303 Hang On Little Tomato
To achieve personal success in life is a feat worthy of celebration, only at the end of a long road can we triumphantly declare our dreams have been achieved. However it can sometimes seem like that road never ends. Whether it’s dreams of career success, or dreams of a healthy environment, the road to success can be daunting. What is vital to remember is that even the smallest action can make a difference. A snowflake does not know it will become a snowman or an avalanche.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Susan Inches discuss how they have walked their chosen paths and the great friends and trials they encountered along the way and what they learned in their striving to achieve their own personal success.
303 Hang On Little Tomato
To achieve personal success in life is a feat worthy of celebration, only at the end of a long road can we triumphantly declare our dreams have been achieved. However it can sometimes seem like that road never ends. Whether it’s dreams of career success, or dreams of a healthy environment, the road to success can be daunting. What is vital to remember is that even the smallest action can make a difference. A snowflake does not know it will become a snowman or an avalanche.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Susan Inches discuss how they have walked their chosen paths and the great friends and trials they encountered along the way and what they learned in their striving to achieve their own personal success.
Highlights
Most people don’t understand or won’t consider how you got to where you are, and they won’t understand why it matters without you telling them why.
It’s okay to take a while to develop the clarity to see where you are going and what you want to do.
Asking why without judgment, because if you lash out people will not want to work with you.
Protecting the environment is the civic duty of everyone in our community. All actions, regardless of how small, make a difference.
Quotes
“It’s not about content, it’s not about solid waste or fisheries or renewable energy, it's about how to make change happen, and those content areas are just the vehicle for that.”
“One of the things I like to talk about a lot is that the word advocacy is kind of a big scary word, and most people think ‘Oh my gosh I could never do that.’ But what I like to say is, no actually if you like to have friendships or relationships with people, if you like to communicate and talk and tell a story, you’re a perfect person to be an advocate because you can be an authentic storyteller and you can move a decision maker to change their mind or do something different.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What will you do, how will you model the things that matter to you so that the people around you; children, adults, neighbors, friends, partners, colleagues, will see what matters to you through your actions. What step can you take today that will make a difference to the world tomorrow, even if it’s not doing something, like sharing something divisive on social media, instead let’s take one step towards the positive direction, do one thing that will improve life tomorrow.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sue
Since childhood, Susan Inches has envisioned a world that is compassionate, inclusive, and environmentally aware. This vision guided her through a 25-year career in public policy. As Deputy Director of the Maine State Planning Office she lobbied for a portfolio of environmental policy issues on behalf of the Governor. Signature policy issues she’s worked on include fisheries, land use planning, smart growth, building and energy codes, energy policy, working waterfront access, community finance, and rural broadband.
Sue now works as a speaker, educator, author and advocate with a focus on the environment and climate change. She is actively engaged in advocating for environmental rights and energy democracy. She holds a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic, and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire. She has taught advocacy skills at Colby, Bates and Colorado Colleges. Her recent book is Advocating for the Environment, How to Gather Your Power and Take Action.
Be sure to check out Sue’s LinkedIn and her website! And be sure to pick up a copy of Sue’s book 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.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
302 Spread Love
With how the current world is it can be incredibly easy to become desensitized and disheartened, especially when we are surrounded by ignorance, hatred, and suffering. Feeling helpless and heartbroken in times like these is completely normal, but it’s important to take a breath and consider how you can help others, your community, and yourself. Traumatic events like these take time to heal from and no one is going to be okay overnight, but we can try to spread kindness and love even when we are hurting and mourning for others.
In this episode Sarah Elkins opens her heart to express her profound sadness, despair, and fear at the current state of the world, most notably the tragedy that is occurring in the Middle East.
302 Spread Love
With how the current world is it can be incredibly easy to become desensitized and disheartened, especially when we are surrounded by ignorance, hatred, and suffering. Feeling helpless and heartbroken in times like these is completely normal, but it’s important to take a breath and consider how you can help others, your community, and yourself. Traumatic events like these take time to heal from and no one is going to be okay overnight, but we can try to spread kindness and love even when we are hurting and mourning for others.
In this episode Sarah Elkins opens her heart to express her profound sadness, despair, and fear at the current state of the world, most notably the tragedy that is occurring in the Middle East.
Highlights
It’s okay to not be okay. Especially in the unfortunate world we live in.
Protect your neighbors, your friends, and your family. Be there for those who are hurting and prove to them and others that you stand with love.
The only place to have conversations that inform and change opinions is in person, not social media.
Quotes
“Can we separate civilians from their hateful government power grabs and evil actions? Or are we somehow responsible for our own suffering from terrorism?”
“Posting on social media isn’t really about informing people. No one ever changed their mind based on a meme they saw, or an article they read that was shared on a platform like facebook, instagram, or tiktok. When we share those memes or articles that confirm our own opinions we know they’ll either antagonize people or confirm our friends' opinions, they’ll never change them.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m asking you right now to tell people you are grieving for the families that are victims of brutal warfare. That you understand it’s their government, it’s their leaders, it’s those power hungry, greedy people who spew hate to distract us and create divisions, who are using us as pawns in their games of global chess. This isn’t a game. This is the worst of brutality against humanity, targeting civilians, targeting children.
I’m asking you to pay attention to what you share because what you share online matters, before you share anything ask yourself; “Am I contributing to hate?” “Am I contributing to alienation?”
I’m asking you right now to stop spewing hate and to start spreading love.
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!
301 Sharing Meaningful Stories To Portray Your Values and Skills
Storytelling has been a part of human culture since we lived in caves, from stories of great heroes to warnings not to go into dangerous places, knowing how to tell stories has been vital to our existence more now than ever. Knowing how to tell stories and knowing what meaningful stories to share is a skill that is important to hone and practice daily.
In this episode Sarah Elkins shares another meaningful story that exemplifies her values and skills as a professional and person, while also telling stories about others in her life and how through these stories show their own values and talents.
301 Sharing Meaningful Stories To Portray Your Values and Skills
Storytelling has been a part of human culture since we lived in caves, from stories of great heroes to warnings not to go into dangerous places, knowing how to tell stories has been vital to our existence more now than ever. Knowing how to tell stories and knowing what meaningful stories to share is a skill that is important to hone and practice daily.
In this episode Sarah Elkins shares another meaningful story that exemplifies her values and skills as a professional and person, while also telling stories about others in her life and how through these stories show their own values and talents.
Highlights
Practicing what you teach others is one of the many keys to success, if others see you take your own advice they will feel more inclined to use it.
Telling your stories about your talents and skills is far more important than you think.
Everyone benefits from healthy communication and knowing how to share stories.
Quotes
“As great as it is to have the confirmation of these experts, to know the research and neuroscience is catching up, it’s even more confirmation for me that what I’m doing is practical, useful, and relevant. There’s room for me.”
“I explained that professionals that can share compelling, entertaining stories that demonstrate their skills are more likely to be invited to apply for internal positions.”
“You see, story sharing isn’t just for leaders of organizations, story sharing is how you can become a leader wherever you happen to sit.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I just shared a story of a meaningful moment in my day and you, my listener, picked up all kinds of clues about who I am. When you share a meaningful moment in your day you are amplifying particular aspects of your personality and your values. I urge you to make your stories the kind that attract the people you want in your life.
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!