My guest today is John Tilstra.John is, as some of you know, my husband.  He and I have talked about doing a podcast conversation together for all of the two years that I’ve been doing the Make Life Less Difficult podcast and we finally did it!  You’ll get to hear the story behind the delay in our conversation so I won’t spoil that here.In our conversation today, we share pieces of our own journey, being in relationship with each other.  While some couples find each other and experience smooth relational sailing for the majority of their time together, John and I have experienced fairly rough seas that have at times battered the proverbial relationship sailboat.We have found that being real about those struggles has been part of our strategy for making it work.  And we’ve also been helped by others who are willing to be real with us, helping us know we aren’t alone…. It doesn’t fix all the issues, but it does make the difficult times less difficult.I’m really grateful to have found a deep friendship that underlies every part of our connection and relationship.  Having been through some extremely difficult times before meeting John, that has impacted our relationship and made it more difficult many times.We also choose to live a life with a great many stressors.  We’ve now been married for 12 years, lived in the US, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, been apart for a year as John worked in Iraq and I lived in France, and as of this recording, we are just finishing up 3 years in Sri Lanka and getting ready to move back to the US for the first time since 2012.  We’ve travelled the globe, climbed a lot of literal and metaphorical mountains, been struck by lightning in the Alps, almost died on our honeymoon, lived on a sailboat, camped in snow, hiked through swamps, and are currently training to do the “rim to rim to rim” at the Grand Canyon.  For those of you who know us, you know we both seem driven toward the difficult.  So, a conversation about making life less difficult is extremely apt!John, thank you for your steady friendship.  Thank you for the conversation here, for your willingness to dig in and share authentically.  Thank you for being a great partner in life and adventure, and for helping me become a better person along the way.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Sandene Chetwynd.Sandene is a Leadership and wellbeing coach based out of Melbourne, Australia.Sandene has a passion for supporting leaders to identify the combination of skills, behaviours and habits that will make them be better and feel better at work – to be able to have a career that is both rewarding and sustainable.Sandene partners with her clients to help them grow in their self-awareness and other-awareness, improve their communication for more effective and impactful conversations, and develop trust-filled relationships to support self and others in mental health, collaborating, and networking.Sandene and I met through mutual work events, first of which were online and have since moved to in-person.  From our first moments working together there was synergy and connection and that has grown delightfully as we get to know each other more and more.Today in our conversation Sandene shares reflections on pieces of her life and journey that are personal and impactful – growing up with a father who had bipolar.  She shares glimpses into what it has taken to absorb, process, reflect and rewrite part of her story as an adult so that she can have the best possible relationships in her life now.  There’s so much wisdom in Sandene’s sharing and it’s a beautiful gift to see how she has taken her life experiences and challenges and has come away with a passion for supporting and helping others find wellbeing. Sandene, thank you so much for sharing these pieces of your journey and story.  Thank you for demonstrating the courage you help others find for themselves.  I’m truly honored to host this conversation today. One final note before getting into our conversation.  Our connectivity during our recording had some challenges.  We worked through them and I’m grateful for Sandene’s patience and resilience through it all.  But just in case you hear a glitch or two, you’ll know what it was.Connect with Sandene:WebsiteLinkedInMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Kenza Barrada.Kenza is a returning guest and if you haven’t listened to our first two conversation together, I highly recommend them (episodes 113 and 119).Today’s conversation happened in response to the earthquake that happened in Morocco just last week.  So you might guess that this conversation has some heaviness to it and we felt the heaviness of our hearts.Late on Friday night September 8, and extending into the early morning hours of September 9, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco, with an epicenter just south of Marrakech.I reached out to check in with Kenza, as she and her family have a farm and homestay there.  I was glad to hear they were safe and yet the devastation for many is intense.  Kenza and her community were first responders to nearby villages, and they continue to put together relief efforts now alongside the military and international aid groups who are present and assisting.Kenza offered to share her experience and some stories of what has happened in the first days post-earthquake here on the podcast and we recorded this on September 14, 2023, just 6 days after the earthquake hit.  At this point in time almost 3000 people are known to have died, tens of thousands are without homes, and many are still missing.In the midst of the tragedy, Kenza shares stories of dignity, generosity, solidarity, hospitality.  Humans helping humans, coming together as communities and neighbors.Please note, the stories shared are intense and if you feel like you may not be in a place to listen or absorb them, please take care of yourself first and foremost, even if that means not listening to this podcast.  I’ll also let you know that our audio quality may not be the best, as we had some internet connectivity issues, but fortunately we were still able to have and record this conversation.Kenza, thank you.  Thank you for sharing about your family, your community, your neighbors, your country.  Your willingness and ability to reflect on this experience in the first week after it has happened is remarkable and helps us see into hearts and communities in a special and unique way.There are many ways to support relief efforts and we talk through the various options at international, national, and the local levels.  There are also links below in case you want to donate or support in some way.Ways to donate:Internationally: Red Cross Relief Fund | Global GivingNationally:  Bank Al Magrib Relief FundLocally: please contact Kenza via LinkedIn or InstaGram - Razala HomeMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

In today's episode, I shares reflections and ideas on strategies for giving feedback.  This topic comes up a lot in my work as a coach and facilitator.Looking at several different models of giving feedback will hopefully provide new perspectives, ideas for skills to develop, and considerations on how to adjust the style of feedback for the situation and individual.  I believe these ideas and skills can be practical and beneficial both in professional and personal settings!I'd love to hear what you think.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

A few minutes of reflections as I take a small break and have a few weeks without new episodes released.  As my life enters quite a few major transitions, I want to continue this podcast in a way that will be sustainable.  It looks like this means there may be some inconsistency in releases along the way, and I'm processing how that will impact me, as I really love having these conversations and sharing them.Thank you so much for listening!  I look forward to continuing the journey together, whatever shape it takes!Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Amy Achata.Amy is a clinical mental health counselor.  She believes meaningful connection changes people – and this is what the therapeutic process is all about.  Amy is passionate about encouraging growth and restoration for those questioning their purpose or identity and searching for meaning.  Amy works with people facing grief and loss, generational trauma, religious trauma, anxiety and identity questions and more.Amy has multiple degrees, including two bachelors degrees in addition to her masters.  She spent a number of years focusing on raising her two children as her family moved all over the United States.  Now they reside in the Chattanooga, TN, area.Amy likes to knit, read, practice yoga, sip coffee, and having deep, meaningful conversations and connection. Her favorite place on earth is the beach.Amy and have known each other from a distance for many years through her husband, David, who has been a guest on my podcast.  It’s been an absolute pleasure to connect more with Amy and learn more about her journey and story and I’m honored to host this conversation with her here today.Amy, thank you so much for your willingness to connect, for your authenticity and exploration of life, emotions, growth, and deep connections.  I look forward to more conversation with you both on the podcast and hopefully over coffee as well!If you are in the Chattanooga area and looking for a counselor, Amy is practicing at Scout Counseling and is currently taking in-person clients.  Her contact information is here:Email: aachata@scoutcounseling.comWebsite: https://www.scoutcounseling.com/amy-achataMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is… well, me.  Which sounds a little strange to say! Today’s conversation is a little different as it is hosted by Russ Watts who has been a guest on the podcast several times, after being my very first guest on episode 4.  It was with some trepidation that I stepped into this idea of being the guest for a conversation and see where the conversation would go.  I am a firm believer in continuing to stretch and challenge myself and this is one of those ways that I’m living into that.  It’s surprising to me how nervous I felt to be on the other side of the conversation, even though I’ve enjoyed being a guest on other podcasts quite a few times.  And it really gives me so much gratitude for my guests, for their willingness to talk with me, share their stories, and explore life’s varied pathways.Russ, many thanks to you for graciously hosting this conversation and holding a space for exploration and meandering through some of my own stories and reflections.  Let’s do it again sometime! Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Severine Flores.Severine is a certified executive, teams, and organizational culture coach with more than 20 years of experience living and working across Africa, Europe, and the United States.  She facilitates conversations to help organizations and teams become more effective, develop and implement a shared vision, and work collaboratively across diverse backgrounds.  She also focuses on emotional intelligence, personal awareness, and how to create a culture of trust and accountability.Severine is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya.  