Ep. 046 Dr. Kent Tonkin - Professor Saint Francis University

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🎙️ Empathy, Education & “Becoming That Someone” with Dr. Kent Tonkin

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Kent Tonkin, professor, consultant, musician, and grief educator. What starts as a discussion about leadership and values in the classroom quickly unfolds into something more: a story of grief, healing, self-awareness, and living with purpose.

Kent shares how early loss, emotional resilience, and powerful mentors shaped both his teaching style and his life. Whether he's consulting with manufacturing leaders or guiding students through transformational learning, Kent’s message is clear: values aren’t just personal — they’re relational.

This episode explores:

  • 🎓 How vulnerability and transparency create more effective classrooms — and workplaces

  • đź’¬ “Empathy doesn’t equal agreement” — why understanding matters more than convincing

  • 🔥 Why Gen X might be the bridge between generations

  • đź“š How grief shaped Kent’s journey — and led him to peer support, nonprofit fundraising, and research

  • 🦇 Why Batman helped him believe in hope when he needed it most

  • 🎸 What a Gibson bass and a student wedding have in common

  • đź’ˇ How “Become That Someone” is more than a motto at Saint Francis University — it’s a path forward, no matter your age

This one’s rich, real, and remarkably open — a story about how people grow, how values evolve, and how connection keeps us going.

📍 Learn more about Kent’s work at Saint Francis University: https://www.francis.edu