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!

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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/

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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.co

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrekcooper/

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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/

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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/

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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-birthday

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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/

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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 US
• Trevor Space: International Digital Support Community for LGBTQ+ young people
• Befrienders Worldwide: Find a helpline by Country
• Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: PFLAG.org
• Suicide Hotlines by Country
• It 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 Foundation
• Out & Equal Workplace Advocates

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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.com

Connect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnagandt/

Collaborations Donna is involved with: 

• www.hometoher.com 
• www.theservantedge.com 

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My guest today is Béa Victoria Albina.

Béa is a returning guest and I'm so excited to share this second conversation with you where we dive deeper into her book, End Emotional Outsourcing: How to Overcome Your Codependent, Perfectionist, People-Pleasing Habits and Reclaim Your Life.

You'll learn more about how to take care of yourself and truly love those around you in ways that will support healthy growth and relationships.

Béa's website: https://beatrizalbina.com/

Béa's book: End Emotional Outsourcing: How to Overcome Your Codependent, Perfectionist, People-Pleasing Habits and Reclaim Your Life

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My guest today is Lisa Lewis Daniels.

Lisa brings a unique blend of professional experience, academic achievement, and transformational coaching expertise to her work with individuals, couples, and families.

After the birth of her son, Lisa, Founder and CEO of Lionheart Society, LLC faced the challenge of balancing a stable, loving home with her career ambitions.

​Despite countless hours researching resources, she found no tribe or tools that fully met her new reality. This frustration sparked her passion to support women, men, couples, and families in practical, sustainable ways.

​Coach Daniels is happily married to Mr. Daniels, affectionately known as “Babe,” and treasures her role as Mommy to their son. Their family thrives on the principle that individual pursuits are balanced with the collective welfare of the household unit, creating a stable and loving environment for everyone.

​Early in her journey, Coach Daniels coined the phrase “Heels, Hubby, and Highchair” to describe the integration of career, marriage, and parenthood. What began as a simple expression grew into a foundation for her work on identity, leadership, and life transitions, which is the very foundation that now informs all of Lionheart Society’s coaching and programs.

Learn more about Lisa and her work at: https://www.thelionheartsociety.com/

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisalewisdaniels/

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My guest today is Jessica Vogt.

Jess is a holistic leadership development coach who supports people with a foot in many worlds -- culturally, professionally, or personally.

Jess is a returning guest and I highly recommend listening to our first conversation on Episode 233 where she shared pieces of her story growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults).

Today Jess shares more about her passion for coming home to ourselves.  Finding who we really are, leading from this place of who we really are.  It's so much easier said than done.

Jess has a new program, Lead As You Are (LAYA).  

The program helps people who’ve lived between cultures or identities reconnect with their voice, confidence, and sense of direction — so they can lead their lives more authentically and feel at home in themselves.

Jessica is currently having conversations with people who are curious to learn more about her and Lead As You Are, and to see whether it could be a fit.

You can either reach her directly at jessica@talpaco.com, check out her website:  www.talpaco.com, or book a discovery call. 

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My guest today is Kelly Kienzle.

Kelly is a returning guest and today we are talking about her book, Alchemy Workbook: Journey into Your Next.

Alchemy Workbook blends art, journaling, and guided self-inquiry to help you chart a path from “what was” to “what’s becoming.” Inside, you’ll explore playful prompts, visual exercises, and intriguing practices that reveal patterns, possibilities, and a way forward. Designed for creators, dreamers, and anyone approaching a crossroads, Alchemy Workbookhelps you navigate change with curiosity by alchemizing what you already know into a clear path to your “next”.

Author Kelly Kienzle is a leadership coach, writer, and facilitator who helps mission-driven leaders move from being overwhelmed and over-extended to being energized and confident so that they have the freedom to focus on their organization’s highest strategic priorities. She does this work as the founder and CEO of Open Circle Coaching.

Kelly's website: https://opencirclecoaching.com/

Purchase the book:

https://opencirclecoaching.com/alchemy-workbook/

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My guests today are Christopher Henze and Dominique Debroux, the Director and Producer team for the film, Wise Women: Humanity's Untold Origins.

I'm thrilled to share this conversation with you and cannot recommend the film enough.  There's so much to be discovered about the role of older women in our societies and world.

About the Film
Wise Women – Humanity’s Untold Origins reframes human evolution through a revolutionary lens: the leadership of post-reproductive women. It challenges 10,000 years of patriarchal storytelling and restores women — especially mature, experienced women — to their rightful place as the architects of civilization.

The film reveals that menopause was not a biological failure but a human superpower — the adaptation that made long-term cooperation, shared leadership, and empathy-driven survival possible.

This is not just a film about biology; it’s a story about power, design, and who gets written out of the human narrative.

Learn more about the film: https://wisewomenmovie.com/

Rent the film: https://www.bingeable.net/wisewomen

Join the community: https://www.wisewomenforward.com/

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 Our conversation today is hosted by Russ Watts. Russ, thanks so much for bringing this conversation to Make Life Less Difficult. 

Russ is talking with Conrad Coleman, and I cannot wait for you to hear this conversation. I listened to it and it will have you on the edge of your seat. As Conrad shares some of his sailing adventures, Conrad has circumnavigated the world multiple times on sailboats, including two solo voyages without using any fossil fuels, which is a cause close to his heart.

Conrad, thanks so much for coming on the podcast, and as always, the only challenge I have with Russ hosting on the podcast is I'm jealous. I didn't get to speak directly to Conrad, but oh my gosh, this is such an amazing conversation. I, I, I don't know if you can hear it, but I have a huge smile on my face, even just recording this introduction.

So without further ado with, enjoy this conversation with Russ and Conrad.

Learn more about Conrad: https://conradcolman.com/en

Conrad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradcolman/

Conrad's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@colmanoceanracing

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My guest today is Guryan Tighe.

Guryan is an experienced leadership coach, workshop facilitator, and communications strategist whose clients describe her as a “Fear Technician”. She founded her company, FOURAGE, on the belief that understanding and working with our fears, rather than trying to conquer them, yields more professional success and personal fulfillment. 

In her book, Unmasking Fear: How Fears are our Gateways to Freedom, Guryan  reframes the way we approach fear from the goal of conquering it to a goal of learning from it by providing readers three gateways to look at fear in a way that frees us: curiosity, gratitude, and purpose. She shows us how to interrupt our initial reaction, pause, check in with ourselves, and rewrite the patterns we use to respond to that which we fear. With this shift in thinking and how to engage it, readers will find new pathways forward as they shift from unintentional reactions to intentional responses.

When we change our relationship to fear, we gain valuable insights that inform our growth and development, connecting us more deeply to our truth. This different approach to fear doesn’t just transform our relationship with ourselves but can also unite us with others through empathy and shared purpose. What has the power to separate us from ourselves and each other—fear—also has the power to unite us. Unmasking Fear shows us that fear is courage unrealized and understanding our fears frees us to pursue the life we want.

Learn more about Guryan and her work: https://fourage.io/

Unmasking Fear, the book: https://fourage.io/unmasking-fear

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My guest today is Mona Khan.

Mona is a culture alchemist and joy cultivator who helps teams co-create with clarity, navigate conflict with care, and show up fully — no masks, no holding back.

She helps teams embrace the joy of difference: thinking differently, acting differently, doing differently. She nurtures them to turn those differences into superpowers.

Collaboration stops being exhausting and starts being energizing, even fun.

Mona does this through coaching for leaders and teams, guiding organizations on culture-shift journeys, and hands-on skill-building like her Art of Conflict series. 

Mona is the co-founder of the Social Identity Coaching Lab.  

Learn more at: https://www.socidlab.com/

Connect with Mona on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mona-khan-b21a99a2/

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Hello and welcome to the first officially released episode of 2026!  

I’ve got a great conversation with Jennifer Berryhill to share with you today that I think is very timely with the new year.

Before jumping into that conversation, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the start of this new year.  If you happened to listen to the last episode, you’ll know that there I reflected on the end of 2025.  While I am a full believer that every day, every moment, really, is a chance to begin again, I do find something special about the ending and beginning of years.  We mark a lot in our lives by years… birthdays, anniversaries, budgets, management cycles, zodiac signs!

Back in 2014, I was introduced the idea of having a word for the year from my dear friend, Amy Cupic.  My word then was curiosity, as I knew it would serve as a great reminder for me to be curious as I experienced moving from the Philippines to Saudi Arabia.  This year, 2026, my word is Space.  For me it serves as a reminder to take up space in the world, to create and step into spaces that will bring me joy and fulfillment.  And to be intentional about the spaces in my life, both external and internal.  

You'll hear more about my plans in the podcast (all the text wouldn't fit here!)

So, that’s a little bit of what my 2026 is starting off focused on.  I hope that you take some time to reflect on what you want out of this year.  Maybe it’s not shaving your head, but what might you do in support of others you love?  Even if it’s a little uncomfortable, maybe it’s worth the effort of pushing through the fear.  And maybe it’s not camping and rock climbing for 50 days, but what might you do to celebrate life and living and loving.  Life is precious and it’s a gift.  I know too many whose lives have been cut short and so I recommit to living life with an awareness that it’s a gift and that each day I have is an opportunity to extend love to those around me, and to look for ways to make life less difficult for each other.

Thank you so much for being part of my journey by listening to the Make Life Less Difficult podcast.  And now… my conversation with Jennifer.

Connect with Jennifer Berryhill: https://www.jenniferberryhillwellness.com/

Jennifer's IG: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_berryhill_wellness/

LinkedIn

Lisa's Fundraiser for St. Baldrick's Foundation: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1171198/2026

Lisa's Red Rocks Adventure: https://red-rock-adventure.vercel.app/

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This is the last episode of 2025 so I wanted to share a few reflections before jumping into the main conversation. 

2025 has been a year with lots of change. Many friends have experienced their lives majorly disrupted in unexpected ways. Completely turned upside down. In my personal journey, I lost my dad which was a catalyst for lots of reflection and subsequent growth. My identity shifted significantly in the past few months as my husband changed jobs and I am no longer part of the Foreign Service Life—something that majorly influenced everything (no exaggeration) in my life for the past 15 years. 

I’m grateful for the amazing conversations that I’ve been able to have here on the podcast. I continue to meet people who inspire me, teach me, challenge me, and encourage me. These conversations woven into the challenges of life create a beautiful tapestry that I am incredibly grateful for!

I’m more convinced than ever that every single human has amazing stories and I’m even more excited and honored than when I started, to host and share some of these stories here on the Make Life Less Difficult podcast. We’re 4.5 years into the journey, almost 260 episodes and I still have a long list of people who I want to have on the podcast and I’m continuing to meet wonderful people who I want to have on the podcast! What a beautiful gift and journey this is. Thank you SO much for being part of it. Whether you are a regular listener, an occasional listener, or a first time listener, whether you’ve been a guest, will be a future guest, or never care to be a guest, I’m deeply grateful for you! I’m grateful for Russ Watts who guest hosts and co-hosts and continues to be an amazing collaborator in the storytelling world!

If you would like to support this endeavor, there’s a link in the show notes to a platform called “Buy me a coffee”. Click that and anything you share is greatly appreciated. 

As we approach 2026, I hope to expand and grow this podcast, so taking time to leave a review helps with that and also sharing an episode or two with a friend or three! I’m also looking to expand my speaking engagements, so please keep me in mind if you know of opportunities or needs for speakers and presenters. 

For those of you who find a word or theme for the year, I’ll share that my word for 2026 is Space. It’s a reminder and encourager for me to take up space in the world, be intentional about my external and internal spaces. And ironically (or maybe serendipitously) I currently have a palate expander that is making me talk with this different diction. So literally I’m creating more space in my mouth and head. And I just put that together with my word for the year as I was preparing these thoughts. Very cool! 

And now I’d like to invite you into a beautiful conversation with my guest, Craig Stanton. We explore transitions and forgotten words and much more. I’m delighted to share this as the final episode of 2025. Have a wonderful start to 2026! And if you need a goal for the new year, come be a guest with me here! 

And now… my conversation with Craig!

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Read more about the Book of Forgotten Words on Craig's Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/forgottenwords

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My guest today is Teresa Austrian.  And we are joined by Russ Watts as co-host!

This is a fun conversation to share right at Christmas time.  We talk about traditions.  And as you'll hear, the conversation goes way beyond any particular holiday.  No matter what holidays are in your world, you're sure to find yourself smiling and nodding as we talk about the fun and challenges of holidays, family, and traditions.

Connect with Teresa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresaaustrian/

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My guest today is Jon Rosemberg.

Jon is the author of the book, A Guide to Thriving: The Science Behind Breaking Old Patterns, Reclaiming Your Agency, and Finding Meaning.

With over two decades coaching Fortune 500 executives and global teams through deep transformations, Jon has learned firsthand that growth begins when we courageously reclaim our agency. His personal journey, forged by immigration, loss, and career reinvention, inspires him to blend hard-won business insight with cutting-edge research to guide others toward greater meaning.

Driven by his belief in human potential, Jon co-founded Anther, a firm dedicated to transforming uncertainty into possibility. He previously led high-impact initiatives at Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Indigo, and GoBolt. Jon holds an MBA from Cornell University and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, he now lives in Toronto with his wife, Adriana, and their two sons.

Connect with Jon:

·      Website: https://www.jonrosemberg.com

·      A Guide to Thriving by Jon Rosemberg

·      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonrosemberg/

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My guest today is Adi Ma Ura.

Adi Ma is an Integration and Retreat Facilitator.

Adi Ma  (born Maura Barclay) has lived many lives in her 50+ years. After a profound encounter with a powerful divine feminine presence, she stepped fully into her role as a transformation facilitator, receiving the name Adi Ma Ura—an embodiment of her commitment to guiding others through deep personal change. 

This is a beautiful conversation where Adi Ma shares her remarkable story.  And we delve into what sharing our story brings with it.  You won't want to miss it!!

Connect with Adi Ma: http://lumenintegration.com/

Book: Unbreakable Woman: https://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Woman-Maura-Barclay-ebook/dp/B00EDSUJYW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

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My guest today is Béa Victoria Albina.

This conversation is truly delightful, and Béa has me laughing and learning the entire time!

In a few minutes, Béa will tell you more about herself and her work in the world, but I wanted to take a moment to let you know she’s the author of the recently published book, End Emotional Outsourcing: How to Overcome Your Codependent, Perfectionistic, and People-Pleasing Habits.  

The wisdom she shares in her book is incredibly practical and relevant.  As this is getting published at the beginning of December, we are in the midst of a season with lots of holidays and family gatherings.  And I don’t know about you, but when I’m spending time with family it can be especially easy to fall into my codependent, perfectionistic, and people-pleasing habits.  So, it’s come at a great time.  And if you are looking for gift ideas… well, there are links to where you can find her book in the show notes!

Enjoy the conversation and let me know if you want to exchange stories about our journeys of ending emotional outsourcing!

Learn more about Béa: https://beatrizalbina.com/

Book: End Emotional Outsourcing

Podcast: The Feminist Wellness Podcast

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My guest today is Laing Rikkers.

Laing is an author, entrepreneur, and grief coach.  Having gone through the unexpected loss of her sister in 2019, Laing has been on a journey of grief, healing, transition, and discovery since then.  

Laing’s book, Morning Leaves (Red Hen Press), now in its second edition, draws on creativity, nature, and simple daily rituals.  Through her poems Laing offers a practical and compassionate guide to navigating grief and life’s many transitions. Whether facing personal loss, burnout, or major change, her heartfelt insights and actionable tools help people find resilience, meaning, and joy—even in the darkest seasons.

