My guest today is Josefine Wanner.Josefine is the founder of the Empowered Entrepreneur Program, Former Corporate Executive turned Entrepreneur & Business Growth Strategist.She spent almost 20 years as a financial services consultant and global program manager before the impact of a heartbreaking wake-up call gave her the courage to take the risk and leave corporate to pursue her dreams.Within four weeks after her wake-up call she resigned from her high status, well-paid job and made the commitment to overcome her fears and create a life of her choosing.Today she helps others do the same. At the forefront of her mission, she works towards creating clarity for new and established service-based entrepreneurs by helping them to identify their core values and rediscover joy, build their own successful and profitable online business and ultimately, lead a life without time constraints or compensation caps.Josefine and I met through a mutual connection and it’s such an honor and a privilege to have her as a guest here, sharing her journey, her wisdom and insight.  Josefine, thank you for living an inspired and inspiring life, for being intentional about helping others find their own inspiration, and for all the light you shine into the world!Connect with Josefine here:FacebookInstagramLinkedInOnline Entrepreneurs CommunityResources:Dr. David Rock's SCARF Video Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Erin Jean Warde.Erin Jean Warde is a priest, spiritual director, recovery coach, writer, and speaker. She is the author of the book, Sober Spirituality: The Joy of a Mindful Relationship with Alcohol, which will be coming out April 2023. Erin Jean and I connected through Arianne Rice, who has been a guest on the podcast twice (episodes 17 & 49).  Arianne connected us after listening to Emily Cornell’s story on Episode 54.  It brings me a great amount of joy to experience these growing connections!  In our conversation today, Erin Jean beautifully shares pieces of her journey and relationship with alcohol and how her personal experience has led her to focus her work on mindfulness around alcohol.  There is a lot of complexity around the topic of alcohol, the effects of its consumption, and not a lot of conversation about it all.  I love how Erin Jean’s exploration of Mindfulness around our relationship with alcohol opens the door to a broader conversation.  I grew up in an environment where alcohol was deemed bad.  The lack of nuance ended any conversation before it began.  Opening the conversation is much more useful and interesting, in my personal opinion.  And helpful in sorting out the pros and cons, consequences, and personal desires around not just alcohol – this approach is useful for any number of subjects that can be difficult to talk about.  So I’m grateful for this conversation and hope it give you new perspectives and opens the door to new conversations in your life.You can explore Erin Jean’s offerings around recovery coaching, spiritual direction, and more via her website  along with her social media sites. You can also explore her Substack, Gather the Inklings, which includes free weekly posts and a private community.Erin Jean, thank you so much for connecting, sharing these pieces of your story, and for your wisdom and inspiration.Please keep in mind if you are open to sharing you story or would like to recommend someone for the podcast, I’d love to hear from you!Connect with Erin Jean:TwitterInstagramWebsiteSubstackEJW's Mocktail FavoritesMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Anna-Marie Watson.Happiest outdoors, Anna-Marie is a certified Performance Coach and Coach Supervisor who loves to escape the confines of four walls and co-create conversations with nature. Former British Army Officer, she has worked in challenging environments from snowy Arctic tundra to hot and sandy deserts though currently resides within the rolling countryside of Wiltshire.She has an insatiable curiosity at the world and is a self-certified learning junkie with a Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Coaching from the University of Derby and Master’s in Teaching from the University of Sydney; amongst other psychological and psychometric based coaching tools. Alongside her passion for performance and coaching Anna-Marie has a severe ultra-running habit. She loves racing overseas and has achieved podium positions on the international Ultra Trail World Tour series, Marathon des Sables and other crazy long-distance events. Anna-Marie is on a mission to encourage a different approach to work where our natural environment is valued within the business world. She co-hosts the Coaching Outdoors podcast and has contributed to ‘The Coaches Handbook’ and ‘Succeeding as a Coach’ on eco-coaching. Social Media Links: Website: www.rfmcoaching.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/awatson4/Twitter: @rfmcoachingInstagram: @rfmcoaching Coaching Outdoors Podcast website: www.coaching-outdoors.comMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Sunny Watts.Sunny is an educator, project manager, facilitator and curriculum developer who has had the honor to create, discover, nurture, play, teach, guide and support thousands of students and colleagues over the years. She is currently the Director of Curriculum for iLEAP, which nurtures the next generation of change makers. She lives with her family in northern Italy and is an adventurer, a pizza connoisseur and a lover of musical theatre. Being introduced to theatre at a young age opened the doors to hope and healing for Sunny.  She continues to offer those opportunities to others of all ages.I met Sunny through her husband, Russ.  We connected through the theme of storytelling.  Sunny has graciously shared not only her personal stories, but her knowledge about stories and storytelling with me.  She’s allowed me to grow in this space and I’m deeply grateful.As Sunny shares her story here today, I’m thankful for her vulnerability and strength, her courage and transparency, and her care and thoughtfulness.Sunny, thank you for sharing and thank you for making the world a brighter and kinder place!Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Lisa shares about discovering her superpower of sadness, what that means, and how this intriguing emotion can lead to closeness, connectedness, and hope.Books mentioned:Bittersweet by Susan CainDivergent Mind by Jenara NerenbergMake Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Angela Melfi.Angela is co-founder and CEO of Threads Worldwide, a social enterprise that puts income and resources into the hands of impact-driven women in 9 countries including the United States. She oversees operations, marketing, and the sales field at Threads Worldwide.Angela has 10 years’ experience in the digital marketing and technology sales space and holds a B.S. in Biology & Psychology from Tufts University in Boston. Angela is the proud mama of two amazing kid and is proud to have visited 54 countries!Threads Worldwide is an inspiring business and business model.  Angela and her 2 best friends started this company in 2011.  They focus on partnering with artisan cooperatives and businesses in various countries to support creating dignified jobs for women who need them.  These women watch their dreams become reality through the fair trade of artisan jewelry and household accessories.  As a result of Threads Worldwide, these women are sending their children to school, accessing healthcare, and making their homes safer.And in the US, Threads invites women to launch their own social impact businesses as Threads Socialpreneurs.  I’m going to let Angela explain how it all works in her own words because you have to hear her passion and love for what she does and for the women Threads partners with.  It’s truly inspiring!Angela, thank you for sharing with us today!  Thank you for being a community leader and for creating opportunities for other to live powerful and meaningful lives!Connect with Angela: angela@threadsworldwide.comThreads Worldwide website and Instagram Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Anna McMahon.Originally from Ireland, Anna spent many years working internationally in education.  She now is a Positive Psychologist and Coach, focusing on helping individuals and organizations determine what wellbeing is and how to achieve it.Anna founded the company, Enhanced Wellbeing, and facilitates clients in a process of deep self-learning to enhance wellbeing. Her solution-focused and strength-based approach ensures high quality, valuable learning experiences for every client.Anna is a registered member of the British Psychological Society and The Psychological Society of Ireland as well as accredited with the European Mentor and Coaching Council. Her qualifications include a BA Psychology & Sociology and a masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. I met Anna here in Sri Lanka through an international expat group.  We immediately connected over our shared interest in coaching as well as the parallels that come from living and and working as an expat.Anna, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey with us.  You demonstrate great courage in your own life as you have sought for meaning and purpose in your life and work.  And now you pass along the gift to others as you help them explore what makes them happy and what it would take to embrace and live out those elements! Connect with Anna:email: anna@enhancedwellbeing.orgwebsiteInstagram20% DISCOUNT CODE: LISA20Anna McMahonWellbeing Consultant & CoachFounder of Enhanced WellbeingBA | PGCE | MSc | MBPsS | M.Ps.S.I.Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Mary Foerster.Mary is a real estate agent based in Massachusetts.  Being a real estate agent is just one of many careers she’s had, and in her early 70’s, she’s still planning out future careers and opportunities, which I love and find SO inspiring!I met Mary through my business partner for The REI Concierge, Tim Robinson.  Mary is Tim’s wife’s aunt and she’s been one of our greatest supporters from day one of us starting our business.  Mary has a rich and fascinating life. She worked for AARP as a lobbyist, the director of diversity, and more, living and working in Washington DC, before becoming a real estate agent.Mary is a generous and expansive human.  She’s always looking for ways to support others, encourage and affirm those around her, and expand herself.  Mary, thank you for sharing these pieces of your story with us.  Your zest for life and learning are inspirational.  Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Tim Robinson.Tim is a real estate agent in the Washington DC and Maryland area.  He’s also my business partner for The REI Concierge, a real estate investing consulting company we started together two years ago.Tim and I met in the Netherlands and immediately connected over real estate investing.  We are both married to US diplomats and focus our business on helping Americans living abroad find and buy great investment properties in the US. In March of 2021, we began co-hosting The REI Concierge Podcast.  My experience and the fun I had with that podcast led to me starting this podcast.  So, while I spend quite a bit of time with Tim in the podcast setting, this time it felt quite different and special.In our conversation today, Tim shares the story of another parallel we discovered between us: both losing a loved one to a brain tumor.  It’s certainly not the expected place of connection, and it makes it incredibly meaningful.  It’s an honor to host this conversation and have Tim share about his friend Adam.  I believe telling the stories of our loved ones who have passed keeps their memory alive and is a way to continue honoring them!Tim, thanks for being a guest on the Make Life Less Difficult Podcast and for sharing these pieces of your journey with us today, for being a great business partner, and for being someone who makes the world a nicer, kinder, and better place.Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Aimee Gibson.For over 20 years, Aimee has been supporting and coaching people through times of change and transition in the Peace Corps, as adjunct faculty at American University, as a Principal of a management consulting company and as an executive coach.Aimee is active in both her professional and personal communities. Aimee serves as a Founding Member and At-Large Board Member of the Georgetown Institute for Transformational Learning Graduate Network. Aimee and I first met through the Institute for Transformational Learning Network and serving on a committee together.  We quickly learned our life had a number of parallels including living and working internationally and being what’s termed a “trailing spouse” (Aimee with the military and me with the Foreign Service).  We enjoyed working together on some projects and valued the conversations that ensued even when they were challenging.Aimee has recently rebranded her business, Brave Joy.  When I saw that in her email signature I reached out and said tell me the story behind Brave Joy.  Here is what Aimee wrote back: “During a conversation with my mom, Lanny, just before she passed, we talked about how she was able to consistently do hard things and make brave decisions while maintaining joy and continually giving all she was able to others. Mom’s answer was to “be brave with joy.” She went on to advise me to do the things in life that feel hard and find joy within the difficulty. As a single working mom, she was a model to me for how to keep moving forward while finding joy. Often for her joy came from helping others; she gave and used her talents and resources, no matter what they were and no matter how they changed over time.”I was so touched and inspired by this and of course, asked Aimee to be on my podcast. Aimee, thank you so much for sharing these pieces of your journey, your wisdom, and the inspiration from your mom.  May we each find ways to be brave with joy!  Make Life Less DifficultMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra