Make Life Less Difficult

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.

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