Podcast
Make Life Less Difficult
Hosted by Lisa Tilstra · EN
"What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?" - mary anne evansThis quote summarizes my life purpose. Life isn't easy. It's complex, filled with the unexpected, and sometimes really hard. While life is full of challenges, I believe there are myriad things we can do to help make life less difficult for each other.On this podcast we'll share stories, struggles, and successes that help us know we're not alone. And knowing we're not alone is one way to make life less difficult.
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lisa Lewis Daniels: Journeying Through the Messy Middle
2w ago00:57:01Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Lisa Lewis Daniels.Lisa is a returning guest and you can hear my first conversation with her on episode 265.Lisa is the founder and CEO of Lionheart Society. She helps her clients find their identity, purpose during life transitions. Today, Lisa shares more about her own transition, more about her time in what she calls the Messy Middle (a phrase I know I relate to!), and what can happen when the messy middle extends for longer than we might want and/or have anticipated!Lisa, thank you for sharing more of your story and journey today. Thank you for your courage and strength to stay in the messy middle of this life transition and inviting us to be encouraged by your experience along the way.You'll find links below to be in touch with Lisa and learn more about her and her work:Lisa's Website: https://www.thelionheartsociety.com/Lisa on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelionheartsocietyllc/Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisalewisdaniels/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Kenny Leahman: Re-finding Purpose with Bold Vulnerability
4w ago01:00:07Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Kenny Leahman.Kenny is retired from the Central Intelligence Agency after a 24-year career. He now is a coach, educator, and consultant who helps others discover what really matters by focusing on values-based living and leadership. Kenny says, “Make choices based on what matters. If it doesn’t matter, let it go.”Kenny was a guest on Episode 215, and if you haven't listened to that episode, I highly recommend doing so either right now or immediately after listening to this one!Today, Kenny shares pieces of his journey that include some significant and unexpected disruptions over the past year. He has had to work hard to re-find his purpose and his contributions to the world. Kenny shares how through this, he has grown in his courage and tenacity to share his stories with incredible vulnerability. Kenny offers a number of amazing workshops including a new workshop: Everyone Lives a Cover — The impact on authentic living and leading, and when and why to drop cover. Here's a snapshot of Kenny's story and what he shares in this brilliant workshop: "Until I came out at 48, I lived two covers; one as an undercover CIA officer, and a second as a gay, married Mormon husband and father. While movies and books often glamorize undercover spies, cops, FBI and DEA agents, “cover” isn’t just the stuff of thrillers—it’s a reality that shapes lives in subtle and profound ways. So, what exactly is “cover”? Why do we use it? And when does it serve us—or harm us? All of us live a cover. Yet, we often believe we’re the only ones hiding, because most of us are so practiced at masking our truths. Many covers are born from fear or shame, designed to keep our real selves safely hidden from those around us. In this workshop, I’ll share my personal journey of navigating cover—and reveal the why, when, and how I decided to drop cover. You'll see firsthand how dropping cover can open the door to living and leading with greater joy, impact, and depth. I’ll equip you with effective tactics, tools, and procedures (TTPs)—including the Johari Window—to help you gain clarity and feel empowered, supported, and ready to choose meaningful change."You’ll find links below to Kenny’s website and the article where I first read about him. Kenny's website: https://www.kennyleahman.com/Connect with Kenny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennyleahman/Article from YahooNews!Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Dr. Tony Cerella: Wandering -- You Can Move Without Knowing
May 400:58:21Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Tony Cerella.Tony is a returning guest and if you haven't listened to our previous conversations, please check them out. They are a series of 3 conversations about Tony's transition into retirement after 23 years in the US Army.Now, 2 years post retirement, Tony shares about a recent experience he had: wandering. Going places without knowing.Here are several phrases that came up for Tony during this trip:You can move without knowing.You can honor the past without living inside it.You can say no.You can hold grief and joy in the same body.You can leave home and still be moving toward it.Connect with Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycerella/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Derrek Cooper: You at Your Best!
Apr 2800:56:59Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Today's guest is Derrek Cooper. Russ Watts is hosting this conversation!Derrek brings a rare blend of lived experience, leadership insight, and academic rigor to his coaching. From serving aboard submarines in the U.S. Navy to leading global teams as a software executive, his 25+ year career has spanned industries, continents, and complexity. With a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and decades of experience partnering with some of the world’s largest manufacturing companies, he understands what it takes to lead in high-pressure environments.Relentlessly curious, Derrek returned to school to earn a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, deepening his expertise in resilience, well-being, and leadership. He also completed the Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University and holds the Associate Certified Coaching (ACC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and ethical coaching practice. Derrek's website: https://derrekcooper.coConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrekcooper/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Jason Frohnmayer: Permission to Fail!
