Episode 024 — Overcoming the Cancer Curveball with Joelle Kaufman

When cancer shows up, most people brace for the worst. In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with Joelle Kaufman, who reframes cancer as a curveball you can learn to recognize, adapt to—and ultimately crush. With equal parts candor and humor, Joelle shares how she navigated a multi-generational cancer legacy and transformed her own triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis into one of the happiest, most purposeful seasons of her life.

Joelle Kaufman is the author of Crushing the Cancer Curveball and the host of Kicking Cancer’s Ass, a podcast dedicated to helping people replace victim narratives with victory laps. Drawing on decades of lived experience and a 25-year career building technology companies in Silicon Valley, Joelle teaches a powerful “Curveball Approach” that helps people reclaim agency, build resilience, and create meaning—no matter what life throws.

Key Takeaways

· You never choose the pitch, but you always choose the swing: curveballs happen—your response is where your power lives.

· Waiting and uncertainty can be the hardest part—create practical “next steps” to reclaim control.

· “Happiness tripwires” aren’t fluff—they can change your physiology, your mindset, and your experience of treatment.

Timestamps
00:00 — Introduction: turning the cancer curveball into a catalyst

02:00 — Joelle’s mantra: “You never choose the pitch, but you always choose the swing”

05:30 — The hardest moment: telling her children the day before surgery

10:30 — Family legacy + a different relationship with cancer: “We talk about it to face it”

16:00 — The brutal reality of waiting—and how to stay out of “what if” spirals

19:30 — What felt impossible: traveling to see her son play college baseball during treatment

24:30 — The power of support systems + building “happiness tripwires”

30:00 — How to ask for help (without pity) and what not to send a cancer patient

36:00 — The turning point: PET scan clarity + treatment response

41:00 — The mindset shift: power over victimhood, rest as recharging

46:00 — Life after cancer: clarity, boundaries, purpose, and saying yes more

51:00 — Final advice: you don’t have to do this alone; strength doesn’t mean solo

Connect with Joelle

· Website: https://joellekaufman.com
· Podcast: Kicking Cancer’s Ass (listen wherever you get your podcasts)

· Substack: https://substack.com/@joellekaufman

Recommended Resources

· Crushing the Cancer Curveball, Joelle Kaufman https://a.co/d/iF4xoYx

· Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, Richard Carlson https://a.co/d/bWSOjxG

Credits
Host: Anne Vryonides
Guest: Joelle Kaufman

Disclaimer
The content in this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, medical, or mental health advice.

Please follow, download, and rate Overcoming Anything so this podcast can reach the people who need it most.
❤️ Anne

#OvercomingAnything #CancerSurvivor #BreastCancerAwareness #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #CancerSupport #CancerJourney #Resilience #MindsetMatters #EmotionalHealing #HealingJourney #HopeAndHealing #PersonalGrowth #MentalStrength #SelfCompassion #Neuroplasticity #CBTTools #GratitudePractice #SupportSystem #ChooseYourSwing #SecondChances #InspirationDaily #PodcastRecommendations #PodcastInterview #PodcastHost #WomenInPodcasting #StoriesThatHeal #TransformationStory #HealthAndWellness #LifeAfterCa

Episode 023 — Overcoming Judgement to Build a Life-Saving Mission with John David Graham

When the world labels you as “unwanted,” “dangerous,” or “beyond redemption,” what does it take to stand your ground and build something that changes lives? In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with John David Graham, a man who faced fear, prejudice, and legal battles to create one of the most impactful reentry housing programs in the Midwest. John shares how he and his wife Kathy transformed opposition into opportunity, turning hostility into hope for thousands of formerly incarcerated men and women seeking a second chance.

John David Graham is the founder of Good Samaritan Home, a housing and mentoring program helping men and women rebuild their lives after prison, drawing on a lifetime of work as a minister, journalist, counselor, contractor, and community advocate. He is also the award-winning author of Running As Fast As I Can and credits the success of his work—and his life—to the unwavering support of his wife of 47 years, Kathy.

3 Key Takeaways:

1.Fear dissolves when you lead with integrity- Standing on your values, even when the community pushes back, builds long-term trust.
2. Small acts create big courage- It’s the thousands of daily moral choices that prepare you for life’s defining moments.
3. Redemption changes communities- When people are given structure, dignity, and support, transformation becomes inevitable.

Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome & John’s powerful life introduction
05:10 — From homelessness to founding Good Samaritan Home
12:30 — Facing community backlash, lawsuits, and racial fear
21:45 — The courtroom moment that changed everything
29:10 — How kindness rebuilt a hostile town
37:00 — Leadership, conscience, and moral courage
45:20 — John’s novel and storytelling as healing
52:00 — Where to connect with John & Good Samaritan Home

Links & Resources

John David Graham’s Website: https://johndavidgraham.com/
Good Samaritan Home: https://goodsamaritanhome.org
John’s Substack (social commentary): https://johndavidgraham.substack.com
John’s Book — Running As Fast As I Can: https://www.amazon.com/Running-As-Fast-Can-ebook/dp/B0CKK418FB/

Connect with John David Graham

Facebook: https://facebook.com/JGrahamAuthor
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jgrahamauthor
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jgrahamauthor

Books Mentioned & Recommended

Running As Fast As I Can — John David Graham,
Bonhoeffer (biography)
Biographies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
John Lewis (biographies)
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich — William L. Shirer
Lonesome Dove — Larry McMurtry
The Nightingale — Kristin Hannah
The Winter Garden — Kristin Hannah
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue — V.E. Schwab

If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs proof that it is never too late to rebuild a life, reclaim dignity, and make a meaningful impact.

❤️ Anne

Disclaimer

The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy, diagnosis, legal, or medical care.

#OvercomingAnything #OvercomingAnythingPodcast #AnneVryonides #Podcast #PodcastDiscovery #ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcasts #NewEpisode #PodcastGrowth #ParentingSuppor

Episode 022 — Overcoming Overprotecting Our Kids with Dr. Diane Olvera

If your parenting comes from deep love but still feels exhausting, overwhelming, or tense, you’re not doing it wrong—you may just be doing too much for your child instead of with them.

In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with Dr. Diane Olvera, a former diplomat and intelligence professional turned board-certified educational therapist, to explore how overprotecting—often rooted in care and fear—can quietly limit confidence, self-trust, and independence.

Dr. Diane Olvera is a board-certified educational therapist and former diplomat who helps parents and educators build connection without control. Drawing on decades of experience in diplomacy, education, and brain research, she teaches practical communication tools that foster self-aware, confident, and resilient children at any age.3

Key Takeaways

• Overprotecting often comes from love—but can unintentionally take away confidence and self-trust
• Children build responsibility and self-esteem when parents ask instead of tell and name positive behavior
• Awareness, eye contact, language, and open conversations are the foundation of real connection

Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome & introduction
03:15 — From diplomacy and intelligence work to educational therapy
08:40 — Why overprotecting feels loving—but limits growth
15:20 — Awareness and eye contact: the unseen drivers of connection
23:10 — “Ask, don’t tell”: how responsibility is built
31:45 — How language becomes identity and self-esteem
41:30 — Rebuilding connection with teens and adult children
50:10 — Open conversations, trust, and raising future leaders
57:20 — Dr. Olvera’s core philosophy on confidence and connection

Links & Resources

Dr. Diane Olvera Website: https://drdianera.com
The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower, Dr. Dianne Olvera, https://a.co/d/hJ38V6r
Upcoming Parenting Course: Coming soon

Disclaimer

The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, therapy, diagnosis, or coaching.

If this episode resonated, please share it with a parent, caregiver, or educator who wants to guide children with confidence—without rescuing them.

❤️ Anne

#OvercomingAnything #OvercomingAnythingPodcast #AnneVryonides #Podcast #PodcastDiscovery #ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcasts #NewEpisode #PodcastGrowth #ParentingSupport #ConsciousParenting #RaisingConfidentKids #ParentChildConnection #EmotionalIntelligence #MindfulParenting #FamilyCommunication #ResilientFamilies #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment

Episode 021 — Overcoming Old Identities with Asia Dore

If your business (or life) no longer fits who you’re becoming, you’re not “behind”—you’re evolving. In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with Asia Dore, a brand strategist who helps entrepreneurs shed outgrown identities and step into their next era with clarity and confidence. Asia shares her own pivot from photographer to strategist, the grief of letting go, and the simple brand framework that makes reinvention feel actionable—even when you’re in the messy middle.

Asia Dore is a brand strategist on a mission to simplify and revolutionize the concept of branding so every entrepreneur can take full advantage of it to grow their business. She has helped hundreds of business owners build effective, profitable brands that empower them to leverage their unique expertise.

3 Key Takeaways
• The “messy middle” is part of transformation—reinvention requires the uncomfortable in-between
• If you want to be recognized for a new identity, you must consistently communicate it with a clear core message
• Branding becomes simple when you define: what you do, who it’s for, how you do it differently, and why it matters

Timestamps
00:00 — Welcome & introduction
02:10 — The mantra that reframes growth: undoing yourself
06:30 — Asia’s pivot: photographer to brand strategist
12:20 — The grief and guilt of letting go of an old identity
18:10 — How to bridge the gap when your audience knows you for something else
24:40 — “What feels icky?” Finding the signal that it’s time to pivot
30:20 — Standing out without being flashy: the power of a core message
36:10 — Personal brand vs business brand: how to decide
41:20 — Fear, doubt, and the antidote: facts, proof, and real-life evidence
47:00 — Asia’s 5-part branding foundation (simple, repeatable, effective)
53:30 — Next step: Asia’s masterclass + where to connect

Links & Resources
Asia’s Expert Branding Masterclass: https://asiadore.com/masterclass

Links for Asia Dore: https://asiadore.com | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Pinterest | YouTube

Disclaimer
The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, therapy, diagnosis, or coaching.

Please share this episode with an entrepreneur (or anyone in transition) who’s outgrown an old identity and needs permission—and a framework—to step into what’s next.

❤️ Anne

#OvercomingAnything #OvercomingAnythingPodcast #AnneVryonides #Podcast #PodcastDiscovery #ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcasts #NewEpisode #PodcastGrowth #PersonalGrowth #IdentityShift #Reinvention #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessMindset #BrandStrategy #PersonalBrand #BrandingTips #ThoughtLeadership #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #OnlineBusiness #MindsetShift #ConfidenceBuilding #PurposeDriven #ResilienceStories

Episode 020 — Overcoming Depression, Anxiety & Emotional Trauma with Mark Blacknell

When depression and anxiety become your identity, it can feel like there’s no way out—only survival. In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with Mark Blacknell, a former Marine who grew up in working-class Philadelphia, served time in jail, and fought through severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Today, Mark supports death row inmates and senior citizens in nursing homes, and shares a grounded, no-fluff approach to healing: stop, address it, get support, and build a daily practice—one moment at a time.

Mark Blacknell is a former Marine and meditation practitioner ordained in the Soto Zen tradition. After years of living with severe anxiety and depression, Mark’s message is simple and powerful: healing starts when you stop running, address what’s happening, and practice—one step at a time.

3 Key Takeaways
• You can acknowledge mental illness without shame—and that honesty can be the beginning of healing
• Recovery is practical: stop, address it, resist the “escape routes,” and use available resources
• Meditation doesn’t require perfection—just the commitment to “sit on the mat” consistently

Timestamps
00:00 — Welcome & introduction
03:10 — “One step at a time” and practicing presence
06:30 — Naming mental illness without shame
10:40 — How anxiety and depression hijack the body and identity
15:20 — Rock bottom, suicidal thoughts, and not giving up
20:30 — Leaving everything behind and traveling to Israel (turning point)
27:10 — Meditation retreats, Zen, and the power of daily practice
35:40 — How meditation helps death row inmates and seniors
41:30 — What to do when anxiety shows up in your body
47:10 — Practical guidance: stop, get help, and don’t complicate it
54:20 — Where to connect with Mark + Kashi ashram

Links & Resources
Mark’s Website: https://www.stareatthewall.org/
Kashi Ashram (Retreat / Community): https://www.kashi.org/
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: https://a.co/d/1Uug04F

Immediate Support & Crisis Lines
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7, free & confidential)
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (treatment referral & information)

Finding Treatment & Providers
Find mental and substance use disorder treatment facilities, https://findtreatment.gov/
Find support, understand common questions, connect with professionals, https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support

Credits
Host: Anne Vryonides
Guest: Mark Blacknell

Disclaimer
The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional therapy, diagnosis, treatment, or medical care. If you are in crisis, call/text 988 or seek emergency support immediately.

Please follow, download, and rate Overcoming Anything so this podcast can reach the people who need it most.

❤️ Anne

#OvercomingAnything #OvercomingAnythingPodcast #AnneVryonides #Podcast #PodcastLife #MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #DepressionSupport #AnxietyRelief #PTSDRecovery #TraumaHealing #HealingJourney #NervousSystemHealing #MeditationPractice #Mindfulness #SelfCompassion #RecoveryIsPossible #EndTheStigma #ItsOkayToNotBeOkay #ResilienceStories #PersonalGrowthJourney #PodcastDiscovery #ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcasts #NewEpisode #PodcastGrowth

Episode 019 — Overcoming AI Resistance with Al Kuschner

AI can feel overwhelming, intimidating, and even threatening—especially if you don’t come from a technical background. In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with Al Kushner, a thought leader, award-winning author, and innovator in AI-driven personal branding, to explore how anyone can overcome resistance to AI and use it as a powerful ally instead of a threat.

Al shares how he went from navigating steep learning curves to becoming an AI authority—building his own AI “board of advisors” and using AI agents to save time, grow his business, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.

About Al Kushner
Al Kushner is the author of The AI LinkedIn Advantage and host of The AI Authority Edge podcast. He helps professionals and entrepreneurs leverage AI authentically—without losing their voice—to build influence, visibility, and competitive advantage.

3 Key Takeaways
• AI won’t replace you—people who know AI will
• Authenticity matters more than automation
• Small daily habits beat perfection when learning new technology

Timestamps
00:00 — Welcome & introduction
04:20 — Procrastination and building daily habits
09:30 — The biggest challenges learning AI
15:10 — Staying authentic while using AI
22:40 — Creating AI agents as advisors
30:15 — Using multiple AI platforms strategically
38:00 — AI for business, marketing, and claims disputes
46:30 — Beginner steps for AI-resistant professionals
54:10 — Recommended tools, podcasts, and books

Links & Resources
Website: https://www.alkushner.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alkushner
Podcast: The AI Authority Edge

Books Mentioned (Amazon Links)
The AI LinkedIn Advantage by Al Kushner, https://a.co/d/6TwuKG7

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, https://a.co/d/7P4Xl7i

Credits
Host: Anne Vryonides
Guest: Al Kushner

Disclaimer
The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional business, legal, or technical advice.

Please follow, download, and rate Overcoming Anything so this podcast can reach the people who need it most.

❤️ Anne

Episode 018 — Overcoming Traumatic Death with Father Nathan Castle, O.P.

What if some souls get “stuck” after traumatic deaths?

In this episode of Overcoming Anything, host Anne Vryonides sits down with Father Nathan Castle, a Dominican priest who has spent more than 25 years helping over 500 souls who died suddenly—through accidents, suicides, overdoses, and other traumas—adjust to life after death.

These souls come to him in dreams seeking healing for what he calls Interrupted Death Experiences. This episode explores what happens after sudden death, why some souls struggle to transition, and how healing continues beyond the physical world.

About Father Nathan Castle
For more than 25 years, Dominican priest Father Nathan Castle, O.P., has helped hundreds of souls who died suddenly find peace and move forward after death. These spirits visit him in dreams, seeking understanding and closure. He is the author of Afterlife, Interrupted (Books 1 & 2) and teaches worldwide about healing, forgiveness, and spiritual transition.

3 Key Takeaways
• Healing continues after death — unresolved trauma doesn’t end with the body.
• Inner work matters now — honesty, self-awareness, and emotional clearing help both the living and the departed.
• Love is the bridge — compassion and forgiveness guide all souls toward peace.

Timestamps
00:00 — Welcome & introduction
04:10 — What is an Interrupted Death Experience™?
09:30 — How Father Nathan began receiving souls in dreams
15:20 — Why traumatic deaths create disorientation
22:45 — The role of forgiveness after death
30:00 — Stories of souls who needed help crossing
38:50 — What these experiences teach the living
47:15 — How to begin your own inner spiritual work
53:00 — Where to connect with Father Nathan

Connect with Father Nathan Castle
Website: https://www.fathernathancastle.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fathernathancastle
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherNathanCastle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatherNathanCastle

Books
Afterlife, Interrupted (Book 1), Father Natan Castle — https://a.co/d/aj6dsJ2

Afterlife, Interrupted II (Book 2) — https://a.co/d/9LX2J2K

Afterlife, Interrupted III (Book 3) — https://a.co/d/8qMgY8v

Credits
Host: Anne Vryonides
Guest: Father Nathan Castle, O.P.

Disclaimer
The content of this episode is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional spiritual, medical, or mental-health advice.

Please follow, download, and rate Overcoming Anything so this podcast can reach the people who need it most.

❤️ Anne

#OvercomingAnything #AnneVryonides #PodcastShow #PodcastLife #SpiritualPodcast #HealingPodcast #TraumaHealing #AfterlifeInterrupted #FatherNathanCastle #LifeAfterDeath #SpiritualityCommunity #PersonalGrowthJourney #ResilienceStories #InspirationDaily #TransformationJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #SpiritualAwakening #EmotionalHealing #PodcastRecommendations #ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcasts #NewPodcastEpisode #PodcastForGrowth #PodcastMovement #PodcastDiscovery

Episode 017: Overcoming Procrastination with Barbara Stone

What if procrastination isn’t a bad habit… but a signal? A sign that something deeper needs attention—clarity, courage, or permission to become who you really are. In this episode of Overcoming Anything, we explore the emotional, mental, and practical layers of procrastination and how to finally move through them with intention.

Barb Stone’s path to “success” wasn’t linear. After 20+ years in senior leadership, she realized she was living someone else’s definition of success—and began studying resilience, positive psychology, and coaching. Today she’s a leadership development coach, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author who helps people redefine success on their own terms and create lives that actually feel aligned.

Key Takeaways

• Why procrastination is rarely about time—and almost always about fear, clarity, or identity
• How to build structure, routines, and momentum when you feel stuck
• The simple 4-step morning routine that helps you beat procrastination before the day even starts

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome & Barb’s mantra: “Grasp the nettle”
• 03:55 – Success on paper, unfulfilled inside
• 10:30 – The calling that became impossible to ignore
• 17:45 – How curiosity helped Barb push through fear and procrastination
• 24:20 – Creating structure when your calendar suddenly opens up
• 31:50 – The 4 steps to starting your day with intention
• 40:15 – Advice for new entrepreneurs and anyone stuck at the screen
• 46:00 – What Barb learned about herself on the journey

Connect with Barbara
Website: barbstone.me

Recommended Resources

• So Much to Drool About by Barbara Stone, https://a.co/d/7yDuzAC
• The Generous Exchange by Maria Sirois, https://a.co/d/0hWL70u
• The Practice by Seth Godin, https://a.co/d/eX8ZNEL
• The Bigger Game by Rick Tamlyn, https://a.co/d/3PoXNxR

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who’s struggling with procrastination and needs tools—not judgment—to move forward. Your shares, follows, and reviews help this show reach the people who need it most.

Credits
Host: Anne Vryonides
Guest: Barbara Stone

Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional, medical, psychological, or financial advice. The views and opinions of guests are their own and do not reflect those of the host or the Overcoming Anything podcast.

Please follow, download, and rate Overcoming Anything so this podcast can reach the people who need it most.
❤️ Anne