Your Stories Don’t Define You
How You Tell Them Will
A podcast to unlock your stories and uncover meaningful insights.
203: Is It Truly Possible For People To Change? Featuring Lester Young
At the age of 19, Lester Young was convicted of murder. Today, he has transformed his life and utilizes his gifts to fulfill his purpose.
Enjoy this riveting discussion between Sarah Elkins and Lester Young, Executive Director for Path2Redemption, as they delve into how mistakes of the past don’t define who you are today. From learning “how to plant the seed” and cultivate your unique gifts, to giving back to others and changing their perceptions of you, this is an episode that will truly inspire your inner want for growth.
A Convicted Murder Believes in True Redemption
At the age of 19, Lester Young was convicted of murder. Today, he has transformed his life and utilizes his gifts to fulfill his purpose.
Enjoy this riveting discussion between Sarah Elkins and Lester Young, Executive Director for Path2Redemption, as they delve into how mistakes of the past don’t define who you are today. From learning “how to plant the seed” and cultivate your unique gifts, to giving back to others and changing their perceptions of you, this is an episode that will truly inspire your inner want for growth.
“I’m not tied to my story. I’m showing you the evolution, the transformation that I went through.”
Books Discussed:
James Allen’s As A Man Thinketh
Bob Burg’s The Go-Giver
Lester Young’s The Five Stages of Incarceration
Lester Young’s The Five Stages of Growth
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
About Lester:
Lester Young, Jr is a native of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. At the age of 19, Lester was given a life sentence (with the possibility of parole after serving 20 years). Entering prison without education was indeed a struggle, but he did not allow this to stop him from educating himself as well as others. With the support of family and friends, Lester was able to obtain his G.E.D and later enroll in Business Management Courses, via mail, as a student at Ashworth College. Lester began drawing attention and was constantly rewarded for his interest in helping others. With permission and no hesitation from the warden, Lester along with the prison chaplain began meeting to create templates, outlines, programs, and classes to instruct and mentor fellow inmates. This is where the idea of him establishing his own non-profit organization “Path2Redemption” got its start. After his release, on May 15, 2014 (22 years and 5 months) the outlines of his programs are still being taught in prison. Mr. Young is the author of two books The Five Stages of Incarceration and The Five Stages of Growth. Lester is also a proud father of a 6-year-old daughter.
Visit Lester’s website and follow him on LinkedIn to learn more!
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
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.
202: Becoming a Scientist: Why Do Stories Matter?
Indulge in this engaging conversation with Sarah Elkins and Scott Hanton, Editorial Director for Lab Manager Magazine and former Industrial Chemist and business leader for 30 years. They explore the beginning of his interest in becoming a chemist, as a young 13-year-old listening to a random man share his work stories, a moment that would instill a life-long passion for him.
Scott Hanton Has Firsthand Experience in the Power of Stories In His Journey to Becoming a Chemist
What do you want to be remembered for when you leave this world?
Indulge in this engaging conversation with Sarah Elkins and Scott Hanton, Editorial Director for Lab Manager Magazine and former Industrial Chemist and business leader for 30 years. They explore the beginning of his interest in becoming a chemist, as a young 13-year-old listening to a random man share his work stories, a moment that would instill a life-long passion for him. This was Scott’s “lollipop memont”, and was only the start - flash forward to Scott’s career today as he and Sarah discuss how managers treat their employees, as well as how our work and stories change others' perceptions of us.
Don't miss this great TED talk, where Drew Dudley talks about "lollipop moments" in the context of everyday leadership. This was a game-changer for Scott.
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
About Scott:
Scott attended Michigan State University and received his Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry, before earning his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scott was an industrial chemist and business leader for 30 years. His titles included General Manager, Laboratory Operations Manager, and Chief Scientist for Intertek Allentown. Scott also held the roles of research scientist, laboratory supervisor, and section manager. Currently, Scott is the Editorial Director for Lab Manager Magazine.Due to these positions, Scott has developed expertise in analytical characterization, people leadership, and business management. Scott is an active member of ACS, ASMS, and ALMA.
Visit Scott’s page on Lab Manager Magazine and follow him on LinkedIn.
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
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.