378 Demonstrating Who You Are Through Story

Through the art of storytelling people can get a glimpse into who we are in the way that is most meaningful to show. Through our stories and how we tell them we can show an entire room of people, or just that one significant person, who we are and what matters to us.

378 Demonstrating Who You Are Through Story

Episode 378 Title Card Demonstrating Who You Are Through Story

Through the art of storytelling people can get a glimpse into who we are in the way that is most meaningful to show. Through our stories and how we tell them we can show an entire room of people, or just that one significant person, who we are and what matters to us. 


Highlights

  • Using story to show who you are as a person and what matters most to you.

  • Creating an environment where everyone feels safe, welcome, and willing to share their stories.

  • Reflection and the importance of examining our past actions. 


Quotes

“Every professional benefits when they can share stories that demonstrate their skills, values, and character.”

“In 90 minutes we created an environment of significant trust, support, and vulnerability.”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

What stories do you have that are integral to who you are as a person? What stories adequately show your character, value, and traits? Write these stories down, fine tune them, and share them in a way that continues to reflect your character.

And, as always, thank you for listening. 

As I mentioned I am celebrating my five year book-versary, starting today Your Stories Don’t Define You was published May 31, 2020. Starting this podcast was a wakeup call for me, I realized I was coaching my guests in sharing their pivotal moment stories, and they were finding great value in our time together, way beyond any promotional opportunity the podcast was offering. The book is designed to guide readers in collecting and sharing their stories with exercises and worksheets throughout. To celebrate my book-versary, I’m offering to sign and ship copies from Montana to you, and every purchase will include an offer for a 20 minute bullseye story mining session. In 20 minutes we will uncover at least one meaningful story for you to fine tune for you to use in your next interview, team meeting, speaking engagement, networking event, or maybe it’s a date. 

I really appreciate your support over the years and this is my way of giving that back.


About Sarah

Quote card featuring a photo of Sarah and her dog Jocko “Every professional benefits when they can share stories that demonstrate their skills, values, and character.”

"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

377 The Art of Storytelling: A Controlled Burn in The Forest Of Life

Throughout life we have a tendency to collect things, whether they be stories, memories, or physical objects, and more often than not we cling to these things despite them no longer serving us in any meaningful capacity. Which is why it is important to sit back, look at your hoard and realize you are not a dragon who must keep every single piece of scrap. You can thank the item, story, or memory and leave it behind so that you can open up to new possibilities and new meaningful things to put in your life.

In todays episode Sarah Elkins educates us on the importance of controlled burns in the national parks of the west, as well as the importance of our own “controlled burns” to clear away the clutter and make way for new, healthy growth in our lives.

377 The Art of Storytelling: A Controlled Burn in The Forest Of Life

Throughout life we have a tendency to collect things, whether they be stories, memories, or physical objects, and more often than not we cling to these things despite them no longer serving us in any meaningful capacity. Which is why it is important to sit back, look at your hoard and realize you are not a dragon who must keep every single piece of scrap. You can thank the item, story, or memory and leave it behind so that you can open up to new possibilities and new meaningful things to put in your life.

In todays episode Sarah Elkins educates us on the importance of controlled burns in the national parks of the west, as well as the importance of our own “controlled burns” to clear away the clutter and make way for new, healthy growth in our lives. 


Highlights

  • Protecting our future and our communities, means protecting our environment too.

  • Sometimes you need to shed the dead parts of the past in order to grow. 

  • What strategies can you use to do your own “controlled burn”, to remove the things in your life that no longer serve you in a meaningful way?


Quotes

“Even in my life activities I’m finding I need to shed things like relationships that no longer serve me, relationships that don’t feel reciprocal at all, commitments that feel too obligatory and not meaningful. And work activities that aren't moving the needle for me in income or intrinsic reward.”

“A controlled burn requires research, planning, and a whole lot of patience.”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with to much mental and physical clutter it might be time for you to take inventory too. Ask yourself the tough questions on what you truly need and want in your life and your home. And I hope you’ll take the next steps to research and plan and patiently reduce that clutter. 

And, as always, thank you for listening. 



As I mentioned I am celebrating my five year book-versary, starting today Your Stories Don’t Define You was published May 31, 2020. Starting this podcast was a wakeup call for me, I realized I was coaching my guests in sharing their pivotal moment stories, and they were finding great value in our time together, way beyond any promotional opportunity the podcast was offering. The book is designed to guide readers in collecting and sharing their stories with exercises and worksheets throughout. To celebrate my book-versary, I’m offering to sign and ship copies from Montana to you, and every purchase will include an offer for a 20 minute bullseye story mining session. In 20 minutes we will uncover at least one meaningful story for you to fine tune for you to use in your next interview, team meeting, speaking engagement, networking event, or maybe it’s a date. 

I really appreciate your support over the years and this is my way of giving that back.


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

375 Practicing What You Preach

It’s important in life, whether you are running your own business or in your daily life, to practice what you preach. Not only do you avoid being seen as hypocritical but often the best person to give you advice is you. Consult with other coaches and counselors, ask the opinions of those you love and value, do whatever you need to in order to put yourself on the path to fulfillment and success.

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Mike Trugman discuss practicing their own advice, as well as the importance of doing what you will say you will in order to put yourself in a better environment that will help you grow and thrive.

375 Practicing What You Preach

It’s important in life, whether you are running your own business or in your daily life, to practice what you preach. Not only do you avoid being seen as hypocritical but often the best person to give you advice is you. Consult with other coaches and counselors, ask the opinions of those you love and value, do whatever you need to in order to put yourself on the path to fulfillment and success.

In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Mike Trugman discuss practicing their own advice, as well as the importance of doing what you will say you will in order to put yourself in a better environment that will help you grow and thrive. 


Highlights

  • How do you approach your own self learning and self development?

  • What do you need to do more of to bring yourself more fulfillment?

  • Are you in a place that lets you grow and thrive? Or do you need to find somewhere new to grow?


Quotes

“We think we’re really sneaky, or really good at hiding these aspects of ourselves but there is no separate ‘I’m playful over here’ ‘I’m not playful over here.’ you are who you are.”

“In some capacity we have helped people with public speaking, each of us.”

“We’ve been conditioned for the most part in our society that to be successful you need to be relentlessly hard on yourself, and give up a lot of aspects of your life. And I love to work with people who are doing the courageous work of: What if I were really kind to myself? What could life look like if I was kinder and gentler to myself? And almost in a way, allowed my success to unfold, rather than something I need to grasp and control and attain. And if I lived that way, how would that make my personal relationships and the rest of my life better?”

“You can have everything you want in your life and also feel good about yourself at the same time, and it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Which is what I think a lot of us are taught and believe.”


Dear Listeners it is now your turn,

I would love for you to think about a time when something went sideways for you. I know we all have episodes that went a little sideways. But when was a time where things really went sideways for you and someone showed up to be your guide? It might’ve been in a negative way, it might’ve been somebody who did something so bad that you chose a different path in spite or to spite this person. But more than likely, you hit a point where things went so sideways that only somebody who loves you could help guide you out of that. Think about that moment, write it down, collect that story because as Mike said; it’s not all about I did this and now I’m here, it’s what obstacles did you overcome to get here? Because that’s the story that inspires. 

And, as always, thank you for listening. 


About Mike

Mike Trugman is a Professional Life and Career Coach who helps his clients move from fear to thriving with purpose, passion and fulfillment. He hosts a top 3% podcast, Mike's Search for Meaning, dedicated to mastering what it means to be human. As someone who used to sweat and shake at the prospect of speaking up in a small meeting, he knows that we can all achieve beyond our wildest dreams with consistency and hard work.

Before coaching and podcast hosting, Mike's background was in public accounting. He has over 10 years of public accounting experience, with a focus on financial services (hedge fund and private equity) clients.

Mike currently lives in the greater New York City area with his wife and son. He loves reading, learning, cooking, spending lots of time outdoors, watching his beloved but usually struggling Knicks and Jets, and connecting with his friends and family.

Be sure to check out Mike’s LinkedIn and Instagram! As well as his website Mike Trugman Coaching, and Calendly to schedule an appointment!


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

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!

Read More

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

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