Christina Swartz & Stephen Kotev: Journeying Back to the Soul

Send us a message!My guest today is Lauren Thompson.Lauren is passionate about propelling transformational change - of individuals, teams, and organizations, and health systems globally. By enabling leadership effectiveness and driving operational excellence, she helps cultivate leaders who embody authenticity and purpose, and foster a collaborative environment where innovation and impact flourish.I first met Lauren through her book, Architect of Becoming: From Proving to Being.  Lauren has done a magical job of sharing her story in this book and inspiring authentic leadership.Through her story Lauren shares her belief that authentic leadership begins with the willingness to look inward. She explores how the pressure to continually prove our worth can undermine well-being and shape the way we lead. She challenges leaders to distinguish resilience from constant endurance, question workplace expectations, and make choices grounded in their values and personal limits.When I first read the title of Lauren's book, something really clicked within me... from proving to being.  I grew up in a loving family that relied mostly on proving as a foundation of that love.  It's been really easy to bring that forward into my adult life and it's taking a long time to unwind that so that I can live into this idea that "being" is enough.  It's shockingly difficult even though I agree wholeheartedly.As I'm in a phase of life of slowing down and practicing more the "being" rather than "proving" side of life there's both a relief that comes with it and a real challenge.  What will people think about me if I'm not proving myself?  Who am I without all the things that I have used to prove myself over the years? What really matters in all of this?So, yes, just a few light questions floating around my heart and soul.Lauren, thank you for this conversation.  Thank you for sharing your stories here and also in your book.  Your way of sharing honestly and courageously is really impactful and inspiring.  Your voice and work is needed in the world!If you'd like to connect with Lauren and learn more about her work in the world and find her book, you'll find links below:Connect with Lauren: https://principalinnovation.com/LinkedIn: Lauren's book: https://principalinnovation.com/architect-of-becoming/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message!My guest today is Brenda Harrington.Brenda is a transformative leadership strategist, executive coach, and author who bridges professional excellence with authentic leadership. Drawing on more than 30 years of business experience, she empowers professionals to skillfully navigate workplace dynamics while maintaining their authentic selves.Brenda and I met in January 2011, in the Georgetown Leadership Coaching program.  Given my transient lifestyle and the amount of times that I've moved over the past 16 years, it's not always easy to stay connected with friends.  Just recently Brenda and I have been able to reconnect after a few years of not being in regular contact.  It's been such a gift for many reasons, but one reason is our ability to drop into life wherever we are and whatever is going on.  This is something that I've come to highly value in friends.  Sometimes I wish for a lifestyle that included being in one place for long periods of time and having a close-knit community.  But the reality of my life and my choices mean that I don't have that.  So having friends like Brenda are a treasure.As I continue to do this podcast, the storytelling work, and developing spaces that we call Soul Space, I'm realizing more and more that the ability to really land and be present is at the heart of it.  Where am I now, in this moment?  Who am I with?  Am I truly, 100% here?  When I am truly present, the connection and energy is evident.  It's one of things I love about doing this podcast.  When I sit down to have a conversation with guest, it's the only place I am and the only person I'm with.  And it feels like soul space.Brenda, thank you for once again entering this space of presence with me.  Thank you for sharing your stories and wisdom.  Your perspective always feels grounding to me and I know it does the same for your clients.If you'd like to connect with Brenda and learn more about the work she does in the world, you'll find links below:Adaptive Leadership Strategies: https://adaptiveleadershipstrategies.com/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message!My guests today are Christina Swartz and Stephen Kotev.Christina is a an independent consultant and coach.  For over 14 years she has been helping leaders and their teams increase their effectiveness.Stephen is a coach, trainer and mediator, helping leaders and organizations find innovative ways to tackle conflict and difficult disputes.Our conversation today unfolded in a fun way.  First, I had connected with Christina and she wanted to share about her journey back to connection with her soul.  She then asked if we could invite Stephen into the conversation because she worked with Stephen as her coach and their work together has been truly transformational.So, as you listen today, you have the rare privilege of hearing both the perspective of the person being coached AND the perspective of the coach and what they see.  And it feels like a sacred space of sharing, reflecting, and connecting the dots.Christina and Stephen, thank you so much for this conversation.  Thank you both for sharing in this unique and impactful way.  I'm honored to host and share this conversation.If you'd like to connect with Christina or Stephen, you'll find links below:Christina's website: https://www.greatcoaches.org/Stephen's website: https://www.stephenkotev.com/Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message!My guest today is Will LeBlanc.Will is the author of the book, I Used to Be Somebody.In mid-September, my husband and I were celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary on Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks, where we had gotten married.  It's a small island so the one main cafe for coffee was busy.  And their style of service was slow and deliberate.  As I stood waiting in line, John came up to me with a book and said, "This looks like your kind of book."  I started reading and immediately agreed with him.  I kept reading all the way through line and for about 2 hours after getting coffee and a bite to eat.At the back of the book, Will included an email address, and I sent off an email.  "Hey, I found your book, read it, and would you like to be on my podcast?"  A couple of phone calls later and I got to sit down with Will for a conversation here on the podcast.Will is 70 years old and describes himself as a forest dweller.  You'll hear more about that in our conversation.  I found inspiration in Will's book and this conversation, exploring what it means to be human when we pare down the layers of stuff and identity.  How do we put into words the parts of living that are beyond describable?  What does it mean to be in a deep stillness?  Who am I in this place of stillness?Since meeting Will through his book and through our conversations, I've found myself challenged in ways that feel like my brain needs to expand to soak it all in.  I hope this conversation is an invitation to you to slow down, listen, experiment with stillness and see what you learn about who you are.Will, thank you for connecting.  Thank you for the stories and reflections you share in your book and for the beautiful and playful flow of conversation here.  I'm grateful our paths have connected and look forward to learning more about the nothing and emptiness from and with you.You'll find links below to find Will's book and to connect with him.Connect with Will: [email protected]'s Book: I Used To Be Somebody Support the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message!My guest today is Vincent Van den Broeck.Vincent is the founder of UNTIL IT’S DONE (UID) — a brand and movement built to help people and companies make the impossible achievable through the alignment of five pillars: Mindset, Health, Lifestyle, Action, and Structure & Clarity.Vincent's work sits at the intersection of performance, storytelling, and brand strategy. After surviving a life-threatening accident in 2024 and rebuilding himself piece by piece, he learned first-hand that nothing changes until you do — and that with the right systems, vision and discipline, people are capable of far more than they think.In our conversation today, Vincent shares his story of the accident that almost took his life and his journey to recovery over the past two years.  His book, Until It's Done: How the Life You Build Becomes the One That Saves You, is the story of this amazing journey.Vincent, thank you so much for sharing your story and journey, not just here on this podcast, but through your work, your book, and your connections with others.  You are an inspiration and light in this world!  I'm grateful that our paths have connected.To learn more about Vincent and the work that he does, you'll find links below.Until It's Done website: https://untilitsdone.eu/Connect with Vincent on LinkedInVincent's book: https://www.theuidclub.com/the-bookSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

Send us a message!My guest today is Dr. Tova Rubin. Tova is a licensed clinical psychologist, and she brings a unique awareness and ability to listen between the lines to her work that allows her to shine a light on areas of relationships and patterns of communication. Tova is also an expert in the field of positive psychology and is regularly invited to give workshops and talks about positive psychology and mindfulness. In our conversation today, Tova shares about the impact and empowerment of building emotional capacity, what changes when we let go of a certainty, certainty both about ourselves and others, and how emotions are the doorway to understanding so much about ourselves and our relationships. Throughout our conversation today, Tova shares several of her poems, which are currently unpublished, but I am hoping that she considers publishing and sharing them soon, because they are really powerful and, absolutely beautiful. Tova, thank you so much for this uplifting, inspiring, and thought-provoking conversation. It was such a joy to be in conversation with you, and I look forward to our future conversations. You will find links below to learn more about Tova, about her work, and to find her book, Wisdom From the Couch.Tova's website: https://tovarubin.com/Tova's book: Wisdom from the CouchSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

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 showMake 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=qrhttps://www.threads.com/@dmenzigian?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==https://www.facebook.com/share/1DbQdevcNW/?mibextid=wwXIfr Email for contact [email protected] the showMake 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] the showMake 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-tvSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra