374 Passion and The Road To Fulfilling Success

When we were kids we all wanted to be something extraordinary. We wanted to be magicians, doctors, paleontologists, astronauts, ballerinas, but somewhere along the way some of us lose that sparkle. We get sucked into the everyday routine of work and taking care of those around us. However that spark is not lost forever, sometimes existing as a fleeting ember of ambition that only needs to be cultivated to turn into a roaring flame of fulfilling success.

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Jimi Gibson discuss the importance of trying different paths in life and how there are many off ramps and back roads full of experiences to the destinations we want to reach.

374 Passion and The Road To Fulfilling Success

Episode 374 Passion and The Road To Fulfilling Success featuring Jimi Gibson

When we were kids we all wanted to be something extraordinary. We wanted to be magicians, doctors, paleontologists, astronauts, ballerinas, but somewhere along the way some of us lose that sparkle. We get sucked into the everyday routine of work and taking care of those around us. However that spark is not lost forever, sometimes existing as a fleeting ember of ambition that only needs to be cultivated to turn into a roaring flame of fulfilling success.

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Jimi Gibson discuss the importance of trying different paths in life and how there are many off ramps and back roads full of experiences to the destinations we want to reach. 


Highlights

  • You will always find a way out of a situation you are in.

  • Those who care about you and believe in you will support you through the difficult times.

  • Telling your own stories and the stories of others in a way that reflects who you are.


Quotes

“I was going through my Strength’s Finder and I was like, ‘I wonder where that came from?’ I believe we’re all born with these innate gifts.”

“Depending on the size of the audience, you want to connect with who is in the audience.”

“Everybody has their personal Abracadabra”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

Think about yourself as a six or eight year old and the thumbprint you would have left behind in a story like Jimmy’s, how would you decorate it? Would it be an artist? Would it be a musician? Would it be a nurse, or a doctor? Would it be a magician? Think back on that, and this doesn’t mean that you have to become that as a career, but what it does mean is that whatever it was that brought you satisfaction about that as a child, is what you need to be seeking now.  

And, as always, thank you for listening. 



About Jimi

Quote card for episode 374 featuring a photo of Jimi “Everybody has their personal Abracadabra”

Jimi Gibson isn’t your typical VP of Brand Communication. At Thrive Agency—a digital marketing juggernaut that’s dominated the Inc. 5000 for seven straight years—Jimi leads with a no-BS approach, helping businesses grow instead of just chasing sales. With 200+ sharp-as-a-tack pros, Thrive delivers strategies built on what works, not what’s pricey.

A digital marketer, author, magician, and TEDx speaker, Jimi sees websites as living, breathing machines that should constantly evolve to grow your bottom line. Using Thrive’s rigorous 215-point Digital Health Analysis, he ensures no detail is overlooked and no opportunity is wasted.

As a Forbes Agency Council member, Jimi writes articles that cut through fluff and deliver insights that matter. From his magician’s knack for creating unforgettable moments to his obsession with people-first business culture, Jimi’s work is about one thing: making sure businesses don’t just survive—they thrive.

Key Focus Areas:

Results-Driven Digital Marketing That Actually Delivers

Websites That Work as Hard as You Do

Finding Your Edge: Lessons from a Professional Magician

Thrive’s 215-Point Digital Health Analysis

Building Culture That Puts People First

Be sure to check out Jimi’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as his website Thrive Agency


About Sarah

"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."

In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.

My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.

The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!

Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.

Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

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373 Making Space and Time To Truly Enjoy Life

In life we will often be distracted with things we feel like we have to do: Go to University, get a normal job from 9-5, participate in every extra curricular activity that is presented to us, and in doing so we fail to take into account what we need. We need community, we need to experience the beauty of the world we live in, we need to live not just survive. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Joyce Perrin discuss the many adventures they both have lived through and the lessons they learned on their journeys. 

373 Making Space and Time To Truly Enjoy Life

Title card for episode 373 Making Space and Time To Truly Enjoy Life, featuring Joyce Perrin

In life we will often be distracted with things we feel like we have to do: Go to University, get a normal job from 9-5, participate in every extra curricular activity that is presented to us, and in doing so we fail to take into account what we need. We need community, we need to experience the beauty of the world we live in, we need to live not just survive. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Joyce Perrin discuss the many adventures they both have lived through and the lessons they learned on their journeys. 


Highlights

  • Even across the generations, across cultures, across the globe, we are far more similar than we think.

  • Choosing to create, contribute, and belong in community.

  • When consumed with activity, you will not know how to be at peace and love the world you share with others. 

  • Savor the moments of teaching, do not rush it, you never know how much time you have left. 


Quotes

“It’s not how much you have, it’s how much you share and give that really defines you.”

“I think these kinds of skills, and giving the children responsibility is a good thing. But what I’m seeing happen is the children are so busy with all their curricular activities plus their homework they have to do, they have very little time to do anything else.” 


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

No matter what age you are right now, what is something that you are willing to do that you haven’t done before? What's something that’s been an itch for you that you haven’t been able to scratch? Because now is the time. Don’t wait any longer. Don’t face regret in your future. If we’re going to have the same conversation a year from now and you’re going to regret the same things you regret now, then something needs to change.   

And, as always, thank you for listening. 


About Joyce

Quote card featuring a photo of Joyce, smiling. “It’s not how much you have, it’s how much you share and give that really defines you.”

Joyce Perrin’s early fascination with the 1950s Lands and Peoples book series sparked a lifelong curiosity about different countries and cultures. When she represented Canada at an international Girl Guide camp at age 17 and met her role model, Lady Baden-Powell, Baden-Powell's quote, “Happiness comes not from what we have but from what we give and what we share,” became her guiding light.
Her nursing career led her into hospital administration and consulting. Still, a life change prompted her to pack up all her belongings at age 57 and embark on a solo global journey across 187 countries and territories. After many years of amazing adventures, she settled in Panama, where she co-founded the Panama Hospice and Respite Foundation.
Returning to Canada at age 80, despite several health challenges, including blindness in one
eye and breast cancer, Joyce published her book Ants in My Pants: One Woman’s Unexpected Adventures Across Seven Continents. Now 88, she resides in Pickering, just east of Toronto, and finds purpose in
supporting fellow cancer survivors, volunteering with health teams and encouraging people, through her
book and speaking engagements, to pursue their passions, no matter their age.

Be sure to check out Joyce’s LinkedIn and Facebook! As well as her Website!


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

372 The Art of Storytelling: Connection Over Persuasion, One Relationship At A Time

Time makes a folktale of the storyteller, and yet even hundreds if not thousands of years later, the stories that mattered -that we connect with- endure. To tell a story effectively means you need to connect with the person who is listening to you. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Jeff Ikler discuss the importance of genuine connection over persuasion in the art of storytelling, and how it is far more meaningful to build a bridge between one another, rather than forcing them to choose one side of the river.

372 The Art of Storytelling: Connection Over Persuasion, One Relationship At A Time

Time makes a folktale of the storyteller, and yet even hundreds if not thousands of years later, the stories that mattered -that we connect with- endure. To tell a story effectively means you need to connect with the person who is listening to you. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Jeff Ikler discuss the importance of genuine connection over persuasion in the art of storytelling, and how it is far more meaningful to build a bridge between one another, rather than forcing them to choose one side of the river.


Highlights

  • What is something you can do to further your goals that relies on your strengths and your toolsets? 

  • Who inspired you recently to continue your work? 

  • What stories are you carrying with you? And what do you have that reminds you of that story? 


Quotes

“Everybody was being vulnerable, they were telling deeply personal stories and it was like they were letting us in before we had really been introduced.”

“If you persuade, fine, but it’s more important to connect.”


“And I am privileged to have sat at that dining room table.”

“I loved feeding you at that dining room table.”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

What stories can you tell to make a meaningful connection? What objects or unknown facts about yourself are you willing to share to strengthen the bonds of fellowship between you and another? Try to tell your next stories, not with the intent to persuade, but with the intent to make a meaningful connection with the person in front of you.”

And, as always, thank you for listening. 



About Jeff

Jeff Ikler is Director of Quetico Career and Leadership Coaching, a firm dedicated to helping individuals overcome career issues and develop sustained changes in their leadership practices and organizations. He received his certificate in coaching from the Coach Training Institute. He is a certified innovation facilitator using the SIT (Systematic Inventive Thinking) process. Jeff holds a Master’s in the Teaching of History along with a Bachelor’s in History from the University of Illinois. He taught high school history in Maywood and Batavia, Illinois, for seven years. He is a former Executive Vice President at Pearson Learning where he directed the development of text- and technology-based products for all disciplines. Jeff is a co-author of Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. He is the host the “Getting Unstuck – Cultivating Curiosity” podcast. Supporting the agency of others is the river that has run through his entire career.

Be sure to check out JEff’s LinkedIn as well as Quetico Coaching and Consulting!


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

371 The Frequency Of Fear

It’s easy to be afraid. To stick our heads in the sand and watch another episode of a show that we like to ignore what’s going on. But if we do that than we can never grow. We’re all afraid, but we must act through our fear, refuse to be compliant, refuse to be quiet, and enforce the change we want to see in ourselves and the world around us.  

In today’s episode, Sarah Elkins and Nir Megnazi discuss the use of fear in driving us forward and how important it is to work with our fear and through it.

371 The Frequency Of Fear

It’s easy to be afraid. To stick our heads in the sand and watch another episode of a show that we like to ignore what’s going on. But if we do that than we can never grow. We’re all afraid, but we must act through our fear, refuse to be compliant, refuse to be quiet, and enforce the change we want to see in ourselves and the world around us.  

In today’s episode, Sarah Elkins and Nir Megnazi discuss the use of fear in driving us forward and how important it is to work with our fear and through it.


Highlights

  • How are you anchoring someone in time?

  • What frightening experiences still warp and control your perceptions to this day?

  • Are you lacking compassion for yourself? Are you kind to others but unkind to yourself, especially your past self?

  • There’s no way to hold space for someone and the emotions they feel if they are not communicated.

  • Learn to work with fear. Fear is normal. 


Quotes

“Courage does not exist without fear.” 

“The way I approach these memories is with a lot of compassion to ourselves, which is what we’re lacking first, is compassion to ourselves.”

“Working with our fear is effective. And within our fear.”

“We serve people, not businesses.”

“What do we want for our kids? We want to help them grow to be responsible human beings, healthy, with values, and to be a good person in this world. A contributing person in this world. But we are a work in progress.”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

I’m curious. I would love to hear in the comments, what are you working on? What is something in your past that you’ve uncovered that has continued to create ripples, uncomfortable ripples, in your life? What is the pattern you can uncover based on an experience you had, like Nir’s where you were bullied as a kid, like mine where you were not able to afford both milk and eggs. What is your fear, or what is generating something that has consistently created a pattern of disconnect and discomfort in your life? And how are you going to approach it? How are you going to identify the emotions that you feel as a result of it, the triggers you experience as a result of that? And how will you embrace them so you can move forward?

And, as always, thank you for listening. 


About Nir

“What do we want for our kids? We want to help them grow to be responsible human beings, healthy, with values, and to be a good person in this world. A contributing person in this world. But we are a work in progress.”

Nir Megnazi is an executive coach and leadership development expert who combines over two decades of experience as an engineering leader and military officer with emotional intelligence coaching. He co-created Intel's award-winning leadership coaching program, which earned Intel the International Coaching Federation's prestigious Prism Award and has contributed over $1 billion in operating margin improvements. Nir helps leaders develop the critical human skills needed for today's complex business environment, specializing in building high-trust, high-performing teams and enhancing communication effectiveness. His integrated approach fuses technical leadership with emotional intelligence, helping executives expand their influence, lead with empathy, and drive remarkable results. 

Be sure to check out Nir’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as his Newsletter and Website!


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

370 Whatever Will Be, Will Be

We can often have expectations of how the world is supposed to work, like we are running out of time or that we have to hold on desperately to ideas and beliefs that no longer serve us. However, it is imperative to our growth as individuals, and in turn, our business ventures, to let go of the beliefs that no longer serve you and to learn to accept that whatever will come to you when you are ready, and in its own good time. 

In this episode Sarah Elkins and Rashina Gajjar discuss the lessons they’ve learned on their own private journeys, as well as how their own knowledge has helped to serve clients and friends alike.

370 Whatever Will Be, Will Be

Episode 370 Title Card "Whatever Will Be, Will Be" Featuring Rashina Gajjar

We can often have expectations of how the world is supposed to work, like we are running out of time or that we have to hold on desperately to ideas and beliefs that no longer serve us. However, it is imperative to our growth as individuals, and in turn, our business ventures, to let go of the beliefs that no longer serve you and to learn to accept that whatever will come to you when you are ready, and in its own good time. 

In this episode Sarah Elkins and Rashina Gajjar discuss the lessons they’ve learned on their own private journeys, as well as how their own knowledge has helped to serve clients and friends alike. 


Highlights

  • Acknowledging the reality of a situation regardless of if you are proud of that thing or not.

  • Sometimes we sabotage ourselves with change for the sake of change without it being intentional or meaningful change. 

  • Things will happen when they are meant to. 


Quotes

“I guess learning to let go and surrender that and to move into this path that I think is more aligned with my broader purpose that really required me to yield and to let go of something that I thought that I had really wanted, and at the time I did want, but was no longer in the forefront of my vision.” 

“Everything has it’s own timing. The moments of preparation are important, the moments when you’re stumbling are important, because they also get you there. But don’t be frustrated if it doesn't happen in those moments, because it will happen in the right way. I think that’s something I’ve been constantly learning in my life, and this was an example of it. And I think also my friend it was an example for her as well, the divine timing of things.”   


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

What will you do to choose tomorrow? What is one thing you can do to decide that you have earned and that you deserve the life that you want? Everyday you have choices to make to remind yourself that you deserve the life that you want. That means choosing the labels that fit you rather than holding onto the ones that people gave you. 

And, as always, thank you for listening. 


About Rashina

Rashina Gajjar is a British entrepreneur, Brand Amplifier and Belief Coach.

Passionate about increasing diversity and accessibility within the creative industry through entrepreneurship, Rashina founded Amplify Studio in 2020, an creative storytelling and brand Amplification studio that has advised companies such as Wise, UCL, and Divinc on inclusive, multi-cultural marketing and brand storytelling.

A former United Nations consultant, she worked closely with the International Trade Centre in Geneva, supporting a community of 4,000 global entrepreneurs on business storytelling, creative marketing, and networking.

Rashina is also a belief coach, helping international entrepreneurs overcome their subconscious limitations and beliefs, clearing the path to increased fulfilment, business success and emotional awareness.

Be sure to check out Rashina’s Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! As well as her website House of Rashina!


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

369 Nurturing Community

We’re all human. We all have family, we all have struggles, we all have experienced some sort of adversity, which means we’re more alike than we are different. It can be easy to view the world with blinders on, to ignore it all and keep your nose to the ground, but then your community suffers for it. The people who rely on you, whether it be your friends and family, or a client or customer, by choosing to nurture only our corner of existence, the rest of our community suffers. Just like tending a garden, you must tend the whole garden, spread love and nutrients where you can, and remove what is harmful. It’s hard work, but all things worth doing require effort. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Claudia Krevat discuss the importance of caring for your community as a whole, how vital it is to remove the blinders and to see things as they are and how you best can contribute to a healthy and happy community.

369 Nurturing Community

We’re all human. We all have family, we all have struggles, we all have experienced some sort of adversity, which means we’re more alike than we are different. It can be easy to view the world with blinders on, to ignore it all and keep your nose to the ground, but then your community suffers for it. The people who rely on you, whether it be your friends and family, or a client or customer, by choosing to nurture only our corner of existence, the rest of our community suffers. Just like tending a garden, you must tend the whole garden, spread love and nutrients where you can, and remove what is harmful. It’s hard work, but all things worth doing require effort. 

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Claudia Krevat discuss the importance of caring for your community as a whole, how vital it is to remove the blinders and to see things as they are and how you best can contribute to a healthy and happy community. 


Highlights

  • Lifting others up also lifts you up.

  • You never know the doors you’ll open when you just participate.

  • Have you tried to appeal to someone’s empathy? Their humanity? How did that go for you? What can you do to see people who disagree with you as human?

  • Connection through how we are similar and how we show our humanity.


Quotes

“You know that when people are asking for it and your participation is growing, you are creating a positive impact.”

“Strangers become friends around the dining table.”

“A lot of us have family in common.”

“There’s a story and we got to tell the story, because don’t we learn from stories?”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

I would love to see some comments or get an email from you about how sharing food, breaking bread together, changed your mind about something or someone. I would love to hear the story about the time you ate with people or surrounded a dining table with other people where you experience something unexpected or maybe something that changed your life or changed everything about how you perceived something that you were surprised by.    

And, as always, thank you for listening. 


About Claudia (from her Instagram page)

Quote card featuring a photo of Claudia in the afternoon sun, smiling. The Quote reads “Strangers become friends around the dining table.”  credit for the image belongs to Lynn Donaldson

Community organizer through food. Recipe designer and alchemist. The Lentil Queen. Recipes and stories.

Be sure to check out Claudia’s Threads, and Instagram! As well as the article written about her on Yellowstone Public Radio!


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

368 Choose To Step Up And Step In

It’s a strange and frightening world we are living in right now. With divisiveness and anger seeming rampant, it falls to us to maintain our community, to show up with a heart of love and understanding for each other and ourselves, to save our village from burning and refusing to let a lack of empathy and communication drive us to destruction. 

In this episode Sarah Elkins and Erin Miller discuss the vital importance of community and taking care of one another, of building bridges and allowing our differences to strengthen us instead of divide us, as well as accepting when a bridge cannot be built and an olive branch is refused and trying to find peace with the results.

368 Choose To Step Up And Step In

Title card for episode 368 Choose To Step Up And Step In featuring Erin Patrice

It’s a strange and frightening world we are living in right now. With divisiveness and anger seeming rampant, it falls to us to maintain our community, to show up with a heart of love and understanding for each other and ourselves, to save our village from burning and refusing to let a lack of empathy and communication drive us to destruction. 

In this episode Sarah Elkins and Erin Miller discuss the vital importance of community and taking care of one another, of building bridges and allowing our differences to strengthen us instead of divide us, as well as accepting when a bridge cannot be built and an olive branch is refused and trying to find peace with the results.


Highlights

  • What is your moment of satisfaction or awe in what you do?

  • Are you giving or just taking?

  • Sitting down and talking to someone who’s different in some way. Building bridges as opposed to burning them.

  • Celebrate our differences, do not let them drive us apart. But acknowledging when you cannot build a bridge, and seeking to find peace.

  • The Cause and Effect of what changes individuals. 

  • It’s okay to sit down and let your community help you.


Quotes

“Yes we are individuals, but we are also a collective. If you don’t feed the collective, if you don’t nurture the collective, the collective won’t nurture you.”

“Give what you want to receive. If you want community, you have to give community. If you want patience you have to give patience, and if you want respect and so on and so on.”

“The problem is we’re not talking to each other, we’re not communicating, and we’re not willing to hear.”

“We need to be able to sit down. We’re adults, we can do this, I believe that we can, and we have the capability to sit down and have discussions.” 

“Once I extend an olive branch, if the person burns it, I let the ashes fall where they may. I just let them fall.”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

What are you going to take from this conversation? Who will you reach out to, to go and have a cup of coffee without having the intention of changing their mind but with the intention of listening to their story? Find out what matters to them and have a conversation. I would love to hear what happens for you when you choose to step up and step in. 

And, as always, thank you for listening.


About Erin (from her website)

quote card featuring a photo of Erin at a table “We need to be able to sit down. We’re adults, we can do this, I believe that we can, and we have the capability to sit down and have discussions.”

Erin Patrice is the heart and creator behind The Breaking Bread Village, a space intentionally created for people to come together and have transparent conversations with no judgment so ideas and perspectives may be heard respectfully.

Erin is a conversationalist and a Midland, MI, resident and native to Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a mother and wife and has been a community advocate for twenty years. 

Erin has an incredible gift of storytelling and connecting with others of all ages. She shares her story in a way that draws people closer rather than apart. She has a unique teaching style that resonates with all who experience it. Erin has years of life experience, training, and facilitating conversations through empathy, strategy, and storytelling. 

Erin is dedicated to being a voice for those with no voice and helping the unseen to be seen. 

She believes that everything we do within our small communities changes the world because every good deed causes a ripple effect that will eventually impact the world.

Erin shares her teachings as a community engagement ambassador by facilitating workshops, keynote speaking, panels, and conversations nationwide.

Be sure to check out Erin’s LinkedIn, and her website Breaking Bread Village! As well as the article about her from the Midland Daily News!


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