More Moss to the People

Guest: THAIS GESTERLINGTITLE OF EPISODE: Fearless & Unconventional: Thais’ Journey from what her parents wanted for her to choosing to carve out her own path of InnovationSUMMARY OF EPISODE: In this episode, we explore the bold and unconventional journey of Thais, a 23-year-old who chose creativity and disruption over a traditional engineering path. A natural innovator, she and her team created the Storyn app and a successful YouTube channel covering pop culture, all while helping others go viral on TikTok and LinkedIn—often from behind the scenes. Guided by a "learn anything" mindset, Thais values bold decision-making, data-driven strategies, and staying fluid in her creative pursuits.Her story highlights the power of choosing one’s own path, embracing failure, and prioritizing meaningful relationships. Tune in to hear how she turned a life-altering decision into a mission to innovate, disrupt, and inspire.IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:I met Thais as a 13 year old, she is now nearing 24When she was 19 years old she hired me as her Life CoachHow do she and I see her differently?Born to Brazilian parents, moved to Sweden with her mother when she was young.Differences between Swedish and Brazilian cultures as it pertains to family.Åsa sees Thais as fearless and willing to experience life even if it will not look successful to others. Thais isn’t afraid to learn from her own experiences. Not afraid to fail. Thais, her life partner Andre and team created an app called Storyn, and a YouTube channel that discusses Bridgerton and other tv shows and celebrities that have done amazingly well.Her content creation has helped others go viral on TikTok and LinkedIn, however she is always in the background.Super creative person, she does what she finds ‘cool’. ‘You can learn anything.’She and her team inspire each other every day to make bold decisions. Thais was raised in a family of two engineers and she is the eldest child of 4. How has this impacted her life? Find out what happened when it came time for Thais to choose an Engineering degree or her own way. (BOLD authentic LIFE ALTERING move). ”I will resent them for my entire life if I would have done what they wanted me to do.”Åsa shows the 2 of Swords card in the tarot deck that she pulled before the call. Thais and her team are now discussing 3D Audio Stories in order to enhance the  audio experience and to make the user feel immersed in another dimension. She and her team are very data driven, no attachment to the results, simply looking to see what works and what doesn’t. Then move on”Don’t attach self worth with results”. Staying fluid. Not boxing herself in. Staying committed to what she feels makes sense. Thais North Star: To Innovate and Disrupt and continue caring about making the world better. Your relationships are critical for a good life. Choose them wisely.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Rider Waite Tarot Deck- 2 of SwordsTjing - Kul veckopeng Storyn - 8D Stories that sound like a movie WHERE CAN YOU FIND THAIS: IG: thaisgesterMail: thais.gesterling@hotmail.comThank you for listening!

Guest: Sharon Jackson  TITLE OF EPISODE: Compassion on the Ranch: A Buddhist Vegetarian's Journey in TexasSUMMARY OF EPISODE: Sharon’s story is nothing short of extraordinary—a Buddhist vegetarian who now calls a ranch in Weimar, Texas home, where she lives with her beloved husband, Chip. In an unexpected twist of fate, they unintentionally became the owners—and saviors—of nine cows that were destined for slaughter. Sharon’s journey into Buddhism took her from retreats in Nepal, Tibet, and Colorado to a practice centered on slowing down, staying grounded, and making choices rooted in love and forgiveness. Sharon shares how she balances her beliefs with the culture around her, inspired by Pema Chödrön’s wisdom: “Be kinder to yourself, then let that kindness flood the world.”This episode is a powerful reminder to foster peace within, focus on what truly matters, and live authentically, no matter how unconventional the path. 🌟I hope you enjoy this spectacular woman as much as I do.. Xx,ÅsaIN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:Sharon lives on a ranch in Weimar, TX.Buddhist saving animals (cows) from death row.Raised in rural Houston then in the city center for over 40 years, what’s it like to live as a Buddhist rancher in a small town in Texas now?Proof that there is more than one way to live your life.When did Sharon discover Buddhism? Traveled to Nepal, Tibet (2x), Colorado many retreats in Houston, learned from the Masters, how has Sharon’s practice taken on a different flavour? “What will bring me alive?”Her journey brought her to a place of slowing down, which gives her the opportunity to make choices and not to be reactive but responsive.Slowing Down: helps her remain calmer, be more loving, more forgiving and less judgemental.