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

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!

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 Storytelling For Professionals Course [https://sarah-elkins.mykajabi.com/offers/F2WN65Xg/checkout] as well to make sure you nail that next interview!

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 Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sally.m.bankes], Instagram [http://soberstrengthscoach], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymageebankes/]! As well as her website Magee Coaching [http://www.mageecoaching.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!