Short Story Long: Life Lessons from Leaders, Coaches, and Entrepreneurs

Beki Fraser
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Short Story Long shares life-changing stories of growth, resilience, and reinvention from leaders, coaches, and everyday people navigating pivotal turning points. Hosted by leadership coach Beki Fraser, each episode explores the moments that shaped someone's path and the lessons we can all learn. Every other week, Beki follows up with a Skill Builder episode that breaks down insights from the previous story into practical tools, reflection prompts, and leadership actions. Whether you're building a business, transitioning into a new career, or learning to lead with greater purpose, this podcast offers real stories and practical strategies to help you grow. New episodes every other week.

  1. Everything You Create, Promote, or Allow — Greg Stephens' Story

    قبل ٤ أيام

    Everything You Create, Promote, or Allow — Greg Stephens' Story

    Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it. Some choices don’t arrive with fanfare—they hit like a shove out of the nest. Greg Stephens shares the moment he was on his own at seventeen and the vow that followed: choose the path that honors your gut, then move one step at a time until the dream is real. That commitment led him to Baylor without a safety net, into door-to-door sales to fund tuition, and eventually into a career coaching leaders through their toughest conversations. We dig into what resilience looks like when the stakes are not theoretical—waiting on a final loan check that lands the day before graduation, navigating slammed doors, and learning to breathe when adrenaline spikes. Greg lays out practical tools leaders can use today: nasal breathing to reset the nervous system, questions that flip the brain from fight-or-flight to problem-solving, and a repeatable process for building trust before addressing hard truths. He distinguishes insight from mastery with a clear message: breakthroughs don’t stick without reps. Like lasagna, real change can’t be rushed. From family mediations to executive conflicts, Greg explains how to widen your lens beyond the fear-driven A-or-B trap, enlist mentors to see what you can’t, and take total responsibility—everything you create, promote, or allow. We talk about making courageous decisions that shape capacity, turning practice into neural pathways, and carrying these skills from the boardroom to the living room with sensitivity and respect. If you’re ready to trade quick fixes for durable growth, this conversation offers a grounded playbook for leading with heart under pressure. Listen, take a breath, and choose your next step. If the episode resonates, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s standing at their own inflection point. Find out more about Greg: Alignment-Resources.com Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

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  2. ٧ أكتوبر

    From Drifting to Driven: Building Career Ownership and Growth

    Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it. Ever feel like your career is steering you instead of the other way around? We dig into the shift from autopilot to agency and unpack how development-minded leadership turns growth into a daily practice rather than a once-a-year form. Drawing on Tammy’s pivot from partnership to solo work, we explore how intentional choices, clear boundaries, and visible value help you build momentum without burning out. We walk through practical ways to invite aspirations on your team—how to ask for the pitch, set honest expectations, and coach without overpromising. You’ll hear why sponsorship and recognition go far beyond pats on the back, and how to tie “above and beyond” to outcomes leaders actually track. We also share tools to make impact visible in the right rooms, turning quiet execution into credible evidence that earns trust and opens doors. Real growth isn’t linear. We normalize the long arc, show how foundations beat “overnight success,” and offer a pacing plan that balances ambition with readiness. You’ll get scripts for saying no to misaligned work, tactics for proposing stretch projects you can win, and a simple skill builder that maps energy vs. drain so you can design weeks that compound strengths. By the end, you’ll have a clearer path to lead others and yourself with intention, visibility, and resilience—so when opportunity knocks, you’re not only ready to answer, you’re ready to deliver. If this conversation sparked ideas, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s ready to grow, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

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  3. No More Autopilot: Claim Your Leadership Agency — Tammy Daniels’ Story

    ٣٠ سبتمبر

    No More Autopilot: Claim Your Leadership Agency — Tammy Daniels’ Story

    Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it. What happens when you finally take control of your career? Tammy Daniels' story reveals how one pivotal decision transformed her professional trajectory and personal understanding. After years of following the work at established law firms, Tammy found herself at a crossroads. The legal work had become "mundane and perfunctory," leaving her in a state of complacency. When faced with yet another firm transition, she made an unexpected choice: starting her own practice. This decision marked the first time she exercised true agency over her career path. The journey wasn't straightforward. A brief partnership dissolved after 18 months, leaving Tammy truly solo. Financial uncertainty loomed, and her personal life underwent significant changes as her marriage ended shortly after her career shift. Yet these challenges revealed crucial insights about herself: she could be decisively confident, she needed different types of support than she'd initially recognized, and she possessed the resilience to create her own professional destiny. Today, as CEO of the Detroit Land Bank, Tammy brings these hard-won lessons to her leadership approach. She emphasizes to her team what experience taught her: "Opportunities come when they see you excel and going above and beyond. They tap you because they see you doing it." She encourages team members to demonstrate excellence rather than waiting for recognition, while creating space for them to articulate their career aspirations. Tammy's story illuminates the transformative power of taking control of your professional journey. Whether you're contemplating a career pivot or seeking more fulfillment in your current role, her experience offers valuable guidance for navigating uncertainty with confidence and purpose. Listen now to discover how embracing career agency might change everything. Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

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  4. ٢٣ سبتمبر

    Layoffs and Job Hugging: Leading Through Uncertainty

    Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it. Layoffs shatter our sense of security and challenge our professional identity in profound ways. Whether you've just received the news, survived while colleagues departed, or sense the anxiety of possible workforce reductions, this episode offers crucial guidance for navigating before, during, and after these difficult transitions. The shock of job loss often comes with confusion about what happened and what it means about your value. Let's be crystal clear: being laid off is fundamentally different from being fired. You didn't do anything wrong—the business made a decision that affected your employment. Understanding this distinction is your first step toward reclaiming your professional confidence. I share practical advice for the day notification happens, from what to do with separation paperwork to managing your emotional response. But beyond these immediate concerns, I explore how to process the complex emotions that follow—anger, confusion, resentment, and sometimes unexpected relief—so they don't sabotage your next opportunity. The Japanese concept of ikigai offers a framework for reassessing what truly matters in your next career move. For those still employed but feeling the weight of "survivor's guilt" or practicing "job hugging" out of fear, I offer strategies to maintain professional growth while acknowledging these natural responses. The counterintuitive advice to "always be looking" keeps your interview skills sharp and provides perspective on your current role—sometimes revealing that the grass isn't always greener elsewhere. Remember that resilience isn't about avoiding loss but preparing for it with strength and clarity. Your employment status may change, but your identity and worth remain constant. How will you transform this challenge into wisdom that shapes not just your next career move, but how you show up as a leader in all aspects of your life? Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

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  5. Redefining Success After a Layoff — Steve Jaffe’s Story

    ١٦ سبتمبر

    Redefining Success After a Layoff — Steve Jaffe’s Story

    Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it. When the rug is pulled out from under your career, what comes next? Steve Jaffe knows this disorienting experience all too well. After weathering four layoffs across his 25-year marketing career, he's transformed from someone devastated by job loss to someone who "sails right through it like water off a duck's back." Steve's journey reveals a profound truth about career disruptions: they're detours, not roadblocks. "The layoff experience will change you," he explains, "and it's up to you how it changes you." This perspective shift didn't happen overnight. His first layoff in 2001 left him unemployed for 18 months, wrestling with shame and isolation. By his fourth, he'd developed the resilience, self-care practices, and mindset to navigate the transition with grace. The biggest revelation? Letting go of the "myth of meritocracy" – the belief that hard work guarantees success. When you understand layoffs as business decisions rather than personal failures, the shame dissolves. This emotional freedom allows you to engage with your network precisely when you need community support most. Steve shares the essential self-care foundations that helped him build resilience: nutritious eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep, limiting alcohol, practicing gratitude, and simple meditation. What began as Steve's personal journey has evolved into a mission to help others transform career setbacks into opportunities for self-discovery. His book "The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery" guides readers through the stages of grief after job loss while offering practical tools for navigating the emotional terrain with dignity and purpose. The ultimate message? This difficult chapter doesn't define your entire story – it simply presents an opportunity to write the next one with greater clarity and intention. Ready to transform your own career setback into an opportunity for growth? Listen now to discover how you can navigate transitions with resilience and emerge stronger on the other side. Connect with Steve Jaffe TheSteveJaffe.com | Linkedin | Substack | Instagram Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

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  6. ٩ سبتمبر

    Breaking Old Scripts: The Courage to Choose Your Own Leadership Story

    Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it. What happens when the version of success you've been told to follow no longer fits who you really are? Chris Blount faced this question head-on, making the brave choice to honor his authentic self by leaving behind security for something unknown but true. Our lives are shaped by countless messages about who we "should" be – from parents, community members, and even strangers. These influences create stories and narratives about our identity that aren't capital-T True but built on the lens of our experiences. Shifting perspective and gaining new insights can reshape these beliefs, transforming how we see ourselves and others. Leadership transitions don't always require leaving a corporate role. They occur when taking on highly visible projects, being promoted to lead former peers, or facing unexpected reassignments. In these moments, we're forced to ask ourselves what Chris pondered: "Who am I and who do I choose to be?" Strong leaders recognize mental health as foundational to performance, challenge limiting beliefs, and reframe inner narratives. They understand the Johari window – addressing both blind spots (what others know about you that you don't) and the masks we wear (what we know but hide from others). The mark of resilience isn't avoiding failure but getting back up when knocked down. As Chris shared after his studio was robbed of $10,000 worth of equipment: "I would never have been able to get to this point if I had given up." Leadership demands recovering from setbacks, making tough decisions, and recognizing that while choices always exist, you may not like all the consequences that follow. Your challenge: Identify one area where you or a team member is out of alignment with core values. Within the next month, make a clear move to change it, even if it is uncomfortable. Remember that leadership isn't defined by others' rules but by how you choose to show up and the changes you make along your journey. Subscribe now to continue exploring how to integrate who you are with how you lead, and share this episode with someone who might benefit from hearing Chris' powerful story of transformation. Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

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  7. From Burnout to On Purpose: Rewiring Work & Life — Chris Blount’s Story

    ٢ سبتمبر

    From Burnout to On Purpose: Rewiring Work & Life — Chris Blount’s Story

    Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it. What happens when the blueprint you've been handed for success starts suffocating your soul? Chris Blount's journey offers a compelling answer to this question that many of us face but few dare to confront. Growing up in a blue-collar New Orleans family, Chris absorbed the message that a man's worth was measured solely by his ability to provide. "You work until you don't. That is everything that you're worth," he recalls being taught. This belief system propelled him through various customer service roles across multiple cities, eventually landing him a stable government position in Tacoma, Washington. On paper, he had achieved the American Dream – steady income, benefits, stability for his family. But beneath the surface, something was breaking. The disconnect between his work life and his true self grew wider each day. While Chris prioritized happiness over tradition in other aspects of his life, work remained sacred ground where suffering was simply expected. "I did not think about my mental health or happiness," he shares. The toll became unbearable – he wasn't present for his family, couldn't connect with his children, and found himself spiraling into depression. The watershed moment came after a mental health crisis that nearly cost Chris his life. With his wife's unwavering support, he made the terrifying decision to walk away from security and launch On-Purpose Recordings, a business aligned with his passion for creativity and connection. "Especially after that mental breakdown... I almost lost my life over this. So I think I need to make a bold choice, at least to try. At least to try, because why not?" His entrepreneurial journey hasn't been smooth – he's faced everything from equipment theft to difficult clients – but the freedom to define success on his own terms has been worth every challenge. "I can enjoy what I want to do, I can get paid for stuff that I like, and that to me is the new American dream – to be able to enjoy life as what it is." Whether you're questioning your career path or simply feeling the weight of expectations that no longer fit, Chris's story reminds us that sometimes the bravest move is walking away from what no longer serves us. What might be possible if you had the courage to rewrite your own definition of success? Listen now and join the conversation about integrating who you truly are into how you lead your life. You can connect with Chris: Instagram: @onpurposerecordings Website: www.onpurposerecordings.com  Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

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  8. ٢٦ أغسطس

    Stop Doing All the Things: Get Recognized for Your True Impact

    Have a story or inflection point to share? Tap here to message us — we’d love to hear it. Ever found yourself drowning in tasks but wondering why you're not growing as a leader? You might be caught in what I call the "breadth trap" – mistaking busyness for advancement and spreading yourself too thin across responsibilities without developing true expertise. After my conversation with Shannon King about broken organizational promises, I realized how many of us tie our worth to external validation like job titles or recognition. When these don't materialize as expected, we question our abilities rather than the flawed system. The truth? Your value isn't measured by how many hours you work or tasks you complete – it's about the depth of impact you create. Leadership growth doesn't come from doing more; it comes from doing the right things with purpose and focus. When you operate in "breadth mode," you become known as a reliable doer rather than a strategic thinker. You might gain temporary recognition for handling everything, but you lose visibility for what truly matters and rob your team of growth opportunities. The alternative is developing depth – mastering specific areas where you create maximum impact and empowering others to share the load. This episode challenges you to identify where you're currently operating in breadth mode: Which tasks are you doing merely to prove your worth? Where have you become the default person for execution when others could step up? Then define what depth would look like – what specific expertise do you want to be known for? Take one concrete action this week to shift from breadth to depth, from doing to developing. Remember that leadership isn't about how many tasks you juggle but how deeply you grow into your strengths. When you choose clarity over confusion, honesty over empty promises, and balance over burnout, you show others what authentic leadership truly looks like. Share this episode with someone struggling with the breadth trap and join me next time as we continue exploring how to integrate who you are with how you lead. Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC

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Short Story Long shares life-changing stories of growth, resilience, and reinvention from leaders, coaches, and everyday people navigating pivotal turning points. Hosted by leadership coach Beki Fraser, each episode explores the moments that shaped someone's path and the lessons we can all learn. Every other week, Beki follows up with a Skill Builder episode that breaks down insights from the previous story into practical tools, reflection prompts, and leadership actions. Whether you're building a business, transitioning into a new career, or learning to lead with greater purpose, this podcast offers real stories and practical strategies to help you grow. New episodes every other week.

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