Building Emotionally Safe Spaces with Chelsea Elliott EP 12

Check out resources and events here Christine Kotik, owner of CK ADHD Coaching and Consulting sits down with emotional-intelligence innovator Chelsea Elliott to explore how emotionally healthy, safe spaces can transform families, classrooms, workplaces, and communities.  Chelsea shares the personal journey behind Somocom Lab, why EQ outperforms IQ in the real world, and how belonging through NAWBO Columbus accelerated her impact. Their conversation includes:  Origin story & mission: After a traumatic cross-country move and later diagnoses of ADHD, depression, and anxiety, Chelsea turned curiosity about emotions into Somocom Lab, helping people create emotionally safe spaces at home, at school, and at work. ( From kids to adults: Her children’s books and EQ Kids Crew card deck revealed a bigger need, teaching adults to model emotional intelligence so kids’ skills are supported, not dismissed.  Workplace EQ matters: Emotional intelligence must be modeled by leadership, normalize PTO, set/hold boundaries, and acknowledge humanity at work to improve culture and performance.  Community Care Collective: A four-week cohort that builds capacity across organizations with topics like EQ fundamentals, mental health first aid, QPR suicide prevention, financial trauma awareness, and trauma-informed care, aimed at retention and better client experience.  NAWBO Columbus impact: Belonging led to real partnerships including the “Eight Domains of Wellness” workshop co-facilitated with NAWBO member Faith Rivera. delivered with KeyBank programs. She also found a supportive network that encouraged Chelsea to try new things.  Do the thing: Education is valuable, but action beats procrastination, apply, test, learn, iterate.  Vision & grounding: Chelsea’s long-term vision is a world where emotional safety is the norm, and her work is no longer needed. She stays grounded through faith and a strong village.  This conversation shows how emotional intelligence, when modeled by adults and leaders, creates safer, more productive spaces everywhere. Chelsea offers practical pathways to build that culture, from kids’ tools to companywide training, all fueled by community and action. Resources:  NAWBO Columbus  EQ Kids Crew books and games  Connect with Chelsea Somocom Lab  Chelsea Elliott LinkedIn Connect with Christine CK ADHD Coaching and Consulting  Christine Kotik LinkedIn