In addition to her writing, Laing designs grief workshops and speaks at events nationwide. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Feeding San Diego and has previously served as Chair of the Salk Institute Council and as a Trustee of Pacific Ridge School. She co-founded Prosomnus Sleep Technologies and was a Managing Director at Healthpoint Capital. She has been married for 25 years and is the proud mother of two adult children and one spirited little dog.

You can find out more about Laing and her work through the link below:

Laing’s website: www.laingrikkers.com

Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laing-rikkers

Follow Laing on IG: https://www.instagram.com/morning_leaves_and_poetry/

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My guest today is Kristy Gordon.

Kristy helps widows and single moms reclaim strength, purpose, and new beginnings through financial empowerment.

Originally from South Africa, Kristy is a financial professional, widow, breast cancer survivor, and mother of two remarkable daughters.  

In our conversation today, Kristy shares stories of her loss, the rebuilding of her life, supporting her daughters through their own journeys of grief, and how she has worked intentionally to make life less difficult during some deeply difficult and challenging times.

Kristy’s story is one of hope and empowerment and she now supports other women in finding their own hope and empowerment in facilitating a local chapter of the Modern Widow’s Club in her hometown in Connecticut.

To connect with Kristy and learn more about the work she does in the world, you’ll find links below:

Kristy’s website: https://kristygordon.net

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My guest today is Ziad Hamdan.

Ziad, also known as The Luck Coach, is a creator & a connector. He uses his multidimensional skills to create & manage ecosystems and lead people into heart-based actions that benefit the collective. He’s a multilingual traveler speaking 5 languages, having worked in more than 15 countries in Europe, Africa & the Middle East, leveraging his multicultural experience & creative mind to think globally and act locally, anticipate trends, embrace change and create value. Ziad is an entrepreneur at heart, a multi-tasker & he believes in prioritization and he thrives through interacting with others. He’s a fast & continuous learner that enjoys facing new challenges with innovative & disruptive solutions.

Ziad is the host of The I’mperfect Podcast, a platform for bold humans tired of pretending.  Ziad is bringing conversations into the world that highlight being ourselves – our messy, brilliant, unfinished, and real selves!

Ziad waited for two years to start his podcast, because he wanted it to be perfect.  Finally, he decided to start… imperfectly!

 Learn more about Ziad and the work he does in the world:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theluckcoach?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=em5rNnZxeXJ0cHpw
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziadhamdan/
• Podcast: The Imperfect Podcast (Apple) (YouTube) (Spotify)

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My guest today is Graham Segroves.

Graham is a leadership learning strategist and ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) with deep expertise in leadership development - including manager development, executive coaching, and assessment across global organizations. He helps leaders and their teams thrive with positive impact amid complexity and change. 

Graham works to break silos with courage to integrate meaningful solutions that create improvement for people and systems. As a leader, Graham has empowered and inspired others to deliver results in diverse industries, including manufacturing, government, and international organizations.

Career Highlights:
-- Internal Executive Coaching: 5 years as a full-time internal executive coach at Boeing, supporting leaders at all levels, including senior executives, high-potential talent, and senior managers.
-- Corporate Leadership: Departed internal coach role to return to leadership in a corporate setting; responsible first for DEI, later for global leadership development.
-- Private Practice: Founded a successful coaching and teaching practice, supporting leaders across diverse industries in navigating complex transitions and deepening leadership impact.
-- Government Leadership: Led national security teams at the CIA and developed technical leaders and people leaders under high-stakes, high-pressure conditions.

Our conversation today explores transitions, changes, and transformations.

Connect with Graham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamsegroves

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My guest today is Sava Riaskoff.

Sava is a Performance & Wellbeing Coach, TEDxSpeaker, and Associate Professor at the ESADE MBA in Barcelona. Over the past seven years, he’s worked with leaders and next-gen talent through 1:1 coaching, in-company trainings, and immersive retreats in Europe and Patagonia.

His work is deeply shaped by his own journey — from following a path that looked right on paper but left him quietly burning out, to being forced to face some of the hard questions we tend to avoid: 

What do I actually want? And who am I really, when I stop trying to fit in or live up to other people’s expectations?

Today, he helps others explore those same questions — and navigate the uncertainty, self-doubt, and pressure that tend to come with choosing a new path or stepping into leadership.

Connect with Sava on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savariaskoff/

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Today’s conversation is with Dr. Camille Neyhouser— a leadership coach, storyteller, and systems thinker with a deep curiosity for human transformation.

Camille began her career with 15 years in the international nonprofit sector before
transitioning into full-time coaching. She’s now spent the last five years guiding
individuals, teams, and organizations through meaningful change — helping them
navigate complexity with clarity and compassion.

But Camille isn’t just a coach. She’s a weaver of stories — currently writing a book
about her grandmother’s journey as a single mother in 1950s France. She’s also the
creator of immersive, myth-based dinner experiences that have taken place in
Florence and New York, where narrative, symbolism, and shared meals become a
gateway to self-discovery.

At the heart of Camille’s work is a powerful question:
How can we teach people, systems, and organizations to hold duality — with
presence?

In this episode, Camille shares the transition she’s in now, the themes that won’t
leave her alone, and the kinds of questions that light her up — including one that’s
simple but profound:  Can you help me find my joy again, like the perfumes?

You can find Camille on LinkedIn, where she continues to explore the edges of
leadership, creativity, and becoming.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilleneyhouser/

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My guest today is Carla Caturia.

Carla helps high-performing teens cultivate emotional intelligence, perform at their peak performance, and shift their mindset to thrive academically, socially, and in extracurriculars without sacrificing their passions, while encouraging parents to promote independence and reduce stress and anxiety in their relationships with their teens.

With over 20 years in academia, Dr. Carla has served as a middle school teacher, high school assistant principal, and college professor. She has helped over 10,000 families strengthen their relationships through a coaching approach that combines proven methods with a focus on individual needs. Dr. Carla holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and is a certified Life Coach.

Learn more about Carla and her services at: https://thehouseofrise.com/

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My guest today is Laura Baringer. 

Laura is a returning guest, the Founder of Purpose Built by Laura, a Business Strategist, Coach, and so much more.

Laura believes anyone can start a business — but you should love the business you build.

She helps entrepreneurs and business owners grow businesses that are sustainable, profitable, and deeply aligned with their values.

Before founding Purpose Built by Laura, Laura spent 15+ years leading nonprofit initiatives across gender, tech, and public health — including launching and scaling a multi-million-dollar USAID program in Rwanda. Along the way, she advised boards, invested in startups, and consulted with mission-led organizations worldwide.

Laura's background is in business strategy, strategic planning, and organizational development, and she brings that lens into everything she does. Whether it’s clarifying your offers, mapping your client journey, or designing a business model that actually works — strategy is always at the core.

In 2021, Laura made the leap to full-time coaching and built her own business from scratch. Today, she help founders cut through the noise, own their expertise, and grow with clarity and confidence — without burning out or compromising what matters most.

Connect with Laura:

Laura's website: https://www.purposebuiltbylaura.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurabaringer/

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My guests today are Ben and Trudie Larrabee.  Ben and Trudie are husband and wife, artist and muse, friends, lovers, and inspirations to so many!

In our conversation we talk about what it means to be artist and muse.  We hear stories of how they came to partner in their business, Ben Larabee Photography.  And we hear about the journey behind their recently published book, Trudie: A Portrait.  

In this amazing collection, Ben Larrabee presents portraits of his wife, Trudie, photographed over a 20-year period between 1997 and 2017. The book includes both black-and-white and color images, showing Trudie in a range of settings and moments, at home and during travel. Each image reveals Larrabee's masterful attention to composition, light, and emotional resonance.

Be sure to check out the show notes for links to the videos about Ben’s work that we mention, as you won’t want to miss them.  You’ll also find links to their book, and client portraits.

Learn more about Ben and Trudie’s amazing work:

· The Ben Larrabee Experience Video . A look at Ben and Trudie on a client photo shoot, and their process of photographing families.

· Ben’s philosophy behind his photography explained in this moving video, Staying in Spirt.

· The "Trudie: A Portrait by Ben Larrabee" book page for preview and ordering a signed copy.

· A link to the client portraits page on their website.

· Follow Ben and Trudie on IG:  @benlarrabeephotography.

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My guest today is Kyle Dietrich.

Kyle is the founder of Grounded Idealist and co-organizer of the Coaching Collaborative, a powerful initiative supporting tens of thousands of displaced public servants with coaching, career transition support, and deep innovation work designed to empower changemakers to continue serving. 

Grounded Idealist has mobilized nearly 3,000 credentialed coaches and offered over 20,000 hours of pro bono coaching to workers in transition since February 2025. Kyle is a peacebuilder, social entrepreneur, and trauma-informed leadership coach. With more than 25 years of experience leading large-scale international development and humanitarian assistance programs in complex contexts like Haiti, Niger, and Burundi, including his former role as Training and Learning Director in USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, Kyle brings a practitioner's insight to the intersection of global change, trauma, and human development.

Episode Resources: 

Click this link if you are a worker in transition and would like to learn more about Grounded Idealist's programs, including signing up to receive coaching: https://www.groundedidealist.co/workers  

Click this link if you are a coach interested in signing up to offer pro bono coaching and/or join their coach membership program: https://www.groundedidealist.co/coaches

You can also follow Grounded Idealist on LinkedIn to learn more about their programs and events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grounded-idealist

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My guests today are Sue Callaghan and Roberta Miceli.

Sue & Roberta are leadership coaches and facilitators of the program, Designing Your Life.

Here's what they say about the Designing Your Life workshops:

Do you ever find yourself 'stuck' at work? Feeling overwhelmed? Wanting more meaning from your life?​

This eight week Designing Your (Work) Life* small group helps you reclaim meaning, find joy in your life and "try stuff!" 

You will gain strategies and design thinking tools to change your mindset from "It's not working" to "I can make (almost) any situation work!" ​

Join us! We are DYL Certified Coaches 

Sue Callaghan, PCC and Roberta Miceli, PCC.

*Adapted from the Designing Your Work Life approach created by Stanford professors, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.

Connect with Sue and Roberta:

Sue's website: https://www.goldvineco.com/

Roberta's website: https://www.micelicoaching.com/

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My guest today is Sharoya Ham.

Sharoya is a mother of three and wife of one!  She's also a behavior change specialist and parent coach.  She created Embrace Behavior Change to help families strengthen their relationships.  Her goal is for parents to spend less time focusing on problems and more time enjoying precious moments with their children.

In our conversation today, Sharoya generously shares her journey of learning she has Bipolar Disorder.  She shares about the stories of others that helped her embrace her own story and begin sharing.  And she talks about un-judging.  This is so powerful and important.  Learning to un-judge -- ourselves and each other!

You can learn more about Sharoya at her website: https://www.embracebehaviorchange.com/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharoya-ham-7718a5113/

And through her work on The Big Purple Blob, support for Ex-Pat Families: https://thebigpurpleblob.com/

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My guest today is Owen Marcus.

Owen is the Co-Founder of Meld, a platform guiding high-performing men—founders, executives, creatives—through emotional development using somatic-based group work. With 50 years of experience in body-centered therapies and the original IP behind Everyman, Owen has helped thousands of men improve their relationships, emotional health, and overall well-being through community-based transformation. Meld has worked with professionals across industries—from Google X engineers to first responders and entrepreneurs—helping them access vulnerability, rewire stress responses, and build emotional resilience. 

This is a great conversation with so much wisdom.  

Connect with Owen through his website: https://owenmarcus.com/

Learn more about Couple's Retreats: https://daliaanderman.com/retreats

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My guest today is Lisa Krim.

Lisa is an executive coach who works with organizations and senior leaders to meet the challenges of leadership in complex landscapes across a range of sectors.  She serves leaders who are committed to accelerating their own growth and navigating change, to help them meet individual goals and optimize their organization’s effectiveness. 

Before we jump into our conversation, I wanted to take a minute to let you know that our conversation today is a deep one.  We talk about loss and grief, as Lisa shares about losing her daughter of 2 years of age.

This is a beautiful conversation and I’m incredibly grateful to Lisa for sharing these pieces of her journey and her wisdom.  

If for any reason you aren’t in a space to listen in at the moment, please take care of yourself first and foremost.  If you happen to be in the depths of grief and loss, know that you are not alone.  There are links below if you’d like to connect with Lisa or myself.

Lisa's website: https://www.lisakrim.com/

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-krim-847674351/

Resources mentioned in our conversation:

StandOut Strengths Free Assessment: https://www.adpresearch.com/standout/

Brené Brown Values Exercise: https://brenebrown.com/resources/living-into-our-values/

Book: The Amen Effect by Rabbi Sharon Brous:  https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-amen-effect-ancient-wisdom-to-heal-our-hearts-and-mend-our-broken-world-sharon-brous/19997305

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My guest today is Jim Brulé.

Jim is a transformational storyteller, a death doula, a trauma chaplain, and so much more.  

This is the 4-year anniversary of the Make Life Less Difficult podcast, so I'm especially delighted to share this conversation since it's all about storytelling, which is the heart of this podcast.

Jim defines transformational storytelling as the art of telling the right story in the right way, with an open heart, to heal the wounds within and between us.

Learn more about Jim on his website: https://transformationalstorytelling.org/about-me/

Connect with Jim: https://dot.cards/jimbrule%0A

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My guest today is Dr. Sudha Kumar. 

I was honored to meet Dr. Kumar through the kind introduction of her husband, Vinay, who has also been a guest here on the podcast.

Dr. Kumar is a Board-Certified Physician with over 30 years of experience managing acute and chronic conditions.  At this point in her career, she focuses on helping her patients live healthier lives by making changes in their diet, balancing hormones, exercise, and adding natural supplements while minimizing the use of prescription medications.  When she works with a patient, she studies their lifestyle, eating habits, and lab results.  Like a detective, she looks at the whole system to understand the causes of issues, so she can create an individualized roadmap for her client’s success.

Dr. Kumar is also a published author, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine and Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Training Academy, and a certified yoga instructor.  

In our conversation today, we talk about what integrative and functional medicine is and how it differs from traditional medicine.  We discuss women’s health and really delve into the too-often overlooked phase of perimenopause and menopause and what can be done to really care for our health during this time.  I learned so much during our conversation and I think you’ll really appreciate Dr. Kumar’s beautiful way of explaining technical medical information in a way that’s understandable for the non-medical among us!

She enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and creating healthy recipes in her spare time.  She also frequently leads medical missions overseas to provide free medical care to those who are underserved.

Dr. Kumar, thank you so much for this conversation!  Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge, expertise, and passion with us.  You are doing such important work in the world!

To learn more about Dr. Kumar and her work, you’ll find links below:

Website: https://wholistichealthmd.com/

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My guest today is Chris Lebrun. 

Chris is a productivity coach and the creator of the Wholistic Productivity podcast, and he has one goal: to empower you to be happier and more fulfilled by achieving your professional, personal, and purpose-driven goals.

Chris's work around productivity came out of his personal experience, which is why he’s so passionate about helping others. He’s spent more than 25 years helping nonprofits expand their mission through philanthropy, marketing, and communication.

Chris and I met a very long time ago in high school! It was super fun to reconnect after 3 decades! And although back in high school I would have expected Chris to be a stand up comic rather than a productivity expert and coach, he has incredibly practical insights and expertise on productivity, setting meaningful goals, and living life on purpose!

In our conversation today we talk about the journey of self discovery and awareness that leads to a more fulfilling life, the impact of deep listening, and how systems (of all sorts!) can make life less difficult. 

Chris, thank you for this great conversation! Thank for the work you are doing in the world to help people show up at their very best!

