Celebrating ONE YEAR of the Make Life Less Difficult podcast!!Thank you SO much for listening, sharing your stories, and making life less difficult for each other!  It's an honor to host this podcast and share the journey with you.With so much love,LisaMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is David Corfield.David believes that we all deserve an equal future, that this utopian vision is closer than we might believe, and that we are not currently on course to achieve this vision...in fact, it might be quite the opposite. David's mission is to enhance the conversation around this future vision of equality and empower leaders to make it happen. As the first generation in his family to attend college and many other things, he's the product of social mobility, a hell of a lot of luck, and a reasonable amount of hard work. He believes everyone should have equal access to, and the opportunity for, a happy, fulfilled life. He writes about this desired future and what we ought to do in the present to make it real, while coaching and training the next generation of leaders to bring this vision to life.David grew up in England, studying economics and working in management consulting before moving to Berkeley California where he got his MBA and life purpose. He founded a start-up that lowers the barrier to self-employment and a non-profit that helped small business owners build sustainable businesses while embedding equitable enterprise models into the curriculum of top US business schools. He is passionate about wellness, learning, and travel, having lived in ten different cities in the last three years. I first met David in April at a mutual work event.  David is humble and understated and I’m glad I was listening carefully as small pieces of his experience and accomplishments came out… a book, a TED talk, a start-up. In our conversation today, David shares his entrepreneurial spirit that started at 7 years old (you’ll love this story!).  We discuss the positive shifts around work and also the concerning trends for workers.  We touch on the topic of David’s TED talk: what happens to our job identify if work is taken away… and strategies you can experiment with today to test how much your identity is tied to your job.  Empathy and perspective taking is also highlighted as David describes visions of the future of work and finding meaning in life.  David, thank you for sharing your insights, your ponderings, and your new edges as you transition into a new phase of life and work!  It can be vulnerable to ‘think out loud’ in a public forum and yet so insightful and meaningful.  I’m honored to share this conversation with the Make Life Less Difficult listeners.If you’d like to connect with David, you can find links below!One brief note on the audio quality, as I move around to various places this summer and seek out reliable spots for recording conversations… it’s a little tricky, but I’m sticking with my commitment to doing things imperfectly!  we had a few instances of internet instability throughout the conversation.  Fortunately, this doesn’t impact any of the message, but just a warning in case you hear a word or two that ends more abruptly than expected.  Thanks for understanding!Connect with David:LinkedInWebsiteTED TalkMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Janice Caillet.For over twenty years, Janice has empowered individuals, teams and organizations to realize their fullest potential.  Janice wears several hats with her clients: coach, mentor, advisor, and consultant.  The combination of these different approaches creates a clearer and more attainable pathway for her clients to live their purpose and realize their potential.  In essence, Janice co-creates a powerful reality with her clients by having them see their own potential, envision what can be possible, take the steps necessary to get there – and once there, make the most of it. Janice’s experience extends around the globe, across cultures and across industries.  She has lived and coached in international environments such as France, UK, New York and Boston, working also virtually with individuals and organizations around the world. She is known as a thought leader in entrepreneurship, social enterprise and startup ecosystems as she has led roundtables, produced conferences, consulted and coached leaders in these areas for over 20 years.  She is also a serial entrepreneur, having cofounded 7 companies.Before our conversation for the podcast, Janice and I were connected only loosely and distantly via our coaching network and LinkedIn.  After I read one of her posts on LinkedIn and deeply resonated with it, I reached out asking if she’d be a guest on the podcast.  Happily, she said yes.  And this is one of these delightful conversations where we jump in and explore through structured emergence.One of the most powerful questions to me that came out of our conversation is: How do we decrease the need of feeling alive out of fear and shift it to feeling alive out of love and synergy?We explore the instincts of judgement and fear in humans, the benefits and liabilities of those fears, and Janice shares pieces of her journey to move away from fear-based judgements to building healthier and more fulfilling relationships.Janice, thank you for your time, experience and wisdom.  I’ve been reflecting on our conversation and am deeply grateful for all I’ve learned from you and the new perspectives I’ve gained.As a quick side note, there were some blips in my internet connection that resulted in an occasional lost syllable of a few words.  We’ve cleaned this up so it won’t take away from the message, but I do apologize for that. Learn more about Janice:·      Website, Corentus·      LinkedInResource:  How We Learn by Benedict CareyMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Lisa reflects briefly on taking a break, pausing, gratitude, and appreciation.Thanks for being part of the journey!!We're back next week with more inspiring conversations!Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Cherise Tuttle.Cherise Tuttle is an avid adventurer who has spent the better part of her life living in the mountains. From running an adventure sports media company to finding her confidence and independence in sports like paragliding and rock climbing, she has immersed herself in the outdoors and created a lifestyle within it. Her years of experience living and working in these exceptional environments has given her the skill-set to effectively problem solve in extremely challenging, or unexpected, situations. It has given her great opportunity to develop as a writer and photographer with her media appearing in the likes of Outside and Cross Country magazines.Passionate about making a meaningful contribution to the world, Cherise prioritizes projects with social and environmental impact. Before her husband, Cody, passed away in 2019, they produced a documentary surrounding the oppressive caste system in Nepal. Cherise proudly carries that legacy forward as she continues to support impoverished families and children in the remote villages of the Himalaya.Cherise’s passion for the outdoors has also gone hand in hand with her love of all things related to wine, and her travels have given her a deep appreciation for the geography and culture that go into creating it. This has led to deeper studies as a sommelier and her current position as a Wine Director in the heart of the Santa Barbara County wine country. Cody was her greatest supporter in following this dream. Cherise is also someone who has been on my “I’d really love to have you on my podcast” list and it’s such a great honor to have had this conversation with her and to be sharing with you.I met Cherise and Cody briefly in 2016 through paragliding.  Meeting amazing people is an awesome side benefit to the sport of paragliding.  When we met it was several months after they had been on site in Nepal for the earthquake of 2015 and they were first responders with a team of other paragliders and mountaineers.  We followed their amazing work over the years and were devastated when we heard the news that Cody had been in a paragliding accident and didn’t make it.  Just a few months ago, my husband, John, and I took a trip to Nepal for the first time.  We met so many people there who were impacted by the work of Cherise and Cody.  We flew in the shadows of the mighty Annapurna Range and the Fish Tail, that I had seen in pictures posted by the two of them.  It was extremely meaningful and special.Cherise, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey with us today.  Thank you for inspiring us, being vulnerable, and inviting us into your experience.  I’m so grateful and I know without a doubt that Cody would be so incredibly proud of the life you are living each and every day!Links:https://www.invertedlifestyle.com/https://www.codytuttle.com/https://www.nyimaproject.org/IG: @cherisetutsMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Lee Self.I was introduced to Lee by Ellen Grealish of FlexProfessionals who was my guest on episode 52. After connecting with Lee, we realized we also have a mutual friend in Brenda Harrington, my guest on episode 7 (and soon to be returning to talk about her new book!).Lee is the CEO of Executive Forums in Northern Virginia.  She is an Executive Peer Group Facilitator, Leadership Developer, and Business Advisor helping CEOs connect, learn & grow together...  Lee also has extensive experience in the communications industry working for Verizon and Web.com before beginning her work with Executive Forums.Lee’s personal journey is perhaps most easily described as an intense rollercoaster ride.  The ups and downs are gripping and how Lee has journeyed and learned through everything is nothing less than inspiring.  In our conversation today, Lee shares the story of discovering her husband was an alcoholic, finding her own health in the midst of incredible turbulence, her husband’s sobriety story and reuniting of their relationship, then to be faced with his terminal diagnosis and death, followed by her son’s tumultuous journey through addiction and recovery.Lee shares how she has learned to take care of herself as a foundational life and survival skill, getting her hands out of other people’s business, and how her faith and spiritual life have made all these difficulties a little less difficult.Lee, thank you so much for sharing these pieces of your journey.  You offer so much wisdom and inspiration to us and to so many others in the world! Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Before jumping into my guest’s introduction, a brief note from me.  I’m in the US for summer holiday and family reunions.  There were a number of podcasts I had intended to record before leaving Sri Lanka, but due to disruptions with my internet there, they didn’t happen.  So, I packed up my microphone and am searching out quiet spaces to record a few conversations while visiting family.  The quiet spaces for today’s conversation happen to be a rented office space with Regus.  And I realized when I showed up that I forgot my microphone that I was so careful to pack along!  Alas… my sound quality isn’t the greatest and it may be a bit echoey in an empty office, but it brings me back to my word for the year: Imperfect.  It’s part of my commitment to keep moving forward, to keep sharing stories, to continue doing this work that I’m passionate about.  And to give myself permission to do it imperfectly.  Because, really, what is perfection, anyway?  So, if this is your first time listening, welcome!  (I’ve got an entire episode exploring the idea of imperfection and its value, if you want to check that out! (episode 32).If you are a returning listener, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!  I cannot tell you how much it means to me for you to join me on this journey, listen in to the conversations with amazing people, and hopefully be inspired to share more of your own journey and stories, for that is how we connect.  Let’s keep connecting, imperfect though it may be… Also, a huge shout out to Joseph Burdock who edits all these podcasts and makes the imperfections as small as possible!  Thank you, Joe!!My guest today is Julie Salganik.Julie is a returning guest and I’m so glad for this opportunity to talk with her again.  Our first conversation was on Episode 18 and Julie shared reflections on immigration, having immigrated from Kiev, then part of the Soviet Union, to the US at the age of 4.  