Stay ConnectedSolo and guest interviews on how we’re always in learning mode.
Lisa is a certified life coach. She has a special place in her heart for late bloomers, those whose lives have gone in unexpected directions, and folks just trying to make sense of this beautiful, bizarre world.
Copyright: © 2024 What I Know So Far
I welcomed Sita Severson, a yoga therapist with a rich background in mindfulness and healing practices, for a compelling discussion on the practical aspects of energy and intuition. These are often-misunderstood concepts, and Sita illustrates their scientific basis and their palpable presence in our daily lives.
We explore the delicate dance between intuition and fear, drawing parallels with animal instincts and the nervous system's role in energy perception. Sita shares an experience where a dog sensed danger well before it became apparent, sparking a conversation on how trauma can sharpen our energy sensitivity and the profound gut-brain connection.
We navigate the realms of intuitive intelligence in sports and beyond, delving into how athletes and business leaders tap into an unseen energy for split-second decisions. Discover the role of emotional intelligence in achieving greatness and how we might deprogram automatic responses to better align with our intuitive selves for more conscious decision-making.
Sita Severson is an Ayurveda counselor and Yoga Therapist. Sita has helped countless clients navigate some of the toughest of life’s obstacles. She works one on one, in groups and speaking and teaching format as well. Formerly known as Katy Bray, Sita began her career in the wellness industry in 2000 as an Esthetician. By 2005 Sita Severson was ready to take her own growth and education further by studying with The Chopra Center. She had the intention of becoming an entrepreneur and to share wellness with anyone who would listen. She first became a yoga instructor. She then went into extensive study of the Ayurvedic Lifestyle, Meditation and breathing techniques, receiving certifications in all three.
Sita's Website: Live with the Lights On
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Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info.
LisaMcNees.com
Highlights:
Join me as I sit down with Dionne Makila, a fellow Iowa native with an insatiable case of wanderlust. We journey through her remarkable travels, spanning all 50 states and 37 countries, reflecting on the transformative nature of travel. From a childhood dreaming of California to studying abroad in Paris, Dionne shares how early adventures with our alma mater's study program ignited her lifelong passion for exploration. Listen in as we uncover the profound impact of travel on personal growth and identity, discussing everything from grocery shopping in foreign countries to finding confidence in navigating new cultures.
Dionne and I recount the instant bonds formed with strangers, the serendipity of friendships on solo trips, and the universal longing for belonging that transcends borders. We celebrate the small yet significant ways we relate to others, recognizing that despite cultural differences, we all seek to share and connect.
As we wrap up, we touch on the practicalities and joys of globetrotting. Dionne and I discuss the importance of personal safety measures, like family check-ins and creative tactics for handling unwanted attention, without dampening the spirit of adventure. We also reminisce about a shared experience closer to home – a Billy Joel concert that left us with a sense of camaraderie and the eagerness to make more memories. So, whether you're a seasoned traveler or an armchair explorer, this episode is a testament to the beauty of shared experiences and the enriching power of travel.
Dionne Makila is an Iowa native who loves to travel. She has lived abroad, and has visited all 50 US states and 37 countries.
Dionne is Mom to Matthew, a college senior, and two tuxedo cats, Felix and Oreo. She tries to bust stereotypes everywhere she goes and is always in search of chocolate and a great mocha! Dionne currently lives in the Washington D.C. area and works in Business Administration.
Follow me on Instagram HERE and HERE.
Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info.
LisaMcNees.com
Highlights
Join us as we navigate the “globally mobile” experience with my dear friend, Jessica Wright. In this enlightening discussion, Jessica, a parent coach, professional editor, and spouse to an American diplomat, shares her profound connection to the world of third culture kids (TCKs) and adults (ATCKs), reflecting on the complex blend of identities these individuals often possess. Our conversation unpacks the challenges and nuances of raising a family in constant motion, the cultural juggling act of fitting in, and the profound search for belonging that defines the TCK journey.
Jessica opens up about the subtleties of parenting adolescents in a globally mobile lifestyle. We touch upon the varying cultural norms that shape milestones of independence, from driving to work, and the shifts in identity that come with such a life. Jessica's personal stories of assimilation and re-acclimation bring to light the different markers of identity and the profound sense of 'home' that can be felt when one has roots in many places. We also delve into the complexities of ensuring safety and stability in diverse environments, highlighting the unique parenting challenges and decisions faced by families like hers.
Jessica's journey, though personal, resonates universally with anyone who's faced the emotional rollercoaster of change, whether through parenting abroad or embarking on new ventures. Her path to becoming a coach, while balancing the demands of a diplomatic life, offers inspiration and guidance for those navigating similar paths.
Jessica is an internationally certified parent coach and professional editor with a background in nonprofit management and youth development. She is a third culture kid (TCK) and fluent Arabic speaker, a graduate of Princeton University, and has been co-parenting with her US diplomat husband of their globally mobile family for the past seventeen years in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. She has former experience as a college admissions coach for high school students, and has served on the boards of international schools in the countries where her family has lived, giving her a strong understanding of the particular challenges and opportunities of educating and parenting children in international settings. Jessica founded Equilibrium Parent Coaching to support parents of tweens and teens to resolve challenges and form positive and connected relationships with their adolescent children.
Equilibrium Parent Coaching - www.equilibriumparentcoaching.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/equilibriumparentcoaching/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/equilibriumparentcoaching
Follow me on Instagram HERE and HERE.
Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info.
LisaMcNees.com
Highlights
Have you ever considered the lasting impact your words can have? Join me for an exploration into the power of our voices, drawing from my personal encounters with two very different high school teachers—one who cut deep with harsh words and another who uplifted with encouragement. These stories highlight the weight our words carry. It's a reminder to myself and to all of us that whether we're sharing a piece of our mind, standing up for what's right, or simply having a chat, our voices are potent tools that can either heal or harm.
The discussion reveals how our approach in these moments can ripple out, influencing not just immediate outcomes but our broader social discourse and online engagements. I invite you to reflect on how you can use your voice to foster connection and positivity in a world that's all too often filled with noise.
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Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info.
LisaMcNees.com
Episode Highlights
I’m honored to welcome Joanne Lin, Executive Director of Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. Ms. Lin is a seasoned attorney and fierce advocate for civil and human rights. She shares the challenges and rewards of a life committed to serving others in a contentious world. The relentless tide of global news can be a harsh reality to confront daily. Yet, amidst this, Joanne is deeply motivated to improve the lives of others. We discuss the challenges of polarization and the need to decompress and care for ourselves. We scrutinize the ironies of the digital age, where information abundance oddly narrows our worldviews, often shutting out both nuance and complexities. Finally, we underscore the sustaining power of hope and purpose.
Joanne Lin brings 25 years of experience in advancing civil and human rights at every level of government – from the local to the national to the international arenas. She started her career in San Francisco representing women and children in family law, restraining orders, and immigration matters. She later joined one of the nation’s premier immigration firms where she handled complex immigration cases, including appeals in the federal courts. She later moved to Washington, D.C. where she has led policy advocacy on women’s rights, civil rights, immigrants’ rights, and international refugee protection, at several leading human rights organizations.
At Amnesty International USA, Ms. Lin tripled the size of the advocacy team that organized Capitol Hill lobby days and a 2020 presidential candidates’ forum. She was recognized as a top grassroots association lobbyist by The Hill for four consecutive years, from 2018 to 2021. In 2021, she received the Women’s Leadership Award from the National Asian-Pacific American Bar Association.
Before joining Amnesty, Ms. Lin was senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union for 10 years where she led ACLU’s federal immigration policy advocacy program with a focus on protecting refugees and asylum seekers, keeping immigrant families together, curtailing profiteering in immigration detention, and preventing sexual assault in immigration detention. She worked closely in concert with ACLU litigators to develop campaigns promoting prison reform, education equity, and immigration due process.
Ms. Lin is a graduate of New York University School of Law, Stanford School of Education, and Stanford University.
Joanne is Executive Director at The Washington Lawyers' Committee.
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Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info. LisaMcNees.com
Summary
Join our exploration of the emotional roots of your financial life with Brianna Firestone, acclaimed neuroscience-based money healer and intuitive life coach. I'm thrilled to share our candid conversation that includes Brianna's personal money struggles and her enlightening year-long shopping hiatus. Together, we uncover the surprising ways our earliest beliefs, formed in childhood, cast long shadows over our adult financial behaviors. We intertwine our own stories, confronting the family and societal narratives around wealth and scarcity, and the conflict between following passions versus financial practicality. It's a revealing look at how we can reframe our relationship with money by granting ourselves the permission to learn and see money as a tool, not a stressor.
Shatter the one-size-fits-all illusion of money management in an episode that dives into the very personal journey of aligning budget with values. Discover strategies to combat avoidance behaviors and the revelatory practice of checking bank accounts daily to dissipate the fog of financial fear. Our discussion pivots around understanding emotional triggers—like grief shopping—and how the pandemic has reshaped our spending habits. Join me as I share the ups and downs of my financial transition, detaching self-worth from bank balances, and the empowering shift towards self-awareness and adaptability in personal finance.
Finally, we tackle the brave new world of embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, especially against the backdrop of adult ADHD and the stigmas surrounding debt. Listen as we differentiate between "good" and "bad" debt, discuss the nuances of taking calculated risks, and the liberating journey of betting on oneself. It's a candid discussion that celebrates the courage to create a life that syncs with personal values and desires. As we wrap up, we touch on the empowering practice of approaching financial numbers with curiosity, ensuring listeners walk away with a refreshed perspective on personal finance—and perhaps the courage to share these transformative insights with others.
Brianna Firestone, your intuitive life coach and headmistress at The School of Betty, a platform that empowers women+ to create better relationships with their money, time, and energy so they can lessen stress, build financial freedom and design a badass life they love.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolofbetty/
WEBSITE: https://www.theschoolofbetty.com
Join the free community, HOMEROOM: https://theschoolofbetty.mykajabi.com/homeroom-registration
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Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info. LisaMcNees.com
Episode Timestamps
When the unimaginable happened, Doug and Laurie Bunnell’s world was forever altered. They share their intimate journey through grief, offering a look into the aftermath of losing a child. We reminisce about Zachary's vibrant life and the indelible mark he left on those who knew him. The Bunnells' story is not just one of sorrow, but also of profound love and the complex decisions they faced as parents navigating their son's illness, offering a somber yet deeply touching narrative that resonates with anyone who has faced a similar challenge.
Grief can be a solitary path, yet in our conversation, Doug, Laurie, and I uncover the power of community and the importance of sharing stories in the healing process. We delve into the courage it takes to confront grief, the challenges of finding support in a culture unequipped to handle such profound loss, and the transformative experience of finding joy amidst pain. This episode is a testament to the strength of families bonded by shared heartache and the solidarity that can emerge from openly talking about our most vulnerable experiences.
Finally, we confront the complexities of mourning, touching on the recent DSM addition concerning prolonged grief and the therapeutic value of presence for those in mourning. We discuss the delicate balance of expressing grief, especially in the presence of children, and emphasize the lasting nature of loss. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, we underscore the significance of honoring loved ones and the crucial step of allowing ourselves to feel, to cry, and to remember, as part of the journey toward healing.
Doug and Laurie live in the most northwest portion of the Pacific Northwest in Bellingham, the fair city of subdued excitement. Doug is one of the Pastors at First Presbyterian Church. Laurie is one of the Preschool teachers and Directors at Kids Central Presbytery. They love to hang out with people, read, walk, and play with their new kitties.
The parenting organization who the Bunnell's work with - The Light Collective
Contact Doug & Laurie - bunnsters4@icloud.com
A book about Zachary written by Doug & Laurie Bunnell's daughter Zoe - Brown Bear & Me: A Story of Sibling Love & Remembering
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Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info. LisaMcNees.com
Summary
Join me as I reconnect with an old friend and colleague, Yuniya Khan, to explore the meandering paths that lead us to fulfilling careers. Listen as Yuniya shares her transformation from a television and radio graduate to the founder of Uplift Global Consulting, revealing how she embraced her passion for narrative change concerning Africa and the African diaspora. Her story is a testament to listening to one's inner voice, the courage in risk-taking, and the impact of storytelling in challenging long-held perceptions. In our conversation, we open up about the struggles many face in aligning their careers with their true passions and abilities. We recount the emotional challenges of conventional employment, where initial enthusiasm often fades into restlessness and a sense of underachievement. This chapter is a nod to those feeling the weight of societal norms and serves as an encouragement to honor individuality in our professional and personal pursuits, including whether or not to have children. We celebrate the idea that life's potential for growth and connection does not diminish with age, offering inspiration and camaraderie to fellow “late bloomers” who continue to unfold their paths with each new chapter.
Yuniya’s bio:
With more than 20 years in international nonprofit and social enterprise spaces, Yuniya’s work has focused on youth development, education programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, and talent acquisition for nonprofit organizations. Originally from Guyana, she has lived and worked in El Salvador, Brazil, and South Africa.
A storyteller at heart, Yuniya is the founder of The Emerge Project, a multimedia storytelling initiative that aims to elevate the voice and impact of "ordinary" Black grassroots entrepreneurs and community leaders in South Africa and Brazil. She is also the founder of Uplift Global Consulting, which provides program management, storytelling, and partnership-building services to nonprofits and mission-centered organizations, with a particular focus on Africa and the African Diaspora. She currently leads Africa No Filter’s Storify Africa Fellowship, a narrative change program linking African journalists and content creators with international organizations and philanthropies who want to tell better stories about Africa.
Resources:
Facebook: @yuniya.khan or @upliftglobalconsulting
Instagram: @upliftglobal
LinkedIn
Uplift Global Consulting
Follow me on Instagram HERE and HERE.
Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info. LisaMcNees.com
Summary
Join us as we unpack the complexities of rejection sensitivity dysphoria and its profound impact on neurodivergent individuals. Listen in as I get personal, sharing the daunting hurdles this fear of rejection has created in my life—from romantic pursuits to launching this very podcast. In a candid conversation with fellow coach Lucas Katz, we reflect on our childhood encounters with emotional sensitivity and how these past experiences have been channeled into a force for empowerment.
We also discuss the vital role of self-advocacy in medical scenarios, drawing from my own heightened sensitivity during dental visits. The power of effectively communicating one's needs to healthcare professionals cannot be understated, as it paves the way for more compassionate care. We celebrate the strides made in embracing neurodiversity, from the educational sphere to societal norms, and debunk myths surrounding meditation and ADHD. The dialogue illuminates the importance of self-care and understanding, inviting listeners to appreciate the collective benefits that come with the acceptance of neurodiversity.
Resources:
https://www.lucaskatz.com/
Lucas is a business and leadership coach whose goal is to disrupt the status quo by empowering his clients to forge a new model of leadership based on emotional intelligence and a human-centered approach. Neurospicy himself, Lucas loves working with other folks on the spectrum and guiding them on their journey of self-empowerment.
Follow me on Instagram HERE and HERE.
Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info.
LisaMcNees.com
Summary
My guest, Lucas Katz, is a life and business coach with a special interest in neurodiversity. We swap stories and insights into the multifaceted experience of ADHD, from the laughable relatability of online content that hits too close to home to the internal chemical dance that keeps us seeking stimulation. Our anecdotes dive into the challenges and benefits of this “neurospicy” life.
Discover the importance of positive self-identification and the evolving perception of neurodivergent conditions, shedding the stigmatizing language of "deficit" and "divergence" for a more empowering narrative. We also playfully use terms like “neuroboring” and “neurovanilla” but promise that we love, respect, and even need neurotypicals.
Our conversation is a nod to the resilient spirit of the neurodivergent community, an invitation to embrace and celebrate the full spectrum of who we are—unapologetically neurospicy.
Resources:
https://ihaveadhd.com/
https://www.lucaskatz.com/
Lucas is a business and leadership coach whose goal is to disrupt the status quo by empowering his clients to forge a new model of leadership based on emotional intelligence and a human-centered approach. Neurospicy himself, Lucas loves working with other folks on the spectrum and guiding them on their journey of self-empowerment.
Follow me on Instagram HERE and HERE.
Are you interested in 1:1 Coaching? Need someone who’ll truly listen? I offer practical, compassionate support and guidance. If you resonate with me, I’d love to see how I can be of service to you. Please check out my website for more info.
LisaMcNees.com
Summary
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
