I Choose Happy With Marilyn

What happens when you finally reach the top… and realize it still isn’t enough?This week on I Choose Happy, Marilyn sits down with Cathy Compton — one of the winningest coaches in college softball history with 2 Halls of Fame — for a profound conversation about success, identity, pressure, purpose, and the climb we all face in life.From building championship teams from the ground up to coaching at the highest levels of the sport, Cathy shares what it really felt like to “make it” — and why the fulfillment she expected at the top of the mountain never came. Together, she and Marilyn explore the hidden emotional cost of achievement, the pressure young athletes face today, the lasting impact of parents and coaches, and the universal feeling so many people carry of “not enough.”But this conversation goes far beyond sports.Cathy opens up about the moment she realized her true purpose wasn’t winning championships — it was helping people see their own worth and potential. Marilyn also shares an emotional reflection on her recent hospitalization and the profound clarity, gratitude, love, and presence that emerged during one of the hardest moments of her life.This is an episode about learning to love the climb instead of chasing the summit. About belonging to yourself. About redefining success. And about understanding that the greatest victories in life often happen far away from the scoreboard.Cathy started a movement called “Creating the One” where people can release what’s “not them” and remove the trapped emotions, disempowering beliefs, patterns and identity traits that keep them stuck and keep them from having what they really want whether it be love, optimal health, success, a purpose in life, or whatever is important to them. Online programs, 1 on 1 or group coaching, retreats and more are available. Connect with Cathy on Facebook messenger, or email at [email protected] with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

This week’s I Choose Happy Encore is shared in loving memory of Joseph “Joey” Pangilinan — honoring his extraordinary spirit, courage, and the light he so generously shared with others.When 54-year-old Joseph Pangilinan went to urgent care for a nagging cough, he expected antibiotics and rest. Instead, he walked out with a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer — tumors in his lungs, lesions in his bones, even his brain. Told he might only have months to live, Joseph made a choice: to live fully, with humor, grit, and gratitude.Four and a half years later, Joseph shares how he’s defied the odds, what it means to float from “lily pad to lily pad” with shifting treatments, and why his mantra “motion is medicine” keeps him moving forward. A raw and inspiring conversation about acceptance, family, advocacy, and finding light in the darkest of diagnoses.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

In this episode of I Choose Happy, bestselling author of The Rise Back, Tiffaney Childers, shares her story of surviving the unimaginable: losing both of her parents to suicide just a year apart.What followed wasn’t a clear path to healing… it was years of survival. Silence. Pushing forward the only way she knew how while raising her children, building a life, and carrying grief that had no place to go.It wasn’t until nearly two decades later - when her body could no longer hold what had gone unspoken - that everything began to shift.Tiffaney opens up about the moment that changed everything, the anger she carried, the full-circle realization that brought her closer to her mother’s experience, and the intentional work it took to move from surviving… to truly healing.This is a difficult, but meaningful, discussion on grief, mental health, and what it means to rebuild a life after profound loss.If you’ve ever experienced loss, or are navigating something heavy in your own life, we hope this episode reminds you: you are not alone.A gentle note:This episode includes discussion of suicide and may feel heavy at times. Please take care while listening.This conversation is shared for connection and understanding, and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. If you are struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified professional or someone you trust.If you or someone you know is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the United States, or visit 988lifeline.org to chat with a trained counselor.Connect with Tiffaney:Tiffaney is the author of the bestselling book The Rise Back, where she shares more of her journey through loss, survival, and intentional healing.You can find The Rise Back on Amazon. Learn more about her work, speaking, and resources at https://risesavage.com/ Connect with her on Instagram @tiffaneychilders------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

Just days before the NFL Draft, Marilyn sits down with someone she’s known his entire life: her son, JT Byrne.This is a moment years in the making. But what you’ll hear in this conversation isn’t just about football. It’s about the work behind the dream, the discipline no one sees, and the kind of integrity that’s built long before the moment ever arrives.JT shares what it means to truly discover who you are, how to stay grounded in the face of pressure, and why the work you do when no one’s watching is what ultimately defines you.Together, they reflect on the role of family, the lessons learned through adversity, and the importance of becoming someone you’re proud to be— on and off the field.As JT prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft, this conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about where you end up. It’s about who you become along the way, and who you share that moment with.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

On September 11th, 2001, Jack Grandcolas lost his wife, Lauren, aboard United Flight 93.What followed was a journey no one is ever prepared for.But before that day, Lauren was a woman who lived life wide open—full of curiosity, courage, and heart. And in this conversation, Jack brings us back to that life… while also sharing what it has meant to carry her memory forward.From grief and trauma to healing and perspective, Jack speaks with honesty about what it looks like to move forward without ever leaving love behind.This episode honors Lauren’s life, the courage of those aboard Flight 93, and the quiet strength it takes to keep living after loss.Jack shares more of his journey in his book, Like a River to the Sea. It's a powerful reflection on love, loss, and the enduring nature of the human spirit.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

At 19 years old, Katie Mahon had a chilling encounter in San Francisco with a man she would only later realize was the notorious serial killer, Ted Bundy. What happened that day — and the stranger who appeared at just the right moment — would stay with her for the rest of her life.But this conversation is about more than survival.In this powerful episode, Katie shares how that experience shaped her understanding of intuition, fear, and the mysteries we can’t always explain — and how life continued to bring wave after wave in the years that followed. From devastating grief and anxiety to motherhood, perspective, and her daughter’s current health battle, Katie reflects on what it means to keep overcoming… not just once, but again and again.This is a moving conversation about miracles, presence, and learning to find beauty, gratitude, and meaning even in life’s hardest seasons.Katie is the co-author of The Miracle Chase and The Miracle Collectors, books that explore the extraordinary, unexplainable moments that shape our lives. Available wherever books are sold.Connect with Katie:Instagram: @miraclecollectors__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

This week on I Choose Happy, Marilyn sits down with her longtime friend Steve Georgeson for a deeply honest conversation about what it means to keep living fully when your body begins to change in ways you never expected.Steve was just 29 years old — a new dad, a husband, and a firefighter in the prime of his life — when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In this episode, he shares what it’s been like to live with MS for more than 26 years: the grief of losing ease and mobility, the invisible mental and physical toll of the disease, and the long journey of learning to adapt without losing himself in the process.He also opens up about the challenge of accepting help, the freedom he found in redefining independence, and the perspective that has helped him keep choosing gratitude, connection, and joy.In honor of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, this is a conversation about more than the diagnosis. It’s about identity, family, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up for life... even when life starts to look very different than you imagined.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

At 55 years old, Irene Audet was stepping into a new chapter of life—her children grown, her career evolving, and a sense that life was finally opening up in a new way.Then, everything changed.Diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer despite never having smoked, Irene found herself facing a reality she never expected.In this deeply moving conversation, Irene shares her journey through diagnosis and treatment, and the mindset that has carried her through it. She speaks with honesty about the limits of positive thinking, the power of appreciation, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who love and support you.She also opens up about a deeply personal decision—to live her life fully, without chasing more time, and to choose dignity at the end of her life when she is no longer able to care for herself.This is a conversation about clarity, courage, and what it truly means to live.It also serves as a reminder that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death—even among people who have never smoked—and that listening to your body and advocating for your health matters.Connect with Irene:TikTok: @oneamazinglife__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

ADHD is often misunderstood as a lack of focus. But what if the real challenge is regulating attention?In this episode, Marilyn welcomes back childhood development expert Diane Provo to unpack the truth about ADHD. Together they explore what life feels like inside the ADHD brain, why procrastination and distraction are often misinterpreted, and how creativity, sensitivity, and passion are actually some of the greatest strengths of these minds.From anxiety and dopamine to parenting strategies and classroom challenges, Diane shares practical insights that can help children with attention regulation issues build confidence and thrive.A powerful and compassionate conversation for parents, educators, and anyone seeking to better understand the ADHD brain.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

In honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month this March, we’re re-releasing a conversation that means so much to the I Choose Happy community.Born three months premature while his parents were visiting family on vacation, Adam Bremen entered the world fighting — and he’s been choosing life ever since. Living with cerebral palsy, he grew up in a home rooted in love, creativity, and a belief that limitations don’t define us. His parents taught him early to focus on what he can do — a mindset that continues to shape his life.In this moving episode, Adam shares the experiences that shaped him: the strength of his family, the independence he built through curiosity and grit, the career that fueled his purpose, and the love story that changed his life. He also reflects on navigating profound loss and how he continues to live forward with gratitude, humor, and hope.Adam’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience, connection, and a can-do spirit can carry us through anything life brings.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

Four days after giving birth to her youngest daughter, Lori Hand Jankowski was living in the fullness of new motherhood. Surrounded by her husband, her four children, and the life they had built together.Then, without warning, her heart tore open.What followed was a fight for survival that few people could imagine. Multiple open-heart surgeries. Months in a medically induced coma. And the moment she woke up to learn she would never walk again.Paralyzed from the waist down, Lori was suddenly faced with rebuilding her life... not only as a woman, but as a mother, a partner, and a person trying to make sense of everything she had lost - and everything she still had.In this deeply honest conversation, Lori shares how she navigated motherhood from a wheelchair, the quiet grief and unexpected beauty that lived side by side in her healing, and how the trauma that nearly took her life would eventually reshape her future in ways she never saw coming.This is a story about survival, letting go, and choosing to stay.It's about learning that even when your heart tears open, life can still hold joy on the other side.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

Olympian Nick Cunningham spent his life chasing speed.From a young sprinter growing up in Monterey, California, to representing Team USA on the world’s biggest stage… his identity was built on discipline, belief, and the pursuit of a dream that carried him across the globe - shooting down the ice at nearly 90 miles an hour.But what happens when the dream ends?In this deeply honest conversation, Nick opens up about the unexpected grief that followed his Olympic career; the quiet depression that set in when the structure and identity he had known disappeared, and the difficult question so many high performers face: Who am I now?What followed was not another race - but a return to himself.Today, as a coach and mentor, Nick has found great purpose helping others believe in their own potential, proving that sometimes losing the dream you thought defined you is what leads you to the life you were meant to live.This is a story about identity, resilience, and discovering that the finish line isn’t the end of the story.It’s where a new one begins.Connect with Nick on instagram: @bobsledr------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

Actress Suzanne Marie Berman has spent more than fifty years in front of the camera. From her earliest days as a child performer, to a lifelong career in film, television, and national commercials.But behind the spotlight was a personal journey marked by addiction, devastating loss, and the long road back to herself.After the sudden death of her husband, Suzanne made the life-altering decision to get sober. What followed was not a single moment of healing, but a lifelong practice: learning to accept what she could not control, rebuilding relationships, and discovering how to keep moving forward even when life brought unexpected hardship, including a traumatic accident that would test her strength once again.Through it all, Suzanne developed a powerful philosophy: to look for the teacher in every moment.In this deeply honest and inspiring conversation, she shares what it means to move from surviving… to thriving, and how devotion, gratitude, and daily practice can help us reclaim our lives.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse. Please listen with care.Silence can travel quietly through families, shaping how we love, how we cope, and how we survive. In this deeply moving conversation, Marilyn speaks with actor, author, and founder of The Survivor Movement, Perry Power, about what it takes to break that silence and stop cycles of harm from repeating.Perry shares how his own experience as a survivor led him to write Breaking the Silence, build a global community for others to find their voice, and create the upcoming film It Ends With Me. At the heart of his work is a simple, urgent truth: healing begins when one person decides, “it ends with me.”As Perry reflects on purpose, courage, and the cost of silence, his words carry Marilyn back into her own family story - to a chapter she has rarely spoken about before. Together, they explore how secrets shape lives, how truth can liberate, and how speaking out can be both painful and profoundly life-giving.This episode is an invitation to listen gently, to consider where silence lives in your own story, and to remember that telling the truth, even when it’s hard, can be an act of love.Connect with Perry:instagram: @iamperrypoweriamperrypower.com------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

