In this episode of Success Is Subjective, drama therapist and trauma specialist Maya Kruger invites us into a story shaped by creativity, resilience, and a life-altering turning point. Raised in Israel by academic parents, Maya felt caught between expectations and her love for theater—until an unexpected event in her final year of high school changed everything. What followed was a journey through military service, an Outward Bound program in Colorado, and a leap of faith into NYU’s drama therapy program. Along the way, Maya discovered that true impact doesn’t require a spotlight—it requires presence, compassion, and emotional courage. Now a licensed therapist and mother of two, she blends artistry and trauma work to help others navigate their own breaking points. This conversation is a testament to the quiet power of reinvention and the many ways we define success beyond the stage.

Maya’s Resources:

Website

Instagram

Outward Bound

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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On this episode of Success is Subjective, Joanna brings you another story from our special former participant series where she invites former participants to recount their personal journey. Today’s former participant is Holly Wilson. Raised in the tight-knit mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado, the constant visibility of small-town life motivated Holly to stay on top of her game. A self-proclaimed “perfectionist” with a track record of exceptional performance and ambition, it came as no surprise when she was awarded a full-ride scholarship to the University of Colorado Boulder. As she transitioned into college life—where the external pressure to maintain perfection diminished—Holly discovered new dimensions of her identity beginning to surface. A different version of herself began to take shape: one that craved freedom and fun, often fueled by alcohol. This shift ultimately landed the once-driven student on academic probation during her very first semester. After switching majors, relocating to Los Angeles in pursuit of an acting career, and surviving a devastating and unforeseeable accident, Holly found herself with no more guardrails to stop her descent into full-blown addiction.

Embracing recovery wholeheartedly, Holly tackled the deep emotional work required for healing with resilience and clarity. On the other side of addiction, she uncovered a calling: to help establish a treatment center designed specifically for women’s unique needs. As the founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Women’s Recovery in Denver, Holly brings a bold, forward-thinking voice to the conversation around mental health and substance use recovery, championing a vision for women to lead whole, healthy, and authentically integrated lives.

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**

Holly’s Resources:

Women’s Recovery

Connect with Joanna Lilley

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #AddictionRecovery #WomensRecovery #HealthyBoundaries #Recovery #TraumaRecovery #TherapyJourney

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 who feel comfortable sharing their journey with others. Today’s former participant is Phil Nutt. Phil grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, where by most standards, he had a relatively normal upbringing and was a fairly normal boy – minus anger issues that plagued him from a young age. By the time he was 15 years old, Phil became a full blown alcoholic and his addiction only got worse with time as drugs were thrown into the mix of his substances. Come freshman year of college, Phil’s life was spinning out of control as the decisions he made while under the influence became intensely dangerous. Phil shares with listeners an honest look at his off and on treatment journey and what ultimately gave him the desire and ability to maintain his sobriety. He also explains the meaningful work he does today as he helps young men who are in a similar position as he was when he was younger.

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**

Phil’s Resources:

Choice House Addiction Treatment Center

Legacy Treatment Center

Jaywalker Lodge

The Retreat

The Bridge to Recovery

Connect with Joanna Lilley

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #YoungAdults #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #StudentMentalHealth #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SelfEsteem #ParentingAdvice #ParentingTeens #SuccessfullAdults #ChoiceHouse #Recovery #AddictionTreatment #RecoveryIsPossible

Growing up in the 70s, Elaine was given mixed messaging regarding her expected future role as a woman. As an adult, it didn’t take long before she was in full pursuit of trying to change the world, one person at a time. After becoming a mom, Elaine found herself needing to step aside from political activism to focus more on her children, whom she realized struggled more than she expected. With a fiery passion and deep desire to help others, Elaine began to direct her efforts towards helping parents of neurodiverse children, in tangible and compelling ways. Co-founding Impact Parents was the result of a major mindset shift and earning her coaching certification—both shaped by a decade of deep personal challenges in her parenting journey. On today’s Success is Subjective episode, Elaine Taylor- Klaus explains to listeners the powerful work she is doing to make a tremendous impact on the neurodiverse community at large. She also infuses some of the most hopeful encouragement and advice for parents who are both grieving their child’s life outcomes and working overtime as they try to push their child to succeed in the same ways as their neurotypical peers. If you're facing challenges in your parenting journey, this episode offers encouragement and insight you won't want to miss.

Elaine’s Resources:

Website: Impact Parents

IG: @ImpactParents

YouTube: ImpactParents

Parenting with Impact Podcast

Back On Track Virtual Summit

Connect with Joanna Lilley

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #YoungAdults #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #StudentMentalHealth #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SelfEsteem #ParentingAdvice #ParentingTeens #SuccessfullAdults #RaisingComplexKids #ParentCoaching #ImpactParents #BackOnTrackSummit

Today’s Success is Subjective guest is Dr. Tim Jordan. Dr. Jordan is a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician with over 30 years of experience helping girls ages 5–25 navigate the challenges of growing up. Inspired by his five younger sisters, he developed a unique ability to connect with girls and went on to train under renowned pediatrician Dr. T. Berry Brazelton at Harvard. He’s the founder of Camp Weloki for Girls and leads retreats and school programs that empower girls to build confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. Dr. Jordan is the author of several parenting and self-help books, including Sleeping Beauties, Awakened Women and She Leads. His podcast Raising Daughters offers weekly insights on mindset, identity, family culture, and emotional health. He’s sitting down with Joanna to share with all of you listeners some of the wisdom he has gained over many years as not only a parent himself, but as an expert parenting coach and girls’ development specialist.

Dr. Jordan’s Resources:
Raising Daughters Podcast
https://drtimjordan.com/

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

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #YoungAdults #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #StudentMentalHealth #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SelfEsteem #ParentingAdvice #ParentingTeens #FailureToLaunch #LeavingTheNest #SuccessfullAdults #CampWelokiForGirls #StrongGirlsStrongWorld #DrTimJordan #ParentingAdvice #RaisingDaughters #RaisingDaughtersPodcast

Dr. Jack Stoltzfus is today’s Success is Subjective guest. Dr. Stoltzfus is a psychologist, author, and expert in helping young adults make a healthy transition into independence. With a warm and practical approach, he works with both parents and teens to navigate the often tricky process of “leaving the nest.” Drawing from years of experience and research, Dr. Stoltzfus helps families understand the emotional and developmental shifts that come with growing up — and offers tools to support young people in becoming confident, capable adults. Today, he’s telling listeners about his work and reminds individuals to create space for growth while maintaining strong, respectful family connections, whenever possible.

Dr. Stoltzfus’s Resources:

Facebook: Parents Letting Go: American's Launch Coach

Website

The Parents Launch Code

Connect with Joanna Lilley

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #YoungAdults #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #StudentMentalHealth #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SelfEsteem #ParentingAdvice #ParentingTeens #FailureToLaunch #LeavingTheNest #SuccessfullAdults #TheParentsLaunchCode

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’s former participant is Kelly Wu. Kelly shares how as a raging teen with pent up emotion, her outward circumstances and outcomes began to reflect her inner turmoil. Her first attempt at treatment was unsuccessful due to the fact that she was still an adolescent who was being forced, without deciding she wanted it for herself, nor having the cognitive processing and brain development necessary to understand that it was good for her. Taking 10 years to obtain only a few credits at a 2-year community college, Kelly finally realized sobriety was something she wanted and was willing to work for. Today, Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, the chief operating officer at PCH Treatment and also works as an individual therapist.

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**

Kelly’s Resources:

PCH Treatment

Connect with Joanna Lilley

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #YoungAdults #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #StudentMentalHealth #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SelfEsteem #ParentingAdvice #ParentingTeens #SubstanceUseRecovery #SubstanceUsePrevention #Sobriety #SobrietyJourney

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’s former participant is Ryan McGinty. Ryan holds a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling and has a successful career as a leader in the therapeutic treatment field. He’s most proud of the life he has built in Sedona, Arizona with his wife and two children. While in many senses, Ryan has “arrived” and found his path in career, family and internal peace, it took him many years to get to where he is today. He explains to listeners the beauty of growing up with parents who instilled in their children the significance of choosing sobriety after they both recovered from substance use, and with one of his parents being a counselor and the profound lessons he was privileged to earn at a young age. He also shares the irony of how, after all his parents instilled in him, he still ended up abusing substances. What started off as just trying marijuana once, ended up spiraling him into many years of addiction with more intense substances. While it took Ryan a continual commitment to recovery, a decade of college and multiple career changes, Ryan eventually realized his purpose and passion and now helps others who struggle in similar ways as he once did.

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**

Ryan’s Resources:

Red Mountain Sedona

Connect with Joanna Lilley

Therapeutic Consulting Association

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Facebook

Lilley Consulting on YouTube
Email joanna@lilleyconsulting.com

#TherapeuticConsulting #LilleyConsulting #Successful #YoungAdults #TherapeuticPrograms #Therapy #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #PodcastCommunity #StudentMentalHealth #TheJourney #SuccessIsSubjectivePodcast #TheUnpavedRoad #PFCAudioVideo #SelfEsteem #ParentingAdvice #ParentingTeens #SubstanceUseRecovery #SubstanceUsePrevention #Sobriety #SobrietyJourney