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

420 Ted Talks: Let's Start Sharing Stories

420 Ted Talks: Let's Start Sharing Stories In today's episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on her preparations for her Ted Talk, as well as seeing the need that had to be filled, and how she is filling that need in society with clarity and authenticity. Highlights * Seeing a problem and figuring out how you can fix it. * Let your ideas loose in the world, you never know who needs to hear it. * Bring yourself to whatever you do and good will follow. Quotes "The answer wasn't to explain away what was happening." "I realized I wasn't just there to give a talk. I was there to bring who I am, and all of my strengths and all of my weaknesses." Be sure to watch Sarah's TedTalk [https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=ted%20talk%20sarah%20elkins&mid=96BAC589FB30B124BCA196BAC589FB30B124BCA1&ajaxhist=0]! 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!

419 Strength In Storytelling

419 Strength In Storytelling Our stories are woven into our very being, they are what make us who we are and how we show others who we are and what we are the best at. In today's episode Sarah Elkins discusses the many iterations of her business, her newest book, and the power that lies in the art of storytelling. Highlights * Improving satisfaction and skills in yourself and others. * Core values and skills shown through our own stories. * Our stories affect those around us in unseen physical and emotional ways. Quotes "Your strengths are your stories." "That's the thing about our stories, even when we're not consciously aware of it we learn alot about eachother." Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Have you always known the power of sharing personal stories to connect with people or is this a turning point for you in that recognition? Do you have trouble thinking of the right stories to share or do you always have a few go to options ready? You may not realize this but when you're present in your life, you make sharable stories every single day. I'd love to hear what resonated with you on this week's episode, please send me a message via email, Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sarahlynnelkins/], or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesmileisfree/] to let me know. And, as always, thank you for listening. About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I've realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don't realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they're sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

418 Mindful Presence

418 Mindful Presence Being mindful of our presence in the lives around us is an integral part of the human experience, whether it be for our own personal comfort and growth or to ease the lives of those around us. Though we all have our own unique reasoning and paths to walk, it is important to remember we don't have to travel alone and by working together we can all get to the finish line. In today's episode Sarah Elkins and Renée Smith discuss the importance of community in becoming the best version of yourself as well as the importance of developing our problem solving skills to always be able to take action. Highlights * There is no linear path, take your time and find your own. * Connecting with strangers through lived experience. * Teaching others your toolset and learning others toolset so that everyone succeeds. Quotes "Being able to be present with them in a trusting way." "A problem is a gap between where you are now and where you want to be." "Maybe you don't have what you need to take action." Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I'm really curious to hear what was sticky for you in today's conversation. Whether you're thinking now about your presence, about how you demonstrate love and support and care for people especially those that are strangers, those that you might disagree with. I know how hard it can be, how challenging it is to feel love for people that have different perspectives than us right now, more than ever before. And I'm here to say that if you can allow that open moment where you express your own experience and they hear it and that you are sharing this to connect with them and not to change their mind, this leaves the door open for them to carry that forward. And, as always, thank you for listening. About Renée Renée Smith, MSOD (she/her) is the strategist leaders turn to when they want to make their workplace more loving and human. As the creator of Love-Centered Leadership and the Human Workplace EX Roadmap, she helps people and results rise together. The founder and CEO of the consultancy, A Human Workplace, and the non-profit Center for a Loving Workplace, Renée promotes loving workplace cultures, primarily through research, education, impact projects. She led award-winning culture work as a state executive and served in the Governor's Office as Director of Workplace Transformation for the State of Washington. Smith is a researcher, writer, and speaker who's reached hundreds of audiences in eleven countries, making the business case for love. She earned a Master of Science in Organization Development from Pepperdine University and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from the University of Washington. She lives in Tacoma with her husband Jim in a multi-generational household with her son and his family. When she is not traveling, she enjoys sculling on the Puget Sound, watercolor painting, and hosting dinner parties. Be sure to check out Renée's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneesmith-ahumanworkplace/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/renee.minnette.smith], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/renee_m_smith/]! As well as Loving Workplace [http://www.lovingworkplace.org], Renée Smith Speaks [http://www.reneesmithspeaks.com], and A Human Workplace [http://www.ahumanworkplace.com]! 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!

417 Being Fully Present

417 Being Fully Present Being present for those in your life can be a difficult matter at times, yes we can be in the same room as them, but it is far more meaningful to be there for them emotionally which can triple the difficulty of a situation. Which is why it is important to take a step back and to take stock of your emotions before responding, so that you can be your best self and not one that lectures or reacts with anger. In today's episode Sarah Elkins and Phil Friedman discuss the importance of patience, empathy, and seeking one's one fulfillment in life that is not tied to a career nor who we associate ourselves with. Highlights * Do you tie your identity to others? * At times, understanding and gentleness is far better than a lecture. * Are you an observer of your own life? * How do you treat yourself when you aren't at your best? * How do you find satisfaction day to day? Quotes "It's one thing to observe emotion in somebody else, for me I can't observe it that same way in myself." "There are so many things to write about and so little time." "If I worried about everything that could go wrong, since half of the things that could go wrong don't go wrong, then I'll spend my life being worried about things that half the time will never happen." Dear Listeners it is now your turn, When have you had an experience where you didn't recognize your emotion until after the fact? Is there something you can do, a strategy you can use to try to be more aware in the moment of where your emotions are coming from? Maybe it's an angry reaction, an angry response to something that should have been a more empathetic response, but in the moment you were fearful for the safety or the health of the person in front of you. And, as always, thank you for listening. About Phil As a former university professor and college instructor, I spent years helping students think clearly and write with purpose. I also created and led North America's first fully certified two-year post-secondary program in boatbuilding and boatyard management, experience that honed my skills in curriculum design, educational program development, and mentoring learners at every stage. . Alongside my teaching, I've written, edited, and published more than 2,000 feature articles for major print and digital media channels. That experience helps me guide writers not just to overcome resistance, but also to approach their craft with the mindset and skills that lead to real publication. . My coaching style is supportive and judgment-free. I meet writers where they are and help them silence their inner critic, build strong writing habits, and trust their unique voice. Whether you're writing for personal fulfillment, launching a blog, or aiming to get published, I'll help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. During 30+ years in the marine industry, I've worn numerous hats — as a marine marketer and ghost writer, boating magazine writer/editor, yacht designer, boatbuilder, marine operations and business manager, marine industry consultant, yacht surveyor, and industry educator. I'm also trained and experienced in interest-based negotiation, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution for parties in the marine business sector. In a prior life, I taught logic and philosophy at university. Be sure to check out Phil's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/friedmanphil] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/phil.friedman.399/]! As well as Port Royal Group [https://www.portroyalgroup.com], Port Royal Marketing [https://portroyalmarketing.substack.com/], and Social Philosophy and The Art of Boatbuilding [https://friedmanphil.substack.com/p/social-philosophy-and-the-art-of]! 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!

416 The Right Tool For The Right Job

416 The Right Tool For The Right Job Having the necessary toolset to build others and yourself up is something most of us continue to build and collect our entire lives. How we choose to interact with another, how we teach, learn, and grow with them is how we hone these tools in order to achieve excellence in our chosen life. In today's episode Sarah Elkins ruminates on one of her former students, and how the lessons and tools she's experienced now have made her a better advisor and teacher, by taking into account everyone's personalized skillset. Highlights * Applying new understanding of the tools you've collected to help others and yourself. * Everyone has different talents, which is why it is so important to learn to work with them as opposed to against them. * ADKAR and Strengths Finder working hand in hand to create meaningful change. Quotes "The thing is my talents are the opposite to the ones I'm describing here so if I want to teach someone or help them move through the ADKAR change framework, I have to meet them where they are, I have to be able to speak their language." "If we can learn to bring people along for the ride with these tools; Strengths Finder and ADKAR, we can move forward into that uncertainty with improved and inspired resilience, persistence, and grit." Dear Listeners it is now your turn, Are you curious to learn more about this ADKAR Framework and the layering nuance of Strengths Finder for individual and institutional change? Check out Episode 407 featuring Rachel Bohns, and send me your questions and ideas that pop into your head I'd love to hear from you. And, as always, thank you for listening. About Sarah "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I've realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don't realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they're sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana. Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!