352 Human Curriculum
Human connection is imperative to our growth and success as people, however if we do not take time to work towards creating a community to feed our social needs we will end up stunted and spinning our tires unable to continue.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Christopher Fillipiak discuss the importance of community and growth, which often comes with the fact we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable by loving and being loved in return.
352 Human Curriculum
Human connection is imperative to our growth and success as people, however if we do not take time to work towards creating a community to feed our social needs we will end up stunted and spinning our tires unable to continue.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Christopher Filipiak discuss the importance of community and growth, which often comes with the fact we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable by loving and being loved in return.
Highlights
Growth often means vulnerability.
Creating community and passing those skills down to those who look up to you.
We need hugs. We need to know we are wanted and loved.
Bringing community and love to everything you do.
Quotes
“Being able to find the people you resonate with, and I think so much of it is getting clear and creating the life that you actually want, whatever that looks like, and being able to be honest about that.”
“It helps me to lean in to creating a community that I want.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
How can you flip the equation so you’re spending more time in that place where you feel connected, sometimes that can be outside by yourself, but particularly when you’re in community, when you’re not lonely. Think about how you can spend more time finding that community and choosing that community. Embracing outliers and bringing them into community so they feel it too. We need to shift that equation so more of our time is spent there instead of loneliness.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Christopher
I’m a sales coach and consultant who helps CEOs succeed at their own sales work. My experience is unique in that it combines a foundation in engineering, solid business principles, plus a focus on mindset. The result is an integrated approach that comprehensively transforms sales organizations. I have helped businesses 12x their sales growth, increase deal flow by 500%, and bring on 500% more clients.
I’m a strong believer that mastering a sales skillset helps us create the life we want. And what could be more important than that? So many CEOs dread sales work; I teach them that it’s a loving act. Ultimately, getting what you want in life is up to you.
While I work with clients all over the country, I’m based out of Asheville, NC, where I enjoy mountain biking, dancing, laughing, learning, and raising four amazing kids with my wife Karen.
Be sure to check out Christopher’s LinkedIn and Facebook! As well as his website!
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!
350 Growing Through Failure
It is vital to our success to fail, we need to try things that are new and be comfortable in the fact failure is normal and expected. By letting ourselves be uncomfortable and fail at new things, we leave room for growth and success.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Paige Arnof-Fenn discuss the importance of trying new activities and accepting our failures as opportunities to grow.
350 Growing Through Failure
It is vital to our success to fail, we need to try things that are new and be comfortable in the fact failure is normal and expected. By letting ourselves be uncomfortable and fail at new things, we leave room for growth and success.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Paige Arnof-Fenn discuss the importance of trying new activities and accepting our failures as opportunities to grow.
Highlights
Building a community of people who know when to reach out for help and who you can reach out to.
Don't just do what you’re great at, try things that are new, especially if you suck at them at first.
Explore outside your comfort zone to learn new and amazing things about yourself and the world around you.
Quotes
“Be brave enough to start something you kind of suck at when you really haven't sucked at stuff in a long time.”
“Part of being an adult is being comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
We covered a lot of ground today, but the thing that just came back to me is that I would love to challenge you to take on something that you’ve always been curious about but never tried. Maybe you won’t be good at it, maybe you’ll find that you have a natural talent for it. Maybe it’s taking a pottery class, throwing clay on a wheel or hand sculpting things, maybe it’s taking up knitting or Tai Chi, maybe it’s something as simple as walking around your neighborhood in a way you haven’t done before, with great intention.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Paige
Paige Arnof-Fenn is the founder & CEO of global branding and digital marketing firm Mavens & Moguls based in Cambridge, MA. Her clients include Microsoft, Virgin, The New York Times Company, Colgate, venture-backed startups as well as non profit organizations. She graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Business School. Paige serves on several Boards, is a popular speaker and columnist who has written for Entrepreneur and Forbes.
Be sure to check out Paige’s LinkedIn, as well as her website Mavens and Moguls, their recent articles, and their speaker programs!
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!
349 Community Building
349 Community Building
How we choose to spend our time directly impacts the way we live both in our careers and in our day to day lives, however if we are spending our precious time surrounding ourselves with negativity and naysayers we are very unlikely to succeed. Which is why it is so important to find a community that encourages and supports each other.
In this episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on the path that led her to success and satisfaction, the importance of the individuals that helped her along the way, and the community they built.
Highlights
Identifying paths and the advocates who encourage you and see the best in you.
What is your role? And are you in a place that helps you thrive in that role?
Belonging and inclusion.
Quotes
“There’s no way I could’ve known this path before I took any of the steps on it. Some people know what they want to do at a very young age, I was not one of those people. What I did have, and continue to have, are people in my life who believe in me, who often see more in me than I see in myself.”
“Feeling so supported and valued, changed the way I spend my precious time and energy.”
“Remember you can’t really build community if you don’t allow and encourage others to contribute. And that means you can’t always be the one giving, you have to be someone who can ask for help and receive it with grace.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I encourage you to take time this week to consider who is in your circle. Do you have a diverse group of friends and colleagues who support and encourage you? Who ask you the hard questions, and who believe in you, sometimes more than you believe in yourself? Are you that person to others and do you receive that help with grace? If you can’t jot down at least 3 names off the top of your head, you might have some work to do. Here’s one idea to help you find and nurture that community: Look back at the times in your life that you felt confident, when you felt like you were contributing, when you felt like you were contributing and found satisfaction in the work you were doing. Now look for local activities where you are likely like hearted, not like minded necessarily but like hearted people. Maybe that’s joining a book club, spending time at the library or a local bookstore, getting outside for walks -hikes-, or maybe take a walking tour of your community, if you’re feeling really brave maybe it’s time to join us at our next No Longer Virtual Summit.
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!
348 Artistry in Community
Art has always brought people together, even in the darkest times of human history there is always a creative trying to give the world just a little bit of light.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Al Swanson discuss how community and artistry often go hand in hand, as well as the importance of giving back to your community.
348 Artistry in Community
Art has always brought people together, even in the darkest times of human history there is always a creative trying to give the world just a little bit of light.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Al Swanson discuss how community and artistry often go hand in hand, as well as the importance of giving back to your community.
Highlights
Community.
Passion for the path you chose.
People will fall in love with the creator, not the product.
Quotes
“Though the challenges are there, … the more I’m interested in something, the more I want to talk about it.”
“Pick your medium, and you have to love it, and you’re gonna have to want to give it (to others).”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What are you going to explore today, tomorrow, the next day, in your creative outlet? What small thing can you take on, it might be picking up a coloring book and starting to color, just start to explore that. It might be picking out a recipe you’ve never tried or maybe it’s finding your community at the library, a hiking group, maybe it’s the land trust near you to help with trail maintenance, maybe it’s something as simple as volunteering to read to children or seniors. What will you do to find your community, to contribute to it, to better yourself and keep yourself in alignment?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Al (bio from his website)
A.L. grew up on a small farm in Maine, surrounded by a beautiful forest, and raised by a father who loved working with wood. Watching his father create extraordinary pieces with his own two hands, with trees harvested from their land, left an impression on A.L. and sparked a passion that continues to this day.
After spending time studying business and agronomy at respective universities, he decided to follow the passions he discovered as a boy and pursue the fine craft of woodworking. He apprenticed under several elite cabinetmakers in Maine, mastering the traditional craft.
In 2000, he packed up his tools and gave in to the lure of the wide-open spaces of Montana, where he now calls home. Today he shares the passion he discovered as a boy with the folks who enjoy his collections of fine hardwood gifts for the home, exceptional hand-crafted furniture, and his line of wooden fly boxes, landing nets, and fly rod cases.
When he’s not in the studio creating something that will last for generations, you’ll find him out on the river casting for trout, spending time with his son, and dreaming up the next big project to exceed his patrons’ expectations.
Be sure to check out his website! As well as his Twitter and Facebook!
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!
346 The Words You Use
You lead from wherever you sit, which is why it is so important to be intentional with your thoughts, words, and motives as you go through life.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Erin Diehl discuss the importance of picking the right words for yourself and being intentional with the energy we bring to any situation.
346 The Words You Use
You lead from wherever you sit, which is why it is so important to be intentional with your thoughts, words, and motives as you go through life.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Erin Diehl discuss the importance of picking the right words for yourself and being intentional with the energy we bring to any situation.
Highlights
Picking the right mantra for yourself. Nothing is one size fits all.
Letting others voice their thoughts so they feel seen and heard.
Give yourself grace.
Quotes
“Rituals, and prayer, and mantras, and affirmations, and words mean a lot, but we have to really believe them and internalize them, in order to make a difference in our own life and then we can therefore change others once we have shaped ourselves.”
“I look back at past versions of me, that didn’t have some of the knowledge I have, and I just give her grace because she was just figuring it out and I’m still figuring it out.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What can you do in the words that you use, how can you shift to a “Yes, and” with your team, your children, your partner, with your friends, how can you support the people around you and make sure you are living in alignment with how you live in the world.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Erin
Erin “Big” Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, and Professional Zoombie. Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin created improve it!, a unique professional development company rooted in improv comedy, that pushes leaders and teams to laugh, learn, play, and grow.
She is the proud host of The improve it! Podcast, a Top 1% Global Podcast, which helps develop leaders and teams through play, improv and experiential learning, and first time author of the Amazon Best Seller & Top New Release: I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team Through Radical Empathy.
Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 36,000 professionals to chicken dance.
Be sure to check out Erin’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Erin’s websites It’s Erin Diehl, It’s Erin Diehl - I See You, and Learn To Improve It!
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!
345 Staying Embodied As An Artist
Like everything in existence, we change and grow and it can become difficult to stay involved in the things that make our lives fulfilling and enjoyable. Our passions can come and go which is normal, but it is always important to remember to take care of yourself and what makes you thrive in order to return to your passions.
In this episode Mary Riitano and Sarah Elkins discuss how acting has come and gone in Mary’s life and how honing numerous skills can help us return to the passions that spark joy in our lives.
345 Staying Embodied As An Artist
Like everything in existence, we change and grow and it can become difficult to stay involved in the things that make our lives fulfilling and enjoyable. Our passions can come and go which is normal, but it is always important to remember to take care of yourself and what makes you thrive in order to return to your passions.
In this episode Mary Riitano and Sarah Elkins discuss how acting has come and gone in Mary’s life and how honing numerous skills can help us return to the passions that spark joy in our lives.
Highlights
It’s normal to be terrified of something you’ve done before.
Cocktail of chemistry.
You can pick up different things to discover -or rediscover- yourself.
We all grow and change at our own unique rate, there is no deadline to spread your wings.
Create a rich tapestry of skills.
Watch Swing, the award-winning short film starring Mary Riitano and Andy Cottrell.
Quotes
“That mask we wear on the outside; we’ve got to get through this in a brave way, and you don’t want to show any of the stuff on the inside. But remembering that it’s there is what makes us real.”
“I think as a small town artist your call to the arts kind of comes in these waves and clarities, and then you go back into the fog. Because where I was at the time, there was a small theater, and then when my family moved from Minnesota to Montana there, was no theater.”
“It was the same feeling I had when I was 9. I walked onto the stage and I said, ‘oh I’m home’.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
If you’re one of those big girls sitting on a couch, thinking about that dream you’ve been holding onto, whether that’s as Mary said; starting a garden, growing your own food, maybe it’s being in a movie, maybe it’s being a guest on a podcast, maybe it’s grand, maybe it’s quiet, maybe it’s I don’t know being the next president of the United States, We have your back. You have women in your corner. So, what will you do? What’s your first step? I’d love to hear from you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Mary
Mary Riitano recently appeared as love interest Cassie in the tv episodic “Heebuck” (currently on festival tour) directed by Michael Polish. Her work is noted for vibrant energy, strength, versatility, and is referred to as captivating.
She garnered a Best Actress for short film romantic comedy “Swing” at the WY International Film Festival + three best actress nominations for this film. Riitano is a skilled dramatic actress receiving Best Supporting Actress award for “Wuthering Heights” at the Idyllwild Festival of Cinema. Other films on Amazon Prime are "Useless" & "We Burn Like This."
Mary’s acting journey includes 19+ years of theatre, seven independent films, western series, several professional short films, and two documentaries. She's trained with some of LA’s best: Margie Haber Studio, Lindsay Frame AMAW Portland/LA, Crystal Carson LA/Atlanta, Christine Horn, BGB Studios, and Josh Pais Master Acting Series. Mary is active in Montana film communities and loves mountain time snowboarding and hiking!
Be sure to check out Mary’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as her website Mary Riitano!
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!
343 Incremental Improvements
Our environments influence how we function and how we are able to deal with the things in our life mentally and emotionally so that we can choose to rearrange or shed the stories or things that no longer serve us.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Mark Ainley discuss the importance of giving everything our own style, facing the parts of ourselves we hold onto that need to be reframed or allowed to rest, and finally how we all collect little trophies of our adventures and that these “imperfections” should be treasured.
343 Incremental Improvements
Our environments influence how we function and how we are able to deal with the things in our life mentally and emotionally so that we can choose to rearrange or shed the stories or things that no longer serve us.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Mark Ainley discuss the importance of giving everything our own style, facing the parts of ourselves we hold onto that need to be reframed or allowed to rest, and finally how we all collect little trophies of our adventures and that these “imperfections” should be treasured.
Highlights
Give your own style to whatever you do. Make it unique, make it You.
What part of your story that you aren’t dealing with needs to be reframed so that you can move on?
How your environment shifts your roles.
What are your adventure dimples?
Quotes
“When we have that resistant, usually there’s something behind that resistance. There’s a reason for that, And if we cannot push but follow through with shall we say gentle persistence, we can get to the root and that expression can change.”
“We’re so busy trying to change behavior, trying to change the face of things, rather than the root.”
“Clutter is the sign of a nonintegrated relationship of how something expresses.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What will you do, which room will you start in, where you stand there for 60 seconds. Close your eyes for a moment, sense what you’re feeling or hearing in that room. Are there any noises? Is there a hum, do you have wind chimes outside? What are you hearing? Are these sounds that are agreeable, do they light you up, do they inspire? Then open your eyes, look around you, does that room make you feel good or does it make you feel dizzy and heavy? What can you change today, in that room, something small, that will inspire you to make more changes. Incremental improvements.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Mark
A professional Feng Shui consultant since 2001, Mark Ainley of Sense of Space has consulted and taught all over the world, particularly in Japan, where since 2003 he has had an active practice both in person and on Zoom. Well-known and respected for his practical, easy-to-grasp approach to Feng Shui principles (which he refers to as Contemporary Feng Shui), he writes, teaches, and consults internationally, bridging the ancient wisdom of Feng Shui with common sense and aligned insights from the latest environmental psychology research.
Be sure to check out Sense of Space! As well as Mark’s Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!
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!