What do you do when your own mind tries to convince you that your life doesn’t matter?

Ryan Penley sits down with Joseph M. Lenard, a suicide attempt survivor who overcame addiction to Xanax and battled leukemia — and came back with a message about the value of life.

Joseph opens up about mental health, suicidal ideation, and the moment he realized every life carries meaning. He shares how creativity and writing became part of his healing journey, and how storytelling can become a lifeline for others.

We discuss:

• Addiction recovery and resilience
• Leukemia and facing mortality
• Suicide prevention and choosing life
• The butterfly effect of small positive actions
• Creativity as therapy
• Faith, personal responsibility, and the Christitutionalist philosophy

Joseph says it plainly:

“I am a suicide attempt survivor.”

This episode is a reminder that your life matters — even when your mind tries to convince you otherwise.

If you’ve ever questioned your value, this conversation is for you.

🔗 Connect with Joseph M. Lenard

🌐 https://JosephMLenard.us
🔗 https://linktr.ee/jlenarddetroit
𝕏 https://x.com/JLenardMichigan

🔗 Connect with Ryan Penley

🌊 https://www.ryanpenley.org