357 Sarah’s Hike Many times in life it feels like we’re in the plot of a movie franchise from 2003, hopelessly watching and waiting for the inevitable drop of the other shoe, the logs or cars to fly off of a semi-truck on a highway that we have to take. Often this stress and future-tense fear can become all-consuming, blinding us to the people we share the car and road with. However if we remember to take a breath and slow down, letting those in your car offer their insight and assurance, you will make it to your destination and this too shall pass.  In this episode, Sarah Elkins offers some insight she found on a hike in the beautiful snowy mountains of Montana, sharing her boundless optimism and valuable thoughts.    Highlights Where do you find inspiration? Are you in a place where you are waiting for the other shoe -or in this case car- to drop? Is that really the most healthy place for you to grow and learn? Who is the company in your car as you are stuck behind the semi of unpredictability?   Quotes “She told me that sometimes when she’s having a hard time she imagines that she’s on a 2 lane highway, with a giant semi-truck -a car carrier- in front of her. And she’s watching as that last car on the truck is bouncing and she’s waiting for it to just fall off the car carrier and onto her car.” “As I give it some space, I realize there is beauty all around me. I just couldn’t see it because I was too close.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Consider what is the semi that you are driving too close to. Consider who you want as company in the car. Who needs you to take that space between you and that truck?  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!

Labels and judgment are an unfortunate symptom of society, more often than not people will be framed in a particular light without any chance to defend themselves or for a full explanation to be given. Because of one person saying something, one bad interaction, or one misinterpretation a person can be frozen in time under whatever label was given to them. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on enlightening experiences that have recently occurred that have helped continue to shape her perspective on the damage of labels and unfair judgment.    Highlights Art imitates life and more often than not, not for the better. Labels and keeping someone frozen in time can warp our perceptions of others and ourselves.  Work on strategies to help yourself avoid judging another and labeling them unjustly.   Quotes “Their spouses, families, and friends are all shocked of course, and they say things like “My whole life with you is a lie!” I desperately wanted to ask those family and friends, Did you feel loved and cared for all those years you were together? Are you going to ignore all that you know to be true about this person because of something they did over twenty years ago?! I want to shake them!” “Labels are a form of judgment and no one likes to be judged, especially from someone else’s limited information about us.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Do you have cringey moments you look back on, times that when you do look back on them realize they weren’t too great? When have you been labeled and judged unfairly? Are their stories about people in your past that maybe it’s time to reconsider before sharing?  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!

354 Amy’s Mess Hunger, for the lucky among us, is an inconvenience, the final straw during a bad day that fuels a bad temper, or an awkward moment in a silent room. But for many in our community hunger is painful, difficult, and inescapable making it near impossible to do anything let alone attend school. Approximately 2.5 million children are homeless in the United States, many of whom somehow still have to attend school, often hungry. But we can help, whether it be through donations or time, we can help the children in our communities. Today Sarah Elkins and Amy Adams discuss Amy’s Mess, a nonprofit organization that seeks to feed the children and families of the Helena Community and to spread awareness of the plight of homeless families.    Highlights Acts of kindness can help your community. Doing what you can within your means.  Working together with your community to help eachother.   Quotes “I realize what I’m doing is not a fix, but at the same time these kids have a lot of instability and insecurity in their lives, you know they’re living in a hotel or a camper.  Regardless of what the parent’s situation is these kids are still hungry.” “I realize you don’t know me, but I know I can help.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Amy started this just by understanding a need and figured out what she could do and what she could count on to help her make even a small difference in the lives of these students. I’m a huge believer that food and giving in this way is a pathway to reduce drop-outs, to reduce criminal activity, to reduce addiction, to reduce violence at schools. Feeding people, nourishing and nurturing them, especially students is going to make a difference in our communities. What will you do and how do you see the change and the shift?  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Amy I am just an individual who cared to start something.  Be sure to check out Amy’s LinkedIn and Facebook! Visit Amy’s Mess to find out more and donate to help feed hungry families.   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!

355 Create The Community You Need   Building a community can be a daunting yet very rewarding task, in order to find this community often you need to spread out and meet strangers, expanding both your world view and understanding of others.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Emily Carlson discuss the importance of building community and making your very own personal board of directors to work together for a better tomorrow.   Highlights Knowing what really matters to you and never compromising your values. What you want from life changes over time. Ask what someone has tried before exploring solutions to a problem.    Quotes “I knew I needed to do something in this world and I knew I didn't want to leave my baby.” “Complete strangers when you begin a call can become apart of your community when you leave.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, You’ve heard a lot of inspiring moments in this conversation, what will you take away from it? Maybe you’ll reach out to someone you admire and respect and ask for a 15 or 30 minute conversation just to find out how you can support them and how they can support you. Will you start to build exactly the personal board of directors, the community you need to take you to wherever you plan to be in the next few years. What will you take from this conversation and what will you do in the next 24 hours to move you in the right direction? And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Emily Emily Carlson is a leading executive and mentor in the Healthcare IT consulting industry. Emily’s 30-year career in Information Technology and Project Management realms has focused on supporting her passion for the healthcare industry by delivering best-in-class quality projects to aid strategic initiatives and grow revenue for her clients. Emily is a coach and mentor to organizations, the technology industry, and throughout her community. Her podcast, Powered by Authenticity, advocates to change the trajectory of equity and inclusion for females through insightful, inspiring conversations from women who are forging ahead in careers that do not have a balanced female representation. Emily travels the country as a conference and event keynote speaker focusing on topics ranging from her technical expertise to equity and inclusion. Among her many accolades, Emily is most proud of being chosen in 2021 as one of the Top Women Leaders in Technology, Excellence and Innovation by Consulting Magazine. In 2022 Consulting Magazine awarded her Mentor of the Year acknowledging the unrelenting work she has down in support of other females. Be sure to check out Emily’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram! As well as her podcast! 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!

353 Food Stories Revisited   Revisiting episode 292 “Food Stories” Sarah Elkins reminisces on the importance of love languages and how important it is to show those you love how much you care. Love languages come in many different forms; gift giving, words of affirmation, and for today’s episode specifically, the act of cooking and giving a good meal to those you hold close. It is vital to the health and continuation of relationships that we discover these languages and think about how these actions impact how others view us.   Highlights Spending time with those you love, nurturing them and being nurtured in turn. Don’t wait for the perfect time to use something you love. Finding direction.   Quotes “How do you want to see yourself? What do you want to see in yourself?” “When you want people to see you in a certain way but can’t demonstrate it through your actions; What stories can you share so they experience you that way?”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What is your love language? What stories can you share that demonstrate it so you don’t have to say, “my love language is-” When you heard my very first story about feeding people, about the food that I lovingly created, you heard my love language in my voice, and that story tells alot about who I am at work and at home. So Listeners, figure out which stories demonstrate those qualities you want people to know about you. 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!  

352 Human Curriculum   Human connection is imperative to our growth and success as people, however if we do not take time to work towards creating a community to feed our social needs we will end up stunted and spinning our tires unable to continue.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Christopher Filipiak discuss the importance of community and growth, which often comes with the fact we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable by loving and being loved in return.    Highlights Growth often means vulnerability. Creating community and passing those skills down to those who look up to you. We need hugs. We need to know we are wanted and loved. Bringing community and love to everything you do.    Quotes “Being able to find the people you resonate with, and I think so much of it is getting clear and creating the life that you actually want, whatever that looks like, and being able to be honest about that.” “It helps me to lean in to creating a community that I want.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, How can you flip the equation so you’re spending more time in that place where you feel connected, sometimes that can be outside by yourself, but particularly when you’re in community, when you’re not lonely. Think about how you can spend more time finding that community and choosing that community. Embracing outliers and bringing them into community so they feel it too. We need to shift that equation so more of our time is spent there instead of loneliness.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Christopher I’m a sales coach and consultant who helps CEOs succeed at their own sales work. My experience is unique in that it combines a foundation in engineering, solid business principles, plus a focus on mindset. The result is an integrated approach that comprehensively transforms sales organizations. I have helped businesses 12x their sales growth, increase deal flow by 500%, and bring on 500% more clients. I’m a strong believer that mastering a sales skillset helps us create the life we want. And what could be more important than that? So many CEOs dread sales work; I teach them that it’s a loving act. Ultimately, getting what you want in life is up to you. While I work with clients all over the country, I’m based out of Asheville, NC, where I enjoy mountain biking, dancing, laughing, learning, and raising four amazing kids with my wife Karen. Be sure to check out Christopher’s LinkedIn and Facebook! As well as his website! 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!

351 Communication Is In Everything We Do   We are always communicating in everything we do, from overtly talking to or texting someone, to smiling and nodding to strangers you pass on the street, it’s human nature to want to be seen and heard and to give that to others.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Jim Collison discuss the importance of communication and how understanding your strengths leads to better communication not just with others but with yourself.   Highlights Choose to put yourself into situations where you can tell a great story afterwards. Live a life bigger than the one you have. Strengths are sometimes seen as a weakness before you learn how to use them. Be patient enough to let things happen.   Quotes “You can’t take people places you’ve never been.” “I think some people miss on Clifton Strengths, it does explain who you are, but it is also a productivity tool. How do you get better?”   Mentioned in this podcast National Suicide Hotline, Text or Call 988 Help is available. You are cared for.    Dear Listeners it is now your turn, This whole Clifton Strengths, any assessment, maybe this isn’t the answer to our global communication issues but it can be an answer to your individual communication. And the reality is that each of us are responsible for our own communication and how it’s received by the people and environment around us. You are communicating with everything you do; every like, every comment, every share, every honking of your horn, you are communicating who you are, your character. And when you can take responsibility with it, the world changes. So listeners, what are you going to do, today, tomorrow, over the next few days, to figure out what it is you want to work on.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Jim CliftonStrengths Top 5: Arranger | WOO | Maximizer | Communication | Activator I am the CliftonStrengths Community Manager for Gallup and Produce Gallup's Called to Coach and CliftonStrengths Webcasts found at http://gallup.com/cliftonstrengths. In my role I manage the global community of Gallup-Certified Coaches and help those customers who are engaged with our CliftonStrengths Assessment worldwide. In prior years I have managed IT resources, managed a high school and college internship program for Gallup and was a member of the Omaha STEM Ecosystem managing board. I have been at Gallup since 2007. Be sure to check out Jim’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!

350 Growing Through Failure   It is vital to our success to fail, we need to try things that are new and be comfortable in the fact failure is normal and expected. By letting ourselves be uncomfortable and fail at new things, we leave room for growth and success. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Paige Arnof-Fenn discuss the importance of trying new activities and accepting our failures as opportunities to grow.   Highlights Building a community of people who know when to reach out for help and who you can reach out to. Don't just do what you’re great at, try things that are new, especially if you suck at them at first. Explore outside your comfort zone to learn new and amazing things about yourself and the world around you.   Quotes “Be brave enough to start something you kind of suck at when you really haven't sucked at stuff in a long time.” “Part of being an adult is being comfortable being uncomfortable.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, We covered a lot of ground today, but the thing that just came back to me is that I would love to challenge you to take on something that you’ve always been curious about but never tried. Maybe you won’t be good at it, maybe you’ll find that you have a natural talent for it. Maybe it’s taking a pottery class, throwing clay on a wheel or hand sculpting things, maybe it’s taking up knitting or Tai Chi, maybe it’s something as simple as walking around your neighborhood in a way you haven’t done before, with great intention.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Paige Paige Arnof-Fenn is the founder & CEO of global branding and digital marketing firm Mavens & Moguls based in Cambridge, MA. Her clients include Microsoft, Virgin, The New York Times Company, Colgate, venture-backed startups as well as non profit organizations. She graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Business School. Paige serves on several Boards, is a popular speaker and columnist who has written for Entrepreneur and Forbes. Be sure to check out Paige’s LinkedIn, as well as her website Mavens and Moguls, their recent articles, and their speaker programs!   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!

349 Community Building   How we choose to spend our time directly impacts the way we live both in our careers and in our day to day lives, however if we are spending our precious time surrounding ourselves with negativity and naysayers we are very unlikely to succeed. Which is why it is so important to find a community that encourages and supports each other. In this episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on the path that led her to success and satisfaction, the importance of the individuals that helped her along the way, and the community they built.   Highlights Identifying paths and the advocates who encourage you and see the best in you. What is your role? And are you in a place that helps you thrive in that role? Belonging and inclusion.   Quotes “There’s no way I could’ve known this path before I took any of the steps on it. Some people know what they want to do at a very young age, I was not one of those people. What I did have, and continue to have, are people in my life who believe in me, who often see more in me than I see in myself.”  “Feeling so supported and valued, changed the way I spend my precious time and energy.” “Remember you can’t really build community if you don’t allow and encourage others to contribute. And that means you can’t always be the one giving, you have to be someone who can ask for help and receive it with grace.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I encourage you to take time this week to consider who is in your circle. Do you have a diverse group of friends and colleagues who support and encourage you? Who ask you the hard questions, and who believe in you, sometimes more than you believe in yourself? Are you that person to others and do you receive that help with grace? If you can’t jot down at least 3 names off the top of your head, you might have some work to do. Here’s one idea to help you find and nurture that community: Look back at the times in your life that you felt confident, when you felt like you were contributing, when you felt like you were contributing and found satisfaction in the work you were doing. Now look for local activities where you are likely like hearted, not like minded necessarily but like hearted people. Maybe that’s joining a book club, spending time at the library or a local bookstore, getting outside for walks -hikes-, or maybe take a walking tour of your community, if you’re feeling really brave maybe it’s time to join us at our next No Longer Virtual Summit.  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!

348 Artistry in Community Art has always brought people together, even in the darkest times of human history there is always a creative trying to give the world just a little bit of light.  In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Al Swanson discuss how community and artistry often go hand in hand, as well as the importance of giving back to your community.   Highlights Community. Passion for the path you chose. People will fall in love with the creator, not the product.   Quotes “Though the challenges are there I think because you are allowed to go down that path you chose, it’s the more I’m interested in something the more I want to talk about it.” “Pick your medium, and you have to love it, and you’re gonna have to want to give it.”   Mentioned in this episode Sarah Yaeger George McCauley   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What are you going to explore today, tomorrow, the next day, in your creative outlet? What small thing can you take on, it might be picking up a coloring book and starting to color, just start to explore that. It might be picking out a recipe you’ve never tried or maybe it’s finding your community at the library, a hiking group, maybe it’s the land trust near you to help with trail maintenance, maybe it’s something as simple as volunteering to read to children or seniors. What will you do to find your community, to contribute to it, to better yourself and keep yourself in alignment? And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Al (bio from his website) A.L. grew up on a small farm in Maine, surrounded by a beautiful forest, and raised by a father who loved working with wood. Watching his father create extraordinary pieces with his own two hands, with trees harvested from their land, left an impression on A.L. and sparked a passion that continues to this day. After spending time studying business and agronomy at respective universities, he decided to follow the passions he discovered as a boy and pursue the fine craft of woodworking. He apprenticed under several elite cabinetmakers in Maine, mastering the traditional craft. In 2000, he packed up his tools and gave in to the lure of the wide-open spaces of Montana, where he now calls home. Today he shares the passion he discovered as a boy with the folks who enjoy his collections of fine hardwood gifts for the home, exceptional hand-crafted furniture, and his line of wooden fly boxes, landing nets, and fly rod cases. When he’s not in the studio creating something that will last for generations, you’ll find him out on the river casting for trout, spending time with his son, and dreaming up the next big project to exceed his patrons’ expectations.   Be sure to check out his website! As well as his Twitter and Facebook!   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!

347 Find The Hidden Prize In Failure   Everything you do, starts and ends with you. From habits we try to make consistent, to our careers, everything we do comes from ourselves, and sometimes we fail which is just as important as success. Often we must fail and learn from those mistakes in order to succeed.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Charles Clark discuss the importance of the evolution of the self, accepting our successes and failure, as well as the importance of stopping to check in with yourself and ensure you are still in alignment.    Highlights Show up for the one. Embody your word of impact. Take care of yourself, find time to regroup. You need to live what you teach, be a good example not just to others but yourself. You need to be willing to accept when it’s time to look in the mirror and confront yourself.  Accept your failure AND your successes.   Quotes “There’s that one person out there who really needs it and it kind of reminds me of this whole idea like; Hey just think about the one because we get so focused on the millions, the tens of thousands, the hundreds, but what about that one? Because I truly believe that one can become the million.”  “It’s painful day one, but if you do it enough you begin to love your imperfections.” “I see myself changing, I’m not perfect but I know I’m worth it. I’m worth showing up and being consistent, I’m not there yet but look at what I’ve done.” “Find The Hidden Prize In Failure”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I would really encourage you to think about one thing; shameful or hurtful or disappointing or painful that you experienced in your younger years, anytime pre-15 or 16. Something that happened to you, maybe it happened to you alot, you know what I mean, your traumatic childhood experiences. Many of us try to ignore them or we think because we had a generally good childhood that we don’t have any trauma to deal with - I promise you everyone has something to deal with. Think about that moment, and think about how it has impacted who you are today, and do one thing that reminds you that you have the responsibility, that you have the power to show up how you want to show up in the world. Regardless of what happened in your childhood, YOU are responsible for your behavior in this moment. What are you going to do with this critical knowledge. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Charles From the adrenaline of the racetrack to the exhilaration of the speaker's podium, Charles Clark's journey is a testament to the power of resilience. A three-time National Champion and ten-time All-American, Charles was once ranked the sixth fastest man in the world at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin. His athletic career was a dream in motion until a devastating injury changed the trajectory of his path forever. Overnight, Charles went from the triumphs of athletic achievement to the depths of injury-induced despair, leading to an intense battle with anxiety and depression. Yet, what seemed like a catastrophic setback became the cornerstone of a profound transformation during which Charles learned to master and sustain optimal mental well-being. Eleven years later, Charles’ message goes further than the mere pursuit of achievement; it's about cultivating a mindset of growth, starting first and foremost with mental health. Charles is passionate about helping others become mentally strong, discover their purpose, and develop the habits that will allow them to make their dreams a reality. His philosophy is grounded in the belief that there are valuable lessons hidden in hardship that teach us exactly what we need to know to find fulfillment in life. For Charles, to truly thrive is to relentlessly push beyond the confines of failure and success, to reach unprecedented heights. Today, Charles is a best-selling author and an award-winning speaker. His books, The 'I' in Team: The Playbook To Create A Winning Culture & A Thriving Business and Become your Ideal Self: How to Heal Through Self Therapy made the Amazon best selling list for leadership & motivation. Annually, he captivates audiences at over 50 events worldwide, ranging from educational institutions and sports teams to Fortune 500 companies. To date, his client list includes Google, Farmers Insurance, the NFL, the MLB, NCAA, Johnson & Johnson, Raymond James, Amazon, Nike, iHeart Radio, PepsiCo, and more. With his infectious energy and inspiring insights, Charles has reached and uplifted more than 600,000 people globally, instilling in them a newfound zest for life and leaving an unforgettable mark on hearts and minds alike. Be sure to check out Charles’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Website! Order his new book!   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!

346 The Words You Use   You lead from wherever you sit, which is why it is so important to be intentional with your thoughts, words, and motives as you go through life.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Erin Diehl discuss the importance of picking the right words for yourself and being intentional with the energy we bring to any situation.   Highlights Picking the right mantra for yourself. Nothing is one size fits all. Letting others voice their thoughts so they feel seen and heard. Give yourself grace.   Quotes “Rituals, and prayer, and mantras, and affirmations, and words mean a lot, but we have to really believe them and internalize them, in order to make a difference in our own life and then we can therefore change others once we have shaped ourselves.” “I look back at past versions of me, that didn’t have some of the knowledge I have, and I just give her grace because she was just figuring it out and I’m still figuring it out.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What can you do in the words that you use, how can you shift to a “Yes, and” with your team,  your children, your partner, with your friends, how can you support the people around you and make sure you are living in alignment with how you live in the world. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Erin Erin “Big” Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, and Professional Zoombie. Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin created improve it!, a unique professional development company rooted in improv comedy, that pushes leaders and teams to laugh, learn, play, and grow. She is the proud host of The improve it! Podcast, a Top 1% Global Podcast, which helps develop leaders and teams through play, improv and experiential learning, and first time author of the Amazon Best Seller & Top New Release: I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team Through Radical Empathy. Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 36,000 professionals to chicken dance. Be sure to check out Erin’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Erin’s websites It’s Erin Diehl, It’s Erin Diehl - I See You,  and Learn To Improve It! 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!

345 Staying Embodied As An Artist Like everything in existence, we change and grow and it can become difficult to stay involved in the things that make our lives fulfilling and enjoyable. Our passions can come and go which is normal, but it is always important to remember to take care of yourself and what makes you thrive in order to return to your passions. In this episode Mary Riitano and Sarah Elkins discuss how acting has come and gone in Mary’s life and how honing numerous skills can help us return to the passions that spark joy in our lives.    Highlights It’s normal to be terrified of something you’ve done before. Cocktail of chemistry. You can pick up different things to discover -or rediscover- yourself. We all grow and change at our own unique rate, there is no deadline to spread your wings. Create a rich tapestry of skills.   Quotes “That mask we wear on the outside; we’ve got to get through this in a brave way, and you don’t want to show any of the stuff on the inside. But remembering that it’s there is what makes us real.” “I think as a small town artist your call to the arts kind of comes in these waves and clarities, and then you go back into the fog. Because where I was at the time, there was a small theater, and then when my family moved from Minnesota to Montana there, was no theater.” “It was the same feeling I had when I was 9. I walked onto the stage and I said, ‘oh I’m home’.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, If you’re one of those big girls sitting on a couch, thinking about that dream you’ve been holding onto, whether that’s as Mary said; starting a garden, growing your own food, maybe it’s being in a movie, maybe it’s being a guest on a podcast, maybe it’s grand, maybe it’s quiet, maybe it’s I don’t know being the next president of the United States, We have your back. You have women in your corner. So, what will you do? What’s your first step? I’d love to hear from you. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Mary Mary Riitano recently appeared as love interest Cassie in the tv episodic “Heebuck” (currently on festival tour) directed by Michael Polish. Her work is noted for vibrant energy, strength, versatility, and is referred to as captivating. She garnered a Best Actress for short film romantic comedy “Swing” at the WY International Film Festival + three best actress nominations for this film. Riitano is a skilled dramatic actress receiving Best Supporting Actress award for “Wuthering Heights” at the Idyllwild Festival of Cinema. Other films on Amazon Prime are "Useless" & "We Burn Like This." Mary’s acting journey includes 19+ years of theatre, seven independent films, western series, several professional short films, and two documentaries. She's trained with some of LA’s best: Margie Haber Studio, Lindsay Frame AMAW Portland/LA, Crystal Carson LA/Atlanta, Christine Horn, BGB Studios, and Josh Pais Master Acting Series. Mary is active in Montana film communities and loves mountain time snowboarding and hiking! Be sure to check out Mary’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as her website Mary Riitano!   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!

344 Evolving Stories Returning for his second episode, Tom Jackobs and Sarah Elkins discuss how storytelling has changed for both of them since their last conversation, how their tools and strategies have changed, as well as how important storytelling is as a medium for both of them.    Highlights It is okay to look for coaches, especially when you yourself are a coach. Find your own strategies and tools for writing and working. You can be good at things and not be the best at them.    Quotes “At least I started writing, because that is the hardest part.” “I’m not a chef, but I’m a good cook.” “We need the ones that are going to slow us down and make decisions better.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, You’ve listened to this whole conversation about how Tom started his book, how he wrote his book, why he wrote his book, why he started his podcast, and some of the challenges he experienced in that time. What is something you want to take on that you’ve been considering for a long time that you are now ready for that maybe you weren’t ready for a year ago or five years ago. What will be your first step? Are you the kind of person that needs a template to get started or are you a person that looks at a blank page and gets inspired? And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Tom I am a Coach of Fitness Health, Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Improving Sales, Customer Service. Be sure to check out Tom’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! As well as his podcast on Spotify and Apple podcast!   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!

343 Incremental Improvements Our environments influence how we function and how we are able to deal with the things in our life mentally and emotionally so that we can choose to rearrange or shed the stories or things that no longer serve us.  In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Mark Ainley discuss the importance of giving everything our own style, facing the parts of ourselves we hold onto that need to be reframed or allowed to rest, and finally how we all collect little trophies of our adventures and that these “imperfections” should be treasured.   Highlights Give your own style to whatever you do. Make it unique, make it You. What part of your story that you aren’t dealing with needs to be reframed so that you can move on? How your environment shifts your roles. What are your adventure dimples?   Quotes “When we have that resistant, usually there’s something behind that resistance. There’s a reason for that, And if we cannot push but follow through with shall we say gentle persistence, we can get to the root and that expression can change.” “We’re so busy trying to change behavior, trying to change the face of things, rather than the root.” “Clutter is the sign of a nonintegrated relationship of how something expresses.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What will you do, which room will you start in, where you stand there for 60 seconds. Close your eyes for a moment, sense what you’re feeling or hearing in that room. Are there any noises? Is there a hum, do you have wind chimes outside? What are you hearing? Are these sounds that are agreeable, do they light you up, do they inspire? Then open your eyes, look around you, does that room make you feel good or does it make you feel dizzy and heavy? What can you change today, in that room, something small, that will inspire you to make more changes. Incremental improvements.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    Mentioned in this episode  Atomic Habits by James Clear When by Daniel Pink   About Mark A professional Feng Shui consultant since 2001, Mark Ainley of Sense of Space has consulted and taught all over the world, particularly in Japan, where since 2003 he has had an active practice both in person and on Zoom. Well-known and respected for his practical, easy-to-grasp approach to Feng Shui principles (which he refers to as Contemporary Feng Shui), he writes, teaches, and consults internationally, bridging the ancient wisdom of Feng Shui with common sense and aligned insights from the latest environmental psychology research. Be sure to check out Sense of Space! As well as Mark’s Facebook, Instagram, and 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!

342 The Best Teacher Is Life   Throughout life we all have to learn some difficult lessons, some lessons are harder than others, but if you persist and remember your core values you will succeed with more knowledge of yourself and your capabilities than you started with.  In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Gail Harris discuss the importance of learning the harder lessons in life and coming out the other side to share these experiences with others.   Highlights Loss strengthens us by how we move through it.  Turn your sorrow into art, so that others will know they aren’t alone. Divine timing, even if you can’t see the full plan in the moment, some things are meant to be. Life is your teacher.   Quotes “I’m more than my human self.” “I just let myself feel it, because I did believe that that was a forked road. Because if you don’t feel it and you become numb to it, then you hang onto it forever. It’s not that we ever don’t feel the grief -feel the loss- you will always feel the loss but the grief I think can transform.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I would love to hear from you. When you think about your own life stories, it’s not just one event and it’s not a timeline of events. I would love to hear what you’re thinking about and as you’ve listened to this episode in terms of holding space for other people’s grief, what you would write about if you were to write your story, and what would you include? Which characters, which part of your life? And, as always, thank you for listening.    Mentioned in this episode The Art of Holding Space Finding Zoe   About Gail Gail Harris is a certified ghostwriter specializing in women’s memoir and an IPNE Book Award Finalist for the memoir FINDING ZOE. She collaborates with women who have risen above life’s challenges and are ready to share their journeys personally and professionally. She enjoys the cathartic nature of storytelling both for the author and those who read her story; the healing is universal. Her company is called Golden Ghostwriting. Gail finds the gold in an author’s story or what sets it apart from other stories to make it marketable. Be sure to check out Gail’s LinkedIn and Golden Ghost Writing! 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!

341 Cycles of Relationships Growth, change, and accepting that sometimes we are just as much at fault as anyone else, are vital to the health and longevity of the relationships we build. It is only through growth, change, and acceptance that we become the best version of ourselves. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Hope Marshall discuss the natural courses of relationships and how they affect us even after they’ve ended.    Highlights It’s okay to pick up something to try and then leave it behind. It’s part of what makes people interesting. You need to work towards a goal and take measures towards that goal actively to achieve it. Miscommunication is a killer for any and all relationships.   Quotes “I’m kind of like the Jane of some trades. Not all, just some. ” “Most people are just trying to get through their own lives, meet their own personal goals and sometimes we’re a part of that, sometimes we’re a priority, and sometimes we’re not but either way it has nothing to do with us. In people’s growth sometimes you’re not a part of their journey.” “Sometimes we’re the anchor in people’s lives, sometimes we’re the one that people need to cut off.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What part of your path are you thinking of in terms of regret that you can reframe to better understand that that part of your path is a big important aspect of who you are today. And if you hadn’t experienced exactly that path you would not be the same person you are today bringing the joy and the wisdom and the experience every single day now and into your future to wherever you sit.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Hope My name is Hope Marshall: author, facilitator, and contentment hub cultivator for quirky women over 40. As a child, I loved reading and writing. This was further confirmed after I’d come across my old diary from middle school that said I wanted to be an English teacher. By day, I am a learning and development strategist, with over 10 years’ experience designing and facilitating training within an array of industries - not too far from my childhood aspirations. My flagship book Corny Girl Chronicles and, Affirmations for Women cards were born out of my early childhood aspirations, coupled with a genuine passion for leveraging and sharing my triumphs, lessons, and insights with others who are like me: looking to make the most of our 3rd act of life. Be sure to check out her LinkedIn and Instagram! As well as A Hope Inspired! 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!

340 Unity in Connectedness    How we present ourselves with our intentions and energy is as important as a freshly pressed suit when building community and connection in both our work and personal lives. In helping others and accepting help, by being positive and allowing positivity to thrive, in accepting ourselves and others we can build true connectedness. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Sophie Lechner discuss the importance of connectedness in our lives and how building true meaningful relationships can shape our lives.    Highlights Connectedness unites us. Real connectedness can’t be found online.  Don’t forget to take time for your business and connection when you worry about others.  If you keep yourself in a positive mindset you are bound to enjoy whatever you do.   Quotes “We need to plant seeds for potential relationships, and harvest whatever ones come out.” “It’s better to have a little bit of a pause, think it through. Thoughtfulness is one of the things I want to be known for so I need to remember to do that.”   Mentioned in This Episode Exactly Zero    Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What is the vibe, the energy, that you want people to feel when they’re around you? Whether it’s an interaction in a post on social media, face to face, a phone call, your next podcast interview, and especially the next job interview or the time you need to interview somebody else for a job. Do you want to be welcoming, do you want to be somebody who feels like they belong? Because those contributions are absolutely in good health. I encourage you to write down what you want to be perceived as and what your vibe is today.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Sophie Sophie Lechner helps mission-driven entrepreneurs find their audience on LinkedIn and build relationships with them so they can spread their message and grow their business. Her 20-year presence on LinkedIn has led to speaking engagements, podcast invitations, clients, and a Forbes interview. With The MAGNET Model, entrepreneurs stop chasing clients and instead enjoy sharing their gifts with dream clients they attract like a Magnet. For different bio lengths and more headshot options, go to https://themagnetmodel.com/mediakit  Be sure to check out Sophie’s LinkedIn, The MAGNET Model, as well as this quiz on what kind of LinkedIn User You Are!   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!

339 Help Is Not A One Way Street   Our personal narratives and clutter can take up a lot of mental bandwidth, often leading us to hold on to the stories and labels that no longer serve us and keep us living in the past with a version of ourselves that has changed drastically. It’s incredibly important to take time to assess what in your life no longer serves you, thanking it for the time it did serve you, and letting go.  In this episode Sarah Elkins reminisces on her backpacking trip to Utah and how it inspired her to give and accept help, as well as how organizing her family’s collection of books inspired her to take a long hard look at the other stories she still carries with her.    Highlights Less clutter, more calm. Offering and accepting help does not change how mighty you are.  You have to share vulnerability with people you trust in order to build and strengthen relationships.   Quotes “We all need to declutter, especially our stories that no longer serve us.” “When we say yes to someone that wants to help, we strengthen our relationship with them. When we consistently say ‘No thank you’, we make it less likely someone will ask us for help or to accept what we offer.” “To truly deepen relationships, we also have to be able to receive.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What are you holding on to that maybe it’s time to discard or reframe? What new labels and stories will you choose? I know some of mine; Badass, strong, outdoorsy, receptive to receive.  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!

337 Invest In Yourself   Life is complicated. Just like Frank Sinatra’s song That’s Life, we could be on top of the world one moment and the next we could be pushing boulders up an endless hill, however these moments do not define us. It is how we choose to tell our stories about these experiences that shows us and the entire world who we truly are.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and John Henry discuss the importance of investing time and energy into yourself, as well as how events from our formative years shape us into who we are today.   Highlights Your origins do not dictate how your story unfolds. Learning from the mistakes of the past to work towards a better future. Invest in yourself, take time to pause, analyze what stresses and drains you and focus on yourself.   Quotes “Committing to doing something uncomfortable, like running a marathon or climbing a mountain. I encourage your listeners to commit to something like that, and what results from that is a story. And it’s these kinds of stories that I’ve found are more valuable than the advanced degrees.” “When the time is right it will feel great to tell some of those stories that maybe you haven’t felt like you could.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I’m going to challenge you right now to think about what you could do right now to incorporate some small part of who you are you haven’t been sharing, some hobby, or something from your past that you don’t tell people about. How can you incorporate that or at least the lessons you learned from it in your next conversation, whether you’re at work, or with friends, or even with your own kids. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About John John is a polymath with a background in mathematics, finance, and AI. He's held roles ranging from professor to professional cage fighter, and now leads data science & AI at a top global insurer. With advanced degrees in statistics, jurisprudence, international real estate, and more, John's expertise spans machine learning, risk, and wealth management. A published author in top journals, speaker, and advisor, he also runs an RIA business alongside his corporate leadership role. Tune in as he shares insights from his multifaceted journey, which began in section 8 housing on food stamps, highlighting his journey of perseverance and determination. Be sure to check out his LinkedIn! As well as Storymakers Investment Advisors and the LinkedIn of Storymaker’s!   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!

338 Potential Prospect Throughout our lives as we work towards our goals, whether that be in a company or in our own personal pursuits, we often need to reflect on whether or not what we are doing is in alignment with our values and what we want to do in the future. Then we take the steps to ensure that our actions are in alignment and working in tandem without desire for a better future. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Bryce Arii discuss the importance of self reflection, legacy, and staying in alignment with your values as you work towards your future. Highlights What legacy are you leaving behind? Finding what matters to you, your team, and keeping that in alignment. Use your words, people cannot read your mind.  Self reflect on the reasons you are doing things, is it in alignment.    Quotes “You know what matters to you, you know what matters to the business, and you know what matters to your team, and you’re in perfect alignment.” “Well why do I want it? And that kicked off this whole series of self reflection, self transformation where it was really about ‘well I want to do that because of the unlimited potential of the people that I’d be leading’, to go and do really transformative things.” “It really came down to Why am I doing this.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I’m really curious where you will take the messages that you got from this conversation with Bryce Arii and me, and if you’re a leader who are you missing their potential and why? Is it because you are only seeing them as one component of who they are and what they do, or are you seeing them from the past, an experience that you’ve had in the past that they’ve transformed since then and you might be missing something important for their impact in your organization. Are you that person? You can’t expect someone like Bryce to swoop in and save the day and propel you to stardom, it doesn’t work like that most of the time. So I’d really encourage you to share your competency and the why behind it through your stories, that will help people see you beyond what their direct experience has been so far And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Bryce Founder and Managing Consultant for Humagined, LLC, Bryce has been leading complex transformation programs focused on business process improvement. Bryce has a human forward approach that gets results. Be sure to check out his LinkedIn and Humagined! 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!

336 Personal Brands Just Got More Personal In life there is a point we all must choose how we want to be perceived and how we want people to feel around us, and we need to make the conscious effort to keep the energy we want to be known for not just in our private life but in our work lives as well, so that through living each day aware of our impact we can grow and help others to do the same. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Portia Obeng discuss the importance of our personal brand and how they affect others, while reflecting thoughtfully on how other people’s personal brands have affected them.   Highlights Be yourself proudly and unafraid, and you will thrive in your environment. You will get in what you give out. What are the tests you put people through to learn about them? Be conscious of how you treat people so that they will want to return to you and your organization. We keep learning lessons through life so be sure to be aware of those lessons and take them to heart.    Quotes “That’s a good way for me to weed out if a company is good for me or not, is by showing up exactly as myself.” “You should have said no but when I operate in fear things don’t go my way. I got to get out of that state of fear and just operate in abundance, in that if I say no to one person a greater opportunity will come.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What are you going to be doing differently now that you’ve heard this conversation? Are you thinking about what it feels like to be welcomed into your home or your office space or your business, how do you want people to feel when they walk in? It’s not just the location, what energy are you giving off? Are you as a person sensing judgment as they walk in? Or are they sensing belonging? How do you want this to look because your personal brand is what people are experiencing of you, not what you think you’re putting out there.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Portia Portia Obeng is a social media strategist and LinkedIn coach with over 10 years of experience in social media strategy and content management. She helps people level up on LinkedIn, gain clarity, and make more money. She also helps organizations turn their employees into LinkedIn superstars who advocate for the company, amplify brand messaging, and attract the best talent Be sure to check out her LinkedIn! As well as her website Portia Obeng!   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!

335 Seasons of Life   Regret and wondering what could have been is one of the most universal human experiences, it’s normal to feel guilt and regret over not achieving something or making mistakes, but it’s how you learn from these experiences and move into the future that defines you. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Hope Marshall discuss regret, healing, and allowing life to move on especially when it’s hard to do so.   Highlights Part of what makes people interesting is when they try things they aren’t necessarily good at. You need to take time to heal from pain, reschedule if you cannot be fully present with somebody. It’s okay for seasons of life to pass.   Quotes “Sometimes your season is up with people, and you just have to accept that. And it’s not bad blood, they’re not being mean to you, maybe you met the need and that’s it.” “The older you get the more you realize people aren’t really thinking about you as much as you think. They’re not sitting around like; “I really want to figure out how to hurt this person.” They’re not. Some people are but they’re crazy, that’s pretty rare though, but most people are just trying to get through their own lives and meet their own personal goals. Sometimes we’re a part of that and sometimes we’re a priority and sometimes we’re not, but either way it has nothing to do with us.”    Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What part of your path are you thinking of in terms of regret that you can reframe to better understand that that part of your path is a big important aspect of who you are today. And if you hadn’t experienced exactly that path you would not be the same person you are today bringing the joy and the wisdom and the experience every single day now and into your future to wherever you sit.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Hope My name is Hope Marshall: author, facilitator, and contentment hub cultivator for quirky women over 40. As a child, I loved reading and writing. This was further confirmed after I’d come across my old diary from middle school that said I wanted to be an English teacher. By day, I am a learning and development strategist, with over 10 years’ experience designing and facilitating training within an array of industries - not too far from my childhood aspirations. My flagship book Corny Girl Chronicles and, Affirmations for Women cards were born out of my early childhood aspirations, coupled with a genuine passion for leveraging and sharing my triumphs, lessons, and insights with others who are like me: looking to make the most of our 3rd act of life. Be sure to check out her LinkedIn and Instagram! As well as A Hope Inspired!   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!

334 Growth Is Never Ending Finding awe as you grow and change in life can be challenging, it can feel impossible to reclaim that childlike wonder at times, but through hard work and dedication one can find wonder and awe again. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Demetrius Fassas discuss the importance of taking risks to fuel your awe, as well as healing and continuing on despite our lived experiences.   Highlights You need to take risks to enjoy life.  Be aware of signs that you are on the right path. Life keeps going even during chaos and heartbreak. So You have to as well. Don’t take yourself too seriously.   Quotes “Anytime I get that three confirmations for something I feel very directed.” “I think control is a function of fear. Because really we’re not in control of very much, I can’t even control my first thought, but it’s the second thought, the actions that follow that’s the only thing that I really have control over.” “It’s my responsibility to change, nobody is going to make different choices for you.”   Mentioned in this podcast Marly and The Pocket Facebook  Marly and The Pocket Youtube 710 Ashbury Awe by Dacher Keltner   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, The first thing that maybe would be helpful to you is to find the activity that brings out your inner 6 year old. Think about what it was at 6 or 8 years old made you question everything. That made you stop and get super curious about what was going to come next. What was that thing? Was it going into a cave? Was it hearing somebody perform on an instrument or singing? Was it riding your bike for the first time? What was it that brought you to that inner 6 year old and what can you bring back into your life to experience that wonder and awes? Whether it’s in watching somebody else experience it or finding it in small details yourself. And next, what are you contributing to your communities of choice. Think about how you participate because when you are part of a community and you contribute like that that’s when really good things happen. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Demetrius Demetrius Fassas was born and raised in Richmond, Kentucky. After attaining a degree in Biology from Butler University in 2012, Demetrius Fassas moved to Montana where he has spent the past 10 years working in the non-profit sector. Initially, his work was within the Ennis School District, managing their school garden program. This grew into a position in Butte with NCAT. After leaving employment with NCAT in 2018, Demetrius worked with other members of Butte's recovery community to found Butte SPIRIT Homes, which operates clinically licensed recovery residences for people in early recovery from Substance Use Disorder. Now, delving into his long-held passion for the performance art, Demetrius has stepped into the role of Director for Covellite Presents and owner of the Covellite Theatre in uptown Butte, America. Be sure to check out his LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as The Covellite Theater, Butte Spirit, and Dam Holdings!   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!

332 The Indomitable Human Spirit    Trials and tribulations are as common on the path of life as sand is on a beach, but like the sand you can make something beautiful out of what you’ve gone through, even if it’s only for a moment. It is our indomitable human spirit that has gotten our species to where we are now, sometimes it can be easy to forget but we are capable of amazing things, all it takes is that first step towards growth and healing.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Sarah Lines discuss how the trials in our lives -though shaping us- do not define us, that despite our stories not always having a happy beginning it is the rest of our story and how we choose to move through chaos that defines us.    Highlights The power of our senses and how they tie to our memories. It’s never too late to heal and start over. Support and care from others can change the trajectory of our lives. Caring for our fellow person, especially in times of hardship, is the most vital thing you can do for another.    Quotes “My heart felt like it was exploding for this woman, because you know we can work with hundreds or thousands of people in a year, and the facts are just not everyone is going to create that outcome depending on their life experience, their current experience and all the things. And I so want to see women succeed.” “I almost can’t describe the feeling, like I said it felt like my heart exploded, that’s how it feels when I get to witness women create what they want to create, because we are so powerful.” “It’s definitely the energetics of success. Success is an inside job, everything is energy, and my firm belief is that any strategy is going to work if you’ve got the energy aligned and you’re constantly moving through those ebbs and flows. Keep releasing, keep moving forward.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What resonated with you about this conversation? What part of your life haven’t you healed yet that you can still see the joy and the beauty in the world around you despite that hard edge that remains. Everyone has one of those. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Sarah Lines Sarah Lines, founder of the globally recognised New Earth School, has built a soulful, award-winning 6 Figure business & co-created 6 best selling books around spirituality & entrepreneurship. With lifetimes of experience, she has mentored hundreds of mission-driven entrepreneurs to ascend spiritually & financially as they triple their income, in support of expanding their mission. When she is not running her company, you can find her reading, researching and studying metaphysical sciences or cuddling up to her cats. Be sure to check out Sarah Lines’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook! As well as New Earth School!   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!

Episode 333 Communal Growth   In life we all put aside something when life becomes to busy, maybe it was a hobby you used to enjoy, or a new project you swear you’re going to get to you just need to finish this other thing first, or maybe it’s a skill from your childhood like playing the flute that you decided to put away because of limitations or self intimidation. But that’s the great thing about life, we have all the time in the world to pick back up those things and enjoy them again. In this episode Sarah Elkins and D’Vaughn Hayes discuss the importance of giving yourself grace when you are trying to pick up something new, the importance and value of encouraging another to do the same, and how through these experiences we grow into stronger and happier individuals.    Highlights The universe brings us together in strange and amazing ways. The importance of music in our lives and how it comes back during times in our life when we need it most. It’s okay if it takes time for you to pick up something you want to do or if you aren’t good at it immediately. It takes time. The self-fulfillment of helping another grow.   Quotes “The sales just makes sense because it’s “Hey you have this issue or this problem with your organization, I’ve got this really great solution and makes sense, let’s move forward. Everybody’s happy.” of course it benefits me and my bottom line and the income I bring into my family, so you get some warm and fuzzies there but the real impact for me is what I do to help other people get to where they want to be, to help them share their stories, or to watch them grow right in front of my eyes. To the person that they didn’t think they could be when we first met and just to watch that process is incredible.” “That’s not a good thing, as a community for your youth to grow up thinking that and believing that (There are no options or opportunities in the place you grew up) and just having this sense that they need to leave. If your community is to grow and thrive it needs to retain young people, they need to believe that this is a place where things happen where they can envision a bright future for themselves.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I want to know what you’re going to pick up that you put aside years before? What is one of those ideas that you’ve had in your head that maybe you started in the past and gave up too soon. I want to know about this and D’Vaughn wants to hear about it so we can support you in reaching that goal or sharing that idea so you feel compelled to complete it. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About D’Vaughn  D’Vaughn LaSean Hayes is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in sales, marketing, and leadership. Currently serving as the Field Marketing Manager for Billings at TDS Telecommunications, D’Vaughn has consistently driven impressive results. His innovative strategies led to an exceptional $2 Million ROI in his first year, exceeding company standards. In 2023, he achieved an NPV of $1.5 million and an IRR of 83%, earning a well-deserved promotion to the role of Commercial Sales Manager for all of Montana, set to commence on 12/04/2023. Beyond his corporate success, D’Vaughn actively contributes to community service. As the Director and Lead Organizer of TEDxBillings, Incoming Chair of Billings NextGEN, and a Member of the Board of Directors for United Way of Yellowstone County, he thrives on driving positive change. D’Vaughn is a social media influencer, running @406media with 11.5k followers, sharing content about the great state of Montana. He serves as the Marketing Director and Project Manager for Beartooth Mountain Saloon, a Bitcoin mining operation set to launch in early 2024. D’Vaughn has diverse experience in the crypto community, primarily on the Cardano blockchain. Recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the 2021 NextGEN Exceptional Emerging Leader Business Excellence Award from The Billings Chamber of Commerce, 40 under Forty Honoree of the 2022 class by the Billings Gazette, and the 2014 Market Manager of the Year Award from Smart Circle International, as well as an Outstanding Achievement Award from Smart Circle International, Consumer Electronics Partner of the Year Award from DirecTV, and recognition as one of the Top 5 salespersons in the whole country by DirecTV and Smart Circle International, D’Vaughn is celebrated for his outstanding contributions. Be sure to check out his LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram!  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!

331 Are You Ready For Change? Change is inevitable however it is up to you on how well you deal with that change and if your preconceived biases will influence you in the future. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Divya Ramachandran discuss change, biases, and how important approaching change with curiosity.   Highlights Acknowledging the differences between yourself and others and approaching those differences with curiosity and kindness.  Taking accountability for what has shaped you and learning to move forward in the best way possible.  Being is the hardest thing to do, it’s okay to struggle but remember to take time to just be. Learn from kids, enjoy the journey and just try to have fun.    Quotes “You’ve got biases, we all do, and that’s okay but we’re not going to act on them in a way that’s unkind, we are going to be respectful, we’re going to be curious, we’re going to be open. Be conscious of your biases and choose your actions appropriately. And I think this is a conversation that we are struggling to have today, everyone is just struggling to call it out and say “Hey you’re different. You’re different from me, I notice and it’s okay for me to notice, But I’m not going to hold that against you.” “Understanding what are some of those experiences, thoughts, beliefs that have really shaped us. And I say us because I got to do the work as much as they do.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Have you worked with a coach? Have you really understood what the expectations are, what your expectations are? Have you ever worked with someone you didn’t quite jive with and then you just gave up instead of finding somebody else that might have served you better in that relationship? I’m curious to hear your experiences and whether you were looking for an advisor or coach, were you clear internally about what you needed in that moment? And are you being fair to the coach or therapist that you’ve been working with? In terms of knowing that you’re ready to develop and self reflect and get to a different point in your life. Are you ready for change, because change can be very scary. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Divya Divya Ramachandran, Ph.D., P.C.C., is a distinguished leadership coach, transitioning from a successful career in tech to empowering leaders at tech startups. Born to South Asian immigrants in Salt Lake City, Utah, Divya navigated the complexities of identity and excellence from a young age. Her academic journey led her from computer engineering to a profound discovery at UC Berkeley, where she realized her passion for using technology to address human needs. This epiphany, coupled with a transformative experience in executive coaching, redirected her path toward leadership coaching. Divya specializes in guiding tech startup leaders, leveraging her expertise in energy awareness, cognitive behavioral coaching, and emotional intelligence to foster trust, connection, and effective communication within teams. Her work focuses on helping leaders achieve clarity, resolve conflicts, and enhance productivity, fundamentally believing in the power of understanding oneself to lead others effectively. Be sure to check out Divya’s LinkedIn! As well as her free guide “How To Do Hard Things: It’s About Clarity, Not Time.”!   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!

330 How Trials Facilitate Growth   It is a normal and natural part of life to encounter obstacles and challenges on our way to success and fulfillment, it is our choice for it to either overwhelm us and destroy us or for us to learn from these instances and grow with grace. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Sarah Russell discuss the importance of growth and self actualization through hard work and dedication, especially through hard times.    Highlights Random acts of kindness can create life long friendships. Everyone is different and it is incredibly important to make people feel welcome and included. Our differences make us stronger together. Life is unpredictable and wild, so find joy and fulfillment where you can. We are all pushed out of the nest at some point, either in our personal lives or our careers. Which is why it is so important to have faith in yourself and what you were taught.   Quotes “You take life as you can.” “You find the people that you’re supposed to find, good and bad. I was just talking to someone else about this and I think you and I were talking about this in the beginning. Those difficult situations, those difficult people, really start to write our story too.”    Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Wherever you are in life, what have you found, what experience did you have recently, maybe in the last five months or five years, that was really hard for you that you can now own and embrace as positive learning lessons, something that happened; you were kicked out of the nest uncomfortably or you had a boss that was cruel to you and all those lessons that we can learn from those experiences. What is your lesson now that you can take into the next part of your life in gratitude and grace for that difficult obstacle or challenge that you experienced.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Sarah Russel Sarah is, first and foremost, a student of yoga, which has informed her holistic business approach and sets her apart in the business world. She has been insanely successful and a total failure along her career path – both of which have taught her many lessons in consistency, perseverance and entrepreneurship. Sarah has consulted for over 60 organizations, founded seven start-ups, five brands, two-non-profits, and co-founded four start-ups in her professional career. Currently she is a senior consultant in talent management at a government consulting firm and top voice in Training and Development (HR) on LinkedIn and shares content regularly. Sarah lives in the mountain West of the US, splitting her time between the Mile High city of Denver and the quiet pace of a rural mountain town in Montana. She spends her days away from the computer enjoying the outdoors, volunteering her time with animal rescue groups and traveling. If you’re looking to take the leap into self-employment, land the job of your dreams you don’t even know exists yet, or expand your business portfolio, contact Sarah to get the nudge you need and the tools to help you make that career transition in your life. Be sure to check out Sarah’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! 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!

329 Hello Fellow Storyteller   The art of telling stories is something that unites us, but it is also something that can tell us so much about the person after they tell their story, especially if the story is awkward or funny, or if it’s about another person.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Karen Eber discuss the art of storytelling and how there are opportunities to collect and tell stories everyday.   Highlights Awkward questions are unavoidable, one day you will look back on them fondly. Actively listening to the people who are telling you their story. If you want to learn about someone’s stories, ask questions.   Quotes “That was my intro into storytelling that recognizing it’s not just a way to convey meaning or persuade, it’s a way to create connection, even change energy in what can be the most artificial of circumstances.” “Through conversation we just uncover magical things.” Mentioned in this podcast    Happier Hour With Einstein   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What will you do today that you will pay attention to and build a story out of? Maybe you’re picking up kids from school while you’re listening to this, what are you experiencing as you are waiting for your kids to come out of the school? Maybe you’re on your way home from work, or maybe you’re going for a walk with your dog, what are you paying attention to that you could turn into a story that you could collect and share to connect with people in an authentic and personal way. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Karen Karen Eber is an author, leadership consultant, and keynote speaker. Her TED Talk on how your brain responds to stories continues to inspire millions. Her book, The Perfect Story: How to Tell Stories That Inform, Influence, and Inspire, is a Porchlight Books Bestseller and was selected as a Next Big Ideas Club must-read. It was published with HarperCollins this October. As the CEO and Chief Storyteller of Eber Leadership Group, Karen helps Fortune 500 companies like GE and Microsoft build leaders, teams, and culture, one story at a time. She guest lectures at universities including MIT, and Stanford. She is a former Head of Culture, Learning, and Leadership Development at GE and Deloitte. Karen frequently contributes and is featured in Fast Company, Quartz, Entrepreneur, MSN, Forbes, Inc, and Business Insider. Be sure to check out Karen’s Instagram and LinkedIn! As well as her book and her website where you will find a free download of common storytelling mistakes!   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!

328 What Is Soul In A Business?   Serving your clients, team members, and the community you live in is vital to the health and wellbeing of not just your company but to yourself and those you serve. In serving others and your community you will find that you will be more fulfilled and enjoying your life and work even more than before.  In todays episode Sarah Elkins and Steve Ramona discuss servant leadership and the life and soul brought to your business and life.    Highlights Remember people’s names so you can begin to build meaningful relationships with new people. Leave room in your life for personal growth. Even what you perceive as a failure can still help others. Sometimes good enough is perfect.   Quotes “It’s a skillset like gratitude, I think servitude or servant hearts, you need to practice. People ask “Well how do I do it? I don’t have money.” Well the best part is you don’t need money, just go to a soup kitchen, go to a homeless shelter and feed. So many ways you can do it.” “What is Soul in a business?” “So it started at the worst it could be as you know until we ended up okay. It wasn’t the greatest show but it was okay. But here is what I want people to hear, this is so important: I’m still going to put her on my youtube channel, I’m still going to put her on my podcast. ‘Cause it’s the universe. You have somebody with a bad show, or not so good show? Put it out there, because you don’t know if somebody could resonate with that because we don’t know everybody.”   Mentioned in this podcast   God Doesn’t Waste A Thing Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Who are you going to be the next time you see somebody needs just simply to be seen and heard? Will you be that person? Will you stand up and just see that person and offer that just very brief moment of kindness? Because that is what a servant leader does.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Steve Steve Ramona discovered his calling at a young age and is now on a mission to share his secret sauce for success. He thrives on forging meaningful connections, sharing referrals, and watching people flourish. His contagious passion for the Law of Increase makes his podcast "Doing Business with a Servant's Heart" so successful. This show is chock-full of inspiring stories about overcoming challenges and serving others. Steve has a knack for spreading good vibes and elevating those around him. He learned from his dad that the entrepreneurial spirit is a great way to make money. I can share stories of how people serve, struggle, and win. We must overcome something, so why not learn to serve and overcome it much faster? I learned early in our Health Club the importance of customer service. I knew the more I served, the more it was a win-win for everyone. I enjoy working with people, referring people, and helping people grow. The Law of Increase is my mission when I network around the world. I love to mentor businesspeople and offer all the resources I have. To win, you must grow yourself first; then, you can share this with others! I am an avid reader. Be sure to check out Steve’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as his podcast show Serving In Business   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!

327 The Company We Keep   It’s a fact of life that we will make poor decisions, sometimes in the form of negative influences like people, often times repeatedly when we’re young. It’s normal and completely natural to make mistakes, as human beings we are allowed and expected to grow and change, rarely we are ever the same moment to moment, which is why it is vital to choose actively everyday to do your best and put your best foot forward despite all previous hardships.  In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Ricky Birkenstock discuss the importance of self awareness, growth, and taking responsibility for yourself when things are bleakest.     Highlights The past does not define you. You can use the negative experiences of your past as fuel to change your life for the better. No matter how dark things seem you can always find or make a better place to be. Taking responsibility for your own actions, thoughts, and wellbeing.  Ditch the “Shoulds” Surround yourself with people who will help you grow.   Quotes “I often like to say that life gives us lots of signs when we’re going down a wrong path. And I’m not kidding, I probably had fifteen to twenty signs before this incident so this was like the climax, the universe said; “Hey man, you’ve made your bed. It’s time to go.”.” “The first thing that happened, I was kind of grasping in the cell as I just laid there thinking about how I had created this and how I could create something better. So I was already emotionally processing these things, the big piece was actually taking responsibility for my situation. Instead of blaming anything because that’s easy to do I just finally said, “Alright man, this is me. This is my behavioral track record has lead to a conclusion so let’s find some new behaviors to create new realities.”.” “I think it’s a whole bunch of bullshit when people say awareness is everything. we have to define it and awareness is so important because it then gives us the ability to choose. Because before you’re aware you’re just going on the unconscious programming, you’re just going through the motions, you’ve got the software system in your head that says, “Hey I do this thing.”. But now you’re aware of it and you can catch yourself.”   Mentioned in this episode Podcastify.me   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Who do you have in your circle, you’ve been asked this many times on this podcast, I want to know who your going to shed out of your circle, who are the people that are holding you back, and that doesn’t necessarily mean cutting them completely out of your life but it does mean making sure they aren’t influencing you in a negative way. Who will you shed from your circle, so you have room for the right people?  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Ricky Hey there! My name is Ricky Birkenstock! I've lived several lives in my short time on this Earth. In general, I've gone from the depths of personal pain to helping my clients explore their highest potential and achieve the level of life quality they desire. I've dubbed myself "The Life Quality Engineer." Be sure to check out his LinkedIn and website at Ricky Birkenstock!   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!

326 Giving What You Get   Skills and talents -our “magic”- manifest differently in everyone, but what matters is how we use these abilities to achieve our dreams and to lift up others around us. In helping others we will often find ourselves more fulfilled and happy in our daily lives. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Alicia Branham discuss the importance of loving what you do and giving yourself the same grace you give others while also continuing to strive for the future you want.   Highlights See every facet of an individual, do not pigeonhole them. Take a chance on others and let others take a chance on you. Give back to your team. It’s normal to doubt yourself, imposter syndrome is very real.   Quotes “That is one thing that I do with the people that I serve is that I try to be that sounding board, and that support system that you typically wouldn’t find in a marketing firm. Because I really, really care about people and I care about people’s happiness, and if I know you’re frustrated or stressed out about something and there’s something I can shed light on for you to help you see things more clearly, then I’m going to do it. Because that’s what I’m compelled to do, that’s how I serve. I want everyone to be happy and be at their best, so it’s important to me that I actually give back in that way to the people that I work with.” “I can’t be the only woman on the planet who doesn’t see our worth.” Mentioned in this Podcast SCORE   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What is your magic? Maybe it’s time to ask somebody who knows you, that you trust, that really sees the best in you. Ask them what you bring to the table that’s different from other people, find a way to use that every single day. Because the more you work on that the more that gift, biologically, environmentally, psychologically, that was given to you becomes an actual talent. That’s where you find the most meaning and purpose in your days is by using them.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Alicia   Meet Alicia Branham, the marketing powerhouse with a story beyond business savvy. Her journey reflects adaptability and determination, traits cultivated during her formative years when her parents uprooted her to Uruguay. Navigating the challenges of a new language and culture, Alicia not only embraced the unfamiliar but thrived in it. This early experience laid the foundation for her ability to connect with diverse audiences and approach marketing from a truly global perspective. Alicia's journey from navigating the streets of Uruguay to conquering the digital landscapes of marketing is a saga of resilience and cultural fluency. It's this unique blend of personal growth and professional triumph that sets her apart in the marketing world. As a speaker and influencer, Alicia not only shares groundbreaking marketing strategies but also imparts the invaluable lessons learned from her multicultural upbringing. Prepare to be captivated not just by her marketing prowess, but by the remarkable journey that shaped Alicia Branham into the visionary marketer she is today. Be sure to check out her LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as her website Alicia Branham! 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!

325 Writing Our Own Stories   Although hard work and dedication can get you quite far in life, it helps immeasurably to have someone at your back who believes in you and inspires you to strive towards your goals and future. Our stories, though valuable, do not define us and should be used as kindling for the fires of ambition.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Kïrsten Blake discuss the importance of how our stories shape our paths in life but most importantly how the people involved in our stories inspire and guide us to success.   Highlights Sometimes you need to trust people to know you and perceive you in their own unique way. The people who help you through your struggles help to define you and inspire you to grow and change, especially when dealing with an othering experience. We don’t know where we are going until we look backwards.  We need to experience so many different things   Quotes “I think belonging is such an important aspect of my work, and so it’s not surprising that that story was what came to mind the more I think about it because, I think it informs so much of what I do, who I became, what’s important to me. I think also having a lot of compassion for little people, you know we don’t tend to see them as little humans but they are. They’re experiencing things, they’re going through things, there’s alot going on in their head, and I think as adults it’s really important for us to remember that.” “It all makes sense when you look backwards, but when you’re in it sometimes it doesn’t.” “We have to be in it. And I think sometimes we avoid being in it because it can feel hard and not great, and I think we as humans want to feel good and happy and joyful. But a mantra I try to live by. I'm not always great at it, being a recovering perfectionist is “Life is in the messy.” and so we have to let things be messy sometimes in order to get to that point where we are able to look backwards.” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What stories can you look back on as early as 6, 7, 8, years old that might inform what you’re doing today? Might help you uncover a pattern, or a reason about how you feel the way you do about something, or the passion you have for something else. I am so curious, please send me a message. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Kïrsten Kïrsten Blake is a certified Narrative Coach, facilitator, speaker, and creator & founder of Chapter BE. She works with individuals, teams, and organizations to develop a deeper sense of self-awareness in service of transformation and connection. The work includes examining internal stories in order to better connect with themselves and others, so they can tap into a more mindful, authentic state of being. Her coaching, workshops and programs have provided leaders and individuals with the opportunity, support, and space to design more connected teams, workplaces, and lives. Be sure to check out Kïrsten’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook! As well as her website Chapter Be and The Being Of A Nation!   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!

324 Facets of Value   Valuing every facet of where you work, especially if you work with other people, is vital to the survival and prosperity of any company. From treating your customers with integrity and respect, to rewarding the hard work and dedication of loyal and valuable employees, in order to thrive in the world as a business you must value every facet of that business. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Blake Hutchison discuss the importance of appreciating the skills and abilities of everyone in a company, while also giving the absolute best to customers and the public.   Highlights How are others receiving your story? Why are you sharing particular stories? Discovering your identity and learning new experiences through travel. You learn a lot about individuals through time observing their behaviors and attributes. You never know how helpful, loyal, and incredibly valuable an individual can be unless you give them a chance. You never know how many opportunities you can have if you show care for your job and how you present yourself. The first interaction a customer should have with your company should be with someone who cares. Quotes “You change as a person when you go and you travel.” “You develop an empathy for customers because you are so close to them through the retail and hospitality context.” “It was a function of, first I’ll think about how much time I’ve put in versus what that customer needs from me right now. And that little bit of extra care and empathy ends up giving you a bit more willingness and want to help a customer too, and that can be missing sometimes but when it’s there it’s really powerful.” “I think the difference is related to whether you put yourself in somebody else’s shoes, or you only ever walk in your own. Walking in your own creates for a very narrow minded approach to doing work or living a fulfilled life, and walking in other people’s shoes gives you agility and flexibility and understanding and ultimately gives you empathy. And so part of it is do you work for yourself, do you work for the team, do you work for the company, or do you work for the customer?” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What did you take from this conversation? Was it something about wanting to travel, do you have the travel bug again? Was it something about a new business or an idea you have that maybe you need to make that next step because thinking about it isn’t going to start it. And who are you going to surround yourself with, because if you are a thinker and not necessarily a doer, you need some doers in your circle. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Blake BLAKE HUTCHISON - CEO OF FLIPPA Blake Hutchison is the CEO of Flippa, the world's largest marketplace to buy & sell online businesses. Blake leads the team as they build out a product empowering exit and ownership for business owners and entrepreneurs globally. Prior to running Flippa, Blake held leadership roles across multiple fast-growth tech businesses across E-commerce and SaaS. Be sure to check out Blake’s LinkedIn as well as Flippa, Flippa’s Referral Program, and Flippa’s Online Business Valuation!  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!

323 Authentic Connections   Authentic connections can be difficult to find, whether it be from not being taught the skills to form these connections or simply losing touch with former acquaintances, it can be difficult but not impossible and with the proper tools and a heartfelt message, authentic connections can be found anywhere.  In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Amy Daughters discuss the importance of authentic connections and how having meaningful conversations with individuals can lead to long term relationships.   Highlights You’ll never know how profound a connection can be unless you reach out. It only takes a thoughtful act to change not just the person receiving, but the person giving. In the age of social media it’s more important than ever to treat people like individuals with their own stories and burdens they carry. Act with love in your heart, and encourage others to do the same.    Quotes “It’s generally accepted that if you write me and tell me that you care about me and value me, that I’m the one that walks away the person most changed. But the reality, and I learned this 580 times, You’re the person who’s the most changed. The person who is releasing that thank you, that congratulations. Because I went from saying “What am I going to even say in these letters?” to once I looked at their profile and once I realized who they were to me, all of a sudden I had so much stuff to say; Thank you, I’m sorry, Congratulations, I support you. And I started to see all these things that were going on in people’s lives that I couldn’t see in the news feed that I had to treat people one person at a time.” “The handwriting is somebody’s personality but it’s also the physical manifestation of how somebody feels about you and how it made you feel.”  “I think what we try do is we try to put everyone else in our own little box, you know whatever it is that you feel like you’re inspired to do. I was inspired to do that, but everyone is inspired to do something, they have a moment in their heart where they’re like, “Oh that’s what I want to do.” We got to encourage each other to do that.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Remember that title; Your Stories Don’t Define You But How You Tell Them Will. What are the stories that people can tell about you based on what you take from this conversation? Think about the stories people are telling about Dana and Parker, and about Amy, that they’ll never know and yet continue to create this ripple effect of connecting beyond the keyboard. Connecting authentically in a way that makes people feel seen and heard. What will you do? What is your next step?  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Amy Amy Weinland Daughters, Award-Winning Author and Keynote Speaker, believes in a world where what makes us different is the very thing that connects us, instead of separates us. She brings that world to life by helping people reconnect to each other through the power of hand-written letters. She brings her wit, humor, and having written 580 handwritten letters to every single one of her Facebook friends, to show you how you can find deep connections in some of the most unexpected places. Be sure to check out Amy’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! 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!

322 Give Yourself Grace   To give yourself grace for mistakes you’ve made or for expectations that seem unattainable is something that can be more daunting than many of us want to admit. As difficult as it can be to be gracious with ourselves in order for us to grow and thrive as human beings, it is vital that we do be patient with ourselves and own our mistakes or failed expectations so that we can grow. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Nikki Campbell discuss the importance of resilience, growth, and grace with ourselves because everything we do starts with us and if we aren’t at our best we cannot give our best. Nikki Campbell brings warmth, understanding, and resilience to the discussion, telling many stories from her own life and how through her own strength and the love of those around her she was able to grow into who she is today.   Highlights We can’t always explain why certain things in our past happen, but what we can do is use these things to give us the strength to follow our dreams. “You can either let it dissolve you or you can let it evolve you.” Our experiences are all relative. Parts of your story may not be so happy, but that doesn’t make you who you are. It is how you reframe your thoughts and choose a sustainable way of life that determines the rest of your story. You’re not living if you don’t have gremlins, or a similarly named thing trying to stop you from achieving your goals.   Quotes “After sustaining any sort of type of trauma, whether it’s; psychological, physical, whatever. There are things that you can have as a secondary characteristic, maybe it’s some anxiety, maybe it’s memories that trigger you, or things of that nature, and you can either let it dissolve you or you can let it evolve you.” “It’s through her very gentle yet, I’ll say firm, way of speaking my thoughts back to me. It wasn’t until I had a therapist who did that did I realize; wow that’s not true. It’s the thought of like, if someone were to say to you what you say to yourself, what would your reaction be?” “I’m not going to apologize for how I am or who I am because it got me to where I am today.” “You need to have grace with yourself and know that you’re not always going to do things right. It took me a long time to do that for myself is to give myself grace. That, “Okay I said that, I did that, I got to give myself a break but I also need to learn how to move forward. Instead of sitting in it.”.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Were you sitting here in the living room with us and drinking some hot tea or coffee? When you think about the things you need to give yourself grace for? What are the gremlins you can shoo from your consciousness? Which are the gremlins that are really stopping you from moving forward? And how can you manage when you do do something wrong, manage that so that it doesn’t occur again. What lessons can you learn from it? And who do you know that you contribute to, to their learning and their growth as a result of claiming your own? And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Nikki Nikki Campbell MS, NASM-CPT, BCS, CNC, ACSM-CIFT Nikki is a long-standing fitness and wellness professional with 15+ years of industry experience: She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Behavior Change Specialist, and Nutrition Coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. Nikki holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion with an emphasis on Sports Performance and Injury Prevention. She has seven years of experience working as a Wellness Coach at Mayo Clinic, and has held various programmatic positions within the disabled sports industry. Nikki’s passion for assisting in the improvement of one’s physical and mental health has spanned throughout her career and in her work with individuals of all ages and ability levels in and out of the gym. Additionally, Nikki is a certified kettlebell sport coach and rank 1 kettlebell sport athlete working towards obtaining her Master of Sport in late 2024. She most enjoys her time outside of her profession creating jewelry for her small business, spending time with her awesome family, and enjoying the Montana outdoors. Be sure to check out Nikki’s Facebook and Instagram! As well as her TedX Limitless Beyond Limitation, The Bar - Private Training Facility, and Nikki’s website for handmade jewelry NikkiBean Designs!   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!

321 Your Innate Worth   Throughout life we are told from an early age what to do, what jobs would be best for us, and what society expects of us. Quite often this leaves us in a job that doesn’t bring us fulfillment, so we end up looking for that fulfillment and sense of worth by exploring other career paths as well as life paths, and exploring what makes us feel our innate worth.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Corree Roofener discuss how labels impact us and our skill sets from an early age, and how through hard work and dedication to one’s self you often find yourself in a fulfilling position in life.     Highlights Are you labeling someone despite seeing them through only one lens? What labels were you given that you still think about? Do you define yourself or do others? What is your natural skill that you do exceptionally well and what can you do to nurture that skill? Asking for help is one of the first steps in growth. Bringing in others with different skills who can help you, can make you thrive.  Build a diverse board of personal directors.   Quotes “You learn about people as you are exposed, like you said having connection. Whether that be in a live event or just having a written connection like you said on LinkedIn. Someone responds to something you say and there’s this immediate conversation happening, or almost immediate conversation happening, and that feels so different.” “I think, I don’t think I actually know, I feel that when we begin to kind of unravel or open up those petals of that flower, we come back to what we innately know about ourselves, and we know it we just put it aside, because it’s, One: Not comfortable. Two: Not Successful. Three: Not a career. It can be a hundred different things, but what we do is we walk away from what we innately do so well or we cover it up. When we can start to own that, take value in that, we begin to find that “This is what I’m supposed to be doing.” but in that, what do we have to do? We have to ask for help. Which is so hard.” “And just connecting with that fact that, those side hustles, we’re gonna go right back to the beginning, typically are going back to who we are innately. We crave that as humans, we crave what we were created to do innately and we tend to change what that looks like because “Success says you should do X, Y, and Z.” Or, “Mom said I should do this.” Or, “Dad said I was good at this.” and so we stop and we don’t go back to that thing. One of the things for me that I had to really own, I’ve always been good with numbers but keeping synced “Oh I’m living that!” But what I had to realize is that my worth, my value as a mother was the message that had to be shared.” “It’s just so scary because again you’re speaking this dream out loud to the universe, to your peers, whoever it is, and you have no idea what it’s going to look like. And we so adamantly connect the word failure if it looks different than how we originally envisioned.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What is that side hustle you’ve been considering? What could you go back to from your younger days when you had an idea of what you were really good at. That you don’t necessarily need to make income at it, but you would like to explore again. Jot it down in the comments, share it with me privately, I am your audience for that. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Corree Corree Roofener; teaching resilience, compassion, and the strength of the human spirit through actions and support. Corree is a living embodiment of the adage that life begins at the end of one's comfort zone. Her remarkable journey is a testament to the extraordinary achievements that are possible when one chooses to live life with curiosity and courage. With every role she takes on, Corree continues to make a positive impact, helping individuals discover their inner strength and unlock their true potential with a mission to empower individuals to live boldly and authentically! Be sure to check out Corree’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook! As well as Corree’s website Bee Authentically U!   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!

320 Anchored in Time   Labels and judgment are an unfortunate symptom of society, more often than not people will be framed in a particular light without any chance to defend themselves or for a full explanation to be given. Because of one person saying something, one bad interaction, or one misinterpretation a person can be frozen in time under whatever label was given to them. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on enlightening experiences that have recently occurred that have helped continue to shape her perspective on the damage of labels and unfair judgment.    Highlights Art imitates life and more often than not, not for the better. Labels and keeping someone frozen in time can warp our perceptions of others and ourselves.  Work on strategies to help yourself avoid judging another and labeling them unjustly.   Quotes “Their spouses, families, and friends are all shocked of course, and they say things like “My whole life with you is a lie!” I desperately wanted to ask those family and friends, Did you feel loved and cared for all those years you were together? Are you going to ignore all that you know to be true about this person because of something they did over twenty years ago?! I want to shake them!” “Labels are a form of judgment and no one likes to be judged, especially from someone else’s limited information about us.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Do you have cringey moments you look back on, times that when you do look back on them realize they weren’t too great? When have you been labeled and judged unfairly? Are their stories about people in your past that maybe it’s time to reconsider before sharing?  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!

319 Cultures, Conversations, and Community   The beauty of humanity is that we all share different cultures, from the differences in our food to whether we take our shoes off in the house, culture shapes how we interact with our community and our career which is why it is vital we have conversations about culture, so that we may find our community, teach others, and learn about another person’s beliefs and values, in doing so we will all be stronger together as a community. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Kevin Hamm discuss the importance of community, culture, and the conversations that need to happen in order for us all to have a better understanding and respect for one another. Kevin offers valuable insight, intelligent conversation, and a healthy dose of humor, approaching this difficult topic with humanity and dignity.    Highlights A love for new and exciting things starts early and fosters growth and admiration for other cultures and ideas. What memories from your past impact your decisions to this day? Everyone sees the world through different lenses, be sure to encourage the growth and curiosity to see outside of your current lens.  Being yourself is vital to your survival and to being able to thrive as a human being. Fostering community through compassion and pride. Making sure the whole world knows you and your community exist.  Understand the cultural differences between yourself and other places, and understand that these differences can foster growth and connection between yourself and those of a different culture.  What access to other cultures do you have in your own community that you can explore right now. Ask questions! There is no harm in wanting to know more.   Quotes “At the time Governor Schwinden- I think it was Governor Schwinden, God I hope it was Governor Schwinden. Had just started the Sister State program with Kumamoto in Japan and so I joined a choir and discovered my love of sushi because we ended up going to Japan when I was a kid. And it’s really fun to think about being an ambassador for the state of Montana going over when you’re 12 years old or 11 years old, however old I was. Going over and being in front of the aristocracy, the Imperial Family, and all that in Japan, you know performing and being a soloist and homestays and meeting all these people, and having this incredibly intense, delightful introduction to how vast and different our world is, how diverse things are. When you’re a kid and finding out some of those things that are common in other cultures we never even hear of, like at the time we didn’t have a sushi restaurant in the state of Montana.” “The truth of the matter is I found a thriving and robust queer community up there as well and it was really interesting to see that this community that I knew existed in major metropolitan areas because Portland and Phoenix had given me that, also exists in these little tiny towns where people on a regular basis are like, “I’m going to move to the big city because I can’t be here!” and then they move away. But there were some that were still there and wanted to live there and really loved it, and that was part of the realization that I was like, “Oh my community, the queer community, crosses every other boundary, whether it’s racial or societal or economic, we’re everywhere. And because we are everywhere we have community everywhere.” And that took me a little bit to figure out, but once I figured it out I was like “Oh I can move back to Montana because my community exists!”.” “It’s not only that you don’t want to be insulting in a lot of cases. I don't know that it would be insulting. They would just look at you like, “Oh you’re not trying to be like us.” And I want to try to be like them. When I’m on their lands, in their place, in their house, I want to fit in, I want to belong, I don’t just want to be there.” “The one thing I would tell anybody going into a new culture is don’t be afraid to ask everything, ask the question that seems a little weird that you’re like, “Oh I can’t ask that.” You absolutely can.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Are you going to go explore a culture that you haven’t explored before as a result of hearing this conversation? I know I’m going to and it could be just down the street, I have friends who own a Cuban restaurant here in town they are originally from Cuba. I have met them, I’ve spent time with them, but I’m not sure I explored their culture quite enough yet. I could even go to one of the upcoming Pow Wow adventures, I would love to do that with one of my friends from the tribes. I’m going to do that this year and I hope Listeners that you will find a culture you’re not familiar with, somewhere within a few hours of your home and go explore it. Your mind and your heart will be better for it.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Kevin Kevin Hamm, 50, is a small business owner, battle-tested community organizer, fearless activist, and lifelong advocate for the rights and dignity of all Montanans. He has had the privilege of calling Montana his home state from the age of five; that’s 45 years, for anyone counting. Armed with an appreciation for the importance of community investment that can only come from a childhood in a rural state, Kevin has spent his adult life investing in ways to give back to the place that built him. He has served on the boards of Queen City Ballet and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, and founded the Happiness & Joy Foundation, a 501(c)3 that puts on Montana Pride — Montana’s statewide Pride celebration, which Kevin has run for the last nine years. In addition to his deep commitment to community investment, Kevin is a skilled businessman with a strong track record in tapping into economic potential. Through his marketing work, he assisted in ATX’s transition from a $5 million company to a $20 million company and later capitalized on the skills he learned there to start two small businesses from scratch that continue to thrive today. Through Studio 19, his first company founded in 2010, he took on the responsibility of managing live production for the athletics departments at all Frontier Conference schools in the state; he continues to work with Carroll College leading their stream team to this day. By 2018, his reputation as a skilled problem solver had grown his customer base to such a degree that he was able to start Auxilyum, a second company that lightens the tech support load. Most importantly, though, Kevin’s background is that of a typical working Montanan. He has firsthand experience doing the real work that powers our state as a matter of necessity, not just as a hobby or a means of making friends with the neighbors. He knows what it's like to sacrifice sleep working alongside good people in hot kitchens, and to give up sleeping entirely while turning a dream into a business. Kevin also knows this place in a way that everyone with a Montana childhood will understand; he grew up alongside people who valued character over politics, and formed lifelong friendships with people who disagreed with him on issues that might raise some people's hackles. He attended his first day of kindergarten on Four Georgians Elementary School’s first day of operation, and found community in the halls of public schools and community theaters that gifted him with an education of which he is deeply proud. These experiences shaped Kevin into the man he is, but they are not unique to him — most Montanans will recognize these stories, and have their own versions to share. In Kevin, Montanans will find a candidate able to stand in a kind of solidarity shared only by those who know the value of hard work done on their own, without a trust fund to fall back on. So while he may not have unlimited funds with which to pay for billboards advertising his name or lobbyists on speed dial ready to pull strings on his behalf, Kevin does have something that matters more: a lifetime of solidarity with working Montanans, and decades of experience advocating for all of them in every way that he possibly can. Be sure to check out Kevin’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as his website KevinHamm! Interested in the Former Felon’s Ball this year? Click Here! Interested in learning about Montana Pride and how to help? Click 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!

318 Cultivation Of The Self   Change and growth are seen everywhere in life, from caterpillars becoming butterflies, to saplings becoming towering trees, it is a normal and expected part of life that should be encouraged and embraced, especially when seen in ourselves. Change can be frightening but if you keep pressing on and contributing with the best of your ability, you will come to a better place.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Kristopher Lopez discuss the importance of appreciating the version of yourself from the past and cultivating the person you want to be now. Kristopher Lopez is an intelligent, respectful, and emotionally intelligent individual who brings a unique insight to the quandaries posed in today’s episode.    Highlights The paths that lead us to wherever we are now sometimes seem contradictory. Resilience is like a ball, persistence is bouncing that ball so that it goes higher and higher each time. Mutual respect goes both ways and is invaluable to all relationships. Your contribution is valuable, and being consistent in that contribution is irreplaceable. Growth and change can be intimidating, and just because you do get intimidated by it doesn’t mean you’re failing.   Quotes “It’s a mutual respect, right? Like, I get to know things about so many people that are public people that I don’t have to get to share and I will not share, just so they can understand that even though we don’t meet an expectation, or we have a falling out sometimes, that you’re still safe to come back to us and we’re not going to put you on social media, we’re not going to react in a way that is  going to be detrimental to you or your career, and a lot of the mutual respect we have for each other circles back around.” “The situations in my life I was able to overcome those things because those are struggles and things I was dealing with and able to navigate. I’ve done so many things that have never been the best, I’ve always been that 7 or 8 but I’ve done a lot of 7 or 8 things.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What are you thinking about when you think about difference in who you were ten years ago, twenty years ago, and who you are now? How would people say that they experienced you then and is it the same? I kinda doubt it. So the next question is are you holding on to somebody else’s older version of their authentic self or are you seeing their changes for what they are? Their attempts to be different, to be better, to surround themselves with people that bring them up so they can return the favor for the next generation? Where are those sticking points, what are the questions you need to ask, and what will you do next to change your story? And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Kristopher Retired Chief Warrant Officer III Founder: StayRoman (Inc 5000/Vet100 Awards) StayRoman Realty Curated by Roman Be sure to check out Kristopher’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as his website StayRoman and StayRoman Realty!   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!

317 How Our Stories Frame Us   Taking the time to reflect on our stories and consider how they frame us and others is a uniquely powerful tool for storytellers. When we take a step back to look at how and why we are telling our stories we can see the lessons and the messages that are built into our stories and we can see just how important our stories are. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Amanda Edgar discuss how important our stories are, how they shape us, and how through time they are subject to change. Amanda brings intelligence, kindness, and humor to the conversation, which brings life and warmth to the episode. Highlights Things happen when we least expect them to. Your stories matter, you just need to tell them. Be mindful of how you describe people and events in your stories. If there is an inkling of revenge or blame when you're writing your story, you need to take a step back and ask yourself why you want to tell it.   Quotes “One of the things I hear people say so often is, 'Well who am I to tell my story? No one cares who I am. I’m not Britney Spears or Michelle Obama, nobody cares about my story.' And I always tell them they don’t care about your story because they don’t know it yet.” “To me there is also such a powerful mindset piece, that hitting and exceeding that then suddenly so many more things are possible than you had ever imagined. Because you get so in your head about this goal you want to hit and I think it can be really counterproductive, there’s something to me about having that extra tool or that extra boost that people then get a little second wind and they hit these goals they hadn’t imagined.” Dear listeners, now it's your turn: What is it that you’re holding onto that maybe a little space can get you to the place of learning and sharing lessons so that other people don’t have to learn the hard way? What are you going to write down, your story, that you can observe differently and reframe it so you can learn the lesson you need to learn from it? And which of your family members are you going to reach out to with a cellphone and a record button to hear some of their stories?  And, as always, thank you for listening.  Mentioned in this episode The Ignorant Man’s Son by Victor James Hill  About Amanda Amanda is an award-winning author and the CEO of Page and Podium Press, a publishing house that offers coaching, writing, and publishing services to self-defined leaders of all types--political leaders, industry thought leaders, community leaders, and leadership consultants. Her company focuses on projects that inspire readers to take action to build their communities and to fearlessly shape society for a better tomorrow. In addition to her two award-winning books, she will shortly release a new book she co-authored, Summer of 2020: George Floyd and the Resurgence of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Be sure to check out Amanda’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Also check out Page and Podium, as well as the Memoir Strategy Quiz! 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." Don't miss the opportunity to take our online Job Interview Storytelling course for just $99! 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!

316 Community In The Age of Social Media   Want to join this year’s NLV Conference? Register here!   Throughout our careers we will all need to make decisions to benefit ourselves and others by being a good leader and building up our teammates. In the age of social media and technology it is easy to focus on progress and monetization over the health of your community and your team. It is vital to your growth as a person and a business owner to choose community and growth for the betterment of your business, your community, and your team. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and the equally accomplished Eric Elkins discuss the importance of community and teamwork in our current age, how taking the time to listen to others and hold yourself and them accountable can lead to growth and change in the world around you. Eric also shares the skill of storytelling and brings awareness, compassion, and mindfulness to the conversation.    Highlights Sometimes you shouldn’t care what people think, especially if it’s something that makes you happy. Oftentimes growing means change, don’t be afraid to spread your wings. Community builds each other up, don’t be afraid to accept help and help others. Turn conversations that are hard into something positive for you in the long run. Value your team, without them you and your business can’t grow or make meaningful connections.    Quotes “We could build a sense of community by building a sense of place.” “For me it’s always about connecting people so that they can be more successful and be happier and do what they need to do.” “I often say when you get a negative comment or a negative review: Your response has two audiences and two functions, the first audience is the person who wrote the comment, the negative comment or the negative review, and the first thing you need to do there is deescalate and hopefully get that conversation offline or into a private venue so that you can work through the situation and solve the problem. But that second audience is everybody else who’s watching what you’re gonna do, and so that’s why it’s always important to respond, take responsibility, and then to actively in that response move that conversation elsewhere.” “We all go to work. We all have to deal with the vagaries of the workplace, and the slog that is even a job that we love, and the one thing that keeps us coming back day after day is the connection we have to the people there.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, It’s time to hold up that mirror in front of yourself, what behavior are you continuing in your management or your conversations within your community and the people who care about you that maybe you didn’t like when other people did those behaviors towards you. I know it’s hard to be a manager, especially if you’re new to that, so make sure that you’re paying attention to what you didn’t like in your experience with managers and not continuing those behaviors with your people. Listeners, I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Eric  Eric Elkins is a strategist, author, professional speaker, and CEO of WideFoc.us Social Media (http://www.widefoc.us/), a Denver-based agency he founded in 2007. Using organic and paid social strategies along with full-service community management, his team drives tangible results for B2B tech/SaaS companies, B2C brands, the home services industry, nonprofits, and global corporations. For more than 25 years, Eric has helped companies grow their visibility and increase revenue. He writes the occasional novel, hosts Denver food faves at denverlicious.com, and loves to share his eating and travel adventures on Instagram as @ericelkins. Be sure to check out Eric’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook! As well as his website Wide Focus and his food blog Denverlicious!   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!

315 The Risks Of Following Your Passion   In life we are bound to do any number of things on our path to a successful career, adding to our portfolio of stories and skills in our pursuit of happiness. These things do not take away from our skills but instead add to them and our expertise, it all depends on how you choose to apply these acquired tools in our life and career. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Elaine Belson discuss how walking the many paths of life have helped shape them into the successful entrepreneurs they are today, offering insight and positivity involving the paths to fulfillment and success. Elaine brings warmth and an intelligent insight to the conversation, referencing and telling many stories of her numerous skill sets that have helped shape her and her business into who they are today.    Highlights Your skills can be applied in a variety of ways, even in situations you wouldn’t expect them to be in. What you take from your experiences contribute to your expertise, even if those experiences are not directly. It’s okay to sit back and look at how far you’ve come, to witness your own performance on the stage of life. Don’t call it a gift when you have worked hard to hone your talents and skills. Try different things, be a jack of all trades. Broaden your horizons.   Quotes “If you have certain skills it doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, right? You can thrive. It’s more about the tools in your tool box than it is about experience.” “Our experiences are not just our resume.” “It was this Aha moment for me, this “Oh this is what it feels like!” You know to just be happy with something. It doesn’t have to be huge, high, right? It’s that ability to get up everyday and want to go to work.”  “That’s what I think true passion is, is when you can get up everyday and look forward to what you’re doing.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I would love to hear how this episode landed for you. What did you hear in it that made you realize something about yourself? Maybe that you’re a gypsy careerist and you haven’t given yourself enough credit for all of the ways that those iterations of your career have made you who you are today? I would love to hear about that. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Elaine I have 30yrs combined clinical, military, political and teaching experience. I joined at the age of 42 and served as XO for Medical Command in Afghanistan. My "brand" is "Embrace your Humanity" - harnessing your innate abilities to make good decisions and self-validate. Positive and practical, this approach empowers people to solve their own problems through insight, problem-solving and coping skills. I'm a pragmatist and think in soundbites - so my content is original and easy to understand, remember and apply. I have a full-time practice, host a serial podcast and do guest appearances. I also write a newsletter about psychology in politics. However, my primary focus is public speaking. Be sure to check out Elaine’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! And be sure to check out her website Elaine Belson!   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! Want to join this year’s NLV Conference? Register here!

314 What Builds Community (Like Chickens)    Want to join this year's NLV Conference? Register here!   Community is the life blood of our growth and success as human beings, even in the very beginning of humanity’s first steps across the globe we were hyper social creatures who relied on one another to survive, whether that be to have enough food or blankets for the cold months or maybe even knowing you could go to your local carpenter to ask for a new chair. We have always relied on one another to build ourselves and each other up, and without that fundamental part of our humanity we wouldn’t be where we are today and we will only stagnate and mold if we distance ourselves from it. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Jake Cinti discuss the importance of community and helping the places we call home to thrive, true although the experience of cultivating community isn’t always sunshine and roses, it is always an important and vital process. Jake Cinti brings equal parts intelligence, awareness, and compassion to the conversation, offering an insight into the world of reality and social work that is often overlooked or unseen. His values only becoming stronger as he has continued his work with his brother Dylan, Yarrow, and Ypsilanti.   Highlights Your niche is just as important as everyone else’s, take pride in that. Holding true to your values even if you are not seen in the best light. Caring for your community is the foundation to success. What helps you build community with other people? What are your Chickens? Just because you hit bumps in the road does not mean you should compromise your values and goals in the journey.   Quotes “Space, being able to have space, in this case it was literally saving people’s lives. And so I think that's a microcosm in general for how important space can be for social impact.” “Creating, where we can, where we can find the opportunity to create micro-communities within a piece of real estate whether it’s a one multi family building or multiple adjacent. It’s something we think is very special and very important, and also hyper local which is a big part of Ypsilanti and how we hope to continue to work for and with Ypsilanti.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What is something that you’ve been considering that you can contribute to your community? What is one small way that you can encourage somebody else to do something that you know will help within your community, will build something important? How can you support the people that you need to support in order to build a community that’s healthy and caring for eachother? It doesn’t have to have a label, it doesn’t have to be real estate, it doesn’t have to be about homes and properties, it doesn’t have to be about helping people on a scale, as what we’re talking about with Jake and Dylan, but even swapping dough with somebody who has chickens find somebody in your community to contribute, build those relationships and let me know how that goes.  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Jake (From Yarrow) Jake is devoted to helping people and organizations drive lasting change. As an undergraduate and later an MSW student at the University of Michigan, Jake learned the fundamentals of positive organizational scholarship through his work with Ann Arbor teen center The Neutral Zone and the Ross School of Business’ Center for Positive Organizations. Jake then moved to New York City to pursue a career in social impact real estate. After spending several years growing Transwestern’s nonprofit practice, Jake shifted into a leadership role at OPEN Impact Real Estate, a firm dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations flourish in meaningful spaces. Jake was recognized as one of Commercial Property Executive’s “Stars to Watch” in 2020. He currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife Emily and their assorted plants and vinyl. He also serves on the board of Bloomingdale School of Music. Be sure to check out Yarrow! As well as Jake’s LinkedIn!    Please check out the nonprofit mentioned by Jake and if you can make a donation within your means please do so; Mobile Studio Inc!   Overdose Prevention Model from the FDA 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!

313 Rediscovering Yourself   Change is a fundamental law of nature, nothing stays the same forever. This is especially true when it comes to people, we are never the same even from moment to moment, we are allowed and expected to change, to grow, to become a version of ourselves that we can be proud of. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Michelle Cooper discuss growth, change, and the pains that come with it. Michelle brings warmth, empathy, and a depth of emotion that will make you laugh, maybe cry, but certainly bring you some hope and determination for the new year.    Highlights Sometimes all you need to do is learn the rules because you already have the skills. Acknowledging the other people who help shape your story. Sometimes finding your voice and your purpose can cause friction in your life, but it is your responsibility to work together and remedy the strife.   Quotes “To me whether it’s a partner or a friend or a family member, it doesn’t really matter. If they can’t support something that’s really important to you then they shouldn’t be in your energy.” “You’ve got to have some data, you’ve got to go with your gut, and you have to come from an empowered place, not a victim, not a limited mindset, not survival. So how do we change that?”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What about this conversation really resonated with you? Was it this idea of finding community somehow in your late thirties? Was it about knowing that sometimes you need to have those hard conversations to give your partner a chance to change and to grow with you rather than leaving them behind? What will you do in 2024 cause it’s early still, to make a decision about something that maybe you committed to without fully being committed to it but you’re afraid to let it go? And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Michelle Michelle Cooper is a Business Mentor, Author, Podcast Host, and International Speaker. What began as a journey of self-awareness and healing has boomed into over a million-dollar business empire with a mission to shift the trajectory of wealth, one entrepreneur at a time. Michelle will help you tidy up your money and the relationship you have around it so that you can run your business and life with confidence and clarity, ultimately ending the suffering around your finances. Be sure to check out Michelle’s LInkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram as well as her website at MichelleBCooper! 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!

312 Approaching Differences With Curiosity   Differences between people are as certain as night and day, however it is entirely up to us to determine if we will embrace these differences and learn more about them or to further isolate ourselves into an echochamber of similar ideology. In this episode Sarah Elkins reads from her upcoming book Authenticity is Overrated and ruminates on the importance of embracing differences as opposed to getting frustrated over them.    Highlights What are some personal blinders you are wearing? Life is boring without change and differences. Approaching differences with curiosity.   Quotes “We can have the most diverse workforce, a completely diverse group of professionals at the table. But if we’re only tolerating them, we are not embracing those differences.” “What if you reframe that story of that frustration to learn the lessons from it and find somebody that’s completely different from you that works in a way that grows your business.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, This excerpt from my book is a reminder of the importance of embracing our differences. What have you been tolerating that you can approach with curiosity instead of indifference, frustration, or fear? What difference might that make for you at work? Think about one person from your work that you found especially frustrating to work with. Can you reduce the darkness of those blinders for just a moment to consider what that person’s talents were that are different than yours and maybe find just a few things about that person that were good challenges for you, learning opportunities that made a difference in how you see the world and how you handled a challenging situation that you encountered later on in your career. What if you reframe that story of that frustration to learn the lessons from it and find somebody that’s completely different from you that works in a way that grows your business. That brings innovation and creativity to your days at work. 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!

311 Admiration And Action   Inspiration is a necessity for growth and success, whether inspiration be drawn from daily life or from attending a keynote doesn’t change the importance, all that matters is finding it and determining whether you will admire said inspiration or take action because of it.  In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Seth Dechtman discuss their roles as storytellers and how hosting or participating in keynotes and similar functions have helped shape their craft and outlooks on its importance. Insightful, compassionate, and an equally wonderful storyteller, Seth makes this episode enjoyable and inspiring.    Highlights We look to the past not to live there, but to move forward. Put yourself in the shoes of another so that you can understand their story. Do what you want to do now, there is no Someday.   Quotes “I believe words matter and a speech can change a life and a speech can change the world.” “I put that in a bucket called Admiration. It’s not bad, we all need it, it can be fuel, it can be validating, it can be the springboard to expand your ability.” “You can’t be the taker as the speaker, you have to be the giver.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What key note or presentation or break out session have you experienced in recent years that fit into one of those categories or both of those categories, the admiration or the action or both. Did you take that next step, did you listen to that possibility, did it nibble at you for awhile until you decided yes or no I’m going to take that risk?  And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Seth Master Curator Event Pros rely on me to book the most impactful keynote speakers | Event Strategist | Tennis Enthusiast | Pizzaterian | Globe Hopper 𝐁𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨:   ✅ Find the speaker that best fits your event's scope ✅ Secure talent that works within your budget ✅ Save you time and energy ✅ Focusing on other aspects of your event   𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫:   ⭐ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 – I take time to understand your event & what you need from your keynote speaker.   ⭐ 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 – your tailored list of keynote speaker recommendations is curated from my world-class database & global network.   ⭐ 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 – I make everything more manageable for you. I take care of the speaker contract, scheduling the pre-event call with you & the talent, and double-checking all the details for a successful event.   𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡:   👔 Meeting Professionals, Conference Planners, Education Directors, Production Companies, Event Marketers & anyone involved in the keynote speaker selection process   Be sure to check out Seth’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and his Website Key Note Curators and his Podcast by the same name Key Note Curators! 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!

310 Painting A Picture Of Yourself You Can Be Proud Of   Stories. We all have them and we all share them at some point or another, those stories may make your listener laugh or they may make them cry, what is equally important in storytelling is how you tell stories about other people in your life, how you talk about others says just as much about you as your own personal stories. By exploring the world around you and experiencing the diversity and unique qualities that every place and every person has to offer, you will feel even more alive and grateful for the stories you have to share.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Peter Davis discuss the many facets of life, storytelling, and how uplifting others can lead one to a fulfilling life path. Peter brings intelligence and empathy to the conversation with thought provoking quandaries and heartfelt personal stories that are sure to leave you with some introspective questions to think about.    Highlights Do things that make you feel alive.  Diversity and change are the fruit of life, accept it whenever it decides to show itself.  Don’t forget to let yourself dream, yes working towards success is important but don’t forget to let yourself enjoy the little things. Are the stories you are still holding on to years later useful to the narrative of the person you are now?   Quotes “I learned very quickly in Chicago that being good at something, they don’t care. Everyone’s good at something. You got to be great, you got to stand out, you really have to have something to offer, and you have to be tough, you have to be able to take criticism. Lots of it.” “You’re on an L Train going downtown like everybody for work, you’re going to see people at every station of life. And they are all reading a great book.” “The years go by, you’re propping up a story that is no longer useful and the psychic energy required to maintain that infrastructure must be exhausting.” “You’re going to have to find a way to differentiate yourself in a way that is compelling, powerful, and accurate. And authentic.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Whatever you’re doing I hope that you can start to answer that question: I see a day when.  I have no doubt that whatever you put together you can then use to really inform how you present yourself to the world around you. Because the stories you tell say a lot about who you are, and the stories you tell about others in your community say even more about who you are. So share your stories and share them well. And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Peter  Peter Davis helps leaders of small to medium-sized B2B service companies, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher learning craft and tell stories that attract their most natural audiences; people that actually want to buy from you, work for you, invest in you, fund you or volunteer for you. Performed consistently, a compelling story has the power to improve personal, organizational and brand performance. Be sure to check out Peter’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as his website Heroes Quest Consulting and the video Business Is Theater!   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!