TEMSEA Leadership Podcast

About TEMSEA Leadership Podcast

TEMSEA Leadership Podcast Hosted By Eric Clauss

Publisher

TEMSEA

Category

business · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Jan 2023

Latest episode

4 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

1 of 39 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   4 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT

   #36 - Leading from Every Angle: Strengths, Standards, and the Next Generation of Leaders

   In this episode, Eric Clauss sits down with two dynamic leaders who are shaping leadership development across Tennessee’s EMS community—Jeff Masten, a 25-year Stryker veteran known for his engaging leadership workshops and people-centered philosophy, and Assistant Chief Elaina Brown of the Nashville Fire Department, whose work in supervisor training is redefining what it means to prepare the next generation of EMS leaders. Together, they offer lessons from corporate, clinical, and command perspectives—each reminding us that leadership begins with understanding yourself, setting clear standards, and developing others. Segment 1: Introduction for Jeff Masten Jeff Masten brings over 25 years of leadership experience with Stryker, including more than a decade serving the EMS community. Known for his engaging leadership classes and Gallup-based strengths approach, Jeff helps teams discover how understanding themselves is the first step to leading others. His perspective bridges corporate excellence and the realities of field leadership—reminding us that professionalism, consistency, and personal accountability define how we show up every day. Segment 2: Introduction for Elaina Brown Assistant Chief Elaina Brown of the Metro Nashville Fire Department has dedicated over 30 years to EMS and fire service leadership. From shift command to national instruction at the National Fire Academy, she’s shaping leadership training for current and future supervisors through Tennessee’s state leadership initiative. Elaina brings grounded wisdom on developing confidence, mastering soft skills, and doing the “extra” work that distinguishes exceptional leaders from average ones. What do a corporate leader and a command-level fire officer have in common? A lot more than you might think. In this powerful dual interview, Jeff Masten and Assistant Chief Elaina Brown join Eric Clauss to talk about leadership through two lenses—corporate and public safety. Jeff shares insights from Stryker’s strengths-based leadership philosophy, discussing how professionalism, feedback, and accountability create lasting culture. Elaina builds on that theme, exploring the transition from tactical work to supervisory leadership, the importance of training and soft skills, and how aspiring leaders can prepare for advancement. Together, they offer a roadmap for every listener ready to grow in self-leadership and elevate those around them. Leadership Applications 1. Know Yourself First. True leadership begins with self-awareness—understanding your strengths, communication style, and how you respond under pressure. 2. Set and Model Standards. Professionalism and consistency create credibility. The way you do anything reflects the way you do everything. 3. Develop Others Intentionally. Leaders have a responsibility to prepare successors. Invest in people by teaching, mentoring, and setting clear expectations. 4. Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems. As Elaina shared—leaders stand out when they bring ideas and possible solutions forward, not just the challenges.

2. 

   7 Oct 2025

   #35 - Still Standing: Christy Tomlinson on Retirement, Resilience, and the Stories We Carry

   Today’s guest is a trailblazer, mentor, and one of the most respected voices in Tennessee EMS. With a 42-year career that includes 31 years with the Nashville Fire Department as a District Chief and 15 years as an EMS educator, Christy Tomlinson brings wisdom, candor, and heart to this conversation. She opens up about what it means to walk away well, how to manage the echoes of a life in service, and why the end of a career doesn’t mean the end of your story. Please welcome Christy Tomlinson. In this powerful episode, Christy Tomlinson—retired District Chief and 42-year EMS veteran—shares her deeply personal reflections on career longevity, financial preparedness, post-traumatic stress, and the surprising emotional challenges of retirement. She discusses how to know when it’s time to step away, why talking early and often about difficult calls matters, and how self-awareness and open communication can shape the future of EMS culture. If you’re a seasoned provider, a new recruit, or anywhere in between, this conversation will stay with you. Leadership Applications 1. Plan for the End from the Beginning Christy emphasizes the importance of setting financial goals early—even before you think you’re ready to retire. “I didn’t expect to leave, but I made sure I could if I needed to.” 2. Know Your Triggers, Know Your Reactions Leaders must be self-aware. Understanding your personal responses to critical incidents—whether it’s stuttering, exhaustion, or intrusive thoughts—can help you manage stress and communicate clearly with your team and loved ones. 3. Normalize Conversations About Mental Health From early CISM training to mentoring the next generation, Christy models how vulnerability, therapy, and talking about trauma are essential for building a resilient EMS workforce. 4. Invest in Those Coming Behind You Christy reflects on how Gen 2 providers are paving the way for Gen 3 to feel more comfortable saying, “I need help.” Leadership includes creating a culture where that’s not only accepted—but encouraged. 5. Redefine What Retirement Means For many EMS professionals, retirement brings unexpected emotional challenges. Christy’s insight—that we lose the “good stories” that once balanced the bad—highlights a new area of need and advocacy for peer support after the job ends.

3. 

   2 Sept 2025

   #34 - Investing in the Next Generation: Mentorship, Mindset, and Momentum in EMS Leadership

   What does it take to build strong leaders in EMS? Host Eric Clauss is joined by Greg Johnson (Program Director, Columbia State Community College), Alex Whitley (Paramedic Instructor and Flight Medic), and Jamie Wesley (Critical Care Paramedic, Rutherford County) to discuss the launch of Tennessee’s New Provider Conference and the leadership lessons shaping the next generation. Together, they reflect on lessons learned, the launch of Tennessee’s first New Provider Conference, and how intentional investment in young providers is reshaping the profession. This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about showing up, listening, and leaving the field better than you found it. This conversation dives into: • Why mentorship and gratitude are essential for growth. • The power of “showing up” and following through. • Meeting the new generation where they are—with technology, curiosity, and innovation. • How attitude, humility, and listening set the foundation for leadership. Whether you’re just starting your EMS career or guiding others along the way, this episode will challenge you to rethink what leadership looks like—and how you can invest in those who will carry the torch forward. Leadership Applications Show Up with the Right Posture Leadership starts by being present—not just at the microphone, but in the small, unseen moments. Rolling up your sleeves, moving chairs, and following through on commitments builds credibility that opens doors for greater influence. Invest in the Next Generation Yesterday’s “hard knocks” lessons can become today’s intentional mentorship. Meeting new providers where they are, embracing technology, and listening to their questions ensures the profession evolves with strength and resilience. Prioritize Attitude and Gratitude A positive mindset and appreciation for those who invested in you are transformative. Attitude shapes not only how you lead, but also how you inspire others to embrace challenges with optimism. Listen More Than You Speak Effective leaders don’t need to have all the ideas—they need to recognize, elevate, and support the innovators around them. Listening deeply, asking “why,” and amplifying others’ contributions builds trust and collective success.

Inside a recent episode

#36 - Leading from Every Angle: Strengths, Standards, and the Next Generation of Leaders

Published 4 Nov 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I said, I sell parallels in paracots and after that is done. How about I come in and do a class for you based on leadership as like because what happens is we only understand leadership from who we see, right? So who was our manager beforehand or who our parents were or maybe reading books? That's how we understand it. We don't really see that. And I said, the problem we have is that we have to understand ourselves first before we can go out and lead somebody else. We can't lead ourselves. We can't lead somebody else. So my goal was to get people to understand who they were first and what strengths they had. […]

Who has been a guest on TEMSEA Leadership Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Joseph Powell
• Dakota Powell
• Mary Lee Lemley

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

93,217

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

98 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

30 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

48

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

81