Meet Patricia Cosulich-Smith

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patricia Cosulich-Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patricia below.

Hi Patricia, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
Honestly, I think communication’s always been a bit of my thing. But, of course, it’s something I’ve had to work to improve over the years. Growing up, I dove into performing arts and community service, which were formative growth experiences for me. Musical theatre wasn’t just fun; it gave me stage presence and confidence in front of a crowd. Meanwhile, community organizing honed my interpersonal skills and leadership—mixing it up with folks of different ages and backgrounds broadened my perspective and ability to connect with others.

Integrating communication into my identity has been key. For example, I call myself a communicator, which makes it part of who I am, not just an activity I do. Despite facing self-doubt at times, I’ve consistently gravitated toward opportunities that sharpened and challenged my skills, so communication has been a common thread throughout different chapters of my life. In other words, communication is a habit that has “stuck” with me, even if its various manifestations have evolved.

Community, mentorship, and support are also part of my journey. I’ve been fortunate enough to have mentors, teachers, and observers who have complimented my communication gifts along the way, and who have encouraged me to continue. Feeling like you’re on the right path and feeling good about the work you produce is important. Now, that’s not to say I’ve been without mistakes and setbacks (because I certainly haven’t), but regardless of the imperfections and moments of embarrassment, there are also moments I can feel proud of.

Loving what you do makes a huge difference, too. Whether it’s writing, speaking, or performing, if it stirs excitement in you, that energy fuels your practice. Sure, it can be daunting at times, but when you’re aligned with your purpose and have intrinsic drive, persevering becomes a tad easier.

College offered me a chance to deepen my training with a mix of theatre, music, writing, leadership, and mentorship roles. From voice and speech classes to playwriting and even writing tutoring, each experience contributed to my growth as a communicator. They taught me to see my body, voice, mind, and spirit as one instrument, a lesson I carry into my work and share with others, like my podcast guests.

Communication, to me, is deeply spiritual. It’s about how we express ourselves and share our gifts with the world, and I hold that sacred.

Improving your communication skills doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all path. It’s about following your interests, embracing the learning process, and being okay with starting as a beginner. My podcast is a testament to that approach—starting imperfectly but improving with each episode. Whether it’s poetry, short stories, a book, videos, or social media, there’s a medium that can foster your growth. Just start somewhere and keep at it.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a certified life coach, podcaster, playwright, and social innovator with a passion for bringing impactful ideas and creative projects to life. Through my coaching and community leadership, I thrive on guiding others as they embark on similar journeys of creation and impact. My work revolves around empowering individuals to navigate life’s transitions with grace, creativity, and a sense of purpose.

This year is particularly thrilling for me with two major launches on the horizon—one deeply personal and the other professional. On the personal front, I’m overjoyed to share that I’m expecting my first child in March of 2024. This beautiful, life-changing event is steering my business, mindset, and lifestyle in new, inspiring directions. It’s also the muse behind Season 2 of my podcast, which I’ve themed around the concept of gestation.

Season 2, aptly titled “Gestation,” delves into the nurturing period before the emergence of new life—be it ideas, art, projects, or social movements. It’s a celebration of the transformative space where potential is carefully cultivated and brought to fruition. This season, we’ll explore the journeys of visionaries, activists, and creators who’ve tapped into this powerful phase to manifest change and breathe life into their dreams. Through engaging conversations, we aim to reveal the multifaceted nature of gestation, from the physical to the creative and beyond.

So, mark your calendars for March 1, 2024, not only as the show’s two-year anniversary but also as the launch date of this new season. Additionally, expect some vibrant updates to the show’s aesthetic, including refreshed artwork, music, and a subtle rebranding to “The Transitions Podcast.”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Creativity, collaboration, and passion are three qualities that serve as throughlines for my path. For creativity, find practices that keep you “in the game.” Figure out what inspires you so you can do more of that, and also learn to be consistent and disciplined even when you don’t feel inspired. If you haven’t already, read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, a seminal book on creativity. For collaboration, first clarify your primary objective, and then boldly introduce yourself to individuals and organizations who share common goals. I recommend a mix of word-of-mouth and online outreach. Then, once you build a team, assign roles, responsibilities, and a leadership structure, as clear expectations will make or break your project. Become a student of leadership practices. Everyone brings different strengths, weaknesses, ideas, and values to the table. Bring out the best in your team, and remember that it’s actually a strength when there is variety. Thirdly, passion is a tricky one. If you’re passionate, you know. If you don’t feel passionate, it can feel frustrating when the world says “find your passion and follow it.” If you don’t know your passion right now, you don’t need to lose sleep over it. Perfect can be the enemy of the good. Stay curious and try new things. As you continue working and living, you may eventually be blessed with an “aha” moment, or find that you’ve gradually worked your way into your passion. But don’t wait to live your life because you haven’t experienced that magical breakthrough yet– there is magic in the day-to-day, even when you don’t feel it.

My top advice, however, is not to follow my top three. Figure out your unique gifts and what drives you. What are your core values? What are your top strengths? Gallup Strengths can be helpful, and Via Character is a free assessment that can also provide you with insights about yourself. Where and how do you do your best work? What are you most proud of? Understanding yourself will help you discern a path that suits you and pursue it in a way that will stretch and strengthen you in alignment with your makeup, rather than fight against it and burn you out.

Find a coach or mentor who can guide you as you grow. Remember that it’s a journey and not a destination, so don’t give up or become too frustrated if you don’t see radical change or results overnight. Also, ultimately, you are the leader of your life. A teacher, mentor, or coach can accelerate your progress, but they can’t do the work for you. Trust your gut about who you feel called to work with. When you find the right one, you’ll know. And different teachers will enter and exit your life at different points, and that’s part of the process. Often you will receive what you need at the time you need it, and your needs will evolve.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past 12 months, my biggest growth has been in learning to embrace new opportunities without overly concerning myself with others’ opinions. This shift has been partly inspired by my journey into parenthood, which has brought its share of unsolicited advice. I’ve been focusing on trusting my and my partner’s instincts, prioritizing our baby and our family’s well-being. This mindset has naturally extended to my professional life, influencing how I approach my business. I anticipate this evolution will continue in the year ahead.

In this spirit of growth, I’ve been more fearlessly putting myself out there—speaking at events, initiating collaborative projects with local business owners, showing up on social media, and finally launching the next season of my podcast. This shift is partly driven by a heightened sensitivity to the passage of time and a desire to demonstrate to my children that it’s possible to pursue your dreams while prioritizing family. It’s vital for me to embody the roles of both a dedicated mom and a dynamic leader, showing my kids the value of being a confident and strong individual.

As I balance a new marriage, a baby, and my business, the value of my time has never been clearer. I’m driven to accomplish more but with a preference for ease whenever possible. This may seem contradictory, but it’s about concentrating on what truly moves the needle and eliminating the non-essentials. I set daily, weekly, and quarterly goals to maintain this focus. Knowing the most crucial task each day and the top three priorities each week helps immensely. Additionally, a “not to-do list” can be a useful tool.

This approach, however, is a work in progress, as balancing increasing responsibilities requires constant adjustment. Being present for my family, especially during these formative years, is my top priority. Consequently, I find myself saying no more frequently, which is a challenge as someone who strives for harmony and aims to please.

Moreover, recognizing the importance of short breaks has made a difference in my overall well-being. Whether it’s a midday dance party, a walk, or just stretching, making the most of 5-15 minute breaks within a busy schedule has helped me clear my mind and feel refreshed.

Ultimately, my growth has been about focusing more out of necessity. With so much on my plate, I’m learning to be more selective with my time and energy, striving to eliminate “fluff” and focus on what truly matters.

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Image Credits
Headshots Credit to Candice Swanson

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