420 Ted Talks: Let's Start Sharing Stories
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on her preparations for her Ted Talk, as well as seeing the need that had to be filled, and how she is filling that need in society with clarity and authenticity.
420 Ted Talks: Let’s Start Sharing Stories
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins shares her experience preparating for her Ted Talk, as well as seeing the need that had to be filled, and how she is filling that need in society with clarity and authenticity.
Highlights
Seeing a problem and figuring out how you can fix it.
Let your ideas loose in the world, you never know who needs to hear it.
Bring yourself to whatever you do and good will follow.
Quotes
“The answer wasn’t to explain away what was happening.”
“I realized I wasn’t just there to give a talk. I was there to bring who I am, and all of my strengths and all of my weaknesses.”
Be sure to watch Sarah’s TedTalk!
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, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
356 Sarah's Hike
Many times in life it feels like we’re in the plot of a movie franchise from 2003, hopelessly watching and waiting for the inevitable drop of the other shoe, the logs or cars to fly off of a semi-truck on a highway that we have to take. Often this stress and future-tense fear can become all-consuming, blinding us to the people we share the car and road with. However if we remember to take a breath and slow down, letting those in your car offer their insight and assurance, you will make it to your destination and this too shall pass.
In this episode, Sarah Elkins offers some insight she found on a hike in the beautiful snowy mountains of Montana, sharing her boundless optimism and valuable thoughts.
356 Sarah’s Hike
Episode 356, hike with me!
Many times in life it feels like we’re in the plot of a movie franchise from 2003, hopelessly watching and waiting for the inevitable drop of the other shoe, the logs or cars to fly off of a semi-truck on a highway that we have to take. Often this stress and future-tense fear can become all-consuming, blinding us to the people we share the car and road with. However if we remember to take a breath and slow down, letting those in your car offer their insight and assurance, you will make it to your destination and this too shall pass.
In this episode, Sarah Elkins offers some insight she found on a hike in the beautiful snowy mountains of Montana, sharing her boundless optimism and valuable thoughts.
Highlights
Where do you find inspiration?
Are you in a place where you are waiting for the other shoe -or in this case car- to drop? Is that really the most healthy place for you to grow and learn?
Who is the company in your car as you are stuck behind the semi of unpredictability?
Quotes
“She told me that sometimes when she’s having a hard time she imagines that she’s on a 2 lane highway, with a giant semi-truck -a car carrier- in front of her. And she’s watching as that last car on the truck is bouncing and she’s waiting for it to just fall off the car carrier and onto her car.”
“As I give it some space, I realize there is beauty all around me. I just couldn’t see it because I was too close.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Consider what is the semi that you are driving too close to. Consider who you want as company in the car. Who needs you to take that space between you and that truck?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
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, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
231: Women and Their Mid-Life Careers
Jane Evans
In this exciting episode, Sarah Elkins is joined by author and activist Jane Evans. Listen in as Sarah and Jane explore the critical moments in a woman's mid-life career and the growth women obtain by lifting each other up. Check it out today!
Discovering Clarity One Bite at a Time course is now available!
“Most of us by the time we reach this point in our life have experienced so much- on both ends of the spectrum, from joy to agony.” -Jane Evans
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
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About Jane:
Jane Evans started her advertising career in 1982, she was the first female creative to work at London hotshop Leagas Delaney. In her early career, she worked on Philips. Tetley beer and a young start-up in the tech space. She launched Microsoft Word version 1 in the UK in 1983. A few years into her career she was headhunted out to Australia where she had a stellar career, winning a huge amount of awards and ending up a regional creative director for J Walter Thompson.
In 2019, Jane started the Uninvisibility movement to change the societal narrative that renders midlife women invisible. Her book co-authored by Carol Russell entitled Invisible to Invaluable. Unleashing the power of midlife women envisions a world where midlife women are valued and employed.
Jane is an accomplished speaker and media commentator having appeared on BBC World News and Sky News with keynotes at Advertising Week, the 3% conference, and Cannes Lions. She has appeared on many podcasts from Creative Rebels to This Way Up.
See Jane’s book (US) here and (UK) here. Visit Jane’s LinkedIn and website.
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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, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
226: Uncommon Storytelling Tip #3
Episode 226: Uncommon Storytelling Tips #3
How do you connect with others? In what ways do your stories resonate with the people you tell them to? Listen to the latest podcast episode where I dive into the three ways to use story sharing to connect with others, and how to understand a person better through storytelling.
Discovering Clarity One Bite at a Time course is now available.
“Being able to share the right story to unlock the story of the person in front of you will be a whole lot easier and natural to apply when you’ve been collecting your stories in a story portfolio. ”
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
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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, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
222: Peeling The Layers of Personal Growth
What Will You Do With Your Own Awakening?
In the latest episode of Your Stories Don’t Define You, Sarah Elkins and Joel Morgan discuss the journey during personal growth and transformation and Joel’s story. During this special conversation, Joel and Sarah dive into peeling back the layers in finding satisfaction- to bring about change in YOUR life. Listen to the latest episode today!
Highlights from this episode include:
Joel’s story.
Personal growth and transformation.
Navigating relationships.
Discovering Clarity One Bite at a Time course is now available!
“One of the things that I couldn’t figure out was, “Why can’t I ever just be happy?” Now when I’m discontent I can look at my strengths. What is going on? What can I work on? I can sort of be more content in the discontent.”
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
About Joel:
Born in the Midwest, Joel grew up feeding calves, milking cows, and working the land. After graduating high school, Joel made several decisions that sent his life into a tailspin. Since then, Joel has rebuilt his life, passions, and self. Joel has coached people of all ages and backgrounds and helped forge leadership culture in nonprofit and for-profit enterprises.
Joel is an Executive & Leadership Coach, Facilitator, Inspirational Speaker, and Author based in Richmond, VA. He is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and holds their Associate Certified Coach (ACC) designation. Joel is also a Courage & Renewal Facilitator prepared to use the Circles of Trust® approach (as described in Parker J. Palmer's book, A Hidden Wholeness) to enable people to reconnect who they are with what they do. (www.courage renewal.org)
Joel likes to say that his superpower is perspective. Now, Joel uses all of his experience, training, and passion to help others design and live a life of purpose.
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, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
So THAT's What Mindfulness Feels Like
The wind seemed to stop. Everything around me was suddenly in hyper focus, silent, like a bubble of peace and comfort surrounding me. I was aware of everything but myself in that moment. My hamster mind was silent.
I stood at the edge of the trail, my face in the sun and my eyes closed behind my sunglasses.
My phone buzzed. A new text. I reached into my pocket and was about to pull the phone out, when I stopped myself. It can wait.
I turned my face back into the sun, feeling the warmth on the exposed part of my chest above my t-shirt, and the cool breeze chilling my calves below my running pants.
My phone buzzed again. Another text. I reached into my pocket and was about to pull the phone out, when I stopped myself again. It can wait.
Once more, I turned my head up toward the sun, but this time kept my eyes open, looking closely at the pine needles on the tree a few feet above my head. They were shimmering and gently moving in the breeze. I could hear the wind gusts traveling up the side of the mountain through the trees, a wave of sound getting louder as it moved closer to me at a crest on the hill.
Summit, Mt Helena City Park, Helena, Montana
I lost myself, just briefly, in the sounds around me. Taking my time, I inventoried my surroundings and my body’s response to the sun and the wind. I noticed the goosebumps on my legs, but didn’t feel cold. I noticed the warm sensation from the sun on my skin, in direct contrast with the goosebumps created by the cool breeze. The wind seemed to stop. Everything around me was suddenly in hyper focus, silent, like a bubble of peace and comfort surrounding me. I was aware of everything but myself in that moment. My hamster mind was silent.
When my father was dying, one word brought him great comfort.
The phrase refers to being present. It appears when G-d is talking to Moses and asks where he is. Of course he knows where Moses is, right? So Moses responds with “he-nay-nee”, or “Here I am.” He’s letting G-d know that he’s all-in, that he is present, aware, and ready to listen and learn.
When I visited my father a few days before he died, he would mumble the word over and over again, reminding himself not to be concerned with the past or the future, and to just be in this “in-between” space, with grace and mindfulness.
It wasn’t surprising that as I stood on the mountain in my bubble of silence, that word would resonate in my head. I said it out loud. I felt it. I believed it. Here I am.
He-Nay-Nee. Here I Am.
I’ve never considered myself a religious person, though we celebrate the Jewish holidays and find great value in the rituals; I’ve always felt a strong connection to nature, the people around me, and a kind of universal energy. I think that’s why I was so open in that moment, it was like a message, and I heard it so clearly.
As I jogged back down the mountain, thighs burning from the descent, I kept repeating the word. Every rock, every tree root, every turn in the path lit up in front of me as I ran, fully present, on that beautiful spring day.
When I stepped into my yard, breathing hard and smiling with satisfaction, I thought:
So THAT’s what mindfulness feels like.
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