Empathy, Connection, and Courage: Building Smarter Cities with Tommy Herschell from Find Ya Feet
In this deeply moving episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with Tommy Herschell, CEO and Founder of Find Ya Feet, to explore the heart of human connection and personal growth in the context of smart cities.
Tommy, a seasoned educator and facilitator with over 14 years of global teaching experience, brings his passion for empathy, authenticity, and storytelling to the conversation. Through his organization, Find Ya Feet, Tommy empowers individuals and communities to own their behaviors, understand others, and take action to create positive change. From his transformative "Rock, Timber, Glass" workshop to his personal journey of overcoming hardship, Tommy shares powerful insights on building empathetic, connected, and resilient communities—key pillars of a true smart city.
Tune in for an inspiring discussion about courage, collaboration, and the opportunities to shape a better future together.
Key Takeaways
0:00 - Introduction: The Rock, Timber, Glass Workshop
1:20 - Welcome to the Smart Cities Council Podcast!
1:40 - Introducing Tommy Herschell and Find Ya Feet
2:30 - What Does "Smart City" Mean to Tommy?
3:40 - The Role of Empathy and Connection in Smart Cities
4:00 - How Find Ya Feet Empowers Storytelling and Action
5:20 - Tommy’s Personal Journey: From Anger to Purpose
7:20 - The Impact of Find Ya Feet Workshops
8:30 - Unpacking "Understanding" vs. Agreement
9:50 - Real Stories of Transformation in Workshops
12:50 - Corporate Connections: A Bank Employee’s Story
15:50 - The Biggest Challenges in Tommy’s Field
17:50 - A Shift Away from Victimhood
21:20 - Opportunities: Owning Your Stuff and Creating Change
24:50 - The Rock, Timber, Glass Framework Explained
26:00 - Tommy’s Greatest Project: Himself and 60,000+ Lives Touched
27:40 - Closing Thoughts: Be Brave, Call Out Struggles, and Connect
Learn more about Tommy Herschell and FindYaFeet:
Tommy Herschell on LinkedIn
Find Ya Feet website
Find Ya Feet on LinkedIn
Find Ya Feet on Youtube
Find Ya Feet on Instagram
Connect with Us:
FOLLOW US ON:
