416 The Right Tool For The Right Job
Having the necessary toolset to build others and yourself up is something most of us continue to build and collect our entire lives. How we choose to interact with another, how we teach, learn, and grow with them is how we hone these tools in order to achieve excellence in our chosen life.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on one of her former students, and how the lessons and tools she’s experienced now have made her a better advisor and teacher, by taking into account everyone’s personalized skillset.
416 The Right Tool For The Right Job
Having the necessary toolset to build others and yourself up is something most of us continue to build and collect our entire lives. How we choose to interact with another, how we teach, learn, and grow with them is how we hone these tools in order to achieve excellence in our chosen life.
Thanks to episode 411 featuring Rachel Bohns, Sarah’s adding another tool to her toolkit. In the episode, she and Rachel realized the potential impact of layering two tools to maximize organizational and individual change success: ADKAR framework for organizational change with StrengthsFinder for individual readiness and ability.
Today’s episode comes from one of Sarah’s inspiring hikes as she reflects on her experience with a former student, and how the lessons and tools she’s experienced now have made her a better advisor and teacher, by taking into account each person’s natural perception of their experiences, their intuitive approach to projects, problems, and people.
A very cold hike in Helena, Montana
Highlights
Applying new understanding of the tools you’ve collected to help others and yourself.
Everyone has different talents, which is why it is so important to learn to work with them as opposed to against them.
ADKAR and Strengths Finder working hand in hand to create meaningful change.
Quotes
“The thing is my talents are the opposite to the ones I’m describing here so if I want to teach someone or help them move through the ADKAR change framework, I have to meet them where they are, I have to be able to speak their language.”
“If we can learn to bring people along for the ride with these tools; Strengths Finder and ADKAR, we can move forward into that uncertainty with improved and inspired resilience, persistence, and grit.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Are you curious to learn more about this ADKAR Framework and the layering nuance of Strengths Finder for individual and institutional change? Check out Episode 411 featuring Rachel Bohns, and send me your questions and ideas that pop into your head I’d love to hear from you.
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!
415 Striving For Excellence
When was the last time you took a moment to truly acknowledge just how far you’ve come and the work you have done to get to this point? No exceptions, no talking down about your accomplishments, just true and genuine acceptance of how amazing you are because of how hard you have worked. Perfection is impossible, but Excellence is achievable. We can always improve, but we must also acknowledge and sit with how well we have done to get to this moment.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Anne Catherine discuss the importance of art and the soul, the necessity of knowing when we are truly excellent, and to encourage it in others and ourselves.
415 Striving For Excellence
When was the last time you took a moment to truly acknowledge just how far you’ve come and the work you have done to get to this point? No exceptions, no talking down about your accomplishments, just true and genuine acceptance of how amazing you are because of how hard you have worked. Perfection is impossible, but Excellence is achievable. We can always improve, but we must also acknowledge and sit with how well we have done to get to this moment.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Anne Catherine discuss the importance of art and the soul, the necessity of knowing when we are truly excellent, and to encourage it in others and ourselves.
Highlights
What super power are you hiding?
What is the art you practice that you don’t often think is art?
Are you coloring in someone else’s lines or your own?
Letting go of perfection and striving for excellence.
What was the last thing you were really proud of? No buts.
Quotes
“It’s funny because I didn’t study art or anything right? My medium is paint, of all sorts so I could say I’m a painter, but I never started. I always went straight to artist because I think it’s in your soul, it doesn’t matter even when I do science, I assemble molecules. There’s an art to that. That’s what felt right to me, I never defined myself as a painter even though that’s my medium for traditional art as we would say so.”
“You don’t have to pick, you can be all the things that your heart desires.”
“I don’t want to color in someone else’s lines anymore.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What will you do with your insights from this conversation? Will you choose to color out of the lines or to make your own lines? Will you choose to simply color within those lines just to express your own need for color for some form of relaxing, because it can be a great tool. But if you are driven, if you are compelled to stop coloring inside someone else’s lines, I want to know what that looks like for you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Anne Catherine
Anne-Catherine is a French-Canadian PhD chemist and abstract artist whose work invites people to reclaim their wholeness. She bridges two worlds that rarely meet: science and art.
What started as a personal outlet became a transformative practice that helped her process emotions beyond the reach of language. This shaped her belief that creative expression can regulate the nervous system and reconnect us with the parts of ourselves we tend to silence.
Through her brand Labcoat & Leggings, she explores the intersection of scientific themes and bold creative freedom. As a scientist and a mother, she has witnessed how often women in STEM hide parts of themselves to navigate spaces not designed for them. Her work is about reclaiming what we mute and showing what it looks like when someone leads with honesty and humanity in a way that makes the world more welcoming and inclusive for all.
Be sure to check out Anne’s LinkedIn and Instagram! And be sure to check out her website Labcoat & Leggings!
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!
414 Following Your Own Star
There comes a time in our lives where we need to stop and take stock of what we want to do next and our next steps in getting there. Perhaps it’s more than just one thing, perhaps you’re just floating through life trying to figure out what to do next, or perhaps you think this goal is too lofty despite all your hard work. Which is why it is so important to take all you know about others and yourself and apply it to whatever comes next.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Professor KD Frick discuss the importance of that specific personal growth, as well as the importance of believing in others and yourself even when you aren’t sure where your own star is leading you, and especially to greet the world with open arms.
414 Following Your Own Star
There comes a time in our lives where we need to stop and take stock of what we want to do next and our next steps in getting there. Perhaps it’s more than just one thing, perhaps you’re just floating through life trying to figure out what to do next, or perhaps you think this goal is too lofty despite all your hard work. Which is why it is so important to take all you know about others and yourself and apply it to whatever comes next.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Professor KD Frick discuss the importance of that specific personal growth, as well as the importance of believing in others and yourself even when you aren’t sure where your own star is leading you, and especially to greet the world with open arms.
Image of stones mentioned in episode. Provided by KD Frick
Highlights
Finding the right words for where you are in your life right now.
Leading with compassion and empathy.
Position yourself to be able to understand.
Don’t immediately dismiss someone, you never know where their combined ideas may lead. Everyone has their own North Star they follow.
Quotes
“Empathy leads to approachability.”
“Look as long as I’m here and unless you tell me otherwise, I’m planning on reading names. Because it’s the last connection students have with us.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What did you hear in this conversation that struck you as something that resonated? Maybe it was about not knowing what you want to do next, maybe it was I do know what I want to do next but I’m not being consistent enough to make it happen. I am so curious to hear your thoughts, please share them either in the comments or wherever you see this shared or send me an email.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About KD
KD Frick was originally trained as a health economist and began a career at Johns Hopkins as a faculty member at the Bloomberg School of Public Health; after a bit more than sixteen years in that role, with responsibilities like associate department chair and faculty senate president, a move was made to the Carey Business School as vice dean for education. The eight and one-half years spent in that role were a time of growth and expansion of opportunity. With colleagues encouraging a return to research, challenging decisions around COVID, a focus on ranking academic programs that was not of interest, and a lack of visible opportunities for advancement in administration, a decision was made to return to just a faculty role. The result has been great fulfillment, a change in teaching, and a focus on leading by teaching others to lead artisnally toward aspirational narratives for themselves and those they are developing. There is still room for work on the economics of eye care where Professor Frick has the opportunity to apply the leading with values approach that is taught in the classroom.
Be sure to check out Professor Frick’s LinkedIn, thoughts on tHERSday newsletter, as well as Business and Economics of Eye Care and Health!
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!
413 Love, Connection, Belonging, and Comfort Zones
It’s easy to forget to take care of the many facets of our health in a world obsessed with value and progress. We forget to care for our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health in ways that dramatically affect us in the long run, which is why it is vital for us to sit down and take stock of our health and to take the time to tend to our own needs.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Kevin Strauss discuss the importance of connection, comfort zones, boundaries, love, and how important it is to ourselves as humans.
413 Love, Connection, Belonging, and Comfort Zones
Title card for episode 413 featuring Kevin Strauss, the title reads Love, Connection, Belonging, and Comfort Zones
It’s easy to forget to take care of the many facets of our health in a world obsessed with value and progress. We forget to care for our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health in ways that dramatically affect us in the long run, which is why it is vital for us to sit down and take stock of our health and to take the time to tend to our own needs.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Kevin Strauss discuss the importance of connection, comfort zones, boundaries, love, and how important it is to ourselves as humans.
Highlights
Emotional, physical, and spiritual health and what the differences are.
How we learn and how it shapes us into who we are.
Identifying your comfort zone so you feel safe stepping into your stretch zone.
Taking care of every aspect of your health so that you can operate perfectly.
Quit trying to distract, soothe, or numb yourself to your needs. Take the time to properly address them so that you can be a truly healthy and functional person.
What is your reference for comfort?
Quotes
“There is no right or wrong or better or worse way, it’s just that this is how we are operating in the world and this is how we learn.”
“Value in our brain translates to love, and that’s really an emotional health need. So we’re try to feel more valuable, because value equals love in our brain.”
“We try to show our value, that we are worthy of love, but it’s never enough. It never soothes, we always need more, more, more, because we aren’t addressing the real problem. And the real problem is we don’t feel love just for who we are.”
“How many people on the planet are actively, intentionally, daily, practicing love and connection?”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m going to ask you to define your comfort zone. Consider a moment in time when you felt truly comfortable, loved, safe, supported, just like when I stood in my doorway and saw my children in the room, and thought “If that’s not nice, then what is?”
Find a handful of moments like that in your life, define what it felt like, because once you have that foundation, you can step out of it.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
Mentioned in this episode
The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
About Kevin
Quote card featuring a photo of Kevin, smiling. The quote reads “How many people on the planet are actively, intentionally, daily, practicing love and connection?”
Kevin R. Strauss is the CEO of Uchi, a platform built on one simple truth — everything feels possible when you know someone has your back, every day. With 30 years in human behavior, innovation, and wellness, Kevin focuses on solving long-standing problems with simple solutions.
His career began in biomedical engineering, earning more than 75 patents and multiple publications, but his deeper passion has always been understanding people and why we behave the way we do. Through Uchi, Kevin helps families, schools, workplaces, and communities create stronger relationships so people can do better together.
He’s also the author of Innovate The 1% and host of the Question It podcast. Outside of work, Kevin is a 24-year, injury-free Ironman Triathlete, expedition backpacker, and award-winning ballroom dancer.
Be sure to check out Kevin’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook! As well as his website, Kevin R Strauss, his Youtube, and Uchi Connections!
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!
412 Ego and Soul
When was the last time you were proud of yourself? When was the last time you took a moment to truly look at yourself and say “I am proud of the person I am and I want other people to see how amazing I can be.”? When was the last time YOU fed your soul? It’s easy to forget when we’re cheering others on that we also need to cheer ourselves on, because if we don’t then who will?
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Sharon Rolph discuss their own personal growth and the pride they feel in the people they have become and are still growing into.
412 Ego and Soul
When was the last time you were proud of yourself? When was the last time you took a moment to truly look at yourself and say “I am proud of the person I am and I want other people to see how amazing I can be.”? When was the last time YOU fed your soul? It’s easy to forget when we’re cheering others on that we also need to cheer ourselves on, because if we don’t then who will?
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Sharon Rolph discuss their own personal growth and the pride they feel in the people they have become and are still growing into.
Highlights
The desire to be visible and relevant as we grow.
The importance of ego in our growth. Be proud of yourself and how far you have come.
Embracing visibility.
Just because something is uncomfortable, doesn’t make it inauthentic. It only makes it uncomfortable.
The importance of having Soul and Ego in an authentic manner.
Quotes
“I think a lot of us women have been too quiet.”
“The butterflies flying in your stomach, just get them flying in formation.”
“I decide what stops me.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What are you doing consciously or unconsciously to remain relevant in your daily activities? What are you thinking about when it comes to being somebody who matters, someone who contributes? What are you choosing in your life to make sure you have ongoing relevance, whether that’s directly to the planet, whether that’s to your family, whether that’s to your home, to your fur babies, or to your community. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sharon
For most of her life Sharon felt invisible and when retired, she wondered how she'd know if she was productive.
Today she's a motivating influencer at 78, as an author, podcast guest and the Queen of Courage on Instagram.
Her days now feel "right" since finding her Spark. This transformation she experienced is being offered to the public, for the first time.
Sharon is the perfect person to help others matter outside of work, live meaningfully, impact life with wisdom and confidence and find their inner Spark.
Sharon's sparkle, passion and her youthful appearance easily confirmed. Mental strength and faith have given her a healthy lifestyle.
Potential has intrigued Sharon from a very young age, and she loves uniqueness. That's what she sees in people, from her Behavioral Science perspective. She inspires curiosity and possibilities in everyone.
Be sure to check out Sharon’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook! As well as, her Youtube Channel, FRESH COURAGE in Retirement: finding purpose, essence and fulfillment, and her Calendly to schedule your session!
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!
411 Encouraging Change and Growth
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Rachael Bohns discuss the significance and necessity of change as well as the importance of acknowledging and catering to the strengths of yourself and those around you.
411 Encouraging Change and Growth
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Rachael Bohns discuss the significance and necessity of change as well as the importance of acknowledging and catering to the strengths of yourself and those around you.
Highlights
Doing what’s best for you even if no one knows, and especially for your own sake.
Collaboration and commitment instead of obligation.
Driving desire.
Quotes
“Most of the time change is thrusted upon us.”
“Change is individual to people.”
“Reward is individual.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
My question for you is what will you do with this information? When you think about the ADKAR framework; the Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement, what example can you come up with from your life, where you had something that needed to change and you went through that process, or what if you had gone through that process would it have changed anything in your change? Made it more successful or faster. And then think about a change that’s going on right now in your life, personal or professional or both, and use the ADKAR framework to see where you are in that spectrum. Are you at the beginning, are you at the desire stage, are you already at the reinforcement stage of your change and now you just need to consistently keep it?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Rachael (from her LinkedIn)
Passionate Industrial/Organizational Psychologist that believes in the importance of a healthy workforce. Experience in the public sector delivering training and communications for ERP implementations with vast experience in analyzing data and interpreting results for business growth. I thrive on business process reengineering and managing client relationships to deliver improved productivity and efficiency while meeting business goals and objectives. I have a strong ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment, solve problems with limited information, and multitask across several assignments. 100% open to traveling.
Top Ten Reported StrengthsFinder Assessment Strengths:
- Learner - Analytical - Individualization - Input - Responsibility - Ideation - Maximizer - Relator - Arranger - Achiever
Be sure to check out 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!
410 Holding Space For Grief
What can one say when faced with tragedy? Do you reach for a simple “I’m sorry” to let another know you sympathize with their pain? Do you offer an anecdote to show you empathize with what they are going through? Regardless, it is important that whatever you do you also hold space for your grief as well as those who need to know they are not alone in their grief.
410 Holding Space For Grief
What can one say when faced with tragedy? Do you reach for a simple “I’m sorry” to let another know you sympathize with their pain? Do you offer an anecdote to show you empathize with what they are going through? Regardless, it is important that whatever you do you also hold space for your grief as well as those who need to know they are not alone in their grief.
Highlights
The importance of holding space for grief in the face of tragedy.
Using healthy coping mechanisms to combat pain.
You can sit in your grief and melancholy, just remember you must continue to move on.
Quotes
“I can’t fathom how this is okay in the year 2025. Why haven’t we evolved further than to allow the murder of innocents?”
“It brought me a sense of peace and comfort, knowing we are resilient people. That we will come through this. That we will find love and community as we make the efforts to do so.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Find a place outside where you can stand on grass or dirt in bare feet, even if it’s cold, and sense the awe around you. Whatever the weather, we’re alive. Whatever the actions taken by others, we’re alive, to keep the legacy of our loved ones alive in our hearts. And to play a small role in changing this dynamic of hate, loneliness, and disconnect.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
Mentioned in this episode
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!