389 Identifying and Acting On Problems You Can Solve
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
Release Date: 07/15/2025
417 Being Fully Present
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
417 Being Fully Present Being present for those in your life can be a difficult matter at times, yes we can be in the same room as them, but it is far more meaningful to be there for them emotionally which can triple the difficulty of a situation. Which is why it is important to take a step back and to take stock of your emotions before responding, so that you can be your best self and not one that lectures or reacts with anger. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Phil Friedman discuss the importance of patience, empathy, and seeking one’s one fulfillment in life that is not tied to...
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416 The Right Tool For The Right Job
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
416 The Right Tool For The Right Job Having the necessary toolset to build others and yourself up is something most of us continue to build and collect our entire lives. How we choose to interact with another, how we teach, learn, and grow with them is how we hone these tools in order to achieve excellence in our chosen life. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on one of her former students, and how the lessons and tools she’s experienced now have made her a better advisor and teacher, by taking into account everyone’s personalized skillset. Highlights ...
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415 Striving For Excellence
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
415 Striving For Excellence When was the last time you took a moment to truly acknowledge just how far you’ve come and the work you have done to get to this point? No exceptions, no talking down about your accomplishments, just true and genuine acceptance of how amazing you are because of how hard you have worked. Perfection is impossible, but Excellence is achievable. We can always improve, but we must also acknowledge and sit with how well we have done to get to this moment. In this episode Sarah Elkins and Anne Catherine discuss the importance of art and the soul, the...
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414 Following Your Own Star
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
414 Following Your Own Star There comes a time in our lives where we need to stop and take stock of what we want to do next and our next steps in getting there. Perhaps it’s more than just one thing, perhaps you’re just floating through life trying to figure out what to do next, or perhaps you think this goal is too lofty despite all your hard work. Which is why it is so important to take all you know about others and yourself and apply it to whatever comes next. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Professor KD Frick discuss the importance of that specific personal growth, as well...
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413 Love, Connection, Belonging, and Comfort Zones
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
413 Love, Connection, Belonging, and Comfort Zones It’s easy to forget to take care of the many facets of our health in a world obsessed with value and progress. We forget to care for our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health in ways that dramatically affect us in the long run, which is why it is vital for us to sit down and take stock of our health and to take the time to tend to our own needs. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Kevin Strauss discuss the importance of connection, comfort zones, boundaries, love, and how important it is to ourselves as...
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412 Ego and Soul
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
412 Ego and Soul When was the last time you were proud of yourself? When was the last time you took a moment to truly look at yourself and say “I am proud of the person I am and I want other people to see how amazing I can be.”? When was the last time YOU fed your soul? It’s easy to forget when we’re cheering others on that we also need to cheer ourselves on, because if we don’t then who will? In this episode Sarah Elkins and Sharon Rolph discuss their own personal growth and the pride they feel in the people they have become and are still growing into. Highlights ...
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411 Encouraging Change and Growth
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
411 Encouraging Change and Growth In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Rachael Bohns discuss the significance and necessity of change as well as the importance of acknowledging and catering to the strengths of yourself and those around you. Highlights Doing what’s best for you even if no one knows, and especially for your own sake. Collaboration and commitment instead of obligation. Driving desire. Quotes “Most of the time change is thrusted upon us.” “Change is individual to people.” “Reward is individual.” Dear Listeners it is...
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410 Holding Space For Grief
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
410 Holding Space For Grief What can one say when faced with tragedy? Do you reach for a simple “I’m sorry” to let another know you sympathize with their pain? Do you offer an anecdote to show you empathize with what they are going through? Regardless, it is important that whatever you do you also hold space for your grief as well as those who need to know they are not alone in their grief. Highlights The importance of holding space for grief in the face of tragedy. Using healthy coping mechanisms to combat pain. You can sit in your grief and...
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409 Expanding Your Comfort Zone
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
409 Expanding Your Comfort Zone In today’s episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on how she has expanded her comfort zone by stepping into what she calls the “stretch zone”, where you aren’t entirely comfortable yet but willing to try just so that you can see what you’re made of. If we never stretch our wings, we’ll be trapped in the nest forever, so have faith in yourself, step into your stretch zone, and see how far it can take you. Highlights Telling stories to connect with another, not to change their mind. Taking time to calibrate yourself and find inner...
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408 Changing For Good
Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will
In this episode Sarah Elkins and Judit Piros discuss the importance of change in one's self, how healing often needs to be sought out and made active strides to achieve. From the highs and lows of being a parent, to the life of an artist, as well as the deep intrinsic self learning that comes from our unique walks of life that we must share with those around us. In doing so, we find we aren’t that different after all. Highlights Shifting perspective to see scenarios differently, especially if it is a scenario you didn’t expect to not work out. Taking time for...
info_outline389 Identifying and Acting On Problems You Can Solve
We are surrounded by problems everyday of our lives, some manageable and others seeming too monumental to handle alone. Which is why it is so important to build a community of like minded individuals with the same goal of making a true difference.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Tessa Clarke discuss the relationship people have with stuff, food waste, and how Tessa’s company Olio have been making a real difference in the face of the climate crisis.
Highlights
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Our relationship with objects, like clothing, that shape our identity.
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What do you waste without realizing? How much do you think you throw away in a week? A month? And a year?
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We all need someone in our corner to help build us up and to help chart a path forward.
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Building community while also solving problems.
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Quit wishing things would be better and start making the change yourself.
Quotes
“We always think the grass is greener on the other side but it never is.”
“What’s good for the planet is good for people and vice versa.”
“It is honestly exhausting being a founder, trying to drive the change in a world that’s set up not to change. So you’ve got to find ways to reenergize yourself and to keep going, to keep fighting every single day.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
When you think about those 4 to 5 years that Tessa talked about and that journey of wanting to be entrepreneurial and thinking about it in terms of “what is the problem I can solve?” What is something you could start today, maybe it eventually becomes a side hustle, maybe the side hustle stays a side hustle, or maybe it turns into something more. What is a problem that you’ve experienced, that maybe you’re the person to solve?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Tessa
Tessa Clarke is the co-founder and CEO of Olio, the world’s only neighbour-to-neighbour food-sharing app, and a trailblazing force in the fight against waste. Since launching in 2015 - and as a remote first business - Olio has grown into a global movement with 8 million users, redistributing over 100 million meals and 14 million household items, proving that small actions can drive massive change. Recognised as Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman of the Year in 2023, Tessa is also a Sifted columnist, an Ambassador for the Better Business Act, and a member of the Small Business Growth Forum, advising the UK Government on SME concerns. With a track record of disrupting industry and mobilising communities, Tessa is a passionate speaker who inspires audiences to rethink business, sustainability, and the power of grassroots innovation.
Check out Tessa’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as her website Olio, and her TED Talk!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!