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

Michael's background and transition to AI @ 13:38 Michael reveals his unexpected background in the arts and theatre, and how he later transitioned into finance before becoming interested in the implications of AI. He shares insights about the resistance to change and adoption of new technologies within the finance industry. Observations on AI adoption and impact @ 30:22 Michael shares two key observations about the adoption of AI: 1) Finance professionals initially dismissed the potential of machine learning, but then quickly embraced it for commercial reasons rather than scientific merit. 2) Highly experienced and successful finance professionals were often the most resistant to acknowledging the disruptive impact of AI on their industry. Episode Highlights: AI will be the next cautionary tale about companies and individuals who ignore new technology, rather than embrace it. (Think Kodak & Blockbuster.) Don't think of AI as exclusively a technology tool, think of it as a writing and development tool. Humans drive AI by desire, the "I want to..." AI doesn't create or change because it desires to do so. Quotes: * "It's not 'how is AI going to change my industry', it's 'how am I going to use AI to change my industry?" * On the difference between an AI and human approach: “It's not so much a skills question, it's a will or a desire question, that I want to do something is not within AI's remit..." Meet Michael Kollo: Michael Kollo is a finance professional turned AI strategist with a PhD in Finance from the London School of Economics. With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of quantitative finance and technology, he has held roles at BlackRock, Fidelity, AXA, and HESTA. AI represents the most significant shift in financial services since the rise of algorithmic trading. However, the real challenge lies in deploying AI to create tangible value. Through Evolved AI [https://www.evolved.ai], Michael works directly with financial firms to ensure AI adoption is practical, secure, and aligned with industry needs. Whether through executive training or micro-automations, he focuses on bridging the gap between AI capability and financial business objectives. Committed to making AI an augmentative tool rather than a black box, he helps firms navigate this transformation with clarity, strategy, and execution. Follow Michael on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thecuriousquant] and Connect with him on LinkedIn. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-g-kollo/] 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 my Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

386 Media Literacy and Division    In the age of the internet it is impossibly easy for us to see something shocking and outrageous, ending up with us emotionally and morally outraged. We want to speak up, to make our voices heard in the sea of noise if only for a moment. However, it is easy for us to make a mistake on who we follow or share posts from, it is very easy to be fooled by a wolf in sheep’s clothing, which is why it is vital to stop, take a moment to do some basic research, and make our own informed decision. In today’s episode, Sarah Elkin’s has a solo show dedicated to her thoughts on media literacy, the division that has been amplified by social media, and how important it is that we not only do our own fact checking, but that we also convey our thoughts and stories with intention in order to accurately portray what we believe.   Highlights * Sharing the right stories with intention, that are compelling and true.  * What are you doing in your daily life that does more harm than good? How do you engage with the people and world around you? * You never really know who is listening to you, whether it is our phones and social media, or the people around us.    Quotes “You don’t have to tell people who you are or what matters to you. They come to those conclusions through the stories they hear.” “But if I’m too busy to check the source, maybe I shouldn’t have shared it at all. Everything we do has consequences and if we don’t consider the ‘what happens next?’ question, we damage relationships, our reputations, and miss incredible opportunities. We contribute to the noise of division.”   Dear Listeners it is now your turn, I challenge you, to either stop scrolling, I know it’s hard. Or take inventory for a few days as you participate. Are your emotions like a rollercoaster as you scroll, feeling really good when you see something you agree with and getting angry, discouraged, or judgey when you see something you don’t? Before you hit that like button ask yourself what your intention is when engaging. Are you sure what you’re sharing is true? If you’re sharing someone else’s story, is this a stranger? Are you trusting their opinion over somebody in a similar situation who might be your neighbor or someone in your community? Ask yourself what exactly you’re signaling to people by engaging on the post, are you putting something out there that is insulting to people you care about? I am so discouraged and disgusted by the division and polarization, and if you are too, then stop contributing to it.  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!

385 Beacons of Fellowship   In a world so full of division, strife, and polarization, it can be easy to get caught up in the chaos of which path to follow. Which is why it is vital to put your own voice out there, not just to speak up for your beliefs, but so that those who you support and care for will know you are right beside them in this fight. In a world so obsessed with hate, there is no more powerful weapon than love and community.  In today’s episode, Sarah Elkins uses the art of storytelling to tell us what truly matters to her while also weaving tales of her success and strengths, as well as speaking of what truly matters to her.    Highlights * Applying skills found in the workplace to the home, and vice versa. * Standing for what you believe will make enemies, but it will also give others the strength to follow you.  * How do you want to show up in the world? How can you make your signals be in alignment with your beliefs.    Quotes “Every story we share has the potential to shape how we experience ourselves, and how other people perceive us.”  “Through a combination of curiosity and intention, I started to build a community that was far more diverse. Not for the sake of diversity, but for the sake of inclusion, personal growth, and love.” Dear Listeners it is now your turn, If you’re willing to look in the mirror and really consider how you want to be experienced by the community around you, what will you do to ensure that you are signaling those values in everything you do? What decision will you make today to stop contributing to the polarization and start reconnecting with those you care about? 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!

384 Caring For Our Communities   In todays episode Sarah Elkins and Amy Daughters discuss a variety of topics, from finding their calm, to how they try to reach out to those in need of a friend, and the various ways they make others in their lives feel seen.   Highlights * Where do you find your calm? * Polarization and how it destroys our community. * How do you make people feel seen?   Quotes “I didn’t set out to do anything. I set out to be some crazy person who wants to write people letters.” “I will save your letter in a special place in my home for the rest of my life.”   About Amy Amy Weinland Daughters, Award-Winning Author and Keynote Speaker, believes in a world where what makes us different is the very thing that connects us, instead of separates us. She brings that world to life by helping people reconnect to each other through the power of hand-written letters. She brings her wit, humor, and having written 580 handwritten letters to every single one of her Facebook friends, to show you how you can find deep connections in some of the most unexpected places. Be sure to check out Amy’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-w-daughters-16352a227/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/amyweinlanddaughtersauthor], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/smokinhotamys/]!   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!

383 Your True Enemy Is Self-Doubt   Our internal messages shape who we are, whether they be positive or negative messages, shape who we are and how we carry ourselves through life, which is why it is so vital to stop and reflect on our messages and the input from those around us. We can learn alot from our personal board of directors, they encourage and guide us with their own personal experiences allowing us to grow, including when their input is critical.  In today’s episode Sarah Elkins dwells on the importance of the words her own personal board has given her, the experiences that she has grown from, and how her professional and personal life have been shaped and allowed her to become the coaching powerhouse she is today.   Highlights * Professional Storytelling * Building each other up by practicing what we teach. * How our friends inspire us. * What experiences in your past contributed to your internal messages?   Quotes “Every professional benefits when they can share a story that demonstrates their character, their skills, and their vision.” “I can no longer allow distant periods of discomfort and whatever caused them, reign over who I am.” “I was acutely self conscious about my outfit, my voice, even my facial expressions and the way my body, arms, and hands moved as I sang. It has taken me years to let go of my fear of embarrassment, my fear of judgement. I really hope it doesn’t take you nearly as long. Or if you’re my age or older, that you’re learning this lesson now so you don’t bring regret into your later years.”       Dear Listeners it is now your turn, If you have something in your head that you really want to do, I urge you to take action right away. As May West said; “I only regret the things I didn’t do.” Here are a few steps that I take when I’m working on something that feels new and maybe a little scary: I tell my closest friends what I want to do knowing they’re going to ask how they can help and they’ll keep me accountable. They’ll ask me the hard questions to make sure I stay clear about what I’m doing and why. I use a strategy my friend and business coach Nettie Owens taught me. I schedule 15 minutes every weekday to focus on that one thing, it’s on my calendar. Those 15 minute focus times show up at different parts of my day, not the same time every day. I’m very intentional with what I do with advice, criticism, and ideas I hear from others, especially if they’ve never done what I’m trying to do. I listen because sometimes a comment, even one that feels insulting, hurtful, or maybe even wrong, can be a catalyst toward improvement and success. Whatever it is you’re challenging yourself with my friends, I would love to hear about it, and to support you as you’re leaping out of your comfort zone.       And, as always, thank you for listening.    Mentioned In This Episode Nikki Campbell [https://elkinsconsulting.com/sarahs-blog-podcast/322-nikki-campbell] Nettie Owens [https://elkinsconsulting.com/sarahs-blog-podcast/273-nettie-owens] Jeff Ikler [https://elkinsconsulting.com/sarahs-blog-podcast/372-jeff-ikler] 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!