Apr 2301:07:42Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Jason Frohnmayer.Jason is a retired U.S. Diplomat, having served his country in a variety of capacities at overseas posts and in Washington D.C. Throughout his career at the U.S. Department of State, he managed grants and drafted media products to ensure accurate information dissemination on global initiatives. He also created content surrounding community-building projects. Additionally, Jason co-managed a multimillion-dollar budget to drive programs in the public health, higher education, environmental conservation, and sustainable development domains in the Lower Mekong region. Jason worked diligently to maintain lasting PR and media relationships by serving as the media spokesperson. This also involved creating press briefs, driving press and media strategies, and arranging for pre- and post-event media.If you’re looking for someone who specializes in advancing organizational branding and executing environmentally sustainable projects, Jason can be reached via email: jasonfrohnmayer@yahoo.com.Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-frohnmayer-84906a1/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Tom Bohinc: Lead as the Person You Are (The Prometheus Project)
Apr 1200:56:19Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Our guest today is Tom Bohnic. Russ brings this beautiful conversation to us in today's episode.Tom spent most of his professional career leading business transformation and service innovation at scales from Fortune Global 50 to Start-ups from both consulting and internal executive-level positions. It was the challenges of real-world engagement in complex business challenges that focused Tom’s attention on social and personal dynamics that enable or constrain movement in teams, groups, organizations, and communities. These real-world contexts are the foundation of Tom’s work as a thought leader and facilitator of collective learning in the leadership industry through The Prometheus Project’s research and its community.In Tom’s view of leadership, leading is a choice open to each of us at any moment, and it is a shared responsibility in any organization. The path to effective leadership is overcomplicated by many factors, but all of us need a more clear and hold more accessible relationship to the factors that open our capacities to lead and that characterize the actions of leading. This is why The Prometheus Project has the mission ‘to make leading clear and leaders common”. And, this is why all of the Prometheus IP is shared without cost. Tom founded The Prometheus Project in January 2019. He was the lead author in peer-reviewed published research with Jonathan Reams Ph.D. and Richard Claydon Ph.D. on The Leadership Commons Framework. That was published in August 2020. Version 2.1 of that framework was published in Dec 2021. Version 3.0 of that framework is being released in parts over 2023.Tom works full-time for The Prometheus Project and has limited availability for executive and development coaching. Learn more about Tom and his work: https://theprometheusproject.info/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →50 Days of Climbing: Lisa's 50th Birthday Adventure
Apr 701:05:28Tap to summarizeSend us a message!In today's episode, my good friend, Titus Mott, asks me about my recent 50 days of rock climbing adventure for my 50th birthday. It's amusingly intimidating to be the guest on my own podcast and I'm so grateful to Titus for taking the time to do this episode with me!Thanks to everyone who supported me from near and far for this epic life adventure!See picture here: https://makelifelessdifficult.com/lisas-50th-birthdaySupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Stephanie Peña: Sing! Dance! (Even if you are terrible at it!) Because You Can!!
Mar 2901:14:05Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Stephanie Peña.Stephanie is an accomplished vocalist, actress and voice-over artist.Previously cast on an NBC sitcom, a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild, Stephanie can currently be found on Netflix, Audible, iTunes, Amazon, YouTube and Vimeo. In our conversation today, Stephanie shares her insights, reflections, and wisdom. Her stories are ones of confidence and courage. And you'll hear how her current stories are continuing to unfold with new challenges that she's approaching with poise and resilience.Stephanie encourages us to stop comparing ourselves with others and instead, be inspired by others! And sing and dance, even if you are terrible at it! Life, each day, every ability we have in this moment is precious and fleeting -- don't let it pass you by!Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanielavoz/Follow Stephanie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stephanielavoz/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Jennie Snyder, Ed.D.: Companions, Discernment, and Threshold Moments
Mar 1301:01:39Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Jennie Snyder.Jennie is an executive leadership coach. She works with leaders during defining moments in their lives and leadership—navigating transitions and seeking impact that matters.Our conversation today touches on Threshold Moments, what it means to be a Companion for others and for ourselves, and how discernment serves us in telling our stories.Connect with Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenniesnyder/Email: jennie@artiocc.com Resources to support the journey of coming out:The Trevor Project: 24/7/365 support in the USTrevor Space: International Digital Support Community for LGBTQ+ young peopleBefrienders Worldwide: Find a helpline by CountryParents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: PFLAG.orgSuicide Hotlines by CountryIt Gets Better Project: The It Gets Better Project inspires people across the globe to share their stories and remind the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth that hope is out there, and it will get better.Human Rights Campaign Sage USA: Advocacy for LGBT Elders Matthew Shepard FoundationOut & Equal Workplace AdvocatesSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Donna Gandt: Transitions, Learning from Cancer, and Redefining Success
Feb 2600:59:11Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Donna Gandt.Donna is the founder and lead coach at PSYCHĒ6, bringing over 30 years’ experience in leading people, projects, and change. Today she shares pieces of her journey transitioning out of the corporate world into her work of leadership transformation, as well as her experience with breast cancer, and what it takes to redefine success.Donna has navigated professional growth and transitions over the course of her career, most recently in executive leadership of sales and client-facing teams in SaaS companies with C-level responsibility for P&L and sales growth objectives. Her professional experience includes transformation of a software company through partner channel programs, leading global system design and deployments, leading client facing teams, building a professional services team from scratch, and serving our country as a Lieutenant in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. Donna is mom of two amazing humans, a loyal friend, a pet lover (one dog and two cats…don’t ask her which she likes best!). She's a reader, a hiker, a biker, a scuba diver, a mushroom forager, a skier, an enthusiastic lover of live music, a fanatical wanderer/traveler, and an avid beach walker.Connect with Donna:Donna's website: www.psyche6.comConnect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnagandt/Collaborations Donna is involved with: www.hometoher.com www.theservantedge.com Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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