In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with author, advocate, and mother Stacy Ross, whose 28-year journey parenting a child with serious mental illness reshaped everything she thought she knew about success, family, and resilience. Stacy opens up about infertility, adoption, raising three children, navigating years of misdiagnoses, and ultimately learning how to parent through chaos, crisis, and transition.

She shares how writing became her lifeline during the early days of COVID, how her memoir emerged from 200 raw pages written in solitude, and how she rebuilt her sense of self, purpose, and balance along the way. Stacy’s story is honest, grounding, and deeply human — a reminder that success rarely follows the script we imagined, and that acceptance, boundaries, and connection can transform even the hardest chapters.

Stacy’s Resources: 

Website: https://stacyrossspeaks.com/

Book: Searching for Slippers 

Book: Where Do the Waves Come From? 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #StacyRoss #StacyRossSpeaks #AdoptionAwareness #SearchingForSlippers #BPDAwareness #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others. Today’s former participant is Chris Kelley. Chris shares his honest journey from growing up in Cape Cod’s party culture, to court-ordered detox and time in county jail as a teenager, to finally entering long-term recovery at 29. Now 15 years sober and the Executive Director of Berkshire Transition Network, Chris talks with Joanna about the deeper emotional work behind recovery, the moment his “dam broke,” and how community, self-inquiry, and aligned purpose shaped the life he leads today. It’s a grounded, thoughtful conversation about transformation, trauma, and what “the work” really looks like. Chris also reflects on how unlearning old patterns became just as essential as building new ones.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised**

Chris’s Resources:
Berkshire Transition Network
Newport Academy

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SoberLiving #SoberMovement #SobrietyJourney #SobrietyIsBeautiful #AddictionTreatment

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others. Today’s former participant is Conor Gallagher Gray. Conor grew up on Chicago’s North Shore with every advantage and a clear path laid out for him—until addiction, stigma, and a collapsing sense of identity sent his life on a drastically different trajectory. After multiple treatment stays, arrests, a suicide attempt, and years of relapse and rebuilding, Conor eventually found long-term sobriety and a renewed sense of purpose. His journey took him from high academic and athletic expectations to living in a basement storage room, navigating psych episodes, and surviving several near-fatal moments that forced him to confront the reality of where his life was headed. Today, Conor co-owns men’s sober living homes in Los Angeles, where he channels his experience into community, accountability, and giving others the support he once needed. This conversation is honest, intense, and a powerful reminder that healing is rarely linear and purpose can grow from the most unexpected places.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised**

Conor’s Resources: 

Eric’s House Recovery
Menninger Clinic

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SoberLiving #SoberMovement #SobrietyJourney #SobrietyIsBeautiful #AddictionTreatment #EricsHouseRecovery

Today’s Success is Subjective guest is Kathy Nauta. Kathy’s path to becoming a therapeutic and educational consultant looks nothing like the straight line she once imagined for herself. Growing up in a family where work was purely about survival, Kathy pursued accounting solely for the promise of financial security—despite feeling out of place every step of the way. After years in corporate finance, multiple relocations, raising three kids, and supporting a child with higher needs, she slowly found her way into advocacy, special education work, and ultimately the consulting practice she runs today. In this conversation, Kathy reflects on how her definition of success shifted from money and titles to emotional well-being, meaningful work, and a balanced life. She talks candidly about the pressure young people feel, how overstimulating our world has become, and why parents must prioritize their child’s social and emotional health over academic timelines. She also shares the personal experiences that shaped her approach with families — and the power of saying yes to new experiences as a way of truly getting to know yourself. This episode is especially resonant for parents of teens and young adults navigating uncertainty, as well as anyone who grew up believing that productivity equaled worth. Kathy’s honesty, warmth, and decades of lived experience make this an episode full of grounded, relatable wisdom.

Kathy’s Resources: 

Kathy Nauta Educational Consulting 

Facebook: Kathy Nauta Educational Consulting 

IECA - Independent Educational Consultants Association 

New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC)
NAMI 

COPAA - Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (SEAT Training) 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EducationalConsultant #EducationalConsulting #MentalHealthAwareness #AnxiousGeneration

Growing up in Milwaukee, expectations were clear for Bix Firer: go straight to college and stay on a traditional path. He tried — and quickly learned it wasn’t his path at all. After dropping out, Bix spent several years exploring unconventional jobs, traveling, and learning through lived experience rather than a classroom. Those detours became the foundation for discovering who he was and what he valued. In this episode of Success is Subjective, Bix shares how listening to his intuition — even when it meant starting over — eventually led him into outdoor education, meaningful community work, and a values-aligned career in conservation with the Ice Age Trail Alliance. His journey is a grounding reminder that success isn’t measured by speed or status, but by alignment, joy, and how we show up for ourselves and others. If you or a young adult in your life is questioning “the expected path,” Bix’s story offers reassurance that stepping off course may be the most important part of finding your way. 

Bix’s Resources: 

Website: Ice Age Trail Alliance

Instagram: @iceagetrailorg

Emma’s book: Dead Reckoning

Podcast features: The Dirtbag Diaries

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #IceAgeTrail #FindYourTrail #ExploreWisconsin 

This week’s Success is Subjective guest, Chrissy Nichols, spent more than two decades teaching before discovering her true calling—helping learners of all ages understand how their brains actually work. As an executive function coach, Chrissy specializes in guiding young adults (often returning from therapeutic or wilderness programs) to find balance, accountability, and self-trust through what she calls “love-hammer coaching”—a blend of compassion and tough honesty that empowers lasting change. In this conversation with Joanna Lilly, Chrissy shares how growing up with an undiagnosed ADHD brain led her to design her own hacks for organization and focus, eventually turning those same strategies into tools for others. She and Joanna explore what it means to un-shame the brain, why traditional “just try harder” messages fail, and how foundational routines—sleep, hydration, movement, fuel, and reflection—create the mental bandwidth needed to thrive.This episode is an encouraging reminder that success isn’t about perfection or productivity—it’s about connection, curiosity, and learning to meet yourself where you are.

Chrissy’s Resources: 

Chrissy’s Website
Complementary Consultation
Facebook: The Chrissy Concept

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #AimHouse #TraumaRecovery #ExecutiveFunctioningSkills #TheChrissyConcept #BurnoutPrevention #MindBodyBalance

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings listeners another powerful and heartfelt message from special guest, Gretchen Schoser. After 45 years in corporate HR tech, Gretchen Schoser’s world came crashing down in 2022 when burnout, grief, and loss collided — leading to a suicide attempt on Christmas Day. With the help of her wife and the 988 Lifeline, Gretchen chose to live — and she’s been transforming that decision into purpose ever since. Now the founder of Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions and co-host of the award-winning mental-health podcast “Shit That Goes On in Our Heads,” Gretchen is helping individuals and workplaces embrace authenticity, boundaries, and joy. In this episode, she shares her winding journey from Columbine High School to corporate leadership, addiction recovery, entrepreneurship at 61, and rediscovering what it means to be human at work.

Gretchen’s Resources: 

Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions

Podcast: Shit That Goes On in Our Heads 

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

Instagram: @schoser_tw_solutions

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #AimHouse #TraumaRecovery #ExecutiveFunctioningSkills #Addiction #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #SchoserSolutions #WorkLifeBalance #TeamBuilding #WorkPlaceWellness

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others.Today, Joanna sits down with Nolan Wright. When Nolan left home to chase success, it didn’t unfold the way anyone expected. What began as ambition quickly collided with addiction, loss, and a desperate search for direction. But somewhere between chaos and clarity, Nolan found a way to rebuild—starting with one decision that changed everything. Now years into recovery, Nolan leads two organizations rooted in connection, purpose, and service. In this conversation, he opens up about redefining success, why freedom matters more than status, and how community became the cornerstone of his healing. This episode is raw, grounded, and full of heart—a reminder that sometimes the hardest detours are the ones that lead us home.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.
*Listener discretion is advised*

Nolan’s Resources:
Life Launch Recovery

Recess Games USA

Wake Monarch Academy

Healing Transitions

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #Sobriety #Addiction #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others.

Growing up in a small Arizona town, Alex Carey “had good grades and a ton of friends,” but by her mid-teens the party culture and a move to the Phoenix Valley accelerated risky choices that culminated in an adolescent placement at a residential treatment program—an experience she describes as shame-based and traumatizing, leaving her more wounded than helped. After returning home, Alex spiraled: a DUI at 17, mounting alcohol use, surgeries that introduced her to opioids, and several “summer vacation” trips to adult treatment that didn’t stick because she was still performing rather than telling the truth. Everything changed in 2017—after a relapse, an overdose, and waking up from life support—when Alex walked into treatment committed to radical honesty about her pain and needs. That honesty became the turning point: she embraced recovery, rebuilt from nothing, and later sought deeper healing through intensive trauma work, including EMDR. Today, approaching eight years sober at the time of recording, Alex is a married mom to a two-year-old, a photographer at heart, and a treatment professional connecting people to trauma-informed care at Cottonwood Tucson. In this conversation, she contrasts coercive adolescent models with adult treatment that respects autonomy, shares grounded advice for parents and inspires hope in young adults who fear treatment will always look like it did when they were kids. Alex’s story is a testament to what becomes possible when recovery is honest, individualized, and trauma-informed.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.
*Listener discretion is advised*

Alex’s Resources:
Cottonwood Tucson

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #Sobriety #Addiction #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #PinnaclePeakRecovery

In this episode of the Success is Subjective podcast, Joanna Lilley sits down with Matt Sullivan, Director of Education at AIM House in Boulder, Colorado. From nearly dropping out of college with nothing but a box of Cheez-Its and a handful of kindness from strangers to leading one of Boulder’s most respected young adult programs, Matt’s story is a masterclass in grit, humility, and self-discovery. Growing up in Marin County, California—where success was measured in Ivy League sweatshirts—Matt felt the pressure early on to perform, achieve, and check all the boxes. But when life threw him a financial curveball that left him stranded at CU Boulder, he had a choice: go home or figure it out. He chose the latter. Through sheer persistence and community support, Matt built a life defined not by prestige, but by purpose. Today, he’s paying that forward by helping young adults and their families navigate emotional regulation, executive functioning, and the messy, beautiful process of growing up. His journey reminds us that success isn’t linear—it’s built one uncertain, intentional step at a time. 

Matt’s Resources:
AIM House
Instagram: @aimboulder
Facebook: AIM House
YouTube: AIM Boulder
Dan Siegel on “Flipping Your Lid”
The Whole Brain Child

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #AimHouse #TraumaRecovery #ExecutiveFunctioningSkills #Addiction #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible 

In this week’s episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with author, mental health advocate, and suicide loss survivor Lisa Sugarman. Lisa’s journey is one of resilience, grief, and transformation—from losing her father at a young age, to later discovering the truth about his death, and ultimately turning her pain into purpose. She reflects on the nonlinear twists of her career, from journalism to parenting columns, and how her lived experiences reshaped her work and calling. Today, Lisa is the author of four books, the founder of The Help Hub, a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project, and co-host of The Survivors podcast. Lisa redefines success as impact and authenticity rather than achievement. She speaks to the importance of listening to our kids, creating space for honesty, and embracing life’s twists as part of the journey. Her story is a powerful reminder that showing up vulnerably can inspire hope and healing.

Lisa’s Resources: 

Social Media:

• Instagram: @lisa_sugarman
• Facebook: The Lisa Sugarman
• Linktree: linktr.ee/thelisasugarman
• LinkedIn: Lisa Sugarman

Website & Platform:

• The Help Hub — Lisa’s survivor-led platform for mental health resources and community

Books:

• Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss  (forthcoming, 2026 release) — Lisa’s upcoming mental health book
• How to Raise Perfectly Imperfect Kids and Be Okay with It

Podcast:

• The Survivors Podcast — Co-hosted by Lisa Sugarman

Organizations & Affiliations:

• The Trevor Project — Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth
• Samaritans Boston — Grief support and suicide prevention services
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — Mental health education and advocacy

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #TheSu

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna speaks with Kim Muench, a certified conscious parenting coach and the founder of Real Life Parent Guide. Kim shares her journey of becoming a mom at 18, navigating challenges with her oldest son’s addiction, and eventually discovering her calling in supporting parents of emerging adults. She highlights the common struggles young adults face today—lack of motivation, gaming, substance use, and mental health concerns—while also addressing how COVID and technology have reshaped their development. Kim emphasizes that parents can’t control their child’s choices but can control how they show up, what they provide, and how they respond. Her compassionate and practical approach reframes parenting from fear and control to intention and connection, offering hope for families navigating the challenges of emerging adulthood.

Kim’s Resources: 

Kim’s Book: https://a.co/d/7ke93Kp 

Website: Real Life Parent Guide

Instagram: @KimMuenchParentCoach

TikTok: @KimMuenchParentCoach

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #KimMuenchParentCoach #ConsciousParenting #ParentCoach #ParentSupport

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others. In this episode Joanna welcomes Dan Gilmer, who has been sober for more than ten years and now works in clinical outreach supporting families and young adults. Growing up in Baton Rouge, Dan often felt like the odd one out, a feeling that fueled his search for attention and eventually led him to experiment with substances at a young age. By the time he was in high school, he was caught in a cycle of OxyContin use, arrests, court-ordered treatment, and relapse. After multiple failed attempts at sobriety, Dan’s turning point came when he entered a long-term residential program out of state. He credits the drastic change in environment, the structure of a high-accountability program, and the gift of time as key to his recovery. Today, as the Director of Clinical Outreach for TNR Recovery Group, Dan draws on both his personal journey and professional experience to guide families toward resources that fit their needs. Dan’s story highlights not just the challenges of addiction, but also the hope of transformation. His daily practice of helping others—whether through his family, community, or profession—serves as the foundation of his lasting sobriety.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised**

Dan’s Resources: 

Dan's LinkedIn

Cypress Lake Recovery

Sabino Recovery

Origins Texas Recovery

Instagram: @cypresslakerecovery

Facebook: Cypress Lake Recovery

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #CypressLakeRecovery

In this episode of the Former Participant Series, Joanna talks with Justin Levine, a 27-year-old who reflects on his journey from anxiety and perfectionism in high school to resilience, mentorship, and new purpose through treatment. Justin shares how wilderness therapy and his time at Telos reshaped his outlook, how running became both a therapeutic outlet and a career path, and how leaning into discomfort opened doors he never imagined—from studying neuroscience at Bates College to returning as Director of Fitness at Telos and pacing elite runners in Utah. His story is an honest reminder that growth takes time, mentors matter, and there are no shortcuts in healing—or in life. Listeners will walk away inspired to embrace discomfort, lean into support, and trust that new possibilities can emerge from even the hardest chapters.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised**

Justin’s Resources:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamers_are_undefeated
Telos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtelos/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-levine2020/

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #StriveToThrive #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery

What happens when you do everything “right” — the grades, the sports, the scholarships — but none of it makes you happy? For Ray Ford, the answer was found on a snowboard. Growing up in rural West Virginia with two engineer parents, Ray followed the path he was told would lead to success: top GPA, full ride to college, and a major in engineering. But watching the snow fall outside while grinding through calculus, he realized the only thing that ever brought him real joy was snowboarding. One bold decision to change his major — and his life’s direction — set him on a path that’s kept him on the slopes for more than a decade. Today, Ray is a trainer-level snowboard instructor at Aspen Snowmass, a mentor to younger athletes, and proof that you don’t need a traditional degree to build a meaningful career. If you’ve ever wondered whether following your heart could actually lead to a career, Ray’s story is living proof that it can — and that chasing passion is often the most practical choice of all. 

Ray’s Resources:
snowmassschool@aspensnowmass.com
P: 970-923-8733

rayjford90@gmail.com

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #PersonalGrowth #TherapyWorks #FreshStart 

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna Lilly sits down with Kade Matthews—a devoted father, psychotherapist, and lifelong advocate for creating healing spaces. Kade opens up about his own non-linear path, weaving together stories of parenthood, professional growth, and the ways music, poetry, and time in nature have been therapeutic anchors in his life. As both a clinician and a parent of young adults, Kade offers a rare dual perspective: candidly acknowledging his own stumbles while emphasizing the importance of compassion, connection, and finding joy in the journey. From mountain biking and canyoneering to supporting families through transition programs, Kade’s story is one of resilience, authenticity, and living in alignment with values. Listeners will walk away inspired by Kade’s reminder that success isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, vulnerability, and the courage to keep showing up for yourself and those you love.

Kade’s Resources:
At The Crossroads 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #TraumaRecovery #TherapyJourney #Healing #PersonalGrowth #TherapyWorks #FreshStart #TransitionalLivingProgram #ATCBeTheChange

What happens when you follow the “right” path… and it still doesn’t feel right? On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with Mark White, Clinical Director at Red Mountain Sedona, to trace his decades-long journey from small-town Michigan to the red rocks of Arizona. Mark shares candid reflections on the many detours, career pivots, and soul-searching moments that ultimately led him to discover his calling in therapeutic work with young adults. From parking cars and considering nursing to kayaking wild rivers and nearly joining the Air Force, Mark’s story is a powerful reminder that discovering what isn’t your path can be just as valuable as finding what is. Now thriving in his role at Red Mountain Sedona and biking the same desert trails that inspired him decades ago, Mark’s story comes full circle—with wisdom, heart, and a reminder that no step is wasted if you stay curious.

Mark’s Resources:
Outside Magazine
Red Mountain Sedona

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #TraumaRecovery #TherapyJourney #Healing #PersonalGrowth #TherapyWorks 

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others. Today’s former participant is Sam Hayes. 

Despite early struggles with identity, family pressure, mental health, and finding stability, Sam’s story is one of transformation. With raw honesty, he shares how his treatment journey—full of resistance, reflection, and eventually real change—led him to a place of peace, self-acceptance, and passion for helping others. His insight into healing, and what it actually takes to maintain it, is a powerful reminder that success is never linear—and never too late.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised**

Sam’s Resources:
Drew Horowitz & Associates
Email: sam.hayes@drewhorowitzassociates.com

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast  #PFCAudioVideo  #TherapyJourney #Healing #PersonalGrowth #TherapyWorks #Recovery #Sobriety

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others. Today’s former participant is Cassie. Cassie shares their experience navigating adolescence with a bipolar diagnosis, a prep school environment, and complicated treatment interventions that left them wary of the very systems designed to help them. Through candid reflection, they opens up about what it’s taken to rebuild trust — in professionals, in structure, and in themself. Their story is one of personal growth, hard-earned insight, and a gradual return to balance on their own terms. 

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised**

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

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Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

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In this episode of Success Is Subjective, Joanna sits down with Bec Koop, whose life has taken more unexpected turns than most. Raised in Northern Virginia and originally pursuing criminal justice, Bec shifted paths after a professor’s honest advice—and a realization that chasing justice wasn’t the same as finding peace. Since then, her journey has included ski resorts, snowmobiles, cannabis flower design, and now, healing work rooted in movement and joy. After surviving two serious back injuries, Bec chose a different kind of recovery—one built on yoga, meditation, and inner work instead of medication. Today, she helps make homes more accessible and hosts Vibrational Transcendance events that reconnect people with play, creativity, and their inner child. Bec’s story is raw, powerful, and full of heart—proof that success doesn’t always follow a straight line.

Bec’s Resources:

Vibrational Transcendance

Instagram

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #BecKoop #VibrationalTranscenDance #HealingJourney #HolisticWellness #MindBodyHealing

In this episode of Success Is Subjective, career educator and coach Lisa Marker-Robbins shares how her own journey—from navigating family expectations to founding multiple companies—has shaped the way she helps young people and their parents chart meaningful, purpose-aligned paths forward. With a background in teaching and educational leadership, Lisa launched her first company to serve 15 to 25-year-olds seeking clarity about their future. Since then, she’s started and sold companies, raised twins and bonus kids, and redefined success not as achievement alone, but as alignment with strengths and values.

Lisa opens up about the pressure she felt to attend college, the assumption she’d be a stay-at-home mom, and the powerful decision to forge her own path in educational entrepreneurship. Her philosophy? “There’s no failure or mistake, as long as there’s a lesson in it.” Whether she’s advising teens, coaching parents, or guiding clients through post-college transitions, Lisa believes career development is a family journey—and one that doesn’t need to follow a traditional script to be successful.

Lisa’s Resources:

Flourish Coaching 

Lisa Marker-Robbins Executive Coaching 

IG: @flourishingcoachingco

FB: Flourish Coaching

LinkedIn: Lisa Marker-Robbins 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #CareerReadiness #CareerReady #FutureReady

In this episode of Success Is Subjective, drama therapist and trauma specialist Maya Kruger invites us into a story shaped by creativity, resilience, and a life-altering turning point. Raised in Israel by academic parents, Maya felt caught between expectations and her love for theater—until an unexpected event in her final year of high school changed everything. What followed was a journey through military service, an Outward Bound program in Colorado, and a leap of faith into NYU’s drama therapy program. Along the way, Maya discovered that true impact doesn’t require a spotlight—it requires presence, compassion, and emotional courage. Now a licensed therapist and mother of two, she blends artistry and trauma work to help others navigate their own breaking points. This conversation is a testament to the quiet power of reinvention and the many ways we define success beyond the stage.

Maya’s Resources:

Website

Instagram

Outward Bound 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #TraumaRecovery #TherapyJourney #Healing #MayaKrugerTherapy #PersonalGrowth #TherapyWorks

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she invites former participants to recount their personal journey. Today’s former participant is Holly Wilson. Raised in the tight-knit mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado, the constant visibility of small-town life motivated Holly to stay on top of her game. A self-proclaimed “perfectionist” with a track record of exceptional performance and ambition, it came as no surprise when she was awarded a full-ride scholarship to the University of Colorado Boulder. As she transitioned into college life—where the external pressure to maintain perfection diminished—Holly discovered new dimensions of her identity beginning to surface. A different version of herself began to take shape: one that craved freedom and fun, often fueled by alcohol. This shift ultimately landed the once-driven student on academic probation during her very first semester. After switching majors, relocating to Los Angeles in pursuit of an acting career, and surviving a devastating and unforeseeable accident, Holly found herself with no more guardrails to stop her descent into full-blown addiction.

Embracing recovery wholeheartedly, Holly tackled the deep emotional work required for healing with resilience and clarity. On the other side of addiction, she uncovered a calling: to help establish a treatment center designed specifically for women’s unique needs. As the founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Women’s Recovery in Denver, Holly brings a bold, forward-thinking voice to the conversation around mental health and substance use recovery, championing a vision for women to lead whole, healthy, and authentically integrated lives.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised** 

Holly’s Resources:

Women’s Recovery

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #AddictionRecovery #WomensRecovery #HealthyBoundaries #Recovery #TraumaRecovery #TherapyJourney 

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants who feel comfortable sharing their journey with others. Today’s former participant is Phil Nutt. Phil grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, where by most standards, he had a relatively normal upbringing and was a fairly normal boy – minus anger issues that plagued him from a young age. By the time he was 15 years old, Phil became a full blown alcoholic and his addiction only got worse with time as drugs were thrown into the mix of his substances. Come freshman year of college, Phil’s life was spinning out of control as the decisions he made while under the influence became intensely dangerous. Phil shares with listeners an honest look at his off and on treatment journey and what ultimately gave him the desire and ability to maintain his sobriety. He also explains the meaningful work he does today as he helps young men who are in a similar position as he was when he was younger. 

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised** 

Phil’s Resources:

Choice House Addiction Treatment Center

Legacy Treatment Center

Jaywalker Lodge

The Retreat

The Bridge to Recovery

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #YoungAdults #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #StudentMentalHealth #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SelfEsteem #ParentingAdvice #ParentingTeens #SuccessfullAdults #ChoiceHouse #Recovery #AddictionTreatment #RecoveryIsPossible 

Growing up in the 70s, Elaine was given mixed messaging regarding her expected future role as a woman. As an adult, it didn’t take long before she was in full pursuit of trying to change the world, one person at a time. After becoming a mom, Elaine found herself needing to step aside from political activism to focus more on her children, whom she realized struggled more than she expected. With a fiery passion and deep desire to help others, Elaine began to direct her efforts towards helping parents of neurodiverse children, in tangible and compelling ways. Co-founding Impact Parents was the result of a major mindset shift and earning her coaching certification—both shaped by a decade of deep personal challenges in her parenting journey. On today’s Success is Subjective episode, Elaine Taylor- Klaus explains to listeners the powerful work she is doing to make a tremendous impact on the neurodiverse community at large. She also infuses some of the most hopeful encouragement and advice for parents who are both grieving their child’s life outcomes and working overtime as they try to push their child to succeed in the same ways as their neurotypical peers. If you're facing challenges in your parenting journey, this episode offers encouragement and insight you won't want to miss. 

Elaine’s Resources:

Website: Impact Parents 

IG: @ImpactParents

YouTube: ImpactParents

Parenting with Impact Podcast 

Back On Track Virtual Summit 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #YoungAdults #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #StudentMentalHealth #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SelfEsteem #ParentingAdvice #ParentingTeens #SuccessfullAdults #RaisingComplexKids #ParentCoaching #ImpactParents #BackOnTrackSummit