E113 - From Speech Pathologist to Author: Emily Erstad's Journey of Self-Discovery

Send us a textWhat happens when you leave everything familiar behind to discover who you truly are? Emily Erstad, speech language pathologist turned hospice executive director and author, reveals the transformative power of intentionally embracing discomfort.Emily's remarkable journey began with a spontaneous move from the Midwest to Montana during the pandemic, followed by randomly selecting Tucson, Arizona on a map and simply showing up. These bold decisions became the foundation for her leadership philosophy and her book "It's Not That Deep," which explores emotional intelligence as a practical leadership tool rather than just a theoretical concept."We spend a lot of time talking about what emotional intelligence is, but we never talk about what to do with it," Emily explains, highlighting the gap her work fills. Through personal stories and practical strategies, she guides readers through professional chaos while maintaining authenticity and purpose.The conversation delves into the critical relationship between vulnerability and leadership, with Emily distinguishing between transparency and true vulnerability. She argues that once you know your core self, showing people who you are becomes natural and opens doors to connection and opportunity. Most importantly, this journey begins with trusting yourself—perhaps the hardest part but essential for effective leadership.For anyone feeling stuck in a cycle of people-pleasing or running a race with no end, Emily offers this powerful advice: "If it makes you happy and you're inspired, it's worth your time. Do it for you. Don't do it for everyone else, because if you're empty and uninspired, nobody else around you is going to be inspired either."Ready to step outside your comfort zone and discover the leader within? Listen now and find Emily's book "It's Not That Deep" on Amazon or connect with her on Instagram @its_not_that_deep_author to continue your journey of self-discovery and growth.