In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott Buell sits down with Paul Buckley, founder of Ratio Staffing, for a powerful conversation about purpose, integrity, and why the future of our society begins in preschool classrooms.

Paul shares how his background in process improvement led him into the world of early childhood education. What started as helping a single preschool fix a broken hiring process quickly revealed a larger issue. Traditional staffing models were not built for preschool. They created unnecessary friction, complexity, and stress for both schools and teachers.

Instead of accepting the status quo, Paul built Ratio Staffing to remove barriers and allow direct connection between preschools and educators. His mission is simple: provide flexibility, restore agency, and respect the people doing some of the most important work in our communities.

At the heart of this conversation is a profound belief. What happens inside preschool classrooms reflects the very values we claim we want in the world. Calm. Connection. Collaboration. Empathy. It is already happening in small rooms with young children every day.

Scott challenges Paul on what truly drives him as a founder. His answer goes beyond profit. He speaks about feeling fortunate in life and wanting to give back. He speaks about his three sons and the importance of being able to look them in the eye and feel aligned with the work he does each day. For Paul, building something meaningful is about integrity as much as impact.

The episode closes on optimism. In a time when it is easy to believe the world is divided, Paul sees hope in the number of people who care deeply about children, education, and connection. If we pay attention to what is working in preschool classrooms, we may find a blueprint for building a better world.

This is a conversation about education, but it is also about character, responsibility, and the courage to fix broken systems.

If you care about children, schools, or building something that truly matters, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott Buell sits down with Julia Gabor, founder of KidGrit and a longtime leader in youth development and educator support. Julia brings more than two decades of experience working with students, teachers, and school systems across the country, with a focus on helping young people develop the skills they need to thrive beyond the classroom.

This conversation explores what it really means to prepare students for an uncertain and rapidly changing future. Julia shares her personal story, including how early life experiences shaped her belief in resilience, creativity, and self-awareness. Together, Scott and Julia examine why skills like adaptability, critical thinking, self-regulation, and perseverance cannot be taught through scripted programs, but must be developed through real challenge, reflection, and connection.

Julia also discusses the evolution of social-emotional learning, the limitations of purely digital solutions, and why authentic human connection remains at the center of meaningful education. The episode offers thoughtful insights for educators who feel burned out, parents who want more for their children, and leaders who are rethinking what success in education should look like.

Key Topics Covered

• Why grit is developed through experience, not instruction
• The difference between teaching content and building life skills
• How challenge and failure help students develop confidence and resilience
• The role of educators in modeling emotional regulation and purpose
• Why timeless skills matter more than ever in an AI-driven world
• Reconnecting education to relevance, meaning, and real life

As schools face increasing pressure to do more with less, this episode offers a grounded and hopeful perspective on what truly helps students succeed. Julia reminds us that while technology and trends will continue to evolve, the foundational skills that shape capable, confident adults remain the same. For anyone committed to developing well-rounded, resilient learners, this conversation provides clarity, inspiration, and practical insight.

About the Guest

Julia Gabor is the founder of KidGrit, an organization dedicated to helping young people and educators build essential life skills through intentional programming and professional development. Her work spans youth development, educator wellness, and leadership training, with a focus on connection, self-awareness, and long-term growth.

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New episodes feature educators, innovators, and leaders who are shaping the future of learning by helping students unlock their full potential.

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In this episode of the Legend Makers Podcast, Scott Buell speaks with Jason Allen, Executive Director of the Franklin Center for Innovation in Frankfort, Kentucky, about education, community, and what happens when students are trusted with real responsibility.

Jason’s path into nonprofit and education work is unconventional. His background spans military service as a psychiatric specialist, manufacturing and process optimization, and community based innovation. Across every chapter of his career, one theme remains constant: helping people simplify complexity and recognize their own capability.

While drones are a visible tool in Jason’s work, this conversation makes it clear that technology is not the end goal. Instead, drones serve as a gateway to confidence, curiosity, and early experiences of success that reshape how students see themselves.

Key themes from the episode include:

• Why early experiences of success matter more than credentials or outcomes
• How hands on learning builds confidence across diverse student populations
• The importance of trusting young people earlier than traditional systems allow
• Valuing skilled trades and alternative pathways alongside college routes
• Community based education as a source of belonging and opportunity

Jason also shares a remarkable experience teaching drone education in a remote village on the Bering Sea in Alaska. Working with students as young as six years old, he witnessed how quickly hesitation turns into excitement when learners are given the chance to try something new. That experience directly shaped how he now approaches structure, trust, and responsibility in his programs back home.

Throughout the episode, Jason challenges conventional ideas about success and education. He shares stories of students who discovered confidence through hands on programs and went on to build meaningful futures in unexpected ways.

At its core, this conversation is about belief. It is about creating environments where students feel safe to explore, fail, succeed, and grow. This episode will resonate with educators, nonprofit leaders, parents, and anyone committed to helping young people realize what they are capable of becoming.