The Education Road

The Name of the Game!In this episode of The Education Road, we connect with Julian Nasielski, a level designer at Ubisoft Montreal whose career path was defined by what he describes as a "bumpy road with a couple of detours". Julian shares how his childhood passion for games, sparked by surreal and whimsical titles like Earthworm Jim and Rayman 2, eventually transformed from a hobby into a professional mission. Despite knowing he wanted to design games since he was eight years old, he reveals the internal and external pressures that nearly led him toward a career in medicine before he fully committed to his creative roots. The conversation dives into Julian's academic transition at John Abbott College, where he initially struggled with sciences like calculus and chemistry before finding his stride in the Creative Arts program. He reflects on the formative power of the CEGEP system in Quebec, which allowed him to experiment with everything from radio production and filmmaking to horror film classes and digital media. This period of exploration was crucial in helping him to see behind the curtain of the gaming industry, moving him closer to the specialized field of level design as he realized that the industry was much more vast and varied than he had initially understood as a child. Beyond his personal history, Julian offers a candid look at the modern landscape of game development, discussing the differences between what makes for a great level and what doesn't. He emphasizes the accessibility of the industry today, noting that free tools and Game Jams provide a low barrier to entry for those willing to persevere. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring creators to never give up and to keep making games, serving as an inspiring roadmap for anyone navigating their own non-linear path into the technical and creative arts.

From being a nerd to being even a bigger nerd, a journey through CostcoIn this episode of The Education Road, we chat with John Ailes, an Incident Response (IR) specialist, to explore the high-stakes world of Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR).John shares his unique journey from a computer-loving kid, whose father taught him powers of two as nursery rhymes, to becoming part of the first graduating class of George Mason University’s Cybersecurity Engineering program. John breaks down the "umbrella" of Digital Forensics and Incident Response, explaining how it functions as a technical fact-finding mission for everything from corporate data breaches to wrongful death lawsuits.He shares insights into the value of a technical degree and certifications like Security+. John also pulls back the curtain on his intense study process for advanced SANS/GIAC certifications.John reflects on his transition from an individual contributor to a manager, emphasizing the importance of supporting your team and finding mentors early in your career.Whether you are a cybersecurity student looking for career advice or a seasoned professional interested in the nuances of incident response, this episode offers a deep dive into the technical and human side of defending the digital world.Plus: A side tangent on the "small world" history of Elgammal encryption and why every city needs a Costco.

Diversified education and the non-traditional education path to career!In this episode of The Education Road, we speak with Christine Gadsby, Chief Security Advisor at BlackBerry, whose education road is, in her own words, “non-traditional and very bumpy.” Christine’s story is a powerful reminder that learning paths are unique and often not expected.Christine begins by sharing the reality of her childhood. In high school, her focus wasn’t on a future career, but on getting through the day. As a teenage mother, survival became the priority, and higher education wasn’t immediately part of the picture.Her path into post-secondary education came later and in pieces. Christine took classes at the University of Washington, but ultimately completed her degree at Western Governors University, earning credentials in information technology and business management. She then worked her way into technology and security roles, gradually building expertise through hands-on experience. Over time, that foundation led her to BlackBerry, where she grew through multiple roles before becoming Chief Security Advisor.Throughout the conversation, Christine emphasizes how different her reality was from the traditional “college-to-career” narrative. She speaks candidly about what it means to learn without safety nets. Her story challenges the idea that success requires early clarity or privilege, and instead highlights resilience, grit, and the willingness to keep going.Mike and Christine also discuss how background shapes leadership. Christine reflects on how her experiences inform the way she approaches security, risk, and decision-making today.This episode won't touch upon polished resumes or perfect plans. Instead, we'll talk about building something meaningful from unstable ground, and recognizing that education often happens in fragments, including late nights, second chances, and hard-earned confidence.

