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.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jordan Friedman: The Stress Coach
3d ago00:50:15Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Jordan Friedman.Jordan is known as The Stress Coach. He offers a ‘chill factory’ of virtual and in-person stress management and anxiety reduction speaker programs, coaching options, courses, and more to support mental health, productivity and retention. For 30 years, Jordan has pioneered innovative stress management training for companies, coaches, schools, and individuals, including as director of Columbia University’s Health Education Program and host of The Chill Factory podcast. Jordan is also an engaging podcast and media guest.In our conversation today Jordan shares how losing most of his vision to a childhood brain tumor taught him the power—and difficulty—of asking for help, ultimately leading him into a career in stress management education. He shares why stress becomes harmful when it's a constant "way of life" rather than an occasional response, and how practical, low-time-commitment techniques (like 60-second breathing breaks and checking your body's "dashboard") are surprisingly effective for preventing and reducing stress.Jordan, thank you for this practical and timely conversation. The work you do in the world to help us manage and reduce stress is vital!You'll find links in the show notes to learn more about Jordan and his much-needed work in the world.Website: https://www.thestresscoach.com/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Stuart Voaden: Shadow, Burnout, and the Art of Reinvention
2w ago01:11:10Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Today's guest is Stuart Voeden.Russ Watts is hosting this inspiring conversation with Stuart. Thank you, Russ!In their conversation today, Stuart and Russ explore Stuart's journey from corporate burnout to embodied artistic practice, and how confronting one's shadow, embracing intuition, and "coming at life sideways" can make existence less difficult for ourselves and others.Stuart is a wise companion, mentor and adviser, helping organizations and leaders through the maze of organisational change and people development.With over 30 years experience in business, Stuart believes in the power of enterprise to be a creative force for good. He is particularly enamoured with developmental psychology—for his own learning, and especially in working with others on how we create meaning and sense making in a complex world.Stuart’s current focus includes exploring the poetics of leadership: the role of creativity, art and story in enabling meaningful change. Stuart is a Certified Integral Facilitator, an artist, and business advisor.Follow Stuart on IG: @stuartvoadenartConnect with Stuart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-voaden-b3b48b58/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Kathryn Broullire: Finding the Way Forward after Loss
3w ago01:08:38Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Kathryn Broullire.Kathryn and I connected through the Georgetown Leadership Coaching mentorship program and from our first interaction, it has felt like a connection that was meant to be!Kathryn is a Learning and Development expert and has worked in the educational space for over 13 years. She's completed the Georgetown University Leadership Coaching program and is passionate about helping others find what they love, find their voice, and live out their potential.When Kathryn and I first met, we quickly learned that we had parallel stories of loss -- my first husband and Kathryn's best friend, Gwen -- both passed away as the result of brain tumors. It's a tenuous thing to discover this commonality. While the details are unique, the emotional journey contains many points of resonance. In our conversation, Kathryn shares the story of her soul-sister-best-friend since 7th grade, Gwen. How her brain tumor was discovered through a random accident, and how Kathryn walked beside her friend to the very end.In talking about our loved ones who are no longer with us on this earth, there's always a mix of tears and smiles. Grief and gratitude. If you have lost a loved one, you likely relate to this. Grief is not linear. Memories contain a multitude of emotions... and different emotions on different days.Kathryn, I'm so grateful that our paths have connected. Thank you for the gracious sharing of these pieces of your journey and story with Gwen. May the sharing of this story bring comfort or perhaps companionship to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. If for any reason, you are in a place where the weightiness of this story feels like too much, please take care of yourself first and foremost, even if it means not listening today. And please know you are not alone. And may knowing that you are not alone make the difficulty of the day just a little difficult.If you would like to connect with Kathryn, her email is thewisdomlabdc@gmail.com.Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Russ Watts & Lisa Hope Tilstra: Soul Space, Story, and Pilgrimage
3w ago01:12:51Tap to summarizeSend us a message!Today my conversation is with Russ Watts. Russ co-hosts and guest-hosts here on the podcast, so his is a familiar voice to many of you. Russ and I have been co-creating and co-facilitating storytelling experiences since 2019.It was such a delight to sit down with Russ and dive into a conversation today. We made no plans, just pressed record and started sharing.Our hope is that as we explore the ideas of soul space, story, pilgrimages, as we share some of our own recent experiences and stories, as we ponder with awe and enchantment, that you would be inspired to connect with matters most, listen to what your soul is saying, be curious about the experiences of now. Where can enchantment be reawakened in your life?Russ, as always, thank you for jumping into the flow of conversation. Thank you for sharing your stories, your wisdom, your questions, and your curiosity. Thank you for joining us for this conversation. May you enjoy the free flowing conversational river of exploration and curiosity.If you are in the Washington DC area, Russ and I will be hosting a day of Soul Space on Monday July 20. There's a link below with more information about that. And if you miss this one, there will be more in the future!July 20 - Soul Space: http://makelifelessdifficult.com/soul-spaceSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Derrek Cooper: Embracing the Fulfillment (and Terror) of Big Transitions!
Jun 1801:09:12Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Derrek Cooper.Derrek is an executive coach and had a masters in applied positive psychology. If his name is familiar, you may have heard his conversation here on the podcast with Russ. Today, Derrek and I get to have a great conversation that I think you'll find very inspiring, especially if you find yourself in some kind of transition. We talk about positive psychology, the power of vulnerability, the idea of bouncing forward after setbacks or failures. Derrek shares pieces of his own story of transition out of his corporate career into his own business venture. One of the things I love most about how Derrek shares this story is how it is an extremely fulfilling experience AND it's terrifying too! I can really relate to this!Ultimately, Derrek encourages us to find our thing and to do more of whatever that is! Derrek, thank you for this thought-provoking conversation! Thank you for sharing your stories vulnerability and authentically. Your wisdom add so much value to the world!To learn more about Derrek and the work he does, you'll find links below:Connect with Derrek: https://derrekcooper.co/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Niki Mathias: Helping the World Better Understand Orchids (HSPs)
Jun 801:04:03Tap to summarizeSend us a message!My guest today is Niki Mathias.Niki is an author who is helping the world better understand what it means to be a highly sensitive person. Her upcoming book, Derby and the Dandelions, explores this through the unique lens of a teenage girl and her best friends.I'm very excited to share this conversation because I learned so much from talking with Niki. Her stories and sharing come from firsthand experience and hard-earned wisdom. She shared the framework of understanding people's nervous system processing as Dandelions, Tulips, and Orchids. If you have never heard these terms in relation to Highly Sensitive Persons, you are in for an enlightening listen.Niki's book is in the publishing process so we don't know exactly when it will be available, but believe me, you'll want to pre-order it!Niki, thank you so much for sharing these pieces of your story, journey, and wisdom! I'm so grateful to be connected with you and seriously can't wait to read your book!Find more about Niki and her work: https://nikimathias.com/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
Transcribe →Lisa Lewis Daniels: Journeying Through the Messy Middle
May 2500:57:01Tap 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
May 1001:00:07Tap 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!Song: Say So by Dan and Shay: https://youtu.be/YuF6eZROXIw?si=3eWZem7iWvumgPhsSupport 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
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