Make Life Less Difficult

Before jumping into my guest’s introduction, a brief note from me.  I’m in the US for summer holiday and family reunions.  There were a number of podcasts I had intended to record before leaving Sri Lanka, but due to disruptions with my internet there, they didn’t happen.  So, I packed up my microphone and am searching out quiet spaces to record a few conversations while visiting family.  The quiet spaces for today’s conversation happen to be a rented office space with Regus.  And I realized when I showed up that I forgot my microphone that I was so careful to pack along!  Alas… my sound quality isn’t the greatest and it may be a bit echoey in an empty office, but it brings me back to my word for the year: Imperfect.  It’s part of my commitment to keep moving forward, to keep sharing stories, to continue doing this work that I’m passionate about.  And to give myself permission to do it imperfectly.  Because, really, what is perfection, anyway?  So, if this is your first time listening, welcome!  (I’ve got an entire episode exploring the idea of imperfection and its value, if you want to check that out! (episode 32).If you are a returning listener, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!  I cannot tell you how much it means to me for you to join me on this journey, listen in to the conversations with amazing people, and hopefully be inspired to share more of your own journey and stories, for that is how we connect.  Let’s keep connecting, imperfect though it may be… Also, a huge shout out to Joseph Burdock who edits all these podcasts and makes the imperfections as small as possible!  Thank you, Joe!!My guest today is Julie Salganik.Julie is a returning guest and I’m so glad for this opportunity to talk with her again.  Our first conversation was on Episode 18 and Julie shared reflections on immigration, having immigrated from Kiev, then part of the Soviet Union, to the US at the age of 4.  Julie is a leadership coach and consultant who has spent over 20 years equipping leaders to flourish and deliver exceptional results.  She specialized in working across cultures and has worked extensively with leaders in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. In our conversation today, Julie graciously shares some of her recent reflections and processing of the war in Ukraine, how that has challenged her sense of identity, and the challenge of making sense of the devastation that is a result of war.We also talk about the idea of putting things down rather than letting them go.  Recognizing that some things can be put down for now and perhaps picked up and revisited at a later time.  This has a difference connotation than letting go or moving on and I think the shift in perspective can make difficult times a little less difficult.Julie, thank you for sharing again.  For engaging in conversations about difficult topics, for inviting us along on your journey and inviting us into your processing.  I’m grateful for your wisdom.Connect with Julie:Find Julie on LinkedInSend Julie an email: info@avancegc.comMake Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Dr. Margareta Sjölund.Margareta is the founder and Chief Psychologist of EQ Europe and Kandidata Asia.She is an internationally recognized expert and pioneer in field of Emotional Intelligence and has worked with many organizations in the US, Europe and Asia.She is a licensed psychologist in Sweden with her PhD in psychology from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Margareta lived and worked more than twenty years in the U.S. as a psychologist, chief recruiter and HR consultant.  She is a regular speaker on the topic of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in Asia, Europe - and beyond.I first met Margareta 10 years ago when I moved to the Philippines.  I had the privilege of learning from Margareta and partnering with her company for many projects helping organizations develop their leaders’ emotional intelligence.In keeping with the theme of this podcast and my work, when I think back on those early years as an expat, working to establish myself as a coach, and build my business, connecting with Margareta and her late husband, Per, made that time in life less difficult.  I’m grateful to be able to share this conversation with you today.  Thank you, Margareta, for continuing to share your knowledge, wisdom, and experience.  And thank you for inspiring us to keep making a difference in our world, developing our emotional intelligence skills, and building a strong and bright future!Learn more about Margareta:EQ Europe websiteKandidataAsia websiteLinkedInMake Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Crystaline Randazzo.Crystaline is a master storyteller, media creatrix, and a story guide.  She empowers women to catalyze change in their life through the power of storytelling.  She uses the science behind storytelling to help people connect with themselves, excavate their own truths, and craft new narratives that are aligned with their truest purpose. She helps change-making entrepreneurs tell their stories in a way that helps them create a better world.Crystaline and I met through a mutual friend, Monique Nathan, (Thank you, Monique!) and quickly realized we had many parallels in our lives including being married to US diplomats, growing up with rigid religious beliefs and then later moving away from those beliefs, and even being struck by lightning!I’ve learned so much from Crystaline about storytelling and am happy to be able to share this conversation with you.  Crystaline, thank you for the work you do in the world, for connecting people through the art and science of storytelling, of sharing your own stories, and for being a bright beacon of light in a complex and challenging world.Connect with Crystaline:WebsiteInstagramMake Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Dave Warnock. Dave lived the bulk of his life as a Charismatic Evangelical, serving as a pastor on three different church staffs. But, following several years of internal struggle, Dave came to the conclusion in 2011 that he no longer believed in a personal God. In 2019 he was diagnosed with  ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), a progressive neurodegenerative disease with an average 3-5 year life expectancy. Dave is spending the days he has left speaking out about the dangers and harm of fundamental religions.  He also seeks to provide a safe haven to those questioning their faith, recovering from religious trauma or navigating life's tribulations as he shares his own perspective as a former evangelical, but now an atheist, facing a terminal diagnosis.  Dave has recently published a memoir called “Childish Things.”  I highly recommend his book.  I listened to the audio version which Dave himself reads and it’s not only fantastically written, it’ll make you feel like you are privileged to hear firsthand the events shaping this man’s life.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll feel grateful for the opportunity to connect to Dave through this book.  And I feel honored to connect to Dave through this conversation.  We talk a fair amount about death and dying, subjects that are considered “dark and heavy” to many.  Having experienced the death of my first husband when I was 28, I find that talking about death and dying keeps me living my life well.  It helps me prioritize the most important things and keep coming back to them when I forget, as I’m all-too-easily prone to do.I hope you find joy and inspiration in this conversation.  If, however, for any reason you aren’t in a space to step into this topic, please take care of yourself, first and foremost, even if that means you choose not to listen in on this conversation.  Dave, thank you for sharing your stories, your reflections, your wisdom… not just here on this podcast but through your book and your YouTube channel, the many podcasts you’ve been on, and through your other speaking engagements.  You are, indeed, an inspiration to many!Connect with Dave:WebsiteYouTube Channel Dave's published memoir: Childish Things  (I highly recommend this and the audio version is read by Dave, so that's extremely special!)Make Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Josefine Wanner.Josefine is the founder of the Empowered Entrepreneur Program, Former Corporate Executive turned Entrepreneur & Business Growth Strategist.She spent almost 20 years as a financial services consultant and global program manager before the impact of a heartbreaking wake-up call gave her the courage to take the risk and leave corporate to pursue her dreams.Within four weeks after her wake-up call she resigned from her high status, well-paid job and made the commitment to overcome her fears and create a life of her choosing.Today she helps others do the same. At the forefront of her mission, she works towards creating clarity for new and established service-based entrepreneurs by helping them to identify their core values and rediscover joy, build their own successful and profitable online business and ultimately, lead a life without time constraints or compensation caps.Josefine and I met through a mutual connection and it’s such an honor and a privilege to have her as a guest here, sharing her journey, her wisdom and insight.  Josefine, thank you for living an inspired and inspiring life, for being intentional about helping others find their own inspiration, and for all the light you shine into the world!Connect with Josefine here:FacebookInstagramLinkedInOnline Entrepreneurs CommunityResources:Dr. David Rock's SCARF Video Make Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Erin Jean Warde.Erin Jean Warde is a priest, spiritual director, recovery coach, writer, and speaker. She is the author of the book, Sober Spirituality: The Joy of a Mindful Relationship with Alcohol, which will be coming out April 2023. Erin Jean and I connected through Arianne Rice, who has been a guest on the podcast twice (episodes 17 & 49).  Arianne connected us after listening to Emily Cornell’s story on Episode 54.  It brings me a great amount of joy to experience these growing connections!  In our conversation today, Erin Jean beautifully shares pieces of her journey and relationship with alcohol and how her personal experience has led her to focus her work on mindfulness around alcohol.  There is a lot of complexity around the topic of alcohol, the effects of its consumption, and not a lot of conversation about it all.  I love how Erin Jean’s exploration of Mindfulness around our relationship with alcohol opens the door to a broader conversation.  I grew up in an environment where alcohol was deemed bad.  The lack of nuance ended any conversation before it began.  Opening the conversation is much more useful and interesting, in my personal opinion.  And helpful in sorting out the pros and cons, consequences, and personal desires around not just alcohol – this approach is useful for any number of subjects that can be difficult to talk about.  So I’m grateful for this conversation and hope it give you new perspectives and opens the door to new conversations in your life.You can explore Erin Jean’s offerings around recovery coaching, spiritual direction, and more via her website  along with her social media sites. You can also explore her Substack, Gather the Inklings, which includes free weekly posts and a private community.Erin Jean, thank you so much for connecting, sharing these pieces of your story, and for your wisdom and inspiration.Please keep in mind if you are open to sharing you story or would like to recommend someone for the podcast, I’d love to hear from you!Connect with Erin Jean:TwitterInstagramWebsiteSubstackEJW's Mocktail FavoritesMake Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Anna-Marie Watson.Happiest outdoors, Anna-Marie is a certified Performance Coach and Coach Supervisor who loves to escape the confines of four walls and co-create conversations with nature. Former British Army Officer, she has worked in challenging environments from snowy Arctic tundra to hot and sandy deserts though currently resides within the rolling countryside of Wiltshire.She has an insatiable curiosity at the world and is a self-certified learning junkie with a Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Coaching from the University of Derby and Master’s in Teaching from the University of Sydney; amongst other psychological and psychometric based coaching tools. Alongside her passion for performance and coaching Anna-Marie has a severe ultra-running habit. She loves racing overseas and has achieved podium positions on the international Ultra Trail World Tour series, Marathon des Sables and other crazy long-distance events. Anna-Marie is on a mission to encourage a different approach to work where our natural environment is valued within the business world. She co-hosts the Coaching Outdoors podcast and has contributed to ‘The Coaches Handbook’ and ‘Succeeding as a Coach’ on eco-coaching. Social Media Links: Website: www.rfmcoaching.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/awatson4/Twitter: @rfmcoachingInstagram: @rfmcoaching Coaching Outdoors Podcast website: www.coaching-outdoors.comMake Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Sunny Watts.Sunny is an educator, project manager, facilitator and curriculum developer who has had the honor to create, discover, nurture, play, teach, guide and support thousands of students and colleagues over the years. She is currently the Director of Curriculum for iLEAP, which nurtures the next generation of change makers. She lives with her family in northern Italy and is an adventurer, a pizza connoisseur and a lover of musical theatre. Being introduced to theatre at a young age opened the doors to hope and healing for Sunny.  She continues to offer those opportunities to others of all ages.I met Sunny through her husband, Russ.  We connected through the theme of storytelling.  Sunny has graciously shared not only her personal stories, but her knowledge about stories and storytelling with me.  She’s allowed me to grow in this space and I’m deeply grateful.As Sunny shares her story here today, I’m thankful for her vulnerability and strength, her courage and transparency, and her care and thoughtfulness.Sunny, thank you for sharing and thank you for making the world a brighter and kinder place!Make Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Lisa shares about discovering her superpower of sadness, what that means, and how this intriguing emotion can lead to closeness, connectedness, and hope.Books mentioned:Bittersweet by Susan CainDivergent Mind by Jenara NerenbergMake Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

My guest today is Angela Melfi.Angela is co-founder and CEO of Threads Worldwide, a social enterprise that puts income and resources into the hands of impact-driven women in 9 countries including the United States. She oversees operations, marketing, and the sales field at Threads Worldwide.Angela has 10 years’ experience in the digital marketing and technology sales space and holds a B.S. in Biology & Psychology from Tufts University in Boston. Angela is the proud mama of two amazing kid and is proud to have visited 54 countries!Threads Worldwide is an inspiring business and business model.  Angela and her 2 best friends started this company in 2011.  They focus on partnering with artisan cooperatives and businesses in various countries to support creating dignified jobs for women who need them.  These women watch their dreams become reality through the fair trade of artisan jewelry and household accessories.  As a result of Threads Worldwide, these women are sending their children to school, accessing healthcare, and making their homes safer.And in the US, Threads invites women to launch their own social impact businesses as Threads Socialpreneurs.  I’m going to let Angela explain how it all works in her own words because you have to hear her passion and love for what she does and for the women Threads partners with.  It’s truly inspiring!Angela, thank you for sharing with us today!  Thank you for being a community leader and for creating opportunities for other to live powerful and meaningful lives!Connect with Angela: angela@threadsworldwide.comThreads Worldwide website and Instagram Make Life Less DifficultSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra