They Saved His Life: A Story of an Unconventional Relationship
Rodney Stotts podcast episode 174 cover art with image and quote
He was told not to look a bird of prey in the eyes, that it would be considered aggressive and would damage his relationship with the animal.
But when that gigantic Eurasian Eagle Owl, Mr. Hoots, turned as Rodney went to move him, their eyes met, and neither of them looked away. Rodney described the moment as electric, and when he shared the story, I could practically feel the magnetic gaze they shared, and felt the hairs on my neck rise as he described it.
I met Rodney when I participated in GISH, the Great International Scavenger Hunt this year. He was interviewed as part of the event, and I just loved how he spoke about his animals and his work with young people.
GISH Promotional image with Rodney Stotts
This career wasn't part of his life plan as young man, and when you hear what his interests were, what he did when he skipped school, you'll appreciate the trajectory he took.
He was well on his way toward violence and incarceration, selling drugs in his corner of Washington DC. When he started applying for jobs, it wasn't because he needed money, it was because he needed a paystub - proof of consistent, legal income in order to rent an apartment.
Rodney Stotts episode cover art with image from a Christian Science Monitor article.
His job with Earth Conservation Corps is where his life dramatically changed direction. He realized he had a choice, to spend more time with the raptors in a related program, or to spend more time selling drugs on the street. You can imagine what choice he made.
The rest, as they say, is history, and you're in for a treat with this interview.
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When you're ready to learn more about Rodney's programs for young adults, visit his website, and perhaps you'll feel compelled to contribute. You'll also want to check out the trailer for the movie The Black Falconer, and read this great article on Audubon.com, and this one in the Washington Post.
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ABOUT SARAH:
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songsrecorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.