Derrek Cooper: You at Your Best!

Kenny Leahman: Re-finding Purpose with Bold Vulnerability

Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1845107/fan_mail/new] My guest today is Kenny Leahman. Kenny is retired from the Central Intelligence Agency after a 24-year career.  He now is a coach, educator, and consultant who helps others discover what really matters by focusing on values-based living and leadership.  Kenny says, “Make choices based on what matters.  If it doesn’t matter, let it go.” Kenny was a guest on Episode 215, and if you haven't listened to that episode, I highly recommend doing so either right now or immediately after listening to this one! Today, Kenny shares pieces of his journey that include some significant and unexpected disruptions over the past year.  He has had to work hard to re-find his purpose and his contributions to the world.  Kenny shares how through this, he has grown in his courage and tenacity to share his stories with incredible vulnerability.   Kenny offers a number of amazing workshops including a new workshop: Everyone Lives a Cover — The impact on authentic living and leading, and when and why to drop cover.   Here's a snapshot of Kenny's story and what he shares in this brilliant workshop: "Until I came out at 48, I lived two covers; one as an undercover CIA officer, and a second as a gay, married Mormon husband and father. While movies and books often glamorize undercover spies, cops, FBI and DEA agents, “cover” isn’t just the stuff of thrillers—it’s a reality that shapes lives in subtle and profound ways. So, what exactly is “cover”? Why do we use it? And when does it serve us—or harm us? All of us live a cover. Yet, we often believe we’re the only ones hiding, because most of us are so practiced at masking our truths. Many covers are born from fear or shame, designed to keep our real selves safely hidden from those around us. In this workshop, I’ll share my personal journey of navigating cover—and reveal the why, when, and how I decided to drop cover. You'll see firsthand how dropping cover can open the door to living and leading with greater joy, impact, and depth. I’ll equip you with effective tactics, tools, and procedures (TTPs)—including the Johari Window—to help you gain clarity and feel empowered, supported, and ready to choose meaningful change." You’ll find links below to Kenny’s website and the article where I first read about him.  Kenny's website: https://www.kennyleahman.com/ [https://www.kennyleahman.com/] Connect with Kenny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennyleahman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennyleahman/] Article from YahooNews! [https://www.yahoo.com/news/cia-officer-spy-coming-out-gay-dont-ask-dont-lgbtq-pride-military-white-house-110049342.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAI-KUhCQP4hEqyOoJPhQV9UACCGPNBdn3KMyzx8XQlAt1GKt7nvpjmBsi7iGUsAsNgv1GWZzwTTa9SU3dCtMY9pJ3fYaXmIbhCMO4817y_UAWY8_yFl5XnaJU-7oQFHfIyK72AZ0EuE-bQglDSv9m5u2Wyyk6tnLqxh-RnXPzpnv] Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra] Make Life Less Difficult [https://makelifelessdifficult.com] ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra]

Dr. Tony Cerella: Wandering -- You Can Move Without Knowing

Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1845107/fan_mail/new] My guest today is Tony Cerella. Tony is a returning guest and if you haven't listened to our previous conversations, please check them out.  They are a series of 3 conversations about Tony's transition into retirement after 23 years in the US Army. Now, 2 years post retirement, Tony shares about a recent experience he had: wandering.  Going places without knowing. Here are several phrases that came up for Tony during this trip: * You can move without knowing. * You can honor the past without living inside it. * You can say no. * You can hold grief and joy in the same body. * You can leave home and still be moving toward it. Connect with Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycerella/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycerella/] Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra] Make Life Less Difficult [https://makelifelessdifficult.com] ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra]

Derrek Cooper: You at Your Best!

Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1845107/fan_mail/new] Today's guest is Derrek Cooper.  Russ Watts is hosting this conversation! Derrek brings a rare blend of lived experience, leadership insight, and academic rigor to his coaching. From serving aboard submarines in the U.S. Navy to leading global teams as a software executive, his 25+ year career has spanned industries, continents, and complexity. With a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and decades of experience partnering with some of the world’s largest manufacturing companies, he understands what it takes to lead in high-pressure environments. Relentlessly curious, Derrek returned to school to earn a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, deepening his expertise in resilience, well-being, and leadership. He also completed the Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University and holds the  Associate Certified Coaching (ACC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and ethical coaching practice.   Derrek's website: https://derrekcooper.co [https://derrekcooper.co] Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrekcooper/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrekcooper/] Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra] Make Life Less Difficult [https://makelifelessdifficult.com] ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra]

Jason Frohnmayer: Permission to Fail!

Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1845107/fan_mail/new] My guest today is Jason Frohnmayer. Jason is a retired U.S. Diplomat, having served his country in a variety of capacities at overseas posts and in Washington D.C.  Throughout his career at the U.S. Department of State, he managed grants and drafted media products to ensure accurate information dissemination on global initiatives. He also created content surrounding community-building projects.  Additionally, Jason co-managed a multimillion-dollar budget to drive programs in the public health, higher education, environmental conservation, and sustainable development domains in the Lower Mekong region.   Jason worked diligently to maintain lasting PR and media relationships by serving as the media spokesperson. This also involved creating press briefs, driving press and media strategies, and arranging for pre- and post-event media. If you’re looking for someone who specializes in advancing organizational branding and executing environmentally sustainable projects, Jason can be reached via email: jasonfrohnmayer@yahoo.com. Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-frohnmayer-84906a1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-frohnmayer-84906a1/] Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra] Make Life Less Difficult [https://makelifelessdifficult.com] ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra]

Tom Bohinc: Lead as the Person You Are (The Prometheus Project)

Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1845107/fan_mail/new] Our guest today is Tom Bohnic.  Russ brings this beautiful conversation to us in today's episode. Tom spent most of his professional career leading business transformation and service innovation at scales from Fortune Global 50 to Start-ups from both consulting and internal executive-level positions.  It was the challenges of real-world engagement in complex business challenges that focused Tom’s attention on social and personal dynamics that enable or constrain movement in teams, groups, organizations, and communities.  These real-world contexts are the foundation of Tom’s work as a thought leader and facilitator of collective learning in the leadership industry through The Prometheus Project’s research and its community. In Tom’s view of leadership, leading is a choice open to each of us at any moment, and it is a shared responsibility in any organization. The path to effective leadership is overcomplicated by many factors, but all of us need a more clear and hold more accessible relationship to the factors that open our capacities to lead and that characterize the actions of leading.  This is why The Prometheus Project has the mission ‘to make leading clear and leaders common”.  And, this is why all of the Prometheus IP is shared without cost.  Tom founded The Prometheus Project in January 2019.  He was the lead author in peer-reviewed published research with Jonathan Reams Ph.D. and Richard Claydon Ph.D. on The Leadership Commons Framework. That was published in August 2020.  Version 2.1 of that framework was published in Dec 2021.  Version 3.0 of that framework is being released in parts over 2023. Tom works full-time for The Prometheus Project and has limited availability for executive and development coaching.  Learn more about Tom and his work: https://theprometheusproject.info/ [https://theprometheusproject.info/] Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra] Make Life Less Difficult [https://makelifelessdifficult.com] ~    Support: buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra]