Narrative Podcast

Ep. 35 ”I’m Alone” Edwina Adam’s Narrative

"Edwina the Encourager" as she introduced herself, actually Edwina Adams. She hasn’t always been that way though. She grew up as a middle child - 8 years apart, on either end. She didn’t have much in common with them nor did she have cousins her age like her sisters did. This left her feeling alone often. And it’s funny because her family told her then and tell her now…it wasn’t like that
 
Edwina has faced many significant adversities and learned “good things will come out of this adversity.” Edwina looks at her personal life and her work life similarly. She’s not God and she’s not in control so why does she think she is? She knows at work she’s not. She committed to showing up and doing her best. Once she was able to apply this to her personal life she “came out of her shell.
 
This child, who once thought she was alone so she drew inward and was quiet. Now? Now Edwina is an author, public speaker, podcast host, and a resource for others. Her podcast is Let’s Make Some Noise. And to Edwina N.O.I.S.E. stands for something but you gotta listen to find out. We’ll give you N is for narrative! How cool is that??
 
To Connect with Edwina Adams: Edwinaadams.com or on 
linkedin.com/in/edwinaadams
Check out her Podcast: Let's Make Some Noise
 
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live
 
 

Ep. 34 ”My Life Will Mirror My Parents Life” Al Getler’s Narrative

Some people get to grow up with pretty normal childhoods. They get to see an example of a father who works hard as the Captain of the Fire Dept. who also became Mayor but maybe plays a little too hard too, a little mother with a beautiful voice to raise you, and 4 brothers and sisters to look up to. They may not have said “I love you” all the time but they all knew they were loved.
Al Getler really had it all when he was 7. Imagine the family’s surprise when his parents announced baby #6 was on the way. And even more surprised when she was delivered with Down syndrome. He got to see his dad in 2.0 mode, a little softer around the edges and lots of love being expressed. Through the community they had built they soon found a lot of support and enjoyed the gift that Colleen was.
Al was gifted a dummy for ventriloquism from his brother because of Al’s natural talent to entertain. A few years later around the age of 12 he started sharing that talent on the stage!
Al naturally thought his adult life would mirror the life he knew growing up. It did slightly in that he got to also be dad 2.0 but differed in many other ways. When Al met his wife he really thought he’d do something in entertainment but she was desiring something more stable. The joke was on them when he started working for the local newspaper, they thought it would be stable but it proved otherwise. A common saying in Al’s house is “Man plans and God laughs.” Fast forward many moves and a few transitions, Al is the captain at his fire station and is very involved in his community. This also mirrored the example his parents set. The finest way to live in a community is to LIVE in your community. Hear all about Al’s involvement in the nonprofit Community Heart and Soul, in his community. So his adult life wasn’t exactly like he’d seen modeled in his childhood, but life is good as he looks at his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Connect with Al Getler by email: al@algetler.com or on LinkedIn @AlGetler
Check out the non-profit Al works with: www.communityheartandsoul.org,
Check out his ventriloquism: AlGetler.com
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Ep. 33 ”I Don’t Know How to Get the Carrot Dangling In Front Of Me” Dave Englund’s False Narrative

"Pick their brains" was a phrase David's mother said to him once.  This made him a curious person. He also knew he wanted to be a business owner. David was so impressed one day seeing a stack of his dad's business cards. But how was he going to get there?
He also loved music so when he wasn't pursuing art, he was pursuing music. He worked with a business partner for quite some time until the day came when the business dissolved and David knew it was his time to become the business owner he wanted to be. David's story is one of following his gut, doing what his mom said not what she did, loss, love, and being very empathetic of others! Needless to say he was inquisitive and learned the business he now owns!
To Connect with David Englund: 401-345-9036, david@englundstudio.com
Work with David Englund: https://englundstudio.com/
To Hear David's Music: https://inlieuofflowersband.com/
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Ep. 32 ”I Don’t Matter” Jeff Wickersham’s False Narrative

In the last episode we talked about false narratives holding us back from our goals. In example, if your narrative is that you don't deserve love, then when you find it you will likely end up self-sabotaging it. 
Jeff Wickersham knows this "game." His false narrative was that he didn't matter. He really struggled to identify his self-worth. So when he got close to taking the next step toward success he would hit the brakes, back away, or take his foot off the gas pedal. 
Jeff's mother was always a great source of positivity. When she was passing she shared that her fear was that she would be forgotten. Then and there Jeff changed the course of his life. He went from someone who was pointed out as the biggest whiner in high school and remembered for being negative in college to now running a successful business that encourages men to be positive energetic forces in their families. He wanted to continue her legacy. He quit his corporate job and started down the entrepreneurial path with a gym. His wife thought he was crazy but supported him.
We had a conversation about his transparency with his boys. He wants them to know that his wife financially supported them while Jeff's business was growing.  He wants them to know they can ask for help as he has had to. Jeff leads by example. Listen to how Jeff's morning and night-time regiments set him up for success. Why does this man take cold showers and how is he stacking three wins, in less than 5 minutes, after he wakes up? Jeff's legacy is the source of his drive for repetitive consistency. I think his mom is smiling down impressed with her son and the impact he is making!
To Connect with Jeff Wickersham: The Warrior Dad, email him jeff@thewarriordad.com, or Linkedin: @JeffWickersham
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Ep. 31 Unraveling False Narratives: How Deceptive Stories Impact Our Lives

