381 Rock N Roll

Authenticity and living your life in a way that reflects who you are and how you hope to be perceived is something we all strive for, however it can be easy to forget that change and growth is a constant changing cycle, even from moment we are allowed and expected to invent who we are.

In this episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on when she joined the rock band she is apart of and how it has helped shape her authentic self as well as how important fun and joy is to the true sense self.

381 Rock N Roll

Authenticity and living your life in a way that reflects who you are and how you hope to be perceived is something we all strive for, however it can be easy to forget that change and growth is a constant changing cycle, even from moment we are allowed and expected to invent who we are.

In this episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on when she joined the rock band she is apart of and how it has helped shape her authentic self as well as how important fun and joy is to the true sense self. 


Highlights

  • What is authenticity to you?

  • How do you portray your authentic self?

  • Untangling core values from the actions we believe are authentic.

  • How do you want to be known and remembered for? 

  • There is no permanent state of the self. 


Quotes

“I was still not rock and roll. I was wearing a persona on stage because it was fun not because it felt like me.”

“All that would have been missed if I had decided that my authentic self was not rock and roll.”

“What opportunities have you dismissed because they didn’t feel authentic?”


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!

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247: Our Biggest Obstacle Is Sometimes Ourselves

Many times in life we do everything within our power to achieve our goal, whether that be a new job, to bring pride to others or ourselves, and to finally get over that hurdle our mental health has been lately. It’s easy to forget how far you’ve come when you see how far you still have left to go, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your accomplishments now.

Our Biggest Obstacle Is Sometimes Ourselves, Featuring Megan Miller of Aprovechar Language Solutions

Episode 247 How Our Biggest Obstacle Is Sometimes Ourselves artwork with flowers surrounding the title

Many times in life we do everything within our power to achieve our goal, whether that be a new job, to bring pride to others or ourselves, and to finally get over that hurdle our mental health has been lately. It’s easy to forget how far you’ve come when you see how far you still have left to go, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your accomplishments now. 

In this episode Sarah Elkins and her good friend Megan Miller discuss the importance of allowing yourself to change and to celebrate every victory, no matter how small, because those victories are proof of your success.


Highlights

  • Sharing personal, vulnerable stories without any intention doesn’t help you.

  • Sometimes you don’t notice how much things change until you step back or get an outside perspective.

  • Celebrate the wins.

  • You get out what you put in.


Quotes

It’s soul, it’s about how you do it and why you do it.

The advice we give a lot of the time is advice we need to hear at that point in time. 



About Megan

Episode artwork featuring a photo of Megan Miller and the quote "The advice we give out a lot of the time is advice we need to hear at that point in time."

Megan Miller is the CEO of Aprovechar Language Solutions, LLC, a company which acts as a bridge between English and Spanish language learners. Her personalized and small group programs take a habit-based approach, and whether it’s in class or a Book Club – you know you’ll have fun!

She also helps IT companies in Latin America and Europe tell their stories for a U.S.-based audience through translation and localization projects. Megan has a Bachelor’s in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture and is a certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language.

 

Check out her Instagram and LinkedIn! As well as her website, Approvechar Language Solutions!  


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.


Show notes by Chinook Bromlie

 

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246: How Your Authentic Self Changes With Time

As we journey through life, conflict and confrontation of the self is inevitable, but it is how we face these challenges that reveal our most authentic selves.

Episode 246: How Your Authentic Self Changes With Time

Episode 246: How Your Authentic Self Changes With Time, with flowers circling the title

As we journey through life, conflict and confrontation of the self is inevitable, but it is how we face these challenges that reveal our most authentic selves.

In this episode, Sarah Elkins and her guest Lisa Lackey discuss this idea, as well as what authenticity means to them and how it is something that can change with time.


Highlights

  • Authenticity is fluid and ever changing.

  • We can't be everything all at once.

  • Face challenges and pursue your dreams.


Quotes

Authenticity is malleable, it is not this rigid thing. You have to allow space for transformation, and if you have this rigid idea of your authentic self then there is no room for transformation

We can't be everything all at once, we can be what we want to be but we can't do it all at the same time.

I didn't know where I belonged, and I still don't know where I belong, and I have to constantly give myself permission to be able to sit in that and be okay with that. I ask myself, "what do I need?" and "what do I need to make myself feel like I fit in?" and "Is it okay to not fit in?"


About Lisa Lackey from her LinkedIn profile:

Episode 246 artwork with a photo of Lisa Lackey and a quote "We can't be everything all at once, we be what we want to be but we can't do it all at the same time."

After a successful career in the entertainment industry beginning in my home country of Australia and spanning over 20 years here in the U.S, along with a life changing volunteer opportunity in Ghana, West Africa, I am excited to continue my work in this new and purposeful career focusing on social impact. Based in Los Angeles, I strive to be a vehicle for change, and I look forward to many more opportunities to align myself with the those who are rethinking how we can alleviate poverty especially as it pertains to the empowerment of women, and youth, locally and internationally.

 

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn! Or check out her IMDB!


About Sarah Elkins

"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.


Show Notes by Chinook Bromlie

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245: Our Authenticity Depends on Our Values, Not Our Comfort Zones

Throughout our lives we learn many lessons about ourselves and others, how we move on and grow from these lessons is how we become better versions of ourselves even if at the time it seems painful. By sharing what we’ve learned and our interests in a constructive and compassionate way, without sounding condescending or judgmental we can achieve our best selves.

Our Authenticity Depends on Our Values, Not Our Comfort Zones

Episode 245 Our Authenticity Depends on Our Values, Not Our Comfort Zones art work with flowers surrounding the episode number

Throughout our lives we learn many lessons about ourselves and others, how we move on and grow from these lessons is how we become better versions of ourselves even if at the time it seems painful. By sharing what we’ve learned and our interests in a constructive and compassionate way, without sounding condescending or judgmental we can achieve our best selves.

 

In this episode Sarah Elkins and Ben Albert talk about the importance of life lessons and sharing our interests with others in a way that doesn’t sound conceited, as well as balancing our work and life in a healthy way, and through doing so learn how to reflect on ourselves in order to benefit others and ourselves by being empathetic and vulnerable.


Highlights

  • Being conscious of how you speak and rewording things that can seem negative.

  • Being proud of being your whole self

  • There is continuity in steps that feel disconnected

  • Work and life are parts of the same thing, alignment of the two is essential for a healthy life


Quotes

“To me it doesn’t matter who gets the trophy, so long as the solution is found.” - Ben Albert

“ ‘Should’ doesn’t demonstrate care, it demonstrates judgment.” Sarah Elkins


About Ben Albert 

Episode 245 quote "To me it doesn't matter who gets the trophy, so long as the solution is found." with a photo of Ben Albert in a blue suit.

 Ben is the owner of Balbert Marketing LLC. He is also the curator of The “Real Business Connections Network,” where he hosts 5 podcasts, “Rochester Business Connections,” “Learn Speak Teach,” “Ben’s Bites,” “Five Minute Fridays,” and “Real Hits.” Once an underdog, now a successful entrepreneur, Ben is passionate about helping other underdogs achieve their dreams.

When Covid hit, Ben was furloughed from work. He found himself down and out, staring at an empty handle of Jim Beam whiskey. He was unemployed, depressed, and felt unworthy.

Hesitantly, he opened his Macbook and started reaching out to strangers on Linkedin. This spearheaded his entrepreneurial journey. 

The rest is history. 

Now Ben hosts a network of 5 podcasts called “Real Business Connections,” runs a massively successful marketing firm, Balbert Marketing, and has replaced his established sales income in just over a year. Ben found his way.

Once an underdog, now a successful entrepreneur, Ben is passionate about helping other underdogs find their way and achieve their dreams.

Ben is on a mission to move the needle on one million careers, one conversation at a time.

 

You can contact Ben via his Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and at Balbert Marketing! Or schedule a consultation with him Here! You can also listen to his podcast Real Business Connections on Apple or Spotify!


About Sarah Elkins

"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.

 

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243: While Your Mindset Shifts Over Time, Your Purpose May Not

Sometimes in life we will all have moments where we think to ourselves, “Is this really who I want to be? Is this how I want my story to impact others?” and we either wonder or plan for the next steps in becoming the person we want to be.

In this episode Sarah Elkins and her guest Tony Michaelides, an accomplished Author and former Music Industry Executive, discuss the importance of being authentic in your stories and how they influence your audience in a way that is for the better, instead of being outrageous and telling your stories for the perceived “glory” of having a legacy.

While Your Mindset Shifts Over Time, Your Purpose May Not

Episode 243 podcast cover art featuring Tony Michaelides

Sometimes in life we will all have moments where we think to ourselves, “Is this really who I want to be? Is this how I want my story to impact others?” and we either wonder or plan for the next steps in becoming the person we want to be.

In this episode Sarah Elkins and her guest Tony Michaelides, an accomplished Author and former Music Industry Executive, discuss the importance of being authentic in your stories and how they influence your audience in a way that is for the better, instead of being outrageous and telling your stories for the perceived “glory” of having a legacy.


Podcast cover art for episode 243 featuring Tony Michaelides with a quote as listed in the show notes.

Highlights

  • It's okay to be lousy when you first try something.

  • In order to pursue your dreams you have to be willing to be uncomfortable in order to learn what you need to do.

  • How many people can you benefit by being your authentic self?

  • The influence of being insistent on personal growth.

  • Show appreciation for the road life has lead you on.

Quotes

Be true to yourself, don't find yourself being lead down a road of uncertainty.

There comes a time in your life when you stand back and say "what about me?" and that's not being selfish towards others, that's just putting yourself in the mix. 

We can be heroes if just for today.


Featured in this podcast:


About Tony Michaelides (from his website):

Having spent thirty plus years in the music industry and working with some of the world’s leading artists I could see that big changes were about to happen. It was clearly time for me to make a change too so after being labelled an “Alien of Extraordinary Ability” for services to the music and arts I was awarded a green card, packed my bags and headed out to America for the next part of my journey. As I began writing my first book it dawned on me that I had learned a lot from both the artists I had worked with together with the people I like to call ‘music industry insiders.’ I started to take ‘The Lessons Learned from Rock and Roll’ out on to the road and to numerous events internationally. As I was writing my second book, ‘Moments That Rock’ I decided to keep the lessons separate and to release them as a series of E Books and Audio books. My ‘Moments That Rock’ became a storytelling podcast and a new dawn beckoned. If I can no longer do what I did then why not talk about it? The Lessons Learned from Rock and Roll is not exclusive and can be applied to anyone. It opens people’s eyes in to what it takes to be a real Rock Star.


ABOUT SARAH:

Image of Sarah Elkins in straw hat with podcast title, You Stories Don't Define You

"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.


Show notes by Chinook Bromlie - Estey

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236: Stories of Connection: Music, Spirituality, and Our Relationships

Lea Centauri's Musical Journey and Self-Discovery

How do you unearth your true passions? Can you connect a deeper understanding to your stories? Sarah Elkins is joined by the very talented, Lea Centauri, as they talk (and sing!) about Lea’s journey and how a passion can extend our understanding of the world around us. Check it out today and hear a song or two from Lea!

Discovering Clarity One Bite at a Time course is now available!






“The world is moving and we move within the changes. Nothing is stagnant.” - Lea Centauri

 


*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret

---

About Lea Centauri: 

"Lea Centauri is from Long island, New York. She began singing at age four. She is the author of two vocal programs: “Voicedance for Young Voices” and “Inner Voice” for adults. She teaches technique. She is a mezzo-soprano having studied voice for several years. She was educated on Long Island in Liberal Arts studies. She lived in Paris for several years singing and teaching voice at every opportunity. She is a jazz vocalist and has performed all over France and in several countries in Europe and North Africa. She spent a year in Istanbul, Turkey where she taught her vocal program at Biligi University and sang jazz with some amazing Turkish musicians. She is a vocal coach for all genres of voice: Jazz, Pop, Blues, R&B, Rock, Show Tunes, Hip Hop, and Rap.

She teaches individuals as well as coaching groups and will prepare the artist for recording and performance. She is also a songwriter and is skilled in enhancing original compositions. She also teaches beginning piano." -Pedmont Piano

---

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.

 

Read More

Episode 197: Stories of Those Things We Don't Talk About

How do we respond and connect with others when discussing difficult topics such as miscarriages?

Join Sarah Elkins and coach, writer, and speaker, Sandra Winterbach, as they delve into a human response to infertility and the related reactions and interactions with the people in our lives.

Sandra shares her experience with learning about who she is and the importance of self-reflection for her health, and the way self-reflection contributes to gratification in her life.

Communication Starts with Me

*Note from Sarah: We're just a few weeks away from publishing our 200th episode! If you're a fan of the podcast, we'd love to hear from you and include your words in the beginning of that episode. Simply email your thoughts to sarahelkins@elkinsconsulting.com, or record a short voice memo on your phone and email it to me. Thank you in advance for helping us celebrate this milestone!*

197 (1) (1).png

How do we respond and connect with others when discussing difficult topics such as miscarriages?

Join Sarah Elkins and coach, writer, and speaker, Sandra Winterbach, as they delve into a human response to infertility and the related reactions and interactions with the people in our lives. 

Sandra shares her experience with learning about who she is and the importance of self-reflection for her health, and the way self-reflection contributes to gratification in her life. 

Image of Sandra Winterbach with quote for podcast cover art

Image of Sandra Winterbach with quote for podcast cover art

“I’m doing my work right now, mostly for myself...to find my way through this and to realize how my own health is intricately related to what I can do for myself.”

*Show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret


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 audiobookYour 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.

Read More