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. Jun 23

    Episode 354-Before Soul Fire Parenting: The Unexpected Journey That Led Don Campbell Here

    Don Campbell spent much of his early life believing he would become an educator, but his path to meaningful work was anything but straightforward. After struggling to find his footing in college, Don followed a series of unexpected opportunities through adult education, workforce development, healthcare training, youth programs, and behavioral health—often facing layoffs, funding cuts, and major life transitions along the way. Rather than viewing those setbacks as failures, he learned to trust the next opportunity that appeared and continued building skills centered around helping people grow and thrive.  In this episode, Don shares how nearly three decades of experience ultimately led him to create Soul Fire Parenting, a coaching practice dedicated to supporting parents through burnout, emotional regulation, and family challenges. He reflects on the lessons he learned from career pivots, personal loss, and starting over more than once, while redefining success on his own terms. Don’s story is a reminder that fulfillment rarely comes from a straight line—it comes from embracing growth, trusting the process, and allowing your path to evolve. Don's Resources:  Email: discover@soulfireparenting.com Phone: (516) 518-7150 Website: Soul Fire Parenting LinkedIn: Don Campbell Instagram: @soulfireparenting 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 #SoulFireParenting  #Fatherhood #Dads #FathersAndSons #FathersAndDaughters #FathersDay #Parenting #ParentCoaching #MomLife #ParentingTips #ConsciousParenting #Don Campbell

    29 min

  2. Jun 16

    Episode 353-Inclusion in Action: Creating Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities with Kyle & Brent Pease

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with brothers Brent and Kyle Pease, co-founders of the Kyle Pease Foundation. Raised with the expectation of following a traditional path after college, neither brother could have predicted that a career setback during the 2008 recession would ultimately lead them toward endurance racing, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. What began as a personal commitment to health and fitness evolved into a mission to create more inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Together, Brent and Kyle reflect on building a foundation that now serves hundreds of families, the power of inclusion both on and off the race course, and how success is often found in the unexpected turns life takes. Kyle & Brent's Resources: The Kyle Pease Foundation Facebook: The Kyle Pease Foundation Instagram: @thekylepeasefoundation YouTube: The Kyle Pease Foundation  LinkedIn: The Kyle Pease Foundation 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 #KylePeaseFoundation #PushingBeyondLimits #Inclusion #AtlantaRunners

    18 min

  3. Jun 9

    Episode 352 - From the Stage to Student Support: An Unexpected Path to Purpose with Risher Reddick

    What happens when the path you imagined for yourself turns into something completely different? In this episode, Joanna sits down with Risher Reddick, Executive Director of Canopy College Coaching, to explore his unexpected journey from studying acting and theater to helping neurodivergent college students navigate higher education and early adulthood. Risher shares how skills he developed as an actor—listening, presence, curiosity, and adaptability—became the foundation of his work supporting young adults. Together, they discuss redefining success, the importance of allowing young people room to struggle and grow, and why finding the right support can make all the difference during the transition to independence. This conversation offers encouragement for parents and students alike, reminding us that success is not about following someone else’s blueprint—it’s about creating your own.  Risher's Resources: Risher’s Website: ReddPrep Canopy’s Website: Canopy College Coaching  Canopy’s Instagram: @canopycollegecoaching Canopy’s Facebook: Canopy College Coaching Connect with Joanna Lilley   Therapeutic Consulting Association Lilley Consulting Website Lilley Consulting on Facebook  Email: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com #TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #CollegeCoaching #AcademicCoaching #Neurodiversity #ExecutiveFunctioning

    26 min

  4. Jun 2

    Episode 351 - Preparing Students With Disabilities for College Independence and Self-Advocacy with Annie Tulkin

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna speaks with Annie Tulkin, founder of Accessible College, about supporting students with physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, and sensory impairments as they transition into higher education. Annie shares her own nonlinear journey through education, the Peace Corps, disability services at Georgetown University, and entrepreneurship, while offering insight into why so many students struggle to access accommodations and support once they arrive on campus. This conversation is packed with practical guidance for families navigating college readiness, self-advocacy, and disability support services. Annie's Resources: Website: Accessible College Instagram: @accessiblecollege Facebook: Accessible College Connect with Joanna Lilley   Therapeutic Consulting Association Lilley Consulting Website Lilley Consulting on Facebook  Email: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com #TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #Disability #Accessibility #CollegeLife #CollegeConsultant #AccessibleCollege

    27 min

  5. May 26

    Episode 350 - From Hong Kong to Addiction Treatment: How Human Connection Shaped a 38-Year Career with Brian Coon

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with Brian Coon, Chief Clinical Officer at Pavilion, for a thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose, and redefining success on your own terms. Brian shares what it was like growing up overseas in Hong Kong before moving to rural Illinois as a teenager, how his early love of marine biology unexpectedly led him into psychology and addiction treatment, and why he has remained in the field for nearly four decades despite the high burnout rate in the profession. Together, Joanna and Brian explore the pressure many young adults face to follow a predetermined path, the value of learning through mistakes, and the importance of finding trusted mentors and allies outside the family system. Brian’s perspective as both a clinician and storyteller offers a grounded, deeply human conversation about curiosity, growth, and building a life that reflects your own values instead of someone else’s expectations.  Brian's Resources: Pavilion Treatment Center Pavilion Admissions Pavilion on Facebook 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 #PavilionRecovery #TraumaInformedCare #PavilionTreatmentCenter #AddictionCounseling

    26 min

  6. May 19

    Episode 349 - When the Ship Is Sinking: Addiction, Chronic Illness, and the Brave Decision to Pursue Recovery with Madison Burke

    Today’s episode features Madison Burke, a trained interventionist and recovery professional whose journey through addiction, chronic illness, mental health struggles, and recovery reshaped her understanding of identity and success. Despite appearing highly functional on the outside, Madison spent years battling substance use, unmanaged diabetes, depression, and survival mode behind the scenes. Madison shares with Joanna and listeners what it was like to experience her body breaking down before her mind was ready to fully confront her addiction. She also discusses the pressure to “keep it together,” the hidden reality of high functioning addiction, and how recovery forced her to rediscover who she was outside of achievement and crisis. Today, Madison helps individuals and families navigate addiction and healing through a whole-family recovery approach grounded in compassion and lived experience. Madison's Resources: LinkedIn: Madison Burke Website: Maxwell Recovery Services Connect with Joanna Lilley   Therapeutic Consulting Association Lilley Consulting Website Lilley Consulting on Facebook  Email: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com #TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible

    28 min

  7. May 12

    Episode 348 - From Side Passions to Purpose: Cultivating Self-Trust Through Creativity with Aideen Ni Riada

    In this episode of Success if Subjective, Joanna sits down with Aideen Ni Riada, a vocal coach and creative mentor who helps people build confidence and reconnect with their authentic voice through singing and creativity. Aideen shares her nonlinear journey from growing up in Ireland and pursuing “safe” career paths, to experiencing burnout in London before eventually rebuilding her life around music, self-expression, and meaningful work. Together, they explore the pressure many young people feel to choose practical paths over creative passions, the importance of self-trust and experimentation, and how success often comes from allowing yourself to evolve. This episode is a reminder that fulfillment rarely follows a straight line — and that creativity can become a powerful path back to yourself. Aideen's Resources:  Email: info@confidenceinsinging.com Website: Confidence in Singing  Facebook Group: Confidence In Singing With Aideen Instagram: @aideenniriada Connect with Joanna Lilley   Therapeutic Consulting Association Lilley Consulting Website Lilley Consulting on Facebook  Email: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com #TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #ResonateWithAideen #YourVoiceMatters #SpeakYourTruth #VoiceCoach

    25 min

  8. May 5

    Episode 347 - Beyond Traditional ABA: Supporting Neurodivergent Families Through Connection and Regulation with Jerrod Zertuche

    In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with board certified behavior analyst and parent coach Jerrod Zertuche to explore the evolving world of ABA, emotional regulation, and supporting neurodivergent families through connection and regulation. Jerrod shares his own nonlinear journey through anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, and feeling lost after college before ultimately finding purpose in helping families heal generational patterns and build safer, more connected relationships with their children. Together, they discuss the importance of nervous system regulation, why parent support is often the missing piece in behavioral interventions, and how emotional safety can create lasting change for both parents and kids. This conversation offers an honest and compassionate look at what happens when families move beyond compliance-based approaches and begin prioritizing connection, regulation, and healing.  Jerrod's Resources:  Website: Parenting From Love Facebook Group: Parenting From Love Instagram: @parentfromlove Connect with Joanna Lilley   Therapeutic Consulting Association Lilley Consulting Website Lilley Consulting on Facebook  Email: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com #TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #ParentFromLove #ABATherapy #Autism #NervousSytem #NervousSytemRegulation #ParentCoach #NeurodivergentHelp

    29 min
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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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