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

Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC
  • 5.0 (62)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Interviews of people who took a break from life at one point or another to get help, grow up, or just to reassess their life direction. Some guests struggled with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, a death in the family, or just decided college was not the place for them. These stories are all-to-real, and yet we don't talk enough about how common it is for those who took a gap year to defer college, went to college and took a break, or those who struggled launching into the workforce post-college graduation. This goes out to all the young adults and parents of young adults who are struggling and contemplating what will happen if they walk away right now. 

  1. 4h ago

    Episode 366 - There’s Another Way to Live: Candy Finnigan on Recovery, Purpose & Success

    Candy Finnigan’s life has taken plenty of unexpected turns. From growing up in Kansas to marrying musician Mike Finnigan, navigating addiction and recovery, and eventually becoming a professional interventionist, very little about where she ended up was part of an original plan. In this episode of Success is Subjective, Candy shares how her own recovery led her into a career helping families in crisis, what she learned through decades of intervention work, and why she believes helping people find another way to live is its own form of success. She also reflects on her time with A&E’s Intervention, the importance of staying true to her values, and what it means to still be doing meaningful work as she approaches 80. Candy’s story is a reminder that purpose is not always something you plan for—and success can look a lot more like using what you’ve been given to help someone else. Candy's Resources: Candy Finnigan — A&E Intervention ProfileWhen Enough Is Enough by Candy FinniganFinnigan And GriffinA&E — Intervention 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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #CandyFinnigan #Intervention #AddictionRecovery #Recovery #Interventionist #Sobriety #FamilyRecovery #AddictionAwareness #MentalHealth #RecoveryJourney

  2. 6d ago

    Episode 365 - If Not Now, When? Kevin Petersen on Changing the Direction of Your Life

    What happens when you’ve built a successful life, but still feel like something is missing? In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with Kevin Petersen, who found himself asking that question at 43 years old and 16 years sober. Despite being successful in sales, Kevin knew he wanted his life and work to mean something more. Kevin shares what led him to change careers in his 40s, his willingness to trade financial security for work he believed mattered, and how his wife’s cancer diagnosis gave new weight to the question, “If not now, when?” His story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about what you’ve accomplished—and it’s never too late to reconsider how you want to spend the rest of your life. Kevin's Resources: Petersen Family CounselingThe Chronic Hope Institute WebsiteThe Chronic Hope Institute on InstagramThe Chronic Hope Institute on FacebookKevin Petersen on InstagramKevin Petersen on LinkedInChronic Hope: Parenting the Addicted ChildEmail: kevin@chronichope.usConnect 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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #KevinPetersen #ChronicHope #ChronicHopeInstitute #AddictionRecovery #FamilyTherapy #PetersenFamilyCounseling #ParentingTheAddictedChild

  3. Sep 1

    Episode 364 - From Art School Portfolios to Addiction Recovery: The Sharp Left Turn That Changed Henry Maxwell’s Life

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with Henry Maxwell, founder of Maxwell Recovery Services, to talk about a path that took an unexpected turn early in life. After struggling with severe addiction as a teenager, Henry entered treatment at 17, returned to finish high school sober, and soon found himself working in the very field that had helped change his life. Henry shares how a job he never planned on led to a career supporting individuals and families through addiction, treatment, crisis, and recovery—and eventually to starting his own company. He and Joanna also discuss the nonlinear nature of recovery, why healing involves the entire family, and Henry’s belief that success has far more to do with living in alignment with your values than checking off traditional markers of achievement. Henry's Resources: Maxwell Recovery Services Website Contact Maxwell Recovery Services Maxwell Recovery Services on LinkedIn Maxwell Recovery Services on Instagram Maxwell Recovery Services on Facebook Henry Maxwell on LinkedIn Henry Maxwell — Association of Intervention Specialists Email: henry@maxwellrecoveryservices.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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #MaxwellRecoveryServices #MaxwellRecovery #HenryMaxwell #AddictionRecovery #LongtermRecovery #Intervention #FamilyHealing #CrisisIntervention

  4. Aug 25

    Episode 363 - From Music to Mental Health: Morgan Grace on the Journey to Alchemy Collective

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with Morgan Grace, founder of Alchemy Collective, to explore the nonlinear journey that led her from music and multiple college majors to a career in trauma therapy. Morgan shares how her own healing journey ultimately reshaped her direction and inspired the work she does today. She also opens up about building Alchemy Collective and how her personal experiences have shaped the way she supports individuals, couples, and families navigating complex trauma and mental health challenges. Together, Joanna and Morgan discuss the pressure to have life figured out early, why young adulthood is meant to be a time of trial and error, and the importance of giving ourselves—and the young adults in our lives—the flexibility to change course while figuring out who we are. Morgan offers a refreshing reminder that changing your mind doesn't mean you're falling behind; it can simply be part of honing the compass toward what's right for you. Morgan's Resources:  Alchemy Collective WebsiteContact Alchemy CollectiveAlchemy Collective on InstagramAlchemy Collective on FacebookAlchemy Collective on LinkedInMorgan Grace on InstagramMorgan Grace on LinkedInEmail: morgan@alchemycollectiveaustin.comConnect 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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #MorganGrace #AlchemyCollectiveAustin #TraumaTherapy #TraumaTherapist #ComplexTrauma #TraumaHealing #TraumaRecovery #AlchemyCollective #MendTheMender

  5. Aug 18

    Episode 362 - More Than an Athlete: Ben Ogden on Building a Life That Can Carry You Through Setbacks

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with professional cross-country skier and Olympian Ben Ogden to talk about the path that took him from a small town in Vermont to competing at the highest level of his sport. Ben reflects on choosing a college experience that allowed him to keep growing as both a student and an athlete, the disappointment of stepping away from graduate school, and the leap of faith that followed as he committed fully to professional skiing. Ben also shares why he believes success cannot rest on one identity alone. From restoring a 1973 Land Rover to learning how to weld, his hobbies have given him something meaningful to lean on through injuries, illness, setbacks, and difficult seasons in competition. His story is a reminder to stay curious, remain open to change, and keep building a life that gives you more than one reason to feel proud of who you are. Ben's Resources: Ben’s Official WebsiteU.S. Ski & Snowboard Athlete ProfileTeam USA Profile Instagram: @ben.0gdenYouTube: @ben.0gden 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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #BenOgden #CrossCountrySkiing #NordicSkiing #TeamUSA #Olympian #WinterOlympics #ProfessionalAthlete #StudentAthlete #IdentityBeyondSports #EmbracingChange

  6. Aug 11

    Episode 361 - Beach Cities Gateway: Turning Personal Experience into Purpose with Debbie Murad

    Debbie Murad spent years chasing achievement before realizing that purpose—not prestige—was what truly guided her career. From nonprofit leadership and clinical social work to teaching graduate students at USC, each chapter of her journey prepared her for something she never expected: creating a program inspired by both her professional experience and her own daughter's challenges navigating life after high school. In this episode of Success is Subjective, Debbie shares how supporting neurodivergent young adults reshaped her understanding of success, why allowing her daughter to fail became an important turning point, and how those experiences led her to found Beach Cities Gateway. Together, she and Joanna explore purpose, parenting, life after high school, and why there is no one-size-fits-all path to adulthood.  Debbie's Resources:  LinkedIn: Debbie Murad, LCSWWebsite: Beach Cities GatewayLinkedIn: Beach Cities Gateway WebsiteInstagram: @beachcitiesgatewayFacebook: Beach Cities Gateway - Adult Life SkillsConnect 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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #BeachCities #BeachCitiesGateway #YoungAdultSupport #FailureToLaunch

  7. Aug 4

    Episode 360 - Treatment, Character Development, and a Mission to Help Young Adults: Meet Theo Puccio, the 25-Year-Old Behind ORCA Recovery

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna welcomes Theo Puccio, board-certified interventionist, care manager, and founder of ORCA Recovery. Raised in Brooklyn with dreams of becoming a lawyer, Theo seemed to be on a clear path to success—until substance use derailed his plans. After stepping away from college and entering treatment, he made the life-changing decision to stay in Colorado, where recovery became the foundation for a new purpose. Theo shares how those early experiences shaped his career helping young people and families navigate crisis, intervention, and recovery. He reflects on why character is built in the space between what we want to do and what we need to do, how he defines success by the respect of his peers rather than titles or possessions, and why he believes a meaningful gap year can change the trajectory of a young person's life. Theo's Resources:  The ORCA Recovery Website Theo Puccio on LinkedIn 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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #OrchaRecovery #BehaviorIntervention #CharacterDevelopment #RecoveryJourney #Intervention

  8. Jul 28

    Episode 359 - The Canary in the Coal Mine: Finding Answers When Nothing Else Has Worked with Karla Gomez

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with Karla Gomez, a clinician and entrepreneur whose career has taken her from culinary school in Puerto Rico to co-founding multiple integrative mental health practices. As a mother, business owner, and clinician, Karla shares how each chapter shaped her definition of a meaningful life. Together, they explore why success isn't about following someone else's timeline, but about creating a life that aligns with your values. Karla also discusses the importance of addressing both biological and psychological health, why so many high-functioning people still struggle despite "doing everything right," and how reducing outside noise can help young adults better hear their own internal voice. Whether you're navigating an unexpected career pivot, supporting a struggling young adult, or redefining success for yourself, this episode offers a thoughtful reminder that the best path is often the one you create yourself.  Karla's Resources:  Canary House  LinkedIn: Karla Gomez  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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #KarlaGomez #CanaryHouse

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5
out of 5
62 Ratings

About

Interviews of people who took a break from life at one point or another to get help, grow up, or just to reassess their life direction. Some guests struggled with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, a death in the family, or just decided college was not the place for them. These stories are all-to-real, and yet we don't talk enough about how common it is for those who took a gap year to defer college, went to college and took a break, or those who struggled launching into the workforce post-college graduation. This goes out to all the young adults and parents of young adults who are struggling and contemplating what will happen if they walk away right now. 

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