Eating disorders are often misunderstood as struggles with food or willpower — but for many, the story begins much deeper.In this episode of I Choose Happy, Marilyn sits down with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Amy Isabella Chalker for a thoughtful, compassionate exploration of what lives beneath eating disorders.Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, Amy shares how food and body can become a language when emotions have not yet found words; and why curiosity, safety, and relationship are often the true starting points for healing.Together, they discuss the emotional roots of eating disorders, the impact of transitions and identity, the complexity of defining “healthy,” and the importance of moving away from rigid rules toward understanding the whole person.This conversation offers insight and reassurance for anyone navigating their own relationship with food or body — as well as for parents, caregivers, and loved ones seeking to support someone with care and compassion.To learn more about Amy and her work, visit www.aicnutrition.com.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

On October 1st, 1995, Pep Torres’ heart stopped after a devastating car accident on an early morning drive through Watsonville, California.What followed was not darkness, but a near-death experience that would alter the course of his life forever.In this moving conversation, Pep takes Marilyn inside the moments before the crash, the surreal calm that followed, and the strange space between life and what comes next - a place he would later come to call the Boulevard of the Dead.At the time, Pep was a school teacher and basketball coach, focused on his students, his growing family, and the responsibilities of everyday life. But in a single moment, everything changed.As Pep recounts his journey, from survival and raw acceptance to the long road of rehabilitation, he reflects on the experiences that stayed with him long after his physical wounds began to heal, shaping the way he understands life, loss, and the time we’re given.Pep’s book, On the Outskirts of Heaven: A Near-Death Experience Tale of Soul Retrieval, is available now on Amazon.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

Journalist, mother, and advocate Erika Mahoney shares her story of life after her father was killed in a mass shooting in her hometown of Boulder, Colorado.Erika reflects on the shock and disorientation that followed his death, the love and human connection that helped carry her through those early days, and the complexity of grieving while preparing to welcome new life as a first-time mother.She also speaks to what came next: how loss began to take the shape of purpose, and how she committed to staying open, choosing love, and stepping into advocacy in the aftermath of violence.This is a conversation about resilience, and the strength it takes to keep your heart open.Connect with Erika:Instagram: @eri_mahoneySubstack: erikamahoney.substack.comTikTok: @erika.mahoneyListen to Senseless with Erika Mahoney.As part of her advocacy, Erika supports March Fourth, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to reducing gun violence.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

In this episode of I Choose Happy, Marilyn sits down with Jamie Estelle Roth, best-selling author of Should’ve Seen That Coming: Navigating the In-Between Moments of Acceptance, Surrender, & Resilience, to talk about what happens when life changes without warning - and how we learn to meet what comes next.After suddenly losing her eyesight in 2021, Jamie was forced to slow down in ways she never had before. What began as fear and uncertainty became a journey into presence, healing, and a deeper way of seeing herself and the world around her.With honesty, humor, and heart, Jamie shares how losing her sight led her to confront old patterns, release the need to stay busy and brave, and step into a new relationship with her body, her emotions, and most importantly, her spirit. From the quiet in-between moments to the power of surrender without despair, this conversation is a reminder that even when we lose something we thought defined us, so much meaning can still be found.This is a story about resilience, clarity, and choosing to live fully... even when the path looks nothing like what we expected.Connect with Jamie on instagram @jamieestelleroth, or on her website at jamieestelleroth.comPurchase Should've Seen That Coming: Navigating the In-Between Moments of Acceptance, Surrender, & Resilience.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

What happens when cancer enters your life... and then returns years later?Scott Miller was diagnosed with throat cancer for the first time in his forties. With no family history and no warning, his life changed in an instant. What followed was not only treatment and recovery, but a profound internal shift. One that led him to slow down, listen to his body, and approach healing with compassion instead of fear.Fifteen years later, after building a life rooted in presence, peace, and purpose, Scott faced a second cancer diagnosis. In this episode, he shares both chapters of his journey: what he learned the first time, how those lessons shaped the years in between, and how they guided him when the words came back again.This is a conversation about meeting life gently, trusting the body’s wisdom, and choosing love. Through illness, healing, and everything that follows.Connect with Scott on instagram @scottmiller.htf------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

