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Send us a message! My guest today is Jessica Zucal. Jess is a returning guest and I'm so honored to share this conversation with you. Jess is an organizational change and culture specialist.  She supports leaders and organizations in navigating transformational change by integrating both the inner work of leadership and the systemic work of organizational change. She helps leaders see their organizations clearly, understand the patterns and dynamics shaping their reality, so they can move through complexity with greater alignment and make better informed decisions.  Jess has been through significant change and reorganization in her personal life as well.  In our previous conversation on episode 219, Jess shared the story of her journey with breast cancer, identifying cancer as one of her greatest teachers. In our conversation today, Jess shares about going through a dark passage which, with the support of trusted partners, she identified as an ego death and rebirth.  Jess's ability to articulate her journey as well as reflect on her experience is a gift.  Often in our own dark passages, it's difficult to find the words to describe what's happening and even more difficult to find people who can relate.  If you have experienced or are in the midst of experiencing a dark passage in your own life, I hope that this conversation helps you know you are not alone, and assures you that these times don't last forever (even though they can feel like they do), and there's beauty and light woven into the darkness. Jess, thank you for this meaningful and inspiring conversation.  Thank you for your openness, your willingness to share and invite us into these pieces of your journey so that we can be inspired and know that we aren't alone during the difficult times.  I'm deeply grateful to have you in my life. To learn more about Jess and her work in the world, you'll find links below. Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-zucal-3323795/ Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Donna Moreno. Donna spent 34 years at Verizon, where she was trained as a company spokesperson, representing them everywhere from industry conferences to investor events. Today she's at The Washington Post, working on compensation, pay equity, job architecture, and how AI is reshaping the way we design jobs. But her résumé only tells you a sliver of the story. Donna has chaired committees at the Kennedy Center, led Rockville Sister Cities International, judged international competitions, and worked behind the scenes on productions like the Kennedy Center Honors and a presidential inauguration. She's traveled to over 20 countries and 40 states, picked up a literal key to the City of Rockville and a governor's proclamation — and built award-winning mentoring programs along the way. In our conversation today, Donna shares that she's on the brink of 70, managing cancer, and working on a book with the help of her daughter.   Donna, thank you so so much for sharing these stories.  Thank you for sharing your heart and passion for others, thank you for sharing your wisdom.  Your courage, energy, and clarity are deeply inspiring. If you'd like to connect with Donna and learn more about her work in the world, there are links below: Connect with Donna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-moreno-ccp-700754b?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios  https://www.instagram.com/dmenzigian?igsi=MTFwbnllMzlzcDNkMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.threads.com/@dmenzigian?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== https://www.facebook.com/share/1DbQdevcNW/?mibextid=wwXIfr  Email for contact [email protected] Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! Today's guest is Nick Reittinger (write - ting - jer). And Russ Watts is hosting today. Nick is a seismic consultant in Kyle TX. If it shakes, rattles or rolls, he's got it covered. His real passion in life is traveling with his lovely wife and two beautiful daughters. Connecting with individuals across the country has turned out to be an unexpected skill.  In this conversation Nick shares a story about a time when everything he expected would happen, didn't.  The rug was pulled out from underneath him and it left him feeling incredibly disrupted.  Nick shares how baking cookies became an anchor for him during this stormy time.  Doing something with his hands -- something that had absolutely nothing to do with his work -- kept him grounded when everything else was up in the air.   This is an inspiring conversation that will bring a smile to your face and perhaps resonate deeply in your heart if you find yourself in the midst of a challenge or disruption in your life and the difficulty that often accompanies these times. Nick, thank you for sharing these stories, thank you for sharing your reflections on this time of deep disruption in your life, and for sharing how you found an anchor to pull you through!  And thank you for the encouragement to search for an anchor during the storms and to know that anchors come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and flavors! If you would like to reach out and connect with Nick -- you'll find his email and LinkedIn profile in the show notes! Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-reittinger/ Email Nick: [email protected] Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Graham Shelby. Graham is a storyteller in just about every sense of the word — a writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times and on NPR's The Moth Radio Hour, a veteran stage performer, a speechwriter, and director of the documentary City of Ali, about the week the city of Louisville, Kentucky — Muhammad Ali's hometown — came together to say goodbye to its champion.  In this conversation, we explore the power of story and the impact of truly listening, what to consider when telling a story to any audience, and Graham's own story of how he came to perform on The Moth stage in New York City.  We also dig into a tension at the heart of this podcast: the balance between making life less difficult and choosing to do difficult things — the ones that lead to growth and deeper satisfaction.  Graham, thank you for this conversation, for sharing these pieces of your story and journey, and your wisdom in storytelling. You'll find links below to connect with Graham, watch the documentary, City of Ali, and listen to Graham on The Moth. Links: Connect with Graham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamshelby/ Watch "City of Ali": https://www.cityofali.com/ Listen to Graham on The Moth: https://themoth.org/stories/the-man-on-tv Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Nicole Anderson. Nicole is a leadership development consultant and coach. Nicole is a returning guest to the podcast and this is an inspiring conversation that includes stories of Nicole's recent journey of starting her own company and podcast. Nicole founded Audacia after two decades inside the rooms where growth-stage decisions get made, leading teams, building leadership programs, and watching what separates the organizations that scale with purpose from the ones that scale into chaos. She founded Audacia because the conversations leaders are having now, about AI, scale, headcount, pressure, are getting answered with the wrong playbook. Her take might seem counter-intuitive: to speed up, we must first slow down.  As you'll hear us talk about, audacia is the latin word for being bold, courageous, or brave.  What I love about it all is that, to me, Audacia has a softness to it that sets it apart from the harshness that I sometimes feel associated with being bold and standing out.  You'll hear us talk more about and explore this, along with so much more. Nicole, thank you for sharing your stories and your wisdom.  Thank you for being an authentic and bold -- audacious -- leader.  You are an inspiration and your work is deeply needed in the world! To learn more about Nicole and the work she does, you'll find links here: Audacia website: https://www.audacialeadership.com/home Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-morrow-anderson/ Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! It's been 5 years since the release of the first episode of Make Life Less Difficult! Today, Russ Watts joins me to reflect on the journey of this podcast, what it means to me, how it's impacted me (and others), and what I envision for the upcoming 5 years! Russ is a guest host and a frequent guest of the podcast.  He and I facilitate retreats and workshops focused on storytelling, connection, and soul space. Check out our offerings at: https://thestoryacademy.org/ Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Suneet Bhatt. Suneet helps people and organizations get unstuck, find purpose, and build momentum.  Suneet teaches at Rutgers University, helping students make sense of their purpose and understand their journey to purpose. In his work, Suneet has found that before we can make sense of our purpose, we have to make sense of ourselves.  This sounds so simple, but has profound implications and is so often overlooked.  I love this conversation because Suneet both shares his own story of making sense of his purpose, and also shares valuable insights to help all of us better understand  and make sense of our purposes. Suneet, thank you for this energizing and inspiring conversation.  Your stories, your wisdom, your encouragement are all so appreciated and I'm honored to have met you and to get to share this on my podcast! To learn more about Suneet, his work, and his book, Making Sense of Purpose, you'll find links in the show notes. Connect with Suneet: https://makingsenseofpurpose.com/ Book: Making Sense of Purpose  Link to Donate to help inmates and other receive this book! Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Srikanth Seshadri. Sri is a returning guest, previously on episode 169 in 2022. Today, Sri and I discuss the book, What to Make of a Life, by Jim Collins.   Sri is an executive coach who helps CEOs scale their companies and accelerate performance. When Sri and I talked about doing another podcast together, he sent me a link to this book, suggesting we both read it and talk about it for the podcast.   What to Make of a Life is an exploration through the study of a dozen or so people: writers, actors, scientists, leaders and others, asking the questions, How do we find our way in the world? How do we make it past the significant events that can radically change a life? How do we keep the inner fire burning bright, long and late? Inspired by relentless curiosity, Collins devoted a decade to studying these questions and to minutely analyzing those moments when life flips from clarity to confusion and casts us into a befuddling fog. I'm so grateful you shared this book with me, Sri, and that we had this conversation.  It has given me new perspectives on twists and turns my life has taken, new ideas for continuing to shape my life and choices for living in meaningful and purpose-filled ways, and inspiration to keep taking one step at a time into areas of exploration and unknown. In our conversation, Sri mentions a number of other books and resources.  You'll find links to all those in the show notes as well as ways to learn more about Sri and the work he does in the world. Resource Links: Connect with Sri: https://agilegrowthpartners.com/a1/What to Make of a Life by Jim CollinsMindset by Carol DweckThe Right Kind of Wrong by Amy EdmondsonAdaptive Leadership by Ron Heifetz Why Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold KushnerMovie: Just Mercy (About Bryan Stevenson and his justice work)Jim Collins interviewed by Oprah Keep an eye out for Sri's book on Leadership Agility coming in 2027! Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Deonna Marie Cattledge. Deonna Marie is an EMMY Award-Winning Vocalist, Storyteller, Keynote Speaker, Actress, & Intuitive Vocal Coach from Grand Rapids, Michigan. A classically trained singer with over a decade of experience, Deonna Marie has worked with internationally known vocalists, vocal teachers & coaches, stage directors, and choral conductors.  She is the writer & creator of The Deonna Marie Experience: From the Crack House to the Opera House, a one-woman show about her life.  OETA Gallery America released an EMMY Award-Winning segment titled, “The Deonna Marie Experience” currently available to stream on PBS.com. Deonna has told her story on The Moth MainStage in seven cities around the US and Canada.  She is a keynote speaker, storyteller, Artist, Performer, and Intuitive Coach. I'm recording this introduction a few minutes after recording my conversation with Deonna Marie and I have to tell you, prepare to go on a journey!  Before we started recording, I told Deonna Marie that I wanted to invite her to tell her story.  She warned me that her story was long and had many chapters and asked which direction I wanted her to go in and focus on.  I said, truly, I just want you to share as the spirit moves.  I know there's so much more than we can capture in one episode, but wherever you take us, it'll be the place we are meant to go. Being with Deonna Marie in this telling of her story felt like watching a movie and being swept along a fast flowing river with twists and turns and rapids... absolutely incredible and amazing. Wherever you are, I invite you to create a space where you can immerse yourself in this storytelling experience of Deonna Marie.   Deonna Marie -- thank you doesn't capture the gratitude in my heart and soul.  I'm so grateful to be connected with you and cannot wait to spend more time with you! You'll find links in the show notes to learn more about Deonna Marie's work and the wisdom she offers the world: Website: https://www.deonnamarie.com/ PBS Gallery America special: https://www.pbs.org/video/the-deonna-marie-experience-dnssxa/ Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Ashley T Brundage  Ashley is the Founder and President of Empowering Differences, a consultancy that helps people and organizations turn personal and identity-based differences into a source of strength rather than a barrier.  As a transgender woman, Ashley has overcome harassment, discrimination, and homelessness.  After beginning her transition in 2008, she started as a part-time bank teller and rose to National Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion in less than five years.  That journey has been captured in a 4-step empowerment process, now the basis of her book and online leadership course, both called Empowering Differences.  Ashley works tirelessly to promote awareness and acceptance of gender identity and expression. Ashley speaks locally and nationally on transition, workplace equality, leadership, and change management, and has been featured in outlets including Forbes, InStyle, Bloomberg Businessweek, and the Miami Herald.  In our conversation today, Ashley shares stories of her journey of transitioning, starting her business after a successful career with PNC Bank, and some of her experiences running for the Florida House of Representatives in 2024. Ashley, thank you for this inspiring conversation! Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey and your insights and wisdom.  You are doing such important and much-needed work in the world! You will find links below to learn more about Ashley and her work, her Empowerment Assessment, her book, and more! Empowering Differences: https://empoweringdifferences.com/ Empowerment Assessment: https://empoweringdifferences.com/empowerment-assessment/ Differences Assessment: https://empoweringdifferences.com/differences-assessment/ Ashley's best-selling book: https://empoweringdifferences.com/product/empowering-differences-book/ Empowerment Cards: https://empoweringdifferences.com/product/empowerment-cards/ Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Phil Chu. I had the privilege of meeting Phil through our mutual friend, Ravi Ram -- thank you Ravi! Phil is the founder and head coach of SEEN, a relational fitness training company.  In our conversation today Phil shares about his journey to starting SEEN, what relational fitness is and means, the payoff of learning to step into conflict with a framework bigger than win/lose. Phil shares his story of learning how to listen well (and learning that he needed to learn how to listen well!).  We talk about trust and its importance in relational fitness, and the value of feedback in relationships. Phil, thank you for this inspiring conversation.  Thank you for sharing the stories of your journey in strengthening your relationships, both at work and at home.  And for creating resources to help others improve their relational and social fitness. I've included links in the show notes for more information on Phil and his work as well as where you can find more information on some of the frameworks Phil mentions, such as the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and The Trust Equation. Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipchu/ Seen.health The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Modes: https://kilmanndiagnostics.com/overview-thomas-kilmann-conflict-mode-instrument-tki/ The Trust Equation: https://trustedadvisor.com/build-trust/trust-equation Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Jordan Friedman. Jordan is known as The Stress Coach.  He offers a ‘chill factory’ of virtual and in-person stress management and anxiety reduction speaker programs, coaching options, courses, and more to support mental health, productivity and retention.  For 30 years, Jordan has pioneered innovative stress management training for companies,  coaches, schools, and individuals, including as director of Columbia University’s Health Education Program and host of The Chill Factory podcast. Jordan is also an engaging podcast and media guest. In our conversation today Jordan shares how losing most of his vision to a childhood brain tumor taught him the power—and difficulty—of asking for help, ultimately leading him into a career in stress management education. He shares why stress becomes harmful when it's a constant "way of life" rather than an occasional response, and how practical, low-time-commitment techniques (like 60-second breathing breaks and checking your body's "dashboard") are surprisingly effective for preventing and reducing stress. Jordan, thank you for this practical and timely conversation.  The work you do in the world to help us manage and reduce stress is vital! You'll find links in the show notes to learn more about Jordan and his much-needed work in the world. Website: https://www.thestresscoach.com/ Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! Today's guest is Stuart Voeden. Russ Watts is hosting this inspiring conversation with Stuart.  Thank you, Russ! In their conversation today, Stuart and Russ explore Stuart's journey from corporate burnout to embodied artistic practice, and how confronting one's shadow, embracing intuition, and "coming at life sideways" can make existence less difficult for ourselves and others. Stuart is a wise companion, mentor and adviser, helping organizations and leaders through the maze of organisational change and people development. With over 30 years experience in business, Stuart believes in the power of enterprise to be a creative force for good. He is particularly enamoured with developmental psychology—for his own learning, and especially in working with others on how we create meaning and sense making in a complex world. Stuart’s current focus includes exploring the poetics of leadership: the role of creativity, art and story in enabling meaningful change. Stuart is a Certified Integral Facilitator, an artist, and business advisor. Follow Stuart on IG: @stuartvoadenart Connect with Stuart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-voaden-b3b48b58/ Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! My guest today is Kathryn Broullire. Kathryn and I connected through the Georgetown Leadership Coaching mentorship program and from our first interaction, it has felt like a connection that was meant to be! Kathryn is a Learning and Development expert and has worked in the educational space for over 13 years.  She's completed the Georgetown University Leadership Coaching program and is passionate about helping others find what they love, find their voice, and live out their potential. When Kathryn and I first met, we quickly learned that we had parallel stories of loss -- my first husband and Kathryn's best friend, Gwen -- both passed away as the result of brain tumors.   It's a tenuous thing to discover this commonality.  While the details are unique, the emotional journey contains many points of resonance.   In our conversation, Kathryn shares the story of her soul-sister-best-friend since 7th grade, Gwen.  How her brain tumor was discovered through a random accident, and how Kathryn walked beside her friend to the very end. In talking about our loved ones who are no longer with us on this earth, there's always a mix of tears and smiles.  Grief and gratitude.  If you have lost a loved one, you likely relate to this.  Grief is not linear.  Memories contain a multitude of emotions... and different emotions on different days. Kathryn, I'm so grateful that our paths have connected.  Thank you for the gracious sharing of these pieces of your journey and story with Gwen.  May the sharing of this story bring comfort or perhaps companionship to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one.   If for any reason, you are in a place where the weightiness of this story feels like too much, please take care of yourself first and foremost, even if it means not listening today.  And please know you are not alone.  And may knowing that you are not alone make the difficulty of the day just a little difficult. If you would like to connect with Kathryn, her email is [email protected]. Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message! Today my conversation is with Russ Watts.  Russ co-hosts and guest-hosts here on the podcast, so his is a familiar voice to many of you.  Russ and I have been co-creating and co-facilitating storytelling experiences since 2019. It was such a delight to sit down with Russ and dive into a conversation today.  We made no plans, just pressed record and started sharing. Our hope is that as we explore the ideas of soul space, story, pilgrimages, as we share some of our own recent experiences and stories, as we ponder with awe and enchantment, that you would be inspired to connect with matters most, listen to what your soul is saying, be curious about the experiences of now.  Where can enchantment be reawakened in your life? Russ, as always, thank you for jumping into the flow of conversation.  Thank you for sharing your stories, your wisdom, your questions, and your curiosity.   Thank you for joining us for this conversation.  May you enjoy the free flowing conversational river of exploration and curiosity. If you are in the Washington DC area, Russ and I will be hosting a day of Soul Space on Monday July 20.  There's a link below with more information about that.  And if you miss this one, there will be more in the future! July 20 - Soul Space: http://makelifelessdifficult.com/soul-space Support the show Make Life Less Difficult ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra