Your Story Matters

By Michaela ElizabethEducation Self-Improvement

Your Story Matters episodes

June 07, 2023#12 Cheryl Knowlton & The Joy of Fun, Finding Yourself & Balancing it All
This conversation is one of the most dynamic and energetic ones I've ever had! This week's guest is the fabulous Cheryl Knowlton (Type 7).

Cheryl Knowlton is the CEO and Chief Energy Officer at Dynamite Productions, Inc., a Certified Woman-Owned Company and consulting firm focused on helping people to go on a deep-dive adventure into radical authenticity. She has been in the real estate industry since 1999 and has achieved numerous accomplishments in the field. She is a Certified Fascinate Advisor®, a Certified Enneagram Coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), which is the highest earned award bestowed by the National Speakers Association (held by fewer than 17% of all speakers). Cheryl has authored three books and is also the host of the popular podcast "Magnifying Brilliance."

Cheryl now lives in Utah with her husband, her 13 grandchildren, and her dog, Scooby Doo. When she is not traveling and speaking, Cheryl can usually be found running another half marathon (she has completed 30) or enjoying the magic of a Disney Theme Park (yes, she's a kid at heart).

In this episode, we talk about:
Cheryl's unique upbringing and how she overcame the struggles of being adopted

learning the Enneagram later in life and that has changed her life

her real estate career

Disney

and more!

Book Mention: How the World Sees You by Sally Hogshead

Connect with Cheryl:
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Connect with Michaela:
Website | Instagram
49 min
June 01, 2023BONUS Kris Renee & Wren: The Brat Pack Series (Book 2)
Spicy romance author Kris Renee chats with Michaela to discuss her new book Wren (Book II) from The Brat Pack Series.

Kris Renee lives in the Midwest with her husband, their eight children, and two dogs. She is a lover of dangly earrings, reading, decorating, and peanut butter. Oh! And sleeping! Kris spends her summers camping with her big family in their travel trailer (pulled by their 15-passenger van). She enjoys visiting as many State and National Parks as possible on their trips, roasting s’mores over the campfire every night, and convincing her husband to stop at every ice cream and souvenir shop along the way!

Kris Renee was a well-known interior designer, home improvement diy'er, and decor crafter before writing her first novel, The False Villain. She was a regular guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, as well as local television & radio networks across the country. Kris' colorful home, projects & crafts were shared on TODAY Parents, Parents Magazine, HGTV Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Cleveland Magazine, and In Her Studio. Magazine.

In this episode, we talk about:
how we met and our mutual love for one another

creativity and failure

Tiktok and handling harsh online comments

her brand new book

and so much more!

Follow Kris:
Website | Instagram

Follow Michaela:
Website | Instagram
1 hr 4 min
May 24, 2023#11 Amanda Dowell on the Need for Self-Awareness & Refugee Work
Today's guest is the lovely and insightful Amanda Dowell (Type 8).

Amanda is a Certified Enneagram Coach with a passion to share the growth available through the Enneagram with the youngers of the world.
Born in Alabama, yet a Texan at her core, Amanda and her husband currently live in Georgetown, Texas. She is also a Mom of one adult daughter who she is thrilled to call a Friend. She and her husband spend a few months each year in Greece working in a refugee ministry. Extended time in Greece and other world travel has reinforced her belief that we live in a small world with more things in common than we realize.

Amanda has a high need for change and a desire for organization and efficiency in everything she does. As a lifelong learner, Amanda experienced significant growth in herself, her marriage, and her friendships later in life. It is the opportunity to guide young adults and couples in the early seasons of their lives that influenced her to become an enneagram coach. Amanda’s goal in coaching is for clients to become more aware of themselves, deepen their empathy for others, learn to rest in who God made them to be, and spark an interest to discover growth paths that will positively impact their future.

In this episode, we talk about:
how Amanda discovered her Enneagram type after learning about her daughter's

her journey into learning about her Type 8 personality

her passion for the "youngers" of the world to be as self-aware as they can be

the rufugee work she does in Greece

and more!

Books Mentioned:
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

The Winner by David Baldacci

Connect with the Refuge Ministry: Instagram
Connect with Amanda: Website
Connect with Michaela: Website | Instagram
41 min
May 10, 2023#10 Kara Rasmussen on Anxiety & Safety
In continuation of our Spring Enneagram Series, my guest today is the wonderful Kara Rasmussen (Type 6).

Kara Rasmussen is a Certified Enneagram Coach with a background in Social Work. Kara spent the first 12 years of her life as an MK (missionary kid) in Africa until her family moved to Minnesota — a place she still calls home, now with her husband of twenty years and their three teenage children. Kara is passionate about creating safe spaces for people to explore who they are, and she loves to share how the Enneagram can help us to grow personally, relationally, and spiritually.

In this episode, we talk about:
growing up in Africa

what safety and security look like

anxiety and how that looks to a Type 6

parenting

and so much more!

Book Mention!
Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber

Follow Kara:
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Follow Michaela:
Website | Facebook | Instagram
37 min
April 26, 2023#9 Abby Zandevakili on Mental Health & Authenticity
I am so excited to have on the podcast today, my new Type Four friend, Abby Zandevakili!

Abby is a mental health counselor in Texas, with an enneagram coaching business in the works! Her passion for the enneagram stems from how positively impactful it has been and continues to be, for her personal and professional life. This impact is what led her to become a certified enneagram coach in 2022, with the ultimate goal of starting a business.

We talk about so many good things:
Mental health and why it's important to pair with the Enneagram

childhood, moving around a lot, and having a hard time making connections

doing the work to become healthy

and so much more!

Book mentioned: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Connect with Abby:
Instagram

Connect with Michaela:
Website | Instagram | Facebook
39 min
April 12, 2023#8 Carla Anne Ferguson & the Power of Vulnerability
Today's conversation is all about passion and intensity from my new friend Carla Anne who identifies as a strong female Type 8.

Carla Anne is a dynamic, author and speaker, mom, wife, grandma, and Coach. People who know her well consider her an 'idea machine' and a passionate protector for those she cares for. She has been a challenger her whole life, and being an Enneagram Type 8 woman has provided her with difficulties in the workplace, and a unique perspective on leadership. While she loves others with deep and passionate love, many are intimidated by her 8-ness and choose not to see her softer side. Those who have embraced her dynamic personality have found her to be a powerhouse of love, capacity, and possibility.

In this episode we talk about:
when Type 8 first showed up in Carla Anne's childhood

her struggles with being a strong female Type 8

shifting perspectives in seeing that relationships are a vital part of her life

learning how to ask for help

her encouragement for anyone in a relationship with Type 8's

and so much more!

Book Mention!
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

Follow Carla Anne:
Website
Instagram
Facebook

Follow Michaela:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
45 min
March 29, 2023#7 Personality & Why It Matters
In today's TedTalk (ahem, podcast episode), we are looking at personality and why we should care about it. I share the top four personality typing systems out there and how they help people answer some of those questions about their behaviors and motivations for thinking, feeling, and doing what they do.
I'm also excited to announce my Spring Enneagram Series which begins April 12th where I get to chat with some fabulous people about their journey to the Enneagram and how learning about their personality unlocked freedom in their life.

Here are the articles mentioned in today's episode:
Personality Article

Myers-Briggs

DiSC

Strengthsfinder

Enneagram

Connect with Michaela:
website | Instagram | Facebook
24 min
March 15, 2023 #6 The Art of Lost Communication
If you're anything like me, I cannot resist period-piece dramas in books, movies, and TV shows because I am obsessed! In this episode, I talk about the reasons why I love all things period-piece as it relates to communication and what we seem to lack today.
The pandemic certainly changed how we communicate now in the 21st century, but let's not forget the power of a good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation.

Articles:
The 50 funniest lines from literature
56 Delightful Victorian Slang Terms You Should Be Using

Connect with me!
Website | Instagram
19 min
March 01, 2023 #5 Rest... You Have Time for It
In this episode, I take briefly about the importance of rest and why it matters.
Even with our crazy busy lives, we can find the time to stop, pause, and breathe into rest that will refuel us.
I also share a list of ways to bring rest into your life... try one out if you haven't before! I'd love to know how you rest! Message me, I'd love to learn how you incorporate it into you life.

Connect with Michaela on Instagram!
14 min
February 15, 2023 #4 Dani Cooper & The Enneagram for Christian Couples
For lovers of books (and the Enneagram) that challenge our perspective, faith, and journey... this episode is for you.

I am so excited to chat AGAIN with my friend and author Dani Cooper (Type 1) about her new book The Enneagram for Christian Couples: A Guide to Understanding Your Personality Types and Deepening Your Relationship.

Dani Cooper is a Certified Enneagram Teacher and Coach for individuals, couples, and teams.

She is passionate about encouraging others to get on the road to self-discovery, and believes that only as we begin to understand ourselves, can we begin to truly love and care for the people in our lives and grow in our relationship with the world around us.

When she is not studying or teaching the Enneagram, you'll find her outside gardening and exploring nature with her husband and three kids.

We chat about her book and the unique way the opportunity fell into her lap... LITERALLY. And as book lovers, we talk about books that have shaped our perspective about our faith journeys. Click the link above to get yourself (and your friends) a copy of Dani's book---it will be a helpful getting-started guide for you and your partner!

Connect with Dani on Instagram
Connect with Michaela on Instagram
38 min

About Your Story Matters

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Hello + Welcome! Your Story Matters Podcast is for story lovers + storytellers as we work through life from its perspectives, seasons of life, relationships + more. My hope for this show is that we…

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