“Residing in that state versus visiting it requires a lot of attention,” “Stay Home”, emotionally. How to stay in her own lane and focus on what is hers to fix and work on instead of allowing outside forces to drain and overwhelm her energy.As a vegetarian living on a ranch in Texas, how does that impact her friendships in their small town? “I don’t (generally) judge a culture or lifestyle where that’s not the case”.  Pema Chödrön: “Be kinder to yourself then let that kindness flood the world.”Slow down, stay present, stay home and shine on.“My quality I can share is my love and compassion. I have lots of it.”Mary Oliver poem, “When I am among the trees”. Åsa pulled the Hanged Man tarot card. Up to each of us to foster peace, it starts with us personally.Working with her patterns, what does this mean? “Equanimity comes out of speciousness”.Sharon’s thoughts on kindness.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Pema Chödrön: https://pemachodronfoundation.org/Mary Oliver poem: “When I am Among the Trees.” Hanged Man tarot card, Rider Waite tarot deck.WHERE CAN YOU FIND SHARON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharon.jackson.96387Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonkhjackson/CONTACT INFORMATION for KOMEIL ASLI, Podcast Production Manager: Komeil Asli, Freelance UI/UX Designer, Front-End Developer. komeil.asli@gmail.com 

HOST: Åsa NilssonTITLE OF EPISODE: “I don’t want to live an unconscious life”. SUMMARY OF EPISODE: This episode of the ‘More Moss to the People’ podcast reflects on personal growth, self-discovery, and meaningful living. Sharing my shift from trying to please others to reconnecting with my own voice, inspired by the 2 of Swords Tarot card's themes of indecision and introspection. Exploring the challenges of ‘doing’ less but wanting more, grappling with unanswered questions, and finding deep gratitude in the work we do.Key reflections include the importance of minimizing physical and emotional clutter, facing fears of abandonment, and embracing life's simplicity. I touch back on my experience of ‘having’ the tough conversations, evolving hopes and purposes, and the universal desire to be seen, valued, and heard. The continual reminder that progress over perfection is what I am working towards and the aspiration to living consciously versus staying asleep is of utmost importance to me.Enjoy. ÅsaIN THIS EPISODE I DISCUSS:-Thank you for the messages from people I didn’t even know listened to the ‘More Moss’ podcast.-Gotten away from sharing my heart and thinking more about what others might want to hear about. -Why do I keep looking outside of myself? -What does the world need to hear from me today? 2 of Swords Tarot Card-Doing less and wanting more? Feeling stuck? Asking questions constantly but never allowing for the answer to be revealed.-“If you’ve lived an interesting life your a winner.” - Autistic Mystic-42 days of work in the USA, what did we learn? -No more death cleaning in old attics, we are not equipped to do this work. Why?-“What are you most afraid of finding/feeling?”-  new question to integrate into our onboarding.-Discovering gratitude in the work. -Too many *things* around us matter. They are made of matter. They do matter. -Meaning behind “Leave no mess behind”. What do YOU think about that premise? -What will matter to me at the end of my life? Having more cashmere sweaters and boots? Maybe. 🙂-Having tough conversations, getting out of a chaotic mess.-What if the hope I had has changed? My purpose? -Follow up to an old conversation I needed to have. I had it. -Will I choose to Self Abandon over the potential of ‘being’ abandoned?-Am I enough for you? More importantly, am I enough for myself!-Let life be easy. Progress not perfection. -“I don’t want to live an unconscious life”. -We all want to be seen, valued, and heard. All of us. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Autistic Mystic, https://www.youtube.com/@TheAutisticMysticOfficialRider Waite Tarot DeckWHERE CAN YOU FIND ÅSA:Website: https://moremosstothepeople.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asa.klemack/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asanilssonsweden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@asanilssonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asajnilsson/

HOST: Åsa NilssonTITLE OF EPISODE: ‘What did I come here looking to find’? SUMMARY OF EPISODE: 🎉 Anniversary Episode!Two years ago, Komeil and I began this podcasting journey, unsure of where it would take us. I certainly didn’t expect to discover Swedish Death Cleaning or my passion for helping people open up about both life and death. I never imagined meeting so many incredible guests who would share their hearts, passions, sadness, and truths with us.I feel incredibly lucky, blessed, and humbled by this experience. Looking to the future feels both exciting and liberating—though a bit unnerving, too.Will I continue this podcast monthly? Maybe even weekly? Or perhaps not at all? I’m not sure yet. It all depends on how it fits into my work and life. If it becomes a stressor, it wouldn’t be sustainable, and that’s not the direction I want to take.Now, I’d love your help. Please share what you gain from this movement and what you take away from listening to these podcasts.Your voice matters. Xx,ÅsaIN THIS EPISODE I DISCUSS:Greetings from Houston, Texas.KLM Airlines, poor communication, still no baggage after nearly a week. What’s a girl to do? 2 year anniversary of the ‘More Moss to the People’ podcast on Nov 11th!! Am I still happy with this project I started? Creating a podcast takes a good bit of effort. Am I still in love with it? I’m paying to talk to you. Why? What’s it all for? Thanking all guests from this past season, by name. If my guests weren’t my friend before I had them on, they sure are afterwards.Discoveries this past year…I have the administrative piece down, looking at changing things up a little, be more playful, expansive, not restrictive.Swedish Death Cleaning is my jam. I love it.  I really have no idea what I’m doing. What’s going to happen? Who knows!?Retired Thomas out of his job where his health was taking a toll. That was huge and a big step. Bold and FUN! Started collaborating with more partners. Don’t need to do all of this myself. Repurposing content. Highlighting certain previous episodes again, why not?How do I want to market the ‘More Moss to the People’ brand? The podcast was always the umbrella and my paid work was underneath that. Now I want Swedish Death Cleaning and Decluttering to be the umbrella and the podcast to be underneath.Downloads, where are my listeners located. Getting feedback, THANK YOU. Learning more about myself. This is not meant to be a stressor. Is it? Looking at this and being honest with myself and you. What did I come here looking to find?Looking for feedback. What do YOU get out of these episodes? This movement? Do share, it can make a difference. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:-Komeil Asli-You can find all of my past episodes on, www.moremosstothepeople.com-Robin Rastini, @robin.rastini -Marcus Gunnarsson, drawing of Emma Watson, https://www.instagram.com/marcuscgunnarsson/Thank you for listening in and for supporting us these past 2 years.

HOST: Åsa NilssonTITLE OF EPISODE: “Conflict delayed is conflict multiplied.”SUMMARY OF EPISODE: Thank you for the beautiful feedback on my moms legacy episodes. She is something else, right? This month's episode finds me contemplating my truth and will I share it? Will I determine that my place in the “group” is more important than my potential of being cast out of it? Will I self abandon at the expense of sharing what’s on my heart and causing discomfort for someone else (and myself)? Perhaps you can identify with this quandary as well.With you on the path,ÅsaIN THIS EPISODE I DISCUSS:Thank you for the beautiful feedback from my moms legacy episodes. A lot of healing shared. The impact we have on others is often unrecognized. We’ll be in Houston, Texas during the vote. Got my hair cut off again. One time a year. Freeing. “Conflict delayed is conflict multiplied”. What’s it like to avoid tough conversations? Have to determine what is mine, in my lane, my boundaries.  Sticking to them.An authentic life comes with having to be able to make others uncomfortable with our truth. My needs, wants, and desires now at 57. “I’m so lost. I don’t even know who I am anymore.”How can we live a life of this AND that? How is that possible? Accepting it’s OK for me to feel waffled.A new energy of hope in the world. Do you feel it too? “Apathy of Options”.  What does this mean to me? What’s it doing to us?The world is your oyster… and with that, what do we become? We teach others how to treat our boundaries. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Tim Ciani I Dream of Jeannie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Dream_of_JeannieBewitched https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BewitchedThe Autistic Mystic: Conflict delayed is conflict multiplied and Apathy of Options. WHERE CAN YOU FIND ÅSA:Website: https://moremosstothepeople.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asa.klemack/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asanilssonsweden/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@asanilssonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asajnilsson/CONTACT INFORMATION for KOMEIL ASLI, Podcast Production Manager: Komeil Asli, Freelance UI/UX Designer, Front-End Developer. komeil.asli@gmail.com To find out more about working with Åsa and Thomas, reach out via our website here: https://moremosstothepeople.com/contact/Thank you so much for listening! 

GUEST: Taimi Nilsson TITLE OF EPISODE: Legacy Episode with Taimi Nilsson, our Matriarch, Part 2SUMMARY OF EPISODE: Thank you for all the support we received from Part 1! When we decided to start this legacy series together (okay, when I bribed Mom with food to do this with me), we thought mostly our own family would listen. But now, we’ve had friends of friends writing to us with questions about Mom and talking about how fascinating her life has been. And they’re right—what a woman!Mom is a powerhouse. But how would anyone know her incredible stories if she didn’t share them?Tune in to hear what happened after 1973. Hear about how Mom survived being struck by lightning, falling on ice and breaking her leg in three places, enduring isolation on 'the hill,' losing a husband to asbestos cancer, and beating her own lymphoma diagnosis.We hope you enjoy it!And hey, if you feel so inspired, go ask your elders to share their stories as well. Hit the record button on your iPhone and let the magic ensue.Xx,Åsa + TaimiIN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:-All been sick with the flu this past week.- Shout out to our Goddaughter Nova Julienne Svedlund, 9 years old today! - Thank you for all the questions and for the support of this series. We received a few questions.  - How did you communicate in Finland if you could’t speak the language? - Where and when did you meet your husband?   - Flying the airplane to Finland through the glider airplane demonstration and then    not knowing where we were on the return trip due to the fog. - 1974, mom was struck by lighting. - Isolation and living on the hill, what was that like for mom? - Moved to OH then was encouraged to get into real estate. Relocating back to NY, mom started in this field. She was a maven!- Funny story of the 1000 applicants dad interviewed to rent our house,- Mom falls on ice and breaks her leg in 3 different places, her leg has never been the same since. - Year 2000 Dad gets mesothelioma and has 5 years to teach mom everything he never let her understand before about the finances of the family home.- 2005 dad passes, mom sells family home in 2007 and relocates to NC. - Mom relocates to Columbus OH in 2012 to get the help she needs.  - Moms hero doctor that saved her life was Dr. Joe Flynn at OSU.- Moms advice to all of us. - "If I don’t need it, give it away."- Moms best friend of 81 years, Kerstin Hansson is like an extra mother to me. - Love doesn’t give up. Love doesn’t walk away. - “Life doesn’t have to be complicated. You live a simple life and you’re happy.” MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:-Elvi Aho - our family member that helped translate for us when we traveled to Finland. Her father was moms mothers fathers twin brother. -Sedgewood Club, Carmel, NY -Ned Dorsey -Elizabeth Paunovich-Dr. Joe Flynn, Ohio State University, Arthur James Cancer Hospital-Benjamin Buttons movie-Sarah Kootvall CONTACT INFORMATION for KOMEIL ASLI, Podcast Production Manager: Komeil Asli, Freelance UI/UX Designer, Front-End Developer. komeil.asli@gmail.com To find out more about working with Åsa and Thomas, reach out via our website here: https://moremosstothepeople.com/contact/Thank you so much for listening! 

GUEST: Taimi Nilsson DRAWING: Marcus Gunnarsson/ https://www.instagram.com/marcuscgunnarsson/TITLE OF EPISODE: Legacy Episode with Taimi Nilsson, the Matriarch of my FamilySUMMARY OF EPISODE: My mom, the coolest woman on earth, is my guest this week. She is one of those people who sits still, listens to everyone around her, offers thoughts when asked, doesn't overshare, is as chill as a cucumber, and could definitely have been a spy for the CIA. I still wouldn't put it past her!Is this a result of her childhood? Very possibly.Mom is now 88 years young, with 5 children of her own, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren, with friends and loved ones all around the world. I have been begging her to be on the podcast since I started this journey, and it was always a ‘no’. Then it became a ‘maybe’. When I told her that her voice really matters, her stories matter, and others want to hear about her very interesting life, she finally agreed. YEY!Listen in as we discuss Mom's life from the age of 5, escaping an active war in Finland with her 6-year-old sister to begin their new (albeit separate) life in Sweden, up to the point of our family relocating to the USA in 1973. (I hope to have another recording completed with her to bring us from 1973 to today. We’ll see!)And oh, what a journey she has had.Enjoy my greatest hero, my mother.Xx,ÅsaIN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:Recording voices and stories, why is this legacy work?Mom moved from Viljakkala, Finland to Hjo, Sweden at the age of 5 (1942) with her sister Hilkka who was 6 during World War II.Red Cross boats traveling across the Baltic Sea during the war, why weren’t they bombed?Identification card/passport around their necks and their dresses that they wore. What was it like for mom to be separated from her family and be moved to Sweden as a war child? Birth mother wanted the ‘girls’ back to help with finances at home but my moms foster father wrote a letter.Mom, Dad, and my sister Anneli went back to Finland for the first time since mom left in 1958, 17 years later, what was that like for mom seeing her mom and her brother for the first time again?“Molotov-Molotov” what my mom would scream when she heard planes flying over as a child in Sweden.As a child in Finland mom remembers having to run into the forest with white sheets and hide under them so it looked like snow so the bomber planes flying over wouldn’t see them.Moms personality style is very chill and she does not overreact, she waits for information THEN reacts, does this come from her childhood?Mom is a bad ass, rode a motorcycle to work, took her captains license, became an airplane pilot! Loves to learn, to this day. Moms first flight to Oslo, Norway with her friend Goldis, having to make an emergency landing in Karlstad for more fuel! Why is milk and rice a luxury for my mother? 1973 my family moved from Sweden to NewYork, USA. Mom had to take care of everything herself because dad had already moved. Imagine moving across the world with 5 kids from the ages of 5-14 and not having any help? UGH! Why does my mother think we are ‘shit kids’?  :) The feeling of belonging. How does mom as an 88 year old see the world today? Why does she choose to stay in America even if she says Sweden is ‘home’? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:ASEA, (ABB) https://global.abb/group/enSinead Fine, Tarot for Women, https://tarotforwomen.com/

GUEST: Dr. Alexis Yamokoski TITLE OF EPISODE: Life after the Great Reassessment. “There’s nothing very serious happening here”. SUMMARY OF EPISODE: Alexis is a beautiful soul who feels deeply. She has a gentle knowing of what’s to come and is confident that everything will work out.Even when caring for her dying parents, experiencing an anxiety attack while driving through the mountains of North Carolina with two children in the back seat, or bearing the burden and shame of her mother's alcoholism, Alexis maintains her faith and resilience.Join us as we discuss what Alexis' life looks like today. We'll explore her journey through shame, the importance of kindness, having hard conversations, embracing 'lightness,' feeling isolated, grieving alone, the impermanence of everything, finding joy in the next moment, and staying present.She is deeply connected to her highest truth, and the gentle stillness of her being is heartwarming.We hope you enjoy our chat.Xx,ÅsaIN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:Seeking lightness, finding peace, connecting to her true self. 3 years ago the Big Reset. Why? Slow. Grow. Flow. Glow. Alexis mantra.The ultimate awakening after her anxiety attack in the mountains of NC“Reflection of how I lived in the identity of my career.”Growth mindset. Change is uncomfortable, the outcome is outstanding.Tuning in to the prompts around change.Recognizing how temporary everything is.Grounding in authentically connecting with herself now.Her personal mission as a social change agent inspiring new perspectives.Defying social constructs, finding different ways of living. Bringing in hospice for her dad and tricking her mom, Alexis needed help.Shame and secrets around her moms death and the isolation Alexis felt. “Never talked about it.” Alexis is a firm believer of encouraging open, honest conversations.Having tough conversations, even through discomfort.Sandwich generation. Advocating for others.“There’s nothing very serious happening here”. Her fan: False belief: Life is serious and I need to be serious. New belief: “Being lighter feels good”. It’s possible to feel joy and sad heartache at the same time.“I don’t want her to carry the shame and secrets.” (her daughter) We are the chain breakers! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Pauley’s Island is in South Carolina (I fact checked it. Ha). Dr. Brene Brown https://brenebrown.com/HospiceFive to Flow, https://www.fivetoflow.com/WHERE CAN YOU FIND ALEXIS:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-yamokoski-ph-d-2299664/Website: https://www.fivetoflow.com/aboutus/collective/dr-alexis-yamokoski/CONTACT INFORMATION for KOMEIL ASLI, my Podcast Production Manager: Komeil Asli, Freelance UI/UX Designer, Front-End Developer. komeil.asli@gmail.com To find out more about working with Åsa and Thomas, reach out via our website here: https://moremosstothepeople.com/contact/

GUEST: Thomas Kindberg, my beloved husbandTITLE OF EPISODE: “It’s not just called DEATH CLEANING, It’s called LIFE CLEANING too.”SUMMARY OF EPISODE: June 11th, 2024, marked a significant milestone for our family: Thomas and I proudly launched our Swedish Death Cleaning and Decluttering business, More Moss. Less Mess.This dream has been a long time in the making, and now it's finally a reality.Thomas prefers to stay out of the spotlight, shying away from public speaking and attention. Convincing him to join me on the podcast was a challenge, but I promised it would be quick and that I’d handle most of the talking.My goal was to introduce you to Thomas, the other half of our business, so you could see what our team brings to the table.Listening back, I realized I dominated the conversation, often speaking over him. While this is how we work—I’m more vocal, and he’s more reserved—I wanted to make him comfortable and keep the episode brief for his sake. Still, it was important for you to meet him again.Our mission is to normalize Swedish Death Cleaning, turning it into a regular conversation rather than a daunting task. We aim to make the process of dealing with death less intimidating and more accepted as a natural part of life.Thank you for being part of this journey with us.Åsa and ThomasIN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:June 11th it’s a big day for us. Why? Reminder that I am taking July off from podcasting, RADICAL SABBATICAL.Thomas is now working with me and Swedish Death Cleaning + DeCluttering. Where has he been the past 35 years? Too many people are unhappy in their work and their lives.Society has changed very fast, what can that be based on? Thomas interests lie in the world, news, economy, geography. Åsa and Thomas disagree about how we can or can not make a difference.Saw the beauty of social media in the initial intent for which it was created today.Community. People helping people.Thomas thinks it can be ego driven.The ‘More Moss to the People’ movement and going back to a simple life. Western world problems, psychological stress, kids feeling like shit. Coming back to what’s important. We have to stop over consuming. 95% of wares in Sweden are recycled. Values. Our ground pillars. Feeling more versus having more.Not pessimistic to speak about death, we consider it optimistic.We leave no mess behind.Having safe conversations about this. Circular economy, life cleaning not just death cleaning.You can be 31 years old and do death cleaning.Thomas is my Muscles from Brussels. He will be a big help with moving things down, out and around for our future clients. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Swedbank. https://www.swedbank.se/The first time Thomas appeared on the podcast: Season 1, Episode 9 WHERE CAN YOU FIND THOMAS?Certainly not on social media! Ha! You can find him via our website.To find out more about working with us, reach out via our website here: https://moremosstothepeople.com/contact/CONTACT INFORMATION for KOMEIL ASLI, my Podcast Production Manager: Komeil Asli, Freelance UI/UX Designer, Front-End Developer. komeil.asli@gmail.com Thank you so much for listening!