Steve Gohl and I, Tim Croll, sat down to talk about the Narratives that have been shared so far. It's funny how we craft these false stories in our heads as truth.  Somewhere along the way, our guests have found holes in those narratives and are now forming new narratives that actually positively serve them. What false narratives have you created?
We discussed the trends, we have noticed, in how these narratives were formed. We agreed there are three common ways we form narratives in our formative years. We form them through something someone said to us, good or bad, we form them by watching our parents and thinking our lives will be similar, and by traumatic events or big events.
And we talked about how these false narratives act as self-sabotage. If you think you don't deserve to be thin of course you will keep eating the Oreos! If you don't think you deserve love then you may never see your soul mate standing right in front of you! You have to change the narrative to be in control. Keep sharing your stories with us as we keep exploring other's narratives, because stories matter!
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Ep. 30 ”I Have To Go To College”: False Narrative

It was great growing up so close to Grandma and Grandpa. They were such a great example of a loving relationship. It was also a place a kid like Mark Copeland could score a sweet treat and escape to when things were tough at home. Mark spent a lot of time with his grandpa and learned a lot. He explored nature and asked Grandpa lots of questions. But then Grandpa made him find the answers. Mark learned to be curious and look for unique experiences.
Before Mark headed to high school he and his grandfather did a sabbatical in Alaska! Yeah, with glaciers and a tent! He also knew his grandfather expected him to go to college. But Mark was wrapped up in living for today. He didn’t have money or desire to attend college. Among many other things he took away from his time with his grandfather was something he said “You will become the person you become from the people you meet and the books you read.” And Mark took some time to explore who is Mark?
Today though, he is crafting a different narrative. He wants to impact others through his actions. He is more interested in satisfaction of life rather than success, or the world’s definition of success anyway. His wife, children, grandchildren, and staff know they can come to him. He has set the example.
To Connect with Mark Copeland:
mcopeland@jayssportinggoods.com or michiganarchery@gmail.com
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Ep. 29 ”I’ve Gotta Be The Best”: False Narrative

It’s funny how our children desire relationships but due to our personalities or our circumstances, sometimes the way we show love is through providing for them. Dave Myers's dad worked hard to provide for his family, but Dave really wanted more from his relationship with his dad. So he ended up writing a narrative to fill in the gaps in his heart with applaudable acts.
Dave’s ego grew. The more praise he got the more he strived to be the best. One day his girlfriend pointed out that they were going in different directions. She desired a strong Christian life and it wasn’t Dave’s priority. Sometimes it’s big life events like that that make you see a little more clearly.
Once Dave had kids he shifted all the focus from him being the best to his kids. And he intentionally was part of their life. This crossed into his work as a teacher and coach. He strives to make a positive impact on their lives. Listen to hear how Dave is now crafting his story!
To Connect with Dave Myers: email: info@davemyersbooks.com
website: www.davemyersbooks.com click on “contact me” to chat or check out his books: Swim Upstream & Breaking Camp
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Ep. 28 ”My Worth Comes From Accolades”: False Narrative

With a strong Military male presence in his father, Fred Young too wanted to be a strong male as a pilot.  But once he got to college his ambition died a little and grades got the better of him.  He fell into broadcasting and realized he had a talent for it.  He was collecting accolades but still felt something missing.  
One day in Missouri, it all changed when he was invited by his wife to church.  On top of that, she was now expecting.  The focus shifted from how great am I to the child on the way.  He realized God was not mad at him and wanted to shoulder Fred's burdens.  
His boss and Fred realized the person he was becoming no longer served the station he had been at.  But God has a plan and opportunity came seeking Fred to still do radio but at a Christian station. Fred now gets to encourage others daily and live a new narrative crafted by God!
To Connect with Fred Young: on social @fredlyradio or by email fred@thepromisefm.com
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

Ep. 27 ”I Have No Significance” Karen Wulff’s False Narrative

To hear her speak, you will not agree with her false narrative as a small child. She believed she had nothing to say because she was of no significance and she felt her voice was too deep. She believed this for a while and it made it difficult to cultivate friendships. 
But when you get a new pair of shoes and decide to tackle the hill in your neighborhood, life changes.  Karen ran up that hill and her lungs filled with air, the blood ran faster in her veins, and she felt her heart pumping!  She felt alive!  She wondered how could she make others feel alive too? 
She has completely changed her life with running and caring for others. Listen to the full episode to hear how and attend her free live event coming up.
Connect with Karen Loaiza-Wulff: FB: @KarenLoaiza-Wulff or IG:@klowulff
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live

E. 26 ”I Don’t Know My Identity” Robert Saul’s False Narrative

As children, we aren't given road maps for this thing called life. As Robert (Bob) Saul was growing up he was bullied, didn't "fit in", and often had stomach issues.  He was lucky enough to have a childhood psychologist see him and help him figure a few things out.  That Dr. had such an impact on Bob that he wanted to go into medicine.  In his junior year of college is when he felt a strong pull to pediatrics. He felt this was the space he could have the greatest impact.  He finally knew his path.
Bob learned a lot from his patients.  Bob had experienced a lot in his personal life with a disabled daughter and foster children he and his wife had cared for. In 93' he was heard a speaker share "I am the problem. I am the solution. I am the resource." Yes, Bob had found his identity in the pediatric medical world but now in his community. He has established 5 steps to community Improvement that he explained, they are 
Learn to be the best parent you can be
Get involved
Stay involved
Love for one another
Practice Forgiveness
With these principles in mind, he has written multiple books. Writing for Bob started with letters to the community, actually intended for himself. He starts his days excited for work. He still loves what he does and encourages us all to forgive each other - continue to evolve in your forgiveness journey.
Connect with Dr. Robert (Bob) Saul: robertsaul@me.com
Check out Dr. Robert Saul's Books: MyChildrensChildren.com
To Connect with Tim Croll or Steve Gohl: www.narrative.live