Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will

It's not the things that happen in your life that define you, that create your identity. It's how you talk about those things. That’s the theme behind this podcast. Research shows that the stories you tell have a major influence in how you see yourself and in how others perceive you, so it’s important to be intentional about which stories you share and how you share them. Guests on the podcast share the pivotal moments in their lives and careers, offering keen insights and “ah ha” moments to listeners, while triggering related memories of listeners, opening up opportunities to uncover their own patterns and discover better ways to share their stories. During this podcast, I’m asking you to listen to consider your related stories, and to listen to consider which stories in your life might have impacted you in a similar way. --- Sarah works with executives who know that story sharing makes them more compelling as speakers and leaders, and who want to improve how they connect with audiences, by uncovering the right stories and learning how to share them effectively so they can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision.

363 Taking Inventory 01/07/2025

363 Taking Inventory 363 Taking Inventory As the New Year begins it’s time for us to take a step back and reflect on the stories, messages, and values we want to bring into 2025. Just like tending to a garden by removing weeds and adding nutrients, we must also tend to the garden of our lives. In this episode Sarah Elkins, Emily McVey, and Chris Wang discuss the stories that shaped them into who they are as well as how they have chosen to tell their stories through thoughtful and meaningful actions. Highlights What are the coping strategies you developed? What connects you to other people? Even if you’ve never seen them. What skills did you develop from a chaotic situation that manifested into a valuable tool for you to use throughout life? What generational curses are you breaking? What situations will you never allow others to endure because you had to endure them? Remember to step back and look at the bigger picture, instead of viewing the situation through a lens or holding the subjects to a higher standard. What brings you peace and calm? Quotes “If you play music, if you play an instrument, and you listen to the music, it’s almost like you’re having a dialogue with this person even though you’ve never seen them.” - Chris Wang “We are not doing this to our children.” -Emily McVey “There’s the traditional definition of success which is more tied to- you know- maybe more defined by money and career and that kind of stuff, which I kind of pursued and did my share, but then I realized it’s incomplete. I was still deeply unhappy.” -Chris Wang “Don’t go out on the floor and ask the girls to work on their issues if you’re not willing to work on your own.” -Emily McVey Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What inventory are you gonna take about what you ran from or what you’re running toward? And who in your life needs to hear from you? That you believe in them and that you’re there to support them and to help them move into whatever they’re running toward. And, as always, thank you for listening. About Emily Emily has lived in Montana her whole life. She and her husband, Mike, raised their three children in Helena, participating in several extracurricular activities such as Boy Scouts and all of the sports. Emily’s background includes a formal education in culinary arts, sociology, and public relations, and she has a master’s degree in public administration. Her nonprofit experience includes working at Florence Crittenton Home, Montana Youth Homes under Rocky Mountain Development Council, as well as volunteering for many other nonprofit organizations and is a suicide prevention QPR trainer. Emily worked for the State of Montana for six years and continues to contract services for licensing kinship foster families for Child and Family Services. Emily also now does home visits for the FLEX student exchange program. Emily was glad to return to the nonprofit sector in 2019 to work alongside other nonprofits to make meaningful change happen in the tri-county area. When she is out of the office, Emily enjoys cake decorating, and trying out new hobbies by taking adult education classes. Be sure to check out Emily’s , , and ! As well as the links she provided for more information about ACE; , , and . About Chris Not Available. 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/34640280

362 Stories Influence Our Identity and Personal Narrative 12/31/2024

362 Stories Influence Our Identity and Personal Narrative 362 Stories Influence Our Identity and Personal Narrative As we close the chapter on 2024 and begin to start anew in 2025, it’s time that we take a step back to reflect on the narratives and stories that we have been harboring. We must take it upon ourselves to determine if these stories still serve us or if it is time to let those stories stay a product of their time and remain in the past so that we can create new stories that reflect us who we are now. In today’s monologue Sarah Elkins ruminates on the effect the story The Giving Tree had on her as both a child and a mother, and how it has inspired her to reflect on other stories that no longer serve her. Highlights What stories are you telling yourself that do not stand the test of time? How do the stories you’ve heard influence you and the relationships with the people around you. It’s not too late to change the ending of your story. Will you choose a kinder conclusion or will you choose the option that gives you peace? Quotes “Think about the stories that you read to your children in the hopes that they’ll absorb some morality lessons; Like Aesop’s Fables, maybe stories from the bible, or maybe books from your culture or religion. We can’t expect children to absorb those lessons but ignore the ones in Cinderella and The Giving Tree. It doesn’t work like that, literature is Literature.” “As we head into the new year it’s a really good time to consider our impact on the people and environment around us, and to make an effort to be more intentional about that impact.” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I challenge you to take inventory of a few things; before you make any new years resolutions, before you pick a word of the year, or as you consider your goals for personal growth in 2025, ask yourself these questions. What influenced my identity as a child or young adult that maybe it’s time to review and consider whether they still resonate and why? What stories have I been told about myself as a child that no longer align with who I am or how I want to experience myself moving forward? And what evidence can I point to, recent stories, that contradict those childhood labels that no longer fit? Lastly, what stories am I continuing to share about other people; my children, my friends, my family, and others in my community and at work, that might be contributing to negativity and division? 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/34639175

361 Tools For Change 12/24/2024

361 Tools For Change 361 Tools For Change Change is an unstoppable force of nature. From the great Rocky Mountains to the spring flowers, all of us are subject to change, whether it be for positive or negative is entirely up to you and the choices you make in utilizing your skills and natural talents. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and her guest Sally Magee discuss how change can be dealt with in a constructive and helpful way to not only better yourself but those in your life as well. Highlights Personal experience affects professional experience, and we need to find balance. Sometimes a language barrier or miscommunication can leave a humorous memory you can bond over. Using every tool in your arsenal to help yourself and others. Set a small but manageable goal. Quotes “I think sometimes people get short sighted in seeing the tool for; “Oh, well this only applies at work, or it only applies in certain areas” You know; “At work I’m this way, at home I’m this way.” And your strengths apply to every part of your life and there is no separation.” “Our strengths are our natural way of being.” “Dive into something where you can build relationships with other people who are on a similar path as you.” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, It doesn’t have to be about sobriety necessarily, but a big goal in terms of redefining what you want out of life and how you’re gonna get it. Using your natural talents to first of all identify what that why is; Why do you want to make a change? And then using your talent to really be successful in making a significant change in your life. I’m really curious, what will be your big change, what is the transformation you’re seeking? Is it to be sober? Is it to lose weight? Is it to start your own business? And, as always, thank you for listening. About Sally Hi, I’m Sally! Founder of Magee Coaching Solutions, a Strengths-Based Sobriety Coaching practice, that provides a judgment-free coaching services for “gray area drinkers” to examine their relationship with alcohol. For the sober-curious, I run an Alcohol-Free Challenge and 31-Day Course, and for the “sober-serious” I offer a 6-month coaching experience. I’m passionate about helping people experience life on the other side of alcohol and thrive alcohol-free. Be sure to check out Sally’s , , and ! As well as her 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/34572580

360 Taking Your Own Advice 12/17/2024

360 Taking Your Own Advice 360 Taking Your Own Advice Sometimes in life we are told by those who come to us for guidance how valuable and insightful our input can be, however it is often difficult for us to take our own words to heart. This can be for a myriad of reasons, but if our personal board of directors insist that we have a good head on our shoulders, certainly we must turn inward and offer advice to ourselves. In this episode, Sarah Elkins ruminates on the importance of taking your own advice and being mindful of how your stories impact those involved in it, especially when they aren’t around to hear the story being shared. Highlights Appreciating the facets of the people in your life and how they influence your stories. Finishing what you started, especially when you don’t think you can. Being mindful of how you share the stories about the people in your life. Quotes “You have to finish the commitment you made (for the summer). Because if you don't, this challenging situation will come back to you in different forms until you learn the lesson the universe is trying to teach you.” “It doesn’t require much criticism to believe the bad stuff.” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, What stories are you sharing with the intent to teach or learn or to grow, that might actually be hurting someone you care about? Can you see whether that’s damaging the relationship with that person even if they haven’t heard the story you’ve been sharing? The stories we tell about other people say a lot about who we are. So please, the next time you start sharing a story; pay attention, figure out how you can share it in a way that’s positive and shows the beautiful light of you and the people in your life. 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/34476010

