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!
299 Clarity and Having The Courage to Do What You Aspire To
The constant pressure to do the best and be the best is something many of us grew up knowing. Thinking we had to have straight A’s in school, trying to be the best in our extracurriculars, and even taking up tasks that should have been given to someone who’s skills would suit the task better, whether it’s because of our own internal voices or external pressures we need to learn to seek clarity and focus on the skills that make us invaluable to our team and family.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Mandi Graziano discuss how past failures, current clarity, and future aspirations drive us and shape us into who we are today.
299 Clarity and Having The Courage to Do What You Aspire To
The constant pressure to do the best and be the best is something many of us grew up knowing. Thinking we had to have straight A’s in school, trying to be the best in our extracurriculars, and even taking up tasks that should have been given to someone who’s skills would suit the task better, whether it’s because of our own internal voices or external pressures we need to learn to seek clarity and focus on the skills that make us invaluable to our team and family.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Mandi Graziano discuss how past failures, current clarity, and future aspirations drive us and shape us into who we are today.
Highlights
Just because you failed at something in the past doesn't mean you aren’t smart. Everyone learns differently.
Feeling like you don’t fit in is a universal and normal experience.
Embrace your strengths and acknowledge when you can’t do a job outside of your field of expertise.
Quotes
“Some great sales people aren’t great leaders and some great leaders aren’t great sales people.”
“Just lead by example, just share one tip once a week in the meeting of something that has worked for you in the past: And that is mentoring without mentoring, then you’re raising everybody around you without telling people what to do.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What are you going to do with this information that you received today? This gift of a moment where you could develop clarity about what activities you really like to do, the activities that bring you that kind of passion where you can find time in your day everyday to do those things, because it’s not just at work but at work is where you spend most of your time, so find opportunities to feed that to find more satisfaction and maybe it’s time to reach out to a coach to help you find that clarity.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Mandi (From her Website)
In the early days, Facetime Coaching Company was Mandi's "side hustle" while she worked for hotels. Since 2010, her Coaching, Speaking, & Writing have grown and become a very equal part of her world.
In 2010, Mandi went to “the other side” of the hotel business and joined her long time client, HPN Global, a full service site selection & venue finding global meetings company. Here she finds hotels and venues for her clients all over the world, negotiates pricing & contracts while consulting her clients in all aspects of managing their meetings, conferences and conventions.
Mandi runs her businesses with vigor, balance and excitement.
Some people may say she has a "side hustle" Mandi believes "It's ALL HUSTLE why can't we do all the things we love?"
It’s important to Mandi that fun ensues in all her professional endeavors, even in the most serious of situations. Whether she is coaching your team to close deals OR scouting out the perfect location for your meeting, there will always be laughs and excitement.
Check out Mandi’s website Mandi Graziano, as well as her LinkedIn, Instagram, 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 Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
298 You Have To Take Care of Yourself In Order To Be Your Best
Everything we do, whether it be work, caring for our families, or even going for a morning walk, all starts with ourselves and in today’s work culture of burning the candle at both ends, it can be easy to forget that we need to take breaks and prioritize our well being in order to do our best in everything we do. Hopefully by doing so we can model a behavior that others can follow and make a change for the better.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Mandy Hoskinson discuss the importance of self care in today’s day and how others will follow by example, especially when it comes to creating a healthy and thriving environment.
298 You Have To Take Care of Yourself In Order To Be Your Best
Everything we do, whether it be work, caring for our families, or even going for a morning walk, all starts with ourselves and in today’s work culture of burning the candle at both ends, it can be easy to forget that we need to take breaks and prioritize our well being in order to do our best in everything we do. Hopefully by doing so we can model a behavior that others can follow and make a change for the better.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Mandy Hoskinson discuss the importance of self care in today’s day and how others will follow by example, especially when it comes to creating a healthy and thriving environment.
Highlights
You have to learn about others and actively listen to them to learn about them and shift your perspective into belonging.
Surrounding yourself with the things you want to incorporate into your life.
Choosing your battles and taking the breaks that will help you do what you do better.
Everything you do starts with you, so take care of yourself. Take a break.
Quotes
“Competition makes life expensive, it makes social interactions kind of strange, and I was reflecting on how I could incorporate slowness in my life and I think that comes from being in places where people are more sane and more kind because they have chosen a life where they’re not overwhelmed all the time.”
“You can still choose that busy life anywhere and you can still choose a peaceful life anywhere, but if your environment encourages it and your community encourages it that can really help.”
“You find your people anywhere if you look for them and stay open.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
When you think about the work you do whether you work as an internal innovator, or as an entrepreneur, maybe you have a side hustle, what will you do with the information you just heard? Will you learn to take those breaks, will you choose to be that person that models the behavior that you want to see in the people around you, will you bring your best self by choosing to be that model and live the way that you know is going to benefit you and everyone around you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Mandy
Mandy Hoskinson is a marketing agency founder, community leader, and creative person. Her award-winning agency, Zolay (@zolaystudio) works with clients spanning B2B, B2C, SAAS, government and creative industries. This social impact-focused agency also gives away 20% of its work away pro-bono (WIP). Mandy is also the President of the Social Media Club of Los Angeles. You can find her most places as @mediamandy.
Be sure to check out Mandy’s LinkedIn and Instagram, as well as her website Mandy Hoskinson, Zolay Studio and Zolay Studio Instagram!
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!
297 Change, Growth, and Hope - How The Belief Others Have In Us Can Move Us
Change is an inevitable part of life, how you choose to handle that change is what defines us as people. Will you crumble and erode like an immovable boulder, or will you bend and grow like a sapling waiting for it's time to reach the sky? We never know what we are capable of until we are put to the test, even though sometimes others see our potential better than we ever could.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reconnects with her friend Amy Oviatt, they discuss these points as well as how our beliefs are shaped by our experiences and how others view us.
297 Change, Growth, and Hope - How The Belief Others Have In Us Can Move Us
Change is an inevitable part of life, how you choose to handle that change is what defines us as people. Will you crumble and erode like an immovable boulder, or will you bend and grow like a sapling waiting for it's time to reach the sky? We never know what we are capable of until we are put to the test, even though sometimes others see our potential better than we ever could.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reconnects with her friend Amy Oviatt, they discuss these points as well as how our beliefs are shaped by our experiences and how others view us.
Highlights
Find friends who will lift you up.
There are deep truths that we do not see in ourselves until years later. People who believe you are destined for great things aren’t wrong, sometimes the greatness is just delayed.
You will be surprised what you are capable of.
How will you take feedback when you receive it?
Quotes
“I would certainly hope that I’m a person who creates safety for other people, because we all need that and we all want that.”
“The upside of that part of me is that I really figure it out. It may take me a while but I’m not somebody who ever just buries things and moves along, I must figure out the answer.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What will you do in the next week to uncover something that maybe is blocking you from what you want to do? What will you do, will you take a step tomorrow, will you take a step the next day to make a choice to live the life you want to live? What book will you read and take action on? Maybe you’ll hire somebody, maybe you’ll be a coach, maybe it’ll be a fitness instructor or a life coach, maybe it’ll be a hypnotherapist. But what will you go into with big wide open arms and open eyes and open heart to make a change to improve whatever is going on in your life.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Amy
Colorado native Amy Oviatt graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, the only accredited college of Hypnotherapy. She holds a degree in Business from CU - Boulder, and has a wide variety of experience in her toolbelt.
On her own spiritual and healing journey, Amy has found inspiration in the works of Caroline Myss, Gary Zukav, Brian Weiss, amongst others.
Hypnotherapy, including Life Coaching, Therapeutic Imagery, and other healing modalities, is a powerful vehicle to move clients forward in achieving the healthy and fulfilling life they seek. Amy helps her clients release limiting beliefs, replace unwanted habits, and align the subconscious with their most important goals, resulting in improved relationships, greater success, and more peace on their own life’s journey.
Check out Amy’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram! As well as her website Guided Journeys!
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!