Episode 327: Playing the Hand You’re Dealt - Brian Sacks on Survival, Stewardship, and Success

In this conversation, Brian Sacks shares what it was like to grow up as the only child of parents who had him late in life—parents he would eventually care for emotionally, physically, and financially while still trying to become an adult himself. Brian opens up about the pressure of stepping into adulthood far too early, running his father’s business as a teenager, and learning to navigate life without the safety net most young people rely on. Brian also reflects on how those early hardships shaped him as a husband, father, and professional—and why breaking generational patterns became a non-negotiable part of raising his own children. Now, decades into a successful marriage and career, Brian has turned his lived experience into service, creating the Stuck in the Middle newsletter, podcast, and community for people balancing the simultaneous demands of aging parents, growing children, relationships, and work. This episode is a grounded, heartfelt reminder that success isn’t defined by ease—it’s defined by resilience, compassion, and the willingness to play the hand you’re dealt with integrity and grit.

Brian’s Resources:
Podcast: Stuck in the Middle
Episode: Guiding Young Adults Through Emotional Struggles and Family Transitions with Joanna Lilley
Newsletter: Stuck in the Middle
Facebook: Stuck in the Middle News

Connect with Joanna Lilley 
Therapeutic Consulting Association
Lilley Consulting Website
Lilley Consulting on Facebook
Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

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