362 Stories Influence Our Identity and Personal Narrative
As we close the chapter on 2024 and begin to start anew in 2025, it’s time that we take a step back to reflect on the narratives and stories that we have been harboring. We must take it upon ourselves to determine if these stories still serve us or if it is time to let those stories stay a product of their time and remain in the past so that we can create new stories that reflect us who we are now.
In today’s monologue Sarah Elkins ruminates on the effect the story The Giving Tree had on her as both a child and a mother, and how it has inspired her to reflect on other stories that no longer serve her.
362 Stories Influence Our Identity and Personal Narrative
As we close the chapter on 2024 and begin to start anew in 2025, it’s time that we take a step back to reflect on the narratives and stories that we have been harboring. We must take it upon ourselves to determine if these stories still serve us or if it is time to let those stories stay a product of their time and remain in the past so that we can create new stories that reflect us who we are now.
In today’s monologue Sarah Elkins ruminates on the effect the story The Giving Tree had on her as both a child and a mother, and how it has inspired her to reflect on other stories that no longer serve her.
Highlights
What stories are you telling yourself that do not stand the test of time?
How do the stories you’ve heard influence you and the relationships with the people around you.
It’s not too late to change the ending of your story. Will you choose a kinder conclusion or will you choose the option that gives you peace?
Quotes
“Think about the stories that you read to your children in the hopes that they’ll absorb some morality lessons; Like Aesop’s Fables, maybe stories from the bible, or maybe books from your culture or religion. We can’t expect children to absorb those lessons but ignore the ones in Cinderella and The Giving Tree. It doesn’t work like that, literature is Literature.”
“As we head into the new year it’s a really good time to consider our impact on the people and environment around us, and to make an effort to be more intentional about that impact.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I challenge you to take inventory of a few things; before you make any new years resolutions, before you pick a word of the year, or as you consider your goals for personal growth in 2025, ask yourself these questions. What influenced my identity as a child or young adult that maybe it’s time to review and consider whether they still resonate and why? What stories have I been told about myself as a child that no longer align with who I am or how I want to experience myself moving forward? And what evidence can I point to, recent stories, that contradict those childhood labels that no longer fit? Lastly, what stories am I continuing to share about other people; my children, my friends, my family, and others in my community and at work, that might be contributing to negativity and division?
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!
320 Anchored In Time
Labels and judgment are an unfortunate symptom of society, more often than not people will be framed in a particular light without any chance to defend themselves or for a full explanation to be given. Because of one person saying something, one bad interaction, or one misinterpretation a person can be frozen in time under whatever label was given to them.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on enlightening experiences that have recently occurred that have helped continue to shape her perspective on the damage of labels and unfair judgment.
320 Anchored in Time
Labels and judgment are an unfortunate symptom of society, more often than not people will be framed in a particular light without any chance to defend themselves or for a full explanation to be given. Because of one person saying something, one bad interaction, or one misinterpretation a person can be frozen in time under whatever label was given to them.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on enlightening experiences that have recently occurred that have helped continue to shape her perspective on the damage of labels and unfair judgment.
Highlights
Art imitates life and more often than not, not for the better.
Labels and keeping someone frozen in time can warp our perceptions of others and ourselves.
Work on strategies to help yourself avoid judging another and labeling them unjustly.
Quotes
“Their spouses, families, and friends are all shocked of course, and they say things like “My whole life with you is a lie!” I desperately wanted to ask those family and friends, Did you feel loved and cared for all those years you were together? Are you going to ignore all that you know to be true about this person because of something they did over twenty years ago?! I want to shake them!”
“Labels are a form of judgment and no one likes to be judged, especially from someone else’s limited information about us.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Do you have cringey moments you look back on, times that when you do look back on them realize they weren’t too great? When have you been labeled and judged unfairly? Are their stories about people in your past that maybe it’s time to reconsider before sharing?
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!
316 Community In The Age of Social Media
Throughout our careers we will all need to make decisions to benefit ourselves and others by being a good leader and building up our teammates. In the age of social media and technology it is easy to focus on progress and monetization over the health of your community and your team. It is vital to your growth as a person and a business owner to choose community and growth for the betterment of your business, your community, and your team.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and the equally accomplished Eric Elkins discuss the importance of community and teamwork in our current age, how taking the time to listen to others and hold yourself and them accountable can lead to growth and change in the world around you. Eric also shares the skill of storytelling and brings awareness, compassion, and mindfulness to the conversation.
316 Community In The Age of Social Media
Want to join this year’s NLV Conference? Register here!
Throughout our careers we will all need to make decisions to benefit ourselves and others by being a good leader and building up our teammates. In the age of social media and technology it is easy to focus on progress and monetization over the health of your community and your team. It is vital to your growth as a person and a business owner to choose community and growth for the betterment of your business, your community, and your team.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and the equally accomplished Eric Elkins discuss the importance of community and teamwork in our current age, how taking the time to listen to others and hold yourself and them accountable can lead to growth and change in the world around you. Eric also shares the skill of storytelling and brings awareness, compassion, and mindfulness to the conversation.
Highlights
Sometimes you shouldn’t care what people think, especially if it’s something that makes you happy.
Oftentimes growing means change, don’t be afraid to spread your wings.
Community builds each other up, don’t be afraid to accept help and help others.
Turn conversations that are hard into something positive for you in the long run.
Value your team, without them you and your business can’t grow or make meaningful connections.
Quotes
“We could build a sense of community by building a sense of place.”
“For me it’s always about connecting people so that they can be more successful and be happier and do what they need to do.”
“I often say when you get a negative comment or a negative review: Your response has two audiences and two functions, the first audience is the person who wrote the comment, the negative comment or the negative review, and the first thing you need to do there is deescalate and hopefully get that conversation offline or into a private venue so that you can work through the situation and solve the problem. But that second audience is everybody else who’s watching what you’re gonna do, and so that’s why it’s always important to respond, take responsibility, and then to actively in that response move that conversation elsewhere.”
“We all go to work. We all have to deal with the vagaries of the workplace, and the slog that is even a job that we love, and the one thing that keeps us coming back day after day is the connection we have to the people there.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
It’s time to hold up that mirror in front of yourself, what behavior are you continuing in your management or your conversations within your community and the people who care about you that maybe you didn’t like when other people did those behaviors towards you. I know it’s hard to be a manager, especially if you’re new to that, so make sure that you’re paying attention to what you didn’t like in your experience with managers and not continuing those behaviors with your people. Listeners, I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Eric
Eric Elkins is a strategist, author, professional speaker, and CEO of WideFoc.us Social Media (http://www.widefoc.us/), a Denver-based agency he founded in 2007. Using organic and paid social strategies along with full-service community management, his team drives tangible results for B2B tech/SaaS companies, B2C brands, the home services industry, nonprofits, and global corporations. For more than 25 years, Eric has helped companies grow their visibility and increase revenue. He writes the occasional novel, hosts Denver food faves at denverlicious.com, and loves to share his eating and travel adventures on Instagram as @ericelkins.
Be sure to check out Eric’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook! As well as his website Wide Focus and his food blog Denverlicious!
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!
315 The Risks Of Following Your Passion
In life we are bound to do any number of things on our path to a successful career, adding to our portfolio of stories and skills in our pursuit of happiness. These things do not take away from our skills but instead add to them and our expertise, it all depends on how you choose to apply these acquired tools in our life and career.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Elaine Belson discuss how walking the many paths of life have helped shape them into the successful entrepreneurs they are today, offering insight and positivity involving the paths to fulfillment and success. Elaine brings warmth and an intelligent insight to the conversation, referencing and telling many stories of her numerous skill sets that have helped shape her and her business into who they are today.
315 The Risks Of Following Your Passion
In life we are bound to do any number of things on our path to a successful career, adding to our portfolio of stories and skills in our pursuit of happiness. These things do not take away from our skills but instead add to them and our expertise, it all depends on how you choose to apply these acquired tools in our life and career.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Elaine Belson discuss how walking the many paths of life have helped shape them into the successful entrepreneurs they are today, offering insight and positivity involving the paths to fulfillment and success. Elaine brings warmth and an intelligent insight to the conversation, referencing and telling many stories of her numerous skill sets that have helped shape her and her business into who they are today.
Highlights
Your skills can be applied in a variety of ways, even in situations you wouldn’t expect them to be in.
What you take from your experiences contribute to your expertise, even if those experiences are not directly.
It’s okay to sit back and look at how far you’ve come, to witness your own performance on the stage of life.
Don’t call it a gift when you have worked hard to hone your talents and skills.
Try different things, be a jack of all trades. Broaden your horizons.
Quotes
“If you have certain skills it doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, right? You can thrive. It’s more about the tools in your tool box than it is about experience.”
“Our experiences are not just our resume.”
“It was this Aha moment for me, this “Oh this is what it feels like!” You know to just be happy with something. It doesn’t have to be huge, high, right? It’s that ability to get up everyday and want to go to work.”
“That’s what I think true passion is, is when you can get up everyday and look forward to what you’re doing.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I would love to hear how this episode landed for you. What did you hear in it that made you realize something about yourself? Maybe that you’re a gypsy careerist and you haven’t given yourself enough credit for all of the ways that those iterations of your career have made you who you are today? I would love to hear about that.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Elaine
I have 30yrs combined clinical, military, political and teaching experience. I joined at the age of 42 and served as XO for Medical Command in Afghanistan. My "brand" is "Embrace your Humanity" - harnessing your innate abilities to make good decisions and self-validate. Positive and practical, this approach empowers people to solve their own problems through insight, problem-solving and coping skills. I'm a pragmatist and think in soundbites - so my content is original and easy to understand, remember and apply. I have a full-time practice, host a serial podcast and do guest appearances. I also write a newsletter about psychology in politics. However, my primary focus is public speaking.
Be sure to check out Elaine’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! And be sure to check out her website Elaine Belson!
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!
Want to join this year’s NLV Conference? Register here!
313 Rediscovering Yourself
Change is a fundamental law of nature, nothing stays the same forever. This is especially true when it comes to people, we are never the same even from moment to moment, we are allowed and expected to change, to grow, to become a version of ourselves that we can be proud of.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Michelle Cooper discuss growth, change, and the pains that come with it. Michelle brings warmth, empathy, and a depth of emotion that will make you laugh, maybe cry, but certainly bring you some hope and determination for the new year.
313 Rediscovering Yourself
Change is a fundamental law of nature, nothing stays the same forever. This is especially true when it comes to people, we are never the same even from moment to moment, we are allowed and expected to change, to grow, to become a version of ourselves that we can be proud of.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Michelle Cooper discuss growth, change, and the pains that come with it. Michelle brings warmth, empathy, and a depth of emotion that will make you laugh, maybe cry, but certainly bring you some hope and determination for the new year.
Highlights
Sometimes all you need to do is learn the rules because you already have the skills.
Acknowledging the other people who help shape your story.
Sometimes finding your voice and your purpose can cause friction in your life, but it is your responsibility to work together and remedy the strife.
Quotes
“To me whether it’s a partner or a friend or a family member, it doesn’t really matter. If they can’t support something that’s really important to you then they shouldn’t be in your energy.”
“You’ve got to have some data, you’ve got to go with your gut, and you have to come from an empowered place, not a victim, not a limited mindset, not survival. So how do we change that?”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What about this conversation really resonated with you? Was it this idea of finding community somehow in your late thirties? Was it about knowing that sometimes you need to have those hard conversations to give your partner a chance to change and to grow with you rather than leaving them behind? What will you do in 2024 cause it’s early still, to make a decision about something that maybe you committed to without fully being committed to it but you’re afraid to let it go?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Michelle
Michelle Cooper is a Business Mentor, Author, Podcast Host, and International Speaker. What began as a journey of self-awareness and healing has boomed into over a million-dollar business empire with a mission to shift the trajectory of wealth, one entrepreneur at a time.
Michelle will help you tidy up your money and the relationship you have around it so that you can run your business and life with confidence and clarity, ultimately ending the suffering around your finances.
Be sure to check out Michelle’s LInkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram as well as her website at MichelleBCooper!
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!
312 Approaching Differences With Curiosity
Differences between people are as certain as night and day, however it is entirely up to us to determine if we will embrace these differences and learn more about them or to further isolate ourselves into an echochamber of similar ideology.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reads from her upcoming book Authenticity is Overrated and ruminates on the importance of embracing differences as opposed to getting frustrated over them.
312 Approaching Differences With Curiosity
Differences between people are as certain as night and day, however it is entirely up to us to determine if we will embrace these differences and learn more about them or to further isolate ourselves into an echochamber of similar ideology.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reads from her upcoming book Authenticity is Overrated and ruminates on the importance of embracing differences as opposed to getting frustrated over them.
Highlights
What are some personal blinders you are wearing?
Life is boring without change and differences.
Approaching differences with curiosity.
Quotes
“We can have the most diverse workforce, a completely diverse group of professionals at the table. But if we’re only tolerating them, we are not embracing those differences.”
“What if you reframe that story of that frustration to learn the lessons from it and find somebody that’s completely different from you that works in a way that grows your business.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
This excerpt from my book is a reminder of the importance of embracing our differences. What have you been tolerating that you can approach with curiosity instead of indifference, frustration, or fear? What difference might that make for you at work? Think about one person from your work that you found especially frustrating to work with. Can you reduce the darkness of those blinders for just a moment to consider what that person’s talents were that are different than yours and maybe find just a few things about that person that were good challenges for you, learning opportunities that made a difference in how you see the world and how you handled a challenging situation that you encountered later on in your career. What if you reframe that story of that frustration to learn the lessons from it and find somebody that’s completely different from you that works in a way that grows your business. That brings innovation and creativity to your days at work.
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!
273 The Hero’s Journey
Heroes and dragons can take many different shapes, and it is vital to remember that we are the heroes of our own stories and that it is our duty to fight the dragons in whatever form they take. Only through these trials can we learn and grow into who we want to be.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Nettie Owens discuss the importance of our personal journeys and mastering ourselves so that we can become better leaders for the people around us.
273 The Hero’s Journey
Heroes and dragons can take many different shapes, and it is vital to remember that we are the heroes of our own stories, and that it is our duty to fight the dragons in whatever form they take. Only through these trials can we learn and grow into who we want to be.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Nettie Owens discuss the importance of our personal journeys and mastering ourselves so that we can become better leaders for the people around us.
Highlights
Be proud of your growth and the growth you inspire others to accomplish.
It’s your job to be a better person for the people you lead.
Be aware of your emotions and self reflect to see where you are getting in your own way.
Everything starts with you and if you aren’t taking care of yourself, you cannot be the best version of yourself.
Quotes
“I really like this idea of self mastery over self care. I think self care has a different tone and feel to it even though we might be describing some of the same things. When I see self care, it’s been used in such a way these days it elicits massages and bath tubs, and that’s great but what we’re talking about is sort of this full scope of your wellness, your well being, your relationships, and your professional development. The full package and how can you be that best version of yourself and bring that to the role in your company.”
“They don’t always realize what that means and what weight it carries, that they are the hero of the story and that they are required to go through the trials and tribulations that are part of the hero’s journey, and to face the dragons both physical and emotional, and that their job is to take this learning and bring it back to the village -back to the employees- and guide them.”
“No matter what, we’re all a leader somewhere.”
Listeners, it’s your turn,
When you think about your hero’s journey and the role you play in other people’s journeys, how do you want to be remembered? What are the things you want people to know about you at the end of the day, and how are your actions and behaviors aligning with what you want people to know about you?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Nettie
Nettie Owens, CPO-CD® is an internationally recognized and award-winning expert, author and sought-after speaker on accountability and productivity. Owens’ methodologies are brain-based, researched and backed by science. Through training, speaking, coaching, writing, and more than 100 video interviews on “What Businesses Need To Know Right Now,” She brings over 19 years worth of ideas on productivity, accountability, leadership, and entrepreneurship to the community and beyond. She seeks to create an environment of success where all voices are heard.
Text FREEDOM to 411321 for a guide from Nettie called “How To Succeed In Business For High Achievers”!
Check out Nettie’s website Sappari Group! As well as Momentum CEO Network, and be sure to get her book What Businesses Need To Know.
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!