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
245: Our Authenticity Depends on Our Values, Not Our Comfort Zones
Throughout our lives we learn many lessons about ourselves and others, how we move on and grow from these lessons is how we become better versions of ourselves even if at the time it seems painful. By sharing what we’ve learned and our interests in a constructive and compassionate way, without sounding condescending or judgmental we can achieve our best selves.
Our Authenticity Depends on Our Values, Not Our Comfort Zones
Throughout our lives we learn many lessons about ourselves and others, how we move on and grow from these lessons is how we become better versions of ourselves even if at the time it seems painful. By sharing what we’ve learned and our interests in a constructive and compassionate way, without sounding condescending or judgmental we can achieve our best selves.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Ben Albert talk about the importance of life lessons and sharing our interests with others in a way that doesn’t sound conceited, as well as balancing our work and life in a healthy way, and through doing so learn how to reflect on ourselves in order to benefit others and ourselves by being empathetic and vulnerable.
Highlights
Being conscious of how you speak and rewording things that can seem negative.
Being proud of being your whole self
There is continuity in steps that feel disconnected
Work and life are parts of the same thing, alignment of the two is essential for a healthy life
Quotes
“To me it doesn’t matter who gets the trophy, so long as the solution is found.” - Ben Albert
“ ‘Should’ doesn’t demonstrate care, it demonstrates judgment.” Sarah Elkins
About Ben Albert
Ben is the owner of Balbert Marketing LLC. He is also the curator of The “Real Business Connections Network,” where he hosts 5 podcasts, “Rochester Business Connections,” “Learn Speak Teach,” “Ben’s Bites,” “Five Minute Fridays,” and “Real Hits.” Once an underdog, now a successful entrepreneur, Ben is passionate about helping other underdogs achieve their dreams.
When Covid hit, Ben was furloughed from work. He found himself down and out, staring at an empty handle of Jim Beam whiskey. He was unemployed, depressed, and felt unworthy.
Hesitantly, he opened his Macbook and started reaching out to strangers on Linkedin. This spearheaded his entrepreneurial journey.
The rest is history.
Now Ben hosts a network of 5 podcasts called “Real Business Connections,” runs a massively successful marketing firm, Balbert Marketing, and has replaced his established sales income in just over a year. Ben found his way.
Once an underdog, now a successful entrepreneur, Ben is passionate about helping other underdogs find their way and achieve their dreams.
Ben is on a mission to move the needle on one million careers, one conversation at a time.
You can contact Ben via his Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and at Balbert Marketing! Or schedule a consultation with him Here! You can also listen to his podcast Real Business Connections on Apple or Spotify!
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.
242: The Stories We Start Are Not Always The Stories We Complete
How does everything we’ve done and gone through lead us to who we are today?
Join in as Sarah Elkins and the very talented, Claudia Noriega-Bernstein engage in a conversation about the power of stories within our family dynamics, our self-reflection in our own lives, and the effectiveness of coaching.
Featuring Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
How does everything we’ve done and gone through lead us to who we are today?
Join in as Sarah Elkins and the very talented, Claudia Noriega-Bernstein engage in a conversation about the power of stories within our family dynamics, our self-reflection in our own lives, and the effectiveness of coaching.
Check it out today!
“We often times try to fit into what we think everybody else wants from us, or what everyone else thinks we should do.” -Claudia Noriega-Bernstein
Discovering Clarity One Bite at a Time course is now available!
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
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About Claudia Noriega-Bernstein:
Claudia is an artist, writer, TV director, philanthropist, abundance coach, mentor, mother, and wife. During her career as a journalist, she has worked for magazines and television in South America and the US, touching subjects from parenting, forgiveness, and growth to political issues. "Helping others achieve self-confidence, good relationships, their life purpose and becoming authentic leaders, brings so much joy to my life; especially when I help them stand in their own power and have clarity about who they are and where they want to be, so they can ultimately become the best version of themselves." She has dedicated the last twelve years of her life to empowering people, especially children, and women. As a life/abundance coach, she has helped people from different backgrounds to discover and implement the full potential of their own.
Check out Claudia’s Website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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.
244: How Does Storytelling Make You More Relatable and Inspiring?
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her guest, Greg McDonough, an accomplished entrepeneur and finance consultant, discuss the importance of telling one's story in a meaningful and relevant way so that it resonates with the audience in a way that can be both compelling and inspiring.
The Meaningfulness of Relevant Stories
In this episode Sarah Elkins and her guest, Greg McDonough, an accomplished entrepeneur and finance consultant, discuss the importance of telling one's story in a meaningful and relevant way so that it resonates with the audience in a way that can be both compelling and inspiring.
Highlights from the episode:
Your strengths are your stories.
Sharing somthing meaningful so that it is relevant.
People want to see that these stories are possible and achievable.
Quotes
It's not about your story, it's about how your audience receives it.
Be conscious of where you are in the moment and how the moment is going to reflect in your stories going forward.
Referenced in this podcast:
The Impactful Leadership podcast episode featuring Sarah Elkins
The Entrepreneurs' Organization website
From Greg's LinkedIn profile:
My passion is to help my clients balance the amount of sleep they have with the amount they EAT (earnings after-tax). We manage their risk-taking so they can sleep better at night while also managing their business to produce the after-tax cash flow they need. It is a tricky combination but through a team approach, we are able to achieve these goals together.
Connect with Greg on LinkedIn, subscribe to The Impactful Leadership podcast, and check out his website!
*Show notes contributed by Chinook Bromlie-Estey
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.
241: Finding Balance: Is Your Identity Tied to Your Job?
Is your identity tied to your job? Listen in as Sarah Elkins is joined by the Director of Quetico Career and Leadership Coaching, Jeff Ikler, in a riveting discussion about internal and external identities and relevance. Jeff also shares his personal journey and the revolving identification around work life.
Featuring Jeff Ikler
Is your identity tied to your job? Listen in as Sarah Elkins is joined by the Director of Quetico Career and Leadership Coaching, Jeff Ikler, in a riveting discussion about internal and external identities and relevance. Jeff also shares his personal journey and the revolving identification around work life.
Check it out today!
“My identity has always revolvedaround work.” -Jeff Ikler
Discovering Clarity One Bite at a Time course is now available!
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
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About Jeff Ikler:
Jeff Ikler is Director of Quetico Career and Leadership Coaching, a firm dedicated to helping individuals overcome career issues and develop sustained changes in their leadership practices and organizations. He received his certificate in coaching from the Coach Training Institute. He is a certified innovation facilitator using the SIT (Systematic Inventive Thinking) process. Jeff holds a Master’s in the Teaching of History along with a Bachelor’s in History from the University of Illinois. He taught high school history in Maywood and Batavia, Illinois, for seven years. He is a former Executive Vice President at Pearson Learning where he directed the development of text- and technology-based products for all disciplines. Jeff is a co-author of Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. He is the host the “Getting Unstuck – Cultivating Curiosity” podcast. Supporting the agency of others is the river that has run through his entire career.
Check out Jeff’s Website and Blog.
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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.
Episode 104 Revisited: Self-Reflection for Uncovering Satisfaction
For the past few episodes of Your Stories Don’t Define You, we’ve focused on a theme of self-reflection as a tool for inspiring leadership and finding greater satisfaction at work and at home. Episode 104, published in December 2019 with Rajkumari Neogy is a perfect addition to the theme, so we thought we’d bring it back for another look. Check it out today!
For the past few episodes of Your Stories Don’t Define You, we’ve focused on a theme of self-reflection as a tool for inspiring leadership and finding greater satisfaction at work and at home. Episode 104, published in December 2019 with Rajkumari Neogy is a perfect addition to the theme, so we thought we’d bring it back for another look. Check it out today!
During our conversation about resilience and the impact of genetics on trauma, Rajkumari mentioned two scientists well-regarded in the field of epigenetics, Rachel Yehuda and Moshe Szyf.
From an interview with Dr. Yehuda: “Rachel Yehuda is a pioneer in understanding how the effects of stress and trauma can transmit biologically, beyond cataclysmic events, to the next generation.”
Also mentioned was a book by Sarah Peyton, Your Resonant Self, which you can find here.
“Based on our environment, based on the behavior that we experience both to ourselves and others, it directly impacts how our genes express themselves.” -Rajkumari Neogy
Discovering Clarity One Bite at a Time course is now available!
*podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret
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About Rajkumari Neogy:
‘Rajkumari Neogy, MA has spent 25 years at the intersection of technology and culture.
She is the creator of the epigenetic coaching framework and the author of The WIT FACTOR: Shifting the Workplace by Becoming Your Optimal Self.
She sits quite comfortably at the intersections of Interpersonal Neurobiology, Culture, Technology, and Empathic Language for Business.
A rare blend of techno-babble and touchy-feely invites her keen insights to transform individuals and organizations organically.’
Check out Rajkumari’s Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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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.