To learn more about Chris, his work, and the Wholistic Productivity Podcast, you’ll find links below:

Wholistic Productivity Website: https://wholisticproductivity.com/

Podcast: https://wholisticproductivity.com/podcast/

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My guest today is John Schuhart.

John is an executive leadership coach. He spent 17 years as an Intelligence Community Senior Executive, including: 

• Chief Financial Officer of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
• Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• Deputy Executive Director of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Community Management Staff

John is also the author of, New Supervisor Survival Guide, a book that explores the challenges of becoming an effective leader. 

Being a leader who people want to work for is not rocket science. But most people either spend too-little time learning or fail to get the training and support they need to learn how to lead and—perhaps more importantly—think about how they want to lead before they become supervisors.

In our conversation today John shares his insights and wisdom about leadership and the skills that make leaders effective. 

John, thank you for this great conversation. Thank you for writing your book and sharing these practical insights and principles of leadership. Your work is making the world a better place!

If you’d like to learn more about John and the work that he does, you’ll find links below:

Gray Beard Coaching: https://graybeardcoaching.com/

Book: 

New Supervisor Survival Guide: Twelve Simple and Proven Leadership Skills to Help New - and Not So New - Bosses Thrive

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My guest today is Doug Tilstra.

As I introduce Doug, I’ve debated which title to share first and I think I’ll share that he’s my father-in-law!  And I’m honored to share another podcast with a family member!

Doug has more than 44 years of experience as a pastor, professor, mentor, coach, and university administrator.  

In the six years leading up to his retirement in 2023, Doug served as the vice president for Student Life at  Walla Walla University.  He managed the challenges of covid, as you’ll hear him share some reflections about, and dealt with a high level of stress in his final years of full-time employment.

Doug holds a doctoral degree in organization and management with a specialization in leadership, and two master’s degrees – a Master of Divinity and Master of Science in education.  He’s a Georgetown University-certified leadership coach and certified emotional intelligence trainer.  He is a published author and frequent workshop speaker on a variety of leadership topics.

Doug and his wife Lorraine have been married since 1979 and are the proud parents of 3 adult children and adoring grandparents of 2 granddaughters.  Doug loves the outdoors, biking, writing, hiking, and reading.

In our conversation today, Doug and I dig into the challenges of retirement and major life transitions.  There are a lot of relevant connections for times of transition, which many people are experiencing this year. 

Dad, thank you for jumping into this conversation with me.  Thank you for being persistent in making time.  It’s especially rewarding since we’ve been talking about this for several years now!  Your reflections, stories, and wisdom are thought-provoking and inspiring.  

If you’d like to connect with Doug or learn more about his work in the world, you’ll find links below:

Connect with Doug on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-tilstra-4a0472/

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My guest today is Jessica Vogt.

Jessica is a holistic leadership development coach who supports people with a foot in many worlds - culturally, professionally, or personally. She works with those who often feel like they belong everywhere and nowhere all at once. With warmth, empathy, curiosity, and a good measure of humour, Jess helps them reconnect with their voice, their worth, and their right to live life on their own terms.

Drawing from her own experience as a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), a lifelong expat, and an ever-curious learner of humans, she blends neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and embodiment practices into a coaching process that helps people build the clarity, confidence, and courage to lead a life that feels like home.

She believes that when we live as we are, we lead as we are - creating ripples that inspire others to live and lead as they are too.

I met Jess through the kind introduction of Arianne Rice – thank you, Arianne!!  When we first talked, I immediately hoped Jess would say yes to being on the podcast.  And I’m grateful she did because her stories are intriguing and inspiring.

In our conversation today, Jess shares about her experiences growing up as a CODA.  How these parts of her journey contribute to shape her and her work today.

Jess, thank you so very much for this beautiful conversation.  You are an inspiration to me, to your clients, and are doing such important work in the world to make this world a better and brighter place.

To learn more about Jess and the work she does, you’ll find links below:

Jessica's website: www.talpaco.com 

Jessica's linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvogt/ 

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My guest today is Sava Riaskoff.

Sava is a Performance & Wellbeing Coach, TEDxSpeaker, and Associate Professor at the ESADE MBA in Barcelona. Over the past seven years, he’s worked with leaders and next-gen talent through 1:1 coaching, in-company trainings, and immersive retreats in Europe and Patagonia.

His work is deeply shaped by his own journey — from following a path that looked right on paper but left him quietly burning out, to being forced to face some of the hard questions we tend to avoid: 

What do I actually want? And who am I really, when I stop trying to fit in or live up to other people’s expectations?

Today, he helps others explore those same questions — and navigate the uncertainty, self-doubt, and pressure that tend to come with choosing a new path or stepping into leadership.

I met Sava through the kind introduction of Adela Warkentin (thank you, Adela!!).  This is a beautiful and inspiring conversation where we explore the intersection of emotional safety and authenticity or vulnerability.  What changes when we choose to be vulnerable and risk the unknown?  Ironically enough, as Sava shares… we find safety, despite it feeling so scary.

Sava, thank you for jumping into the deep end of the conversational pool with me!  Thank you for choosing authenticity and vulnerability.  You are an inspiration!  Keep being you and adding such beautiful light to the world!!

To learn more about Sava and the work he does in the world, you’ll find links below:

Sava’s Website: https://www.inwardpath.com

Growth Week Retreats: https://growthweek.co

Watch Sava’s TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WelzFFA0TM

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/savariaskoff

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My guest today is Nicole Anderson.

Nicole is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in driving organizational success through human-centered change management. As a Partner at The Kaler Group, her unique ability to integrate people, processes, and technology has made her a pivotal force in enhancing organizational effectiveness and fostering positive culture and employee experiences. 

She is known for her strategic vision, innovative problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of organizational and team dynamics.  She partners with her clients to empower people and teams to thrive and achieve lasting success.  

In our conversation today, Nicole shares pieces of her journey of seeking freedom and learning how to define success for herself.  She shares about both the joys and challenges of this.  When we shift measures of success from the external expectations around us to the internal desires and values, it can be disruptive… and liberating.

Nicole, thank you for sharing your stories, your reflections, your wisdom.  I’m so grateful to know you and be inspired by you.  Thank you for the light you are creating in the world and in the lives of those you work with!

To learn more about Nicole and her work, you’ll find links below:

LinkedIn

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My guest today is Linda Hoopes. 

Linda helps organizations, teams, and individuals thrive in turbulence.  She’s a writer and speaker on the topics of resilience, change, and employee well-being. 

Linda is a returning guest, having been on the podcast a couple of years ago with Kris Burbank, where they talked about their co-authored book, Embracing Another Normal: Resilience Stories and Strategies for Raising Children with Disabilities.

Linda is back with me today to dig a little deeper into her work around resilience and her framework of Prosilience.  Her book Prosilience: Building Your Resilience for a Turbulent World, helps us assess our readiness for challenge and design a plan to become even stronger. 

Linda is also a sailor, musician, photographer, and traveler.

Linda, thank you for this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.  Your framework on building the muscles to help us respond effectively during times of turbulence are incredibly practical and applicable in life!  I’m grateful for your perspectives, groundedness, and wisdom.

To learn more about Linda and the work she does in the world, you’ll find links below:

Resilience Alliance

404.309.3331 (c)

Calendar: https://doodle.com/mm/lindahoopes/booking

Interested in more? Sign up for my newsletters:

Prosilience: Strategies for building personal and organizational challenge readiness

Organizational Change Intersections: Fresh perspectives on effective change in organizations

Family History Projects

The Journals of Emma Troutman Boylan: My great-grandmother's journals

Travels with K: My great-aunt's world adventures

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My guest today is Elif Malmqvist.

Elif is an executive coach who is currently studying cognitive neuroscience so she can better understand the why behind human emotions and connections.  

Elif is passionate about helping people understand neuroplasticity, specifically around understanding negative thoughts or baggage from the past and how to create more positivity and happiness through better understanding of our brains.

Elif and I met many years ago through Margareta Sjolund, who has also been a guest on my podcast.  Our passion for emotional intelligence training linked us and yet because we both moved multiple times to difference countries, this conversation is the first we have had in many years!  

Elif is currently based in Malaysia but has lived in various countries in Asia and Europe.  

Elif, thank you so much for this inspiring conversation. Thank you for sharing with us your stories and what you are learning about the brain and how it can help create more happiness in our lives.  I can’t wait to hear more about your research!

To learn more about Elif and her work, you’ll find links below.

Connect with Elif on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elifmalmqvist/

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My guest today is Jules Kuroda.

Jules’s life passion is helping people get past the ideas they have of themselves to unlock more fulfillment. Our minds are wonderful and dangerous tools, she says, depending on how we wield them.

Jules loves complexity and strives for simplicity and believes the world is more interesting with our paradoxes explored.

Her aim is to bring more joy and understanding into the world, and I believe our conversation today will bring you both joy and new understanding of the world and yourself.

Jules’s book, The N8 Self: You are more than your Mind, Body, and Emotions, offers a tangible way to understand and create more meaning and purpose in our lives.  You’ll hear Jules share principles from her book today that are indeed really practical and tangible.  

Jules, thanks for sharing your insights, your stories, your wisdom.  The work you are doing is adding so much light and connection to the world and I’m honored to help share it here.

You can find links in the show notes to learn more about Jules and her work.

Jules's Website: https://www.n8self.com/

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Welcome back to Make Life Less Difficult.

My guest today is Michael Ulrich.

Michael is a contemplative psychotherapist based in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a background in clinical practice, systems thinking, and integral development. His work bridges traditional therapeutic modalities with emergent, self-organizing ways of relating and healing.

In our conversation today, Michael and I explore the ongoing practice of presence—what it means to meet ourselves and others without needing to fix or explain. We speak about narrative and identity, power and subtlety, and what emerges when we listen deeply, even to silence.

This dialogue invited me to slow down, to notice the patterns beneath the words, and to trust the wisdom that arises in shared reflection. Michael’s insights—both personal and professional—are a powerful reminder of how growth and groundedness can coexist.

Michael, thank you for this rich and layered conversation. I’m still unpacking it.

To learn more about Michael and his work, you can connect with him here:

Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psykologmichaelulrich/

Let’s dive in.

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My guest today is Andra Davidson.

Andra is a collaboratively trained Certified Divorce Coach and mediator who created the Better Than Before Divorce™ Program to provide emotional support to men and women navigating divorce.

Her clients benefit from her 25+ years of experience in crisis communications, branding, and marketing, as well as my calm strength and commitment to tangible results. She believes anyone dealing with divorce can learn to minimize conflict, communicate effectively, and prioritize healthy coparenting.  Her strength-based approach provides the tools and skills needed to reduce overwhelm and make informed decisions based on goals, not emotions.

Andra’s favorite past time is enjoying her blended family:  amazing 24-year-old twins, two incredible step-kids, and three adorable dogs.

Andra and I met through a storytelling workshop and I was delighted when she agreed to come on the podcast!  Andra graciously shares pieces of her own journey of a divorce she didn’t choose and how she has come to find her strengths, confidence, and purpose on the other side.  We talk about the value of finding your NorthStar through the process of divorce, setting manageable goals, having a support system, and determining the best path of parenting if kids are involved, including the difference between co-parenting and parallel parenting.

Andra, thank you so much for this inspiring conversation.  Thank you for sharing deeply meaningful stories and wisdom alongside practical and tangible strategies to make divorce a little less difficult.

To connect with Andra and find out more about her work in the world, please see the links below.  There are also links to the books and resources Andra mentions.

Website: betterthanbeforedivorce.com

Social Media: 

https://www.facebook.com/CompassRoseDivorceCoach

https://www.instagram.com/andradavidson_/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andradavidson/

https://www.youtube.com/@CompassRoseDivorce

Resources:

Bill Eddy, High Conflict Institute, and all his books - https://highconflictinstitute.com/

Let Them, Mel Robbins

The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz

The Gifts of Imperfection, Brene Brown

Parentteam.com (amazing parenting coaches)

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My guest today is Debra Kiva. 

Debra is a certified grief educator and coach who works with, and is trained by, renowned grief expert, David Kessler.  Debra facilitates loss groups for Kessler's online grief community, Tender Hearts, and co-facilitates loss groups for grieving complex relationships. And she supports people facing anticipatory grief, the grief of losing a loved one by long term illness/dementia, as she has deep experience in dementia and sibling loss.  As an adult she has experienced the loss of her brother, both parents (who were very difficult/abusive when she was a child), and many friends. 

Debra also devotes her time as the Director of the Hummingbird Choir, a joyful singing community for those with memory challenges and she is the Co-Director of Yuba Spirit Threshold Singers and a member of Whidbey Island Bedside Singers which brings gentle songs to those on the threshold of life, bringing moments of ease and comfort for clients, family and caregivers.  

Debra has begun a new group for working with those who are grieving parents or caregivers were neglectful, narcissistic, emotionally absent, addicted, or mentally ill. She and her co-facilitator Katia Miniovich have created a place where participants can feel understood within the complexities and confusion which may arise from these losses, as these losses are often not recognized by the culture or peers who have had different upbringings. 

Debra believes that healing happens within connection and she is dedicated to serving others, letting them know they are not alone and are held with compassion. 

She supports clients on Zoom and in person in her office on Whidbey Island, Washington.

I first saw Debra’s name through a notice of her grief group and was so intrigued by this offering, recognizing complex grief and loss.  I reached out and I’m so glad she agreed to come on the podcast.  

She and I talk about this deep complexity of grieving loss when the relationships were difficult, for many different reasons.  This isn’t something that I’ve seen talked about in this way before and I share various pieces of my own journey of losing my first husband Eric and the complexity of grieving while recognizing the challenges of our marriage and relationship.

We recorded this conversation in early April and it is serendipitous that it’s being published now, as my father passed away just a few days ago, after a slow decline from Dementia with Lewy Bodys.  I was listening to this conversation to get it ready for publication while with my family during my dad’s final few days and wow, I was so grateful!

Debra, I’m so incredibly grateful for the connection with you and for this conversation.  Your beautiful and graceful presence is a gift in this world.  Creating spaces for talking about and experiencing grief without judgement is an incredible way to make life less difficult. 

And one final thing before we jump into our conversation, I just want to share this quote from Debra:  You don’t get over grief, you just continue and grow around it….  You have to figure out how to move forward and grow around it and find more love than pain.

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, please know that you are not alone.  Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to connect.

Debra Kiva
Certified Grief Educator/Support Provider
Certified Grief Coach
Certified Grief Movement Guide
debkiva@gmail.com
530 913-0320

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My guest today is Milena Trevisani.

Before becoming a coach, Milena worked for 20 years in the corporate world, and which took her to many different countries.  Along the way, she met lots of extraordinary people who opened her eyes to the possibilities that we all hold within us. 

During her 10 years at The New York Times as a Director of Business Development and Sales, Milena had a coach who helped her and laid the foundations for her coaching passion. 

While at the NYT, Milena began to understand that to become a leader you have to train, and secondly, her coach helped her to see that a task is more than just a task. It’s who we become while we are doing it that matters. She became fascinated with human behaviour and relationships and Milena shares that she thinks that’s what led her to the life she has now.

In our conversation today, Milena shares pieces of her story that shaped her life – losing her dad unexpected at 13 years old, being unable to afford university and creating a successful life despite that, and always holding a desire to study and get her degree.  And now, she has started that journey, realizing it’s not too late.

We talk about how stories are contagious – for both positive and negative – so how can we recognize the stories our brains are absorbing?  We discuss the importance of finding the good tension between our dreams and the practical necessities of life.  And the power of choosing what we “feed” our brains.

This conversation is deeply inspiring and I’m so honored to share it with you.

Milena, thank you for your stories, your wisdom, your thought-provoking and eye-opening metaphors.  I’m a better person for having met you and learned from you and I know that those who listen to this will feel similarly!

To learn more about Milena and her work, please see the links below.

Milena's Website: https://milenatrevisanicoaching.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milena-trevisani-467b191/

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My guest today is Maura Lightfoot.

Maura is a leadership and culture coach with a wealth of experience and knowledge.  From human resources in the Middle East to financial services management consulting in London to nonprofit organizational culture in Washington D.C., Maura’s experience equips her with a unique perspective that is both grounded and global.

In our conversation today, Maura and I talk about her model of Exploration Leadership.  We dive into the curiosity and bravery it takes to explore – both within ourselves and throughout our worlds.  We talk about the beautiful concept of slowing down so we can meet ourselves right where we are.  And we touch on the beauty of the differences among us AND the core desires of every human – safety, belonging, dignity.

Maura, thank you for this beautiful conversation.  It is an inspiring exploration and I’m still pondering and reflecting on so much of what you shared.  Your stories and work are contributing to making the world a brighter, more connected place.

To learn more about Maura and the work she does, you’ll find links below.

Maura's website: https://www.mclcoaching.org/

Connect with Maura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauralightfoot/

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My guest today is Mikaela Seligman.

Mikaela is the Founder of the company, Lumin/Us, which offers tailored leadership coaching and education, facilitation, and organizational consulting.  Mikaela brings her 30+ years of experience leading in and also coaching/consulting for mission-driven organizations and leaders.

At the heart of her work, Mikaela helps leaders have impact without burnout.  She’s worked her entire career to redefine outdated ideas about leadership.  Everyone, she says, wherever they sit in the social and organizational hierarchy - can heed the call to exercise leadership every day. The world needs us to do so more than ever.

Mikaela has decades of experience applying the Adaptive Leadership framework and adult development theory in staff and senior organizational roles   She is a lifelong student and practitioner of somatics and mindfulness. She blends these and a range of emergent approaches in every aspect of her work.

Our conversation today is a beautiful emerging of ideas and insights!  Mikaela shares pieces of her own journey that were incredibly difficult, including her parents divorcing when she was 6 years old, and her father dying when she was 17 years old.  She also shares about the people and practices that helped make those difficult times a little less difficult.  

Mikaela, thank you for this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.  Thank you for sharing your stories, your reflections, and your wisdom.  You truly bring a much-needed light into the world through your work and through just being you!  I’m so grateful our paths have crossed!

To learn more about Mikaela and her work, you’ll find links below.

Mikaela's website: https://www.luminusleadership.com/

Connect with Mikaela on LinkedIn

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My guests today are Tommy Jiang and Kevin Harrington.

I met Tommy and Kevin while traveling in Patagonia last year.  It was one of those connections that permeate great international travel.  My husband and I were at the end of our month-long excursion and got to enjoy a 35+ hour ferry ride filled with hours of great conversation with them.  

Learning about their passions and expertise, I told them about the podcast and invited them to come on!  And now… I get to share this conversation with you!

Let me share a bit more about each of them and then we’ll jump into our conversation about Psychosynthesis, healing, hypnosis, and more!

Tommy is a carpenter and healer currently living in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Tommy's approach to growth and healing in his own life and with clients, combines his background in mindfulness meditation, training as a Psychosynthesis Life Coach through the Synthesis Center in Amherst, MA, and his training as a Professional Hypnotist with the International Certification Board of Coaches & Hypnotists (ICBCH). Tommy aims at a precise approach to coaching and healing work, utilizing what arises in each moment, and following it to integration, wholeness, and profound energy within oneself.

Kevin received his PhD in Astrophysics at the International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and the University of Bonn, Germany. He previously received a B.Sc in Astronomy and B.Sc in Psychological Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), Amherst. Currently he works as a professional astronomer with a postdoctoral research fellowship position at the Atacama Large Millimeter Telescope in northern Chile. He is an internationally recognized Board Certified Coach, and has completed his training in psychosynthesis life coaching through The Synthesis Center since 2015.

Tommy and Kevin, thank you for this fantastic conversation!  Thank you for your willingness to connect and engage in meaningful connection both in southern Patagonia and now.  Meeting people like you is one of my favorite things in life and I’m grateful to get to share these pieces of  your wisdom, passion, and beautiful work in the world!

You’ll find links below to connect with both Tommy and Kevin.

Tommy Jiang's Website: www.callofself.com

Kevin Harrington's Website: https://www.kch-coaching.com/

Synthesis Center website: https://www.synthesiscenter.org/

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My guest today is Steve Whearty.

Steve is a certified executive coach and learning & development specialist with over 30 years of experience in leadership and learning professional roles. He began his career as a Naval Flight Officer, serving on active duty in the U.S., Italy, and Japan. 

Steve continued to serve as a civilian employee of the Federal Government in various roles from 2009-2022, including at the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute and the Federal Executive Institute.  

Since 2021, Steve has also served as an independent learning consultant, working with a variety of public and private sector clients on leadership development experiences and coaching.

Steve received a B.A. in Public Policy from Duke University, an M.B.A. from Cameron University, and a M.A. in Education and Human Development from George Washington University. He resides in Charlottesville, VA.

Steve and I met through mutual work opportunities and happened to be on a group call a couple of months ago when the topic of disruption came up.  I asked Steve if he’d be willing to have a deeper conversation about disruption, given that many people are facing a variety of disruptions currently.  I’m grateful he said yes, because this conversation you’re about to listen to is the outcome.  And while we don’t come up with a lot of answers, we share ideas, challenges, and stories of attempts to respond with agency to the disruptions in our own lives.  

Steve, thank you for jumping into this conversation with curiosity and thoughtful reflection.  Thank you for sharing your stories, your questions, and your wisdom.  I’m both inspired and challenged to better my own response to the series of disruptions we call life!

You can reach out to Steve at: stevewhearty@sentiero.consulting 

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My guest today is Jessica Zucal.

Jessica is an organization system innovator and change enabler.  As a NeuroLeadership trained coach and Emotional Intelligence practitioner, she supports leaders in creating new mindsets that free them from inhibiting believe systems and helps them unlock greater leadership potential.

Jessica is the Director of Organization Change & Transformation at Evans Consulting and she serves as faculty in the Georgetown University’s Organizational Development Graduate Certificate Program.  Jessica identifies herself as an extreme animal lover and she’s trained to partner with horses for her coaching and leadership development programs.

Jess and I met several months ago through a work opportunity and during one of our meetings she mentioned something about an appointment for her cancer treatment.  It took me by surprise and was a poignant reminder that we never know what all is going on in someone’s life.

In our conversation today, Jess generously shares about her journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2024.  At the time of our recording it was almost one year exactly from when she learned she had cancer.  You’ll hear her reflections on how she’s engaged with this life disruption and has come to identify cancer as one of her greatest teachers.

Jess, thank you so much for this conversation.  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey.  Your ability to share the inner journey with us in your outer world is an incredible gift.  Your openness to growth and learning is inspirational and I hope you continue to share your story at any opportunity that comes your way!

If you’d like to learn more about Jess and her work, there’s a link to her LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-zucal-3323795/.

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My guest today is Louiza Kiritopoulos-Adams.

Louiza is an organizational psychologist and an executive, leadership development, and performance coach.  She has over 20 years of leadership experience across diverse industries and global markets.  She’s deeply passionate about unlocking human potential to create a lasting impact at both organizational and market levels.

Louiza and I met through the Georgetown University coaching program and her presence in my life has been an incredible gift ever since!

In our conversation today we dig into what it means to make life less difficult (from a variety of angles), the connection between our minds and bodies, the value of feedback – and which feedback to take in, which to let go, and really exploring who we are – truly are – as people.

Louiza, thank you for this inspiring conversation.  Thank you for capturing the heart of why I do this podcast and articulating it so well.  Thank you for the beautiful and gracious reminders to do the work to know ourselves.  And for the encouragement to show up, see each other with kindness, to give back and pay it forward, and find the enjoyment in life.

Connect with Louiza on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiza-kiritopoulos-adams/

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My guest today is Ravi Ram.

Ravi is a returning guest and I’m so grateful to have another conversation with him here on the podcast.  

Ravi's career and life are guided by his passion for helping others develop, feel a deep sense of connection and belonging, and have fun in the process. He finds meaning in being a source of warmth, energy, and inspiration for others, and his varied hobbies over the years—from playing tennis and the flute, to improv comedy, to yoga—reflect his ongoing commitment to living at the intersection of personal growth and joyful play. 

Ravi believes that each person has a unique and beautiful gift to offer the world and hopes that each of us can authentically pursue what makes us feel most alive.

In our conversation today we explore the pressure of making the right decision, how to respond when it feels like we’ve made the wrong decision, and how to embrace a posture of experimentation in life.  We talk about how creativity and curiosity are powerful antidotes to depression and anxiety, and the fear and excitement of starting or trying new things.

Ravi, thank you for another fantastic conversation.  Your transparent and authentic reflections are incredibly inspiring.  I’m so grateful to have you in my life and I look forward to more conversations!

To learn more about Ravi and the work he does in the world, you’ll find links below:

Ravi’s website: www.raviram.me

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravisram/

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My guest today is Shimrit Nativ.

Shimrit is a Success & Freedom Mentor, CEO and founder of Master Your Path Academy.

Having built a 6-figure business in a matter of months, when she first started out, with no prior experience, Shimrit is the perfect example of what's possible when you have a desire & drive to create a significant impact.

As a Transformational & Success Coach and Mindset Expert, Shimrit has helped hundreds of driven and creative individuals across the globe create and sustain a consistent baseline of confidence, success and fulfillment.

I our conversation today we talk about co-creating our collective reality, the mindset needed to move in this direction, and the skills one can strengthen to create the life you want.  One of the powerful ideas Shimrit shares is that “freedom of thought is a skill.”  I think this is so important and relevant for each of us as we consider how to make life less difficult for each other and for ourselves.

Shimrit, thank you for sharing your stories, reflections and wisdom with us here today.  Thank you for making the world a more fulfilling and freedom-filled place!

To learn more about Shimrit and the works she does, you’ll find links below:

Links

https://www.shimritnativ.com

https://www.instagram.com/shimritnativ/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/shimritnativ/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shimrit-nativ/?originalSubdomain=de

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_2lYEmKoB-UGJXosvVl0Og

Freebie: Free 3 day workshop  “All the way to the top” https://workshop.shimritnativ.com/allthewaytothetop

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My guest today is Kenny Leahman.

I first learned a piece of Kenny’s story from an article in Yahoo News with the headline: Retired CIA officer opens up about coming out as gay during ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ era: ‘I was terrified every single day.’

Immediately, I wanted to have Kenny on my podcast and today is the day I get to share our conversation with you!  We got to meet in person last year and I’ve learned more about Kenny’s story, his work of dropping cover – in the professional sense, in the sense of coming out as gay, and as you’ll hear, in other ways in life, for we all have things we choose to keep undercover.

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, thank you SO much for being part of my life and sharing these pieces of your story and life here on Make Life Less Difficult.  Your story is deeply impactful, your wisdom is poignant and prescient, and your vulnerability is inspirational.  

Kenny is offering a new workshop, Discover, Decide, and Do What Matters.  You’ll find links below to this workshop, Kenny’s website, and the article where I first read about him.

 Kenny's website: https://www.kennyleahman.com/

Article from YahooNews!

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My guest today is Seth Yelorda.

Seth has a decade of expertise as a leadership coach and organizational development consultant. His approach centers on clarifying vision, developing leadership skills, and fostering a transformative organizational culture. Seth is skilled in aligning team dynamics and programs to achieve optimal effectiveness and synergy. 

Seth and I first met in a personal development program almost 15 years ago.  As our paths reconnected a few months ago, it was awesome to hear about the work he’s doing in the world and learn some about his personal journey.  

In our conversation today, Seth shares pieces of his journey including the learning and transformation that has come from having a child with special needs.  He introduces us to this idea of building our soul muscle.  I love that and am inspired to do the sometimes-difficult work to build my soul muscle.  Seth has a clear vision for his life and is passionate about helping others find their vision.  You’ll hear the passion and inspiration in our conversation today!

Seth, thank you for joining me in this conversation.  Thank you for your authentic and passion-filled sharing, your wise reflections, and your powerful convictions.  I’m so glad to be reconnected with you!

To learn more about Seth and the work he does, you’ll find links in the show notes.

Seth’s website: https://visionclarityconsulting.com

Connect with Seth on LinkedIn

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My guest today is Anna Sparks.

Anna is a returning guest and it’s so great to get to talk with her again! Our previous conversations have been focused on books we read and discussed together.  If you haven’t listened to them, they are episodes 15 and 34, and we talk about the books Professional Troublemaker:The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones, and Unbound, A Woman's Guide to Power by Kasia Urbaniak.  Great books.  Great conversations!

This time, Anna agreed to return and share more of her own journey and reflections.  As you’ll hear, she’s got enough wisdom and insight to write her own book!

We talk about a variety of topics, but one of the things we get into is Adult Stage Development.  This is a fascinating model that looks how adults continue to develop in their ways of experiencing, reacting, and engaging in the world.  When I first learned about this model, it was life-changing!

Anna, thank you for coming back on the podcast!  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey, your reflections, and your wisdom.  I can’t wait for our next conversation!

To learn more about Anna and the work that she does, you’ll find links in the show notes.

Connect with Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-sparks/

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My guest today doesn’t really qualify as a guest, as much as a co-contributor.  Russ Watts has been regular guest, sharing stories, reflections, hosting conversations, and contributing in so many ways to making life less difficult.

Russ is a leadership coach, outdoor enthusiast, mountain adventurer and athlete, and dedicated father and husband.  He lives in Italy with his family.  Russ and I have been collaborating on storytelling workshops and retreats since 2019.

A number of weeks ago, Russ mentioned that he was contemplating pain as a teacher.  I immediately was interested in hearing more, especially knowing the times of extreme pain that Russ has experienced in his life with two life-threatening mountain incidents (check out episode 4 to hear those incredible stories!).

So, today’s conversation is a dive into pain.  While we often strive to avoid pain (and let me say, that certain pain is definitely to be avoided), there’s also pain that can indeed teach us, grow us, and transform us.  Sometimes this pain is physical and by choice (for example training for a long distance run or hike or other type of adventure), sometimes the pain is emotional and not by choice (loss, endings, disruptions, health scares).

Join us for the conversation today.  We certainly don’t have even a fraction of the answers, we just jump into the discovery process to see what can be brought to light.  If this topic interests you, we welcome you to reach out and join us for future conversations.

To learn more about Russ and the work he does, as well as our storytelling workshops and retreats, you’ll find links in the show notes.

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My guest today is Stephen Barry.

Stephen is a massage therapist living in the Nashville, Tennessee area.

Stephen is someone who I have wanted to have on the podcast for years, so it’s truly a delight to finally share this conversation here.

Stephen originally connected with me after I was on a podcast called Everyone’s Agnostic.  We had a number of things in common including our upbringing in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.  And stepping away from that faith community.  Stephen also recognized my last name and asked if I was related to Doug Tilstra.  My father-in-law, Doug Tilstra, had been one of his professors in university and, as you’ll hear in Stephen’s story, has remained a prominent friend and support to him.

In our conversation today, Stephen shares pieces of his story of leaving religion, coming out as gay, nearly giving up on life, and re-finding community, faith, and love.  Embedded in this is an amazing story of friendship and making life less difficult for each other.

Stephen, thank you so very much for this conversation.  I feel so grateful to be connected.  Thank you for sharing your stories with authenticity, vulnerability, love, and compassion.  You make the world a better place!

If you’d like to connect with Stephen, you’ll find links below.

https://www.facebook.com/barryorchestra

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My guest today is Gai Ben Dor.

Gai is a leadership development and change management expert, coach, and facilitator who works with leaders and organizations worldwide. He is an international keynote speaker specializing in leadership and excellence.

Gai has a fascinating story – well, many fascinating stories, really.  I was fortunate to meet Gai through the Georgetown University Leadership Coaching network and before we even talked th first time, I was hoping he’d say yes to being on the podcast!  

One piece of Gai’s story is that he participated in the Marathon Race at the Beijing Paralympic Games as a guide for a blind runner and later led him on a journey through the Himalayas toward Mount Everest. He is also a social entrepreneur, having founded several social enterprises focused on education, sports, and the integration of people with disabilities.

With a background as a lawyer and accountant, he brings a diverse perspective to leadership, transformation, and personal growth.

Today, Gai is part of KONU, an international consulting firm specializing in leadership development and change management.

Gai, thank you for this wonderful conversation. Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey and story.  Thank you for your reflections, your wisdom, and your inspiration.  I’m so grateful to know you and host this episode!

To learn more about Gai, find links to his Ted talk and more here:

 Connect with Gai:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaibendor/
• Gai's Website: https://www.gaibendor.com/en
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaibendor/
• TEDx Talk link: https://youtu.be/goiyLgCzgSI?si=XZ_GC2e4x_ovIziw

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My guest today is Allison Ebert. 

Allison is an Education Specialist with the U.S. Department of State.  She’s also a Leadership Coach through Georgetown University’s Institute of Transformational Leadership and has a Master of Education in Leadership and Management.

Originally from Minnesota, Allison has been living and working in Germany for the last 20 years.

Allison and I met through our mutual work for the Department of State.  Every time we get to connect, I’m always left feeling like I need more time with her!  As the years have passed, fortunately we have had more opportunities for overlap through our coaching work, story retreats, and now a podcast conversation.

Allison, thank you for this conversation!  Thank you for sharing pieces of your story and your reflections in such a genuine, authentic, and thoughtful way.  The wisdom shared in this conversation is such a gift!  I look forward to many more conversations!

Connect with Allison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonbebert/ 

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My guest today is Lynn Ellen Queen.

Lynn Ellen is an executive coach working with clients from around the globe.  One of her core values is making a difference, which she truly does, as you’ll soon hear through her stories here.

Lynn Ellen also makes a difference in her volunteer work, serving on several non-profit boards.

In our conversation today, Lynn Ellen shares two stories of transformation.  The first one focuses on her personal transformation which led to making the second one possible.  When Lynn Ellen first shared pieces of her story with me, I immediately asked if she’d come on my podcast.  The love, the compassion, the human connection all are deeply inspiring and a much-needed reminder that we can all choose to make life a little less difficult for others when we are willing to do the hard work of self-reflection and pair that with seeing others with love and presence.

Lynn Ellen, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey.  Thank you for sharing candidly about your own journey and self-discovery. And thank you for creating love in the world for both yourself and others!  You are an incredible change-maker.

To learn more about Lynn Ellen and the work she does in the world, you’ll find links below.

Connect with Lynn Ellen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnellenqueen/

Lynn Ellen's Website: https://leadership.qa/team

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My guests today are Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan.

Jerome and Julienne are hosts of the podcast, Leadership Story Talks.  I was fortunate to meet Jerome and Julienne through the kind introduction of Nadine Keller and Linda Knox of Precision Sales Coaching and Training. 

Jerome is the CEO of Narativ, a company that helps companies activate behavioral change from the inside out through the use of story and storytelling experiences.  Jerome came to Narativ after an international career in finance and thought he was going to pursue film making when the opportunity came for him to transform Narativ into the company it is today.

Julienne is a business author, communication and HR specialist and frequent Narativ training contributor.  Julienne is the author of the book, The Learned-it-in-Queens Communications Playbook: Winning Against Digital Distraction. 

In our conversation today we dive into the impact and power of story.  What makes storytelling transformational?  What are some considerations for telling stories?  How does listening impact the telling and receiving of stories?  And much more.

Jerome and Julienne, thank you so much for this beautiful and inspiring conversation.  Thank you for the work you do in the world, helping people connect in meaningful and transformational ways.  You both are amazing storytellers and are creating experiences that are so needed in businesses and our world!

You’ll find links below to learn more about Jerome and Julienne and the work they do in the world.

Narativ website

Leadership Story Talks Podcast

Julienne's book

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My guest today is Dr. Adam Dorsay.

Adam is a licensed psychologist and a certified executive coach working in private practice. He specializes in assisting high-achieving professionals—including tech executives, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes—with relationship issues, stress reduction, easing anxiety, and attaining more happiness in their lives.

Adam delivers lively and well-received keynotes and trainings at institutions like Microsoft, LinkedIn, and the California Psychological Association. He is also the host of the award-winning psychology podcast SuperPsyched, which has featured interviews with everyone from NBA coaches to rock stars to world-famous comedians to bestselling authors and many more.

He lives and works in San Jose, California, and is happily married with two children and an Australian Labradoodle named Raffi.

Adam is the author of the book, SuperPsyched: Unleash the Power of 4 Types of Connection and Live the Life You Want.  

In our conversation today, Adam shares his wisdom on what connection is, how we as humans are wired up for connection and love, and why, despite wanting connection so desperately, often feel disconnection and alone, perhaps even unloved.  

I loved this conversation with Adam and wished we had had about 5 hours to continue talking and learning from him.  I’m excited to share this with you and hope you’ll explore Adam’s podcast, book, TEDx talks, and other work as well.  There are links in the show notes for all of that.

Adam, thank you SO much for this great connection.  Your work in the world is of incredible importance and I’m honored to be a tiny piece in helping it spread!  Thank you for sharing your stories, your struggles, your reflections and your wisdom.  Your transparency and wise counsel are a beautiful combination and gift to others!

Connect with Adam:

• Website
• Super Psyched (Book)
• TEDx Talk: Emotions - The Data Men Miss
• TEDx Talk: Friendships in Adulthood - 5 Things to Know
• Super Psyched Podcast

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My guest today is Dan Henderson.

Dan is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and ICF-credentialed coach with nearly three decades of experience in high-growth software and technology companies. As the founder of Gravity Insights, Dan leverages his extensive background to provide leadership coaching and consulting services, guiding business leaders through complex transitions and critical transactions. His unique blend of practical experience and formal training enables him to offer insightful and actionable advice tailored to the nuanced challenges faced by today's executives.

Throughout his career, Dan has held pivotal roles, including founding executive positions, leading global mergers and acquisitions, and spending half a dozen years as an early-stage venture capital investor at Virginia Venture Partners where he invested in startups that went on to achieve valuations in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Today Dan’s passion is nurturing the growth of other business leaders with the compassion and understanding that comes from having walked in their shoes.

Outside of work, Dan volunteers as a business advisor. He is an accomplished musician, playing fiddle and singing in an award-winning bluegrass band, Pictrola, which performs regularly at music festivals, concert venues, and performing arts centers.  Dan lives in northern Virginia with his wife, two daughters, two dogs, and a menagerie of other pets.

In our conversation today, Dan shares pieces of his story of learning about ADHD, what it meant to learn about his own ADHD as an adult, and how he has come to help others with ADHD to better understand their brains.

Dan, thank you for this great conversation!  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your story and journey.  Thank you for sharing the wisdom you have developed.  You have helped me understand things about my brain that have made a huge positive impact and I know that many others could say similar things!

You’ll find links in the show notes to learn more about Dan and the work he does in the world!

Learn more about Dan and his work: https://www.gravityinsightsgroup.com/
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-henderson-33164/

Books mentioned in our conversation:

• Your Brain's Not Broken by Tamara Rosier
• The ADHD Effect on Marriage by Melissa Orlov
• Brain Hacks by Lara Honos-Webb

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My guest today is Annie Peguero.

Annie is on a mission to help leaders transform fear into confidence and lead with balance and purpose. An adoptee, former federal law enforcement officer and military spouse, Annie’s journey has taken her from navigating her own identity and reinvention to her decades-long work of empowering leaders worldwide to embrace authenticity and resilience. She has lived across the U.S., Italy, and Japan, and her work draws from global perspectives and lived experiences.

Annie is a Georgetown-trained executive leadership coach, and the creator of the B.R.A.V.E. Framework and founder of The Lion’s Garden Academy, a neuroscience-based method for leadership development and personal growth. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Fear Alchemy which equips leaders with the tools to navigate fear and uncertainty with clarity and courage for greater impact.

Annie holds a BS in Special Education, a Master’s in Park Resource Management, several certifications from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and a certification in executive leadership coaching. A lifelong learner and wellness advocate, Annie is committed to empowering leaders to find alignment and brave expansion on the other side of fear in their personal and professional lives. She lives in Northern Virginia with her retired Marine husband and two daughters and loves outdoor adventures, alcohol-free living and impromptu dance parties in the kitchen.

Annie is also an amazing storyteller and we first got connected through the telling of stories.  You’ll hear about that story in a minute, as well as other inspiring stories of Annie’s life.

Annie, thank you for this wonderful conversation.  Thank you for your bravery, your stories, your reflections, and your wisdom.  I love the connection with you, the discovery in this conversation, and hope for many more conversations and stories in the future!

Connect with Annie:

• Annie's Website: https://www.thelionsgarden.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniepeguero/
• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lions-garden/id1412692951

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My guest today is Megan Broker.

Megan is an executive coach whose mission is to empower leaders to enhance their self-awareness and influence, enabling them to drive greater effectiveness and positive change. With a career spanning nearly three decades marked by award-winning corporate roles within the telecommunications, pharmaceutical, and consulting sectors, Megan has solidified her reputation as a beacon of guidance and transformation.

Megan’s superpower is quickly establishing rapport and resonating deeply with those she encounters. Throughout her career, she has exemplified her dedication to guiding others toward a meaningful alignment with their values and igniting their inner compasses to lead purposeful lives.

Megan is the author of the book, The Pause Effect: Now you can Lead and Belong. In her book she does a beautiful job of weaving together lessons she learned from starting a blended family into leadership lessons at work.  The connections are masterful and relatable at so many levels!

Megan lives with her husband in Colorado. She is a proud mother and stepmother, whose journey continues to unfold amidst the enchanting complexities of blended families. Through these experiences she embraces both the joys and challenges, perpetually discovering the magic in the messiness of life’s intricate tapestry.

Megan, thank you for this beautiful conversation.  From the first moments of meeting you, I knew conversations with you would be personal, meaningful, and thought-provoking.  I’m grateful for the reflections and wisdom you share and hope for many more conversations in the future!

You can find links to Megan’s website and book below.

Megan’s Website: https://www.meganbrokerconsulting.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-broker/

Book: The Pause Effect

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My guest today is John Burdock.

John is the Executive Art Direction for JannPaul Diamonds.  He also works closely with the CEO in diamond research and development.

This conversation is a very special one to me, as John is also my oldest nephew.  He is the third of my nieces and nephews to be a guest on the podcast and I always love having these conversations and learning from the next generation in my family.

In our conversation today, John shares about his journey of learning about his brain and working to better understand his emotions.  He shares how he learned about his OCD and has found and created strategies to help him manage obsessive thoughts and anxiety.  This is hard work and we talk about the difficulty of understanding our brains and emotions so that we can better manage our thoughts and feelings so that we can choose more helpful behaviors rather than being controlled by reflexive reactions.

One of the books John mentions is You are Not Your Brain by Drs. Jeffrey Schwartz and Rebecca Gladding.  I’ve included a link in the show notes in case you want to check that out.

I’ve also included links to John’s YouTube Channel where he has almost 10,000 subscribers and a couple of tutorials, one of which has been watched nearly 272,000 times. 

John, thank you for this great conversation!  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your story and journey.  Your ability to articulate what you experience and discover is of great help to many people and I’m extremely proud of you and grateful to be your aunt!

John's YouTube Channel, Epic J Creations: https://www.youtube.com/@EpicJCreations

Popular Tutorials:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpjKwQkgc8c
• https://youtu.be/f1t7bC4_Nto?si=EQ-mnH53odVyBPcm

Book: You are Not Your Brain by Drs. Jeffrey Schwartz & Rebecca Gladding

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My guest today is Adela Warkentin.

Adela is a certified executive coach dedicated to empowering leaders through a holistic and transformative approach.  Her work is rooted in a passion for helping others lead with intention and integrity, making a meaningful difference in both their personal and professional lives.

Adela focuses on authenticity, self-awareness, and impactful leadership.  She guides clients in discovering and leveraging their strengths and through her 360-degree exploration process, she helps clients unlock their full potential, fostering growth in confidence, mindfulness, and influence.  

Originally from Montenegro, and currently living in Germany, Adela has had many international experiences and found growth through the challenges of these transitions as well as career transitions.

We talk about these transitions in our conversation today, as well as the beautiful privilege of experiencing the full spectrum of emotions as humans.  This idea really stood out to me as sometimes I don’t appreciate the full spectrum of my emotions, but truly, they are a gift.  Adela also shares this amazing inspiration: “We are, as human beings, much stronger than we think we are and we don’t give ourselves credit.”  If you are going through a challenging time, I hope you will find encouragement and hope, knowing you are much stronger than you likely give yourself credit for!

Adela, thank you for sharing these pieces of your story.  Thank you for your insight and energy, your enthusiasm for a full and fulfilling life! You are an inspiration and I look forward to future conversations with you!

You’ll find links below to learn more about Adela and her work and to contact her.

Links:

Website: https://www.adelawarkentin.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adela-warkentin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adelawarkentin/

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Hey Friends!  It's episode 200!  I can hardly believe it!  I'm so incredibly grateful for this journey, for all of my guests, and for all of my listeners!  I love doing this podcast, having these conversations, and am a better person because of this experience and journey!

The Make Life Less Difficult podcast has been listened to in 134 countries!  I love this global reach and all my listeners and guests from so many places around the world!

In this episode, I share some of the stories that prompted me to create this podcast, how stories have impacted my life -- both hearing others' stories and sharing my own, and the philosophy that underlies this work that I do.

I'm also starting something new: I have a "Buy Me a Coffee" page.  This is a way to support this work if you feel so inclined.  I do not want to engage ads or paywalls for this content.  That being said, it takes a lot of time and financial investment to support this podcast and I would be grateful for any contributions to support this work!

Here's a link for supporting in this way: https://buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

If you have not yet been a guest and would like to be, please reach out!  If you have been a guest and want to come back -- please reach out!  

I am so looking forward to the next 200+ episodes and conversations!

With so much love and gratitude,
Lisa

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My guest today is Dr. Wencke Meteling.

Wencke is a leadership coach with a unique blend of passion, creativity, and energy that uplifts everyone around her. Wencke draws from an impressive background—spanning continents and disciplines—to bring depth and vision to her coaching practice. With over 15 years of academic research, teaching, and leadership experience in institutions across Germany, the UK, and the US, Wencke brings a wealth of insight into the power of historical perspective and the courage to lead authentically.

In our conversation today, Wencke shares pieces of her journey that include a transition from academia and being a historian to a distressing diagnosis of breast cancer – both an incredible disruptor of her life and a door to new directions and purpose.  Wencke is now dedicated to helping others find purpose and potential.  She coaches one-on-one and in teams or groups, often in the setting of nature and immersive farm retreats, partnering with horses.  If you have not heard of Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL), you are in for a treat, as Wencke shares her own journey of learning from equine partners and how she now creates those spaces for others.

Wencke, thank you for this amazing conversation.  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your story, the reflections of learning you have done – and continue to do – and your wisdom for pursuing and creating the path that truly brings you joy!

Please check out the links below to learn more about Wencke and the work she does in the world.  You’ll also find a link to watch her video for the song you’ll hear toward the end of our conversation.


Here’s a link to Wencke's song & video:

https://vimeo.com/1026142964

Roseanna Stanton and Wencke's website (Fairbrooke Farm is near Gaithersburg, MD):

https://www.connectwitheightwire.com/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wencke-meteling-256836290/

Gus’ home: Leighton Farm alias Thoroughbred Placement Resources, Upper Marlboro, MD,:

https://goodhorse.org/

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Welcome to an episode that’s a bit different.  Today, there are four of us talking and sharing experiences from the perspective of Foreign Service life – mainly as spouses and one contractor.  

If you happened to listen to episode 162 which was about fitness, you may recognize these amazing women – Hillery Midkiff, Susie Csorsz Brown, and Morgan Loosli.  

The four of us all met while living and working Sri Lanka, starting back in 2020.  At this point, I am now living in the US, Hillery and Susie are still in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Morgan and her family are living in Shanghai.

We recorded this conversation in the spring of 2024, and it got lost in my folders, so hence the delay in publication.  As I listened to it recently, I appreciated the stories and decided it needed to be released into the wild!

IF you are not connected with the Foreign Service, a warning that there are a number of acronyms that you will hear and likely not understand.  The most frequent one is probably EFM which stands for Eligible Family Member – the term given to spouses and children who are considered dependents of Foreign Service Officers.  Susie, Morgan, and I are in the role of EFMs.  Hillery is a contracted officer and her husband is an EFM.  Other than that, I think you’ll be able to follow just fine despite the other acronyms.

We are talking about careers, finding professional fulfillment, and unique challenges that are associated with living and moving internationally.  Sometimes in countries where we have permission to work in the local economy, and sometimes in countries where we do not have permission to work locally.  A certain number of jobs exist at our US Embassies and Consulates that are specific for EFM employment – Susie and Morgan will share about some of their experiences in those positions.  I have chosen to develop my own business and have also worked on a part-time basis as a trainer for the Foreign Service Institute, the training center for the US Department of State.  

Susie, Morgan, Hillery – thank you for this conversation.  Thanks for sharing the ups and downs and realities of this interesting life we live.  I’m super grateful for your friendships and how we stay connected across the globe!  (And quick note that Hillery does indeed drop the F bomb at one point in our conversation, so it’s marked explicit.  She’ll appreciate the shoutout for that.  You are welcome, Hillery!!)

And with that, let me turn this over to our conversation that is graciously hosted by Susie.

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My guest today is Mary Seals.  

Mary is an Administrative Assistance for the non-profit, Capitalize for Good.  She has a degree in psychology, is a fellow Foreign Service spouse, an accomplished dog trainer, and mother of 4 wonderful children.

Mary was a guest on episode 114, sharing about her family’s amazing Giant Schnauzer, Pax.  If you haven’t listened to that conversation, you will definitely want to add it to your podcast queue!

When Mary told the story of Pax, it was a story of transformation – transforming from being “not a dog person” at all to being a “total dog person”, grateful for the transformation Pax brought to her family, as well as many others through her work as a therapy dog.

In today’s conversation, Mary shares another story of transformation.  This time about transforming from being a member of a close-knit faith community to stepping away from that very faith community.

Religious and faith communities can bring amazing good into our lives and at times, amazing pain and disappointment.  Unraveling our belief systems and structures is not an easy task.  Having had a similar journey myself, I’m so grateful for Mary sharing these pieces of her journey with us today.

Mary, thank you for coming back on the podcast.  Thank you for sharing courageously – for living courageously!  You are an inspiration and your willingness to share the questions, the difficulties, the steps, the transformation will inspire many others as well.

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My guests today are Kerri and Steve Boone.

Kerri is a registered nurse and a certified health coach, and Steve is the CEO of Wilkins Medical Group.  They live in east Tennessee.

My connection with Kerri and Steve is through the beautiful expansion of our family, as one of my nieces married one of their sons a year and a half ago.

You’ll hear more about our meeting and surprising point of connection in our conversation, but in short, after several superficial interactions, Kerri and Steve and I connected deeply through shared experiences of loss and grief.

I do a lot of work in storytelling and this entire podcast is built on the belief that we connect through our stories and that hearing other people share their stories can make life a little less difficult – knowing we aren’t alone.  Despite this foundational and core belief that I hold, I continue to be surprised at the unexpected connections that arise – such as this one with Kerri and Steve.

At times people will ask me, does it always need to be a sad story?  One of loss or grief?  No, absolutely not, and I love telling and hearing funny stories as well.  There is the reality, however, that it’s more difficult to share our stories of pain, so when we do and we connect with someone else who understands our pain, that creates a deep resonance in us as humans.

I say all that because this conversation is such a beautiful reflection of it all – why I started this podcast, why I tell my story, and why I invite others to share their stories.  While it doesn’t fix things, while it doesn’t take the pain away when there’s pain, sharing does indeed make life a little less difficult.  

And Kerri and Steve are committed to sharing their story of loss and grief with others as a way to connect, support, and encourage their fellow sojourners on this journey of life.

Kerri and Steve – thank you!  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your story.  Thank you for sharing the reflections and transformations you have experienced along with the pain and grief.  Thank you for your generosity and desire to be present with others, whatever they might be going through.  I’m grateful for this connection.

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My guest today is Tony Cerella.  

If that name sounds familiar to you, let me tell you there’s a twist to this.  The Tony who joins me today is the son of the Tony who has joined me previously and shared about his journey of retiring from a career in the U.S. Army!  And if you are a regular listener, you might recall that other members of the Cerella family have also been guests here.  Bethany was a guest on episode 163 and Sophia was on episode 180.  

Tony, who joins me today, is the son of Tony and Bethany, and the twin brother of Sophie.  At the time of our conversation, he was 15 years old and has since turned 16.  Tony is a deep thinker and enjoys digging into complex topics.  He’s lived a rich life in his 16 years, living in multiple countries, speaking multiple languages, and currently lives in Como, Italy.

Tony, thank you for joining me on the podcast!  It is great getting to know you better, hearing your ideas and perspectives, and ambitions.  I look forward to seeing where you go in life and know you will make an impact for good in whatever you do!  (And thank you for your patience as it’s taken me much longer than anticipated to get this released!!)

And a big thanks for the entire Cerella family for being my first complete family of guests on the podcast – what a fun experience, a beautiful and inspiring family!  I love these conversations and continue to feel so honored to host them and share them with you!

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My guest today is Teresa Ramos.

Teresa is a seasoned leader with a diverse career spanning over 23 years in executive roles at top tech companies like British Telecom, Vodafone, Telefónica, and Siemens Group. She has driven digital transformations, enhanced organizational agility, and fostered innovation within and across departments.

After her extensive commercial experience, Teresa transitioned to academia, collaborating with leading institutions such as Instituto de Empresa, Stanford, and Harvard where her focus has been on innovation, agility, leadership, digital transformation, and high-performance teams.

Currently, Teresa works as an executive coach and digital consultant, collaborating with a wide range of organizations and companies helping navigate the complexities of the digital world and thrive in our fast-evolving, technology-driven landscape.

She is a Fellow at the Institute of Coaching at Harvard and a member of the Advisory Council at Harvard Business Review (HBR).

In our conversation today, Teresa shares pieces of her journey through various transitions, the importance of playful curiosity, and how she’s managed moving back to her home country when it no longer felt like home.

Teresa, thank you for this beautiful and enriching conversation.  Thank you for your wisdom, your stories, your curiosity.  You have so much to offer the world and I’m honored to share this conversation here.

To connect with Teresa and learn more about her work, you’ll find links below:

Teresa's website: http://www.globalresults.eu/
Connect with Teresa on LinkedIn

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My guest today is Dr. Britt Yamamoto.

I’m also delighted to share that the host of today’s conversation is my friend, Russ Watts.  This is Russ’s second time hosting a conversation here and I hope you’ll encourage him to do more!

My only dilemma when Russ hosts is that I am slightly envious of not being in the conversation myself.  But, to counter that, I have the delight of listening and being touched and inspired and it is a very special experience.

Dr. Yamamoto is an expert in designing strategies and building environments that emphasize ongoing, reciprocal learning within businesses, organizations, and educational institutions.  He is highly skilled in working with leaders to grow their self-awareness, deepen their purpose, and enhance their personal and professional wellbeing.

Britt in the co-founder and CEO of Perennial, a leadership training organization that works with community leaders in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East on how to connect to and grow their long-term leadership capacities.  He’s a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington Department of Global Health, and the author of the book, Soil of Leadership: Cultivating the Conditions for Transformation.  His book is newly released and is a collection of leadership practices and perspectives informed by his work as an organic farmer.

On a personal note, Britt is an avid long-distance runner, a novice podcaster, and as a child of the Pacific Ocean, finds joy in warm water, navigating beach breaks, and looking out for the perfect taco!

Britt, thank you for this wise, thoughtful, and stirring conversation.  Thank you for the inspiration to ‘human better together’.  May your work continue to grow deep into the heart and souls of leaders young and old and produce the fruit of transformation that our world craves.

To learn more about Britt and his work, you’ll find links below:

The Soil of Leadership: https://thesoilofleadership.org/
Connect with Britt on LinkedIn
Follow Britt on Instagram

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My guest today is Nadine Keller.

Nadine is the founder and president of Precision Sales Coaching & Training.  She works to help ambitious women entrepreneurs who have hit a revenue plateau increase their revenue in record time!  She helps them get to a position to invest in their business, be well-positioned to weather conditions outside of their control, and most importantly – so they can feel financially free!

Nadine and I met through the Georgetown Institute for Transformational Leadership Network annual conference in September 2024.  Nadine’s energy, passion, and enthusiasm for life, her work, and connecting were evident from our very first interactions.

We also quickly connected via stories of loss – the loss of our husbands.  Our conversation quickly dove into the depths of grief and gratitude and how the two elements can be so mysteriously intertwined.

I’m so grateful Nadine said yes to coming on the podcast, sharing pieces of her story, how she has weathered the difficult times, and her reflections of what resilience looks like in her life and journey.

Nadine, thank you.  This conversation touches on so many themes that are near and dear to my heart.  Themes that are sometimes difficult to put into words and yet so grounding and connective when shared.  Your stories, your optimism, your resilience… they all inspire me and I know they will inspire so many who listen!

To learn more about Nadine, the work she does, and her books and more, see the links below:

Thanksgiving book: Gobble:  The Quintessential Thanksgiving Playbook

Nadine's website: The Precision Sales Accelerator

Connect with Nadine: Calendly link

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My guest today is Morgan Adams.

Morgan is a transformative holistic sleep coach who empowers women to conquer their battle with sleepless nights, without reliance on sleep medications. With her powerful sleep toolkit, Morgan not only ensures that women experience a profound enhancement in their sleep quality, but she also guides them in rekindling their relationship with sleep, paving the way for less stressful and more fulfilling days.

Having struggled with insomnia and dependency on prescription sleeping pills for almost a decade, Morgan intimately understands the profound impact sleep has on one’s quality of life. 

Morgan’s resilience shines bright as a two-time breast cancer survivor. This experience fueled her advocacy for a lifestyle rooted in disease prevention. Her wisdom and guidance extend far beyond just sleep, as she champions holistic well-being in all aspects of life.

Morgan, thank you for this insightful and educational conversation!  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey and how you have built out your resilience!  

And special shout-out to Kim Brundage for getting Morgan and me connected!

You will find links below to Morgan’s website and other resources.

Website: https://www.morganadamswellness.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/morganadams.wellness/

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My guest today is Kamini Wood.

Kamini is a certified life coach and best-selling author, who is passionate about empowering individuals to reclaim their self-worth and become resilient leaders of their own lives. As the CEO and Founder of Live Joy Your Way, Kamini works with high-achieving adults and teens, helping them navigate self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the pressures of external validation. Through her specialized coaching programs, Kamini focuses on emotional resilience, self-compassion, and the power of living authentically.

Her journey, shaped by her experiences as a first-generation American and a mother of five, informs her work with clients to help them break free from the limitations of people-pleasing and self-judgment. Kamini's mission is simple but profound: to guide others in recognizing their innate worth and to foster self-leadership from a place of inner strength and clarity.

In our conversation today, Kamini shares pieces of her own journey that has led her to do the hard internal work that is foundational to a joy-filled life!

Kamini, thank you for this thoughtful and wise conversation.  Thank you for sharing pieces of your own story, your growth, your mistakes, your insights, your wisdom!  I’ve been reflecting on our conversation and am a better person for it!

To learn more about Kamini and her work check out the links below:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsauthenticme/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaminiwood
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/itsauthenticme/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsauthenticme/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVaEISjpaXsCdQGbE2lpUw
• Website: https://www.kaminiwood.com/

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My guest today is Lorca Smetana.

Lorca is a resilience expert, teacher, and speaker with a deep passion for helping individuals and communities rise from trauma and challenges. Lorca’s unique approach combines her personal experience surviving disaster and loss at the young age of 16, with years of teaching and coaching, focusing on resilience, grief, and the emotional landscapes of leadership. With a background that spans wilderness survival, emergency response, and personal coaching, Lorca offers insight and tools that empower people to transform their toughest moments into profound growth.

I’m thrilled to have Lorca on the podcast today to share her story, expertise, and the ways she’s helping people not only survive but thrive through life’s most difficult challenges.

Lorca and I were connected through the kind introduction of Kim Brundage – thank you Kim!

Lorca lives in Bozeman, Montana, and alongside the beautiful work of resilience training that she does, she also has a sustainable farm where she and her husband raise two free-range children, homing pigeons, dogs, Icelandic sheep, and a diversity of other birds and creatures for sustenance, humility and delight.

Lorca, thank you for this inspiring conversation.  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your story.  Thank you for sharing the journey of grief, choosing love, choosing life.  You embody the tools that you lovingly teach others in a beautiful way!

To learn more about Lorca and her work, please see the links below:

• Lorca's Website: https://www.lorcasmetana.com/
• Lorca's Blogs: https://www.lorcasmetana.com/blog
• Lorca's TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/bA4s-0D9AK8?si=UbFa0RQPEI27TS0L 

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My guest today is Silvia Iaia.

Silvia is an executive coach and an incredibly inspiring woman.  We first met through her husband, Felipe, and the world of real estate investing.  

Silvia is the founder of Be Executive, the co-founder and executive director of Growing Assetz and Notes for Growth.

Originally from southern Italy, Silvia has lived in many places around the world, including her current home of Santiago, Chile.  My connection and friendship with both Silvia and her husband is truly international, as we have spent time together in beautiful Santiago, as well as Chattanooga, Tennessee, and virtually.

Silvia approaches her life and work with passion and intention.  You’ll hear this throughout our conversation today.  

Silvia, thank you SO much for sharing these pieces of your beautiful journey and life.  Thank you for sharing the learning and growth and discoveries you have made along the way and continue to make.  I can’t wait until our next conversation!

If you would be interested in learning more about Silvia or the work she’s doing in the world, please check out the links below!

• Connect with Silvia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iaiasilvia/
• Growing Assets
• Notes for Growth

Hurricane Relief Efforts:  The following list was shared by Daneen Akers who is local to Asheville, NC, and a personal friend and amazing advocate (Read more about Daneen here):

• Rural Organizing And Resilience 
• Wild Abundance Disaster Relief Fund
• Manna Foodbank
• Beloved Asheville
• Friends of the Hot Springs Library
• Community Housing Coalition in Madison County

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My guest today is Alicia Ford.