Prepare to be disappointed!In this episode of The Education Road, we chat with Ian Kalman, founder and creative director of Bald Guy Greetings, the irreverent, hilarious, and wildly relatable greeting card company found in hundreds of stores across North America.Ian kicks things off with what he calls “a road full of questionable choices that somehow worked out,” and that phrase couldn’t sum up his story better. From dreaming of writing witty ad copy in college to running a nationally recognized greeting card business, Ian’s journey proves that the best careers often start as happy accidents.He takes us back to his time at San Jose State University, where he majored in advertising and minored in psychology, a combination that would later help him connect with audiences on a deeply human level. After graduating, Ian landed his dream job in advertising, working on iconic campaigns for Budweiser, E*TRADE, and the Oakland A’s. But everything changed with a birthday cake.What started as a joke written in frosting sparked an idea: What if greeting cards were actually funny? On a plane ride shortly after, Ian began jotting down card ideas — 60 in total. Twelve of them became the first Bald Guy Greetings collection, and the rest is history.Mike and Ian talk about the early struggles of starting a business without a roadmap. No entrepreneurship courses, no investors, just a writer who wanted to make people laugh. Ian admits that his college education didn’t prepare him for payroll, taxes, or packaging orders, but it did teach him creativity, persistence, and empathy.Ian also opens up about his creative process, describing it as spontaneous and joy-driven. He keeps hundreds of ideas in his phone notes, drawing inspiration from overheard conversations, awkward social moments, and life’s little absurdities. With over 350 cards in circulation today, his brand has become a cult favorite for people who prefer laughter over sentimentality.“If it makes me laugh, I’ll make it. I’d rather fail on my own terms than succeed at something that doesn’t feel like me.”It’s that authenticity that’s made Bald Guy Greetings such a success and why so many customers, like Mike’s own family, refuse to buy any other cards.By the end of the episode, you’ll see why Ian’s self-proclaimed “questionable choices” were anything but. His story is a reminder that passion, persistence, and a sense of humor can take you further than any perfect plan ever could.

Solving the problem of isolationIn this episode, we sit down with Ariella Racco, CEO and co-founder of CoLab Education, to explore her fascinating journey from teacher to edtech entrepreneur and how she’s redefining what collaboration means for educators.Ariella never planned to become a teacher. Drawn first to art and culture, she stumbled into education almost by accident. It was a backup plan that quickly became a calling. After earning her degree from McGill, she spent nearly a decade in classrooms in Canada and abroad, teaching everything from kindergarten to middle school science. Along the way, she learned that teaching wasn’t just about content. It was about connection, creativity, and constant adaptation.She and Mike discuss the evolution of classrooms, from hands-on group learning to post-pandemic isolation and the heavy reliance on technology. Ariella reflects on how COVID transformed the way teachers and students relate, the loss of human connection that followed, and the urgent need to rebuild community in education.Her time teaching internationally — from Toronto to Spain — gave her a global perspective on learning cultures and how technology can both help and hinder authentic engagement. That perspective, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit (first seen in a small pandemic-born dog accessory business called Pup + Pine), sparked an idea: teachers needed their own space to connect, collaborate, and grow.That spark became CoLab Education, a professional networking and collaboration platform for K–12 educators.Throughout the conversation, Ariella’s story reflects the heart of The Education Road: the unpredictable, winding journey from one chapter to the next. From a McGill student unsure of her path, to a beloved science teacher, to a global educator and now tech founder, Ariella embodies what it means to be a lifelong learner.Her advice to young listeners and aspiring leaders? Don’t chase a title — chase a problem worth solving. Whether in the classroom or the boardroom, her message rings clear: learning never stops, and the best solutions start when you ask, “How can I make this better for others?”If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a passionate educator steps outside the classroom to reinvent the system itself, this conversation will inspire you.

Unconventional Paths Lead to Interesting PlacesIn this episode of The Education Road, we sit down with Eric, whose career journey proves that a degree in history can lead just about anywhere, including into the world of AI, automation, and customer education.Eric describes his path as serendipitous, and it’s hard to disagree. From studying History and Technology Studies to becoming an AI and Automation Transformation Lead at Zapier, his story is a masterclass in how curiosity, communication, and creativity can open unexpected doors.After graduating, Eric dove into the tech world. But he soon realized he craved more creativity and human interaction and this led him back to academia as an academic technologist, helping universities design and implement digital learning experiences. From virtual reality projects to lightboard teaching tools, Eric brought innovation to classrooms on a shoestring budget, proving that constraint often fuels creativity.Education remained at the heart of everything he did. As he transitioned into instructional design and later into customer education roles at Heap, SmartCat, and ultimately Zapier, Eric discovered a field where his passions for technology, teaching, and communication converged. He explains how customer education isn’t just about training. It’s about helping people truly understand and connect with the tools they use.Mike and Eric also explore the evolution of online learning, especially after the pandemic. Eric advocates that online education, when done thoughtfully, can be more accessible, inclusive, and engaging than many assume. Drawing from his own Master’s in Educational Technology Leadership at George Washington University and an MBA in Leadership and Change, he reflects on what makes great online education.Beyond the degrees and job titles, Eric’s story is ultimately about connection between people, disciplines, and ideas.Whether you’re a student wondering how your degree will fit into the real world, an educator navigating technology’s rapid pace, or a professional exploring what’s next, Eric’s story reminds us that the most rewarding journeys are rarely linear.

The love of photography and film!In this episode of The Education Road, we sit down with Rob Fiocca, a Toronto-based photographer and commercial director whose career spans from the early days of darkroom film processing to high-budget ad campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands.Rob shares his journey, starting from Humber College’s Creative Photography program, and how early co-op placements with catalog and fashion photographers gave him his first taste of the industry. From those beginnings, he worked his way up through catalog studios, honing his craft, developing a style, and eventually striking out on his own.He opens up about the challenges of adapting to digital after film, staying current with ever-changing trends, and the differences between capturing a still life and directing a 30-second spot.Rob also reflects on the “soft skills” behind the lens: humility, collaboration, taking criticism, and building trust with clients and crews. He speaks candidly about the bittersweet realities of the creative business, the importance of passion, and how AI may disrupt photography and filmmaking the way digital once did.If you’ve ever been curious about what it’s like to build a career in photography, navigate the business side of the arts, or transition from stills to film, Rob’s story is a masterclass in persistence, adaptability, and love for the craft.

Optimizing for fun!In this episode of The Education Road, we sit down with Randall, whose education road is anything but traditional. After dropping out of UC Santa Cruz, Randall carved his own path through sheer curiosity, hustle, and a relentless drive to learn by doing.He shares how tinkering with DOS systems and hacking as a kid sparked his lifelong passion for programming. Early on, Randall dove deep into telecom, building open source distros, scaling services to millions of users, and even creating one of the first API services for caller ID data.Along the way, Randall reflects on the lessons of self-directed learning, the power of wearing many hats, and why becoming both a strong engineer and a good communicator is the ultimate career multiplier.If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a degree to succeed in tech, how DevRel really works, or how to keep learning alive throughout your career, this conversation offers a refreshing, unfiltered look at building a career on your own terms.

Lifelong learning from the skiesIn this episode of The Education Road, we sit down with Gary Olson. He is now a Chief Revenue Officer, but his remarkable journey began at the United States Air Force Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a minor in Political Science. This was a combination that would prove foundational to his future success in both technical and people-focused roles.After serving as a pilot and transitioning into military intelligence, Gary faced a life-changing decision where he chose his family over a military career. He said it was the toughest but best decision of his life.As a CRO, Gary operates on three core pillars: releasing control to become an orchestrator, embracing unpredictability while building scalable business models, and practicing extreme ownership - giving credit for successes while taking responsibility for failures. With 35+ years in cybersecurity, he views this field as his craft, requiring total commitment and continuous learning.This interview reveals Gary as a leader who seamlessly blends military discipline with business innovation. He is an inspiring example of how diverse experiences create exceptional leaders.

In this episode of The Education Road, we speak with Seeyew Mo, an advocate working at the intersection of data, education, and social impact. Seeyew shares his unexpected path from completing his computer science degree and working as a developer, to completing his Master's in Public Administration, Political Science, and Government, and being appointed as the first-ever Assistant National Cyber Director on Workforce, Education, and Economic Advancement!He opens up about his early influences in public service, the transition from being a developer to working with policies and governance. Seeyew offers an honest look at technology, politics, and finding joy in mission-driven work. If you care about equity in education, transparency in policy, or just how to make an impact, this conversation is for you.