255 Finding Light in Darkness
As we go through life we collect stories that we will carry with us for our whole lives, they often are evidence of the trials we have survived, but it's how we tell the story of our past that makes the difference.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her guest Mike Coleman discuss the importance of our stories and sharing them in a way that will inspire others and give yourself peace.
255 Finding Light in Darkness
As we go through life we collect stories that we will carry with us for our whole lives, they often are evidence of the trials we have survived, but it's how we tell the story of our past that makes the difference.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her guest Mike Coleman discuss the importance of our stories and sharing them in a way that will inspire others and give yourself peace.
Highlights
Find the cracks that let the light in.
Tell your story in the way you want to tell it.
Be international about the stories you share.
Quotes
“There are more important things than the next big story.”
“It’s incumbent upon us as storytellers to make a story interesting, and the cracks help do that and how we deal with them and how we survive them.”
“How can you not be happy? How can you not accept the way you are? How do you get to the point where you can say ‘Yes, I wouldn’t change this about me.’ and I realized I have a lot of work to do to get to that point.”
About Mike
A professional writer for nearly 45 years, Mike Coleman won awards for news reporting and writing for nonprofit organizations and businesses in the technology industry. He went on to launch his own branding and content development firm, which served international technology companies for more than a decade. After retiring in 2020, he wrote THE WAY FROM ME TO US, a memoir about his nearly 50-year relationship with his husband. It's a story of a couple carving out a life for themselves against a backdrop of major cultural change in attitudes toward LGBTQ people. THE WAY FROM ME TO US is scheduled for release in fall 2022 from Riverdale Avenue Books, NYC.
Connect with Mike on his LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!
Interested in Mike’s book? Get it here!
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.
Show notes by Chinook Bromlie.
252 Dealing With Trauma Through Stories
Sharing our stories and listening to the stories others tell us is the most important thing we can do in our interpersonal relationships, showing them that you understand and you care is a gift that only you can give.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her friend Lee Keylock discuss the importance of sharing our stories and carrying the stories of those we love with us so that we may heal and grow, as well as the importance of inspiring others to tell their own stories and pursue the path in life that will bring them joy and peace.
252 Dealing With Trauma Through Stories
Sharing our stories and listening to the stories others tell us is the most important thing we can do in our interpersonal relationships, showing them that you understand and you care is a gift that only you can give.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her friend Lee Keylock discuss the importance of sharing our stories and carrying the stories of those we love with us so that we may heal and grow, as well as the importance of inspiring others to tell their own stories and pursue the path in life that will bring them joy and peace.
Highlights
Caring for another’s story makes you care about yours.
Keep the memories of those who mattered to you alive through stories.
When you or another say something it can change everything.
We use stories to heal.
Quotes
“Every experience you have leads you to where you’re at. If you took any one of those experiences, stories, and songs out of the equation, it changes, something has to change. So it would change the trajectory of where you are now.”
“To hold somebody’s story like that and be responsible for it is a huge undertaking, you can’t minimalize that.”
About Lee Keylock
Lee Keylock is Director of Global Programs at Narrative 4 and oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of N4’s ongoing programmatic development. Originally from Britain, Lee immigrated to the United States in 1989 and taught English at Newtown High School in Connecticut for thirteen years. He has served as an adjunct professor teaching Creative Writing and Composition at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where he also earned his MFA in Creative Writing.
Connect with Lee on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram! And make sure you check out his website Narrative 4!
About Sarah Elkins
"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 NLV? Sign up here!
Show Notes by Chinook Bromlie
251 Our Magic Is Limited Only By Our Belief In Ourselves
As we grow we have a tendency to be rather ignorant of our skills and abilities, or we may even downplay just how significant our impact can be. It is only when we look inward and see that despite perceived imperfections we are capable of anything, we just need to get up and do it.
In this episode Sarah Elkins brings the esteemed Fatima Williams on to discuss the importance of your magic in every setting, from work to interpersonal relationships, and how that magic inspires not just others but yourself as well.
251 Our Magic Is Limited Only By Our Belief In Ourselves
As we grow we have a tendency to be rather ignorant of our skills and abilities, or we may even downplay just how significant our impact can be. It is only when we look inward and see that despite perceived imperfections we are capable of anything, we just need to get up and do it.
In this episode Sarah Elkins brings the esteemed Fatima Williams on to discuss the importance of your magic in every setting, from work to interpersonal relationships, and how that magic inspires not just others but yourself as well.
Highlights
What you do is because of them, the people who believed in you and inspired you.
Don’t let the pain destroy your spark.
Knowing and thinking about your contribution isn’t enough, you need to actively participate and contribute with your magic to have others see it.
Quotes
“Just thinking about it inside your head won’t get you the results you want.”
“To embrace who we are and what we can do, that is something that is instrumental to illuminating other people’s path and our path in the process.”
About Fatima Williams
Fatima Williams is a Career Growth Strategist and a Certified CIPD HR with more than a decade of experience in the industry. She is on a mission to help 100,000 career professionals especially Women in particular to achieve DREAM CAREER MASTERY and build a career they love with the job they love waking up each morning. Her mantra is "It is in giving we receive, in receiving we learn and in learning we grow, shining a light so bright that we light up the path for everyone with and around us."
Connect with Fatima on her personal website fatimawilliams.me LinkedIn, and be sure to follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And be sure to subscribe to her Dream Career Strategies Newsletter.
About Sarah Elkins
"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 NLV? Sign up here!
Show Notes by Chinook Bromlie
250 Satisfying Relationships Are A Choice
Sometimes what we want in life are things that may not be the best fit for us, be it a new leadership position and you’re either too bossy or too shy to effectively get the job done, or maybe it’s just a car that doesn’t run as well as we hoped it would. Regardless it is important to be able to keep our companions close in these times due to the valuable insight our inner circle can give us.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reflects on the importance of having people in your life who are willing to point out the mistakes you make with compassion, and why it is so necessary to be willing to change for the betterment of the relationships that are held dear.
250 Satisfying Relationships Are A Choice
Sometimes what we want in life are things that may not be the best fit for us, be it a new leadership position and you’re either too bossy or too shy to effectively get the job done, or maybe it’s just a car that doesn’t run as well as we hoped it would. Regardless it is important to be able to keep our companions close in these times due to the valuable insight our inner circle can give us.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reflects on the importance of having people in your life who are willing to point out the mistakes you make with compassion, and why it is so necessary to be willing to change for the betterment of the relationships that are held dear.
Highlights
Being willing to change and being able to flow with change.
Choice and Consequences will define how you want to grow.
Find people who will call you out when you make a mistake.
Quotes
“If you want to be a leader people have to trust you, they have to know you’ll help them without judging them for needing help.”
“As a leader you have to create an environment where people will see the positive impact of being there.”
About Sarah Elkins
"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
Show Notes by Chinook Bromlie
248: Your Community Matters
During life we often have to leave behind places and people, or transversely we must welcome new people into our lives in order to transform into the person we want ourselves to be.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reflects on the importance of companionship and being selective of who is in your social circle when planning for the next steps in life.
Your Tribe Matters
During life we often have to leave behind places and people, or transversely we must welcome new people into our lives in order to transform into the person we want ourselves to be.
In this episode Sarah Elkins reflects on the importance of companionship and being selective of who is in your social circle when planning for the next steps in life.
Highlights
Your close circle is either your greatest asset or your biggest liability.
What steps will you take to support your community and shed those who don’t support you?
Embody the qualities you admire in others into yourself.
Quotes
The people you surround yourself with are critical to your success.
You need someone for each of the critical aspects of how you spend your precious days.
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
Show notes by Chinook Bromlie
247: Our Biggest Obstacle Is Sometimes Ourselves
Many times in life we do everything within our power to achieve our goal, whether that be a new job, to bring pride to others or ourselves, and to finally get over that hurdle our mental health has been lately. It’s easy to forget how far you’ve come when you see how far you still have left to go, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your accomplishments now.
Our Biggest Obstacle Is Sometimes Ourselves, Featuring Megan Miller of Aprovechar Language Solutions
Many times in life we do everything within our power to achieve our goal, whether that be a new job, to bring pride to others or ourselves, and to finally get over that hurdle our mental health has been lately. It’s easy to forget how far you’ve come when you see how far you still have left to go, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your accomplishments now.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her good friend Megan Miller discuss the importance of allowing yourself to change and to celebrate every victory, no matter how small, because those victories are proof of your success.
Highlights
Sharing personal, vulnerable stories without any intention doesn’t help you.
Sometimes you don’t notice how much things change until you step back or get an outside perspective.
Celebrate the wins.
You get out what you put in.
Quotes
It’s soul, it’s about how you do it and why you do it.
The advice we give a lot of the time is advice we need to hear at that point in time.
Mentioned in this Podcast
About Megan
Megan Miller is the CEO of Aprovechar Language Solutions, LLC, a company which acts as a bridge between English and Spanish language learners. Her personalized and small group programs take a habit-based approach, and whether it’s in class or a Book Club – you know you’ll have fun!
She also helps IT companies in Latin America and Europe tell their stories for a U.S.-based audience through translation and localization projects. Megan has a Bachelor’s in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture and is a certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language.
Check out her Instagram and LinkedIn! As well as her website, Approvechar Language Solutions!
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.
Show notes by Chinook Bromlie
246: How Your Authentic Self Changes With Time
As we journey through life, conflict and confrontation of the self is inevitable, but it is how we face these challenges that reveal our most authentic selves.
Episode 246: How Your Authentic Self Changes With Time
As we journey through life, conflict and confrontation of the self is inevitable, but it is how we face these challenges that reveal our most authentic selves.
In this episode, Sarah Elkins and her guest Lisa Lackey discuss this idea, as well as what authenticity means to them and how it is something that can change with time.
Highlights
Authenticity is fluid and ever changing.
We can't be everything all at once.
Face challenges and pursue your dreams.
Quotes
Authenticity is malleable, it is not this rigid thing. You have to allow space for transformation, and if you have this rigid idea of your authentic self then there is no room for transformation
We can't be everything all at once, we can be what we want to be but we can't do it all at the same time.
I didn't know where I belonged, and I still don't know where I belong, and I have to constantly give myself permission to be able to sit in that and be okay with that. I ask myself, "what do I need?" and "what do I need to make myself feel like I fit in?" and "Is it okay to not fit in?"
About Lisa Lackey from her LinkedIn profile:
After a successful career in the entertainment industry beginning in my home country of Australia and spanning over 20 years here in the U.S, along with a life changing volunteer opportunity in Ghana, West Africa, I am excited to continue my work in this new and purposeful career focusing on social impact. Based in Los Angeles, I strive to be a vehicle for change, and I look forward to many more opportunities to align myself with the those who are rethinking how we can alleviate poverty especially as it pertains to the empowerment of women, and youth, locally and internationally.
About Sarah Elkins
"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.
Show Notes by Chinook Bromlie