The Amber Lilyestrom Show

Lara is the inspirational powerhouse behind PowerSheets: the “grace filled goal setting planner”, author of the epic book Make it Happen: Surrender your Fear. Take the Leap. Live on Purpose, founder of Southern Weddings Magazine, mother of 3, wife of 1 and devoted mother and wife. We are not drawn to her success in all of it’s sparkly-ness just because; we are drawn to it because of the message that’s woven into it. And, as you’ll find out in this episode- the path to our message almost always begins... with our mess.

You know those moments we’ve been preparing for our whole lives? The ones that we do the work for, so that when they show up we are able to handle them with dignity and grace? The ones that matter? Yes- those ones. On this Focus Friday, I share with you a conversation I had to have with my sweet daughter this week, that was precisely one of those moments. I invite you to sit down and listen to this one, with an open heart (and maybe a tissue or two), as I welcome you into the sacred interaction that was shared not only between a mother and her daughter, but also between a 36-year-old woman, and her former self. This one is for all of us, friends- to help us remember that the most important thing that we may have forgotten along the way. PS - You. Are. Magic.

What does celebration mean to you? Is it the birthday parties, the weddings, the engagement dinners or the anniversaries? Is it the cakes, and the centerpieces and all of the sparkly gifts? But, what if the celebration, itself, IS the gift? What if we reframed celebration as a way to give (and to receive) love… and a vital part of the foundation that you could build an entire empire off of? Are you wondering what in the world I am talking about? You’re going to want to stick around for this one.

Have you ever watched someone on stage, playing out on the field or in the middle of a creating a work of art? They just have this poetic and captivating way about them...lost in concentration, seemingly unaware of anyone else’s opinion of them. Watching them connect so deeply and beautifully to their art and in complete service to their heart’s expression is one of my favorite things to do. I am eternally fascinated with musicians, athletes and performers who allow themselves to completely surrender to their craft. This weekend, I had the honor of watching my friend Chris Lester performing his craft twice over the course of 2 nights. In this episode, I will share the story with you of what it felt like to witness him in two very different settings and what I learned in watching him. This Focus Friday is your permission to surrender to your own genius, soul sisters...so listen on up, the world is waiting.

Dr. Jeanine Staples is the Associate Professor of Literacy and Language, African American Studies, and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Penn State University. She is the founder of “The Supreme Love Project” , a movement which seeks to embolden marginalized people to heal their souls and liberate themselves. Not to mention, she is a genius, a soul excavator, a humanist and an all around “Be Your OWN Hero”, kind of Wonder Woman. She stunned the world (and me) with her TED Talk, “How To Die Peacefully”, when she challenged the notion that humans are born, they live and then they die. No- Jeanine believes we are born and then we die a thousand tiny deaths.

Inspired. To be in spirit. This is the place with which I choose to operate from at all times, and the driving intention behind the reason why I threw out my vision board. Not that there is anything wrong with vision boards friends (because there isn’t), but because I came to find that I couldn’t be in an inspired state of freely becoming, if my gaze was always fixed upon immoveable and specific things I wanted to become. But, let’s be real here… you know me. You know how much I believe in the massive power of manifestation and aligning ourselves, and envisioning all the sparkly feels of what we are called to breathe life into… So you know I came up with a way to call out to my dreams and my visions, while also allowing for a change in trajectory and a change of heart. Want to know how and why I did all of this? The listen up, girlfriend, I can’t wait to share this one with you.

Lewis Howes has built a game changing empire around one simple word: Greatness. He has forged a path and given us the map to stepping into what we are afraid of and creating the life we know we were meant for. Whether it is through his podcast, in either one of his books,The School of Greatness and his newly released The Mask of Masculinity or in one of his live events; he is constantly urging us to break through our old barriers and set our eyes on the sky.

Last week, I shared something very sacred to Ben and I, on a very public platform. I told the story of our recent miscarriage on my Instagram profile. In the wake of losing the child we had just conceived, I opted to lean in by opening up, instead of just blocking everything out. I opened up my most private thoughts to the world, and what I received were a waterfall of love and support from rockstars far and wide.What I received was the affirmation from those of you who have experienced your own sadness and sense of loss that by sharing our truth, we allow others to meet us right where we are. It was an amazing reminder that our souls are stronger together than they may ever be alone.

Najwa is an author, a poet and a motivational powerhouse who has used the act of sharing her truths to liberate herself, and to help millions of others do so as well in the process. Her books “Mind Platter” and “The Nectar of Pain” will rock you to your core. Through her own suffering, Najwa learned how to unload the burden of her shame by finding her voice and using it to speak up and speak out.

Erin Stutland is a coach, fitness expert, TV show host and entrepreneur who has created a multi-platform movement with live workout classes, a new transformational TV show and online programs that reach people in over 155 countries around the world. Erin is going through an amazing transformation as she becomes a mother in addition to being a wholehearted entrepreneur.

Kate Northrup was one of my most favorite online entrepreneurs and writers when I first launched my business. I loved her down-to-earth style and ageless wisdom and so appreciated how she had created a business that included working with her partner. Kate and I met back in December 2014 and became fast friends and mastermind sisters in our sweet little group that meets up in Maine every month. This conversation is going to open up a great deal of clarity for you and will also serve as a giant exhale for those of us who tend to do life on the perfectionist side of the fence.

Stepping in to Sacred Activism

Jennifer Desrosiers is a total boss with the ability to make things happen like a force of nature. Jen and I met back in December of 2014 and have been on a journey of upleveling and pushing past comfort zones together every since. We’ve attended multiple Tony Robbins’ events together, we’ve walked on fire and we’ve pushed ourselves to reach new realms in our lives and businesses. I am so grateful to call this amazing women my friend and be a part of sharing her story with you.

Emily’s energy is contagious and what she has done inside her company over the last 10 years is exceptional. Emily dreamed up the Simplified Planner and her boutique lifestyle brand, Emily Ley in order to create tools that help women to be more intentional and organized in their daily lives. Her work has been featured by Martha Stewart, Good Housekeeping, Glamour, Forbes, and so much more. She believes everyday life doesn’t have to be ordinary and that joy is truly found in the journey. Her mission is to inspire women of all ages to build joy and simplicity into their lives through intentional choices, purposeful plans and playful experiences.

Megg Thompson is a Certified Behavior Consultant and Family Coach empowering kids and the adults that take care of them. With a proactive and strength-based approach to behavior, Megg facilitates empowering relationships and nurturing environments where children thrive.