359 What is Success? 12/10/2024

359 What is Success? 359 What is Success? Success and our paths to reaching it look different for every person, especially when it's to someone who isn’t an achiever and doesn’t care for titles. Our own personal success is often more meaningful than a trophy. In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Robin Hamilton discuss their own personal definitions of success as well as the trials and hurdles on their paths to self discovery and success. Highlights Showing appreciation for your stories and the stories of others. Don’t forget to keep your eyes open and grateful to the opportunities presented to you. What do you want to do? And what are the next steps in reaching that goal? Are you presenting yourself in a way you can be proud of as well as those who rely on you? Quotes “You need to take the blinders off, and you need to be careful of the story or the narrative you’re telling yourself of what should be and be open to what is in front of you.” “You’re doing all of this work anyway, why don’t you just do it for yourself?” “I always felt that when your talents can support you and sustain you, in the way you want them to, that is what I believe success to be.” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, One thing that really caught my attention was the story of the woman that was interviewing Robin and said “We think much of ourselves don’t we?” When do you get to be the woman that says, “Damn girl, you really know what your value is. We have this range in our salary and that’s at the upper range, I can try to push this through but what if we start here?” When can you be the woman who says “You’re right. You aren’t asking enough.” We need to be that woman for the women around us. It should never be a woman who tells another woman, she’s not the value she thinks she is. And, as always, thank you for listening. About Robin Robin Hamilton is an Emmy-award winning journalist, television host, moderator and writer. As a journalist, Ms. Hamilton has worked for network affiliates around the country, including Florida, New York, and Massachusetts. Based in Washington, DC, she was the host for the public affairs news magazine program This Just In. In 2012, she founded the ARound Robin Production Company, where she creates videos for non-profits to help with fundraising, marketing and messaging. In 2016, she was awarded a Fulbright grant to travel to Myanmar to help facilitate a communication campaign between local organizations and their government. She received two master’s degrees, one from New York University, with a concentration in broadcast journalism, and a second in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, with a focus on policy and media. Her company has also produced five documentary films. Check out Robin’s , , and ! As well as her 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/34338390

358 Inner Leaders 12/03/2024

358 Inner Leaders 358 Inner Leaders No matter how much of a master we think we are at the things we do, we can always learn more. Whether that be in the form of learning a new hiking path, learning a new crochet stitch, or how to best use your behavior in the workplace to encourage others to thrive. In this episode Tanya Bugbee and Sarah Elkins discuss the importance of having a coach, and using the skills that connect us to others. Highlights Sometimes it takes time for us to accept and share the important details of our lives. Practice and leaving reminders for yourself to work on the behavior you want to make an adjustment to. We need someone pragmatic and straight to the point to coach us. Quotes “It connects us, those stories. We make a connection when we share something vulnerable or whatever we’re sharing. It’s a way to connect and to bond and to understand.” “We need to have strong inner leaders in our voices.” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, If you are a coach, who are you reaching out to for coaching to make sure you are bringing your best to your clients? If you’ve considered hiring a coach, what are the outcomes you want as a result of working with them, because that can help inform which coach is going to be the best fit for you. Think about the people you admire and respect the most because of interactions with you and know that your best coach connection will be with somebody like that, someone you will listen to and feel confident and safe to be vulnerable with. I highly encourage you to consider hiring a coach especially if you’re a business owner and you just need somebody with really good ideas, and good listening skills, that can help you and make sure that they are in your corner. And, as always, thank you for listening. About Tanya Tanya’s clients don’t just meet their goals—they soar beyond them. From earning promotions to becoming top producers, Tanya’s clients achieve with confidence, courage, and a plan. Known for her skill in creating customized strategies that lead to measurable results, Tanya is the coach who transforms ambitions into achievements. Her path to coaching is as vibrant as her approach: she’s been a top-producing realtor in three states, a corporate trainer for Jenny Craig, a sailboat flipper, and even ran a flight school. Oh, and she earned her pilot’s license at 26. Her stories inspire and her strategies deliver, equipping every client with the tools they need to thrive. Outside of work, Tanya is all about adventure and family—whether it’s taking her bike out on a new trail, enjoying live music, or savoring grandmotherhood. Be sure to check out Tanya’s , , and ! As well as ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/34127031

358 The Objects That Matter To You 11/26/2024

358 The Objects That Matter To You 357 The Objects That Matter To You Connection, especially in today’s day and age, is becoming a lost art. Today we are given the unique and groundbreaking idea from Lisa Weiss, to ask about the objects that are held onto by the people around us, connecting with them through the shared love of holding onto pieces of the past that have shaped us into who we are today. Highlights What are you keeping from the past? What commonality do you look for in others? What do you surround yourself with that matters to you? Quotes “I don’t want to live an unlived life.” “I tend to like objects that make me feel like I matter to someone else.” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, One of the first topics in this conversation was considering the depth of the object you’re holding on to. So what is an object in your life that you can look at and tell a story about that includes other people, other characters in your story matter. How can you share that with people? Think about opportunities to use objects to connect with people around you, because right now in our global community with the polarization we are facing this is so critical. Asking a question, not to change somebody's mind, not to try to persuade somebody, but asking them with the intention of connecting. Ask the question that will bring depth and connection in that moment around you. And, as always, thank you for listening. About Lisa Lisa Weiss is the 3X Emmy® Award-winning founder + CEO of Storybeat Studio, a storytelling and public relations company combatting invisibility, disconnection, and disengagement among individuals and organizations. She has more than two decades of experience as a media executive and writer for iconic brands, including Oprah Winfrey and CBS News. Through her work with Storybeat Studio, Lisa was named a Forbes Next 1000 entrepreneur (December 2021) and a Tory Burch Fellow (2021-2022). She is the creator of the Object Diaries project: Stories About Human Connection Told One Secret Object at a Time. Be sure to check out Lisa’s ! As well as , the adjoined , and ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/34127011

357: Sarah's Hike 11/19/2024

357: Sarah's Hike 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33982307

356 Anchored in Time 11/12/2024

356 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33889972

354 Amy's Mess 10/29/2024

354 Amy's Mess 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 , 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 and ! Visit 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33625357

355 Create The Community You Need 10/27/2024

355 Create The Community You Need 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 , , and ! As well as her ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33632627

353 Food Stories Revisited 10/22/2024

353 Food Stories Revisited 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33555607

352 Human Curriculum 10/14/2024

352 Human Curriculum 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 and ! As well as his ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33436222

351 Communication Is In Everything We Do 10/08/2024

351 Communication Is In Everything We Do 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 . 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 ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33363962

350 Growing Through Failure 10/01/2024

350 Growing Through Failure 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 , as well as her website , their , and their ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33246052

349 Community Building 09/24/2024

349 Community Building 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33180927

348 Artistry in Community 09/17/2024

348 Artistry in Community 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 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 ! As well as his and ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/33051752

347 Find The Hidden Prize In Failure 09/10/2024

347 Find The Hidden Prize In Failure 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 , , and ! Order his new ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/32627802

346 The Words You Use 09/03/2024

346 The Words You Use 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 , , , and Erin’s websites , , and ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/32627742

345 Staying Embodied As An Artist 08/27/2024

345 Staying Embodied As An Artist 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 , , and ! As well as her 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/32432367

344 Evolving Stories 08/20/2024

344 Evolving Stories 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 , , , and ! As well as his podcast on and ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/32321692

343 Incremental Improvements 08/13/2024

343 Incremental Improvements 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 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 ! As well as Mark’s , , and ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/32321642

342 The Best Teacher Is Life 08/06/2024

342 The Best Teacher Is Life 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 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 and 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/32037542

341 Cycles of Relationships 07/30/2024

341 Cycles of Relationships 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 and ! As well as ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/31950442

340 Unity in Connectedness 07/23/2024

340 Unity in Connectedness 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 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 Be sure to check out Sophie’s , , as well as this 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/32037487

339 Help Is Not A One Way Street 07/16/2024

339 Help Is Not A One Way Street 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/31950472

337 Invest In Yourself 07/02/2024

337 Invest In Yourself 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 ! As well as and the 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/31131183

338 Potential Prospect 06/30/2024

338 Potential Prospect 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 and ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/31950447

336 Personal Brands Just Got More Personal 06/25/2024

336 Personal Brands Just Got More Personal 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 ! As well as her 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/31131168

335 Seasons of Life 06/18/2024

335 Seasons of Life 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 and ! As well as ! 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 as well to make sure you nail that next interview! /episode/index/show/howtoshareyourstories/id/31479622

Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will

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