Episode 201

Episode #196 - Inspiring Yourself & Others Through The Magic Inside Of You: An Interview With Laura Westman

The way that we can harness our creative energies to accomplish our goals is unlimited. How we can focus our attention to help others can be even more sustainable with the skills & abilities we can harness to generate unlimited potential in others. With the right support & encouragement from all walks of our lives, nothing is impossible. Today's guest, Laura Westman, shares her incredible journey overcoming what was once "impossible" but with the help of a coach, turning it into a passion to help coach others and create sustainable opportunities for others to explore their gifts that they have inside themselves. By harvesting the path that she once was and applying it towards a new path, her story shares the radical transformation that we can all be on through the opportunities that bind us together by seeing what kinds of "magic" lie dormant inside ourselves.

Guest Bio

Laura Westman is a credentialed coach (PCC), ontological leadership trainer, a musician and songwriter, an improviser, an author, co-host of West of Wonderland Podcast, host of The Creativity Broadcast on YouTube. She's a total fiend for all things magical that feel like they are "off-limits" in adulthood. She believes that for many of us, they actually crack the code to adulthood. She's infinitely curious about who you have to become to let your dreams become reality. She believes everyone deserves to feel a passionate sense of creative joy and magic. Her philosophy is that creativity is how we connect with ourselves, the deepest kind of magic of all.

@westygrammed on Instagram

Website: https://www.laurawestman.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCreativityBroadcast

Visit Our Website: https://speaking-from-the-heart.captivate.fm/

Visit Our Business Website: https://www.yourspeakingvoice.biz

Support The Mission Of The Business! Donate Here: https://speaking-from-the-heart.captivate.fm/support

Intro/Outro By: Michael Dugan, Podcast Host: Voice4Chefs

Transcript
Intro:

Welcome to the podcast where relationships, confidence, and

2

:

determination all converge into

an amazing, heartfelt experience.

3

:

This is Speaking From The Heart.

4

:

Joshua: Welcome back to episode

number 196 of Speaking from the Heart.

5

:

Today we have Laura Westman joining

us, and Laura is a credentialed coach

6

:

with the PCC, ontological leadership

trainer, a musician and songwriter, an

7

:

improviser, an author, a co-host of the

West of Wonderland Podcast, and host

8

:

of the Creativity Broadcast on YouTube.

9

:

She's a total fiend for all things

magical that feel like they are, quote

10

:

unquote, off limits in adulthood.

11

:

She believes that for many of us, they

actually crack the code to adulthood.

12

:

She's infinitely curious about

who you have to become to let

13

:

your dreams become reality.

14

:

She believes everyone deserves

to feel a passionate sense of

15

:

creating joy and magic, and her

philosophy is that creativity is

16

:

how we connect with ourselves,

the deepest kind of magic of all.

17

:

Now, there's certainly been sorcerers,

magicians, and other types of individuals

18

:

that I have had on the show, but

being that Laura is a professionally

19

:

credentialed coach, a PCC for that matter,

has really enlightened me in today's

20

:

conversation that I have with her, because

it isn't just about the podcasting.

21

:

It isn't just about what we are dealing

with in this broad world, especially when

22

:

we look at the ways and the modalities

in which we execute on our gifts.

23

:

It means understanding how we

can create engagement, how we

24

:

can create avenues of success, by

simply getting out of our heads.

25

:

That's where the magic really begins,

and Laura really discusses how she

26

:

got started with this, how she was

able to influence her whole circle to

27

:

be able to be influenced by others,

to then be able to become much better

28

:

not only as an individual, but also to

allow her improv, her creative juices,

29

:

to be able to become more curious.

30

:

Sound familiar?

31

:

Curiosity is something that has been

a constant vein in many of our guests,

32

:

but here's yet another example of

somebody that has taken the same

33

:

steps, even as your podcast host,

to create something out of nothing,

34

:

and I think that's really the key.

35

:

If you're curious enough, and you're

passionate enough to use your magic to do

36

:

better, to do good, nothing is impossible.

37

:

But with that, let's go to the episode.

38

:

All right.

39

:

We're here with Laura Westman.

40

:

Laura!

41

:

Thanks for sharing your

heart with us today.

42

:

Laura: Josh!

43

:

Thank you so much for having me.

44

:

Joshua: Thank you so much for being here.

45

:

Again, I got to say, I love my guests.

46

:

You're getting me one step closer to

that all important episode 200, so

47

:

thanks for being part of this experience.

48

:

Laura: That's such a huge milestone.

49

:

200.

50

:

Joshua: I know you relate because being

a podcast host yourself, you get it.

51

:

Laura: Yeah.

52

:

Joshua: You know that that's like

a big deal for people like us.

53

:

Laura: It really is.

54

:

I think for us at West of Wonderland

podcast, when we hit 150 episodes, because

55

:

we released one per week, and when we

had 150, we were like, "Oh my gosh!

56

:

Who are these super consistent,

organized women running this?

57

:

Where did they come from?"

58

:

We're very proud of ourselves.

59

:

Joshua: But that's something to be

proud of, especially because I've been

60

:

on other podcasts with other women

that have celebrated that too, and

61

:

I'm always enthused by people that are

consistent about it, and that's the

62

:

big thing about being in podcasting

is that you've got to be consistent.

63

:

Speaking of consistency, you are a coach.

64

:

I already let the listeners know a

little bit about your background.

65

:

The difference about you though,

is that you are credentialed.

66

:

That's a big deal, so I wonder if you

could walk us through a little bit of

67

:

what your origin story is of, first

off, getting interested in coaching,

68

:

but secondly, taking that extra step,

which is something I'm trying to do

69

:

as well to become credentialed as

well, so I wonder if you can share a

70

:

little bit of that backstory for us.

71

:

Laura: Oh, amazing.

72

:

Yeah, so I've been a coach since

:

73

:

don't really know a lot of people

who knew what coaching was in:

74

:

It's much more popular now, so

it's a very different landscape.

75

:

I was just a couple of

years out of college.

76

:

I had my bachelor's degree

in political science, which

77

:

I think you also have, right?

78

:

Joshua: Yes, I do, and for my listeners, I

know you can't see it, but I'm repping my

79

:

Alvernia University shirt, which actually

says Alvernia College because when I went

80

:

to school, it started as a college, and

then it turned into Alvernia University.

81

:

Laura: Oh my gosh.

82

:

Joshua: Yes.

83

:

Laura: What a transformation.

84

:

Joshua: It is such a

transformation too, so yes.

85

:

I love my poli sci.

86

:

Dr.

87

:

Williams, if you're listening

to this, I'm saying hello.

88

:

Laura: Oh, that's awesome.

89

:

Yeah, so I was living in Washington, DC.

90

:

I got my bachelor's in political science

from the George Washington University,

91

:

and I had done my congressional

internship, and as much as I was very

92

:

passionate about politics and making

a difference, I could tell there was

93

:

something about the work environments

related to politics that were not quite

94

:

right for me, and so I think in those

kind of exploratory years, I was just

95

:

making money the ways that I knew how to.

96

:

I was working full time as a specialty

barista, and I was also teaching

97

:

intro to improv at Washington Improv

Theater, and it's actually improv that

98

:

got me curious about coaching, because

I would teach these intro classes.

99

:

Intro to improv is kind of

the best, because it's sort of

100

:

like kindergarten for adults.

101

:

You have all these people show up,

and they're awkward, but they're open.

102

:

They're used to being in professional

environments with other adults, but

103

:

they're here to play, and so there's

this optimism, and this awkwardness,

104

:

and this kind of holding back, you

know, and then at the end of the

105

:

class, these people are different.

106

:

They know how to play again, and there's

a joy, and there's a sense of team,

107

:

and togetherness, and the people who

walked into that first class are not

108

:

the people walking out, and I loved the

transformation, and I loved watching

109

:

the joy return, and I asked a lot of

questions about like, "How else can I be

110

:

part of that kind of transformation?",

111

:

and it turns out, surprise, surprise,

there's not a ton of great career paths

112

:

in teaching intro to improv unless

you do what I did, which is kind of

113

:

make your own, and I just got really

curious about support professions.

114

:

I met someone through the improv

community who was actually in

115

:

training to be a coach at the time.

116

:

One thing led to another.

117

:

Whoopsie!

118

:

I'm becoming a coach.

119

:

That's what happens.

120

:

Joshua: I have to stop you there

for a second, because I hear

121

:

you about the improv stuff.

122

:

I started doing that a little bit.

123

:

I went through two different levels

at my local improv community, which

124

:

by the way, I'll give a shout out

to the Harrisburg Improv Theater.

125

:

Jake, who owns that, was somebody

that was really talented, really

126

:

knowledgeable; still runs that, but

they have been really gifted in terms

127

:

of helping other people go through, and

learn so much about like you're saying.

128

:

Bring the fun out, and I didn't know how

to have fun until I took those two levels.

129

:

I didn't move on to the third level.

130

:

There was other levels.

131

:

Some of my classmates did, but it's

such a rewarding experience, so I love

132

:

doing that, and that's what's really

appealing to about your story that I

133

:

loved is that you were involved with

that, but I didn't mean to interrupt.

134

:

I had to throw that shout out.

135

:

Laura: Yeah.

136

:

No.

137

:

I mean, improv is a very special

kind of art form, and it's

138

:

usable in so many different ways.

139

:

I think part of what's been really cool

about becoming a coach, and a leadership

140

:

trainer, as well as an improviser, and an

improv instructor, is I've really enjoyed

141

:

getting to kind of cross pollinate these

two things with each other, and see what

142

:

can happen, and how they can feed each

other, so just as an example, I was at the

143

:

Hartford Improv Festival in Connecticut;

at Hartford, Connecticut, at this awesome

144

:

theater called CT Improv Theater, and a

comedy theater, actually, and I taught

145

:

a workshop that when I came up with the

idea for it, I was like, "Am I crazy?

146

:

Is this weird?",

147

:

but I think one of the things I've learned

about having a voice in my business, and

148

:

kind of owning my particular corner of the

sky as a coach, which I know this is an

149

:

area you really are passionate about too.

150

:

I've kind of learned that the weirder

seeming the idea, the more me it

151

:

is, usually, and therefore the more

resonant it's going to be with the

152

:

people I'm trying to reach, so I

came up with this idea that was

153

:

just called, Get Out Of Your Head In

Long Form Improv, and you know what?

154

:

It was freaking awesome.

155

:

It was a sold out workshop, which

surprised me because I didn't know anyone

156

:

in that community, so I was like, "Oh.

157

:

I guess the topic really

resonates with people.",

158

:

and it was like one part vulnerable

group coaching debrief about where's

159

:

our attention when we're playing when

it's not on the fun, and then, I got

160

:

to do a couple of hours of exercises,

and getting back into our bodies,

161

:

and becoming silly again, and man.

162

:

It was awesome

163

:

Joshua: Do you find, especially

doing workshops like that, was

164

:

that your first time, first off?

165

:

It seems like to me you've done a number

of these types of workshops in the past.

166

:

Laura: It was my first time delivering

that workshop, but i've been doing

167

:

group work for a very long time.

168

:

Joshua: Yeah, and I imagine, especially

with the number of years you've had, that

169

:

it has given you a perspective of what

are some of the things that you can work,

170

:

or things that weren't working as well.

171

:

Do you find that with doing things

such as getting people on their feet,

172

:

engaging, trying to help them figure

out what their specific niche is.

173

:

Do you find that to be more

empowering than say, "Okay, everybody.

174

:

We're going to go through

the same exercise together.",

175

:

because I've seen traditional

workshops do that, and I'm like, "Ugh!"

176

:

I like want to vomit, because it's always

the same thing over and over again.

177

:

We're not tailoring it to who our

clients are, and that's a big deal

178

:

to me with my coaching business.

179

:

I try to do that, asking questions

of who my audience is, what is

180

:

it that I'm trying to present?

181

:

I tell my public speaking clients that

all the time is your story should be

182

:

aligned with what it is that you're

presenting it to, but they have those

183

:

messages already built out, but they

can go in many different types of

184

:

directions, depending on what it is.

185

:

I was wondering if you kind

of do the same, essentially.

186

:

Laura: Yeah.

187

:

I think that there's something

to be said for delivering ideas

188

:

and material in traditional ways.

189

:

I'm not going to disparage it, but, I

feel like my philosophy when it comes

190

:

to professional development is like why

would you do it boringly, when you could

191

:

actually do it in a way that's very

fun, and interactive, and make it very

192

:

enrolling for people to participate.

193

:

To me, that's one of the big

differences is you can attend a seminar.

194

:

I don't know about you.

195

:

I'm always checking out when

I attend things if all we're

196

:

doing is sitting there.

197

:

Joshua: I'll tell you.

198

:

I'll tell you, and I know it sounds

a little cheesy, and you probably

199

:

will frown upon it, but I always

look at what other coaches are doing.

200

:

I look at what their topic is,

what they're presenting, and

201

:

how they're achieving their

objectives, because sometimes I

202

:

look at some of them like, "Wait.

203

:

The title of this doesn't

match what you're trying to do

204

:

in terms of your objectives.

205

:

This wasn't thought through.",

206

:

and it gives me inspiration of, "Well.

207

:

What can I present, not

taking what they have?',

208

:

because obviously, that's

their original work.

209

:

I don't believe in stealing

other people's stuff.

210

:

I believe in what can we

do to make this better?

211

:

What can we do to make it a much improved

process so we can have people learn a lot

212

:

of it, so that's why I like doing that.

213

:

I like seeing what people have to

offer, as opposed to saying, "Oh!

214

:

I'm going to take this.

215

:

I'm going to use it.",

216

:

because you can tell right away

if someone's reading off of

217

:

something, or they are manufacturing

it, it's not their stuff.

218

:

Laura: Yeah, and that sucks.

219

:

Actually you asked me

earlier about credentialing.

220

:

I realized I didn't

really talk about it, but-

221

:

Joshua: No.

222

:

I was going to circle back to it.

223

:

Laura: Okay.

224

:

Yeah.

225

:

Well, that's actually part of the

code of ethics at the International

226

:

Coach Federation among professional

coaches is if you're using something

227

:

that is actually from another coach,

get permission and also attribute.

228

:

It's pretty important, and I think

it also contributes to a more

229

:

positive and collaborative community.

230

:

I think it also says that there's

enough business for everyone, that

231

:

we can share ideas, and that we're

not trying to sound like the smartest

232

:

coach of all time, all the time.

233

:

We can credit other people.

234

:

In fact, we should.

235

:

Joshua: You sound like to me the younger

version of me when I was starting this.

236

:

I was thinking the same

thing, so here's the deal.

237

:

I felt like I met my doppelganger

several episodes ago, but now you

238

:

are like the female version of me.

239

:

Laura: Wait, so what are you hearing?

240

:

Yeah.

241

:

Yeah.

242

:

Joshua: Yeah.

243

:

Yeah, so here, let me just

recap it for my listeners that

244

:

haven't been paying attention.

245

:

Political Science.

246

:

We have that in common.

247

:

Laura: Yeah.

248

:

Joshua: I love the fact that you've

done improv, so I've done improv too.

249

:

So we've got that checkbox.

250

:

You have the goal in mind of helping

people wherever they are at with figuring

251

:

out what problem, solution that they're

trying to solve, by checking off the

252

:

boxes of, "This is what I want to do.

253

:

This is what will help them."

254

:

You've done that.

255

:

The only things that we're not

aligned with right now is that I

256

:

haven't had a number of years that you

have, which I'm a little baby coach.

257

:

I'm entering into my third year, but

also at the same time, you have gotten

258

:

something that makes a lot of sense

that most people do: get credentialed,

259

:

and International Coaching Federation

was something that I was looking at

260

:

doing myself and getting that as a

basis of many other avenues that I

261

:

want to dive into, but why do you

feel that getting credentialed was

262

:

important for your practice, Laura?

263

:

Laura: Like, there's a lot of benefits

both to your personal practice,

264

:

and your sense of well being as a

a practitioner of coaching, and a

265

:

business owner, to getting credentialed.

266

:

For me, I was also on the advanced

leadership track at my coach

267

:

training company, and so part of

what was important there was really

268

:

taking on, and embodying, "Hey!

269

:

This is what a professional coach

can really do and can really become."

270

:

I will say that I became a PCC,

professional certified coach, when the

271

:

hours requirement was much higher than

it is now, and I always feel silly

272

:

talking about it, but it does make me

sort of feel like I'm one of those guys

273

:

is like, "Back in the day, we walked

uphill in the snow to school both ways!",

274

:

kind of what it feels like, but it's

true, we had to really kind of claw our

275

:

way to the PCC credential, and I've now

renewed a number of times since then,

276

:

and I think there's a couple of benefits.

277

:

One is the market of coaching is

much more saturated than it was

278

:

when I began, like I said earlier.

279

:

When I started coaching, I had to

explain it to everyone, and I was

280

:

very young, so you can imagine it

was hard to get hired at first.

281

:

I have a baby face in general, so

imagine this, but like, 12 years ago.

282

:

Just wind back the clock.

283

:

Joshua: I mean, I wasn't going to say it,

but it looked like you're 21 years old.

284

:

Laura: I know.

285

:

Joshua: So it's okay.

286

:

Laura: I mean, thank you.

287

:

I receive it as a compliment.

288

:

I'm actually 36, and I've been doing

this a long time, but like, I do

289

:

have a baby face, you know, and-

290

:

Joshua: Now when this episode

comes out, I will be on the eve

291

:

of my 38th birthday, so Laura.

292

:

I feel like I'm in great company

knowing that we're in the same

293

:

age bracket, but even then, like I

look at some of my colleagues and

294

:

I'm sure you do the same thing.

295

:

They're like, "Oh!

296

:

They're 45.

297

:

They're 50.

298

:

They're 55.

299

:

They're much more advanced than me."

300

:

I sometimes have that imposter

syndrome of like, "I'm not

301

:

good enough because of my age."

302

:

I don't know if you

experienced that, but I do.

303

:

Laura: I definitely did back in the

day, especially because in the coaching

304

:

industry, again, it's very different

now; very different landscape, but at

305

:

the time I was not only on the younger

end, but I was also female, and the

306

:

origins of the coaching industry- coaching

actually began as a way for affluent,

307

:

successful white men to help each other

become better and become more affluent

308

:

and successful, just like them, so kind

of had its origins in entrepreneurship.

309

:

I mean, this is very reductive.

310

:

I want to answer your question about

credentialing, but I also am a really

311

:

big nerd about the coaching industry in

general, so I could talk to you about this

312

:

forever, but the point I'm trying to make

is that, one of the things that's great

313

:

about the credential is that there's a

lot of people out there who are calling

314

:

themselves a coach that haven't had

practice, or training, or oversight, and I

315

:

think it's awesome that we live in a world

where so many people can help each other.

316

:

I never want to sound like I want to

discourage people from striking out

317

:

on their own growing a business, and

serving people, because that's to me what

318

:

the world is made of, and when you're

soliciting opportunities, when you're

319

:

trying to get hired, having a credential

really builds a lot of credibility in the

320

:

market, but the other thing that's great

about it is you renew your credential

321

:

every three years, which sometimes

feels kind of like a headache, because

322

:

you're like, "One more thing to do!",

323

:

but what's great is they actually

have you take continuing education

324

:

courses and we call them credits,

and you do a refresher of the ethics

325

:

course every time, and I don't know.

326

:

It's just a really nice way to

kind of keep yourself engaged in

327

:

your development as a professional.

328

:

I will also say, along those lines, one

other thing that has been really crucial

329

:

for my success, and my development, is

having my own coach that whole time,

330

:

so there's sometimes when that coach

is providing mentorship, sometimes

331

:

when they're providing feedback.

332

:

I worked with a really great master

certified coach- actually worked with

333

:

a few of them over the years, but in

particular, the most recent one runs

334

:

this really awesome continuing ed program

called the Essence of Mastery Summit, and

335

:

she's an MCC and she's really passionate

about master level coaching, and so it's

336

:

this wonderful nerdy event that she hosts

every year to just be in conversation

337

:

with other coaches about what coaching

mastery even is, and providing feedback

338

:

and support, because I'm sure as you

know firsthand, being a coach requires

339

:

a really good amount of reflective

work so that you're actually able to

340

:

clear your own stuff out of the way,

and go be over there with the client.

341

:

It's what makes coaching valuable,

and like I think better than just

342

:

shooting the shit with your buddies

over beer talking about your business.

343

:

There's a reason why

people hire us, you know.

344

:

Joshua: There's two things that you say to

that that I think is really significant.

345

:

First off, that's mainly one of the

reasons I do a podcast and why I think

346

:

you do yours is that it gives us an

opportunity to use what we have practiced,

347

:

and putting it into interviews, but vice

versa, what we get out of interviews,

348

:

what we get out of what we develop as

content for our audience, we're able to

349

:

put back into the practice, so people

like you, as I even approached number

350

:

200, I know we were talking about all

the things that you have been able

351

:

to do because of the certification.

352

:

I feel like this is my

continuing education, my

353

:

credits, if you will, doing this.

354

:

That's to say though that I continue

to work on things, even as a personal

355

:

individual, and I even share that

with my clients too, is that, "Yeah.

356

:

I'm not a therapist.

357

:

I truly make that disclaimer, even

anything that I do, but the biggest

358

:

thing is I'm here as the accountability.

359

:

I'm helping you to think things through

that you might've not thought otherwise.

360

:

My job is to separate what I got

going on, and to put my undivided

361

:

attention into what you're doing.

362

:

Laura: Yeah.

363

:

Joshua: So I think it's

so important for that.

364

:

Yeah.

365

:

It's sometimes it's harder

on some days over others.

366

:

Absolutely.

367

:

Laura: Totally, and I think it's

part of why having colleagues,

368

:

and other coaches that you're in

community with, is so helpful.

369

:

I can't tell you how many times over

the years have I been staring at my

370

:

calendar, and going through something

hard and being like, "How am I going

371

:

to coach all these people today?

372

:

I can't even make my breakfast.",

373

:

or whatever, and then, when you

have people who kind of have

374

:

your back, and you have practices

to kind of bring yourself back.

375

:

There are some times when I've been

going through hard times when, man.

376

:

The only thing that kept me going was

showing up for clients, and it's so

377

:

great because you kind of just leave all

your own stuff at the door for a while.

378

:

Go in there and be with them.

379

:

It's a lot like improv

practice, to be honest.

380

:

I love it.

381

:

Joshua: You're in your element,

essentially, as a result of that.

382

:

Absolutely.

383

:

Laura: And you're being of service,

and you're over there with them,

384

:

instead of swirling in your own abyss.

385

:

Joshua: It is.

386

:

It's almost the murkiness that

sometimes we go through, especially

387

:

if we are even using our own

tools, which is a big deal for me.

388

:

If I'm going to put my clients through

something that I want them to practice,

389

:

I'm going to put myself through that

too, and I think even early on, one

390

:

of the biggest lessons I've learned is

to make sure that even when I learned

391

:

something from it, be able to put that

into practice so that I can share that.

392

:

Say, "Hey!

393

:

You know what?

394

:

I made a mistake.",

395

:

and it's okay to make those mistakes

just to be able to correct yourself, be

396

:

able to make that accountability happen,

but I think this is a perfect segue

397

:

into the book that you have written,

and I want to let our listeners know.

398

:

I'll put this in the

episode notes as well.

399

:

The title of it is How To Be Creative

In The Age Of Digital Noise: Clear

400

:

Out The Clutter and Get Into Your

Flow For Fulfilling Passionate Life.

401

:

Your a coach.

402

:

You've done this forever; over a decade

now, you have worked on things that

403

:

people that are just starting out, the

baby ones like me, are like, "Oh my gosh!

404

:

I want to do this too."

405

:

I know you've written this- it will be

over two years ago when this episode airs.

406

:

Tell us a little bit about why it's so

important for us to get those creative

407

:

juices going, especially when it comes

to practicing what we want to do, what

408

:

we want to have in terms of preaching

that goal that we have, or something

409

:

that we really wanted to achieve.

410

:

From my perspective, Laura, from what I've

heard so far, the improv aspect of it,

411

:

the reason for having that creativity.

412

:

We haven't even talked about you being

a songwriter and things like that.

413

:

I'm sure there's a lot of overlap.

414

:

Laura: Yeah.

415

:

One part of my story that is- it's a

pretty important part of my journey,

416

:

and it's in the book, because it's

part of my creative story, but I

417

:

grew up being a very creative kid.

418

:

I was, always making something, always

coming up with a dance or a song.

419

:

When I was 12, I starred in our

production of Annie at summer camp, so

420

:

I was like, "I'm headed for Broadway!

421

:

I'm really going somewhere.",

422

:

and then when I was maybe 17?

423

:

I don't know.

424

:

It's hard to remember exactly when,

but I started losing my voice a

425

:

lot, like my physical voice, and

I went to the doctor, the ENT.

426

:

Have you ever been to an ENT?

427

:

Joshua: I have not, but I

know other people that have.

428

:

Laura: I mean, bless them.

429

:

We need them, but a lot of what the

ENTs have to start with is they put a

430

:

camera up your nose and down your throat.

431

:

Yeah.

432

:

It's not great.

433

:

Joshua: Ugh.

434

:

Yes.

435

:

It's probably what you do too and

they're shoving a camera up your nose.

436

:

Laura: All you can do is like practice

box breathing and just like sit and wait.

437

:

Try not to panic, but I found out from

that visit that I had developed pretty

438

:

debilitating vocal nodes; nodules on

my vocal cords, and at the time, my

439

:

interpretation of that was that my

performing arts career was dead in the

440

:

water, and I would have no future and

never be able to sing again, which was

441

:

devastating, and that's how I ended up

with my political science degree instead

442

:

of a theater degree was thinking that I-

443

:

Joshua: You made the

right decision by the way.

444

:

Political science.

445

:

Us kids we like to be liberal

arts oriented, creative-

446

:

Laura: We are kind of cool.

447

:

I think.

448

:

Yeah.

449

:

Joshua: They are.

450

:

Laura: And that was a very pure

part of me that pursued that.

451

:

I love that part of me, but I sort

of felt this feeling of like, "Oh.

452

:

I've always been at home on the stage.

453

:

I've always been at home with this,

but it's not for me anymore.",

454

:

and so I kind of, proverbially, took

my ball and went home, you know.

455

:

I got my political science degree.

456

:

I didn't audition for things anymore.

457

:

I did some student theater

in college, because I thought

458

:

I was good enough for that.

459

:

Nothing main stage with student theater.

460

:

Thank God for student theater, and

that's also how I got into improv.

461

:

Part of it was I wanted something to kind

of get me outside of my comfort zone, and

462

:

nothing will do it like improv will do it.

463

:

You know what I mean, but, honestly, I

think part of why I got so involved in

464

:

it, and got on improv teams, and started

teaching, was because improv didn't

465

:

rely on a consistent vocal performance.

466

:

However I was that day would just be

part of the show, and so those years

467

:

between the beginning of college, and

pretty much until my late twenties,

468

:

I was basically pretending like

I had never had creative dreams.

469

:

Just pretending, because it was

very painful to even think about.

470

:

It was painful.

471

:

It was like a loss; a really big loss,

plus the element of not being able to

472

:

use my voice, like there were a lot

of times when speaking or singing was

473

:

painful for me in a way that it wasn't

for other people, and the reason that I'm

474

:

saying all of this is because my creative

self just wouldn't leave me alone.

475

:

I was a couple of years into coaching,

and I found myself mostly interested

476

:

in coaching people on their creative

projects, on their creative dreams, on

477

:

their visions for their creative life.

478

:

That kind of thing rubs off on

you, and I remember this moment.

479

:

Cody, who is my husband now, who's my

boyfriend at the time, he surprised me

480

:

one Christmas with an electronic keyboard

because it was all we could really manage

481

:

at our tiny New York City apartment, and

I remember unwrapping it, and crying,

482

:

and crying, and just feeling so seen like

it was something that I couldn't even

483

:

admit I wanted, but he knew it was so

obvious, you know, like obviously, and

484

:

around that time, I had this conversation

with my coach where I just remember

485

:

saying to her very softly, "You know.

486

:

Sometimes in coaching, we're like, this

is what I want and I'm going for it."

487

:

This was not that.

488

:

This was more like a quiet,

admitting of like, "Wow.

489

:

I think it's actually time for

me to return to dreams that

490

:

I had for myself as a girl.

491

:

A little girl.",

492

:

and there was something about that that

came out of me and I was like, "Yeah.

493

:

Let's follow it, and

follow it, and follow it.",

494

:

and it's almost like holding an end of a

rope, you know, and just like continuing

495

:

to let it lead you somewhere, and you

don't really know where it's going,

496

:

but when we follow that part of us, we

follow that part of us that's creative.

497

:

We are curious about it.

498

:

We're getting into that flow.

499

:

It does allow things in our life to move.

500

:

It allows us to feel brilliant.

501

:

It's smart, and for me,, in

particular, when I started letting

502

:

more of my creativity out, the

more it wanted to come out.

503

:

One of the things I'm doing in my

business right now is I have a lot of

504

:

courses about creativity, actually,

and I have this one that's a workshop

505

:

I ran recently, and it's called "Money

and Creativity: A Love Story", and

506

:

it's that same idea of like, "Wow.

507

:

If we look at this area of life: money.

508

:

That's so confronting, and it has

all of this energy on it for so many

509

:

people, what if we're actually able

to bring our creative power, and our

510

:

brilliance, and like that part of us

that's alive, and free, and set it

511

:

loose on this other area of life?",

512

:

and it's why this part of my business,

my course business, is all around

513

:

creativity, because I live every day the

effects of having shut it down, and then

514

:

opened it up again, and I'm well again.

515

:

I have a clean bill of health

from my auntie, you know?

516

:

Yeah, and I'm sort of skipping

over the very challenging, long

517

:

recovery both of my voice, but also

just my creative spirit, you know.

518

:

It takes something to wake that part

of you back up again when you've

519

:

kind of tamped it down, but I just

think that people, in general, are

520

:

happier when their creativity is

alive and an active and doing things.

521

:

I think that the people

around us have more fun.

522

:

I think that in our leadership, especially

if we're business owners, or managers, or

523

:

whatever, when we actually lead with some

more creativity, it engages people to the

524

:

point of our conversation earlier, like

if you have a presentation and there's

525

:

like this roteness to how you deliver it.

526

:

If you infuse it with just a little bit

of your creativity, it's going to change

527

:

the whole thing, and people will feel it.

528

:

Joshua: They will feel the excitement.

529

:

They will know that you really are

vested in what you're presenting.

530

:

They almost sense that they want

to be part of it just because

531

:

you are excited about it.

532

:

They want to have that..

533

:

Laura, we're almost at

the end of our time.

534

:

I want to ask one last question, because

I think it's so, so important for my

535

:

listeners to hear this because you said

something that is truly profound that

536

:

many of my previous guests have talked

about how they've been able to create

537

:

this, but we haven't really handled

this question head on, so I'm going to

538

:

give you first shot essentially today

being able to answer this, and you

539

:

talked about waking up our creativity.

540

:

That's the essence that you've just said.

541

:

As somebody that is a coach that has

worked on this for many years, working on

542

:

yourself physically written books about

this, being able to address this head

543

:

on and a variety of different mediums.

544

:

What is it that we're missing today in

order for us, the common person: Joe,

545

:

Jane, whatever, to help us be creative?

546

:

What do you think is that

essence that we need to unlock

547

:

to just get that process started?

548

:

Laura: You know, I think it's

a lot simpler than we think.

549

:

My opinion is the thing we often

need is actually a curiosity.

550

:

One of my philosophies in general

about creativity is that our creativity

551

:

is often a much more vulnerable part

of us than we like to admit, and so

552

:

it's best if we're trying to wake

it back up to think about it like we

553

:

might a little kitten, or something.

554

:

Yeah, and it's better to think

about it, like from a curiosity

555

:

perspective, not of like, "How

do I get my kitten to come out?"

556

:

That's not going to work.

557

:

We actually need to think

about it more like, "Okay.

558

:

Let's imagine the kittens active.

559

:

What's it doing?",

560

:

and being curious about that and

following where it's already flowing.

561

:

I will also say I wrote a guide

specifically for this called Uncover

562

:

Your Creative Magic that kind of

it's like a methodical kind of step

563

:

by step to open up that curiosity

and get back into it, so yeah.

564

:

I'm pretty passionate about that.

565

:

Joshua: I sense that passion.

566

:

It's something that, especially in the

ebbs and flows of life, which even when

567

:

things happen, we figure out what's the

path of least resistance that we can

568

:

get onto, but I think that sometimes

that path of least resistance isn't

569

:

the path that we should be choosing.

570

:

It's not challenging us.

571

:

Sometimes we need to have that challenge

so that we can find that growth.

572

:

We can find that mindset to

experience things that will

573

:

challenge that status quo.

574

:

Creativity is just one of those facets,

and I love that your story intertwines

575

:

with it so much, and you know, there's

so much that we didn't even cover.

576

:

The fact that you have your own YouTube

channel when it comes to this, and

577

:

talking about that, being passionate

about some of the ways in which we can

578

:

create that dynamicism in our lives.

579

:

I appreciate so much you sharing

all these things today, Laura.

580

:

I want to give you the last few

minutes before we wrap up, though,

581

:

to let our audience know, how

can they get in touch with you.

582

:

Maybe they're interested in coaching

from you, because I know you are

583

:

obviously a certified credentialed

coach since we talked about that today.

584

:

How can people do that?

585

:

How can they follow your podcast?

586

:

How can they get your book?

587

:

Man.

588

:

You've done everything that I know one

day I'm going to accomplish as well.

589

:

Why don't you let some people know,

though, if they're interested how

590

:

they can achieve all of that with you?

591

:

Laura: Absolutely.

592

:

Thank you.

593

:

You can find my free guide,

Uncover Your Creative Magic, at

594

:

www.laurawestman.com/uncover,

595

:

and it's delightful.

596

:

It's free.

597

:

It's actually a treasure map, so yeah.

598

:

It's quite cool, and-

599

:

Joshua: X marks the spot!

600

:

Laura: Pretty much.

601

:

Yeah.

602

:

I mean, in the spirit of

infusing everything that you

603

:

are presenting with creativity.

604

:

I follow that practice

myself, so please enjoy.

605

:

You can also get in touch with me through

my website at www.laurawestman.com.

606

:

I'm also really active on Instagram.

607

:

My handle on Instagram is @westygrammed,

because, back in the day, when Instagram

608

:

started, it was funny to put your name

and then grammed and I just had never

609

:

changed it, and Westy was my nickname at

the coffee shop, so it's @westygrammed.

610

:

My YouTube channel is called The

Creativity Broadcast, and I've got

611

:

lots of different, cool things there

just oriented toward waking up your

612

:

creativity and keeping it alive.

613

:

I have a journal with me; videos.

614

:

I have tutorials like how to bring more

creativity to your boring job, or how to

615

:

get your team to be more creative, but I

also interview people who are resources

616

:

for creatives, like self publishing

book coaches, and that kind of thing.

617

:

One other thing I really want to

share with all of you is my podcast,

618

:

West of Wonderland Podcast, which

I run with my coaching bestie.

619

:

Her name's Bay, and it's all about

coaching and she's also a former coach

620

:

trainer, so we're like really nerdy

about coaching, and we talk about it

621

:

on the podcast through the lens of what

I will refer to, affectionately, as

622

:

magical media, and we run little ad hoc

trainings for coaches based on some of the

623

:

conversations that come up on the podcast.

624

:

We recently ran this workshop that I'm

totally obsessed with, which is called

625

:

The Theme Park: Map Of Your Business,

so we did some creative business mapping

626

:

with a bunch of solopreneurs, and that's

maybe my finest hour is that workshop?

627

:

That's pretty cool, and yeah.

628

:

It's West of Wonderland podcast,

and if you want to learn more about

629

:

that, you can find us on all the

podcasting platforms, or you can

630

:

go to laurawestman.com/wow-academy,

631

:

and you'll get to see all the stuff

that we're cooking up over there.

632

:

Joshua: I will put all of that in the

episode notes, and so much more, including

633

:

the free eight step guide that you

have even mentioned, so if you want to

634

:

click on that you can get access to it.

635

:

Laura, you are somebody that I even said

to you before we started this recording

636

:

about really want to be like you.

637

:

End of story.

638

:

I have this limiting belief right now

that I have to have this job working

639

:

nine to five, thinking that that's

going to get me to where my dreams are.

640

:

That is not true whatsoever.

641

:

This is where my passion is, and what I

find to be very unique about your story,

642

:

unlike other coaches I've had on the show,

is that you're teaching other coaches to

643

:

be more effective in their businesses.

644

:

You have clients that you're teaching

them how to be more creative.

645

:

Overall, though, I love the fact

that you have this passionate heart.

646

:

That stems from a liberal arts

education, okay, but, maybe you were

647

:

meant to be the next Taylor Swift,

which claimed to fame in Pennsylvania.

648

:

We have her.

649

:

No one else gets to touch her, but

you are a Taylor Swift when it comes

650

:

to coaching, so let's say that you

achieved that at least that much.

651

:

Okay?

652

:

I think you have done some amazing

things and I know you're laughing at me.

653

:

Stop laughing at me.

654

:

Laura: It's not a laughing at.

655

:

It's a, "Oh my God.

656

:

That's the best compliment

I've ever received.

657

:

Thank you."

658

:

Incredulous look on my face.

659

:

Joshua: I don't need to even have

a coaching session with you because

660

:

here's the deal is that you're creating

that environment based on the fact

661

:

that you want people to succeed.

662

:

Success in coaching is the

ultimate goal, so for you,

663

:

rallying behind everybody else.

664

:

Thanks, Laura, for being on

Speaking From The Heart today.

665

:

Thanks for sharing a little bit of

your story, why this is important for

666

:

you and why we should be creative.

667

:

Thank you for your time today.

668

:

Laura: Thank you so much for

having me, and thank you for being

669

:

such a stand in your community

for conversations from the heart.

670

:

This is clearly so important,

and yeah, just thank you so much.

671

:

Joshua: Again, I want to thank Laura

so much for being part of the show,

672

:

sharing what she has been able to

accomplish, and just knowing that there's

673

:

a fellow coach out there that has really

progressed to getting to the point that

674

:

she's at right now is truly astounding.

675

:

It has really shined some light on a

number of different topics, a number of

676

:

different things that otherwise would have

not been as successful, because creating

677

:

this success, podcasting, even in itself,

can be a very adventurous opportunity for

678

:

many different individuals like Laura and

myself to be able to meet with different

679

:

people, but even then, the conversation

that we had today, really unlocks our

680

:

true potential of what it means to really

dig deep, what it means to be really

681

:

curious, and something about what she had

talked about today with improv, coaching,

682

:

getting exciting with connection.

683

:

It's something that we

should all be feeling.

684

:

It's all ways in which we can

combat loneliness, which we

685

:

literally talked about in the

previous episode, but even then.

686

:

Dealing with loneliness means that we

are given opportunity, and we are able

687

:

to use that opportunity to our advantage,

and I love that Laura's advantage of

688

:

being able to create this engagement,

this new avenue for creativity, means

689

:

that she can teach others to do the same.

690

:

To simply get out of our own head,

because how boring is it to do the same

691

:

things over and over again, thinking

that you're going to not only have a

692

:

different kind of result, not only do you

think that something's going to change,

693

:

but overall, just feeling that you have

this engagement in a whole other facet,

694

:

a whole other way of creating importance,

can get you in a purpose driven way,

695

:

in a methodology that would help you to

develop yourself, and to develop others.

696

:

Being young, being old, being something

in between has no significance to

697

:

this conversation today, because

what is really, truly important

698

:

is how much you really want it.

699

:

How much do you really want to strive to

get that purpose that you always wanted

700

:

to have, and purpose, especially when

you combine it with curiosity, can create

701

:

credibility, and credibility is the key

to unlocking massive potential, not only

702

:

of others, but also within yourself.

703

:

Now, you don't necessarily have to be

credentialed for every single thing, and

704

:

even Laura alludes to the fact that even

in this industry, being a professionally

705

:

certified coach is something that might

not always occur, but it's nice to know

706

:

that somebody that you're working with

has the skills, has the knowledge, has

707

:

the training to work with somebody so

that they are able to unlock their true

708

:

potential even when the hard times show

up for that client's perspective, you know

709

:

what you can do by showing up, by leaving

us as part of this bigger adventure that

710

:

you're trying to embark on, knowing that

somebody knows what the heck they're

711

:

talking about, and Laura certainly did,

especially when it comes to all the

712

:

things that she even shared about her

book, about the things that we do in our

713

:

bodies, the ways in which we can unlock

those limited beliefs to become magic,

714

:

because the creative direction that we

lead in our lives, these true strengths

715

:

that we have, means that we have to dig

below the surface, and I think Laura's

716

:

story, along with the ways in which she

got to where she is today, really shows

717

:

how that creative juice, how that energy

and that persistence, really does pay off.

718

:

Following that rope, or as another guest

had put it, the breadcrumbs, can lead

719

:

us to that direction, that can lead us

to that opportunity to grow overall,

720

:

because waking up is our creative ways

in which we can explore curiosity.

721

:

We can find the ways in which we're

able to learn how to develop ourselves,

722

:

whether that's personal, whether

that's professional, whether it's

723

:

about our business, or something

else that falls in between the

724

:

cracks, but ladies and gentlemen.

725

:

The biggest thing that undertones

this whole entire conversation is

726

:

about the way in which we approach

this with our own vulnerability.

727

:

I had to be pushed, I had to be prodded,

to be able to get to where I am today, and

728

:

it wasn't by any sort of secret sauce, it

wasn't by a pep talk by some other coach.

729

:

As many of you know, it was all because

of sheer grit, sheer opportunity.

730

:

Wanting to do better.

731

:

Wanting to see what it looks like to

get to that side where I know that

732

:

success can stare at me, but even then.

733

:

Finding the ways in which we can create

success, finding that opportunity for

734

:

direction, means that we have to get

off that beaten path, which we've talked

735

:

about what that path can look like.

736

:

Even with all the things that you can

teach yourself, whether that is working

737

:

on extemporaneous speaking, whether that

is going to improv classes, whether it

738

:

is unlocking your philosophy, or your

magic that you have inside yourself,

739

:

you have to build those pipelines.

740

:

You have to build those

opportunities so that you are able

741

:

to establish credibility, that you

are able to engage with others.

742

:

Maybe that means that you

have to get credentialed.

743

:

You have to go through the, quote,

unquote, process, so that other people see

744

:

your worth, and see who you really are.

745

:

Getting to that other perspective,

getting over that hump, if you will,

746

:

means that we have to break down the

significance of what it means to actually

747

:

do what we're doing, which means that

you have to do a lot of soul searching.

748

:

There has to be a lot of hardship

sometimes when you get to that other side,

749

:

knowing that you are where you are because

you put in that hard work, and sometimes

750

:

that hard work is not easy to do.

751

:

It's not easy to overcome.

752

:

It's not easy to establish why you have

all these opportunities, all these times

753

:

in which, sometimes, you might feel alone.

754

:

Nobody wants to show up, but yet

at the same token, you have to show

755

:

up for yourself every single day.

756

:

The health of our bodies, the limited

beliefs that we have means that we

757

:

have to self check ourselves so that we

know that that juice, that thing that

758

:

we want to excite, especially inside

of ourselves when it comes to the

759

:

opportunities that are ahead we have to

find what it means to keep on walking that

760

:

path, and some days that rope runs out.

761

:

The breadcrumbs stop leaving breadcrumbs.

762

:

In other words, we have to find our

own path, even in the unknown, because

763

:

it might have never been done before.

764

:

This is a very abstract concept, but If

you think about all the inventions, all

765

:

the things that have revolutionized our

world, it has been able to take a big,

766

:

giant step forward, not seeing where

that path is on the ground, and keep

767

:

on walking in that direction, hoping

that you will discover something new.

768

:

Even some of our explorers, the people

that have founded America, and so

769

:

many other opportunities out in space,

had to have that curiosity in which

770

:

they would be able to be vulnerable,

and answer to some crimes that some

771

:

people thought were absolutely crazy.

772

:

Don't believe me?

773

:

What about the people that

thought that the earth was flat?

774

:

It wasn't round?

775

:

That there was no such thing as gravity?

776

:

That we were just going

to float out into space.

777

:

How do we find out that we actually

needed oxygen so that we could breathe in

778

:

atmospheres that don't exist outside this

earth, this celestial body, if you will.

779

:

We needed to have curiosity.

780

:

We needed to explore the unknown.

781

:

We also needed to help ourselves

get to that right step towards

782

:

that direction, and trust me.

783

:

It's not easy some days

to do all these things.

784

:

It's not easy to create

these opportunities that

785

:

we're talking about today.

786

:

It means that you really have to dig deep.

787

:

You have to look at all the creative

opportunities that do exist.

788

:

All the leadership training

that you could receive.

789

:

All the right and left sides of your

brain that you can use to not only develop

790

:

this content, means that you have to also

appeal to those people as well, which is

791

:

a whole other ball game in itself, and for

my business owners, you know exactly what

792

:

I'm talking about when it comes to this.

793

:

Teaching new avenues to be

successful means that we have

794

:

to get out of our own ways.

795

:

We have to be a little less boring.

796

:

We have to get credentialed sometimes

to showcase that we know exactly what

797

:

we're talking about, and even when we

do those notions, we go through those

798

:

steps, the hard times always will show up.

799

:

I think Laura really demonstrates

today her passion, her creativity, her

800

:

excitement, as to why she does what

she does, and I think that for all

801

:

of us, we can find our own passions

when it relates to those steps, those

802

:

directions that we need to go towards,

so if you're not sure where to go, if

803

:

you're not sure where to lead yourself

towards, if you're not even sure what

804

:

it looks like to have success, that's

where people that have walked this life,

805

:

that have walked in those directions,

can help you find that direction.

806

:

They can help you find the importance of

refreshing yourself, getting over your

807

:

own hump, getting over the things that

might be throwing you away, that might be

808

:

throwing a wrench into your plans, means

that you have to find the rope again, so

809

:

if you dropped that rope somewhere, or

if you have re-found those breadcrumbs

810

:

that you've been following, good for you.

811

:

Those are the things that will help

you to get you to where you need to

812

:

be, but if you're not quite sure where

you placed that rope, or where those

813

:

breadcrumbs were at, just know that there

will always be people along the way that

814

:

will help you being successful, getting

to where you need to go, because in

815

:

this world, we're all in this together.

816

:

No matter what our differences are, no

matter what opportunities might present

817

:

ourselves, whether it's through improv

or some other medium, just know that

818

:

there is always hope not only for you

to be successful, not only for you to

819

:

share an inspiring message, but to also

find the most revolutionary thing that

820

:

we have inside of ourselves: the magic

that unlocks all of those opportunities.

821

:

Thanks for listening to episode

number 196 of Speaking From the

822

:

Heart, and I look forward to

hearing from your heart very soon.

823

:

Outro: Thanks for listening.

824

:

For more information about our podcast

and future shows, search for Speaking From

825

:

The Heart to subscribe and be notified

wherever you listen to your podcasts.

826

:

Visit us at www.

827

:

yourspeakingvoice.

828

:

biz for more information about

potential services that can help you

829

:

create the best version of yourself.

830

:

See you next time.

All Episodes Previous Episode

About the Podcast

Show artwork for Speaking From The Heart
Speaking From The Heart
Your Speaking Voice LLC's Business Podcast

Listen for free

About your host

Profile picture for Joshua Smith

Joshua Smith

Joshua D. Smith is the Owner and Founder of Your Speaking Voice, a life coaching, business coaching, and public speaking company based in Carlisle, PA. Serving clients across the world, Joshua got his start in personal/professional development and public speaking in April of 2012 through his extensive involvement in an educational non-profit organization called Toastmasters International.

Toastmasters International operates clubs both domestically and internationally that focus on teaching leadership, development, and public speaking skills. Joshua quickly excelled in Toastmasters International and found that he had a passion for leadership and helping others find their confidence and their true "speaking voice". Joshua has held all club officer roles and most District level positions in Toastmasters International and belongs to numerous clubs throughout the organization. Joshua has also been recognized as two-time Distinguished Toastmaster, the highest award the organization bestows for achievement in leadership and communication.

Outside of his community involvement, education is something that Joshua has always taken great pride in. His academic achievements include a number of degrees from Alvernia and Shippensburg University. He earned a Bachelor's degree in political science and communications from Alvernia in 2009, a masters of business administration from Alvernia in 2010, and later a masters in public administration from Shippensburg in 2014.

In the professional world, Joshua has held multiple positions with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for over 14 years which includes a variety of data analytics, procurement, budgeting, business process improvement (IT and non-IT), legal compliance, and working with the blind. He has applied his public speaking and development skills in the professional world to tackle numerous public speaking engagements and presentations from all levels of the organization, including executive management.

Support The Show!

Every donation to the show will support the overall mission of Your Speaking Voice LLC, a company geared towards the transformation of individuals and companies by finding the hidden "voice" that is inside all of us.
Click Here To Transform Lives!
M
Melody da Silva $30
Keep up the amazing work, bestie!!
K
Kris Pool $25