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My guest today is Maya Harris.

Maya is a Learning Manager, a Facilitator, and a Coach.  She has spent the past 8 years of her career in global consulting, and before that worked at Unilever. 

Her educational journey was focused on engineering and she has her masters from the University of Cambridge. 

Maya is also a trans woman and our conversation today focuses on her journey of that major life transition.

Maya and I met several months ago at a work event where I was fortunate to work under her leadership on the faculty team.  Maya did a great job of setting the tone for a group of almost strangers to connect quickly and effectively, forming a high-functioning team within just a couple hours on day one.

At the end of the week, I asked Maya if she would consider coming on my podcast.  She accepted and asked what we might talk about.  I asked if she would be open to sharing her story of transitioning.  She said yes, and here we are.

I am deeply honored and humbled to host Maya’s story here.  As a group, people who are transgender face judgement and criticism and sadly, at times, hate, from those who don’t understand them or their experiences.  I believe strongly in the power of story to help us get to know each other beyond the labels and judgements that are present. 

I believe it’s of utmost importance for us to see each other as individuals.  I believe that we can respect each other’s differences while simultaneously finding similarities that keep us connected as humans.  Brothers and sisters in a world that is too often filled with hate and violence.

Maya, thank you for coming on the podcast.  Thank you for your courageous presence (yes, I’m using that C-word even here in the intro!).  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey as well as some of your hopes and fears.  I’m grateful our paths crossed when they did and look forward to continuing the conversations both on and off the podcast!

Connect with Maya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-harris24680/

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Today’s guest is Paulo André.

This is a super special episode for several reasons.  First, Paulo is incredibly thoughtful and has inspiring stories and reflections that he shares.

Second, I am not the host of this conversation. This podcast is hosted by Russ Watts!  Russ has been a guest on the podcast multiple times and has also been kind enough to host me.  So, a couple months ago, when he said he had someone I should meet for the podcast, I said, “Hey, would you be interested in hosting the conversation?”

And… here we are!  This opportunity to expand the work of Make Life Less Difficult makes me super happy.  The stories shared here are intended to touch hearts and souls, help us know we aren’t alone, and in that, make life a little less difficult.  The more stories that can be shared, the more lives can be touched!

So, thank you Russ for jumping into this adventure in a new way and helping expand the possibilities of Make Life Less Difficult!

A bit more about Paulo before we dive into the conversation.  Paulo is a leadership coach who coaches tech leaders who are looking to step up and do well while doing good.  In his conversation with Russ, Paulo talks about being curious and ambitious, looking for ways to make things better, the dichotomy of control, stoic philosophy and so much more! 

Paulo, thank you so much for coming on the podcast, sharing your stories and your wisdom.  I look forward to talking to you directly, and in the meantime, am so excited to have Russ hosting you in the conversation.

You’ll find links to learn  more about Paulo, his work, and his writing, below.


Connect with Paulo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulorlandre/

Here’s a sampler of some of his top posts:

· The Heart of W. Edwards Deming

· Simple Explanations For Complex Phenomena

· OKRs Are Not OK

· Overcoming The Resistance

· Commitment vs. Compliance

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My guests today are Elizabeth and Jakob.

This is my first time having two guests and it’s a complete delight to share this conversation with you.

Elizabeth was first recommended to me for the podcast by Jakob.  Then, after meeting and chatting with Elizabeth, she had the idea of also having Jakob on to build out their story and journey in a way that reflects how they do life – together!

Elizabeth is an author and poet.  Jakob is a leadership coach and consultant.

Together, they created the company, BETTER BÅLLS, to make the world’s best apparel – starting with men’s underwear.  They have various reasons behind founding this company, but a major one is making a difference for the next generation.

And speaking of the next generation, their one-year-old son also pops in for an appearance in the podcast, so it’s truly a family affair!

This is an amazing and inspiring conversation where Elizabeth and Jakob share how they seek to work in a balanced partnership between each other, and also with the environment as they grow their business.  We talk about conflict, trust, love, and more.

Elizabeth and Jakob, thank you so much for this conversation.  Thank you for sharing pieces of each of your journeys, glimpses into your inspiring partnership, and for the passion you have for making the world a better place.

If you’d like to join the mailing list of BETTER BÅLLS, please go to www.betterballs.world.

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My guest today is Julie F.

Julie and I met through a wonderful organization we both work for a company  where Julie is the Operations Manager.

Prior to her work with Educe, Julie worked at McKinsey & Company for almost 6 years.

Originally from the US, Julie and her family have lived in Munich Germany for almost a decade.  In our conversation, she shares the journey of how she got there.

My conversation with Julie is deeply special for a number of reasons, but the one I will highlight here is that she committed to being a guest and sharing pieces of her journey after hearing many other guests share their stories.  

It is my sincere hope that listening to the stories of other would indeed spark courage and a desire to tell stories that may not have otherwise been shared.

Julie, thank you for your courage and vulnerability in stepping up to share these pieces of your journey.  It’s beyond special to have this conversation with you and be able to share it on the podcast.  I look forward to future conversations too!

Connect with Julie: knittingstricken.com

Resources:

The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk

Getting Past Your Past, Francine Shapiro

Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving, Pete Walker

Talks and guided meditations by Tara Brach

Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol, Holly Whitaker *I recommend the audiobook

Huberman Lab (Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist) podcast Episode "What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health" 

Keep Coming Back podcast series on sobriety

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My guest today is Deiadre Rauch.

Deiadre has a degree in engineering from Purdue University.  She’s a structured thinker and kis keenly interested in how the way we think impacts how we feel and what we do as leaders.  Deiadre’s unique blend of business experience, cultural awareness, and a love of helping people to get what they want out of life, prompted her pursuit of coaching as a profession.

She completed the Leadership Coaching Program at the Institute for Transformational Leadership (ITL) from Georgetown University and founded her company, TFD Leadership Coaching, in 2013.

Deiadre has spent two-thirds of her career living and working internationally. She maintains a truly global perspective, bolstered by assignments in London, Kuala Lumpur, Brussels and elsewhere around the world. She has over 30 years of experience working as a leader both domestically and internationally.

Deiadre lives in Northern Virginia, traveling when she gets the chance and enjoying her friends and family, while also continually developing her own authentic leadership style. She is also a 500-hour yoga teacher trainer, and loves teaching yoga to beginners.  

Deiadre, thank you for this inspiring conversation.  Thank you for your passion for making life less difficult.  It’s truly a joy to learn about your journey, hear your wisdom and be inspired by your vision.

Learn more visit Deiadre’s website at: www.thetrueleaderinyou.com

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My guest today is Kelly Kienzle.

Kelly is a returning guest to the podcast, after being a guest on episode 14, in October 2021.

It’s a sincere treat to have her back and enter into this conversation.

Kelly is the founder of Open Circle Coaching.  She provides leadership coaching and facilitation to individuals and teams to improve organizational performance.  She believes that by strengthening self-awareness and widening perspective, a leader can learn to see scenarios from a new angle that uncovers the possibility for greater productivity, creativity and overall fulfillment.

In our conversation today, Kelly shares about her experience taking a partial sabbatical.  Slowing down. Allowing herself to have idle time.  Kelly shares the gifts and challenges of this experience in a way that I believe you’ll find extremely thought-provoking.

We recorded this conversation at the end of October 2023, and as it’s getting published near the beginning of 2024, I have deeply appreciated the reflections Kelly shares, as they are helping me be thoughtful about shaping my time in this new year.

Kelly, thank you for coming back on the podcast.  Thank you for your willingness to share your journey, your lessons learned (and lessons being learned), your reflections, and your thoughtful wisdom.

If you’d like to connect with Kelly, you can find links below.

Website: https://opencirclecoaching.com/

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My guest today is Retired Lieutenant Colonel Tony Cerella.

Tony has been on the podcast two times previously and has graciously agreed to talk with me again as a bookend to our conversational theme of his retirement from the US Army after 23 years of service.

If you haven’t listened to our other conversations, you can find them at episodes 99 and 121.  The first conversation was about processing and preparing for the upcoming retirement.  The second conversation was about being in the “in-between” space, when he was post-retirement ceremony, but still waiting for the official processing of his retirement.

And now, today, Tony shares about being fully retired.  He shares about various mindset shifts, including the incredibly difficult process of a disability rating. 

Tony, thank you, for joining me again.  Thank you for sharing your stories and experiences with candor and vulnerability. Your passion for helping others by sharing your stories and journey align deeply with my own purpose and hope for this podcast. 

If you’d like to connect with Tony and learn more about the work he does, please check out the links below.

www.kaveoleadership.com
[email protected]

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My guest today is Dorcas Cheng-Tozun.

Dorcas is an award-winning writer, editor, speaker, communications consultant, and former Inc.com columnist. She is the author of several books including Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways, which we discuss today. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, Image Journal, and dozens of other publications in the US, Asia, and Africa. 

Dorcas has nearly twenty years of experience as a nonprofit and social enterprise professional. A Silicon Valley native, she has lived in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Nairobi, Kenya. She and her entrepreneur husband have been married for eighteen years and have two young sons.

In our conversation today, Dorcas shares how she came to understand herself to be a highly sensitive person. She helps us understand what that means and how highly sensitive persons can find ways to engage in emotionally demanding work while staying true to oneself, pursuing balance, and overall well-being.

Dorcas, thank you for this lovely conversation.  Thank you for sharing your stories and journey here and also through your writing.  You are making the world a kinder place.

You’ll find links in the show notes to Dorcas’s website, books, and social media pages.

Website: www.chengtozun.com

Links to places to buy books: www.chengtozun.com/books

Facebook: www.facebook.com/chengtozun

IG: www.instagram.com/chengtozun/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chengtozun/

Starred review in Booklist: https://www.booklistonline.com/Social-Justice-for-the-Sensitive-Soul-How-to-Change-the-World-in-Quiet-Ways-/pid=9777030

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My guest today is Crystaline Randazzo.

Crystaline is a returning guest and was first on episode 69 in July of 2022. 

Crystaline is a story excavator and a media creatrix.  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.  And she’s now linking somatic practices with storytelling.

Crystaline joined me today to share some more of her own stories and pieces of her journey that have led her to realize the deep connection between storytelling and somatic work and practices.  She’s created a new workshop called Transformational Truthtelling: How to tell stories that heal shift and transform.

Crystaline, thank you for joining me again today.  Thank you for the wise reflections you share.  Thank you for sharing your passion with others and helping others experience the transformation of story in their own lives.

One quick note, the dates mentioned in our conversation have adjusted slightly since we recorded this, so please go directly to Crystaline’s website for the most accurate and up to date information.  The link is below, as well as a list of the books we mention in case you are interested in those.

 Website: https://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/

Free Training: From Stuck To Storyteller: Empowering Changemaking Women to Uncover Their Story & Find Their Voice

January 22-24

1 p.m. EST

Free Training Sign Up: https://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/stuck-2-storyteller

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9 Week Live Group Cohort: Transformational Truthtelling: How To Tell Stories That Heal, Shift, and Transform

Begins February 22

Online Course Signup: https://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/transformationtruthtelling-sales

Links to Books:

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk

My Grandmothers Hands by Reesma Menakem

Smart Body, Smart Mind Coursework with Irene Lyon

Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certification with The Embody Lab

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My guest today is Cassandra Ross.

Before I tell you about Casey, let me first say, happy 2024!  This is the first episode to release in the new year and I’m thrilled to be sharing Casey’s conversation with you.  If you are waiting to take action on something in your life, you may find just the inspiration and motivation you need here in Casey’s story and reflections.

I have lots of thoughts about life and goals and intentions at the start of a new year, so I may do another episode later this week or next to share some of those.  At this point, suffice it to say, my theme for 2024 is Discover & Create.  I love doing this podcast and I’m so grateful to each of you for listening.

I’m also incredibly grateful for each guest, as every conversation is an experience of discovery and also creating something new.

If you are looking for a goal or challenge in 2024, schedule a podcast conversation with me!  I’d love to discover more about your story and journey.

So, for today’s conversation, Cassandra Ross, is a Major in the United State Air Force.  She’s based in Montana, but we met in Sri Lanka when we were both living there.  From the moment I met Casey I knew she was a special human.  And as you’ll hear in our conversation, my intuition was spot-on.

Casey, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey.  Thank you for your courage in sharing.  Thank you for the inspiration to work diligently at growing as a human.  You are an amazing role model for your kids and for literally everyone who has the honor of knowing you!

One side note, before we jump into our conversation.  Casey story involves stories of abuse when she was a child.  If this is something that you feel like you are not in the space to listen to, or hold the space for. I want to encourage you to just push pause, and maybe come back to this later.  Please always take care of  yourself first and foremost.

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