In this episode I invited Penny Barthel, author of 'The Cannabis Gardener,' to discuss her journey from traditional gardening to becoming a prominent figure in the cannabis education field. Penny shares insights about her evolving perceptions of cannabis, driven by personal experiences and scientific curiosity. We explore how societal norms and per…

In this episode, I dive into the depths of friendship with my guests Josh Flosi, Matt Richards, and Knox Hughes. Through sharing nostalgic memories and amusing anecdotes, the trio explores how their childhood friendships have evolved and strengthened over the years. Despite not always staying in touch, their bond has endured thanks to an unspoken u…

In the first episode of What I Know So Far with Lisa McNees, I'm sharing a bit of my life's journey and the lessons I've learned along the way. As a woman in my 50s, I’ve gained some wisdom, perspective, and knowledge, but I also recognize how much more there is to learn. I'm endlessly curious and this podcast is my platform to share, learn, and en…

I sit down with Wes and Brittany Burian and explore the ebbs and flows of their life together, from their optimistic early days together to the trials of navigating Wes's diagnosis of Fabry disease. They bring to light the struggles and revelations that come with managing a rare genetic condition. Hear how they grapple with the physical limitations…

Join me and my guests, Liz Ball and James Obert, as we explore pop culture and its indelible impact on our lives. Our conversation ranges from the influence of iconic franchises like Star Wars and Sesame Street to the personal connections fostered by shared cultural experiences. We share our unique perspectives, reminding us of the profound ways in…

Join me and life coach Lucas Katz as we share our personal experiences and professional wisdom around the topic of regret. We look at the nuances of guilt and shame and reflect on how past choices, sometimes dictated by fear or external influences, can shape the person we become. Regret, shame, guilt, and the impact of upbringing and outside influe…

What does turning 50 truly mean in today's world? I’m honored to welcome back my first-ever guest, Christine Gough, as we discuss reaching this significant milestone. From laughing at the idea of a funeral themed 50th birthday party to discussing Christine's incredible journey through cancer and personal loss, we celebrate the sense of renewal that…

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 profoun…

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 betwee…

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 …

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 hars…

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 the…

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 an…

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 refle…

Join me for ENCORE episodes during this break between seasons one and two. Catch up on episodes you missed or listen again to one of your favorites. New episodes coming in September 2024! 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…

Join me for ENCORE episodes during this break between seasons one and two. Catch up on episodes you missed or listen again to one of your favorites. New episodes coming in September 2024! I’m thrilled to welcome my dear friend and first guest, Christine Gough, as we discuss life's unpredictable challenges. Christine opens up about profound loss and…

Join me for ENCORE episodes during this break between seasons one and two. Catch up on episodes you missed or listen again to one of your favorites. New episodes coming in September 2024! 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 …

Join me as I share the learnings and realizations from our first season of What I Know So Far. This episode is a personal reflection on the adjustments and decisions made both behind the mic and in my own life. It's about finding balance in the rush of productivity and the importance of embracing change when necessary. You'll hear why future season…

Join me and life coach Lucas Katz as we share our personal experiences and professional wisdom around the topic of regret. We look at the nuances of guilt and shame and reflect on how past choices, sometimes dictated by fear or external influences, can shape the person we become. Regret, shame, guilt, and the impact of upbringing and outside influe…

I unpack the often overwhelming experience of grappling with personal responsibilities while being aware of global tragedies. I explore our collective struggle to process an incessant stream of information in an age where our global village presents us with both the immediate and the distant. I examine the concept of “capacity,” and how much we can…

What does turning 50 truly mean in today's world? I’m honored to welcome back my first-ever guest, Christine Gough, as we discuss reaching this significant milestone. From laughing at the idea of a funeral themed 50th birthday party to discussing Christine's incredible journey through cancer and personal loss, we celebrate the sense of renewal that…

The challenges of indulging in "what ifs" and seeking unnecessary information. I explore the difference between "what is" and "what if" in life. I share how I avoided Googling a scary “what if” medical condition, opting for a doctor's appointment instead. Exploring "what ifs" in life and managing anxiety. I reflect on my ability to think through mu…

Join me and my guests, Liz Ball and James Obert, as we explore pop culture and its indelible impact on our lives. Our conversation ranges from the influence of iconic franchises like Star Wars and Sesame Street to the personal connections fostered by shared cultural experiences. We share our unique perspectives, reminding us of the profound ways in…

I sit down with Wes and Brittany Burian and explore the ebbs and flows of their life together, from their optimistic early days together to the trials of navigating Wes's diagnosis of Fabry disease. They bring to light the struggles and revelations that come with managing a rare genetic condition. Hear how they grapple with the physical limitations…

Could the secret to navigating life's highs and lows lie in managing our expectations? Join me as I discuss the profound impact of finding the balance between what we hope for and what reality delivers. In this episode, I open up about the emotional rollercoaster of my niece's wedding—an occasion of pure joy overshadowed by the sudden health crisis…

This week, I’m taking my own advice from a previous discussion on the pressure to be constantly productive. I'm sharing why sometimes it's essential to prioritize self-care over ticking off that next task on the to-do list. This means there won't be a full episode this week. But fret not! This break isn't a sign of disappearing but a necessary paus…

Have you ever caught yourself equating busyness with self-worth, or felt the weight of societal expectations pushing you to fill every moment with activity? This episode looks at our productivity-obsessed culture. I question the merit of ceaseless work and suggest that pausing to enjoy the stillness could be the most daring act of self-care you und…

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 betwee…

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 …

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 the…

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 …

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 hars…

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 ear…

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 profoun…

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 Af…

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 refle…

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 an…

I’m thrilled to welcome my dear friend and first guest, Christine Gough, as we discuss life's unpredictable challenges. Christine opens up about profound loss and her own health scares, setting the stage for a conversation that explores the transformative power of adversity and the strength found in the support of loved ones. From practical help to…

In the first episode of What I Know So Far with Lisa McNees, I'm sharing a bit of my life's journey and the lessons I've learned along the way. As a woman in my 50s, I’ve gained some wisdom, perspective, and knowledge, but I also recognize how much more there is to learn. I'm endlessly curious and this podcast is my platform to share, learn, and en…

Theresa’s story starts in a prison cell. Years of emptiness flowed into a vow never to trust anyone again. Here’s how she describes the very dark place she found herself: “After the things I’d been through, I hated humans. I had no hope in them. I had seen too much. Too much phoniness. Too much hypocrisy. Too much religion.” Theresa’s father was mu…

When someone says they saw God provide a miracle, what do you think? Maybe they recount how he rescued them from illness, financial difficulty or job loss. God absolutely does those things all the time. Still, real life is made up of a combination of joy, sorrow, fear, pain, suffering, blessing, reward, provision and disruption. All of these interm…

Stop the car. Those three words made the difference between life and death for our friend Dorsey, or Dee as we call him. You got an introduction to Dee Howard in podcast 27. When we met him last year, we immediately connected due to our common interest in storytelling. He weaves story into his local cable show, into his work as an author, and in th…

Thanks for checking in for a quick update the next podcast. We’re thrilled to present our friend Dee Howard. Born in Chicago, Dee went from a seemingly perfect suburban family to drugs, gangs and then prison. God never gave up on him though and Dee ended up sharing his stories in a recently published book, One Way, No Left Turn. The stories are ins…

Rescue Mission in North Minneapolis closes a three-part series from KG Wilson (episodes 24, 25). As always, this story had an impact on us. Our new friendship with KG threw us into a few unexpected adventures, introduced us to some new friends and breathed fresh inspiration into our storytelling. We didn’t plan any of that. Isn’t that just like God…

Have you ever regretted your physical or even emotional scars? You wish they’d just disappear. You may have even tried removing them. Our guest today shares how he thought about this as well. And then he found his scars tell stories that help hurting people hear God’s story. We introduced Kay G Wilson in episode #24 “Tragedy on Speed Dial.” Kay G i…

We picked up Kay G to record a three-part series. He warned us that he was on call. If a shooting should take place, he’d need to hit the road and be there for any families and neighbors affected. Talk about an an eye-opening conversation. We began to get the picture that these calls were all but rare. Like tragedy was on his speed dial. We wondere…

We knew this story would be different. Honestly, we didn’t look forward to it. Pausing to pray, we felt the weight of the story to be shared. This conversation would stare death straight in the eye. And yet, somehow we ended up with opportunities to laugh together with Ken and Patty as they shared part three of their personal story. We arrived pray…

Hey podcast listeners, we have another long story that we’ve boiled down to a few minutes for you. Today’s episode is entitled “Beyond a Good Life.” Our friend Ray tells us he’s been blessed with “a good life.” But years ago he felt pressed to pray for more than that. He believed there was more to the life God wanted for him. So he fervently prayed…

We’ve heard from a few listeners wondering when this episode would air so they could hear the conclusion of Jewl’s story. In part 1, she talked about responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to learn about revival. In that process, God changed the direction for a campus recruitment road trip to Wheaton College. When we left off there was myst…

As Brent and I planned a recent road trip, we learned it would take us through Jewl’s city. She had posted a few travel suggestions on Facebook and even offered to let us spend the night. That’s when God impressed on me to invite her to pray about sharing a story on the podcast. I had no idea what the story might be, but God did and he worked out a…