395 Carpe Diem
It’s easy to think we have all the time in the world to do something we’re putting off. Whether it’s changing jobs, or finishing your novel, or finally folding the laundry, we always think we’ll have more time. However time is a finite resource, and one day it too will run out. So we carry with us reminders of that which matters most to us and in doing so we remind ourselves to seize the day and to not take time for granted.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and George Schunk discuss their own collections of sentimental items, their own art they have dedicated themselves to, as well as how important it is to act on an opportunity instead of waiting for the perfect time.
395 Carpe Diem
It’s easy to think we have all the time in the world to do something we’re putting off. Whether it’s changing jobs, or finishing your novel, or finally folding the laundry, we always think we’ll have more time. However time is a finite resource, and one day it too will run out. So we carry with us reminders of that which matters most to us and in doing so we remind ourselves to seize the day and to not take time for granted.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and George Schunk discuss their own collections of sentimental items, their own art they have dedicated themselves to, as well as how important it is to act on an opportunity instead of waiting for the perfect time.
Highlights
What are you holding on to that means a great deal to you?
What is something you read or wrote that you still think about?
Are you doing something because you want to? Is the story you tell about it fair to the other people involved in it?
Those stories matter, and not just to you.
Don’t wait for the perfect time to do something. Make it the perfect time and do it anyway.
What are the themes of your stories that everyone can relate to, even if the words for those themes have changed?
Quotes
“Before I started to write about my life, I started to wonder; was I fair to the women that I loved?”
“What did you start with and what did you end with?”
“When something came up that I wanted to do, I went and did it.”
“When you’re unemployed, when you’re taking those gap years, or let’s say you have a good job and you’re moving up from your corner office, everything is looking good whether it’s public service or private. But if for any reason you get the wild hair that there’s a wild, larger world out there and you need that, and you go on a mid-life walk about -I did this when I was 45, for 2 years- The benefits of something like that are enormous.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
First, I highly recommend Michael Easter’s book, The Comfort Crisis, and in the future I promise to update you when George’s book is finally released. Who knows when that will be but I’m sure it will be well worth the wait. And now I’m going to ask you the hard question; What is something that you want to accomplish? What is something that you want to do in your life that you haven’t yet done? That you can take a step today, tomorrow, the next day, toward that idea that you’ve been thinking about for years. Don’t wait, we’re not guaranteed tomorrow. Make sure that people in your life know that those relationships are meaningful. Tell them, and take that step.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About George
Born into the privilege of good education and stable family life, got educated on my own, nine-years post-secondary. Lots of gap years along the way. I managed to change some laws for the better, access to public lands, closing mines significant to Native populations, managing timber sustainably, etc. I worked for President Clinton, Pew Charitable Trusts and Ecotrust, a green think tank in Portland. Now I snowboard half the year at the Great Divide and explore the country of Colombia. I have finished the first draft of a memoir that I want to edit and publish.
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!
394 The Driver of Innovation is Curiosity
Curiosity is in our nature as human beings, we crave knowledge and the answers to the how’s and why’s. Whether it be from a scientific standpoint, raising a child, or to work more cohesively with our coworkers, we must always stay curious so that we can always be growing.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Jeff Ikler discuss not just their vital work, but how they have maintained healthy relationships, and a positive mental state by always staying curious.
394 The Driver of Innovation is Curiosity
Curiosity is in our nature as human beings, we crave knowledge and the answers to the how’s and why’s. Whether it be from a scientific standpoint, raising a child, or to work more cohesively with our coworkers, we must always stay curious so that we can always be growing.
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Jeff Ikler discuss not just their vital work, but how they have maintained healthy relationships, and a positive mental state by always staying curious.
Highlights
Avoiding the after conference hangover by having a support team to further your ideas and goals.
Taking something you deem important and holding onto it while using it as the foundation for something meaningful to be built.
You can’t please everyone, so cast a smaller net, tend to your audience.
How are you furthering yourself either with academic education or social education?
Walk away with at least one idea, even if you need to come up with it yourself or seek it out. Be intentional about what you choose to remember.
Let people get comfortable and feel safe before taking a risk.
What do you carry that reminds you of those who have shaped you?
Quotes
“I have to narrow it down to what’s one really good thing I can remember about this? Otherwise, for me, it can become overwhelming.”
“If you stand for everything, you stand for nothing.”
“Shoot with a rifle, not with a shotgun.”
“Glaciers move faster than changes in education.”
“The driver of innovation is curiosity.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Sarah: going to have Jeff ask you a few questions but first I’m going to ask you a couple questions. When you think about the stories that you tell, do they demonstrate your curiosity? Do they demonstrate your motivation or your ambition to learn and to grow as a human being? What is one story that you can point to that you can craft and develop, that is three minutes or shorter, that you know people will understand what matters to you and how you lead. I’d love to hear from you. Jeff, what are your conclusions for our listeners?
Jeff: So what I’m curious about is what came up for people as you and I were talking, because my hope, because this is like when we’re talking about the reflection part of the podcast, I want people to be wanting to walk away with something.
So what’s the take away? What’s something that impacted you as Sarah and I were talking about how we go about doing our work, how we’re thinking about our work, and how it impacts on the work you’re doing.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Jeff
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.
Be sure to check out Jeff’s Substack, LinkedIn as well as Quetico Coaching and Consulting!
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!
393 Being Direct and Intentional in Conversations
It can be far too easy to let yourself be passive in conversations, whether it be to let another person make a decision or to avoid conflict. However in doing so we rob ourselves and others of deep meaningful connection, which is why it is so important to be direct and intentional with your words.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins talks about these points while also bringing up times in her life where she was passive and direct in conversation, and why it is so important to her to be direct and intentional.
393 Being Direct and Intentional in Conversations
It can be far too easy to let yourself be passive in conversations, whether it be to let another person make a decision or to avoid conflict. However in doing so we rob ourselves and others of deep meaningful connection, which is why it is so important to be direct and intentional with your words.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins talks about these points while also bringing up times in her life where she was passive and direct in conversation, and why it is so important to her to be direct and intentional.
Highlights
Be direct and honest with your words, don’t leave room for doubt or miscommunication.
Don’t leave a conversation completely up to one person. Communication goes both ways.
Being intentional in conversation, as well as understanding and compassionate.
Quotes
“I realized a lot of miscommunication and unintended injury happens when we’re passive in our language.”
“I also remembered a few people from my past who were especially difficult, insulting, and actually cruel in their communication with me. I thought about how I interacted with them – things I could have handled differently - for the purpose of learning, not regret, and thoughts about”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I encourage you to listen to last week’s short episode and then try using a less passive voice in your communication. What will you do differently so you can move past injury and grow into better, safer, more satisfying relationships?
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!
392 Intention and Mindfulness In Conversation
Inevitably we will have to confront the reality of how certain comments, remarks, and individuals make us feel, especially when it is in a negative way. Unspoken expectations lead to resentment, and if we do not have the hard conversations and practice curiosity and active listening we not only do a disservice to them but to ourselves as well.
In this episode Sarah Elkins takes us on a hike with her dog Jocko, while teaching us the importance of mindfulness and intention in conversations, and how important it is we talk to and listen to people we want to maintain relationships with.
392 Intention and Mindfulness In Conversation
Inevitably we will have to confront the reality of how certain comments, remarks, and individuals make us feel, especially when it is in a negative way. Unspoken expectations lead to resentment, and if we do not have the hard conversations and practice curiosity and active listening we not only do a disservice to them but to ourselves as well.
In this episode Sarah Elkins takes us on a hike with her dog Jocko, while teaching us the importance of mindfulness and intention in conversations, and how important it is we talk to and listen to people we want to maintain relationships with.
Highlights
Sharing things we enjoy with others.
How do you approach conversations that involve or may lead to conflict?
Knowing when, where, and how to start the hard conversations. Be mindful of your audience.
Stay curious about someone’s intentions and remember to actively listen.
Quotes
“Passive versus more direct approaches in having conversations, particularly in times when we feel like there is going to be conflict or we’re addressing something that could create conflict.”
“Anyone who has ever been in a long term relationship knows that timing is everything.”
“It’s all about Practice.”
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!
391 Stories and Connection
It is vital to our own communities that we remember our stories and share them with one another, not to dwell on regrets and what ifs, but to reach out and connect with one another so that we all can learn and grow together, and hopefully create more grand stories on the paths we walk together.
In this revisited episode, Sarah Elkins and Lee Keylock discuss their own stories and how they have healed through sharing stories and listening to the stories that others share with us.
391 Stories and Connection
It is vital to our own communities that we remember our stories and share them with one another, not to dwell on regrets and what ifs, but to reach out and connect with one another so that we all can learn and grow together, and hopefully create more grand stories on the paths we walk together.
In this revisited episode, Sarah Elkins and Lee Keylock discuss their own stories and how they have healed through sharing stories and listening to the stories that others share with us.
Highlights
Connecting with people through sharing stories.
Healing from trauma through stories and the community that sharing those stories creates.
The changing paths our decisions create and how we should live in the moment and not dwell on what ifs.
Greet the world and the challenges offered with open minds and a willingness to learn.
Quotes
“No regrets. Life is sliding doors right? If it’s meant to be, it's meant to be.”
“We’re perpetual students, right? I’ve never approached anything I’ve ever done as an authority on anything.”
“It’s not enough to just hear stories. That can be brilliant and beautiful and life changing and you can have those moments, but when we work with youth we want them to think about how they can use stories to think about themselves, their communities, and the world and their place in it, and how they can become agents of change.”
About Lee
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
"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!
390 Good Service Goes Both Ways
Anyone who has ever worked in customer service has at some point or another dealt with that one customer. You know the type, the huffy, irritable, “My issues are more important than your wellbeing and rules” that insist and demand everything, while demeaning you in the process. Unfortunately, these people will always exist, however what we can change is how we allow these types of interactions to affect us.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins tells the story of one of her own unruly customer moments, as well as how she chose to learn and grow from the experience in order to teach others.
390 Good Service Goes Both Ways
Anyone who has ever worked in customer service has at some point or another dealt with that one customer. You know the type, the huffy, irritable, “My issues are more important than your wellbeing and rules” that insist and demand everything, while demeaning you in the process. Unfortunately, these people will always exist, however what we can change is how we allow these types of interactions to affect us.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins tells the story of one of her own unruly customer moments, as well as how she chose to learn and grow from the experience in order to teach others.
Highlights
Respect others. Especially those who are in a position of community service.
Carrying your work home with you is not healthy for you.
When you are rude and nasty to people, no one will be in your corner.
Quotes
“But then it hit me, I should write a book about customer service. The point would be that good service goes both ways. If you want good customer service try being a good customer first.”
“Because it’s easier to provide good customer service when you are looking at it from the perspective of the customer.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Can you think of a time when you weren’t the best customer? When whatever was going on in your life erupted into a situation and you treated someone badly? Did you apologize? Can you think of a time when you had exceptional service? Did you tell the person or their manager? Did you write a rave review? What made the experience memorable?
We need kindness around us. You know the old saying that people are fighting battles we know nothing about. And when you’re frustrated with a situation it’s rarely the fault of the employee in front of you. And most of the time they can’t fix it without engaging their supervisor. So start with kindness and develop an advocate for yourself. Let’s do our best to bring our best to others.
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!
389 Identifying and Acting On Problems You Can Solve
We are surrounded by problems everyday of our lives, some manageable and others seeming too monumental to handle alone. Which is why it is so important to build a community of like minded individuals with the same goal of making a true difference.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Tessa Clarke discuss the relationship people have with stuff, food waste, and how Tessa’s company Olio have been making a real difference in the face of the climate crisis.
389 Identifying and Acting On Problems You Can Solve
We are surrounded by problems everyday of our lives, some manageable and others seeming too monumental to handle alone. Which is why it is so important to build a community of like minded individuals with the same goal of making a true difference.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Tessa Clarke discuss the relationship people have with stuff, food waste, and how Tessa’s company Olio have been making a real difference in the face of the climate crisis.
Highlights
Our relationship with objects, like clothing, that shape our identity.
What do you waste without realizing? How much do you think you throw away in a week? A month? And a year?
We all need someone in our corner to help build us up and to help chart a path forward.
Building community while also solving problems.
Quit wishing things would be better and start making the change yourself.
Quotes
“We always think the grass is greener on the other side but it never is.”
“What’s good for the planet is good for people and vice versa.”
“It is honestly exhausting being a founder, trying to drive the change in a world that’s set up not to change. So you’ve got to find ways to reenergize yourself and to keep going, to keep fighting every single day.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
When you think about those 4 to 5 years that Tessa talked about and that journey of wanting to be entrepreneurial and thinking about it in terms of “what is the problem I can solve?” What is something you could start today, maybe it eventually becomes a side hustle, maybe the side hustle stays a side hustle, or maybe it turns into something more. What is a problem that you’ve experienced, that maybe you’re the person to solve?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Tessa
Tessa Clarke is the co-founder and CEO of Olio, the world’s only neighbour-to-neighbour food-sharing app, and a trailblazing force in the fight against waste. Since launching in 2015 - and as a remote first business - Olio has grown into a global movement with 8 million users, redistributing over 100 million meals and 14 million household items, proving that small actions can drive massive change. Recognised as Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman of the Year in 2023, Tessa is also a Sifted columnist, an Ambassador for the Better Business Act, and a member of the Small Business Growth Forum, advising the UK Government on SME concerns. With a track record of disrupting industry and mobilising communities, Tessa is a passionate speaker who inspires audiences to rethink business, sustainability, and the power of grassroots innovation.
Check out Tessa’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as her website Olio, and her TED Talk!
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!