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 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Apr 28

    Episode 346 - Running on Empty: Burnout, Boundaries, and a More Sustainable Way Forward with Dana Skaggs

    In this episode, Dana Skaggs—a psychotherapist, keynote speaker, and podcast host known as the “Queen of Boundaries”—joins Joanna to explore burnout, boundaries, and sustainable success. With over 17 years of clinical experience, Dana shares how stepping away from external expectations led her into work that now helps high performers create more aligned, sustainable lives. She also hosts the top 5% globally ranked Phoenix and Flame podcast and is a regular contributor on her local ABC/CBS affiliate. Together, they unpack how burnout often builds quietly—through ignored limits and internal pressure—and why boundaries start with the relationship we have with ourselves. With humor and no-BS honesty, Dana offers a more sustainable way to keep going without losing yourself in the process. Dana's Resources:  Website: Dana Skaggs Boundaries Quiz Instagram: @dana.b.skaggs Facebook: Dana Bates Skaggs LinkedIn: Dana Skaggs Dana’s Podcast: Website: Phoenix and Flame Podcast 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 #DanaSkaggs #Boundaries #LetNoBeNo #ProfessionalGrowth #BurnoutPrevention

    27 min

  7. Apr 21

    Episode 345 - Chasing Money, Finding Meaning: A Different Kind of Return with Rebecca Guez

    Rebecca Guez’s journey challenges the traditional definition of success, moving far beyond the high-pressure expectations she grew up with on the Upper East Side of New York City. Raised in an environment that prioritized elite education, financial success, and status, she initially followed the expected path into business school and the finance world—only to realize it was deeply misaligned with who she truly was. In this episode, Rebecca shares how stepping away from that path led her into a much more meaningful and expansive journey of self-discovery, motherhood, and healing. From navigating the challenges of parenting to exploring spirituality and emotional growth, she ultimately built a career as an intuitive coach and emotional healer, helping others unpack limiting beliefs and reconnect with themselves. This conversation speaks directly to young adults who feel torn between external expectations and internal knowing, offering reassurance that it’s not only okay—but necessary—to question the path you were given. Rebecca reminds us that success isn’t something you arrive at once and for all, but something that evolves as you grow, heal, and choose alignment over approval. Rebecca's Resources:  Website: Rebecca Guez Instagram: @rebeccaguez Facebook: Rebecca Guez 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 #SpiritualGrowth #MindsetShift #PersonalDevelopment #SpiritualHealing #RebeccaGuez

    21 min

  8. Apr 14

    Episode 344 - Running, Numbing, Rebuilding: The Life I Didn’t Plan with Clay Cross

    Clay Cross grew up in a high-achieving environment that looked stable on the outside, but behind the scenes was shaped by addiction, secrecy, and a lack of emotional safety. From an early age, he learned to suppress anything beyond success or anger—carrying that mindset into boarding school and eventually into young adulthood. As expectations around achievement grew, so did his substance use. What followed was a pattern of expulsions, broken trust, and increasing distance from the life he was “supposed” to be building. After a turning point, Clay stepped away from everything familiar to pursue recovery—eventually becoming the owner and CEO of the very program where he once sought help. But his story isn’t just about sobriety—it’s about redefining success, rebuilding identity, and what it really takes to feel at home in your own life. Clay's Resources:  Website: Ascend Recovery Instagram: @ascendrecovery Facebook: Ascend 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 #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #AscendRecovery #OutdoorTherapy #LifeInRecovery #RecoveryWorks

    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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