Less Stress, More Fun

What is “good” work? Do you love your work? Let’s explore a few bold ideas about what would make work more “good” for all.  In this week’s podcast episode, I talk about: Why I believe good work is more important than ever Good work on various levels of society How you can connect to your best work and amplify the good work that can be done in your community Resources mentioned: Definitions of...

The decision of whether or not to work on vacation can cause people a lot of stress and really minimize the fun of their time away from the office. Let’s see what we can do to flip that script so you have less stress and a lot more fun! In this week’s podcast episode, I talk about: Current information about the “work on vacation” cultural conversation Understanding why you might even be asking thi...

What do you look at to see the reflection of your personality? Let’s talk about this fun way to manage your stress and have a lot more fun. In this week’s podcast episode, I talk about: The concept of mirrors in personality development Who and what we choose to mirror our world How mirroring can increase stress How to have more fun using intentional mirroring Resources mentioned: “The empathy devi...

Do you know your kids? Your manager? Your partner? Your best friend?  Are you sure about that? It’s fun to revisit our perceptions of others to see what we can learn when we look at the world with a beginner’s mind or the eyes of a “stranger.” In this week’s podcast episode, I talk about: How we form ideas about other people What happens when we fail to update our assumptions How to open up t...

Uh, oh! There's an elephant in the room! A problem that needs to be addressed. A conversation that’s growing long, long overdue.  What do you want to do about it?  Fight? Run away? Shoo the elephant out in hopes that it will run away? Or will you ride that magnificent beast? In this week’s podcast episode, I talk about: Why some people avoid what is labeled “conflict” Examples of elephan...

Words are the essence of what makes us human. It’s one of the most impactful ways we establish our perspective on life, our identity, and our relationship with ourselves. In this week’s podcast episode, I talk about: “Sorting” thinking Inclusive thinking to expand your mind’s peripheral vision and creativity Examples of how you can use “both…and…” in your life Resources mentioned: Improv Wisdom (b...

How long is a human pregnancy? An elephant’s? How long should it take between promotions in your career? How long should it take to get in shape? We seem obsessed by “how long”...but most things just take as long as they take. In this week’s podcast episode, I discuss: Our social preoccupation with time A suggestion for developing your personal relationship with time Resources mentioned: “Matthew...

Some of us like to help out a lot. We do the bulk of the work starting in our youth during group projects, then it carries on to our home life and professional work balancing efforts. But when it is the desire to be helpful and avoid “failure” actually contributing to the problem? In this episode, I’ll talk about: Why people take on extra work How it hides or obscures systemic issues The real reas...

Do you trust yourself? How do you know your own personal trust level? I think a lot of us have a “trust but verify” conditional system in place, including with ourselves. And that certainly seems to be the case with our interactions with other people, often for good reason. Today we’re going to talk about trust in a different way.  In this episode you’ll learn: The difference between conditio...

Do you compare yourself to others? “Oh, must be nice for them!!” Let’s talk about comparison. There are limited, small minded ways to compare and also expansive, healthy ways to use comparison. Choose your comparison preference and change your life!  In this episode, we'll talk about: How people learn to compare Different types of comparison How to compare in a way that benefits you and other...

Do you take responsibility for your tomorrow? Each one of us is the aggregation of choices we made long ago. It’s fun to think about the person today being a mighty warrior, protecting the future.  In this episode, I’ll discuss: The inner warrior archetype (reimagined the “Less Stress, More Fun” way!) What is means to be a protector of your future Resources mentioned: “​​The Four Archetypes o...

Do you really, truly live for each day? Or does your mind travel back and forth from past to the future?  In this episode, I’ll talk about: What prevents you from living in the present moment What happens when you cultivate more presence How to use the past to live more fully each day Thanks for listening! Free & awesome mini-class! " 3 Ways to Reduce Stress TODAY " Visit the Lisa Schwall...

What is it like when you turn 18, which is the legal age of adulthood in the United States? What a milestone! And what a reminder to all of us that we really can do what we want to do. So…are you doing what you want to do? In this episode, I’ll share my thoughts about: Adults and choice Whether we overweigh the negative potential consequences over the potential gains…and why What it’s like to step...

Most people do not want to admit this…but sometimes we overreact. Let’s explore the impact those events have on our self-concept, relationships, and general stress levels. In this episode I’ll talk about: Examples of internal and external overreaction Cycle that could lead to an overreaction Recovering from an overreaction Resources mentioned: “Stop Overreacting in Front of Your Family” ( my onlin...

Are you focused on time? Obsessed with it? Why? Time is the same for all people, yet it seems to take on magical meanings in our world. Let’s take some time to explore time. In this episode, I talk about: Our habits of time Connecting with what your relationship with time is doing in your own life Decisions about goals and accomplishments Resources mentioned: “History of Time Management” ( Harold...

Everyone has certain feelings that inspire their best selves to show up and play the game of life. What is it for you? Today I’m going to talk about a concept that I bring into coaching on the regular: enthusiasm. In this episode, I talk about: Why I love enthusiasm as a means to having a more playful life How enthusiasm can inspire you to protect and connect with your future Using an enthusiasm m...

How do you know when you’ve started to block your best work? Our clever minds can design speed bumps and detours when we’re treading into unfamiliar territory. Let’s talk about the super subtle ways your mind tells you “wrong way - let’s detour!” In this episode, we’ll explore: Why your mind would want to detour you on the journey to getting what you want Ways to catch your mind’s distractions Wha...

Habits! We all have them. Some we’ve crafted intentionally over time and some habits are just mindless, developed by your mind as an efficient system of getting through life. In this episode, we discuss: The most generous way you can see your habit mind A way to assess your habits Two methods for addressing habits that you don’t want to keep around in the future Resources mentioned: Mini Habits (S...

Serendipity. It’s more than a delightful word to say on repeat. Serendipity, serendipity, serendipity. It’s a fun way to think about your life. In this episode, I’ll share: My 2023 goal of “conversationally activated serendipity” What I learned about the science of serendipity How a serendipity mindset can reduce stress and definitely make life more fun Resources mentioned: “Eh, too many cooks in...

Springtime in North America is around the corner. Flowers bloom and the trees get their beautiful fresh spring green leaves. What’s blooming in your life? Today we use a fun gardening metaphor to look at what you are planting and harvesting. Thanks for listening! Free & awesome mini-class! " 3 Ways to Reduce Stress TODAY " Visit the Lisa Schwaller Coaching Website to learn more, sign...

Is your life available for purchase or rent? Today I talk about a fun metaphor to use when considering different relationships in your life, especially as it relates to career and family. In this episode you’ll learn: The differences between an “owner” mindset and a “renter” mindset from the perspective of both parties Why it’s important for you to decide if you’re “owned” or “rented” in certain s...

We are social animals. And, as social creatures, there is value in being cooperative. But things are different in the year 2023 than they were in the year 1023. We’re not cooperating for survival. There’s literally more you can say “yes” to than you have hours in a day to deliver on those promises you made. In this episode you’ll learn: The power of a generous answer How saying “no” can be an act...

Do you consider your body brilliant? Do you consider your body beautiful? Why or why not? Today the body is getting some TLC from the Less Stress, More Fun podcast.  Resources mentioned: “The Brain-Gut Connection” ( John Hopkins Medicine ) “The Gut-Brain Connection” ( Harvard Health Publishing ) “Gut-Brain Connection” ( Cleveland Clinic ) “You are an AMAZING habitat!” ( my YouTube video ) Thanks f...

How do you like to give and receive love? Each February, reminders of romantic love are everywhere with the pink and red hearts in all the shops. It seemed as playful a time of year as any to talk about the 5 Love Languages framework. In this episode you’ll learn: How the 5 Love Languages framework can reduce stress and add fun to your life How not to use the love languages framework What happens...

What can you count on in this life? We want change! Success! Love! We want things to change but - to be honest - only in our favor. As people are navigating their commitment to their new year’s goals and dreams…I wanted to deliver a pep talk.  In this episode you’ll learn: How to reassure yourself as you’re traveling this unpredictable life How you can connect to the constants in your life wh...