My guest today is Joan Fletcher.Joan is the founder of Winning Ways and as an executive leadership coach, she’s dedicated more than 30 years of her life to empowering high performing leaders and their teams to achieve remarkable personal and professional outcomes.I met Joan through a kind introduction made by Shannon Cochran-Yzquierdo, who’s been on my podcast several times, sharing her amazing stories.  Thank you for this wonderful connection, Shannon!Joan is the author of The Leadership Evolution, which is based on her decades of work and experiences.  She zeros in on the one thing that can help leaders go from “just okay” to truly effective.In our conversation today, Joan shares this key, self-awareness, and a some reflections to deepen our self-awareness in profound ways.  Joan, thank you so very much for this conversation.  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your story, the wisdom with which you approach your work and life, and thank you for the inspirational questions and reflections… I’m still pondering them and soaking them in.You’ll find links below to learn more about Joan and her work, as well as her book!Joan's WebsiteThe Leadership Evolution book and programsMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Bethany Cerella.Bethany is a stay-at-home mother, Pilates instructor and lifelong learner. Growing up in a Navy family and later a military spouse, Bethany has spent half of her life outside the United States, living in South Korea, Australia, Germany, England and now in Italy. Bethany homeschooled her twins until they were ten, teaching her kids to read and taking them on “travel-school” camping adventures across Europe.Bethany studied studio art at Randolph-Macon Woman's College and New York University. Since then she has studied several wellness modalities, including yoga, energy healing, nutrition and functional anatomy. She is now pursing a doctoral degree in Integrative Health at the American College of Healthcare Sciences and enrolled in Georgetown University’s Health and Wellness coaching program.Bethany is also the spouse of Tony Cerella, who has been a guest on the podcast sharing his journey of retiring from the US Military.  It was through my conversations with Tony that I learned pieces of Bethany’s story and wanted to invite her to come on the podcast.I’m so grateful Bethany said yes, as this conversation is inspiring and reflective and Bethany’s stories are stories of determination, courage, and strength throughout difficult times.Bethany, thank you so very much for sharing these pieces of your journey.  Thank you for your authenticity, vulnerability, and courage.  You are a great storyteller and I can’t wait to see where this next phase of life takes you! Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Today’s conversation is a delight to share with you.It’s a conversation with four of us talking about health, fitness, nutrition, and the challenge of figuring out what makes it all a little less difficult.One of the things that makes this conversation unique is that my friend Hillery Midkiff is hosting and asking the questions.  This entire conversation was originally Hillery’s idea, and she does a great job of leading us.Along with Hillery, Susie Csorsz Brown (who was my guest here on episode 10) and Morgan Loosli, are here.  They are both dear friends who are part of the Foreign Service world.  I met all three of these amazing women while living in Sri Lanka from 2020-2023.We recorded this conversation knowing it would be shared on several different podcast platforms which is another unique and fun aspect to it.  So, if you happen to listen to The Big Purple Blob Podcast, you’ll find it there, as well as the HealthyExpatParent’s Podcast.As you’ll hear, we don’t have all the answers, but we hope that by sharing our own experiments with health/wellness/fitness, you’ll find inspiration and courage to try your own experiments and find a little less difficulty in your journey.Thank you so much to Hillery, Susie, and Morgan!  Being in conversation with you all is energizing and inspiring and fun!!Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guests today are Kris Burbank and Dr. Linda Hoopes.Kris and Linda are the authors of the book, Embracing Another Normal: Resilience Stories and Strategies for Raising Children with Disabilities.Kris is a returning guest on my podcast.  You can hear more of her story on episode 39.  She is a Leadership Coach, who among many other things, works with parents of children with disabilities, helping them maneuver the ins and outs of a journey they may not have expected.Linda is an award-winning author and researcher on personal resilience.  Her company is Resilience Alliance and she has created a powerful model called Prosilience (also the title of one of her books), that is about calming yourself, choosing strategies, solving problems, and managing energy.Together, they weave these four pillars of prosilience with the six fundamental challenges of raising children with disabilities into this impactful book.  They share stories of how parents and families have navigated these challenges and provide a framework for connecting successful strategies to the key building blocks of resilience. I’m honored to host this conversation with the two of them here and know you will be touched and inspired in your own journey.Kris and Linda, thank you for spending this time with me.  Thank you for sharing your personal stories, the stories of brave families you’ve worked with, and for sharing the wisdom and insights you’ve developed, gained, and created to make the world a better place.You’ll find links in the show notes to learn more about Kris and Linda, find their book, Embracing Another Normal, as well as links to their websites and other resources. Connect with Kris: https://www.krisburbank.comConnect with Linda: https://resiliencealliance.comLinda's Substack: https://prosilience.substack.com/ Embracing Another Normal: Resilience Stories and Strategies for Raising Children with DisabilitiesMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is David Lapin.David is the founder of Lapin International.  He’s one of the world’s leading thinkers in the fields of leadership and business transformation.I was honored to meet David through Susan Sjolund, a dear friend and colleague who has also been a guest on the podcast (episode 122).  David is a scholar, speaker, columnist, and author of the book Lead by Greatness.   His humanist philosophy of leadership, known as Lead by Greatness, was forged in the turbulent post-Apartheid period in his native South Africa. During this time, in collaboration with Nelson Mandela’s government and an assembly of influential business leaders, David drafted one of the world’s first formal codes of corporate ethics which is still in practice today.Over the past two decades he’s worked in some of the world’s most intricate corporate and cultural contexts, deploying his unique approach to leadership development which has been proven to unlock clarity and provide measurable business results.David’s experience and wisdom is profound.  The conversation we have here has touched me deep in my soul and left me pondering and sharing his insights with almost everyone.  We discuss the distinctions of image versus identity, hardship of the soul which humans are experiences as the external world becomes more comfortable, choosing moments of comfort to be peppered into the discomfort that is part of choosing to pursue growth, and more.David, thank you for your time, your reflections, your depth of wisdom.  Being in conversation with you here left me feeling that I had the great fortune of spending time in the presence of Greatness because you embody the Greatness you are inviting others into.Please find links to David’s website below:  Lapin International WebsiteMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Kim Brundage.Kim is an award-winning headshot and branding photographer on a mission to deliver a truly transformative experience that assures her clients feel nothing short of beautiful and confident, both on and off camera!I first saw Kim’s work when my friend (and amazing podcast guest) Shannon Cochran-Yzquierdo told me she was getting new headshots taken.  I LOVED the result of Shannon’s session with Kim and proceeded to research Kim and think about connecting with her.Time passed and I didn’t actually get to connect with Kim until a couple months ago when Shannon graciously introduced us and recommended I talk to Kim here on the podcast.  And I’m SO glad she did!In our conversation, Kim shares her own journey of struggling to feel beautiful and confident after being told repeatedly by her parents that she wasn’t.  It wasn’t until her 40’s that Kim began to see her beauty captured in her very own photos (quite by accident!  You’ll love this story.).Kim has changed so many lives through her work and continues to do so through her photography, sharing her story, speaking to audiences about body image, and investing her time in non-profits such as Girls for a Change.Kim, thank you for creating and shining the light on the beauty in each of us.  Your stories, your reflections, and your wisdom are uplifting and inspiring.  I’m so grateful to be connected and can’t wait to get to your studio for a session!You’ll find links below to Kim’s website, LinkedIn profile, and other information.One last side note, Kim mentions a book during our conversation entitled, Come as You Are.  Since having this conversation with Kim, I’ve been reading it and it’s fantastic!  I’ve also included the information in the show notes.  Kim's websiteFind Kim on LinkedInBook: Come as You AreUpcoming Workshop: Body Image and Confidence Workshop; April 27, 2024.  Registration and more information here: https://kimbrundage.com/body-image-confidenceMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Vandana Allman.Vandana is an experienced chief executive with a demonstrated history of working in professional services industry.  She’s a gifted leadership development coach and practitioner, and a powerful advisor to her clients.I was honored to meet Vandana through the kind introduction from Noel Bulger, who has been a guest on my podcast.  I am so grateful when these connections happen that deepen and broaden my network.Getting to know pieces of Vandana’s story though our conversation here brought tears to my eyes, joy to my heart, and awe to my soul.  You are in for a treat as you listen today!Vandana, thank you for this profound journey of storytelling, reflection, and wonder.  Thank you for your curiosity, wisdom, and for the light you shine into the world.  I’m honored to host this conversation and look forward to learning more about you and your journey in future conversations!If you’d like to connect with Vandana, you can find her on LinkedIn and there’s a link in the show notes.Connect with Vandana: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vandana-ram-allman-94217645/) Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Shannon Cochran-Yzquierdo.  Shannon is returning to the podcast and I’m so grateful to welcome her again.If you haven’t listened to episodes 13 and 79, you’ll find amazing pieces of Shannon’s story there.Shannon is the founder of Coaching Courage, a coaching firm working with leaders, teams, and organizations to reframe the way they see themselves.  Shannon is passionate about inspiring and motivating leaders to embrace their courage as they transition into their best selves.In our conversation today, Shannon shares pieces of her journey through the year 2023, which she identifies as the year that almost broke her.  Throughout 2023, we would touch base occasionally by email.  Because of Shannon’s deep courage and vulnerability, I asked if she would consider sharing some of this part of her life on the podcast when she was ready.She courageously said yes, and here is the beautiful result.Most of our conversation revolves around the final months of her dad’s life and illness, during which time Shannon took on the role of caregiver and advocate for him.  I want to include here, Shannon’s summary of why she shares these stories.  It’s so incredibly powerful: "I hope that people are inspired. "I hope that people are impacted in a way that Whatever way it is that they need to be impacted whether it's, they also struggle with depression. They've recently gone through something big, whether it's, they're trying to make a decision about whether to go to counseling or therapy whether it's, Oh my gosh, my parents just been diagnosed or somebody in my family has been diagnosed with this major illness."What now? What do I do? I mean, there's so much I learned in this process that, you know, I, I I would be willing to talk to anybody that was going through this to say, Oh my gosh, what do, what do I need to do? I mean, I learned a lot and I just hope that it, it helps someone else that's going through something heavy in their life, whatever that may be."Shannon, thank you.  I’m honored to host this conversation.  I know others will be touched and inspired.  And I sincerely hope that this will also be a gift back to you and bring a smile to your heart as you remember these priceless moments with your dad.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Maya Harris.Maya is a Learning Manager, a Facilitator, and a Coach.  She has spent the past 8 years of her career in global consulting, and before that worked at Unilever.  Her educational journey was focused on engineering and she has her masters from the University of Cambridge.  Maya is also a trans woman and our conversation today focuses on her journey of that major life transition.Maya and I met several months ago at a work event where I was fortunate to work under her leadership on the faculty team.  Maya did a great job of setting the tone for a group of almost strangers to connect quickly and effectively, forming a high-functioning team within just a couple hours on day one.At the end of the week, I asked Maya if she would consider coming on my podcast.  She accepted and asked what we might talk about.  I asked if she would be open to sharing her story of transitioning.  She said yes, and here we are.I am deeply honored and humbled to host Maya’s story here.  As a group, people who are transgender face judgement and criticism and sadly, at times, hate, from those who don’t understand them or their experiences.  I believe strongly in the power of story to help us get to know each other beyond the labels and judgements that are present.  I believe it’s of utmost importance for us to see each other as individuals.  I believe that we can respect each other’s differences while simultaneously finding similarities that keep us connected as humans.  Brothers and sisters in a world that is too often filled with hate and violence.Maya, thank you for coming on the podcast.  Thank you for your courageous presence (yes, I’m using that C-word even here in the intro!).  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey as well as some of your hopes and fears.  I’m grateful our paths crossed when they did and look forward to continuing the conversations both on and off the podcast!Connect with Maya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-harris24680/Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Paulo André, a leadership coach, discusses ambition, curiosity, and Stoic philosophy with host Russ Watts. They explore personal growth, embracing change, self-awareness, and the importance of guiding principles. The conversation delves into leadership principles, continuous improvement, and the benefits of embracing challenges for a fulfilling life.