Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Aaron Brown.Aaron has over two decades of experience in law enforcement, Army Special Operations, national security, and intelligence.  His work has taken him to challenging and remote places around the world.  And he has advised senior government officials on matters of national security and now consults in the private sector.I first met Aaron when we were living in Saudi Arabia.  He and his wife became fast friends of ours.  In the life of expats, some friends are friends for the time you live in the same place.  Other friends remain close friends even when our jobs create 1000s of miles of distance between us.  Aaron and his family are in the latter category and we’re so grateful!In our conversation today, Aaron shares reflections on his time in Army Ranger school and how mindset was the element that made that difficult time a little less difficult and prevented him from quitting.  We discuss the power of mindset across a spectrum of topics and experiences, including Aaron’s training and time as a police officer.  Some mindsets are incredibly helpful, others can be harmful.  Sorting through these mindsets, being willing to change the ones that are harmful, and creating ways to help others shift their mindsets is a complex problem.  One of my reflections from my conversation with Aaron is the importance of recognizing even small shifts in perspective and mindset can have enormous results for good.  www.makelifelessdifficult.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Melina Cordero.If you Google Melina Cordero, you’ll find page after page of Melina in the news, on podcasts, and highlighted in prestigious corporate publications for her quick rise in her firm, breaking glass ceilings and being the youngest executive ever in her position.On her own website, Melina describes herself as a “former box-ticking corporate exec who left it all to change the way we work.”For over a decade, Melina spent her time “sprinting between airports, board rooms, and conference stages.” She was extremely successful and especially lauded for this success in a male-dominated industry.But, she says, behind the scenes she “was overworked, unfulfilled, and following rules that did not align with [her] values.” Then along came 2020....In our conversation today, Melina shares her story of corporate success and why she walked away from it.  Melina’s purpose is direct and straightforward: She believes there’s a better way to work.  She’s studied why humans and organizations work the way we do and how we can do it better.So many feel burned out, exhausted, and feel stuck.  Melina believes we can change this and if we succeed at changing the way we work, we can improve not just our lives but the productivity of organizations as well.Melina, thank you for sharing your story with us.  Your insights into work and how we can do better are inspiring and energizing!  Let’s make life less difficult by changing the way we work!Connect with Melina:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramwww.makelifelessdifficult.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Gavin McClurg.It’s difficult to know how to introduce Gavin.  He’s had more adventures, close-calls, and epic expeditions than anyone I know.  He’s also one of the most driven and passionate humans out there.  I met Gavin through the paragliding community by listening to his podcast, Cloudbase Mayhem.  After learning to paraglide, I got the crazy idea to reach out to Gavin and pitch the idea of me being a guest on his podcast – a total newbie, but with some insights that could be helpful to other new pilots and especially for woman in this sport, as we are a minority.  I was thrilled when Gavin answered my email with a Sure, let’s give it a try!  He did caveat the invitation with, “I’d like to reserve the right to decide whether I publish it or not until after we talk!”  (And I made the cut! Listen to Episode 60 here!)Gavin started his athletic career as a ski racer and was headed for the Olympics in the early 90s when an accident resulted in his knee being unable to keep going under that amount of pressure.  He started and ran a sailing and kite surfing expedition company for over 10 years, circumnavigating the world twice and exploring some of the most remote beaches and waters in the world.In 2006 he learned to paraglide, and I think it’s safe to say paragliding has consumed his life ever since!  He’s a professional pilot and has competed in the X-Alps (one of, if not, THE, most challenging adventure race across the Alps) 4 times now. (and counting…?  Maybe!)I love exploring the idea of making life less difficult with people who chose hard things, who push themselves to the brink over and over.  Does it even apply?  Is the concept relevant here?  In our conversation, Gavin generously shares his stories and reflections around the difficulties in life, especially when they are chosen.  We explore the value of simplicity and how even in challenging situations, simplicity is often what makes life less difficult, and we touch on themes of pursuing what’s most important, letting go of the drive to get and accumulate more and more, and also the unique challenges of the changes that come with the privilege of aging.Thank you, Gavin, for your inspiration, not just to me, but to countless others around the world!Please check out the  links to Gavin’s website, Ted Talks, Expedition Movies, and more:Cloudbase Mayhem PodcastGavin's Tedx TalkNorth of Known500 Miles to NowhereThe Rocky Mountains Traverse2021 Red Bull X-AlpsInstagramBook: Advanced Paraglidingwww.makelifelessdifficult.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Anna Sparks returns for another great conversation exploring the book we read: Unbound, A Woman's Guide to Power by Kasia Urbaniak.Unbound is described as, "The ultimate guide to owning your power – and mastering how to use it.  Part manual, part manifesto for a woman of the pivot, Unbound  is a how-to guide to the impossible, the outrageous, the unimaginable--a field guide to living your wildest, best, and most satisfying life." - www.kasiaurbaniak.comThis book!  It has revolutionized my life and relationships!  I had to read it three times in a row to take it in, swirl it around, test it out, and ultimately deeply appreciate all I'd learned and how it was impacting my relationships.  Anna is the founder of Granada Group which provides leadership coaching and consulting and coaching services based on transparent, authentic partnerships and an avid reader who could talk about books all day long.Connect with Anna:WebsiteLinkedInResources:"Leadership That Gets Results", Harvard Business ReviewBrene Brown's term Vulnerability Hangover, Psychology Todaywww.makelifelessdifficult.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Madeha Al Ajroush.  Madeha has been a dedicated psychotherapist for over 25 years.  She’s passionate about her work helping clients on their journey toward greater personal fulfillment.She describes therapy as an effective process of self-discover.  And creates a safe, respected place for people to explore their pasts, present, and futures.Madeha was mentioned on our podcast in Episode 9 with Evelyne Fallows.  Evelyne mentioned working with a therapist while she was living in Saudi Arabia -- Madeha.  She shared many beautiful and life-changing impacts from her work with Madeha.  And now it is an immense honor to share directly with you, my conversation with Madeha.   In additiona to being a psychotherapist, Madeha is a mother, wife, author, and photographer.  She lives in Saudi Arabia and works with clients from all over the world.  Connect with Madeha:WebsiteInstagramLinkedIn www.makelifelessdifficult.com Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Dr. Lisa Clark Diller.  Lisa is an historian of the early modern world and the chair of the History Department at Southern Adventist University.  Lisa is passionate about teaching because she believes that education expands the heart and mind and helps people better become who they were created to be.  It gives them the tools and perspectives and dispositions to be agents of change in their spheres of influence.Lisa is active in her community, a leader in her church, and enjoys traveling and many other outdoor activities.Lisa & first met in college, but got to know each other much better later in life when we lived in the same city.  I have long quote Lisa when I talk about taking risks, pushing back against perfection, giving ourselves space to explore and be beginners.  Lisa's encouragement of, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly," has deeply impacted me and helped move me away from the paralyzing fear of perfection (or rather imperfection!).  During our conversation, I also discover my word for 2022: Imperfect!  May we each go forth boldly into the world with love, kindness, and with the embrace of imperfection!Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn.www.makelifelessdifficult.com Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Nickie Foley.Nickie and I met in January 2021 here in Sri Lanka.  We are both married to US Diplomats and the connection through the Foreign Service community is an immediate point of connection.  For Nickie and I, however, the first time we spent any time together in person it was on a 4-hour drive to a yoga retreat.  As I remember, there wasn't a minute of silence between us the entire 4 hours!  Nor on the 4-hour drive home a few days later!Nickie is an Early Years Teacher, mom, yoga instructor, swim coach, and outdoor and nature enthusiast.Nickie's stories include how we process earlier life events with the lens of compassion and also with the desire to learn from mistakes, bad experiences, pain, and even abuse.  As a heads up, we talk about sex, sexuality, and abuse at various parts in our conversation.  Below are some resources if you or someone you know would benefit from support for processing past experiences or managing current relationships.Resources:RAINN: The US's largest anti-sexual violence organization.  24/7 hotline and chat available.EMDR.com: Learn about reprocessing therapy and find therapists worldwide.Getting Past Your Past (book) by Francine ShapiroWomen Against AbuseInternational List of Sexual & Domestic Violence Agencieswww.makelifelessdifficult.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Melinda Grafton.Melinda is the founder and principal of 3D Renew.  She provides executive coaching, leadership development programs, and individualized wellness programs.Melinda's story includes leaving home at 12 years old, serving 26 years in the United States Air Force, journeying through injury and PTSD, and through it all always returning to her life purpose of helping others on their personal and professional journeys.Melinda works with senior executives, teams, wounded warriors, veterans and their family members.  In addition to her masters degree in psychology, her professional coaching credentials, she is a yoga instructor, Ayurveda nutrition specialist, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.Melinda shares these pieces of her story, what she's learned and continues to learn and ideas for being a bridge to making life less difficult for those around her.Melinda's WebsiteConnect with Melinda on LinkedInwww.makelifelessdifficult.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Amanda Elo'Esh.Amanda is the founder and president of Living Wisdom Church, a dogma-free plant and energy medicine based community in the San Francisco Bay area.Amanda is a Spiritual Success Mentor who found and began using her spiritual gifts from an early age.  She has a masters in counseling psychology and expressive arts therapy.  She's an international speaker, teacher, an author, medicine woman, and more!I was introduced to Amanda through Dr. Matthew Gamble (Episode 23) and am so grateful to be connected!More about Amanda:Amanda Elo'Esh has been given spiritual gifts that have been a comfort and great support throughout her life. She has been able to access "Source" wisdom, which helped her to participate in programs for gifted children, and given her secrets for healing her own emotional and physical traumas, as well as providing guidance through obstacles and suffering.Amanda has been able to heal from physical birth defects, auto-immune deficiency, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive thoughts, body dysmorphic disorder, an eating disorder, and suicidal thoughts, as well as depression and PTSD by tapping into the infinite wisdom available to each of us.Amanda recognized early on that, despite her many challenges, she also had great resources to cope with her human journey. She has been passionate about discovering the secrets to helping others to access their own unique and sacred relationship with everything that is greater than us that wishes us well.She has applied her spiritual guidance as well as her academic experience in a lifelong commitment to bridging science and spirituality, and providing powerful, effective, and results-focused practices, healing ceremonies, and personal mentorship to help others tap into the unimaginable happiness that come from having a personal relationship with Source.Her commitment is to help everyone who is ready to access their inalienable sovereignty, liberate themselves from subconscious programs, and to bring loving kindness, compassion, connection, and limitless joy to humanity.She is committed to being an ally and dismantling the internalized racism and other harmful programs that are creating darkness and divisiveness into our world today.Amanda's WebsiteBook we referenced: Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind  by Anneka Harriswww.makelifelessdifficult.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Mary Kay Campbell.  Mary Kay is a speaker, storyteller, and connector. After more than 25 years of corporate experience in strategic marketing and communications, Mary Kay is applying this knowledge and her skills to her passion: storytelling -- and helping others tell their stories with impact!Mary Kay share how a life-threatening car accident led her to take the courageous steps into living her authentic life yet.  She also shares pieces of her journey through divorce, emotional abuse, single parenting, having a traumatic brain injury, and recreating herself and her life several times over.From Mary Kay's website: "In May 2021, I launched The Heart of Storytelling as a way to share my gifts and passions with the world. I love words. Words matter. And helping others to reach their greatest potential is not only a dream but also a passion. I don’t want others to wait for a life-altering accident to pursue their dreams and live their authentic life. That’s why my inspirational speeches are so important to me. I want to help you! I hope you leave my speeches inspired, motivated and empowered. AND, I give you a roadmap to get there. But it’s not just about the spoken word. I also love to bring the heart and soul of a business, organization or individual to life through the written word. It’s what gets me up in the morning. I want to help you tell your story. I want to help you connect with your clients in a meaningful way through the use of words that convey your why - your heart and soul. "Learn more about Mary Kay:Demo ReelTEDx TalkThe Heart of Storytelling websitewww.makelifelessdifficult.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra