This week’s Success is Subjective guest, Chrissy Nichols, spent more than two decades teaching before discovering her true calling—helping learners of all ages understand how their brains actually work. As an executive function coach, Chrissy specializes in guiding young adults (often returning from therapeutic or wilderness programs) to find balance, accountability, and self-trust through what she calls “love-hammer coaching”—a blend of compassion and tough honesty that empowers lasting change. In this conversation with Joanna Lilly, Chrissy shares how growing up with an undiagnosed ADHD brain led her to design her own hacks for organization and focus, eventually turning those same strategies into tools for others. She and Joanna explore what it means to un-shame the brain, why traditional “just try harder” messages fail, and how foundational routines—sleep, hydration, movement, fuel, and reflection—create the mental bandwidth needed to thrive.This episode is an encouraging reminder that success isn’t about perfection or productivity—it’s about connection, curiosity, and learning to meet yourself where you are.

Chrissy’s Resources: 

Chrissy’s Website
Complementary Consultation
Facebook: The Chrissy Concept

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

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On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings listeners another powerful and heartfelt message from special guest, Gretchen Schoser. After 45 years in corporate HR tech, Gretchen Schoser’s world came crashing down in 2022 when burnout, grief, and loss collided — leading to a suicide attempt on Christmas Day. With the help of her wife and the 988 Lifeline, Gretchen chose to live — and she’s been transforming that decision into purpose ever since. Now the founder of Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions and co-host of the award-winning mental-health podcast “Shit That Goes On in Our Heads,” Gretchen is helping individuals and workplaces embrace authenticity, boundaries, and joy. In this episode, she shares her winding journey from Columbine High School to corporate leadership, addiction recovery, entrepreneurship at 61, and rediscovering what it means to be human at work.

Gretchen’s Resources: 

Schoser Talent and Wellness Solutions

Podcast: Shit That Goes On in Our Heads 

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

Instagram: @schoser_tw_solutions

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #AimHouse #TraumaRecovery #ExecutiveFunctioningSkills #Addiction #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #SchoserSolutions #WorkLifeBalance #TeamBuilding #WorkPlaceWellness

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others.Today, Joanna sits down with Nolan Wright. When Nolan left home to chase success, it didn’t unfold the way anyone expected. What began as ambition quickly collided with addiction, loss, and a desperate search for direction. But somewhere between chaos and clarity, Nolan found a way to rebuild—starting with one decision that changed everything. Now years into recovery, Nolan leads two organizations rooted in connection, purpose, and service. In this conversation, he opens up about redefining success, why freedom matters more than status, and how community became the cornerstone of his healing. This episode is raw, grounded, and full of heart—a reminder that sometimes the hardest detours are the ones that lead us home.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.
*Listener discretion is advised*

Nolan’s Resources:
Life Launch Recovery

Recess Games USA

Wake Monarch Academy

Healing Transitions

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #Sobriety #Addiction #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others.

Growing up in a small Arizona town, Alex Carey “had good grades and a ton of friends,” but by her mid-teens the party culture and a move to the Phoenix Valley accelerated risky choices that culminated in an adolescent placement at a residential treatment program—an experience she describes as shame-based and traumatizing, leaving her more wounded than helped. After returning home, Alex spiraled: a DUI at 17, mounting alcohol use, surgeries that introduced her to opioids, and several “summer vacation” trips to adult treatment that didn’t stick because she was still performing rather than telling the truth. Everything changed in 2017—after a relapse, an overdose, and waking up from life support—when Alex walked into treatment committed to radical honesty about her pain and needs. That honesty became the turning point: she embraced recovery, rebuilt from nothing, and later sought deeper healing through intensive trauma work, including EMDR. Today, approaching eight years sober at the time of recording, Alex is a married mom to a two-year-old, a photographer at heart, and a treatment professional connecting people to trauma-informed care at Cottonwood Tucson. In this conversation, she contrasts coercive adolescent models with adult treatment that respects autonomy, shares grounded advice for parents and inspires hope in young adults who fear treatment will always look like it did when they were kids. Alex’s story is a testament to what becomes possible when recovery is honest, individualized, and trauma-informed.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.
*Listener discretion is advised*

Alex’s Resources:
Cottonwood Tucson

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #Sobriety #Addiction #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #PinnaclePeakRecovery

In this episode of the Success is Subjective podcast, Joanna Lilley sits down with Matt Sullivan, Director of Education at AIM House in Boulder, Colorado. From nearly dropping out of college with nothing but a box of Cheez-Its and a handful of kindness from strangers to leading one of Boulder’s most respected young adult programs, Matt’s story is a masterclass in grit, humility, and self-discovery. Growing up in Marin County, California—where success was measured in Ivy League sweatshirts—Matt felt the pressure early on to perform, achieve, and check all the boxes. But when life threw him a financial curveball that left him stranded at CU Boulder, he had a choice: go home or figure it out. He chose the latter. Through sheer persistence and community support, Matt built a life defined not by prestige, but by purpose. Today, he’s paying that forward by helping young adults and their families navigate emotional regulation, executive functioning, and the messy, beautiful process of growing up. His journey reminds us that success isn’t linear—it’s built one uncertain, intentional step at a time. 

Matt’s Resources:
AIM House
Instagram: @aimboulder
Facebook: AIM House
YouTube: AIM Boulder
Dan Siegel on “Flipping Your Lid”
The Whole Brain Child

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #AimHouse #TraumaRecovery #ExecutiveFunctioningSkills #Addiction #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible 

In this week’s episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna sits down with author, mental health advocate, and suicide loss survivor Lisa Sugarman. Lisa’s journey is one of resilience, grief, and transformation—from losing her father at a young age, to later discovering the truth about his death, and ultimately turning her pain into purpose. She reflects on the nonlinear twists of her career, from journalism to parenting columns, and how her lived experiences reshaped her work and calling. Today, Lisa is the author of four books, the founder of The Help Hub, a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project, and co-host of The Survivors podcast. Lisa redefines success as impact and authenticity rather than achievement. She speaks to the importance of listening to our kids, creating space for honesty, and embracing life’s twists as part of the journey. Her story is a powerful reminder that showing up vulnerably can inspire hope and healing.

Lisa’s Resources: 

Social Media:

• Instagram: @lisa_sugarman
• Facebook: The Lisa Sugarman
• Linktree: linktr.ee/thelisasugarman
• LinkedIn: Lisa Sugarman

Website & Platform:

• The Help Hub — Lisa’s survivor-led platform for mental health resources and community

Books:

• Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss  (forthcoming, 2026 release) — Lisa’s upcoming mental health book
• How to Raise Perfectly Imperfect Kids and Be Okay with It

Podcast:

• The Survivors Podcast — Co-hosted by Lisa Sugarman

Organizations & Affiliations:

• The Trevor Project — Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth
• Samaritans Boston — Grief support and suicide prevention services
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — Mental health education and advocacy

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #TheSu

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna speaks with Kim Muench, a certified conscious parenting coach and the founder of Real Life Parent Guide. Kim shares her journey of becoming a mom at 18, navigating challenges with her oldest son’s addiction, and eventually discovering her calling in supporting parents of emerging adults. She highlights the common struggles young adults face today—lack of motivation, gaming, substance use, and mental health concerns—while also addressing how COVID and technology have reshaped their development. Kim emphasizes that parents can’t control their child’s choices but can control how they show up, what they provide, and how they respond. Her compassionate and practical approach reframes parenting from fear and control to intention and connection, offering hope for families navigating the challenges of emerging adulthood.

Kim’s Resources: 

Kim’s Book: https://a.co/d/7ke93Kp 

Website: Real Life Parent Guide

Instagram: @KimMuenchParentCoach

TikTok: @KimMuenchParentCoach

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #KimMuenchParentCoach #ConsciousParenting #ParentCoach #ParentSupport

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she extends the opportunity for former participants to share their journey with others. In this episode Joanna welcomes Dan Gilmer, who has been sober for more than ten years and now works in clinical outreach supporting families and young adults. Growing up in Baton Rouge, Dan often felt like the odd one out, a feeling that fueled his search for attention and eventually led him to experiment with substances at a young age. By the time he was in high school, he was caught in a cycle of OxyContin use, arrests, court-ordered treatment, and relapse. After multiple failed attempts at sobriety, Dan’s turning point came when he entered a long-term residential program out of state. He credits the drastic change in environment, the structure of a high-accountability program, and the gift of time as key to his recovery. Today, as the Director of Clinical Outreach for TNR Recovery Group, Dan draws on both his personal journey and professional experience to guide families toward resources that fit their needs. Dan’s story highlights not just the challenges of addiction, but also the hope of transformation. His daily practice of helping others—whether through his family, community, or profession—serves as the foundation of his lasting sobriety.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised**

Dan’s Resources: 

Dan's LinkedIn

Cypress Lake Recovery

Sabino Recovery

Origins Texas Recovery

Instagram: @cypresslakerecovery

Facebook: Cypress Lake Recovery

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #CypressLakeRecovery

In this episode of the Former Participant Series, Joanna talks with Justin Levine, a 27-year-old who reflects on his journey from anxiety and perfectionism in high school to resilience, mentorship, and new purpose through treatment. Justin shares how wilderness therapy and his time at Telos reshaped his outlook, how running became both a therapeutic outlet and a career path, and how leaning into discomfort opened doors he never imagined—from studying neuroscience at Bates College to returning as Director of Fitness at Telos and pacing elite runners in Utah. His story is an honest reminder that growth takes time, mentors matter, and there are no shortcuts in healing—or in life. Listeners will walk away inspired to embrace discomfort, lean into support, and trust that new possibilities can emerge from even the hardest chapters.

NOTE: The podcasts in this series can include sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, hospitalizations, psychotic episodes, and other traumatic experiences which include parts of the treatment journey. No topic is off limits and not all stories are positive but they are real, raw, and transparent.

**Listener discretion is advised**

Justin’s Resources:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamers_are_undefeated
Telos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialtelos/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-levine2020/

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #StriveToThrive #EmotionalHealing #TraumaRecovery

What happens when you do everything “right” — the grades, the sports, the scholarships — but none of it makes you happy? For Ray Ford, the answer was found on a snowboard. Growing up in rural West Virginia with two engineer parents, Ray followed the path he was told would lead to success: top GPA, full ride to college, and a major in engineering. But watching the snow fall outside while grinding through calculus, he realized the only thing that ever brought him real joy was snowboarding. One bold decision to change his major — and his life’s direction — set him on a path that’s kept him on the slopes for more than a decade. Today, Ray is a trainer-level snowboard instructor at Aspen Snowmass, a mentor to younger athletes, and proof that you don’t need a traditional degree to build a meaningful career. If you’ve ever wondered whether following your heart could actually lead to a career, Ray’s story is living proof that it can — and that chasing passion is often the most practical choice of all. 

Ray’s Resources:
[email protected]
P: 970-923-8733

[email protected]

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email [email protected]

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful  #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #PersonalGrowth #TherapyWorks #FreshStart