Tried out a major that ended up not being for you? Try another one! Didn’t get the job that you wanted? Maybe it wasn’t meant for you. Time to pursue another option! It’s really as simple as that. Continue to shift gears and try different paths. Failure is never final as long as you continue to try.

Kaysha Sorenson has had her fair share of ‘failures’ in life but, she’s never let that stop her. From getting pregnant at 19, to getting a divorce at age 26 and taking a break from school, she could have let any one of these things stop her. Instead, she’s been able to use her own experiences to be there for her own children and for Evoke Therapy Programs.

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Kaysha joins Joanna to share her journey as she navigated being a young mom in college, while also working to discover herself. Though there was plenty of pitfalls along the way, Kaysha has been able to find success in knowing that it’s okay to not always be successful; to rise and to fall. Listen in to gain insight on how Kaysha’s own young adulthood experience is allowing her to approach her own children's journeys with more excitement and confidence rather than fear

What You Will Learn

Growing up in a family of 6, being raised by a single mom

Being financially independent at a very young age

The unknown topic of secondary education 

What caused Kaysha to get married at 19 

What life looked like while getting divorced with 3 kids at age 26, no education and working at home depot

How working at Evoke Therapy Programs has impacted Kaysha’s life

The break that Kaysha is on right now and where she is headed

Coming from a place of excitement instead of fear when dealing with your young adults

Connect with Kaysha Sorenson

Evoke Therapy Programs

Kaysha Sorenson on Facebook

Email [email protected]

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Success is Subjective on Google Podcast

Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio

Success is Subjective on Spotify

Success is Subjective on Stitcher

Success is Subjective on Amazon

Success is Subjective on Audible

Success is Subjective on Tune in Radio

Sponsored by: College Parent Survival Network

Email [email protected]

That’s the big question: will a degree really make your life more comfortable like your parents and teachers make it seem? Growing up, Brennon Moore had the idea that getting a degree would fix everything and had no question about whether or not it would be a part of his success story. Turns out, the key areas of his success story would involve his hardships, rather than how many degrees he earned. 

Brennon Moore, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC-II), and a Nationally Certified Trauma Therapist (CTT) struggled in middle and high school, as he dealt with sexual and physical abuse. His academic experience turned out to be better in college though, the trauma followed him, leading him down a dark path with substance abuse. Once graduating from grad school and experiencing a life-changing car accident, Brennon was forced to make a change with his life. After finding the right treatment center for himself, he was then able to get his first job at a treatment center and ten years later, started his very own program for young men.

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Brennon joins Joanna to share his journey as he navigated childhood trauma throughout his young adult years, sharing how the hardest time in his life with addiction brought him to his life calling, working with young men. Listen in to gain insight on how the smallest steps in life can lead you to the worst and best directions, and how Brennon works to guide his clients in better directions. 

What You Will Learn

Growing up in a very small town in Eastern Oregon

How Brennon dealt with his sexual and physical abuse & trauma in junior high and high school 

How PTSD can look like ADHD on the outside

The structured timeline that Brennon felt pressured to follow

How helpful moving away from town for college was for Brennon

The “delayed stumble” transition into grad school

The car accident that changed everything

When Brennon finally went to treatment and the process of finding a good treatment 

How important enjoying your time during treatment is before getting back to real life

Brennon’s first big boy job at Refuge and what his time there was like for a decade

The launch of Skyline Recovery 

How the smallest changes can make the biggest difference

Connect with Brennon Moore

Skyline Recovery

Email Brennon@[email protected]

Call (541) 782-8882 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Email [email protected] 

Finding your path doesn’t require having everything figured out. In fact, you don’t have to be anywhere near having everything figured out. Finding your own path simply requires being open and committed to your progress, allowing yourself to shift and pivot along the way. When you’ve committed to your own progress and sense of purpose, and no one else’s, that’s when you can be certain that you’re on the right track.

As the youngest of 2 siblings, with a brother who is five years older, Annie Gillis found herself comparing her academic and career journey to her brother’s from a young age, and carried this habit with her into college. It wasn’t until she realized that following the herd was getting her nowhere, when she decided to lean more into her own sense of purpose. Through much discomfort and a lot of faith, Annie was able to find a career that not only suits her and her purpose, but has also allowed her to grow even deeper within herself. Today, Annie finds herself at Redpoint Seattle, where she provides coaching services for young adults.

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Annie joins Joanna to share her journey from majorly struggling in high school and college, to coaching young adults through their own journeys’ through adulthood. She went from not knowing if she’d be able to make it through school, to leading other young adults through their own academic challenges. Listen in to gain insight on how Annie managed to find her purpose even through many academic challenges, by learning to commit to her own progress and unique journey.

What You Will Learn

Annie’s difficult high school experience 

Growing up with a brother who is 5 years older

The challenging college transition that Annie experienced 

College campus resources for students

When Annie decided to step away from school

Following your own sense of purpose rather than just following the herd

What the transition outside of college looked like for Annie

How Annie became apart of Redpoint Seattle

The growth that Annie has personally experienced through working with her clients at Redpoint

Connect with Annie Gillis

Redpoint Seattle

Schedule a 15 minute Discovery Call with Redpoint 

Email [email protected] 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Success is Subjective on Google Podcast

Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio

Success is Subjective on Spotify

Success is Subjective on Stitcher

Success is Subjective on Amazon

Email [email protected]

From the small town success on her way to a softball scholarship, to what seemed like the town degenerate who dropped out of high school as a sophomore due to drugs, Larissa Stone’s story shifted very early on in her young adult years.

In hopes to make a better life for herself and get away from her troubled teen years, she joined the military at the age of 18, requiring her to really learn how to grow up fast. Following the military, Larissa’s life became focused on healing from the war and learning to navigate school with PTSD. Now, through a lot of work and patience, she can successfully say that she’s been able to achieve the greatest accomplishment of her life and go from healing to healed. 

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Larissa joins Joanna to share her journey to healing from her young adult trials, with drugs in high school and PTSD in college. Her story is a light to those who are navigating their own young adult challenges and proof that going from healing to healed is possible for you. Listen in to gain insight on the reality of dealing with mental health challenges in college and how success doesn’t have to look like material items but rather all to do with you internally.

What You Will Learn

Navigating college without a good academic foundation 

What brought Larissa to drop out of high school

Larissa’s time in the military and experience being deployed in Iraq for 3 years at the age of 18

Navigating PTSD and school following the military

It’s normal to feel alone in college

How Larissa has been able to successfully go from healing to healed

How Larissa’s studies helped her during her healing journey

It’s possible for you to create the life you want

Connect with Larissa Stone

Email [email protected] 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Success is Subjective on Google Podcast

Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio

Success is Subjective on Spotify

Success is Subjective on Stitcher

Success is Subjective on Amazon

Success is Subjective on Audible

Success is Subjective on Tune in Radio

Email [email protected] 

No one knows exactly how their path to success will go. There’s always this underlying sense of discomfort regarding the future in anyone’s journey. Though, you can’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from exploring. Through trial and error, you allow yourself to find clarity in what makes you feel alive and what you’re willing to devote your life to. Each trial, even the messy, scary and difficult ones lead you closer.

Licensed social worker Julie Wolfson went through college and many jobs following college very uncertain about the path ahead of her. Through much patience and trial and error she was able to find herself in a career that allows her to feel lucky everyday as she works with so many incredible young adults as they navigate their own unique pathways. 

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Julie joins Joanna to share her journey as she experimented with different career paths and how she came to co-found Fountain House’s College Re-Entry program. Her story goes to show that there is no right way to find your purpose –it simply involves as much exploring as you need. Listen in to gain insight on the importance of a re-entry program and how it’s okay to go off the unbeaten path even when it’s messy, scary and difficult. 

What You Will Learn

How Julie’s high school did a good job preparing her for the transition to college

The challenges that came with living away from home for college

How leaving college was a harder transition than leaving high school

The job experience Julie gained following college

How she got into working with young adults

What led Julie back to the mental health field and co-developing Fountain House’s College Re-Entry program

Trust the journey!

Connect with Julie Wolfson

Fountain House College Re-Entry

Julie Wolfson on LinkedIn 

Email [email protected] 

Text 845-577-1661

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Success is Subjective on Google Podcast

Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio

Success is Subjective on Spotify

Success is Subjective on Stitcher

Success is Subjective on Amazon

Success is Subjective on Audible

Sponsored by: College Parent Survival Network

Email [email protected]

Being neurodiverse can often be looked at as a major blocker for many people. Though, it doesn’t have to be that way! What may feel like a challenge to deal with in school could be what successfully sets you apart in the real world, if you learn how to discipline your gift.

Brandon Slade, Founder of Untapped Learning, struggled with academics growing up, causing him to have an overwhelming experience in college. After getting diagnosed with ADHD, he began to figure out ways to implement habits, routines, and learning strategies that enabled him to succeed as a student. Even after his academic setbacks, Brandon has made it his mission to figure out how the ADHD brain works, now helping other students with executive functioning challenges discipline their gifts at Untapped Learning.

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Brandon joins Joanna to share his journey as he dealt with ADHD in college and how his experience led him to start Untapped Learning. Through Brandon’s story you’ll get to see the reality of what it’s like to have a neurodiverse challenge and hopefully gain hope for yourself or a loved one of yours. Listen in to gain insight on navigating ADHD in college and the real world.

What You Will Learn

• The contrasting careers that Brandon was able to see growing up in his family 
• Brandon’s overwhelming experience in college 
• Having ADHD in college
• The importance of having good mentors as a young adult
• Brandon’s journey as he navigated career paths
• Life is not linear!
• The reality of what it looks like to work through executive function challenges
• The importance of having discipline and a routine

Connect with Brandon Slade

• Untapped Learning
• Email here

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

• Lilley Consulting
• Lilley Consulting on Instagram 
• Lilley Consulting on Facebook 
• Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast
• Success is Subjective on Google Podcast
• Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio
• Success is Subjective on Spotify
• Success is Subjective on Stitcher
• Success is Subjective on Amazon
• Success is Subjective on Audible
• Success is Subjective on Tune in Radio
• Sponsored by: College Parent Survival Network
• Email [email protected]

You don’t need to immediately commit to something for the rest of your life straight out of high school. In fact, this is the perfect time to try anything and everything to see what you do and don’t like. Maybe it takes one random college class that sparks a life-long passion or requires taking a chance on the young adult group your friend keeps inviting you to. You never know what one thing you try will end up clicking and changing your life. 

 Megan Barker, actor and Director Digital Marketing of Launch Centers, didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life until she was forced to take an acting class. It was then when she fell in love with acting and hasn’t stopped chasing after her acting dreams since. From moving to LA, starring in a Lifetime movie, and numerous short films, Megan has definitely brought those dreams to life. Alongside her acting career she works at Launch Centers where she gives back to the young adult community, encouraging them to find and pursue their own passions.

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Megan joins Joanna to share her journey as she pursues her passion for acting all while navigating the many challenges that come with adulting. Listen in to get a look at how success doesn’t have to look picture perfect and gain insight from Megan’s perspective on finding and pursuing your passions.

What You Will Learn

• What it was like growing up as a high achieving only child
• When Megan knew she wanted to pursue acting as a career
• Megan’s first job at a young adult program
• The major adulting learning curve that Megan had to endure when she moved away from home
• The reality of what it usually looks like coming out of high school. Trial and error is normal!
• The importance in having a passion that you’re actively pursuing in every stage of life

Connect with Megan Barker

Megan Liz on Instagram

Launch Centers Website

Megan Barker Website

Email [email protected]

Picture Perfect Lies Movie

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Success is Subjective on Google Podcast

Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio

Success is Subjective on Spotify

Success is Subjective on Stitcher

Success is Subjective on Amazon

Success is Subjective on Audible

Sponsored by: College Parent Survival Network

Email [email protected]

Where you are, is where you’re at, not who you are. It’s not about performative milestones as much as it is about the development process. The timeline you’re on right now doesn’t define you or the outcome of your life so throw the timeline out!

Jason and Debbie Grygla are the owners of TechieForLife, a specialized mentoring program for neurodiverse young adults. Both Jason and Debbie have quite different timelines from each other and have been able to see a vast variety of timelines with their own children and with the young adults at TechieForLife. While both of their journey’s look different, they both ended up in similar careers they have a huge passion for. Jason, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, got there faster after some trial and error, and Debbie took a much different approach, eventually becoming a Certified Life Coach and the Admissions & Marketing Director for TechieForLife, after years of cutting hair and homeschooling.

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Jason and Debbie Grygla join Joanna to share their developmental timeline, as they like to call it. The differences in their stories goes to show that where you are right now truly doesn’t define you. Listen in on how Jason and Debbie encourage parents and young adults with stepping into adulthood and gain insight from their own personal experiences.

What You Will Learn

• The challenges Debbie experienced in school that resulted in her college dreams getting crushed
• How transformative Jason’s 2 year gap year was for him
• What brought Debbie to pursue cutting hair 
• How Jason and Debbie met
• How both of their journey’s shifted once they got married
• The spontaneous move to China to teach English
• Jason’s journey as a therapist 
• How fostering and adopting two austic boy encouraged Jason and Debbie to start TechieForLife 
• Where Jason and Debbie have seen the most growth and experience in their lives
• What they’ve learned throughout their challenges as parents

Connect with Jason and Debbie Grygla

Techie For Life Website

Jason and Debbie Website

Autism and Neurodiversity with Jason and Debbie Podcast

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Success is Subjective on Google Podcast

Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio

Success is Subjective on Spotify

Success is Subjective on Stitcher

Sponsored by: College Parent Survival Network

Email [email protected]

Accept the call to adventure –that’s really all that being a young adult is. A time full of trial and error, exploration and growth. For many, these years are the foundation that transforms you as a person and impacts the trajectory of your life. So, take action and accept the call to adventure!

Licensed Social Worker, John Conway, did just that –accepted the call to adventure every chance he got. From taking advantage of just about every opportunity college had available, to traveling to adventure therapy programs all over the country, and internationally. John was even part of the founding team for one of the first transitional living programs located in a major metropolitan setting! You can now find him doing what he does best teaching and working with young adults as a therapeutic educational consultant.

In this episode of Success is Subjective, John joins Joanna to share the most transformational years of his life as a young adult and how they have shaped where he is now. From studying to be a marine biologist to working in psychiatric care, community mental health, wilderness therapy, adventure therapy for 25 years, John has quite the story! Listen in for insight on how vital embracing the adventure and trials of your young adulthood is on your future as a whole.

What You Will Learn

John’s high school experience and how it prepared him for college

How helpful having a good guidance counselor was on John’s college exploration process

What made John want to become a marine biologist

Why liberal arts schools can be so beneficial

What ignited John’s interest in psychology and adventure therapy

John’s first job after college as a psych tech at a psych hospital

What the next 25 years looked like for him in the psychology field 

How the first ever city based program came about 

Accepting the trials in life as a young adult and as the parent of a young adult

Connect with John Conway

Conway Therapeutic Consulting 

Email [email protected] 

Call 815-814-1469

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Success is Subjective on Google Podcast

Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio

Success is Subjective on Spotify

Success is Subjective on Stitcher

Sponsored by: College Parent Survival Network

Email [email protected]

Your twenties are some of the MOST formative years of your life and possibly one of the most important decades of your life. From molding your character, to allowing you to explore career options and passions, and discovering the world. These years are full of discovery, exploration and growth.   

Herb Crimp, owner of Desert Highlights, found his 20’s to be some of the most impactful years of his life, shaping where he is now. He went into college with no idea of what he wanted to do and it wasn’t until he was introduced to wilderness recreation by a friend when he found what lights him up day in and out. Now, Herb is running a guided canyoneering program where he shares his enthusiasm for traveling through remote canyons, for a living!

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Herb joins Joanna to share his journey going from lost in college and majoring in economics, to running a wilderness business that he loves. Through a lot of self discovery, hands-on experience and mentorship, he has been able to find a true sense of success for himself. Listen in for Herb’s insight on how he took advantage of the most formative years of his life and where it has taken him.

What You Will Learn

Growing up with the idea that the military or college are the only acceptable venues following high school

How Herb got introduced to wilderness recreation 

Where his degree in recreational parks and tourism took him following college

The incredible business opportunity that Herb received after working in wilderness therapy for 8 years

How big of a role mentorship and hands on experience played in Herb’s education

The importance in being honest and real with yourself along your success journey 

The canoe metaphor

Connect with Herb Crimp

 Desert Highlights

Email [email protected]  

Call 435-259-4433 

Desert Highlights on Instagram

Desert Highlights on Facebook 

Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Lilley Consulting

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Success is Subjective on Google Podcast

Success is Subjective on iHeart Radio

Success is Subjective on Spotify

Success is Subjective on Stitcher

Success is Subjective on Amazon

Sponsored by: College Parent Survival Network

Email [email protected]