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

367 Manifesting Humanity   It can be easy to forget that we’re human. When work is stressful and all consuming, when dealing with people stuck in the past and the past versions of you, it’s easy to forget we are a person with needs to lead a fulfilling life.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Alison Miller discuss how the stories we carry with us alter the people we are, often making us revert to the person we used to be and not the person we are now or the person we want to be.    Highlights * How do you manifest your humanity? * Practicing new ways of being in a community. * Are you being there for yourself? * It’s okay to fall sometimes.    Quotes “This is a human being living in our society, how do we decide that we make life work for people.” “We’re observing it, we're not judging it.” “We always have choices but rarely are they apparent to us.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I would love to hear from you, what part of this conversation resonated with you? To be in community, to grow, to learn, to connect in an authentic way with people who have diverse backgrounds and have led different lives than you. And When are you going to decide who you’re going to bring to that next conversation to someone you want to have a relationship with.   And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Alison Alison Miller, PhD, is a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur who is passionate about making personal and spiritual growth accessible and easy to incorporate into daily life. Educated in Clinical Psychology at Cornell University and The University of Illinois at Chicago, Alison has helped lead thousands of graduate students to earn their degrees over the last two decades. As a founder of Lead True, she helped foster and develop the professional leadership skills of countless women around the world. Having recently sold The Dissertation Coach, her expert dissertation coaching & consulting business, she’s now at the helm of her latest business endeavor, The Academic Writers’ Space (TAWS). TAWS is an online coworking community Alison designed for graduate students and academic writers to get real work done in a supportive and nurturing environment. Since its inception in 2020, TAWS has hosted thousands of coworking sessions with academic writers from across the globe. Alison’s living a full life as a public speaker at universities and private businesses, working on the 2nd edition of her book, Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All! How to Overcome Psychological Barriers, Get Results, and Move on With Your Life, and being a wife and mother to her two adult children and dogs Nacho and Koko. Be sure to check out Alison’s social medias at LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/104423123/admin/dashboard/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheAcademicWritersSpace], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theacademicwritersspace/], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@theacademicwritersspace]! And be sure to check out The Academic Writers Space [https://www.theacademicwritersspace.com/], The TAWS Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theacademicwritersspace/], and the TAWS Youtube [https://youtube.com/c/TheAcademicWritersSpaceTAWS]!   About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

366 Fortunes For The Future Throughout our lives we will have to wear many hats and perform many tasks on our paths toward success and personal fulfillment, sometimes these wayward paths lead us to doors that we would never expect to come across. We only need to have the courage to reach out and open the door.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Russel Rowland discuss the many different paths life leads us down and the lessons we learn on our way to fulfillment and success.    Highlights * The work we find between our desired career can open many doors you could never expect. * We need to have something or someone show us that what we’re doing matters. * We all have an edge of discomfort in putting ourselves out there, but we have to confront it in order to live a fulfilling life.    Quotes “I’m not a big believer of hiding the skeletons. I think you have to look at your history honestly in order to keep growing and learning about how we become the people we are.” “It’s really the main piece of advice that I think all writers need is to keep doing it. Because we all have an imposter syndrome, every single one of us.”    Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I already gave you a really fun exercise, if you find that you’re blocked in the writing you need to do, whether that be business writing, or a blog, or journal, maybe you’re writing a book, if you’re feeling blocked in your creativity try writing a handful of fortunes that you would want to find or that you would want somebody you care about to find in their next fortune cookie.    And, as always, thank you for listening.    Mentioned In This Episode In Open Spaces [https://russellrowland.com/books/in-open-spaces-2/] Desmond Tutu [https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1984/tutu/biographical/] Virtual Diplomacy 1997 [https://www.usip.org/publications/1997/09/keynote-addresses-virtual-diplomacy-conference] Russel Rowland Books [https://russellrowland.com/books/]   About Russel Russell Rowland is the acclaimed author of seven books, as well as the host of a radio show, Fifty-Six Counties, on Yellowstone Public Radio. He has also hosted two podcasts, Breakfast in Montana and The State of Montana, and will soon launch a new podcast, THE SONG OF ROWLAND: American Culture at Full Volume, where he will be interviewing creative people from around the country about their process and the importance of culture in America today. Russell has an MA in Creative Writing from Boston University and lives in Billings, Montana. Be sure to check out Russels’s Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=763553271], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-rowland-14650a7/], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/russell.rowland/]! As well as his Website [https://russellrowland.com/], subscribe to his Newsletter [https://russellrowland.substack.com/publish/posts], and his Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/rrowrow.bsky.social] account!   About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

365 Tools For Success In the path to thriving and enjoying your life you must be able to identify and utilize the tools unique to your skills and values. Not everyone can use the same tool kit, just like plants require different soil to grow, we also require our own unique environment to grow.  In this episode Sarah Elkins and Gina Riley discuss the importance of the unique tools we acquire through life and the best way to utilize these tools.    Highlights * The influences that shape our lives, developing our clarity over time. * You can’t see your potential from the inside, you need people in your life to help you build the perfect future. * What unique and powerful tools do you have?   Quotes “I think that understanding our own why, and I’m not going right to the Simon Cynic material which is great, but truly just getting angered in the thing that motivates us deep down to push forward in life.”  “I’m not always right, and I try to check my assumptions, because with maturity we realize we aren’t always right.” “I think that there’s so much power for all of us; men and women, to embrace  the things that we naturally show up with. And if we’re working against it we’re just working against ourselves.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Regardless of the tool you use to self-reflect, to hold up that mirror, maybe it’s time now to really decide to look at that and choose how you want to show up, who you want to be And to identify the stories that demonstrate those qualities, those skills, those values. I really encourage you to look in that mirror, whatever tool you choose to use, whether that’s friends and family and asking them to honestly let you know how you appear to them, how you show up for them, or taking an assessment and talking to a coach to walk you through it.       And, as always, thank you for listening.    About Gina Gina Riley is transforming how executives approach job search and career transitions. With nearly a decade in corporate Human Resources at Intel Corporation and later as an executive search consultant for Talence Group, she has led CEO, COO, and CFO searches across industries, trained hundreds in talent selection, and gained unique insight into what makes candidates stand out in competitive leadership searches. As a career coach, she developed the Career Velocity TM framework—an action-oriented and proven system that has helped countless executives navigate successful transitions. A two-time DisruptHR speaker and thought leader in career progression, Riley holds a master's degree and is a certified YouMap® coach and behavioral interview skills training expert. Her expertise spans networking strategy, leadership development, and executive presence, making her a trusted advisor for leaders preparing for strategic career moves. She has appeared on over 30 podcasts, including the popular Find Your Dream Job, downloaded over 18,000 times. Her popular series “How Your Next Executive Role Finds You” and extensive catalog of career-related articles, including contributions to the Forbes Coaches Council, have established her as an authority in executive career development. In her first book, to be released with Advantage Forbes Books, Qualified Isn't Enough, Riley shares her comprehensive understanding of both sides of executive hiring—including what is discussed in the boardroom—to provide readers with insider knowledge and practical frameworks for advancement. Her unique perspective and systematic approach have helped leaders at all levels transform their careers. Find more of her insights and resources at Be sure to check out Gina’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginariley/], Gina Riley Consulting [http://www.ginarileyconsulting.com.], Her Masterclass Series [https://ginarileyconsulting.com/masterclass-series-by-gina-riley/], Her LinkedIn Newsletter [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6765012715967774720/?displayConfirmation=true], and Her Forbes Article! [https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/people/ginariley/]     About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

364 NLV 2025   This year in Austin Texas February 10th and 11th is the eighth annual NLV Summit hosted by Sarah Elkins. A meeting of great minds, incredible opportunities, and a sharing of impactful stories. In today’s episode Sarah reminisces on many of these stories from the previous several NLV Summits and how they have helped her shape her path going forward.   Highlights * Gaining perspective on life, especially when you feel hopeless.  * Incorporating the lessons your friends and peers don’t even realize they’re teaching you. * Continuing to strive for the dream you want to build.   Quotes “Something that continues to shape my work is something Melissa Hughes said when she hosted her session. She said; Sometimes you have to get up to the cheap seats. And she was using the metaphor for those high seats in the bleachers at a baseball game. So that we can gain perspective by getting to a higher view. To look at the bigger picture when we feel stuck.” “What is it? What does it do? Why does it matter?” About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

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 Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/uwlca/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/unitedwaylca/], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/]! As well as the links she provided for more information about ACE; Violence Prevention [https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html], ACE Quiz [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean], and Know Your Resilience Score [https://www.acesmatter.org/know-your-resilience-score.html].  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 Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!