Episode 335: Learning to Accept Myself, Uncertainty, and the Winding Journey To and Through Recovery with Samantha Meyer

Success is Subjective: Real People. Raw Stories. Embracing a Non-Linear Life!

Success is Subjective: Real People. Raw Stories. Embracing a Non-Linear Life!
Episode 335: Learning to Accept Myself, Uncertainty, and the Winding Journey To and Through Recovery with Samantha Meyer
Feb 10, 2026 Season 4 Episode 335
Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC

Watching a young adult struggle can be confusing—especially when they’ve grown up surrounded by resources, knowledge, and support. In this episode, Joanna sits down with Samantha Meyer to unpack what happens when insight alone isn’t enough—and how recovery, maturity, and purpose often arrive on a nonlinear timeline. Samantha grew up immersed in the treatment world, yet still found herself battling substance use, anxiety, and depression from a young age. After years of navigating college, international moves, trauma, and escalating use, a pivotal moment during the early days of COVID led her to sobriety through AA. From there, Samantha rebuilt her life—returning home, working in treatment, and ultimately pursuing a clinical career of her own. Now the Admissions Director at Balance House and in her final semester of a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Samantha reflects on autonomy, uncertainty, and what real success looks like when it’s earned through lived experience. This episode is for parents, young adults, and professionals who want a realistic, compassionate look at recovery, treatment, and the long game of becoming yourself.

Samantha’s Resources: 

Website: Balance House
Website: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Facebook: Balance House

Instagram: @balancehouse

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

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Episode Artwork Episode 335: Learning to Accept Myself, Uncertainty, and the Winding Journey To and Through Recovery with Samantha Meyer 24:05 Episode Artwork Episode 334: Beyond Achievement: What Actually Creates a Meaningful Life with Daniel Barrasso 26:46 Episode Artwork Episode 333: Rethinking Success as Life and Priorities Change with Rick & Clancy Denton 50:08 Episode Artwork Episode 332: Martin Naffziger on Choosing the Next Step Based on Values, Not Timelines 26:02 Episode Artwork Episode 331: Wraparound Support - The Missing Link in Long-Term Recovery with Dave Herz 23:56 Episode Artwork Episode 330: Out with the Old, In with the New - The Identity Crisis That Led Me to Myself w/ Dr. Max Doshay 30:18 Episode Artwork Episode 329: From the Slopes to Sobriety - Arch Wright’s Journey of Healing 31:46 Episode Artwork Former Program Participant Series - Episode 328: When One More Try Changed Everything - Jaysa’s Journey 31:54 Episode Artwork Episode 327: Playing the Hand You’re Dealt - Brian Sacks on Survival, Stewardship, and Success 23:54 Episode Artwork Episode 326: Parenting from Fear to Understanding - A Conversation with Ann Coleman 26:57 Episode Artwork Episode 325: Searching for Slippers - Stacy Ross’s Hard-Won Wisdom on Parenting a Child with Mental Illness 24:04 Episode Artwork Former Program Participant Series - Episode 324: Jail at Seventeen, Recovery at Twenty-Nine: Chris Kelley’s Journey to Himself 35:20 Episode Artwork Former Program Participant Series - Episode 323: Chicago Expectations, LA Redemption with Conor Gallagher 27:00 Episode Artwork Episode 322: Learning to Say Yes - Kathy Nauta on Finding Her Path 23:34 Episode Artwork Episode 321: Try, Fail, Wander, Learn - Bix Firer’s Real Life Education 23:50 Episode Artwork Episode 320: Un-Shaming the Brain - A New Take on Motivation and Executive Functioning with Chrissy Nichols 28:13 Episode Artwork Episode 319: The Joy Shift - Gretchen Schoser on Turning Pain into Purpose 29:16 Episode Artwork Former Program Participant Series - Episode 318: The U-Turn That Saved My Life: Nolan Wright’s Moment on the Highway 26:38 Episode Artwork Former Program Participant Series - Episode 317: Alex Carey on What Real, Trauma-Informed Treatment Looks Like 30:32 Episode Artwork Episode 316: From Cheez-Its to Clarity - Matt Sullivan on Building a Life of Purpose 32:31 Episode Artwork Episode 315: Redefining Success Through Compassion and Resilience with Lisa Sugarman 26:22 Episode Artwork Episode 314: Parenting with Intention - Kim Muench on Supporting Emerging Adults 27:05 Episode Artwork Former Program Participant Series - Episode 313: From OxyContin to Outreach - Dan Gilmer’s Journey of Recovery 29:29 Episode Artwork Former Program Participant Series - Episode 312: The Runner’s Pace - Lessons on Healing and Resilience 36:44 Episode Artwork Episode 31: Lessons from the Slopes - Ray Ford on Passion, Persistence, and Purpose 28:28