Alicia is a seasoned US diplomat with more than 17 years at the U.S. Department of State. She has experience serving domestically and overseas in over a dozen different consular and management roles. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has lived in Honduras, Peru, Barbados, Türkiye, Romania, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Alicia is also the Editor, Curator, and Co-Author of Diplomats, a book about US women serving as diplomats around the world. In this book, each contributor shares her unique approach to living this dynamic lifestyle – career, family life, personal ambition, and life goals.  The book also serves as a guide for careers in International Affairs and Diplomacy for anyone seeking a global career.  One of Alicia’s motives for publishing this book was to help people and this directly aligns with her current role as a US Diplomat. 

What was happening behinds the scenes of this recording is a great example of the resiliency of diplomats because Alicia was managing a crisis before, during, AND after our conversation on a Saturday morning. 

Alicia, thank you so much for this conversation.  Thank you for the work you do in service to the United States of America.  And thank you for your passion for telling the stories of amazing women in the world of diplomacy!

You’ll find links below to Alicia’s book and resources.

The views expressed in this interview are in Alicia’s personal capacity and are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government.

Read Alicia's book: Diplomats: Experiences of Women Serving at U.S. Embassies Around the World

Instagram: @Diplomatsthebook

Sign up for the Newsletter: https://forms.gle/yfLMUF17rkAh5PXi9

Alicia and her husband in the New York Times

Find the Oasis: Sports Complex, Barbados

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My guest today is Nane Bittencourt.

Nane is a leadership coach with a mission to empower leaders to achieve their full potential.  Nane is originally from Brazil and now lives in the US.  With over eight years of coaching leaders in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, she helps clients unleash their full potential to drive their careers, seeing their work as a meaningful part of their lives rather than just a job and strategizing accordingly.

Nane is dedicated to empowering leaders to provide clear, empathetic, and innovative guidance in today's interconnected world. I find inspiration in my understanding of culture that goes beyond borders.

She’s been interested in living and working internationally for most of her life and has intentionally pursued these dreams, bringing them to fruition.

Nane and I met through the Georgetown Institute for Transformational Leadership Alumni Network, most specifically because she was intrigued about a Story Slam that I was hosting at the Network’s annual conference. 

Along with agreeing to tell a story at the story slam, Nane also agreed to come on my podcast and share pieces of her journey.

We talk today about the challenges of moving to a new country, learning to find and express oneself in new languages and new cultures, and strategies to find an anchor in the midst of these transitions.

Nane, thank you for sharing these pieces of your story.  Thank you for sharing the vulnerable reality of facing your fears, stepping into the unknowns, asking for help, and bravely stretching yourself.  You are courageous, wise, and inspiring and I’m so glad we’ve gotten connected!


Connect with Nana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanebittencourt/

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My guest today is Vinay Kumar.

Vinay is an executive coach who partners with executive to accelerate their growth from the inside out.  He’s also the co-author of Language and the Pursuit of Leadership Excellent: How Extraordinary Leaders Build Relationships, Shape Culture and Drive Breakthrough Results.  His book is required reading in MBA programs and Leadership Development and Leadership Coaching Programs at several major universities and beyond.

Rising from humble beginnings, and growing up in a multicultural family, his 35+ years of experience includes Fortune 100, federal government, small business, and consulting. Vinay successfully spearheaded and led a privately held business before becoming a leadership coach, author, and speaker. 

Vinay has extensive experience with an array of roles including leadership, management, project management, business development, marketing, client services, training, and operations. Vinay brings a calm and warm presence, deep wisdom, deep listening, and keen insights into how to achieve breakthrough results. 

I’ve known of Vinay and been impacted by his work for several years and it is thanks for Joan Fletcher (who was on episode 164) that we got connected directly for this conversation.

Vinay shares pieces of his journey of learning the cost of reactivity and choosing responses rather than being subject to that reactivity.  Learning that we have a story and having the conscious awareness of that story, so the story doesn’t have us is another piece of the conversation and inspiration from Vinay.

Vinay, thank you for this beautiful conversation.  Your thoughtful reflections, your stories of growth and development, and your wise perspectives are so inspirational.  I know you have already touched so many people in this world and am honored to share this conversation so a few more people can be touched by you!

There are links below to Vinay’s book, website, and contact information.

• Book: Language and the Pursuit of Leadership Excellent: How Extraordinary Leaders Build Relationships, Shape Culture and Drive Breakthrough Results
• Website: https://leadingforbreakthroughs.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinaykumar1/

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My guest today is Istvan Rab.

Istvan is a leader and consultant at a global management consulting firm, working with clients across the globe on strategy and innovation topics. While his interests and his job took him to many places in the world, for most of his life he had lived in Europe and had only recently moved to Vancouver, Canada – where he and his family are ‘starting new’, from building new friendships to rediscovering new-old passions in life.

Istvan and I met at mutual work events and his energy, humor, and expertise make a wonderful blend.  As I heard bits and pieces of his story, I knew I would like to hear more and invited him to come on the podcast.  

In our conversation Istvan shares about having a daughter with special needs, finding the upsides of the unknown, and managing international relocations.

Istvan, thank you for saying yes to this conversation!  Thank you for sharing these insights into your journey, your discoveries, your reflections, and your wisdom.  

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Before I introduce my guest today, I want to take a moment to recognize this as the three-year anniversary of the Make Life Less Difficult podcast!  What an amazing journey it has been!  This started as an experiment and has grown into an incredible passion project for me.  

The conversations here fill my heart and soul and I hope they do the same for those who listen – whether you listen to just one or many of them!  Every person who has joined me here shares vulnerable pieces of themselves, their story, their reflections, and their wisdom.  Most of my guests begin with the sense that their stories aren’t interesting, and they don’t have any wisdom, but 100% of the time, their stories are amazing and their wisdom is profound.

I love meeting people and having these conversations and I’m honored to have listeners in 128 countries around the world according to Buzzsprout statistics!  

I have a list of people who I want to have on my podcast and am humbled that that list only grows over time!  I’d love to discover ways to invest even more time into this podcast and these conversations, so we’ll see what the future holds!

In the meantime, thank you for being part of the journey!  Today’s conversation is a fantastic example of the amazing people in the world and how they make a difference just by being true to themselves and their path of life and discovery.

My guest today is Shawnette Rochelle.

Shawnette is a certified executive coach, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, and an insatiable world traveler.  She has more than 20 years of experience leading and coaching high-performance individuals, teams, and organizations in both peacetime and wartime.  

 Shawnette describes herself as always being deeply invested in helping others drive change, even as a kid.  She has a passion for supporting those who are challenging the prevailing norms.

 In our conversation, Shawnette shares how true leadership begins with leading ourselves.  She began learning this lesson early in life at West Point Military Academy.  Another piece of our conversation that stands out is what Shawnette calls the acceptance mindset.  I’ll let her share more about this, but this aligns so much with my philosophy of making life less difficult.  

Shawnette, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey and story.  Thank you for sharing your reflections, your moments of awareness and growth, and wisdom.  I’m so grateful to have had this chance to connect with you!

If you would like to learn more about Shawnette and her work, you’ll find links below.

Shawnette's Website: https://excellenceunbounded.com/

Connect on LinkedIn

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My guest today is Alicia Rodriguez.

Alicia is on a mission to help people connect – to their deeper, essential selves, to spirit, and to nature – so they can get clear, get bold and get ready to embrace limitless possibilities to forge powerful futures.

Alicia is a mentor, guide, and truthteller.  Through 1:1 work, immersive retreats, writing, and speaking, Alicia partners with her clients to help them find what they need to take life-changing action.

In our conversation today, Alicia shares pieces of her journey from success in the corporate to building a retreat center in Ecuador, to southern Portugal where she now lives.  We also talk about her journey of writing her recently published memoir, The Shaman’s Wife, A Mystical Journey of Surrender and Self-Discovery.  This book tells her incredible story with courage, vulnerability, and strength.  I highly recommend it!

Alicia, thank you so much for this conversation!  Thank you for your courage, wisdom, energy, and light.  I’m grateful for this time we got to spend together and look forward to (hopefully) more in the future!

You’ll find links below to learn more about Alicia’s work, to find her book, and explore her offerings.

Connect with Alicia:

• Website
• The Shaman's Wife book (releases Sept 10 2024)
• IG: @msaliciamrodriguez

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My guest today is Max Palomeque.

Max is an executive coach and educator for the FBI, Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, Georgetown University, and many other clients.  His company, Infourge Leadership brings his philosophy of coaching and leadership development to executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders in both the private and governmental sectors.

Max is a proud and distinguished veteran after serving as an intelligence officer, as well as a respected former FBI agent specializing in human intelligence.  He has captivated audiences as a public speaker and lecturer, taking his highly-researched approach throughout the US, as well as across the globe to Europe and Australia.

Max and I recently connected through mutual work, and I am so pleased to share this conversation with you.  One of the quotes Max shares is “We don’t learn from our past and experiences; we learn from reflecting on those experiences and past.”  And Max lives out this in his own life – I know you’ll be inspired by his reflections.

Max, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey.  Thank you for your thoughtful and wise reflections on your own past and experiences. Thank you for sharing the ways you have chosen growth in your own life and continue to do so.  You share in a way that inspires action! 

There are links in the show notes to find more about Max and his work, and, in particular, to find his recently published book, The Infourge Compendium of Models and Theories for Coaches, Facilitators, and Consultants.  This is an incredible resource to have in your library, so you won’t want to miss it!

Connect with Max:

• Website: https://www.infourge.co/
• LinkedIn

The Infourge Compendium of Models and Theories for Coaches, Facilitators, and Consultants: Get it on Amazon | Get it on Barnes and Noble

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My guest today is Sophie Cerella.

Sophie is a student at the International School in Como, Italy, where she lives with her family.  Originally from the US, Sophie has lived in a number of places around the world because of her father’s military career.

It is a distinct honor to have Sophie on as a guest, and in fact, my youngest guest up until now!  Sophie and I connected after both her dad and mom were guests.  If you haven’t had the pleasure of listening to those conversations, take some time to look up Tony Cerella’s episodes and Bethany Cerella.

Sophie and I talk about a variety of things including how she manages her time on social media and technology, what it’s been like for her growing up internationally, acting now to get the most out of life, and more.

Sophie, thank you for this engaging and inspiring conversation.  At 15, you have a tremendous amount of wisdom and a thoughtful approach to life.  I hope to have many more conversations in the future!  And I look forward to seeing how life continues to unfold for you.

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My guest today is Patrick Murphy.

Patrick Murphy is a leadership coach and facilitator based in Brooklyn, NY, and owner of Project Murphy, LLC.  He is committed to bringing passion, joy, and contagious enthusiasm to leadership development.

I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick through a mutual work engagement and immediately wanted to learn more about his story!  Fortunately, he said yes to coming on the podcast!

In our conversation today, Patrick shares pieces of his journey as he tried to figure out what his professional life would be focused on.  Starting out in the film industry, Patrick was met with repeated obstacles that were frustrating and disappointing.  

In reflection, Patrick shares that he learned to trust the process of development and also, very importantly, that he didn’t need to do it all alone!

We talk about the beauty of making a healthy mess in times of exploration, the differences between happiness and contentment, and so much more.

Patrick, thank you so much for this fantastic and inspiring conversation.  The reflections and wisdom you share are beautifully partnered with vulnerability and honestly.  

I’ve included links to Patrick’s website below if you’d like to learn more about him and the work he does.

 
Project Murphy, LLC

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My guest today is Ravi Ram.

Ravi is the Vice-President of Enterprise and Executive Education at Springboard, an online learning platform that prepares students for the tech industry’s most in-demand careers.  Ravi also works as an independent leadership coach and trainer.  Earlier in his career he was a management consultant with McKinsey & Co.

Ravi and I met through mutual work engagements and I immediately wanted to have him on the podcast.  I remember hearing Ravi introduce himself at a workshop where we were serving as coach faculty and was so impressed with his down-to-earth, authentic, vulnerable style that embodied such a wonderful balance of personal and professional connection.

In our conversation today Ravi talks about being challenged early on in his life to disturb his equilibrium.  He’s stepped into this repeatedly in his life and he shares the beauty this has created as well as the difficulty.  We also talk about the challenge of unlearning early beliefs, sorting through the internal vs external voices when making life decisions, and how improv has helped him be present and feel alive.

Ravi, thank you SO much for this conversation!  I’m incredibly grateful for your willingness to dive into the deep end of life and ask the type of questions that don’t have easy answers… maybe even no answers.  I’m a better person for knowing you and I know the listeners of this conversation will be as well!  I can’t wait for future conversations!


Connect with Ravi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravisram/

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My guest today is Cathy Carroll.

Cathy is the Founder and President of Legacy Onward, Inc., where she serves as a leadership coach for family business leaders. She is the author of the book, Hug of War: How to Lead a Family Business With both Love and Logic.

Though Cathy grew up surrounded by her grandfather’s business, she initially carved out her career path as an actuary at Hewitt Associates, later progressing to executive roles at Sabre Inc. and United Airlines. In 2009, her father invited her to lead his business as President and COO, where she spearheaded a successful turnaround of five companies that manufacture and distribute sporting goods serving the rodeo market, with a focus on team roping.

In 2013, Cathy founded Legacy Onward, Inc., to provide leadership coaching services to family businesses. A sought-after keynote speaker with a global clientele, Cathy is passionate about developing leaders in the complex domain of family businesses.

I met Cathy through the Georgetown Leadership Coaching network and am excited to share this conversation today. 

In addition to talking about family businesses, Cathy shares generously about Polarities.  The framework of polarities is fascinating and quite practical is managing issues that initially seem to be at odds.  If you haven’t been exposed to this idea of polarities, you are in for a treat!

Cathy, thank you for this conversation!  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey and also you thoughtful insights and wisdom on the complexities of family business.  Thank you for your work to turn our games of tug of war into hugs that hopefully prevent the wars!

You’ll find links below to Cathy’s book and her website to learn more about her work.

Hug of War book: https://www.legacyonward.com/hug-of-war

Cathy's Website: http://www.legacyonward.com/

Find Cathy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyacarroll/

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My guests today are Mikah Meyer and Larry Edwards.

Mikah is an avid outdoorsman who set a record of being the first person to visit all 419 National Park sites in the US in a single 3-year journey.  He also made history by being the first openly gay man to be in an outdoor recreation campaign by REI.

Larry, is Dr. Lawrence Edwards, the Artistic Director of the Memphis Symphony Chorus since 1988, often conducting both the orchestra and the chorus.  He is a retired professor, having served as the Coordinator of Choirs for the University of Memphis School of Music from 1987 to 2021.

I first was introduced to Mikah and Larry through the short film, Canyon Chorus.  This brilliant 16-minute adventure film explores “the journeys we’ve had and the people who’ve been in our lives that are important to us.”  I saw a link in an email from the Adventure Journal, clicked on it, and was immediately drawn into a fantastic story of the friendship of Mikah and Larry.  In such a short amount of time, I laughed, I cried, and I immediately wondered if I could get them on my podcast!

Lucky for me and for you, Mikah and Larry accepted the invitation to the Make Life Less Difficult podcast and here’s our inspiring conversation.

In our conversation, Mikah and Larry share pieces of their individual journeys of coming out as gay, how they met and developed a forever friendship.  This is an amazing story on many levels, and perhaps particularly on how having mentors in our lives opens up so much possibility. 

Mikah and Larry – thank you SO much for this delightful connection.  You both share pieces of your stories and journeys with beautiful authenticity, lightness of heart, and grace.  I’ve been touched and inspired and know that so many others have been and will be as well.

You’ll find links below to Mikah’s website, the film Canyon Chorus:

Mikah's website: https://www.mikahmeyer.com/

Watch Canyon Chorus: https://youtu.be/hnLdPs1gjls?si=zVIZZGZ2OXSezP6F

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My guest today is Dr. Alex Korb, author of the book Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time.

Dr. Korb is a neuroscientist, writer, and coach. He has studied the brain for over 20 years, having earned his undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Brown University and then later completed his Ph.D. in neuroscience at UCLA. He has published over a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles on depression, neuromodulation, and other topics. He is currently an adjunct assistant professor at UCLA in the department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences.

Outside of the lab he writes a popular blog on how the tendencies of your brain can ruin or enrich your life. As a speaker he educates, motivates, and inspires organizations to understand the neuroscience of wellbeing and put it into practice. As a consultant he works with companies and organizations to help them improve communication about neuroscience and enhance employee wellbeing. He has coached the UCLA Women’s Ultimate Frisbee team for over 15 years and is a 3 time award winner for USA Ultimate’s Coach of the Year. His expertise extends into leadership and motivation, mindfulness, physical fitness, and even stand-up comedy.

I first heard about Dr. Korb’s book through another podcast guest, Linda Hoopes.  The name of the book, Upward Spiral, immediately grabbed my attention and within a couple of days I was reading it.  Upward Spiral has two parts to it: the first is a description of what is understood about the neuroscience of depression (written in a language that’s mostly understandable for the lay person like myself) and the second is focused on actions we can take to lessen the negative impacts of depression in our lives and how each of those actions cause changes in the brain. 

I love that combination as I find it gives me greater motivation to know the why behind recommended behavior changes!

I’m delighted to share this conversation with you and hope it’ll be as inspiring to you as it has been for me.  There are links in the shownotes to Dr. Korb’s website and the book Upward Spiral.

Dr. Korb – thank you for this fantastic and motivating conversation.  Thank you for the work you do in the world and for sharing it in a way that’s understandable and applicable for all of us who aren’t neuroscientists but who want to help our brain be in its best functioning state!

Website: https://www.alexkorbphd.com
Book: Upward Spiral 

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My guest today is Tom Finn.

Tom is a performance improvement consultant and coach for leaders and teams.  He’s also the author of the newly published book, The Shift Effect: How Small Shifts Improve Leader Performance, and a previous book titled, Are You Clueless 7 Clues to Profit, Productivity, and Partnership for Leaders in a Multicultural World

Tom has over 30 years of experience in executive coaching, team building, strategic planning, and counsel and training in diversity and inclusion.  Tom and I met recently and after talking to him briefly, learning about his book, it was clear I wanted to have him on the podcast!  

In our conversation today, Tom shares his journey to writing The Shift Effect and shares the powerful tool of making these small shifts in our thinking, our language, our actions, that make a huge impact! 

Tom, thank you for this beautiful and inspiring conversation.  I’m deeply appreciative of the new perspectives and insights I’ve gained by learning from you, and I know others will be as well.

You’ll find links below to Tom’s website where you can read more about his work, find his books, and more!

Tom’s website: https://tomfinnassociates.com

Tom’s books: https://tomfinnassociates.com/toms-books/

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My guest today is Claire Uncapher.

Claire is an intuitive and transformational life coach, energy healer, and speaker.  She is on a mission to help people understand their symptoms don’t always mean there’s something wrong with them and the traditional model of medicine isn’t the only tool at their disposal for emotional healing.

Claire’s first career was as a nurse and during that time she realized that people didn’t always get the real and lasting change they were seeking in the traditional medical setting.  In her work now, she uses a holistic and intuitive approach to go deeper and equip her clients with tools to experience lasting change.  She combines root cause and subconscious work, emotional release, and conversational energy work to help people overcome their inner obstacles and become the best version of themselves.

In our conversation today, Claire shares pieces of her own story and journey that lead her to healing, caring for herself, learning to choose and push the easy button sometimes, and more.

Claire, thank you for sharing these pieces of your story.  Thank you for the wisdom and thoughtfulness you embody and thank you for the work you do to make the world a more beautiful and peace-filled place!

You’ll find links below if you’d like to connect with Claire, as well as links to some books we mention, quotes, and a free root cause healing meditation.

 
Resources:

· "It's Not Always Depression" by Hilary Jacobs Hendel

· "It's Okay To Be Different" by Todd Parr (children's book)

· Quote that we discussed: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7UsCutOwdq/

· Free Root Cause Healing Meditation: https://claireuncapher.myflodesk.com/bodyspeakmeditation

· Or, you can use this link (copy and paste) if you'd like: CLICK HERE to download a free root cause healing meditation

Connect with Claire on Instagram @claire.uncapher or through her website at https://claireuncapher.com

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My guest today is Kim Brundage.

Kim is an award-winning headshot and branding photographer on a mission to deliver a truly transformative experience that assures her clients feel nothing short of beautiful and confident, both on and off camera!

Kim was a guest on episode 159 and if you haven’t heard that conversation, please check it out!

In that first conversation, Kim mentioned the book, Come as You Are, by Emily Nagoski, Ph. D.  After hearing about it, I read the book, and reached back out to Kim saying, “Oh my goodness, this book is amazing and transformational!  Want to come back on the podcast and talk about it??”

The subtitle of the book is: The surprising new science that will transform your sex life.  The author, Dr. Nagoski is an award-winning author, sex educator, researcher, speaker and lecturer.  Her latest book is Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections.

So, as you might expect, Kim and I talk about sex in this episode!  If for any reason, it’s not your topic of interest, feel free to skip it!

I still recommend Dr. Nagoski’s book and hope you find our conversation thought provoking and interesting!


Website for Emily Nagoski, Ph. D.: https://www.emilynagoski.com/

Website for Kim Brundage: https://kimbrundage.com/

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My guests today are Jaylee Kordosky and Jessica Cotton.

I was introduced to Jaylee and Jessica through the thoughtfulness of Shannon Yzquiero-Cochran.  Thank you, Shannon!  I’m delighted to have this connection!

Jessica is a co-founder of Shenanigans Comedy Theatre, a non-profit comedy club in Huntsville, Alabama.  Jessica and her wife, Kimberly, opened Shenanigans in 2019 to provide a venue that is a safe space for all performers and producers.  From stand-up shows and improv to musical and drag, all are welcome at Shenanigans. 

Jaylee first got connected with Shenanigans through one of their outreach groups, Weird Kids.  Jaylee is a social worker, and they now serve the community in a variety of ways and roles.  Jaylee’s story and journey has evolved into one of giving back and supporting anyone who comes to the Center with a need.

My conversation with Jessica and Jaylee is incredibly inspiring!  The work they are doing, the spirit of innovation, inclusion, and determination with which they do this work… left me with the beautiful realization of so much good that is happening in our world.  In the midst of all the challenges, it’s really moving to see tangible impacts for good in local communities and how they are making a difference both locally and globally!

Jaylee and Jessica, thank you for sharing these pieces of your stories and the story of Shenanigans.  Thank you for the difference you are making in the lives of individuals, in the broader community of Huntsville, and beyond! 

To learn more about Shenanigans Comedy Theatre to go www.huntsvillelaughs.com.  There are links in the show notes as well to the additional resources on their outreach page, access to their resources request form, and information about Weird Kids of North Alabama.

Links to Resources:

https://www.huntsvillelaughs.com/ (Here is the main link to the Shenanigans website)

https://www.huntsvillelaughs.com/outreach (This is our outreach page at Shenanigans)

https://www.huntsvillelaughs.com/thecenter (The Resource Request form we discussed is at this link if you scroll all the way down the page.)

https://linktr.ee/weirdkidsofnorthal (This is our Link Tree for Weird Kids of North Alabama)

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My guest today is Caitlin Avery.

Caitlin is an award-winning author, a triathlete, mountain biker, backpacker, black-diamond skier, and yoga enthusiast.

I was honored to meet Caitlin through the kind introduction from Andrea Barton from episode 165.  Thank you, Andrea!

One of the books Caitlin has written tells the fictional story of a woman who outed her high school rapist through a Facebook post over 20 years after the fact.  The book is titled, Life of Cyn.  As you’ll hear in our conversation today, the book is inspired by Caitlin’s personal journey and experience.

It’s deeply moving and a powerful story of shedding shame, doing the hard work of healing and growing, and standing in one’s courage while allowing others to support.

Caitlin, thank you for sharing your story here on the podcast as well as through your writing.  Your courage and strength shows up both places.

Please note, as you begin to listen to this episode, we talk about rape and sexual assault throughout the conversation.  Please take care of yourself first and foremost even if it means not listening today.  I have included a link in the show notes to RAINN where there are many additional resources for anyone who has been affected by sexual assault or violence.

Caitlin would be delighted if you would follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook as Caitlin Avery Author.  And those links are also in the show notes.

TikTok: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@caitlinaveryauthor

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_avery_author

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/caitlinaveryauthor

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): www.rainn.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org
Al Anon: www.al-anon.org

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My guest today is Natasha Smith.

I met Natasha through the kindness of Shannon Cochran-Yzquierdo.  Thank you, Shannon!  You are connected with so many amazing people and I’m honored to get to meet some of them!

Natasha is a firm believer that we can all create positive change.  Regardless of the industry in which she works or the title behind her name, her passion is to inspire others.  And our conversation today demonstrates that exact thing!

Natasha has a wealth of experience including being a music teacher, songwriter, lead vocalist, executive assistant, and more… and through it all her purpose is to help others realize their potential and their possibilities.

In our conversation today, Natasha reflects on her life as an African American woman who grew up in rural Virginia.  She was raised by her mom and grandmother after her dad died when she was a baby.  From a young age, Natasha took a stand for anyone who looked alone or who was being picked on or mistreated.  She’s continued to have this beautiful perspective of looking for the things that tie us together and working hard to bring out the positive ingredients in every single person she meets.

Natasha, I’m so grateful to have had this conversation with you.  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey.  I know we didn’t even scrape the surface of all your experiences, and yet you share so much wisdom and inspiration.  Thank you for making the world a better place!  I’m already looking forward to our next conversation!

One final note before jumping into our conversation, this is being released at the beginning of June 2024, so PRIDE month has just begun.  Natasha is an amazing ally to those in the LGBTQ+ community.  You’ll hear her share her passion during our conversation.  She also shares some resources for supporting LGBTQ+ friends and family members, so please check out the show notes for those links.

Resources:

Human Rights Campaign

PFLAG

GLSEN

INOVA (Norther Virginia)

www.hiv.gov

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My guest today is Diana Buikel.

Diana is a world traveler, photography enthusiast, and a person with deep compassion, profound resilience, and a remarkable inner fortitude and faith.

I was introduced to Diana by Shannon Cochran-Yzquierdo – thank you so much, Shannon!!

Diana works in the Intel, Physical, and Personnel Security fields within Deloitte and the Industrial Security Industry.  She’s previously been a certified pharmacy technician and flight attendant.

Diana is an active volunteer and event organizer with St. Baldrick’s Foundation, raising money for childhood cancer research, and also served as a childhood cancer foundation board member and model.

In our conversation today, Diana shares pieces of her story around multiple major losses early in life.  She also shares how she got involved in supporting the fight against childhood cancer when her cousin was diagnosed with brain cancer at a young age.  Diana will be shaving her head again this year to promote awareness of this important cause.

Diana, thank you.  Your stories, your journey, your passion… are inspiring.  Your faith and optimism make the world a better and brighter place.  I’m so grateful to know you.

You can find links below to Diana’s fundraising page and a YouTube video about St. Baldricks Foundation and their work.

Diana's Fundraising page: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1131606/2024

Learn about St Baldricks: https://youtu.be/yGOqEJ75xzQ?si=IOmlCF6mwfnliwJV

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My guest today is Neta Ein-Gil Glassberg.

Neta is a certified leadership coach and leverages her background as an experienced business development manager to help leaders and teams foster creative thinking, develop interpersonal communication strategies, and embrace diverse perspectives.

Neta was born in Thailand to an Israeli diplomat.  She’s lived in Singapore, the Philippines, Peru, and now, the US.  As a third-culture kid, she learned to adapt to diverse environments, develop sharp empathy and communication skills, and holds a broad perspective on navigating different cultures while maintaining authenticity.

I was fortunate to meet Neta through the Georgetown Leadership Coaching mentorship program.  It’s been engaging, inspiring, and thought-provoking to get to know Neta and learn pieces of her story.

Neta, thank you so much for this conversation.  Thank you for sharing your stories, your reflections, and your wisdom.  You bring so much creativity and fun to the world.  The ripples you are creating are going far and wide to touch so many lives!

You’ll find links below if you would like to connect with Neta or learn more about her work.

Insight Coaching LLC.  -  https://insightscoaching.co/   
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/neta-ein-gil-glassberg

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My guest today is Alorah Bliese.

I met Alorah through Shannon Cochran-Yzquierdo, a well-known guest on the podcast, and I’m so grateful for the connection! Thank you, Shannon!

Alorah is a queer, neurodivergent scientist.   They work as an interdisciplinary researcher, specializing in molecular marine biology. As a bisexual+ and non-binary person that is cisgender and heterosexual passing, they have experienced harmful stereotypes and erasure in their personal and professional life. 

In our conversation today, Alorah shares pieces of their story in hopes to shine light on the experience of invisibility within the queer community and raise awareness about people that exist on spectrums rather than binaries. 

She is currently the co-lead of the San Diego PRIDE employee resource group within her company, working to provide resources, education, and community to queer employees and allies, and is an advocate for DEI in and out of work.

Alorah, thank you so much for sharing these elements of your story and journey.  Thank you for your compassion and wisdom in caring for yourself and others.  And thank you for your willingness to jump into conversation and storytelling.  I know your story will touch many lives and help others know they are not alone.

There are links to resources in the show notes.  Let’s work together to make our world a safer, more inclusive, and less difficult place. 

 
Resources:

• Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/
• American Institute of Bisexuality: https://bi.org/en
• Out and Equal: https://outandequal.org/
  • BEST PRACTICES FOR NON-BINARY INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE
  • About that B: Bi+ Inclusion at Work

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My guest today is Andrea Barton.

Andrea is the author of The Godfather of Dance, A Jade Riley Mystery. The second book in the series will be out in late 2024.

I met Andrea through Nicole Webb who has been on my podcast and am so grateful for the connection!

An electrical engineer turned career consultant, Andrea spent 12 years enjoying the exhilaration and dislocation of life as an expat spouse. With her husband and two sons, she lived in Nigeria, USA and Qatar before repatriating to Australia, where she commutes between Melbourne and Mansfield. Along the way, she developed a passion for ballroom and Latin dance, helped to build a school, got bogged in both the Doha and Australian deserts, and had an accidental hallucinogenic experience in Peru.

In our conversation Andreas shares pieces of her own journey of becoming a writer, of digging into storytelling from the angle of a writer, a dancer, an editor.  She shares a great framework towards the end of our conversation which is also part of a blog and if you want to see the visuals, there are links in the show notes.

Andrea, thank you for sharing your stories here!  Thank you for your courage, creativity, and humor.  You are inspiring and wise, and our conversation here has made me spend more time writing.  So, thanks for that!

To find Andrea’s books, more about her and her work, and the link to the blog and story framework, check out the links below.

Andrea Barton, Author website

The Why, How, and What of Storytelling (blog and story framework)

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