Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Severine Flores.Severine is a certified executive, teams, and organizational culture coach with more than 20 years of experience living and working across Africa, Europe, and the United States.  She facilitates conversations to help organizations and teams become more effective, develop and implement a shared vision, and work collaboratively across diverse backgrounds.  She also focuses on emotional intelligence, personal awareness, and how to create a culture of trust and accountability.Severine is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya.  She loves spending time in nature, walking in the forest, bird watching, and developing her sewing skills.  Severine and I first connected through the Georgetown University Leadership Coaching network, as we were creating a network of coaches who were based in Europe and Africa.  Our lives paralleled in multiple ways including coaching, the diplomatic circles, and life as expats.  When I connected with Severine to talk about being on the podcast she shared a part of her life that I didn’t know about.  Her and her husband’s journey with infertility.Hosting this podcast is such an amazing honor, as my guests bravely decide to share pieces of their story that may not get shared in every day settings.  My hope continues to be, and I know this is Severine’s hope as well, that someone listening will know they aren’t alone on their journey.  Many women and couples have complex journeys around fertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, and more, and yet often don’t have a safe space to share.  Severine, I’m so grateful for your willingness to share these parts of your story.  Thank you for courageously talking about a difficult topic, sharing not just answers, but questions and continued challenges.  I truly believe we become stronger as we become more connected through the sharing of our stories, through hearing stories like yours, and by realizing we are all in this together.Severine’s contact information is here if you would like to connect with her:severine@authentique-leadership.comwww.authentique-leadership.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Titus Mott.Titus is a returning guest, having first been on the podcast at the very start, episode 5.  Titus was directly influential in me having the courage to start this podcast, through a couple of things we collaborated on – me being a guest on a podcast he was doing at the time plus us recording a few potential episodes of another podcast idea we had.  Ultimately that podcast wasn’t formally published, but it really sparked the interest and ideas for me to launch the Make Life Less Difficult podcast.  So, many thanks to Titus for his influence on my life and journey!I recently listened back to episode 5, my first conversation here with Titus, and had such a great time listening, I reached out to Titus and said, would you please come back for another conversation?  Titus’ initial response was, “I don’t know, I’m doing a lot to make life more difficult right now!  I may not have anything useful to share!”  Titus has recently had a total knee replacement and is in the midst of a difficult recovery period.  Knowing this, I asked Titus if he’d be willing to jump into the conversation in the midst of the difficulty.  Because so much of life, in my own experience is indeed “in the midst of”.  While it’s lovely to be on the other side of difficult times, I find the middle of difficulties very real and relatable.  And the question of what can make life a little less difficult in the midst of the difficulties taps into my deeper curiosity.So, Titus said yes and I’m so grateful because our conversation brought me so much inspiration and I think it will for you too.Titus, thank you SO much for your willingness to jump into conversation about being in the midst of a difficult season of change and transition.  I know there’s many layers of the difficulties life has tossed your way lately and we mainly talk about your knee, but your wisdom and insight extends far beyond a joint replacement.  I am always energized after having conversations with you and this one is no exception!  You are brave, courageous, and wise, and I’m so grateful for this time together.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Priscila Hernandez, or more commonly known as Pichi.Pichi is from the beautiful country of El Salvador in Central America.  She works for the US Embassy in San Salvador, her country’s capital.  In addition to a busy job in the consular services section of the Embassy, Pichi is also part of the Adjunct Faculty program, conducting training for colleagues at embassies and consulates throughout Central and South America and in Fort Lauderdale where we first met.  Pichi has a presence that is notable from the first moment of interaction.  She has an energy that naturally connects people, she’s quick to shine the light on the talents of others providing encouragement and affirmation, and she’s deeply knowledgeable about the topics she teaches.  A couple of months ago, in April 2023, we were together for a training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the topic of my podcast came up.  We chatted for a bit about the podcast and why I do it.  And as Pichi heard me talk of the impact stories can make on others, helping make life a little less difficult when we know we aren’t alone, she told me with a solemn clarity that she indeed had a story she could share.Today, as Pichi shares this story, I didn’t know the details before we begin recording.  My breath was taken away as she revealed a story of betrayal, heartbreak, and relationship loss, and her journey to letting it go, forgiving, and finding healing.We talk about the emotional fitness Pichi embodies, the self-awareness, and personal responsibility she has embraced in such an inspirational way.  Pichi, thank you SO very much for sharing these pieces of your journey with us here.  Your wisdom, strength, emotional resolve, and humility are incredibly inspiring.  You are a living model of making life less difficult for others by sharing your story and encouraging others through theirs.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Laura Baringer.Laura is passionate about living an authentic, values-drive life and continuously figuring out what that means and how to do it.  She’s a former executive and strategy advisor in the global health, adolescence and gender fields and recently opened the first African branch of an NGO, managing a multi-million-dollar adolescent health program.Laura now works as a social impact and start-up advisor with a focus on East Africa, as well as running her own coaching practice, focusing on helping others find alignment in international work and living environments. She also works with entrepreneurs and small business owners helping them expand and grow their businesses.Laura has lived in the US, Central America, Africa, Europe and now calls Utrecht, Netherlands, home where she lives with her husband, two kids, and dog.  She loves the outdoors, running, yoga, and home design.Laura and I first connected through coaching a couple years ago and it’s such a delight to reconnect with her through this conversation.Laura, thank you for your willingness to share these pieces of your story and journey!  Thank you for sharing your insights, reflections, and wisdom.  And thank you for investing in others, helping them find their center and grounding in a way of life that often lacks stability!  Connect with Laura:·      LinkedIn·      Website (Laura & Sarah)Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Russ Watts.  Russ is a returning guest and today we're excited to talk all about Story!We recently facilitated a retreat in southern Tuscany, Italy, that had been planned originally for October 2020, and we finally were able to do it in person.  The power and impact of story has left indelible marks in my own life and it's the underlying passion of why I do this podcast.I hope you'll enjoy the conversation today, be inspired to share your own stories, and join Russ and I for a story workshop in the future, either virtually or in person!Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Susan Sjolund.Susan is a marketing and public relations professional whose experience spans the globe.  With over 20 years of experience, she has a track record of success in building and managing high-performing cross-functional teams and collaborating with stakeholders across different departments and levels.  Susan is known as a strategic thinker and communicator and knows how to find the balance between data and intuition in decision making.She’s also a certified leadership coach, a support for fellow ex-pats, and the mother of twin boys.Susan grew up in Namibia, giving her life experiences and perspectives that are expansive, reflective, and wise.  She’s lived and worked in South Africa, Sweden, the US, and the UK.  Susan and I met back in (I think) 2015 through her mother-in-law, Margareta Sjolund, who was a guest on the podcast on episode 70, sharing her wisdom on emotional intelligence.  I’m so grateful for the ever-expanding connections that life has afforded me.In our conversation today, Susan shares about some challenging times she’s been through including the loss of her dad through suicide.  If you feel like this will be difficult for you to listen to, please take care of yourself first and foremost, even if it means not listening.Having Susan on the podcast today feels like having a beautiful conversation with a sister.  I’m so grateful our paths have crossed and even though our times in person have been scattered across the globe and time, every time I get to connect with Susan there’s amazing energy and synergy and it’s such a beautiful time together.  This conversation is no exception.Susan, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey and story.  Thank you for the courage you embody in learning about yourself and those you love in deep and intentional ways.  I love being in conversation with you! Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Lt Col Tony Cerella.Tony is a returning guest to the podcast and in today’s conversation he shares insights and reflections on retiring from the US Army after 23 years of service.On episode 99, which was released in January, Tony was looking forward toward the month of May and his official retirement ceremony.  If you haven’t listened to that conversation, I highly recommend it.Picking up today, Tony is now post-retirement ceremony, while waiting for all the official processing of retirement which will be in a few months.So, today’s conversation is about the “in between.”  Tony has had a long and successful career in the US Army.  He also comes from multiple generations of military service.  What does it mean to retire from a career that has also been a lifestyle, not just for Tony, but also for his family?  What is the impact on identity and belonging?  How does one manage the in between phase when what was is gone but what’s coming hasn’t fully formed?Thank you, Tony, for your willingness to enter into conversation about these questions and more.  I know that many will relate and be grateful to know they aren’t alone in the challenging processing this experience brings with it.  I’m especially grateful for your openness to reflect on your journey in the midst of it.  This isn’t easy – it’s difficult.  I’m hopeful that through conversation and sharing, the “In between” can be made a little less difficult. Connect with Tony:  www.kaveoleadership.com tony.cerella@gmail.com | |  | calendly.com/tony-cerella Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Freya Birdie.Freya has 17 years of global experience working across three continents in the US (NYC, SF, Silicon Valley, Miami); Europe (London, Rome, Brussels), and Asia (Mumbai) focused on management consulting, leadership coaching, organizational and team effectiveness, learning & professional development.Freya is a graduate of the Leadership Coaching at Georgetown University, and is a certified MBTI personality assessment facilitator. She’s also a Global Manager for People Development at McKinsey & Company.  Freya is passionate about intercultural discovery through experiential learning and has traveled 60+ countries.  She also loves spending time in nature, hiking and biking, and is a yoga and meditation practitioner.Freya and I met through the Georgetown’s coaching mentorship program.  We felt an immediate connection around travel, living in diverse places around the world, not really knowing where home is, and each of us being in different countries each time we set up a call!  It’s really a joy finding someone like Freya who understands this unconventional lifestyle!Freya has an abundance of intriguing and inspiring stories and we only skim the beginning of them today.  I’ll just mention one briefly here and that is that Freya is part of the extremely small remaining community of Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religions.  It was fascinating to learn more about this ancient religion and Freya’s experience exploring these roots of her family.Freya, thank you so much for sharing your stories, your reflections, and your wisdom.  You have a beautiful presence and I’m grateful our paths have crossed.  I look forward to future conversations, both there on the podcast and in person!Connect with Freya: LinkedInMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Kenza Barrada.Kenza is the founder of the “We Are One World” or WAOW Project, which is designed to support leaders to realize that each one of us impacts all others, and that change starts with us.Kenza is a senior advisor for leadership development and team alignment, a Mindfulness and MBTI practitioner, and she collaborates with distinctive practitioners and specialists of other transformative tools and methods.  Kenza has worked and lived in 15 countries. She’s fluent in 4 languages.  And she spent 12 years in management consulting for McKinsey & Company.  She has a deep knowledge of public sector work and agriculture development in emerging countries. Kenza is a returning guest, having first been on the podcast back in April on episode 113.  There, she shared her journey to mindfulness.  I highly recommend listening to that part of Kenza’s story if you haven’t yet.  Kenza is an amazing storyteller, and her storytelling continues today as she shares more about her family’s home and farm near Marrakesh, Morocco.  Their home is much more than a home, as you’ll hear.  It’s a permaculture and agroecology project, an opportunity for work-away visitors, a place for community, music, presence, and intentional living.One word of caution, you will definitely want to visit after listening to this episode!Kenza, thank you again for your gracious presence and sharing.  I love being invited into the descriptions of your home, your life, your community.  Your vision for life, your invitation for others to join you (be it for a few days, weeks, or longer), and your clear passion for this work is inspiring and motivational.I’m honored to host this continuation of your story and look forward to continuing our conversation (hopefully one day in person!).Connect with Kenza: LinkedInMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Miranda Holder.Miranda is returning to the podcast after being a guest in February 2022 on Episode 38.  We recently reconnected and Miranda was kind enough to turn our catch up into another podcast conversation and I’m so grateful!Miranda has an amazing story including starting her career as an endurance athlete and at 25, finding herself training for the US Olympic Rowing Team.  It was during this time that she discovered she had a congenital heart condition and she had to abruptly end her career as an athlete.  She transitioned to coaching and served as the Head Coach for the Georgetown University’s Women’s Rowing Team.  Finding herself burned out after about 10 years, Miranda transitioned again, this time to leadership coaching!  For more on those stories, listen in to episode 38 (back on February 4, 2022).Miranda now runs her own company and focuses much of her coaching work on somatics or embodied coaching.  If you aren’t sure what exactly that means, stay tuned because it’s what we explore and dig into for most of our conversation today.As we explore the embodied work that Miranda does, she shares generously from her own journey.  I gain some beautiful insights about my journey that have been enriching to continue contemplating since we talked.Miranda, thank you!  You share with amazing authenticity, generosity, and warmth.  I can’t wait until the day when we’re neighbors!!Miranda's WebsiteUpcoming Course: Building Leadership Presence Through Embodied IntelligenceMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra