My guests today are Elizabeth and Jakob.This is my first time having two guests and it’s a complete delight to share this conversation with you.Elizabeth was first recommended to me for the podcast by Jakob.  Then, after meeting and chatting with Elizabeth, she had the idea of also having Jakob on to build out their story and journey in a way that reflects how they do life – together!Elizabeth is an author and poet.  Jakob is a leadership coach and consultant.Together, they created the company, BETTER BÅLLS, to make the world’s best apparel – starting with men’s underwear.  They have various reasons behind founding this company, but a major one is making a difference for the next generation.And speaking of the next generation, their one-year-old son also pops in for an appearance in the podcast, so it’s truly a family affair!This is an amazing and inspiring conversation where Elizabeth and Jakob share how they seek to work in a balanced partnership between each other, and also with the environment as they grow their business.  We talk about conflict, trust, love, and more.Elizabeth and Jakob, thank you so much for this conversation.  Thank you for sharing pieces of each of your journeys, glimpses into your inspiring partnership, and for the passion you have for making the world a better place.If you’d like to join the mailing list of BETTER BÅLLS, please go to www.betterballs.world.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Julie F.Julie and I met through a wonderful organization we both work for a company  where Julie is the Operations Manager.Prior to her work with Educe, Julie worked at McKinsey & Company for almost 6 years.Originally from the US, Julie and her family have lived in Munich Germany for almost a decade.  In our conversation, she shares the journey of how she got there.My conversation with Julie is deeply special for a number of reasons, but the one I will highlight here is that she committed to being a guest and sharing pieces of her journey after hearing many other guests share their stories.  It is my sincere hope that listening to the stories of other would indeed spark courage and a desire to tell stories that may not have otherwise been shared.Julie, thank you for your courage and vulnerability in stepping up to share these pieces of your journey.  It’s beyond special to have this conversation with you and be able to share it on the podcast.  I look forward to future conversations too!Connect with Julie: knittingstricken.comResources:The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der KolkGetting Past Your Past, Francine ShapiroComplex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving, Pete WalkerTalks and guided meditations by Tara BrachQuit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol, Holly Whitaker *I recommend the audiobookHuberman Lab (Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist) podcast Episode "What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health" Keep Coming Back podcast series on sobrietyMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Deiadre Rauch.Deiadre has a degree in engineering from Purdue University.  She’s a structured thinker and kis keenly interested in how the way we think impacts how we feel and what we do as leaders.  Deiadre’s unique blend of business experience, cultural awareness, and a love of helping people to get what they want out of life, prompted her pursuit of coaching as a profession.She completed the Leadership Coaching Program at the Institute for Transformational Leadership (ITL) from Georgetown University and founded her company, TFD Leadership Coaching, in 2013.Deiadre has spent two-thirds of her career living and working internationally. She maintains a truly global perspective, bolstered by assignments in London, Kuala Lumpur, Brussels and elsewhere around the world. She has over 30 years of experience working as a leader both domestically and internationally.Deiadre lives in Northern Virginia, traveling when she gets the chance and enjoying her friends and family, while also continually developing her own authentic leadership style. She is also a 500-hour yoga teacher trainer, and loves teaching yoga to beginners.  Deiadre, thank you for this inspiring conversation.  Thank you for your passion for making life less difficult.  It’s truly a joy to learn about your journey, hear your wisdom and be inspired by your vision. Learn more visit Deiadre’s website at: www.thetrueleaderinyou.com Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Kelly Kienzle.Kelly is a returning guest to the podcast, after being a guest on episode 14, in October 2021.It’s a sincere treat to have her back and enter into this conversation.Kelly is the founder of Open Circle Coaching.  She provides leadership coaching and facilitation to individuals and teams to improve organizational performance.  She believes that by strengthening self-awareness and widening perspective, a leader can learn to see scenarios from a new angle that uncovers the possibility for greater productivity, creativity and overall fulfillment. In our conversation today, Kelly shares about her experience taking a partial sabbatical.  Slowing down. Allowing herself to have idle time.  Kelly shares the gifts and challenges of this experience in a way that I believe you’ll find extremely thought-provoking.We recorded this conversation at the end of October 2023, and as it’s getting published near the beginning of 2024, I have deeply appreciated the reflections Kelly shares, as they are helping me be thoughtful about shaping my time in this new year.Kelly, thank you for coming back on the podcast.  Thank you for your willingness to share your journey, your lessons learned (and lessons being learned), your reflections, and your thoughtful wisdom.If you’d like to connect with Kelly, you can find links below.Website: https://opencirclecoaching.com/Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Retired Lieutenant Colonel Tony Cerella.Tony has been on the podcast two times previously and has graciously agreed to talk with me again as a bookend to our conversational theme of his retirement from the US Army after 23 years of service.If you haven’t listened to our other conversations, you can find them at episodes 99 and 121.  The first conversation was about processing and preparing for the upcoming retirement.  The second conversation was about being in the “in-between” space, when he was post-retirement ceremony, but still waiting for the official processing of his retirement.And now, today, Tony shares about being fully retired.  He shares about various mindset shifts, including the incredibly difficult process of a disability rating.  Tony, thank you, for joining me again.  Thank you for sharing your stories and experiences with candor and vulnerability. Your passion for helping others by sharing your stories and journey align deeply with my own purpose and hope for this podcast.  If you’d like to connect with Tony and learn more about the work he does, please check out the links below.www.kaveoleadership.comTony.cerella@gmail.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Dorcas Cheng-Tozun.Dorcas is an award-winning writer, editor, speaker, communications consultant, and former Inc.com columnist. She is the author of several books including Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways, which we discuss today. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, Image Journal, and dozens of other publications in the US, Asia, and Africa. Dorcas has nearly twenty years of experience as a nonprofit and social enterprise professional. A Silicon Valley native, she has lived in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Nairobi, Kenya. She and her entrepreneur husband have been married for eighteen years and have two young sons.In our conversation today, Dorcas shares how she came to understand herself to be a highly sensitive person. She helps us understand what that means and how highly sensitive persons can find ways to engage in emotionally demanding work while staying true to oneself, pursuing balance, and overall well-being.Dorcas, thank you for this lovely conversation.  Thank you for sharing your stories and journey here and also through your writing.  You are making the world a kinder place.You’ll find links in the show notes to Dorcas’s website, books, and social media pages. Website: www.chengtozun.comLinks to places to buy books: www.chengtozun.com/booksFacebook: www.facebook.com/chengtozunIG: www.instagram.com/chengtozun/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chengtozun/ Starred review in Booklist: https://www.booklistonline.com/Social-Justice-for-the-Sensitive-Soul-How-to-Change-the-World-in-Quiet-Ways-/pid=9777030Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Crystaline Randazzo.Crystaline is a returning guest and was first on episode 69 in July of 2022.  Crystaline is a story excavator and a media creatrix.  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.  And she’s now linking somatic practices with storytelling.Crystaline joined me today to share some more of her own stories and pieces of her journey that have led her to realize the deep connection between storytelling and somatic work and practices.  She’s created a new workshop called Transformational Truthtelling: How to tell stories that heal shift and transform.Crystaline, thank you for joining me again today.  Thank you for the wise reflections you share.  Thank you for sharing your passion with others and helping others experience the transformation of story in their own lives.One quick note, the dates mentioned in our conversation have adjusted slightly since we recorded this, so please go directly to Crystaline’s website for the most accurate and up to date information.  The link is below, as well as a list of the books we mention in case you are interested in those. Website: https://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/Free Training: From Stuck To Storyteller: Empowering Changemaking Women to Uncover Their Story & Find Their VoiceJanuary 22-241 p.m. ESTFree Training Sign Up: https://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/stuck-2-storyteller----9 Week Live Group Cohort: Transformational Truthtelling: How To Tell Stories That Heal, Shift, and TransformBegins February 22Online Course Signup: https://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/transformationtruthtelling-salesLinks to Books:The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der KolkMy Grandmothers Hands by Reesma MenakemSmart Body, Smart Mind Coursework with Irene LyonIntegrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certification with The Embody Lab Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Cassandra Ross.Before I tell you about Casey, let me first say, happy 2024!  This is the first episode to release in the new year and I’m thrilled to be sharing Casey’s conversation with you.  If you are waiting to take action on something in your life, you may find just the inspiration and motivation you need here in Casey’s story and reflections.I have lots of thoughts about life and goals and intentions at the start of a new year, so I may do another episode later this week or next to share some of those.  At this point, suffice it to say, my theme for 2024 is Discover & Create.  I love doing this podcast and I’m so grateful to each of you for listening.I’m also incredibly grateful for each guest, as every conversation is an experience of discovery and also creating something new.If you are looking for a goal or challenge in 2024, schedule a podcast conversation with me!  I’d love to discover more about your story and journey.So, for today’s conversation, Cassandra Ross, is a Major in the United State Air Force.  She’s based in Montana, but we met in Sri Lanka when we were both living there.  From the moment I met Casey I knew she was a special human.  And as you’ll hear in our conversation, my intuition was spot-on.Casey, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey.  Thank you for your courage in sharing.  Thank you for the inspiration to work diligently at growing as a human.  You are an amazing role model for your kids and for literally everyone who has the honor of knowing you!One side note, before we jump into our conversation.  Casey story involves stories of abuse when she was a child.  If this is something that you feel like you are not in the space to listen to, or hold the space for. I want to encourage you to just push pause, and maybe come back to this later.  Please always take care of  yourself first and foremost.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Anne Blunden.Anne has served as the Executive Director of Nursing at both the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre and the King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia.  She also served as the director of nursing at the King Fahad Medical Center.Originally from South Africa, much of her career has been dedicated to the medical system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is where we first met.I’m delighted to share this conversation with you, as Anne is one of my favorite humans that I’ve met.  Anne has been an inspiration to me and her wisdom and approach to life and leadership have influenced me over the years.In our conversation today, Anne shares about her own journey of learning about herself, so she could truly lead others.  She shares how this journey of knowing herself was the key to being an effective leader and helping others find their own pathway to leadership.I also asked Anne to share her reflections on a very special experience we had together in 2016: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the African continent.  This was the goal I had set for my 40th birthday, and the entire experience was so special because of the amazing group of family and friends who went on the expedition with us!  I know you’ll enjoy hearing Anne’s retelling of the experience and story.Anne, thank you so very much for joining me in conversation here.  Thank you for your authentic and impactful stories of self- development and growth. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and thoughtful reflections that help so many others.  And thank you for continuing to show up in the world with a spirit of humility, curiosity, and wonder.  I’m so grateful to be connected and connect you with others through this podcast. Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Cherise Tuttle.Cherise is a returning guest and I’m so delighted to get to share this conversation with you. First, let me say if you haven’t heard our first conversation, I recommend taking the time to listen to Episode 73, where Cherise graciously shares pieces of her journey of grief and loss after losing her husband, Cody, in a paragliding accident. Cherise’s ability to go deep into the messiness and beauty of grief is really moving and difficult to describe in words.Second, this conversation was recorded at the end of September 2023, not long after the 4th anniversary of Cody’s passing.  Cherise shares some more beautiful reflections on honoring Cody’s memory and life.  Even though it’s a couple months later that it’s being published, the reflections are evergreen.In addition, in our conversation today, I ask Cherise to share stories about her dog, Astro, who we didn’t get to talk about last time, but is a formidable presence in the world.We also talk about career transitions, as Cherise has been in the midst of some major changes and choices, working to align with her values in a deeper way and find fulfillment while also managing the practical aspects of life.Cherise, thank you so much for coming back on the podcast.  Thank you for sharing these reflections, and also your wisdom, in sorting through difficult decisions about work and life.  You are inspiring as you live in intentional ways, filtering through the noise to the heart of what really matters.Learn more about Cherise and her work: https://www.invertedlifestyle.com/Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra