425 Something To Contribute
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Matthew Johnson discuss their work in their communities, from work with the city to their own personal endeavours as well as how this work helps the community grow and retain the character that makes it unique.
425 Something To Contribute
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Matthew Johnson discuss their work in their communities, from work with the city to their own personal endeavours as well as how this work helps the community grow and retain the character that makes it unique.
Highlights
Why education in a community is important and how it has the potential to connect us.
Loving to serve.
Lead as those you look up to lead.
Quotes
“It’s a delicate balance between community growth and character, because both are necessary.”
“People don’t always know what questions to ask to even begin to find the answers they’re looking for.”
“It’s good honest work.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m curious to hear how you interact with your municipality? Do you notice the fine tuning going on in your local government and the facilitation work that goes on between the staff and your elected officials? Are you even paying attention to this because it matters.
You may not have alot of control over statewide or national government agencies and issues but in your little community, even a big community, you have something to contribute.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Matthew
Matthew Johnson is a city manager with 25 years of experience working at the intersection of leadership, public service, and communication. He helps leaders navigate difficult conversations when stakes are high and tensions are rising, especially in the complex environment of local government. Drawing from his real-world experience managing relationships between elected officials, staff, and the public, Matthew shares practical strategies that help leaders stay calm, communicate clearly, and turn disagreement into productive dialogue.
Be sure to check out Matthew’s 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.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
423 We Need Each Other
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Cory Brown discuss their ideas and the influences in their lives that they have had that gave them the push to act on their ideas or to think them through, as well as the importance of putting something into the world that will make a genuine authentic change.
423 We Need Each Other
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Cory Brown discuss their ideas and the influences in their lives that they have had that gave them the push to act on their ideas or to think them through, as well as the importance of putting something into the world that will make a genuine authentic change.
Highlights
Eat your feelings, coming together over a meal to discuss your feelings.
The importance of mental health and reaching out to others for their sake and our own.
You must be the one to take the first step to make a change.
What can you put into the world to make others feel less alone and begin to heal?
Quotes
“I would do anything I can to help you, but you got to take that first step.”
“Over these past few years I’ve kind of let myself be okay with being emotional. Because I was like, “how can I help people think about these stigmas and try to find these breakthroughs if I’m not willing to do it myself?”.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Cory mentioned that there was a point in his career where he hit a level of success where he knew that there was something more out there and he chose to serve, and he didn’t know what that would look like at the time but he came up with this idea and almost didn’t activate on it, until somebody said; “Get off your ass and do something. Stop talking about it, and do something.”
Now you know listeners, I am a Gallup certified Strengths Finder Coach. One of the things that I’ve found when using any kind of assessment tool, is that we need to surround ourselves with people who have different talents than we have, for exactly this reason. Everyone who is quiet and talks a lot about things and does a lot of research, has a best friend or partner that activates them. That says; “We’re gonna go get out of the house, come with me.”, “I’m gonna go do this, come with me.” And each of us that has more of the action behind us, we need those friends that do the research first and help us set up for success. So I encourage you, look for your personal board of directors. Those people who will help you take action or help you think through before you take action. Those people who are ‘get shit done’ people, and those people who are ideators and big-picture and lovingly relationship building people. We need each other and this is a perfect example.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Cory
Cory Brown is a veteran, strategist, and creator focused on helping people reconnect with themselves and one another through honest conversation. After more than sixteen years of military service, including a combat deployment to Iraq, Cory experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to talk about mental health in ways that feel human rather than clinical.
He is the founder of Eat Your Feelings, a cooking-centered storytelling project that uses food as a doorway to deeper conversations about resilience, identity, and care. Cory’s professional background spans research, strategy, and leadership, but his current work sits at the intersection of service, storytelling, and creating spaces where people feel safe enough to be real.
Whether in a kitchen or a boardroom, Cory believes how we tell our stories shapes how we understand ourselves and each other.
Be sure to check out Cory’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube! As well as his website Eat Your Feelings Show!
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!
422 Experience Awe
The natural world is one of few places in the world where we can truly feel at peace. Whether it be to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, or even just to get away from all the screens and pollution, we can find a moment to center ourselves and find genuine awe in the world.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Thomas Reed discuss the importance of the natural world, finding awe, how we talk to ourselves, as well as finding our own courage to seek the paths that call to us.
422 Experience Awe
The natural world is one of few places in the world where we can truly feel at peace. Whether it be to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, or even just to get away from all the screens and pollution, we can find a moment to center ourselves and find genuine awe in the world.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Thomas Reed discuss the importance of the natural world, finding awe, how we talk to ourselves, as well as finding our own courage to seek the paths that call to us.
Highlights
How we interact with the natural world around us.
The importance of positive Self Talk.
Beauty of the natural world and its importance to the human psyche.
Where is the one place you can go to that turns off the chatter in your head?
Quotes
“I don’t know if it was a choice or it was just being me.”
“Use me as your inspiration, that you don’t need inspiration.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What will you do to experience awe? I am going to give you one chore, one piece of homework, one suggestion at the end of this episode, is to find an opportunity to experience awe. That could be watching your child do something for the first time, and have them be very proud of themselves. I can tell you I had many of those experiences while my boys were growing up and they had a realization as basic as finding their own thumb when they were infants. There’s a sense of awe when you watch other people experience awe or when you experience that sense of awe about another person, like this Chinese woman from a small village that decided to go experience what she did. Experience Awe, go hug a tree, go stand in front of a man made bridge that is inspiring for its unlikeliness, for the fact that somebody had to create that, watch that daffodil start to bloom and realize you didn’t have to do a thing to it to make it show up in all it’s full color. Find awe, remember it, and consider that desire to find awe, your connection to the natural world and your humanity.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Thomas
I studied photography at Rutgers University as a Geography student. Major influences have been Ansel Adams, Edgar Payne, and the Hudson River School.
Zen sensibilities profoundly influence my compositions, as I am a student of Japanese martial arts and aesthetics (chado). Black and white is my genre
My work is centered on the experience of awe at the sight of a landscape, and I hope it leads to the consideration that nature itself is divine, sacred, and that stewardship, as opposed to the dominant utilitarian view, is the only sane attitude.
Be sure to check out Thomas’s Facebook, his Photos, LinkedIn, and Instagram! As well as Peak Wellness, his website Tom Reed, and his books at Tom Reed Books!
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!
420 Ted Talks: Let's Start Sharing Stories
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on her preparations for her Ted Talk, as well as seeing the need that had to be filled, and how she is filling that need in society with clarity and authenticity.
420 Ted Talks: Let’s Start Sharing Stories
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins shares her experience preparating for her Ted Talk, as well as seeing the need that had to be filled, and how she is filling that need in society with clarity and authenticity.
Highlights
Seeing a problem and figuring out how you can fix it.
Let your ideas loose in the world, you never know who needs to hear it.
Bring yourself to whatever you do and good will follow.
Quotes
“The answer wasn’t to explain away what was happening.”
“I realized I wasn’t just there to give a talk. I was there to bring who I am, and all of my strengths and all of my weaknesses.”
Be sure to watch Sarah’s TedTalk!
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!
419 Strengths In Storytelling
Our stories are woven into our very being, they are what make us who we are and how we show others who we are and what we are the best at.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins discusses the many iterations of her business, her newest book, and the power that lies in the art of storytelling.
419 Strength In Storytelling
Our stories are woven into our very being, they are what make us who we are and how we show others who we are and what we are the best at.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins discusses the many iterations of her business, her newest book, and the power that lies in the art of storytelling.
Highlights
Improving satisfaction and skills in yourself and others.
Core values and skills shown through our own stories.
Our stories affect those around us in unseen physical and emotional ways.
Quotes
“Your strengths are your stories.”
“That’s the thing about our stories, even when we’re not consciously aware of it we learn alot about eachother.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Have you always known the power of sharing personal stories to connect with people or is this a turning point for you in that recognition? Do you have trouble thinking of the right stories to share or do you always have a few go to options ready? You may not realize this but when you’re present in your life, you make sharable stories every single day. I’d love to hear what resonated with you on this week's episode, please send me a message via email, Instagram, or LinkedIn to let me know.
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!
418 Mindful Presence
Being mindful of our presence in the lives around us is an integral part of the human experience, whether it be for our own personal comfort and growth or to ease the lives of those around us. Though we all have our own unique reasoning and paths to walk, it is important to remember we don’t have to travel alone and by working together we can all get to the finish line.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Renée Smith discuss the importance of community in becoming the best version of yourself as well as the importance of developing our problem solving skills to always be able to take action.
418 Mindful Presence
Being mindful of our presence in the lives around us is an integral part of the human experience, whether it be for our own personal comfort and growth or to ease the lives of those around us. Though we all have our own unique reasoning and paths to walk, it is important to remember we don’t have to travel alone and by working together we can all get to the finish line.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Renée Smith discuss the importance of community in becoming the best version of yourself as well as the importance of developing our problem solving skills to always be able to take action.
Highlights
There is no linear path, take your time and find your own.
Connecting with strangers through lived experience.
Teaching others your toolset and learning others toolset so that everyone succeeds.
Quotes
“Being able to be present with them in a trusting way.”
“A problem is a gap between where you are now and where you want to be.”
“Maybe you don’t have what you need to take action.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m really curious to hear what was sticky for you in today’s conversation. Whether you’re thinking now about your presence, about how you demonstrate love and support and care for people especially those that are strangers, those that you might disagree with. I know how hard it can be, how challenging it is to feel love for people that have different perspectives than us right now, more than ever before. And I’m here to say that if you can allow that open moment where you express your own experience and they hear it and that you are sharing this to connect with them and not to change their mind, this leaves the door open for them to carry that forward.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Renée
Renée Smith, MSOD (she/her) is the strategist leaders turn to when they want to make their workplace more loving and human. As the creator of Love-Centered Leadership
and the Human Workplace EX Roadmap, she helps people and results rise together. The founder and CEO of the consultancy, A Human Workplace, and the non-profit Center for a Loving Workplace, Renée promotes loving workplace cultures, primarily through research, education, impact projects. She led award-winning culture work as a state executive and served in the Governor’s Office as Director of Workplace Transformation for the State of Washington. Smith is a researcher, writer, and speaker who’s reached hundreds of audiences in eleven countries, making the business case for love. She earned a Master of Science in Organization Development from Pepperdine University and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from the University of Washington. She lives in Tacoma with her husband Jim in a multi-generational household with her son and his family. When she is not traveling, she enjoys sculling on the Puget Sound, watercolor painting, and hosting dinner parties.
Be sure to check out Renée’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as Loving Workplace, Renée Smith Speaks, and A Human Workplace!
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!
417 Being Fully Present
Being present for those in your life can be a difficult matter at times, yes we can be in the same room as them, but it is far more meaningful to be there for them emotionally which can triple the difficulty of a situation. Which is why it is important to take a step back and to take stock of your emotions before responding, so that you can be your best self and not one that lectures or reacts with anger.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Phil Friedman discuss the importance of patience, empathy, and seeking one’s one fulfillment in life that is not tied to a career nor who we associate ourselves with.
417 Being Fully Present
Being present for those in your life can be a difficult matter at times, yes we can be in the same room as them, but it is far more meaningful to be there for them emotionally which can triple the difficulty of a situation. Which is why it is important to take a step back and to take stock of your emotions before responding, so that you can be your best self and not one that lectures or reacts with anger.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Phil Friedman discuss the importance of patience, empathy, and seeking one’s one fulfillment in life that is not tied to a career nor who we associate ourselves with.
Highlights
Do you tie your identity to others?
At times, understanding and gentleness is far better than a lecture.
Are you an observer of your own life?
How do you treat yourself when you aren’t at your best?
How do you find satisfaction day to day?
Quotes
“It’s one thing to observe emotion in somebody else, for me I can’t observe it that same way in myself.”
“There are so many things to write about and so little time.”
“If I worried about everything that could go wrong, since half of the things that could go wrong don’t go wrong, then I’ll spend my life being worried about things that half the time will never happen.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
When have you had an experience where you didn’t recognize your emotion until after the fact? Is there something you can do, a strategy you can use to try to be more aware in the moment of where your emotions are coming from? Maybe it’s an angry reaction, an angry response to something that should have been a more empathetic response, but in the moment you were fearful for the safety or the health of the person in front of you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Phil
As a former university professor and college instructor, I spent years helping students think clearly and write with purpose. I also created and led North America’s first fully certified two-year post-secondary program in boatbuilding and boatyard management, experience that honed my skills in curriculum design, educational program development, and mentoring learners at every stage.
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Alongside my teaching, I’ve written, edited, and published more than 2,000 feature articles for major print and digital media channels. That experience helps me guide writers not just to overcome resistance, but also to approach their craft with the mindset and skills that lead to real publication.
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My coaching style is supportive and judgment-free. I meet writers where they are and help them silence their inner critic, build strong writing habits, and trust their unique voice. Whether you’re writing for personal fulfillment, launching a blog, or aiming to get published, I’ll help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
During 30+ years in the marine industry, I’ve worn numerous hats — as a marine marketer and ghost writer, boating magazine writer/editor, yacht designer, boatbuilder, marine operations and business manager, marine industry consultant, yacht surveyor, and industry educator.
I’m also trained and experienced in interest-based negotiation, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution for parties in the marine business sector. In a prior life, I taught logic and philosophy at university.
Be sure to check out Phil’s LinkedIn and Facebook! As well as Port Royal Group, Port Royal Marketing, and Social Philosophy and The Art of Boatbuilding!
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!