We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elisa Robyn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elisa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I was a geologist with a major oil company in my first career. Women geologists in this company were talked down to, asked to perform secretarial duties, left out of meetings, called insulting names and otherwise treated in demeaning ways. This was 1986, way before the Me-Too movement. During yearly reviews, I was talking with my supervisor and given a “meets expectation” which was a C grade, even though I had made numerous presentations, turned in work, taken offsite rig assignments during the holidays, and helped other geologists with maps. When I challenged the review, I was told that everyone needed to be “force ranked” into a bell-shaped curve and I was at the bottom. I was denied a promotion when all the men were hired at the same time I was, received theirs. I was told that I was one day shy of the deadline.

Then the area supervisor asked me about my heritage. I told him I was Jewish, and that he probably knew that because I always volunteered to work offsite on Easter and Christmas. He pulled out a file and said that I was listed as Native American on the official paperwork and that he thought I was a witch. Yep, 1985. He had never met a Jew and had no idea what to say to me.

The situation became more and more abusive, including being sent out on a rig in a vehicle that continued to break down. I was told to drive it back to Denver with bad ball joints so it could be repaired for less money. There are many more stories like this. Eventually, I could not take the way all women were being treated (except for a select few) and I filed a sexual discrimination suit against the company. Again, this was before there was any support for this anywhere. I was treated much like a rape victim and was accused of causing all the issues.

There were brutal depositions and the company even accessed my checking account (pre-FERPA and HIPPA) It took seven years to settle out of court during which the company had me followed, interviewed my friends, and after laying me off continued to disrupt my life.

Honestly, if I had known how difficult this would be I would not have had the courage to file the suit, or would have taken the first offer of only a couple thousand dollars

Elisa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and two Master’s degrees, one in Geology and one in Jewish Mysticism. For the past 20 years, I have been an Academic Dean of Arts and Sciences, and of Contemporary Liberal Studies. In addition, I am a trained Astrologer and have studied with Shamans and Kabbalists. Together, blending these skills, I help clients build a life based on their passions and strengths, and discover their next adventure.

I spent six years as a geologist working for a major oil company, a time I refer to as having sandpaper on my soul. After I was laid off, I returned to graduate school to earn a Ph.D., exploring how we limit ourselves through our assumptions and fixed thinking. Since I was out of work, I turned to my skills as a medium and astrologer to put myself through this degree. After I graduated, after many struggles, I was hired as the Chair of Liberal Arts at a small art college and started my academic career. I have been an academic dean at three institutions, a career I left to focus on my writing, speaking, and personal mentoring.

My work now focuses on helping people find, embrace and live their soul’s cravings. I call this living on the Loose, the freedom to be your true self without apology or fear. At times I have followed this craving, and at times I have put my soul out on long-term-lease to accomplish what I needed to do. But I always returned to that craving deep within my soul and built my life forward from that source. 

I have published two novels, The Way of the Well, and Dark Fire, I have also written a leadership book, Pirate Wisdom, that is more Jimmy Buffet and Johnny Depp than traditional leadership books. I have an active blog and write for a few publications. I also speak on building a Life on the Loose, as well as other topics, and often am asked to speak at corporate or non-profit retreats. Currently I am the Chair of the one non-profit board and on the governance committee of another. 

Using my Ph.D. in Educational Psychology my two Master’s degrees, one in Geology and one in Jewish Mysticism. and my training in astrology, experience with Shamans and Kabbalists, I help individuals embrace their passions and strengths, deal with old patterns and issues, heal from trauma, choose the best path forward, listen to their own intuition, and follow their life adventure.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

While I do know how to use social media, have had my own radio show, and have spoken before crowds and given classes, I think what has helped me the most is trusting my intuition. I have always had a sense when it was time to leave a job, when it was time to push forward against all odds, when I needed to follow the doors that were opening and leave the closed ones behind. I joke that I have a wonderful radar, but I do not always listen to it. The truth is that I do listen, I just know that I need to make difficult choices in the face of storm warnings.

I believe that the ability to understand and incorporate data into any decision is vital. However, we need to take our instincts into consideration. It is my ability to let reality dance with mystical truths that has helped me the most.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After I was laid off from geology and had worked my way through my Ph.D. as a medium and astrologer, I was unable to find steady work. I was working as a college adjunct in several different colleges, working as an astrologer, and at times tending bar. At times I was sure I would end up living on the streets. But I kept going, kept believing that I could push through the blocks and old patterns and change my life.

One night I looked up at the stars in desperation and pledged that I would do whatever it took to build a strong financial foundation if the universe would just crack open a door. I literally yelled to the sky that I would put my soul out on a long-term lease if that is what it took.

Two weeks later I had a full-time job as the chair of liberal arts at a small art college and started my 25-year academic career. From that point on I worked more than one job at a time, picked up extra teaching, worked with a financial manager, and built the foundation that allowed me to walk away from that career and begin the life I yearned for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elisarobyn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisarobyn8131/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robyn.robyn.94651/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisarobyn/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4NlxERUmPGQLJo_Q7htMjQ
• Other: https://medium.com/@elisarobyn