Make Life Less Difficult

Lisa Tilstra
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Apr 7, 2026 • 1h 5min

50 Days of Climbing: Lisa's 50th Birthday Adventure

In today's episode, my good friend, Titus Mott, asks me about my recent 50 days of rock climbing adventure for my 50th birthday.  It's amusingly intimidating to be the guest on my own podcast and I'm so grateful to Titus for taking the time to do this episode with me!Thanks to everyone who supported me from near and far for this epic life adventure!See picture here: https://makelifelessdifficult.com/lisas-50th-birthdaySupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Mar 29, 2026 • 1h 14min

Stephanie Peña: Sing! Dance! (Even if you are terrible at it!) Because You Can!!

My guest today is Stephanie Peña.Stephanie is an accomplished vocalist, actress and voice-over artist.Previously cast on an NBC sitcom, a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild, Stephanie can currently be found on Netflix, Audible, iTunes, Amazon, YouTube and Vimeo. In our conversation today, Stephanie shares her insights, reflections, and wisdom.  Her stories are ones of confidence and courage.  And you'll hear how her current stories are continuing to unfold with new challenges that she's approaching with poise and resilience.Stephanie encourages us to stop comparing ourselves with others and instead, be inspired by others!  And sing and dance, even if you are terrible at it!  Life, each day, every ability we have in this moment is precious and fleeting -- don't let it pass you by!Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanielavoz/Follow Stephanie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stephanielavoz/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Mar 13, 2026 • 1h 2min

Jennie Snyder, Ed.D.: Companions, Discernment, and Threshold Moments

My guest today is Jennie Snyder.Jennie is an executive leadership coach.  She works with leaders during defining moments in their lives and leadership—navigating transitions and seeking impact that matters.Our conversation today touches on Threshold Moments, what it means to be a Companion for others and for ourselves, and how discernment serves us in telling our stories.Connect with Jennie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjenniesnyder/Email: jennie@artiocc.com Resources to support the journey of coming out:The Trevor Project: 24/7/365 support in the USTrevor Space: International Digital Support Community for LGBTQ+ young peopleBefrienders Worldwide: Find a helpline by CountryParents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: PFLAG.orgSuicide Hotlines by CountryIt Gets Better Project:  The It Gets Better Project inspires people across the globe to share their stories and remind the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth that hope is out there, and it will get better.Human Rights Campaign Sage USA: Advocacy for LGBT Elders Matthew Shepard FoundationOut & Equal Workplace AdvocatesSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Feb 26, 2026 • 59min

Donna Gandt: Transitions, Learning from Cancer, and Redefining Success

My guest today is Donna Gandt.Donna  is the founder and lead coach at PSYCHĒ6, bringing over 30 years’ experience in leading people, projects, and change.  Today she shares pieces of her journey transitioning out of the corporate world into her work of leadership transformation, as well as her experience with breast cancer, and what it takes to redefine success.Donna has navigated professional growth and transitions over the course of her career, most recently in executive leadership of sales and client-facing teams in SaaS companies with C-level responsibility for P&L and sales growth objectives. Her professional experience includes transformation of a software company through partner channel programs, leading global system design and deployments, leading client facing teams, building a professional services team from scratch, and serving our country as a Lieutenant in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. Donna is mom of two amazing humans, a loyal friend, a pet lover (one dog and two cats…don’t ask her which she likes best!). She's a reader, a hiker, a biker, a scuba diver, a mushroom forager, a skier, an enthusiastic lover of live music, a fanatical wanderer/traveler, and an avid beach walker.Connect with Donna:Donna's website: www.psyche6.comConnect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnagandt/Collaborations Donna is involved with: www.hometoher.com www.theservantedge.com Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Feb 20, 2026 • 57min

Béa Albina: Diving Deeper into Ending Emotional Outsourcing

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 LifeSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 8min

Lisa Lewis Daniels: The Messy Middle & Lion Heart Society

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/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Feb 5, 2026 • 1h 11min

Jessica Vogt: Coming Home to Yourself

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. Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Jan 30, 2026 • 52min

Kelly Kienzle: Journey into Your Next with the Alchemy Workbook

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/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Jan 26, 2026 • 59min

Wise Women: Humanity's Untold Origins with Christopher Henze & Dominique Debroux

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 FilmWise 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/wisewomenJoin the community: https://www.wisewomenforward.com/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra
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Jan 22, 2026 • 60min

Conrad Colman: Solo, We are Nothing

 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/enConrad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradcolman/Conrad's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@colmanoceanracingSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

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