Make Life Less Difficult podcast

33:58

In this episode, we delve into the concept of being "qualified" in the workplace, examining who gets labeled as such, who doesn't, and the underlying reasons. We explore "competency checking"—the practice of scrutinizing individuals' abilities—and how it disproportionately affects underrepresented groups, often going unnoticed or unchallenged. Our discussion aims to redefine qualifications in a fair, equitable, and actionable manner. Our guest, Shari Dunn , is an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, university professor, and sought-after speaker. She has been recognized as Executive of the Year and a Woman of Influence, with her work appearing in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, and more. Her new book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work , unpacks what it truly means to be deserving and capable—and why systemic barriers, not personal deficits, are often the real problem. Her insights challenge the narratives that hold so many of us back and offer practical solutions for building a more equitable future. Together, we can build workplaces and communities that don’t just reflect the world we live in, but the one we want to create. A world where being qualified is about recognizing the talent and potential that’s been overlooked for far too long. It’s not just about getting a seat at the table—it’s about building an entirely new table, one designed with space for all of us. Connect with Our Guest Shari Dunn Website& Book - Qualified: https://thesharidunn.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/sharidunn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesharidunn Related Podcast Episodes: How To Build Emotionally Mature Leaders with Dr. Christie Smith | 272 Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 How To Defy Expectations with Dr. Sunita Sah | 271 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…

Make Life Less Difficult

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"What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?" - mary anne evansThis quote summarizes my life purpose. Life isn't easy. It's complex, filled with the unexpected, and sometimes really hard. While life is full of challenges, I believe there are myriad things we can do to help make life less difficult for each other.On this podcast we'll share stories, struggles, and successes that help us know we're not alone. And knowing we're not alone is one way to make life less difficult.

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Make Life Less Difficult

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Make Life Less Difficult

1
Russ Watts: When Pain is a Teacher 1:13:29

for 7 hours siden1:13:29

1:13:29

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. Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Stephen Barry: Re-Finding Community, Faith, and Love 1:24:12

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Gai Ben Dor: The Importance of Discovering Who We Are 1:17:04

for 14 dage siden1:17:04

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Allison Ebert: Finding Purpose Through Strengths AND Weaknesses 1:03:29

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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/ Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Lynn Ellen Queen: Stories of the Sacred and Shameless 1:06:51

for 5 weeks siden1:06:51

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Jerome Deroy & Julienne Ryan: What makes Storytelling Transformational? 1:12:40

for 6 weeks siden1:12:40

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Adam Dorsay: Unleash the Power of 4 Types of Connection 50:27

for 7 weeks siden50:27

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Dan Henderson: Understanding ADHD in Adults 1:05:54

for 8 weeks siden1:05:54

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Annie Peguero: Transforming Fear into Confidence! 1:02:26

for 9 weeks siden1:02:26

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Megan Broker: The Pause Effect - Lead and Belong 1:02:23

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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John Burdock: Understanding and Responding to a Brain with OCD 1:11:04

for 10 weeks siden1:11:04

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Adela Warkentin: Finding Strength through Transitions and Challenges 1:00:04

for 11 weeks siden1:00:04

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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/ Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Celebrating 200 Episodes of Make Life Less Difficult! 35:32

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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 Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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Wencke Meteling, PhD: Learning from Equine Partners 1:08:47

for 12 weeks siden1:08:47

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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/ Make Life Less Difficult ~ Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra…

Make Life Less Difficult

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4 Women Talking: Employment as Expat Spouses 1:03:22

for 13 weeks siden1:03:22