306 The Escape Of A Good Book
Following the theme of art and how it inspires us, this week is writing. We have all picked up a book that shaped us in one way or another, and maybe we’re still looking for that next book capable of bringing us comfort and escape from our busy lives.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Adina Edelman discuss the importance of how writing impacts us and how working with authors has given Adina the opportunity to read and contribute to these works of art.
306 The Escape of A Good Book
Following the theme of art and how it inspires us, this week is writing. We have all picked up a book that shaped us in one way or another, and maybe we’re still looking for that next book capable of bringing us comfort and escape from our busy lives.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Adina Edelman discuss the importance of how writing impacts us and how working with authors has given Adina the opportunity to read and contribute to these works of art.
Highlights
Keep on trying, especially when you fail.
Even if there is a failure you can still turn it into something better, even if it wasn’t the original idea you had.
Make sure when you help someone that you are uplifting their voice and not replacing it with your own.
Quotes
“You’ve got to keep on trying it, and even to walk in with that sort of expectation that it is a process and it’s okay if things go wrong, and there will be elements in there that both need improvement, but you know the batter still tasted good. There was still something working there, there are going to be pros and cons at each stage.”
“There are so many analogies with music and writing they just pop up everywhere, as for how it comes into play with working with my clients, well one thing is that just like there’s rhythm in music and so many different ways to play with notes to bring about a certain experience, that’s the same thing with writing. So that sort of melodic tendency in writing in order to pick that up and use that when I’m editing, so you know you could say that they are two separate things but it also could be that they are related.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I know it’s hard to take the time to pick up a book and read, and what I’m finding is that the more I meet these authors the more I want to dive into their books. So maybe the next thing for you to do if you want to read more is don’t feel like you have to read nonfiction, read something that lights you up, read something that helps you get away from the reality of the world for just a little bit, that gives you a break from it, and those middle grade books are often a great escape from reality, and maybe it’s time to reach out and join a book club and find something that you can really enjoy.
I have some friends that are struggling to connect with other people and they’re living in communities that they don’t feel connected to and everytime I recommend they find the local library and find a book club, because if you want to meet people that are of like heart and not necessarily of like mind, the library is a great place to do it.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Adina (from her website
Adina is an editor based in Baltimore, MD. She works with indie authors and small publishing companies, digging deep to unearth the gold in their books. Adina has worked on over 90 books, and she’s edited for Gatekeeper Press, Mosaica Press, Israel Bookshop, Menucha Publishers, and more. A fiction and poetry editor for the Baltimore Review, she has experience with a variety of genres and writing styles. She majored in English and Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University and graduated summa cum laude.
Be sure to check out her website Edelman Edits! As well as her 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!
305 The Anthem of Poetry
The arts have always been impactful and meaningful to humanity, however one stands above all the rest in this episode and that is poetry. Poetry conveys emotions and thoughts that are often difficult to put into words, making it one of the most important avenues for both emotional understanding and human connection.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Maya Williams discuss the importance of poetry and how Maya’s experiences and life paths shaped her into the artist they are.
305 The Anthem of Poetry
The arts have always been impactful and meaningful to humanity, however one stands above all the rest in this episode and that is poetry. Poetry conveys emotions and thoughts that are often difficult to put into words, making it one of the most important avenues for both emotional understanding and human connection.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Maya Williams discuss the importance of poetry and how Maya’s experiences and life paths shaped her into the artist they are.
Highlights
You’ll never know who you can teach or inspire.
Find the communities that welcome and love you.
Give yourself permission and encouragement to seek what you need and will work for you.
Do the work, especially when it’s hard.
We are all full of contradictions, meaning it is even more important to hold true to our values.
Spite can be a great motivator, especially in succeeding and surviving.
Quotes
“I remember telling my therapist, “Oh well, I know that not every space is perfect, right? So I just need to find the first thing that’s available to me.” And then my therapist tells me, “You do not have to go to a house of worship that does not love you.””
“It makes me feel upset when someone says something like, “Oh I tried going to a therapist but I just felt worse afterwards so I stopped going.” and it’s like that’s part of the work! That’s part of the work! I can understand not wanting to continue with a therapist if they said something bigoted or they didn’t do their jobs, right? But they’re doing their job and you feel worse afterwards, you need to give it more time.”
“The most impactful friends in my life are the ones who tell me like it is.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m curious to know if you have been interested in poetry. Have you ever found it interesting or intriguing or inspiring? And if you haven't, why did you stop looking for poetry that might actually inspire you? I challenge you to find a poem in the next two days that really resonates, a poem you can get into, dive into, maybe find some of your own healing in it. It could be from one of Maya Williams’ books, it could be searching “Poems about,” and then putting your keyword in. Find your poem that can be your anthem for a little while, and when that gets tired find another to be your anthem for a little while, just as you would with song lyrics or a song. Don’t forget to purchase a book of poetry from your local bookstore to support your local poets.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Maya (From her website)
Maya Williams (ey/em, they/them, and she/her) is a religious Black multiracial nonbinary suicide survivor who is currently an Ashley Bryan Fellow and the seventh Poet Laureate of Portland, Maine .
Maya's debut poetry collection, Judas & Suicide, is available through Game Over Books . And Maya's second poetry collection, Refused a Second Date, is available now through Harbor Editions.
See the contact section on how to invite them to your next event as a workshop facilitator, performance feature, speaker, panelist, and/or honorary consensual virtual or air hugger. Maya's content covers suicide awareness, mental health, faith, entertainment media, grief, interpersonal relationships, intimate partner violence, and healing.
She graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work and a Bachelors of Art in English in May 2017. She graduated with a community practice-focused Masters in Social Work and Certificate in Applied Arts and Social Justice at the University of New England in May 2018. She graduated with a Masters in Fine Arts for Creative Writing with a Focus in Poetry at Randolph College in June 2022.
They have featured as a guest artist, panelist, and speaker in spaces such as The Mixed Remixed Festival in Los Angeles, California, The Interfaith Leadership Institute in Chicago, Illinois, Black Table Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota, TEDxYouth at Cape Elizabeth High School, and The Kennedy Center's Arts Across America series.
Ey has competed locally and nationally in slam poetry since her freshman year at East Carolina University under the slam team Word of Mouth in Greenville, North Carolina. While with them, ey placed in the top 20 at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI) in 2015, and opened for folks such as Indira Allegra, Neil Hilborn, and Angela Davis.
They were a finalist of the Slam Free Or Die Qualifier Slam for their National Poetry Slam (NPS) 2018 team and a runner up of the Slam Free or Die Individual Slam Championship in 2018.
Maya has a Patreon you can donate to right here.
Be sure to go to Maya’s website by clicking here, as well as purchasing their book here, and checking out their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Poets 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!
304 Women's Relationships
Whether it be in the workplace, in daily life, or anywhere we go in the world, we meet exceptional individuals that make life both enjoyable and enlightening. It is vital to not only appreciate these people, but to seek out more kindred spirits to lift up and to be lifted up by.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her friends Kimberly Davis and Heather Younger discuss the importance of support and relationships in both our careers and in our down time.
304 Women’s Relationships
Whether it be in the workplace, in daily life, or anywhere we go in the world, we meet exceptional individuals that make life both enjoyable and enlightening. It is vital to not only appreciate these people, but to seek out more kindred spirits to lift up and to be lifted up by.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her friends Kimberly Davis and Heather Younger discuss the importance of support and relationships in both our careers and in our down time.
Highlights
Surprise someone with support. Be a champion for another.
Don’t judge or treat another poorly because of your own preconceived notions.
Being intentional when lifting others up.
Do not contribute to the hatefulness and meanness in the world, look for the good and the hope that is inspired by those you hold dear.
Make the work worth it, but don’t let yourself get overworked and overwhelmed. Everything you do, begins with you, so try to be at your best.
Quotes
“The folks I hire, I’m not hiring them because they’re women. There’s a strength about them, there’s an independence about them, I can tell they’re just going to get stuff done.”
“I think the reason I like it is because I know they’re intelligent, I can trust them, they know things I don’t know.”
“Sometimes I do feel so sad, and so fatigued. Like Sisyphus pushing the boulder uphill all the time, that I have to stop and refuel because I am unable to keep an even level of fight or flight because the fight or flight just feels fruitless.”
“If there’s one person, who changes one behavior, in an audience of hundreds of people, in my mind the impact there is worth it.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
When was the last time you lifted someone up, or stood beside them during a trying time? How often do you actively turn to another person on your team and as their help because they have more knowledge on a subject? If you could say one thing to the people in your life that make the work worth it what would you say? Remember Dear Listener everything you do starts with you, so make it come from a place of kindness and understanding.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Heather from her LinkedIn
"A DYNAMIC APPROACH THAT EASILY ENGAGES THE AUDIENCE."
*Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content: https://www.youtube.com/@heatherryounger*
Heather R. Younger, J.D., CDP, is an experienced keynote speaker, two-time author, and the CEO and Founder of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement, leadership development, and DEI consulting firm, where she is on a mission to help leaders understand the power they possess to ensure people feel valued at work.
Known as The Employee Whisperer, Heather harnesses humor, warmth, and an instant relatability to engage and uplift audiences and inspire them into action.
Rooted in her belief that employees aren’t just numbers on the payroll but human beings with ideas that matter, Heather’s talks and workshops are dedicated to helping teams, leaders, and organizations shine by improving how they listen to, communicate with, and empower employees.
"My why is to give a voice to the voiceless at work; those employees who feel powerless or hopeless or helpless."
Heather’s personal Why emerged as she sought to find meaning from her difficult experience growing up in the 1970s. As the only child of an interfaith and interracial marriage, both Heather and her Black father were shunned and excluded by extended family because of the color of their skin. While the sting of exclusion left Heather with a lot of questions growing up, it also led her to develop a high level of resilience and a deeply inspired commitment to advocate for anyone who has ever felt devalued.
Today, she credits her capacity to navigate complex social dynamics and discuss identity in the workplace to those early experiences, and is dedicated to creating opportunities for organizational leaders, teams, and individuals to learn strategies for reframing adversity while empowering leaders to change their workplaces for the better.
As a champion for positive change in workplaces, communities, and our world at large, Heather delivers clear and purposeful strategies that drive real business results – such as increased employee engagement, loyalty, collaboration, and connectivity.
The results?
- Team members feel heard, seen, and valued
- Companies create safe environments and a culture of trust
- Diversity and creativity are celebrated
- Resilience rises
- Stress falls
- Productivity goes through the roof
- Customer retention and referrals soar
- Everyone wins – sometimes in ways they didn’t even realize were possible.
Learn more at heatheryounger.com and employeefanatix.com.
Email me at heather@employeefanatix.com
About Kimberly from her LinkedIn
Kimberly Davis is the founder of the Brave Leadership University and has more than 20 years experience in front of groups and audiences of all sizes. Since 2001, Kimberly has been leading development programs world-wide, around authentic leadership, purpose, presence, influence, presentation skills, communication skills, engagement, and customer experience. In March of 2008, Kimberly launched “OnStage Leadership,” which has received rave reviews and has made an impact on leaders across the country.
Kimberly also teaches Authentic Influence and Executive Presence for SMU's Cox School of Business' Executive Education Program and their Latino Leadership Initiative, and for the Bush Institute's WE Lead program (empowering female leaders from the middle east).
Kimberly is a TEDx speaker and her book, Brave Leadership: Unleash Your Most Confident, Authentic, and Powerful Self to Get the Results You Need, was the 2019 winner of the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Business and Career; an Amazon Bestseller in Business Leadership, Business Motivation and Self-Improvement, and Motivational Business Management; and was named as the number one book to read in Inc. Magazine’s “The 12 Most Impactful Books to Read in 2018,” with a cover-endorsement by best-selling author Daniel Pink.
Specialties: Authentic Leadership, Leadership Development, Career Development, Personal Development, Engagement, Communication Skills, Public Speaking, Presentation Skills, Facilitation, Theatre, Experiential Learning, Customer Experience, Organizational Development, Training & Development, Talent Management
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!
303 Hang On Little Tomato
To achieve personal success in life is a feat worthy of celebration, only at the end of a long road can we triumphantly declare our dreams have been achieved. However it can sometimes seem like that road never ends. Whether it’s dreams of career success, or dreams of a healthy environment, the road to success can be daunting. What is vital to remember is that even the smallest action can make a difference. A snowflake does not know it will become a snowman or an avalanche.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Susan Inches discuss how they have walked their chosen paths and the great friends and trials they encountered along the way and what they learned in their striving to achieve their own personal success.
303 Hang On Little Tomato
To achieve personal success in life is a feat worthy of celebration, only at the end of a long road can we triumphantly declare our dreams have been achieved. However it can sometimes seem like that road never ends. Whether it’s dreams of career success, or dreams of a healthy environment, the road to success can be daunting. What is vital to remember is that even the smallest action can make a difference. A snowflake does not know it will become a snowman or an avalanche.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Susan Inches discuss how they have walked their chosen paths and the great friends and trials they encountered along the way and what they learned in their striving to achieve their own personal success.
Highlights
Most people don’t understand or won’t consider how you got to where you are, and they won’t understand why it matters without you telling them why.
It’s okay to take a while to develop the clarity to see where you are going and what you want to do.
Asking why without judgment, because if you lash out people will not want to work with you.
Protecting the environment is the civic duty of everyone in our community. All actions, regardless of how small, make a difference.
Quotes
“It’s not about content, it’s not about solid waste or fisheries or renewable energy, it's about how to make change happen, and those content areas are just the vehicle for that.”
“One of the things I like to talk about a lot is that the word advocacy is kind of a big scary word, and most people think ‘Oh my gosh I could never do that.’ But what I like to say is, no actually if you like to have friendships or relationships with people, if you like to communicate and talk and tell a story, you’re a perfect person to be an advocate because you can be an authentic storyteller and you can move a decision maker to change their mind or do something different.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What will you do, how will you model the things that matter to you so that the people around you; children, adults, neighbors, friends, partners, colleagues, will see what matters to you through your actions. What step can you take today that will make a difference to the world tomorrow, even if it’s not doing something, like sharing something divisive on social media, instead let’s take one step towards the positive direction, do one thing that will improve life tomorrow.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sue
Since childhood, Susan Inches has envisioned a world that is compassionate, inclusive, and environmentally aware. This vision guided her through a 25-year career in public policy. As Deputy Director of the Maine State Planning Office she lobbied for a portfolio of environmental policy issues on behalf of the Governor. Signature policy issues she’s worked on include fisheries, land use planning, smart growth, building and energy codes, energy policy, working waterfront access, community finance, and rural broadband.
Sue now works as a speaker, educator, author and advocate with a focus on the environment and climate change. She is actively engaged in advocating for environmental rights and energy democracy. She holds a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic, and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire. She has taught advocacy skills at Colby, Bates and Colorado Colleges. Her recent book is Advocating for the Environment, How to Gather Your Power and Take Action.
Be sure to check out Sue’s LinkedIn and her website! And be sure to pick up a copy of Sue’s book here!
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!
302 Spread Love
With how the current world is it can be incredibly easy to become desensitized and disheartened, especially when we are surrounded by ignorance, hatred, and suffering. Feeling helpless and heartbroken in times like these is completely normal, but it’s important to take a breath and consider how you can help others, your community, and yourself. Traumatic events like these take time to heal from and no one is going to be okay overnight, but we can try to spread kindness and love even when we are hurting and mourning for others.
In this episode Sarah Elkins opens her heart to express her profound sadness, despair, and fear at the current state of the world, most notably the tragedy that is occurring in the Middle East.
302 Spread Love
With how the current world is it can be incredibly easy to become desensitized and disheartened, especially when we are surrounded by ignorance, hatred, and suffering. Feeling helpless and heartbroken in times like these is completely normal, but it’s important to take a breath and consider how you can help others, your community, and yourself. Traumatic events like these take time to heal from and no one is going to be okay overnight, but we can try to spread kindness and love even when we are hurting and mourning for others.
In this episode Sarah Elkins opens her heart to express her profound sadness, despair, and fear at the current state of the world, most notably the tragedy that is occurring in the Middle East.
Highlights
It’s okay to not be okay. Especially in the unfortunate world we live in.
Protect your neighbors, your friends, and your family. Be there for those who are hurting and prove to them and others that you stand with love.
The only place to have conversations that inform and change opinions is in person, not social media.
Quotes
“Can we separate civilians from their hateful government power grabs and evil actions? Or are we somehow responsible for our own suffering from terrorism?”
“Posting on social media isn’t really about informing people. No one ever changed their mind based on a meme they saw, or an article they read that was shared on a platform like facebook, instagram, or tiktok. When we share those memes or articles that confirm our own opinions we know they’ll either antagonize people or confirm our friends' opinions, they’ll never change them.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m asking you right now to tell people you are grieving for the families that are victims of brutal warfare. That you understand it’s their government, it’s their leaders, it’s those power hungry, greedy people who spew hate to distract us and create divisions, who are using us as pawns in their games of global chess. This isn’t a game. This is the worst of brutality against humanity, targeting civilians, targeting children.
I’m asking you to pay attention to what you share because what you share online matters, before you share anything ask yourself; “Am I contributing to hate?” “Am I contributing to alienation?”
I’m asking you right now to stop spewing hate and to start spreading love.
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!
301 Sharing Meaningful Stories To Portray Your Values and Skills
Storytelling has been a part of human culture since we lived in caves, from stories of great heroes to warnings not to go into dangerous places, knowing how to tell stories has been vital to our existence more now than ever. Knowing how to tell stories and knowing what meaningful stories to share is a skill that is important to hone and practice daily.
In this episode Sarah Elkins shares another meaningful story that exemplifies her values and skills as a professional and person, while also telling stories about others in her life and how through these stories show their own values and talents.
301 Sharing Meaningful Stories To Portray Your Values and Skills
Storytelling has been a part of human culture since we lived in caves, from stories of great heroes to warnings not to go into dangerous places, knowing how to tell stories has been vital to our existence more now than ever. Knowing how to tell stories and knowing what meaningful stories to share is a skill that is important to hone and practice daily.
In this episode Sarah Elkins shares another meaningful story that exemplifies her values and skills as a professional and person, while also telling stories about others in her life and how through these stories show their own values and talents.
Highlights
Practicing what you teach others is one of the many keys to success, if others see you take your own advice they will feel more inclined to use it.
Telling your stories about your talents and skills is far more important than you think.
Everyone benefits from healthy communication and knowing how to share stories.
Quotes
“As great as it is to have the confirmation of these experts, to know the research and neuroscience is catching up, it’s even more confirmation for me that what I’m doing is practical, useful, and relevant. There’s room for me.”
“I explained that professionals that can share compelling, entertaining stories that demonstrate their skills are more likely to be invited to apply for internal positions.”
“You see, story sharing isn’t just for leaders of organizations, story sharing is how you can become a leader wherever you happen to sit.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I just shared a story of a meaningful moment in my day and you, my listener, picked up all kinds of clues about who I am. When you share a meaningful moment in your day you are amplifying particular aspects of your personality and your values. I urge you to make your stories the kind that attract the people you want in your life.
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!
300 An Accidental Podcaster
Sometimes when we’re trying to give others an opportunity we don’t realize that we are the ones that would benefit most. We try our hardest, using our talents to the best of our ability, and through that hard work we can achieve greatness or sometimes stand in our own way.
In this episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on how she began this podcast and how it has given her the opportunity to hear the stories of others as well plenty of time to reflect on her own stories and how she has grown and changed as both an entrepreneur and storyteller.
300 An Accidental Podcaster
Sometimes when we’re trying to give others an opportunity we don’t realize that we are the ones that would benefit most. We try our hardest, using our talents to the best of our ability, and through that hard work we can achieve greatness or sometimes stand in our own way.
In this episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on how she began this podcast and how it has given her the opportunity to hear the stories of others as well plenty of time to reflect on her own stories and how she has grown and changed as both an entrepreneur and storyteller.
Highlights
What works for others might not work for you.
Your strengths can sometimes be your weakness. That’s okay, sometimes all you need to do is reach out for an outside perspective.
Remember to show up for yourself, it’s great to be there for others but you need to focus on yourself too.
Quotes
“As a talent it’s my ability to switch gears easily, to instinctively prioritize my energy toward the path of least resistance. It also means I need to switch gears regularly or I’ll sabotage myself because I get bored.”
“Your strategic thinks so fast about the solution, and your activator compels you to begin immediately but sometimes you forget that others are involved, you forget to take them along for the ride.”
“When I’m accountable to others it doesn’t mean I’m necessarily accountable to myself.”
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!