy, writing, motivational speaking, her faith community and her work at Caring Professionals. Faigie talks about Rachel's Place a shelter she helped create in Brooklyn, NY for homeless girls. Faigie discusses what traits make great leaders able to connect with the people they serve. She shares some great real-life​ "kindness leadership" examples of empathy and understanding at Caring Professionals Home Care where employees have displayed great leadership going above-and-beyond for the seniors they care for. This is an episode packed with insight on leadership and giving that you won't​ want to miss.

Join us as host Allison Elkow Lazicky talks with Susan Anderson about her special needs daughter Kara. Susan talks openly about the challenges they have faced with Kara's care journey and the Kindness Leaders that have supported them both at Woods Services in Bucks County, PA where Kara resides and those in their hometown of Hillsborough, NJ. As you listen, you will be inspired by Susan who is truly an advocate, a warrior, a fighter and a hero when it comes to her special needs daughter. Allison and Susan discuss congregate care, advocacy and the positive changes with the new CEO at Woods Services, Tine Hansen-Turton. They also discuss the creation of Kara's Quilts, an initiative started by some of the friends and supporters in their neighborhood. Whether or not you live in the world of people with special needs, you will want to listen to this moving and motivational podcast.

Join host Allison Elkow Lazicky as she talks to Erica Hornthal, the Founder and President of Chicago Dance Therapy about the effects of dance and movement on seniors with dementia and movement disorders. Erica shares real-life stories from working with this population and how the small breakthroughs during their sessions make a big difference to the patients and their families. Prepare to be amazed at Erica's passion for what she does in this heartwarming podcast.