She loves spending time in nature, walking in the forest, bird watching, and developing her sewing skills.  Severine and I first connected through the Georgetown University Leadership Coaching network, as we were creating a network of coaches who were based in Europe and Africa.  Our lives paralleled in multiple ways including coaching, the diplomatic circles, and life as expats.  When I connected with Severine to talk about being on the podcast she shared a part of her life that I didn’t know about.  Her and her husband’s journey with infertility.Hosting this podcast is such an amazing honor, as my guests bravely decide to share pieces of their story that may not get shared in every day settings.  My hope continues to be, and I know this is Severine’s hope as well, that someone listening will know they aren’t alone on their journey.  Many women and couples have complex journeys around fertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, and more, and yet often don’t have a safe space to share.  Severine, I’m so grateful for your willingness to share these parts of your story.  Thank you for courageously talking about a difficult topic, sharing not just answers, but questions and continued challenges.  I truly believe we become stronger as we become more connected through the sharing of our stories, through hearing stories like yours, and by realizing we are all in this together.Severine’s contact information is here if you would like to connect with her:severine@authentique-leadership.comwww.authentique-leadership.comMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Titus Mott.Titus is a returning guest, having first been on the podcast at the very start, episode 5.  Titus was directly influential in me having the courage to start this podcast, through a couple of things we collaborated on – me being a guest on a podcast he was doing at the time plus us recording a few potential episodes of another podcast idea we had.  Ultimately that podcast wasn’t formally published, but it really sparked the interest and ideas for me to launch the Make Life Less Difficult podcast.  So, many thanks to Titus for his influence on my life and journey!I recently listened back to episode 5, my first conversation here with Titus, and had such a great time listening, I reached out to Titus and said, would you please come back for another conversation?  Titus’ initial response was, “I don’t know, I’m doing a lot to make life more difficult right now!  I may not have anything useful to share!”  Titus has recently had a total knee replacement and is in the midst of a difficult recovery period.  Knowing this, I asked Titus if he’d be willing to jump into the conversation in the midst of the difficulty.  Because so much of life, in my own experience is indeed “in the midst of”.  While it’s lovely to be on the other side of difficult times, I find the middle of difficulties very real and relatable.  And the question of what can make life a little less difficult in the midst of the difficulties taps into my deeper curiosity.So, Titus said yes and I’m so grateful because our conversation brought me so much inspiration and I think it will for you too.Titus, thank you SO much for your willingness to jump into conversation about being in the midst of a difficult season of change and transition.  I know there’s many layers of the difficulties life has tossed your way lately and we mainly talk about your knee, but your wisdom and insight extends far beyond a joint replacement.  I am always energized after having conversations with you and this one is no exception!  You are brave, courageous, and wise, and I’m so grateful for this time together.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Priscila Hernandez, or more commonly known as Pichi.Pichi is from the beautiful country of El Salvador in Central America.  She works for the US Embassy in San Salvador, her country’s capital.  In addition to a busy job in the consular services section of the Embassy, Pichi is also part of the Adjunct Faculty program, conducting training for colleagues at embassies and consulates throughout Central and South America and in Fort Lauderdale where we first met.  Pichi has a presence that is notable from the first moment of interaction.  She has an energy that naturally connects people, she’s quick to shine the light on the talents of others providing encouragement and affirmation, and she’s deeply knowledgeable about the topics she teaches.  A couple of months ago, in April 2023, we were together for a training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the topic of my podcast came up.  We chatted for a bit about the podcast and why I do it.  And as Pichi heard me talk of the impact stories can make on others, helping make life a little less difficult when we know we aren’t alone, she told me with a solemn clarity that she indeed had a story she could share.Today, as Pichi shares this story, I didn’t know the details before we begin recording.  My breath was taken away as she revealed a story of betrayal, heartbreak, and relationship loss, and her journey to letting it go, forgiving, and finding healing.We talk about the emotional fitness Pichi embodies, the self-awareness, and personal responsibility she has embraced in such an inspirational way.  Pichi, thank you SO very much for sharing these pieces of your journey with us here.  Your wisdom, strength, emotional resolve, and humility are incredibly inspiring.  You are a living model of making life less difficult for others by sharing your story and encouraging others through theirs.Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra