Your Authenticity Isn't For Others to Define
Episode 86 of this podcast was one that keeps coming back to me. I've had many interviews since then, and have read books and articles that seem to form connections back to that episode with Mark Bowden, TEDx Toronto speaker, author, and body language expert.
In Episode 104 with Rajkumari Neogy, we spoke about epigenetic study and the impact of trauma on our physical and mental health. During the conversation, Rajkumari introduced me to two scientists who have studied this and written many books and articles on that topic. Each time I would read an article by one of those scientists, I would think back on the conversation with Mark Bowden about the importance of being inauthentic, and how we define authentic for ourselves and others.
I had the opportunity to interview the author of The Change Code, Monica Bourgeau a few weeks ago, and again, connections started firing in my head between her description and application of Spiral Dynamics and my conversations with Mark and Rajkumari.
For the first time in 118 episodes, I reached out to interview someone a second time, and Mark generously and graciously agreed.
The conversation didn't go at all the way I had anticipated - which happens frequently, and I couldn't be more pleased with how it shifted between our original conversation about authenticity and a completely new conversation about self-actualization and the role our environment plays in it.
What I enjoyed most about this conversation was the reasoning and discussion, some parts devil's advocate and some parts clear agreement. I wouldn't say I developed much clarity about the topics, but I will say the time was well spent in giving me more to think about.
The biggest question I'd like to find an answer for is how to apply what I've learned through all of these connections to help improve relationships and reduce the polarization our global community is dealing with right now.
I welcome comments on my website, or send me an email at sarahelkins@elkinsconsulting.com.
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"The choice of Sarah Elkins (as our conference keynote) was inspired. Her emphasis that we need to think more carefully as advocates about how we are perceived, that we need to demonstrate our values authentically (and bravely) so as to build trust, was perhaps more important than all the specific storytelling tools discussed.”
Sarah is a storyteller, communication coach, author and professional musician. Her keynotes and workshops are entertaining and engaging, because she uses storytelling as the foundation of her work. Her podcast, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will was named in the top 50 in 2019 in the category of emotional intelligence on player.FM, and her book of the same title will be available in May, 2020.