272 The Importance of Differences
As we grow and meet people we come to find that how we portray ourselves and our stories is immensely important to how we are perceived and how we build connections within and outside of our communities.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Jeanette Jergens discuss the importance of our stories and cultures, even from county to county. Without differences and uniqueness among one another there wouldn’t be many differing stories and that would be quite boring.
272 The Importance of Differences
As we grow and meet people we come to find that how we portray ourselves and our stories is immensely important to how we are perceived and how we build connections within and outside of our communities.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Jeanette Jergens discuss the importance of our stories and cultures, even from county to county. Without differences and uniqueness among one another there wouldn’t be many differing stories and that would be quite boring.
Highlights
You don’t waste good in any form, even if you can’t see it at first.
The difference of cultures and stories even in our own country.
Even if your lifestyles are different, you can still be centered with your values and the value of the friendship you share.
Quotes
“To hear her struggles and my struggles are so different, but yet they’re the same.”
“To know that something that you do and your lifestyle makes a difference.”
“Sometimes we get locked in our worlds and, like, I compare my world to a baseball. It’s kind of beat up after a long time, but yet kids will come and pick it up, and it becomes a gem to them. And then you know sometime you’ll be put on a shelf for someone to treasure.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What stories are you telling that you don’t even realize how meaningful they can be to others? What stories are you telling to represent your life, your beaten up baseball, so that others can value them and treasure those stories?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Jeanette
Jeanette Jergens is a furrier and rancher in Shelby Montana who knows firsthand what hard work and determination is. After discovering her passion for being a furrier, which is when one is creating costumes or heirlooms out of fur, Jeanette has made not only a living but priceless connections between other people from all over the country. After meeting Sarah at the Montana Farmers Union Women's Conference, her stories had such an impact on the Chief Storymaker that Sarah had to have Jeanette on the podcast.
Be sure to check out Jeanette’s Instagram!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
271 There Is Still Room For You
It’s human nature to envy another for what they can do or bring to the table, however it is the next thought of appreciation and acknowledgment that you also have important and valuable skills that matter.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Lynn Rivest discuss the importance of utilizing our most valuable tool, our humanity, to not only propel our own work forward but to inspire others to do the same.
271 There Is Still Room For You
It’s human nature to envy another for what they can do or bring to the table, however it is the next thought of appreciation and acknowledgment that you also have important and valuable skills that matter.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Lynn Rivest discuss the importance of utilizing our most valuable tool, our humanity, to not only propel our own work forward but to inspire others to do the same.
Highlights
You can love and value something without having to be in it.
We don’t know how important anything is until time passes.
What will make this day matter to you?
Quotes
“You don’t have to make it something more, it can just be what it is.”
“You can’t grow when you’re trying to control something.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
When you think about the purpose in your work, and why you do what you do, do you need to spend some time decluttering? I know I do.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Lynn
Lynn is the founder of minimalist biz where she works 1:1 with micro business owners to help them work on what matters most so they can create a mighty micro business that fuels the life they want for the long term.
She was a digital strategist and marketer for over 20 years and has coached hundreds of online entrepreneurs to help them grow their online businesses and she was the right-hand to a founder for 6 years scaling the business from $100k to multiple-seven figures.
She's a single mom of 2 who will both be in university this fall and that freaks her out a bit.
She considers herself a cozy minimalist - Experiences over stuff but you can never have too many pillows, blankets, and books.
Be sure to check out Lynn’s website Minimalist Biz!
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!
270 Mindset Agility
Changing, growing, self reflecting, and adapting is an integral part of life. If we don’t hone these skills we will inevitably miss out on the amazing opportunities life has to offer, whether it be a trip to a country you need to learn a language to explore, or meeting new people and listening to their stories. Our agility and flexibility in any circumstance is what determines whether we grow or stagnate.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Wendy Ryan discuss the importance of the aforementioned skills and how exemplifying these traits can inspire others to follow a similar path that will make way for similar healthy and happy habits.
270 Mindset Agility
Changing, growing, self reflecting, and adapting is an integral part of life. If we don’t hone these skills we will inevitably miss out on the amazing opportunities life has to offer, whether it be a trip to a country you need to learn a language to explore, or meeting new people and listening to their stories. Our agility and flexibility in any circumstance is what determines whether we grow or stagnate.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Wendy Ryan discuss the importance of the aforementioned skills and how exemplifying these traits can inspire others to follow a similar path that will make way for similar healthy and happy habits.
Highlights
External advice is invaluable when given in a constructive and compassionate manner.
Hold up the mirror in a way that is safe and nonjudgmental.
There’s nothing wrong with being vulnerable, honest, trusting and making progress.
Quotes
“Being humble, being forgiving of yourself and your own learning curve, and every place is different and nuances matter.”
“I’ve also found as a practitioner that it can sometimes do more to disrupt, in a healthy way, some of the energy that’s going on and help us reset and remind us that we’re all human and that some of this frankly is funny. And sometimes when we do that it’s like we can take that big scary monster who seems 15 feet tall and all the sudden, no it’s only the size of one of those spiders in Australia, we can deal with that.”
“This will relate, in part, to the identities we hold.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What kind of healthy self reflection can you do today to make yourself a better leader no matter where you sit.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Wendy
Wendy Ryan (she/her/hers), MHROD, is the CEO of Kadabra. With over 25 years of combined experience in
human resources, organizational development, nonprofit leadership and executive coaching Wendy has
partnered with hundreds of individuals and organizations throughout the U.S. helping front-line
through C-suite leaders and board members achieve success as individuals and in teams.
Wendy is the author of the award-winning bestseller, Learn Lead Lift: How to Think, Act, and Inspire Your Way to Greatness and has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo News! Business Digest, Authority Magazine, CEO Magazine and Thrive Global. Wendy is also an active mentor, strategic advisor and angel investor in early stage, BIPOC, LGBTQ++ and women-led companies and an advocate for expanding diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the investor and business ecosystem.
Check out Wendy’s website We Are Kadabra, and be sure to get a copy of her book Learn, Lead, Lift.
Connect with Wendy on her LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
269 It Starts With Belief In Yourself
Inspiration and independence often go hand in hand as we go through life, often making us feel that we are alone while trying to claim our own personal slice of life. However to try and do this alone is not only a daunting task but can nearly be impossible, which is why finding community and a helping hand can be the defining factor between success or failure.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and the esteemed Jenn Donahue discuss how important it is to find community and self belief as we go through life, in doing so we inspire those around us and make the road of life less lonely and easier for others.
269 It Starts With Belief In Yourself
Inspiration and independence often go hand in hand as we go through life, often making us feel that we are alone while trying to claim our own personal slice of life. However to try and do this alone is not only a daunting task but can nearly be impossible, which is why finding community and a helping hand can be the defining factor between success or failure.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and the esteemed Jenn Donahue discuss how important it is to find community and self belief as we go through life, in doing so we inspire those around us and make the road of life less lonely and easier for others.
Highlights
Adapting to uncontrollable circumstances and finding joy in them.
Find a mentor for whatever it is you want to learn and be passionate about, go to different ones until you find what resonates with you.
Striving to inspire someone so that the next person’s journey will be easier.
Quotes
“I’m just one of those really headstrong or independent people that just sort of throws myself into something, which is not necessarily the right thing to do and now I tell people, “Go find a mentor.”.”
“It’s so much easier to believe that you can be someone whenever you’ve actually seen someone in that position before.”
“There are others that are like you. You don’t have to be an island, go find the other islands and make an archipelago.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What evidence are you going to start pointing to that shows that you are resilient, that you are a badass? Collect a couple of stories tonight, the moment that you think about it, anytime something pops into your head, something you’ve accomplished, write it down. Collect the evidence so that that belief in yourself really starts to solidify.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Jenn
Jenn Donahue PhD is a retired US Navy Captain and former Commodore for an 1,800 personnel Regiment. She is also a civil engineer who works on large scale, high profile geotechnical projects. Over her 27-year military career, Jenn has built a bridge across the Euphrates River in the midst of the Iraq war, commanded an 800-personnel Battalion in Afghanistan, and constructed combat outposts in the middle of deserts filled with insurgents.
Jenn has led earthquake and tsunami reconnaissance missions in places like Samoa and Japan; designed the seismic plans for a bridge over the Panama Canal; and built roads by blasting and drilling in the coldest climes of Ketchikan. Astonishingly, Jenn has even served as the seismology expert at no fewer than five nuclear power plants.
Along the way she mentored scores of young leaders. Today Jenn has founded JL Donahue Engineering, Inc. and Dare to Rise. She also lectures at UC Berkeley and UCLA.
Connect with Jenn on LinkedIn and Instagram!
Be sure to check out her website at JennDonahue.com!
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.
Interested in No Longer Virtual? Check out the details and register at elkinsconsulting.com/nlv-home
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
268 How Our Authenticity And Identity Shift Over Time
Have you ever made a decision that conflicted with beliefs you once had? It’s always a troubling feeling when change comes around, we question ourselves, our intelligence, our society, our parents, and everything that shaped us into who we are. Which is why it is so important to not just ourselves but to other people in our lives to remain fluid and open minded.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Asha Dahya discuss how our authenticity is always changing and evolving with us, and how it is incredibly important to embrace this portion of our humanity and learn to grow and accept ourselves and our own changes.
268 How Our Authenticity And Identity Shifts Over Time
Have you ever made a decision that conflicted with beliefs you once had? It’s always a troubling feeling when change comes around, we question ourselves, our intelligence, our society, our parents, and everything that shaped us into who we are. Which is why it is so important to not just ourselves but to other people in our lives to remain fluid and open minded.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Asha Dahya discuss how our authenticity is always changing and evolving with us, and how it is incredibly important to embrace this portion of our humanity and learn to grow and accept ourselves and our own changes.
Highlights
Authenticity is about being comfortable in your skin and values regardless of how uncomfortable the situation you’re in is.
Finding what keeps you passionate. Finding your what and why.
Amplifying the stories that matter.
Quotes
“Anytime I got to do things like that, talk about this is how I used to think and now this is where I am and this is what I’m doing with my passion. It made me feel much more empowered because I knew I had a goal, rather than “oh I just changed my mind on something.”.”
“But I think once we give space for us to make those decisions and also permission to fail, it’s okay to fail and make the wrong decisions and work out how to get back on track. All of those things, we deserve to have in our lives.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
If you had an opportunity to amplify a specific story from your life, that you know other people have experienced and would find great comfort and inspiration in, what would that story be?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Asha
Asha Dahya is a TEDx Speaker, author and producer with nearly 2 decades of experience creating content for major broadcast and digital platforms including FOX, ABC, MSN, and MTV. In 2020 Asha released her first book titled ‘Today’s Wonder Women: Everyday Superheroes Who Are Changing The World’ where she interviewed 50 women and girls from around the world.
Asha is also the Founder and Editor in Chief of GirlTalkHQ.Com: a daily female empowerment blog promoting women’s voices stories.
Passionate about the intersections of female representation, reproductive justice, and religion, Asha is currently in production on two documentary projects about abortion. You can see more of her work at AshaDahya.com.
Connect with Asha on her Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram!
And be sure to check out Asha’s website at Asha Dahya, Girl Talk, and her book Today’s Wonder Women! As well as the Ted Talk she was in!
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.
Interested in No Longer Virtual? Check out the details and register at elkinsconsulting.com/nlv-home
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
267 Everybody Needs a Coach
It’s normal to need help, we aren’t born knowing everything especially when it comes to ourselves. We are constantly changing and evolving, so turning to someone who specializes in one field to help you understand yourself better should be welcomed and sought out when we need guidance.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Annette Taylor discuss strengths and weaknesses as well as how best to maximize one's ability in any field they occupy as well as how to use even weaknesses to the advantage.
267 Everybody Needs a Coach
It’s normal to need help, we aren’t born knowing everything especially when it comes to ourselves. We are constantly changing and evolving, so turning to someone who specializes in one field to help you understand yourself better should be welcomed and sought out when we need guidance.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Annette Taylor discuss strengths and weaknesses as well as how best to maximize one's ability in any field they occupy as well as how to use even weaknesses to the advantage.
Highlights
Everyone needs help understanding and utilizing their strengths and weaknesses
Observe not Absorb
Leave room in conversations for the other person to participate, it’s a two way street.
Quotes
“I kind of pride myself on not being a perfectionist.”
“With the empathy, because I think I can be confusing sometimes, I might be seeing it from the other person’s view and then the person doesn’t know what my view is.”
About Annette from her LinkedIn
I am full-time mom who has re-entered the workforce on a part-time basis. I have worked in customer service, as a preschool teacher, an administrative assistant, and as a property inspector. I have a M.A. in Educational Psychology (emphasis in Early Childhood Education) and am comfortable in front of an audience. After 5 plus years of personal research, I put together a website about human behavior based on mix of biology and philosophy. Feel free to check it out! www.cavedwellerclub.com
Connect with Annette on 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.
Interested in No Longer Virtual? Check out the details and register at elkinsconsulting.com/nlv-home
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What assessments have you taken that have changed how you see yourself? And have assessments simply confirmed what you know about yourself? Have you taken it to the next step of understanding maybe where you're getting in your own way, at relationships, at home, and at work? I'd love to hear what you're doing with your assessments and what experiences you've had when you've had coaches to walk you through them. Comment on my blog post associated with this podcast at Elkins Consulting.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
266 Storytelling and the Science of Community
More often than not storytelling and science coincide with the importance of humanities success as a civilization and a species. Our inherent desires to know and be known, as well as to be loved and to love are often cited as where our civilization began.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and the accomplished scientist Jens Madsen discuss the importance of science and storytelling, and how the two more often than not go hand in hand to convey emotions and experiences to your audience.
266 Storytelling and the Science of Community
More often than not storytelling and science coincide with the importance of humanity’s success as a civilization and a species. Our inherent desires to know and be known, as well as to be loved and to love are often cited as where our civilization began.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and the accomplished scientist Jens Madsen discuss the importance of science and storytelling, and how the two more often than not go hand in hand to convey emotions and experiences to your audience.
Highlights
What purpose do music and other arts serve in your life? What lights you up?
Community in individuality. Comfort in the company of others who also feel like they don’t fit in.
Losing the attention of an audience, or vice versa, is not a sign of being a bad narrator or audience.
The importance of finding a place and people where you can safely discuss emotions and topics relating to them.
Quotes
“We’re humans, that’s what we are and we’re not that different.”
“I’m so affected by the emotional state of my surroundings, I just generally want everyone to be happy and feel good, how can I do that? One way of course is the story of how similar we are, or what it is that sort of somehow attracts our attention and what effects does that have on us?”
“This idea that we’re alone and we’re these people that are so different from everybody else, and like “I’m the only one having these thoughts and these feelings.” Like, no! We all have them, let’s just talk about it, this is totally fine to talk about.”
Dear Listeners it’s now your turn:
What story have you been telling that may have been creating a negative perception about you? And what stories can you share that will demonstrate the beauty of the people and the environment around you? What resources do you need to make sure that you are telling the right stories and listening to the music that will connect you with the people around you?
As always, thank you for listening!
About Jens
Jens works as a cognitive neuroscientist at the City College of New York where his work spans the intersection between cognitive psychology, neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Jens is originally from Denmark where he was trained in computer science and artificial intelligence, before he moved to New York City to pursue a career in neuroscience. Now he works on both developing techniques that measure attention when we engage with narratives (e.g. podcasts, movies or music) using neural, behavioral and physiological signals. Recently this work has led to investigating what it is in narratives that attracts our attention.
Connect with Jens on his Twitter and LinkedIn as well as his website at jensmadsen.com!
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.
Interested in No Longer Virtual? Check out the details and register at elkinsconsulting.com/nlv-home
Be sure to check out the Job Interview Storytelling Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!