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

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 HouseWebsite: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)Facebook: Balance HouseInstagram: @balancehouseConnect with Joanna Lilley  Lilley Consulting WebsiteLilley Consulting on Facebook Lilley Consulting on YouTubeEmail: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #BalanceHouse #Recovery #RecoveryIsPossible #RecoveryProgram #SobrietyRocks

Episode 334: Beyond Achievement: What Actually Creates a Meaningful Life with Daniel Barrasso

In this episode, Daniel Barrasso shares how growing up with ADHD and never quite fitting into traditional academic boxes shaped his nonlinear path into mental health work. From redefining success beyond money and status to finding purpose through passion, structure, and relationships, Daniel reflects on what truly matters—both as a therapist working with young men and as a father of three. This conversation challenges conventional ideas of success and offers reassurance to young adults and parents navigating paths that don’t follow a straight line.Daniel’s Resources: Website: Daniel Barrasso Website: Attune Health and WellnessWebsite: Pivot Transitional LivingInstagram: @pivotrecoveryazFacebook: Pivot Transitional Living Connect with Joanna Lilley  Therapeutic Consulting AssociationLilley Consulting WebsiteLilley Consulting on Facebook Lilley Consulting on YouTubeEmail: joanna@lilleyconsulting.com#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #PivotRecoveryAZ #Recovery #RecoveryIsPossible #Rehab #Sobriety #SobrietyJourney #TransitionalLiving

Episode 333: Rethinking Success as Life and Priorities Change with Rick & Clancy Denton

In this episode, Rick and Clancy Denton reflect on how their definition of success has evolved over time. Through career changes, shifting expectations, and long-term partnership, they explore how values and relationships often become more meaningful than titles or traditional milestones. Their conversation highlights how desires change across different seasons of life — and why redefining success is not a failure, but a natural part of growth. Drawing from both individual and shared experiences, Rick and Clancy discuss what it means to adapt without losing alignment, how non-linear paths shape perspective, and why success is often better measured by connection, resilience, and clarity of values than by professional achievement alone. Rick & Clancy’s Resources: The Loud QuietConnect with Joanna Lilley  Therapeutic Consulting AssociationLilley Consulting WebsiteLilley Consulting on Facebook Lilley Consulting on YouTubeEmail joanna@lilleyconsulting.com#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #TheLoudQuietPodcast

Episode 332: Martin Naffziger on Choosing the Next Step Based on Values, Not Timelines

In this episode of Success Is Subjective, Joanna sits down with Martin Joseph Naffziger, an educator and college counselor who has spent decades helping young people step off default paths and define success on their own terms. Martin shares how early international experiences reshaped his understanding of education, why success should be viewed as a moving target, and what happens when young people are given space to reflect on their values instead of being rushed into traditional milestones. The conversation also explores the role parents play in providing safety without control, the importance of reflection in growth, and how stepping outside comfort zones is essential for meaningful development.Martin’s Resources: LinkedIn: Martin Joseph NaffzigerNew Summit AcademyInstagram: @newsummitacademyFacebook: New Summit Academy Costa Rica The Bridge - Costa RicaFacebook: The Bridge Costa Rica Peace CorpsConnect with Joanna Lilley  Therapeutic Consulting AssociationLilley Consulting WebsiteLilley Consulting on Facebook Lilley Consulting on YouTubeEmail joanna@lilleyconsulting.com#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #BoardingSchool #StudyAbroud #CostaRica #NSACR #NewSummitAcademy #TheBridgeProgram

Episode 331: Wraparound Support - The Missing Link in Long-Term Recovery with Dave Herz

In this episode of Success Is Subjective, Joanna talks with Dave Herz, founder of Wonder, about why recovery doesn’t end when treatment does — and why in-home, real-world support often makes the biggest difference. Dave shares his path into community-based wraparound support and explains how coaching, mentorship, and family-systems work to help teens and young adults build confidence and stability outside of traditional programs. Together, they break down what wraparound support actually is, why it improves long-term outcomes, and how involving parents is critical to sustainable change. This episode is for parents and professionals who want a clearer understanding of what support looks like beyond treatment — and why showing up consistently, in real life, matters more than theory.Dave’s Resources:Website: WonderFacebook: Wonder: A Confident Living Company Instagram: @teamwondertherapyX: Dave Herz Connect with Joanna Lilley  Therapeutic Consulting AssociationLilley Consulting WebsiteLilley Consulting on Facebook Lilley Consulting on YouTubeEmail joanna@lilleyconsulting.com#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #ParentSupport #LifeAfterTreatment #TherapeuticSupport #YoungAdultSupport #FamilySystems #WraparoundSupport #ParentingYoungAdults #InHomeSupport