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!

Read More

Episode 132: The Hardest Hitting Drummer Knows He Can Always Improve

What keeps you humble?

"I know I can always be better than I am today."

After you've toured with John Cougar Mellencamp, Smashing Pumpkins, and Melissa Etheridge, you might also have to think about how to remain humble.

Kenny Aronoff is More Than an Extraordinary Drummer

A conversation with Kenny Aronoff-2.png

What keeps you humble?

"I know I can always be better than I am today."

After you've toured with John Cougar Mellencamp, Smashing Pumpkins, and Melissa Etheridge, you might also have to think about how to remain humble.

Kenny's musical background might surprise you, he earned his percussion chops playing classical music, and studying in one of the most prestigious musical programs in the country. He was even offered a position with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra he finished college, but turned it down because he knew that wasn't the path for him.

On tour with Melissa Etheridge

On tour with Melissa Etheridge

Of course he has lots of great stories, and many involve celebrity rock stars, but my favorites from this conversation were about his family, where he grew up, how he prepares for playtime, and how he receives feedback and guidance.

Let It Be chart.jpeg

Kenny writes EVERYTHING down when he’s preparing for a gig.

The complexity of Kenny Aronoff and his work might just surprise you.

---

Kenny was named one of Rolling Stone Magazine's "Greatest 100 Drummers of All Time":

"Best known as John Mellencamp's hard-bashing drummer from 1980 to 1996, Kenny Aronoff is fully capable of banging out flashy fills — let's not forget the tumble that leads into the bridge of "Jack and Diane." But he's equally at home sitting in the pocket and keeping a sturdy beat. "[As the drummer], I'm the employee," he told Esquire. "My job is to listen, learn, lead. And I understand I'm not the boss." With a sixth sense for what makes music pop and the patience to take direction, he's ended up as a go-to studio beatsmith for the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, John Fogerty, Sting, the Smashing Pumpkins, Lady Gaga and tons more."

You can purchase Kenny's book, Sex, Drums, & Rock 'n' Roll on bookshop.org (to support independent booksellers) or Amazon. Visit his website to learn more!

Read More