Make Life Less Difficult

Welcome to an episode that’s a bit different.  Today, there are four of us talking and sharing experiences from the perspective of Foreign Service life – mainly as spouses and one contractor.  If you happened to listen to episode 162 which was about fitness, you may recognize these amazing women – Hillery Midkiff, Susie Csorsz Brown, and Morgan Loosli.  The four of us all met while living and working Sri Lanka, starting back in 2020.  At this point, I am now living in the US, Hillery and Susie are still in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Morgan and her family are living in Shanghai.We recorded this conversation in the spring of 2024, and it got lost in my folders, so hence the delay in publication.  As I listened to it recently, I appreciated the stories and decided it needed to be released into the wild!IF you are not connected with the Foreign Service, a warning that there are a number of acronyms that you will hear and likely not understand.  The most frequent one is probably EFM which stands for Eligible Family Member – the term given to spouses and children who are considered dependents of Foreign Service Officers.  Susie, Morgan, and I are in the role of EFMs.  Hillery is a contracted officer and her husband is an EFM.  Other than that, I think you’ll be able to follow just fine despite the other acronyms.We are talking about careers, finding professional fulfillment, and unique challenges that are associated with living and moving internationally.  Sometimes in countries where we have permission to work in the local economy, and sometimes in countries where we do not have permission to work locally.  A certain number of jobs exist at our US Embassies and Consulates that are specific for EFM employment – Susie and Morgan will share about some of their experiences in those positions.  I have chosen to develop my own business and have also worked on a part-time basis as a trainer for the Foreign Service Institute, the training center for the US Department of State.  Susie, Morgan, Hillery – thank you for this conversation.  Thanks for sharing the ups and downs and realities of this interesting life we live.  I’m super grateful for your friendships and how we stay connected across the globe!  (And quick note that Hillery does indeed drop the F bomb at one point in our conversation, so it’s marked explicit.  She’ll appreciate the shoutout for that.  You are welcome, Hillery!!)And with that, let me turn this over to our conversation that is graciously hosted by Susie.Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Mary Seals.  Mary is an Administrative Assistance for the non-profit, Capitalize for Good.  She has a degree in psychology, is a fellow Foreign Service spouse, an accomplished dog trainer, and mother of 4 wonderful children.Mary was a guest on episode 114, sharing about her family’s amazing Giant Schnauzer, Pax.  If you haven’t listened to that conversation, you will definitely want to add it to your podcast queue!When Mary told the story of Pax, it was a story of transformation – transforming from being “not a dog person” at all to being a “total dog person”, grateful for the transformation Pax brought to her family, as well as many others through her work as a therapy dog.In today’s conversation, Mary shares another story of transformation.  This time about transforming from being a member of a close-knit faith community to stepping away from that very faith community.Religious and faith communities can bring amazing good into our lives and at times, amazing pain and disappointment.  Unraveling our belief systems and structures is not an easy task.  Having had a similar journey myself, I’m so grateful for Mary sharing these pieces of her journey with us today.Mary, thank you for coming back on the podcast.  Thank you for sharing courageously – for living courageously!  You are an inspiration and your willingness to share the questions, the difficulties, the steps, the transformation will inspire many others as well.  Make Life Less Difficult

My guests today are Kerri and Steve Boone.Kerri is a registered nurse and a certified health coach, and Steve is the CEO of Wilkins Medical Group.  They live in east Tennessee.My connection with Kerri and Steve is through the beautiful expansion of our family, as one of my nieces married one of their sons a year and a half ago.You’ll hear more about our meeting and surprising point of connection in our conversation, but in short, after several superficial interactions, Kerri and Steve and I connected deeply through shared experiences of loss and grief.I do a lot of work in storytelling and this entire podcast is built on the belief that we connect through our stories and that hearing other people share their stories can make life a little less difficult – knowing we aren’t alone.  Despite this foundational and core belief that I hold, I continue to be surprised at the unexpected connections that arise – such as this one with Kerri and Steve.At times people will ask me, does it always need to be a sad story?  One of loss or grief?  No, absolutely not, and I love telling and hearing funny stories as well.  There is the reality, however, that it’s more difficult to share our stories of pain, so when we do and we connect with someone else who understands our pain, that creates a deep resonance in us as humans.I say all that because this conversation is such a beautiful reflection of it all – why I started this podcast, why I tell my story, and why I invite others to share their stories.  While it doesn’t fix things, while it doesn’t take the pain away when there’s pain, sharing does indeed make life a little less difficult.  And Kerri and Steve are committed to sharing their story of loss and grief with others as a way to connect, support, and encourage their fellow sojourners on this journey of life.Kerri and Steve – thank you!  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your story.  Thank you for sharing the reflections and transformations you have experienced along with the pain and grief.  Thank you for your generosity and desire to be present with others, whatever they might be going through.  I’m grateful for this connection.Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Tony Cerella.  If that name sounds familiar to you, let me tell you there’s a twist to this.  The Tony who joins me today is the son of the Tony who has joined me previously and shared about his journey of retiring from a career in the U.S. Army!  And if you are a regular listener, you might recall that other members of the Cerella family have also been guests here.  Bethany was a guest on episode 163 and Sophia was on episode 180.  Tony, who joins me today, is the son of Tony and Bethany, and the twin brother of Sophie.  At the time of our conversation, he was 15 years old and has since turned 16.  Tony is a deep thinker and enjoys digging into complex topics.  He’s lived a rich life in his 16 years, living in multiple countries, speaking multiple languages, and currently lives in Como, Italy.Tony, thank you for joining me on the podcast!  It is great getting to know you better, hearing your ideas and perspectives, and ambitions.  I look forward to seeing where you go in life and know you will make an impact for good in whatever you do!  (And thank you for your patience as it’s taken me much longer than anticipated to get this released!!)And a big thanks for the entire Cerella family for being my first complete family of guests on the podcast – what a fun experience, a beautiful and inspiring family!  I love these conversations and continue to feel so honored to host them and share them with you!Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Teresa Ramos.Teresa is a seasoned leader with a diverse career spanning over 23 years in executive roles at top tech companies like British Telecom, Vodafone, Telefónica, and Siemens Group. She has driven digital transformations, enhanced organizational agility, and fostered innovation within and across departments.After her extensive commercial experience, Teresa transitioned to academia, collaborating with leading institutions such as Instituto de Empresa, Stanford, and Harvard where her focus has been on innovation, agility, leadership, digital transformation, and high-performance teams.Currently, Teresa works as an executive coach and digital consultant, collaborating with a wide range of organizations and companies helping navigate the complexities of the digital world and thrive in our fast-evolving, technology-driven landscape.She is a Fellow at the Institute of Coaching at Harvard and a member of the Advisory Council at Harvard Business Review (HBR).In our conversation today, Teresa shares pieces of her journey through various transitions, the importance of playful curiosity, and how she’s managed moving back to her home country when it no longer felt like home.Teresa, thank you for this beautiful and enriching conversation.  Thank you for your wisdom, your stories, your curiosity.  You have so much to offer the world and I’m honored to share this conversation here.To connect with Teresa and learn more about her work, you’ll find links below:Teresa's website: http://www.globalresults.eu/Connect with Teresa on LinkedInMake Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Dr. Britt Yamamoto.I’m also delighted to share that the host of today’s conversation is my friend, Russ Watts.  This is Russ’s second time hosting a conversation here and I hope you’ll encourage him to do more!My only dilemma when Russ hosts is that I am slightly envious of not being in the conversation myself.  But, to counter that, I have the delight of listening and being touched and inspired and it is a very special experience.Dr. Yamamoto is an expert in designing strategies and building environments that emphasize ongoing, reciprocal learning within businesses, organizations, and educational institutions.  He is highly skilled in working with leaders to grow their self-awareness, deepen their purpose, and enhance their personal and professional wellbeing.Britt in the co-founder and CEO of Perennial, a leadership training organization that works with community leaders in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East on how to connect to and grow their long-term leadership capacities.  He’s a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington Department of Global Health, and the author of the book, Soil of Leadership: Cultivating the Conditions for Transformation.  His book is newly released and is a collection of leadership practices and perspectives informed by his work as an organic farmer.On a personal note, Britt is an avid long-distance runner, a novice podcaster, and as a child of the Pacific Ocean, finds joy in warm water, navigating beach breaks, and looking out for the perfect taco!Britt, thank you for this wise, thoughtful, and stirring conversation.  Thank you for the inspiration to ‘human better together’.  May your work continue to grow deep into the heart and souls of leaders young and old and produce the fruit of transformation that our world craves.To learn more about Britt and his work, you’ll find links below:The Soil of Leadership: https://thesoilofleadership.org/Connect with Britt on LinkedInFollow Britt on Instagram Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Nadine Keller.Nadine is the founder and president of Precision Sales Coaching & Training.  She works to help ambitious women entrepreneurs who have hit a revenue plateau increase their revenue in record time!  She helps them get to a position to invest in their business, be well-positioned to weather conditions outside of their control, and most importantly – so they can feel financially free!Nadine and I met through the Georgetown Institute for Transformational Leadership Network annual conference in September 2024.  Nadine’s energy, passion, and enthusiasm for life, her work, and connecting were evident from our very first interactions.We also quickly connected via stories of loss – the loss of our husbands.  Our conversation quickly dove into the depths of grief and gratitude and how the two elements can be so mysteriously intertwined.I’m so grateful Nadine said yes to coming on the podcast, sharing pieces of her story, how she has weathered the difficult times, and her reflections of what resilience looks like in her life and journey.Nadine, thank you.  This conversation touches on so many themes that are near and dear to my heart.  Themes that are sometimes difficult to put into words and yet so grounding and connective when shared.  Your stories, your optimism, your resilience… they all inspire me and I know they will inspire so many who listen!To learn more about Nadine, the work she does, and her books and more, see the links below:Thanksgiving book: Gobble:  The Quintessential Thanksgiving PlaybookNadine's website: The Precision Sales AcceleratorConnect with Nadine: Calendly linkMake Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Morgan Adams.Morgan is a transformative holistic sleep coach who empowers women to conquer their battle with sleepless nights, without reliance on sleep medications. With her powerful sleep toolkit, Morgan not only ensures that women experience a profound enhancement in their sleep quality, but she also guides them in rekindling their relationship with sleep, paving the way for less stressful and more fulfilling days.Having struggled with insomnia and dependency on prescription sleeping pills for almost a decade, Morgan intimately understands the profound impact sleep has on one’s quality of life. Morgan’s resilience shines bright as a two-time breast cancer survivor. This experience fueled her advocacy for a lifestyle rooted in disease prevention. Her wisdom and guidance extend far beyond just sleep, as she champions holistic well-being in all aspects of life.Morgan, thank you for this insightful and educational conversation!  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey and how you have built out your resilience!  And special shout-out to Kim Brundage for getting Morgan and me connected!You will find links below to Morgan’s website and other resources.Website: https://www.morganadamswellness.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/morganadams.wellness/Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Kamini Wood.Kamini is a certified life coach and best-selling author, who is passionate about empowering individuals to reclaim their self-worth and become resilient leaders of their own lives. As the CEO and Founder of Live Joy Your Way, Kamini works with high-achieving adults and teens, helping them navigate self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the pressures of external validation. Through her specialized coaching programs, Kamini focuses on emotional resilience, self-compassion, and the power of living authentically.Her journey, shaped by her experiences as a first-generation American and a mother of five, informs her work with clients to help them break free from the limitations of people-pleasing and self-judgment. Kamini's mission is simple but profound: to guide others in recognizing their innate worth and to foster self-leadership from a place of inner strength and clarity.In our conversation today, Kamini shares pieces of her own journey that has led her to do the hard internal work that is foundational to a joy-filled life!Kamini, thank you for this thoughtful and wise conversation.  Thank you for sharing pieces of your own story, your growth, your mistakes, your insights, your wisdom!  I’ve been reflecting on our conversation and am a better person for it!To learn more about Kamini and her work check out the links below:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsauthenticme/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaminiwoodPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/itsauthenticme/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsauthenticme/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSVaEISjpaXsCdQGbE2lpUwWebsite: https://www.kaminiwood.com/Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Lorca Smetana.Lorca is a resilience expert, teacher, and speaker with a deep passion for helping individuals and communities rise from trauma and challenges. Lorca’s unique approach combines her personal experience surviving disaster and loss at the young age of 16, with years of teaching and coaching, focusing on resilience, grief, and the emotional landscapes of leadership. With a background that spans wilderness survival, emergency response, and personal coaching, Lorca offers insight and tools that empower people to transform their toughest moments into profound growth.I’m thrilled to have Lorca on the podcast today to share her story, expertise, and the ways she’s helping people not only survive but thrive through life’s most difficult challenges.Lorca and I were connected through the kind introduction of Kim Brundage – thank you Kim!Lorca lives in Bozeman, Montana, and alongside the beautiful work of resilience training that she does, she also has a sustainable farm where she and her husband raise two free-range children, homing pigeons, dogs, Icelandic sheep, and a diversity of other birds and creatures for sustenance, humility and delight.Lorca, thank you for this inspiring conversation.  Thank you for sharing these pieces of your story.  Thank you for sharing the journey of grief, choosing love, choosing life.  You embody the tools that you lovingly teach others in a beautiful way!To learn more about Lorca and her work, please see the links below:Lorca's Website: https://www.lorcasmetana.com/Lorca's Blogs: https://www.lorcasmetana.com/blogLorca's TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/bA4s-0D9AK8?si=UbFa0RQPEI27TS0L Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Silvia Iaia.Silvia is an executive coach and an incredibly inspiring woman.  We first met through her husband, Felipe, and the world of real estate investing.  Silvia is the founder of Be Executive, the co-founder and executive director of Growing Assetz and Notes for Growth.Originally from southern Italy, Silvia has lived in many places around the world, including her current home of Santiago, Chile.  My connection and friendship with both Silvia and her husband is truly international, as we have spent time together in beautiful Santiago, as well as Chattanooga, Tennessee, and virtually.Silvia approaches her life and work with passion and intention.  You’ll hear this throughout our conversation today.  Silvia, thank you SO much for sharing these pieces of your beautiful journey and life.  Thank you for sharing the learning and growth and discoveries you have made along the way and continue to make.  I can’t wait until our next conversation!If you would be interested in learning more about Silvia or the work she’s doing in the world, please check out the links below!Connect with Silvia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iaiasilvia/Growing AssetsNotes for GrowthHurricane Relief Efforts:  The following list was shared by Daneen Akers who is local to Asheville, NC, and a personal friend and amazing advocate (Read more about Daneen here):Rural Organizing And Resilience Wild Abundance Disaster Relief FundManna FoodbankBeloved AshevilleFriends of the Hot Springs LibraryCommunity Housing Coalition in Madison CountyMake Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Alicia Ford.Alicia is a seasoned US diplomat with more than 17 years at the U.S. Department of State. She has experience serving domestically and overseas in over a dozen different consular and management roles. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has lived in Honduras, Peru, Barbados, Türkiye, Romania, and Trinidad and Tobago.Alicia is also the Editor, Curator, and Co-Author of Diplomats, a book about US women serving as diplomats around the world. In this book, each contributor shares her unique approach to living this dynamic lifestyle – career, family life, personal ambition, and life goals.  The book also serves as a guide for careers in International Affairs and Diplomacy for anyone seeking a global career.  One of Alicia’s motives for publishing this book was to help people and this directly aligns with her current role as a US Diplomat. What was happening behinds the scenes of this recording is a great example of the resiliency of diplomats because Alicia was managing a crisis before, during, AND after our conversation on a Saturday morning. Alicia, thank you so much for this conversation.  Thank you for the work you do in service to the United States of America.  And thank you for your passion for telling the stories of amazing women in the world of diplomacy!You’ll find links below to Alicia’s book and resources.The views expressed in this interview are in Alicia’s personal capacity and are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government.Read Alicia's book: Diplomats: Experiences of Women Serving at U.S. Embassies Around the WorldInstagram: @DiplomatsthebookSign up for the Newsletter: https://forms.gle/yfLMUF17rkAh5PXi9Alicia and her husband in the New York TimesFind the Oasis: Sports Complex, BarbadosMake Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Nane Bittencourt.Nane is a leadership coach with a mission to empower leaders to achieve their full potential.  Nane is originally from Brazil and now lives in the US.  With over eight years of coaching leaders in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, she helps clients unleash their full potential to drive their careers, seeing their work as a meaningful part of their lives rather than just a job and strategizing accordingly. Nane is dedicated to empowering leaders to provide clear, empathetic, and innovative guidance in today's interconnected world. I find inspiration in my understanding of culture that goes beyond borders.She’s been interested in living and working internationally for most of her life and has intentionally pursued these dreams, bringing them to fruition.Nane and I met through the Georgetown Institute for Transformational Leadership Alumni Network, most specifically because she was intrigued about a Story Slam that I was hosting at the Network’s annual conference.  Along with agreeing to tell a story at the story slam, Nane also agreed to come on my podcast and share pieces of her journey.We talk today about the challenges of moving to a new country, learning to find and express oneself in new languages and new cultures, and strategies to find an anchor in the midst of these transitions.Nane, thank you for sharing these pieces of your story.  Thank you for sharing the vulnerable reality of facing your fears, stepping into the unknowns, asking for help, and bravely stretching yourself.  You are courageous, wise, and inspiring and I’m so glad we’ve gotten connected!Connect with Nana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanebittencourt/Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Vinay Kumar.Vinay is an executive coach who partners with executive to accelerate their growth from the inside out.  He’s also the co-author of Language and the Pursuit of Leadership Excellent: How Extraordinary Leaders Build Relationships, Shape Culture and Drive Breakthrough Results.  His book is required reading in MBA programs and Leadership Development and Leadership Coaching Programs at several major universities and beyond.Rising from humble beginnings, and growing up in a multicultural family, his 35+ years of experience includes Fortune 100, federal government, small business, and consulting. Vinay successfully spearheaded and led a privately held business before becoming a leadership coach, author, and speaker. Vinay has extensive experience with an array of roles including leadership, management, project management, business development, marketing, client services, training, and operations. Vinay brings a calm and warm presence, deep wisdom, deep listening, and keen insights into how to achieve breakthrough results. I’ve known of Vinay and been impacted by his work for several years and it is thanks for Joan Fletcher (who was on episode 164) that we got connected directly for this conversation.Vinay shares pieces of his journey of learning the cost of reactivity and choosing responses rather than being subject to that reactivity.  Learning that we have a story and having the conscious awareness of that story, so the story doesn’t have us is another piece of the conversation and inspiration from Vinay.Vinay, thank you for this beautiful conversation.  Your thoughtful reflections, your stories of growth and development, and your wise perspectives are so inspirational.  I know you have already touched so many people in this world and am honored to share this conversation so a few more people can be touched by you!There are links below to Vinay’s book, website, and contact information.Book: Language and the Pursuit of Leadership Excellent: How Extraordinary Leaders Build Relationships, Shape Culture and Drive Breakthrough ResultsWebsite: https://leadingforbreakthroughs.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinaykumar1/Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Istvan Rab.Istvan is a leader and consultant at a global management consulting firm, working with clients across the globe on strategy and innovation topics. While his interests and his job took him to many places in the world, for most of his life he had lived in Europe and had only recently moved to Vancouver, Canada – where he and his family are ‘starting new’, from building new friendships to rediscovering new-old passions in life.Istvan and I met at mutual work events and his energy, humor, and expertise make a wonderful blend.  As I heard bits and pieces of his story, I knew I would like to hear more and invited him to come on the podcast.  In our conversation Istvan shares about having a daughter with special needs, finding the upsides of the unknown, and managing international relocations.Istvan, thank you for saying yes to this conversation!  Thank you for sharing these insights into your journey, your discoveries, your reflections, and your wisdom.  Make Life Less Difficult

Before I introduce my guest today, I want to take a moment to recognize this as the three-year anniversary of the Make Life Less Difficult podcast!  What an amazing journey it has been!  This started as an experiment and has grown into an incredible passion project for me.  The conversations here fill my heart and soul and I hope they do the same for those who listen – whether you listen to just one or many of them!  Every person who has joined me here shares vulnerable pieces of themselves, their story, their reflections, and their wisdom.  Most of my guests begin with the sense that their stories aren’t interesting, and they don’t have any wisdom, but 100% of the time, their stories are amazing and their wisdom is profound.I love meeting people and having these conversations and I’m honored to have listeners in 128 countries around the world according to Buzzsprout statistics!  I have a list of people who I want to have on my podcast and am humbled that that list only grows over time!  I’d love to discover ways to invest even more time into this podcast and these conversations, so we’ll see what the future holds!In the meantime, thank you for being part of the journey!  Today’s conversation is a fantastic example of the amazing people in the world and how they make a difference just by being true to themselves and their path of life and discovery. My guest today is Shawnette Rochelle.Shawnette is a certified executive coach, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, and an insatiable world traveler.  She has more than 20 years of experience leading and coaching high-performance individuals, teams, and organizations in both peacetime and wartime.   Shawnette describes herself as always being deeply invested in helping others drive change, even as a kid.  She has a passion for supporting those who are challenging the prevailing norms. In our conversation, Shawnette shares how true leadership begins with leading ourselves.  She began learning this lesson early in life at West Point Military Academy.  Another piece of our conversation that stands out is what Shawnette calls the acceptance mindset.  I’ll let her share more about this, but this aligns so much with my philosophy of making life less difficult.  Shawnette, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey and story.  Thank you for sharing your reflections, your moments of awareness and growth, and wisdom.  I’m so grateful to have had this chance to connect with you!If you would like to learn more about Shawnette and her work, you’ll find links below.Shawnette's Website: https://excellenceunbounded.com/Connect on LinkedInMake Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Alicia Rodriguez.Alicia is on a mission to help people connect – to their deeper, essential selves, to spirit, and to nature – so they can get clear, get bold and get ready to embrace limitless possibilities to forge powerful futures.Alicia is a mentor, guide, and truthteller.  Through 1:1 work, immersive retreats, writing, and speaking, Alicia partners with her clients to help them find what they need to take life-changing action.In our conversation today, Alicia shares pieces of her journey from success in the corporate to building a retreat center in Ecuador, to southern Portugal where she now lives.  We also talk about her journey of writing her recently published memoir, The Shaman’s Wife, A Mystical Journey of Surrender and Self-Discovery.  This book tells her incredible story with courage, vulnerability, and strength.  I highly recommend it!Alicia, thank you so much for this conversation!  Thank you for your courage, wisdom, energy, and light.  I’m grateful for this time we got to spend together and look forward to (hopefully) more in the future!You’ll find links below to learn more about Alicia’s work, to find her book, and explore her offerings.Connect with Alicia:WebsiteThe Shaman's Wife book (releases Sept 10 2024)IG: @msaliciamrodriguezMake Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Max Palomeque.Max is an executive coach and educator for the FBI, Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, Georgetown University, and many other clients.  His company, Infourge Leadership brings his philosophy of coaching and leadership development to executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders in both the private and governmental sectors.Max is a proud and distinguished veteran after serving as an intelligence officer, as well as a respected former FBI agent specializing in human intelligence.  He has captivated audiences as a public speaker and lecturer, taking his highly-researched approach throughout the US, as well as across the globe to Europe and Australia.Max and I recently connected through mutual work, and I am so pleased to share this conversation with you.  One of the quotes Max shares is “We don’t learn from our past and experiences; we learn from reflecting on those experiences and past.”  And Max lives out this in his own life – I know you’ll be inspired by his reflections.Max, thank you for sharing these pieces of your journey.  Thank you for your thoughtful and wise reflections on your own past and experiences. Thank you for sharing the ways you have chosen growth in your own life and continue to do so.  You share in a way that inspires action!  There are links in the show notes to find more about Max and his work, and, in particular, to find his recently published book, The Infourge Compendium of Models and Theories for Coaches, Facilitators, and Consultants.  This is an incredible resource to have in your library, so you won’t want to miss it!Connect with Max:Website: https://www.infourge.co/LinkedInThe Infourge Compendium of Models and Theories for Coaches, Facilitators, and Consultants: Get it on Amazon | Get it on Barnes and Noble Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Sophie Cerella.Sophie is a student at the International School in Como, Italy, where she lives with her family.  Originally from the US, Sophie has lived in a number of places around the world because of her father’s military career.It is a distinct honor to have Sophie on as a guest, and in fact, my youngest guest up until now!  Sophie and I connected after both her dad and mom were guests.  If you haven’t had the pleasure of listening to those conversations, take some time to look up Tony Cerella’s episodes and Bethany Cerella.Sophie and I talk about a variety of things including how she manages her time on social media and technology, what it’s been like for her growing up internationally, acting now to get the most out of life, and more.Sophie, thank you for this engaging and inspiring conversation.  At 15, you have a tremendous amount of wisdom and a thoughtful approach to life.  I hope to have many more conversations in the future!  And I look forward to seeing how life continues to unfold for you.Make Life Less Difficult

My guest today is Patrick Murphy.Patrick Murphy is a leadership coach and facilitator based in Brooklyn, NY, and owner of Project Murphy, LLC.  He is committed to bringing passion, joy, and contagious enthusiasm to leadership development.I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick through a mutual work engagement and immediately wanted to learn more about his story!  Fortunately, he said yes to coming on the podcast!In our conversation today, Patrick shares pieces of his journey as he tried to figure out what his professional life would be focused on.  Starting out in the film industry, Patrick was met with repeated obstacles that were frustrating and disappointing.  In reflection, Patrick shares that he learned to trust the process of development and also, very importantly, that he didn’t need to do it all alone!We talk about the beauty of making a healthy mess in times of exploration, the differences between happiness and contentment, and so much more.Patrick, thank you so much for this fantastic and inspiring conversation.  The reflections and wisdom you share are beautifully partnered with vulnerability and honestly.  I’ve included links to Patrick’s website below if you’d like to learn more about him and the work he does. Project Murphy, LLCMake Life Less Difficult