Julie is a leadership coach and consultant who has spent over 20 years equipping leaders to flourish and deliver exceptional results.  She specialized in working across cultures and has worked extensively with leaders in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In our conversation today, Julie graciously shares some of her recent reflections and processing of the war in Ukraine, how that has challenged her sense of identity, and the challenge of making sense of the devastation that is a result of war.We also talk about the idea of putting things down rather than letting them go.  Recognizing that some things can be put down for now and perhaps picked up and revisited at a later time.  This has a difference connotation than letting go or moving on and I think the shift in perspective can make difficult times a little less difficult.Julie, thank you for sharing again.  For engaging in conversations about difficult topics, for inviting us along on your journey and inviting us into your processing.  I’m grateful for your wisdom.Connect with Julie:Find Julie on LinkedInSend Julie an email: info@avancegc.comMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Dr. Margareta Sjölund.Margareta is the founder and Chief Psychologist of EQ Europe and Kandidata Asia.She is an internationally recognized expert and pioneer in field of Emotional Intelligence and has worked with many organizations in the US, Europe and Asia.She is a licensed psychologist in Sweden with her PhD in psychology from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Margareta lived and worked more than twenty years in the U.S. as a psychologist, chief recruiter and HR consultant.  She is a regular speaker on the topic of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in Asia, Europe - and beyond.I first met Margareta 10 years ago when I moved to the Philippines.  I had the privilege of learning from Margareta and partnering with her company for many projects helping organizations develop their leaders’ emotional intelligence.In keeping with the theme of this podcast and my work, when I think back on those early years as an expat, working to establish myself as a coach, and build my business, connecting with Margareta and her late husband, Per, made that time in life less difficult.  I’m grateful to be able to share this conversation with you today.  Thank you, Margareta, for continuing to share your knowledge, wisdom, and experience.  And thank you for inspiring us to keep making a difference in our world, developing our emotional intelligence skills, and building a strong and bright future!Learn more about Margareta:EQ Europe websiteKandidataAsia websiteLinkedInMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Crystaline Randazzo.Crystaline is a master storyteller, media creatrix, and a story guide.  She empowers women to catalyze change in their life through the power of storytelling.  She uses the science behind storytelling to help people connect with themselves, excavate their own truths, and craft new narratives that are aligned with their truest purpose. She helps change-making entrepreneurs tell their stories in a way that helps them create a better world.Crystaline and I met through a mutual friend, Monique Nathan, (Thank you, Monique!) and quickly realized we had many parallels in our lives including being married to US diplomats, growing up with rigid religious beliefs and then later moving away from those beliefs, and even being struck by lightning!I’ve learned so much from Crystaline about storytelling and am happy to be able to share this conversation with you.  Crystaline, thank you for the work you do in the world, for connecting people through the art and science of storytelling, of sharing your own stories, and for being a bright beacon of light in a complex and challenging world.Connect with Crystaline:WebsiteInstagramMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Dave Warnock. Dave lived the bulk of his life as a Charismatic Evangelical, serving as a pastor on three different church staffs. But, following several years of internal struggle, Dave came to the conclusion in 2011 that he no longer believed in a personal God. In 2019 he was diagnosed with  ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), a progressive neurodegenerative disease with an average 3-5 year life expectancy. Dave is spending the days he has left speaking out about the dangers and harm of fundamental religions.  He also seeks to provide a safe haven to those questioning their faith, recovering from religious trauma or navigating life's tribulations as he shares his own perspective as a former evangelical, but now an atheist, facing a terminal diagnosis.  Dave has recently published a memoir called “Childish Things.”  I highly recommend his book.  I listened to the audio version which Dave himself reads and it’s not only fantastically written, it’ll make you feel like you are privileged to hear firsthand the events shaping this man’s life.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll feel grateful for the opportunity to connect to Dave through this book.  And I feel honored to connect to Dave through this conversation.  We talk a fair amount about death and dying, subjects that are considered “dark and heavy” to many.  Having experienced the death of my first husband when I was 28, I find that talking about death and dying keeps me living my life well.  It helps me prioritize the most important things and keep coming back to them when I forget, as I’m all-too-easily prone to do.I hope you find joy and inspiration in this conversation.  If, however, for any reason you aren’t in a space to step into this topic, please take care of yourself, first and foremost, even if that means you choose not to listen in on this conversation.  Dave, thank you for sharing your stories, your reflections, your wisdom… not just here on this podcast but through your book and your YouTube channel, the many podcasts you’ve been on, and through your other speaking engagements.  You are, indeed, an inspiration to many!Connect with Dave:WebsiteYouTube Channel Dave's published memoir: Childish Things  (I highly recommend this and the audio version is read by Dave, so that's extremely special!)Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra