Cindy Kizanis, M.A. MFT, Doctor of Intercultural Studies, is an adjunct professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Western Seminary and co-founder of Be.loved Ministries. She has been encouraging, teaching, and equipping women for over 25 years. She loves reading, music, painting and creating, and is always ready for a good kitchen dance party! Since deciding to close her therapy practice, she has been happily spending time on writing projects, and most recently has learned how to tattoo eyebrows! She is turning the chapter on a new season of life as an empty nester, along with her husband of 33 years, in a small town on the outskirts of Silicon Valley.

Today I want to introduce you to a voice I've been listening to for several years.  Justin McRoberts is an author, coach, speaker, and songwriter. He is the author of six books, including the upcoming, Sacred Strides (May 2023). For over 20 years, Justin has helped artists, ministers, and entrepreneurs find their way. From the stage, through his stories in books or during coaching sessions, he leans on his years of work and expertise as a minister and artist to help individuals and teams solve problems in their creative processes.  When he’s not writing, speaking, or coaching, you can find him as the host of the At Sea Podcast.

Carole Duff completed a 34-year career in education, as an award-winning high school history and social studies teacher, mid-management administrator and curriculum technologist. She is also an accomplished presenter, serious flutist, and avid naturalist. Carole has written articles for the professional journals Educational Leadership and Momentum. After pivoting to writing narrative nonfiction, her short works have appeared in: The Perennial Gen Streetlight Magazine Brevity’s Nonfiction Blog Mockingbird An adapted chapter from her to-be-published manuscript Wisdom Builds Her House: A Memoir of Finding Grace in the Third Stage of Life appeared in The Perennial Gen, for which she is a regular contributor. Since 2011, Carole has posted weekly to her long-standing blog Notes from Vanaprastha. Carole holds degrees from Wheaton College in Massachusetts (BA in History, Magna cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), University of Texas at Dallas (MA in Humanities), University of North Texas (MA in Education Administration, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi), and Goucher College (Certificate in Educational Technology).  She and her husband, the writer K. A. Kenny, now live in the house whose construction she oversaw in her memoir Wisdom Builds Her House, in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, along with their three dogs. She has a daughter, a son, a step-son, and a son-in-law, and she and her husband share a granddaughter.

Today we learned of another mass school shooting. Monday, March 27, 2023 six people were killed at school. Three children. Three adults. And the gun woman.  I am overwhelmed. I share a blessing from The Lives We Actually Have by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie called For This Grief-stricken Day. I also talk about what is also true for each of us. Listen in...

Today is the launch day of Andrea's first book, I'm Such a Messterpiece  We talk about writing, life and faith sprinkled with dealing with anxiety and depression. It's a great conversation with my friend who is now a published author! About the book: Battling anxiety and depression, along with the shame and stigma of mental illness, Andrea Nyberg was drowning in hopelessness. With her physical, mental, and spiritual health in a downward spiral, Andrea reached out for help—an act of courage that saved her life and set freedom and healing in motion. Mindful that we are all masterpieces of God despite our messes, Andrea shares her story to help you reframe what it looks like to both love Jesus and struggle with anxiety and depression. You’ll be inspired with practical tools and resources to help you find joy as you reestablish the foundation of your faith, embrace a survivor mindset, and discover that hope and healing are yours for the taking.  

I love to share conversations I'm privileged to have recorded for you where you get to learn what the guest is about. In this episode you get to hear a bit of what I am about in the realm of my faith journey. 

In today's episode you hear my conversation with Dorothy Littell Greco. Dorothy is the author of two books on marriage, the most recent one, Marriage in the Middle, is one I'm grateful to have read. Dorothy's bio is a first person account; here's part of how Dorothy introduces herself: "I’m a story-teller. Sometimes I use words and sometimes I use images. I pay attention to what happens on the sidelines and in the margins. I feel compelled to challenge hypocrisy, mend broken systems, and reveal beauty. Practically speaking, that means my work is fiercely honest and sometimes confrontative. I am like cilantro: you either really appreciate what I bring to the table—or prefer to avoid it. My goal is to point readers and viewers toward hope and healing." On the letgoleaninpodcast website you'll find links to Dorothy's website, where to find her books and all the ways to get in touch with the work Dorothy is offering.  Please enjoy my conversation with author, writer, photographer Dorothy Littell Greco.

Do you ever wonder about or ponder questions beginning with the words "What if...? Do you find you listen to a negative voice instead of a voice of encouragement? This episode is for you. Important links and questions will be posted in the shownotes on Let Go, Lean In Podcast 

Happy Tuesday! Happy Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras! In fact, laissez le bon temps rouler! Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is an interesting season in the church calendar. If you are familiar with lenten practices you know it's typical to do without something during this season. Some people practice adding in something such as volunteering in the community.  I share some ideas and practices I've found helpful as I practice my word for the year Restore.

Jessica Richie is a producer and writer. She serves as the executive director of the Everything Happens Initiative at Duke University and the executive producer of the Everything Happens podcast, which hosts wise, funny, and tender conversations between Dr. Kate Bowler and guests about lives that don't always work out. Based on their work together, Kate and Jess co-wrote a book of spiritual reflections called, GOOD ENOUGH: 40ish DEVOTIONALS FOR A LIFE OF IMPERFECTION and a book of blessings called THE LIVES WE ACTUALLY HAVE: 100 BLESSINGS FOR IMPERFECT DAYS. Jess received her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School and lives with her family in Wilmington, Delaware. 

The concept of self-care has been complicated for many women, myself included. Some teachings have emphasized the self in self-care labeling the concept selfish and anti-Christian. I bought into that line of thinking for many years; not taking care of the sacred vessel God has blessed me with. My health suffered as did my relationships. Self-care is NOT selfish. Self-care is essential and each of us will benefit when we make space for self-care in four specific areas as a regular set of practices. 

I've come to Audible slowly. Not an early adopter because I struggled with the legitimacy of reading. I had to talk myself through the process of learning a language whether your heart language or a second or third or more. We learn listening. Reading is actually the third stage of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and then writing.  All that to say, I've made peace with reading books on Audible by working this developmental process through in my head. See what it's like in my head? Complicated! I just completed two memoirs on Audible and I am here to say I'd choose to read them on Audible for the sheer benefit of hearing the authors tell their story in their own speaking voice.  Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono  Spare by Prince Harry  I'm sharing what I learned for my own life from listening to theirs.

Moving toward the next milestone in episodes, beginning again with one. One hundred one to be exact. Sharing with you the value of practicing affirmations and the kinds of fruit that can be born in your life: mind, heart and body being supported and encouraged by helpful, authentic words. Research is behind this episode! Check it out.

*Applause* Woohoo! 100 Episodes! I'm sharing the fun with you; Top 5 Episodes, Top 5 Books Read and Top 4 Things I've Learned as a Podcaster. Plus there is a gift for you in the show notes at letgoleaninpodcast.com

In this unique episode, I pull back the curtain to reveal who and what is behind Let Go, Lean In Podcast.  I also have a reminder of the invitation to join a coaching group using the Enneagram wisdom for growth and development. Thanks again for being here!

Happy New Year! It's been a rainy start in California but today there is a break in the rain! Can't complain; we desperately need the rain but there is also the tragic loss of lives due to flooding in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mourning for those families who have lost loved ones. In this podcast episode I want to help you see each of our blind spots for the nine types of the Enneagram. Listen to see if you already are aware of your blind spot!

You're not invited to use your imagination a lot as an adult. In fact, imagination can be called a bad thing in certain circles.   What would growth and change be like if you were invited to imagine releasing the things you want to change into the hands of the One who created you? What if you put into practice casting your cares into the Eternal River of God's Grace?   That is what this episode is about and more! Plus, this is the week to sign up for Group Coaching through the Enneagram. Click on the word GROUPS on https://letgoleaninpodcast.com/ to learn more.

There are 12 days until the new year 2023. When I was ten that year was so far off it was part of science fiction writing! I hope you are making space to reflect on this past year and are setting some intentions for what you'd like to see and be a part of in the coming year.  Making lasting change takes practice and learning what tools you already have to move forward is what this episode is about. Listen to the very end where I share details about my new offer of Group Coaching through the Enneagram. 

Michelle Van Loon is the author of 7 books including Becoming Sage: Cultivating Maturity, Purpose, and Spirituality in Midlife. She is the founder of the website and newsletter for women in the second half of life, TheSageForum.com. She's been married to Bill for 43 years, and is mom of three and grandmother to two teen boys. Midlife spiritual formation is a focus of her work and the passion of her heart.   

In this episode I have the privilege of introducing you to Gem Fadling. Gem Fadling, CLC, is a founding partner of Unhurried Living, a non-profit that trains people to rest deeper, live fuller and lead better. She is a Certified Life Coach and a trained Spiritual Director who coaches women at the intersection of spiritual leadership and soul care. Gem is the host of the I Can Do That! Podcast as well as the co-author of What Does Your Soul Love? Eight Questions That Reveal God's Work in You, and author of Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads.  

Our lives are full of endings and beginnings. Some endings are joyful like moving from an apartment into your first home. Or completing your education and finding your first career job. Some endings are hard and challenging to navigate like finding out your company is downsizing and you didn't make the cut. Or hearing news of the death of a loved one. Sudden endings that we don't choose can be the most challenging to walk through. Learning to pause and give space for acknowledging the ending is what I touch on in this episode. 

We all have experienced so many losses over the past several years; loss of jobs, loss of revenue and even loss of loved ones. That's where I find myself today. In this personal reflection I point out the practice of being quiet, of having eyes to see and ears to hear the gifts of grace that are offered when you're hurting.

Starting this episode a bit differently with a personal reflection on my computer use; connecting this anecdote to the question What difference does a small change make? You'll learn more than you want to know about me but I also share a practical tool and the insight I've gleaned in relationship to the posture toward time.

Quiet here since August. Why? I've been practicing Discernment in the Second Half. Listen in to hear what that is and the tool that I've been using to let go and lean in.

Celebrations! My husband's birthday was this past week AND Let Go, Lean In Podcast is TWO years old! It's important to celebrate milestones but it's also important to celebrate your resilience. This episode is about just that. Listen in!

It's mid-August when schools around the country are gearing up for the new school year so your summer may be coming to a close. Perhaps you are just returning from vacation to realize those projects you thought were getting accomplished while you were gone haven't been accomplished. What ever your circumstances right now, my question to you is are you Standing Still or Moving Forward?

This solo episode is a follow on to last week's talking about a specific way you bear the imago dei through creativity. I know not everyone sees themselves as creative yet the truth is we all wear the fingerprint of God as a creative person; the question is do we see it?

I am naturally curious and I love asking questions. The title of this episode is the reflective question I'm inviting you to ponder: How do you bear the Imago Dei? If you haven't thought much about your answer to this question I hope this episode sparks your curiosity to learn your answer!

Allow me to introduce you to an amazing leader whose resume is full, yet the resume behind the resume is what this conversation focuses on.

Are you Reactive or Responsive in the face of a surprise change? What clues does your body give when you have something come out of left field? In this episode I share a quote, a resource and a tool for your growth as a leader of yourself and others.

This episode is a book recommendation. I simply want to share my reading habit and recommend to you a wonderful biography: A Burning in My Bones by Winn Collier. This is the authorized biography of Eugene Peterson, pastor, professor, husband, father and the author of The Message version of the Bible.  

In a follow on solo episode Lisa pulls back the current on how true Growing is Slow Going is in her own transformational journey. Hope you're encouraged to keep moving forward one step, one breath at a time.

Mary Oliver wrote these now famous words: Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? For twenty years I have been growing away from doing to grow into simply being.  If you were to write a To Be list, what would be on it?

In this solo episode, I try to navigate between my educator voice and my soul care voice to help bring awareness to the practice of perspective taking. Not only is this a well-researched leadership skill, perspective taking can help in all relationships and interactions. 

Kathy Hamilton is a dear friend who continues to practice intentional personal, professional and spiritual growth. In our conversation you will hear several nuggets of practical, actionable wisdom and you'll be encouraged for your own journey!

A term from story writing sticks with me: through line. It's the theme of the story. It's the thread that weaves all the way from beginning to end and holds the story together. You have a through line. Listen to learn how to identify your through line and begin to live aware of how you can support and develop your through line.

William Shakespeare penned "All the World's a stage" and many of us live as actors in our own story, playing a role rather than being engaged in our lives. Living a role is likened to the False Self which the Enneagram helps us both identify and find our way to our True Self.

Learning to simply BE has been a journey of unlearning and reconnecting. In this solo episode I share my reflection on being versus doing.

The first interview of Season 4 is with Emily Nelson, founder of The Flourish Collective. You'll hear so much wisdom in Emily's experiences with leadership, discernment and developing community.

Six weeks of pause from external voices and distractions made space for listening, clarity and freedom. In this episode I share a bit of what came up in the quiet.

Part of transformation is making intentional choices that bring about lasting change. In this episode you're invited to consider the practice of finding stillness within your busy life.

This conversation with Dr. Kenya Ayers-Palmore highlights the power of investing in your people and the vital role faith plays in learning to lead yourself and others well.

After eight weeks of quiet from the podcast, I am taking the next step in offering encouragement to let go of what is holding you back and lean in toward Jesus to learn to lead yourself well. 

In the final episode of 2021 and the final episode of the four part series Taking Inventory, Lisa asks you to consider what you need to let go of in order to make room in your work, life and faith for what's next.

Continuing the series titled Taking Inventory, this episode is part 3 of 4 and is called To Do vs. To Be. In this second week of Advent the theme for this week is Peace. Lisa encourages you to make a comparison list similar to a Pros/Cons list but titled To Do vs. To Be. Lisa is uncharacteristically candid about faith practices and shares a bit about getting quiet and the benefits of the meditative, contemplative practice.

This is part two in the four part series Taking Inventory. In this solo episode Lisa talks about the negativity bias and how to work with yourself in identifying what isn't working well and then taking steps to make change.

As the year 2021 winds up before it winds down, Lisa put together a final series titled: Taking Inventory. Today's episode is the first in the series and is sub-titled What is Working? The invitation is to begin a list of what is working right now in three areas: work, life and faith.   We have a natural negativity bias and are able to point out what isn't working in each of these areas; the challenge is to set aside your growing list of what needs attention or improvement to acknowledge and write down the things that are going well in your work, in your life (personal, relational) and in your faith. This is also the beginning of the season of Advent in the Christian Church calendar year. Advent means preparation for coming and is generally referred to as the season prior to the birth of the Christ child. 

Coach Jon  is a weight loss coach and emotional eating expert who has lost 100lbs.  From nanotechnology researcher, to Navy marine engineer, to globetrotting nomad, Coach Jon spent most of his life running from his true calling, until one question changed his life.  Now he's on a mission to help others lose weight for good and leave BS diets in the rearview mirror.   With Freedom Nutrition Coaching he marries the Science of Metabolism with the Psychology of Behavior Change and the Compassion of Human Connection to create life-changing transformations with his clients.

In this solo episode, Lisa addresses the question for clarity: How do you know you're heading in the right direction as you lead yourself and others? Lisa reminds us of the Enneagram wisdom of the Three Centers of Intelligence: Head/Thinking; Heart/Feeling; and Body/Gut. We receive clues through these Centers if we're willing to pay attention. Earlier this fall, Lisa watched a couple of Adam Grant's TED Talks while on her indoor cycle trainer. The one she identified with most was about languishing. She mentions how she identified she was languishing and how Grant's TED Talk helped her take a first step forward.  You can watch/listen to  You can also read his NY TImes article from April 2021 which led to the TED Talk