410 Holding Space For Grief
What can one say when faced with tragedy? Do you reach for a simple “I’m sorry” to let another know you sympathize with their pain? Do you offer an anecdote to show you empathize with what they are going through? Regardless, it is important that whatever you do you also hold space for your grief as well as those who need to know they are not alone in their grief.
410 Holding Space For Grief
What can one say when faced with tragedy? Do you reach for a simple “I’m sorry” to let another know you sympathize with their pain? Do you offer an anecdote to show you empathize with what they are going through? Regardless, it is important that whatever you do you also hold space for your grief as well as those who need to know they are not alone in their grief.
Highlights
The importance of holding space for grief in the face of tragedy.
Using healthy coping mechanisms to combat pain.
You can sit in your grief and melancholy, just remember you must continue to move on.
Quotes
“I can’t fathom how this is okay in the year 2025. Why haven’t we evolved further than to allow the murder of innocents?”
“It brought me a sense of peace and comfort, knowing we are resilient people. That we will come through this. That we will find love and community as we make the efforts to do so.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Find a place outside where you can stand on grass or dirt in bare feet, even if it’s cold, and sense the awe around you. Whatever the weather, we’re alive. Whatever the actions taken by others, we’re alive, to keep the legacy of our loved ones alive in our hearts. And to play a small role in changing this dynamic of hate, loneliness, and disconnect.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
Mentioned in this episode
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!
285 Bloom Where You're Planted
When we are first starting out in our careers it can feel like we’re lost and in a rut, constantly fighting the tide as we try to sail the seas of life. However, much like the humble dandelion, it’s through this resilience and persistence that we can grow in whatever environment we find ourselves in.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Nathalie Lussier discuss the importance of thriving and trying new things that can bring us joy and fulfillment, even if they are new and strange. Because it is only when we make the attempt that we will learn more about ourselves and the strength within us.
285 Bloom Where You’re Planted
When we are first starting out in our careers it can feel like we’re lost and in a rut, constantly fighting the tide as we try to sail the seas of life. However, much like the humble dandelion, it’s through this resilience and persistence that we can grow in whatever environment we find ourselves in.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Nathalie Lussier discuss the importance of thriving and trying new things that can bring us joy and fulfillment, even if they are new and strange. Because it is only when we make the attempt that we will learn more about ourselves and the strength within us.
Highlights
Sometimes scrapping ideas is the first step in the right direction.
Resilience can keep you afloat through all of life’s turbulence.
Growing and working hard over time on your passions, even if they’re new to you.
Quotes
“Bloom where you’re planted.”
“I think it’s when people were sharing about it with their friends. The sort of word of mouth effect, because that was like obviously I can like what we created and think it’s cool, but if other people aren’t seeing the value and aren’t sharing it with their friends because they think it’s awesome and they need to try it, then I don’t know if we created anything great. So for me that was the big thing.”
“I feel like sometimes these situations open us up for better things even though it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I started this question for you about ten or fifteen minutes into the conversation with Nathalie: What can you take on? What can you think about in terms of problem solving where you are now? What is something that you could do, maybe as a side hustle, maybe into the future as you get more experience and build the portfolio of trying it where you are now, being somebody who blooms where they’re planted, what problem can you solve? I’ll be curious to find out, please comment or send me an email, let me know what you thought of this episode.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Nathalie
Nathalie Lussier is an award-winning entrepreneur who has been making websites since she was 12 years old. She graduated with a degree in Software Engineering and a job offer from Wall Street, but she turned down this job to start her own business right out of college.
As the founder of AccessAlly, the powerful digital course and membership solution for industry leaders, she believes that access to education can help defy stereotypes and make the world a better place while providing a sustainable livelihood for enterprising teachers.
Connect with Nathalie on her LinkedIn, and Facebook! Be sure to check out her websites Nathalie Lussier, Accessally, and 30 Days List Building Challenge!
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 Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
Episode 199: When Your Life is in Constant Disruption, You Learn to Find Your Own True North
Does your past define your future?
Check out the latest podcast from Sarah Elkins as she and her good friend, Scott Ferguson, discuss Scott’s journey from adoption, enlisting in the military, to finding what resonates in life in his current work.
Scott Ferguson: Stories of Resilience and Success
Does your past define your future?
Check out the latest podcast from Sarah Elkins as she and her good friend, Scott Ferguson, discuss Scott’s journey from adoption, enlisting in the military, to finding what resonates in life in his current work.
*Note from Sarah: We're one week 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 at 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. The deadline is Fri. October 22, 2021. Thank you in advance for helping us celebrate this milestone!*
Scott shares the moments that shaped him into who he is today: A mentor helping to guide others through their struggles, using his own experiences and all he has learned from his own endeavors, struggles, and successes.
Listen to Sarah and Scott’s engaging talk about looking back at your past -and- forging on to uncover how that past guided you to where you are today and who you can be tomorrow.
"If you overlap your happiness, then you can keep happiness coming in the present, which makes for an awesome yesterday."
*Show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
About Scott:
Scott Ferguson is the podcast host of Time to Shine Today, Managing Director at The Ferguson Real Estate Team and Investment Group, Head Coach of Time to Shine Peak Performance, Chief Rainmaker at Ask4Ferguson, and more. Scott is also a U.S. Navy Veteran.
Visit Scott’s website and follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter to learn more!
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.
Episode 181: When Did You Realize Your Behavior is a Choice?
Stories of Self-Transformation Through Emotional Intelligence
"Who are you? I don't even know you!"
A friend of Teresa Quinlan witnessed a different person when they visited her family. Around her mother Teresa regressed to a surly teenager, and that was her friend's reaction.
Stories of Self-Transformation Through Emotional Intelligence
"Who are you? I don't even know you!"
A friend of Teresa Quinlan witnessed a different person when they visited her family. Around her mother Teresa regressed to a surly teenager, and that was her friend's reaction.
Teresa Quinlan episode 181 podcast cover art with image and quote
It was that moment Teresa realized she had to take control of her own behavior, she didn't like who she was when she was around her mother. And when she lost control like that, it was as if she was giving away her power.
As an EQ (emotional intelligence) coach, Teresa can look back at that moment and see that she changed, that she made a conscious choice to adjust her behavior, and to learn what triggered it.
We all have that power. Listen to this episode of Your Stories Don't Define you to learn how you can shift your stories to find more meaning and value in your relationships - with yourself and others.
From Teresa's website:
Teresa Quinlan quote for podcast cover art
"Emotional Intelligence is the intersection where cognition and emotion meet. It makes possible our capacity for resilience, motivation, empathy, reasoning, stress management, communication, and our ability to read and navigate a wide range of social situations and conflicts."
For these reasons, Emotional Intelligence often matters more than IQ.
As a coach, leadership specialist, master facilitator, and speaker, I build Emotionally Intelligent Organizations because I am an advocate for exceptional performance that is a direct result of each individual knowing how to be personally responsible for using their talents, their EQ, their IQ, and their personality, in reaching their highest potential.
It is only when we are human-focused that we can tap into the excellence that exists within each of us.
Connect with Teresa on LinkedIn to keep up with the great content she shares, and be sure to check out the great podcast she hosts with Rhys Thomas.
Image of Sarah Elkins and book cover
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.
Episode 176: Her Brave Journey, a Book by Swati Singh
Based on a collection of true stories from a variety of women, Swati Singh's Her Brave Journey is a fictional tale, bringing them together as if one woman experienced it, offering a deeper exploration of how each experience shapes a woman living through abuse, emotional transformation, and eventually discovering her strength and resilience.
Our Stories Shift with Each Telling of Them
Based on a collection of true stories from a variety of women, Swati Singh's Her Brave Journey is a fictional tale, bringing them together as if one woman experienced it, offering a deeper exploration of how each experience shapes a woman living through abuse, emotional transformation, and eventually discovering her strength and resilience.
“Each of us looks at the world through our own cultural lens, molded by parenting, education, economics, politics, religion, and personality. This is a book of profound hardship buffeted by the drive to survive, a rocky journey to a destination of kindness, generosity, and forgiveness… met with success by a brave, intelligent, and strong woman. A hero of her time.” ~ Editors of Her Brave Journey
It's not uncommon for an author to take real life experiences and build a book around them, but to do it in an authentic, powerful voice is uncommon.
Our conversation began as most episodes do, when Swati answered my question about something people might not know about her, something not on her bio or LinkedIn profile. Her answer was unique and somewhat surprising: She worked for her local police department when she was in high school.
Having that experience brought her a completely different perspective and shaped how she saw herself and her place in the world.
Swati mentioned that when she looks back at who she was at that time, it surprises her that she got the job - and even more that she would have even applied for it. She was shy, quiet, and avoided socializing outside of her normal routine.
"I think I underestimate my younger self sometimes."
The conversation took a surprising turn at that, with a deep discussion about how we see our younger selves, and the warped perspective we have of ourselves when we look back.
People who knew us in our younger years would most likely look at us now and say: "Oh yes, you always had this in you, you just didn't know it yet."
To learn more about Swati Singh and to order her book, visit her website, follow her on Instagram, and connect with her on 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."
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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.
Episode 150: If You Dream of It, Work for It, and Make It Happen, Is it Still Magic?
Meg Nocero worked as a prosecuting attorney for 20 years. She saw every kind of human in that work, and yes, after a while the job might have contributed to trust issues.
You Can Tell Yourself a Story of Magic, of Resilience, of Persistence, and It Will Happen
Meg Nocero worked as a prosecuting attorney for 20 years. She saw every kind of human in that work, and yes, after a while the job might have contributed to trust issues.
But when she lost her mom, she felt like a corner of the foundation of her home started to crumble, causing a sense of imbalance, of instability.
Her counselor suggested that she start writing about all of what her mom left her - the legacy she left in her wisdom and stories. What started as a coping strategy turned into a blog with a big audience, and then into a book, The Magical Guide to Bliss.
Meg as a contestant on The Price is Right
That book became the renewed cornerstone for her foundation, stabilizing her home, and rebuilding her sense of self, her resilience and strength.
This is it, a dream come true! Meg spins the $1.00 on the big wheel!
Our conversation was full of laughs, beginning with Meg's hilarious story of being a contestant on The Price is Right while traveling to California as a celebratory trip after graduating from college.
If you're wondering what I mean when I say Meg is magical, you'll definitely want to listen in.
Sparkle & Shine Mantra #50, as read on the podcast.
Another dream becoming reality, standing on stage with Oprah.
You’ll hear how Meg managed her magic to end up on stage with Oprah Winfrey, and the story of leaving her job as a prosecutor to start her own business, helping other women take a similar leap - and to find their own magic.
To learn more about Meg and her work, check out the links below:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-nocero-esq-686b8715/
https://www.facebook.com/meggiebliss
instagram- @megnocero
twitter- @megnocero
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCati3jiHnBi5ym6z8Pcu5iQ?view_as=subscriber
Meg Nocero, Esq. is an attorney (former federal prosecutor) inspirational speaker, certified empowerment coach and award winning author of The Magical Guide to Bliss, Daily Keys to Unlock Your Dreams, Spirit & Inner Bliss. She holds a BA in Spanish, with a concentration in Italian from Boston College; a MA in International Affairs from the University of Miami; and a JD from St. Thomas University School of Law. Ms. Nocero is the owner of Butterflies & Bliss, LLC, founded a non-profit called S.H.I.N.E. Networking Inc. that provides educational scholarships to young innovative leaders, and is a Love Button Global Movement Ambassador.
She published her book Sparkle & Shine, 108 M.A.N.T.R.A.s to Brighten Your Day and Lighten Your Way in October 2020. Her memoir called Butterfly Awakens: A Memoir of Transformation Through Grief will be published by She Writes Press in September 2021.She is a contributing writer for the collaboration entitled Price of Greatness, Thrive Girl Thrive and a contributing author for Amy Butler’s book Blossom: Create Love-Express Beauty-Be Kind released in January 2016 in addition to her on-line magazine of the same name.
About Sarah:
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, will be released in mid-November, and for a limited time, the ebook is just $0.99!
As a special bonus for listeners, the book will include two songs recorded by my band, Spare Change, in my living room in Montana. Keep an eye out for announcements through LinkedIn and via my Elkins Consulting Facebook & Instagram pages, or visit my website to learn more.
Episode 135: Obstacles Can Be the Key to Building Resilience and Self Love
It's not unusual to have a "Series of Unfortunate Events" in our lives, those multiple years of trauma, grief, and struggle, that can either make us bitter, or help us develop resilience in a positive way, to become even more compassionate toward others.
Kerrian Fournier went through two of those phases, once in her early career, and again years later.
What is the Lesson? Your Life's Stories Create Your Identity
It's not unusual to have a "Series of Unfortunate Events" in our lives, those multiple years of trauma, grief, and struggle, that can either make us bitter, or help us develop resilience in a positive way, to become even more compassionate toward others.
Kerrian Fournier went through two of those phases, once in her early career, and again years later.
I often wonder what people see as their source of resilience, and Kerrian's is most definitely the motivation and determination to live a full life, and to demonstrate qualities of resilience, persistence, compassion, and courage for her highly intelligent daughter.
To learn more about Kerrian, visit her outstanding website, and connect with her on LinkedIn.
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Sarah Elkins delights in guiding individuals and teams to improve communication, using storytelling as the foundation of her work. She is a Gallup certified Strengths coach and uses that tool to coach her clients to improve their communication in all relationships, and to find more satisfaction at work and at home.
Her book, Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will is available on bookshop.org (supporting independent booksellers), and on Amazon. The audiobook will be available in fall 2020.