On New Year’s Eve 2025 in New Orleans, best friends Ryan Quigley and Tiger Bech were walking back to their hotel after a night of celebration. In the middle of the noise, crowds, and chaos of Bourbon Street, a terror attack unfolded, taking Tiger’s life and leaving Ryan fighting for his own.What follows is a story of unimaginable grief, physical recovery, and the unthinkable task of learning to live in a world without your very best friend. Ryan and Tiger met as Princeton football teammates - two young men who built a deeply loyal and brother-like bond through playing, living, and growing up side by side.In this conversation, Ryan shares the night everything changed and the remarkable ways Tiger continues to show up long after the attack: through signs, messages, and the quiet echoes of love that remind him he isn’t walking this path alone.This is a story of friendship that refuses to break, of loss that reshapes a life, and of the signs that helped Ryan choose happiness again - even in the aftermath of terror.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

When a series of unlikely events saved Joan Hill’s son, she realized she was witnessing something more than coincidence. That moment became the foundation for her books The Miracle Chase and The Miracle Collectors, and a lifelong exploration of how miracles truly unfold.In this conversation, Joan shares why miracles often arrive quietly, how to recognize them in your own life, and why these moments matter — especially during this season. A thoughtful, comforting episode about wonder, timing, and the gentle ways we’re guided.If you’d like to explore more of Joan’s work, her books The Miracle Chase and The Miracle Collectors are available wherever books are sold.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

This week on I Choose Happy, we sit with Stuart Preston as he shares the deeply personal story of losing his son, Ian, ten years ago — and the unexpected path that helped him begin to heal.Stuart opens up about the moment that changed his life, the shock and the silence that followed, and the long stretch of grief where happiness felt impossible. He then shares how psychedelic medicine became a doorway — not to escape pain, but to understand it, soften it, and eventually make space for peace, presence, and connection.We talk about ego, community, love that outlives the body, and the tender work of letting go without ever losing the bond that remains.This episode is dedicated to the life and memory of Ian Preston — a brilliant, hard working, funny, kind young man, deeply loved by his family. May his story remind us of the importance of speaking openly about mental health, grief, suicide, and the healing paths available to us.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

When the Palisades Fire swept through her neighborhood, Paige Killian had only minutes to react. What followed was a day she’ll never forget — a frantic escape, a series of miracles - big and small, and the beginning of a long emotional journey she never imagined she’d be on.In this conversation, Paige opens up about the fear, the shock, and the quiet moments that hit the hardest in the aftermath. She shares the triggers she didn’t expect, the grief that surfaced in everyday places, and the tools that slowly helped her breathe again. From therapy and faith to the support of her community, Paige walks us through what it looked like to rebuild her life — both inside and out.And true to who she is, Paige also talks about what it means to pivot with intention. As the founder of Everything With Style, and as a bestselling author and mompreneur strategist, she’s spent years teaching women how to simplify, organize, and step confidently into change. That same framework found its way back to her in the months after the fire, helping her reclaim her footing one small step at a time.If you’d like to follow Paige’s work or connect with her, you can find her on Instagram at @everythingwithstylemom or visit her website at everythingwithstyle.com.This is a story about survival, resilience, and choosing hope when everything feels uncertain.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

When Bobby realized he was gay, fear and misunderstanding led to a devastating choice: at 15, he was sent across the country to a Christian conversion program designed to “correct” him.What he endured there — the isolation, the emotional and physical abuse, and the relentless pressure to erase who he was — became one of the darkest chapters of his life.In this episode, Bobby reveals what really happens inside programs built to change a young person’s identity, the moment everything finally broke open, and the long journey that followed as he rebuilt his sense of self, his faith, and his relationship with the people he loves.Bobby’s story shows that after everything he survived, his identity is not something anyone else can define or destroy.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com.

Born three months premature during a family vacation, Adam Bremen entered the world fighting — and he’s been choosing life ever since. Living with cerebral palsy, he grew up in a home overflowing with love, creativity, and a belief that limitations don’t define us. With parents who modeled possibility at every turn, Adam learned early that joy begins with focusing on what you can do.In this powerful conversation, Adam opens up about the moments that shaped him: the strength he found in his family, the independence he built through curiosity and grit, the career that fueled his purpose, and the love story that forever changed his heart. He also shares the profound losses of his father and his wife Rachel — and how he continues to honor them by living forward with gratitude, humor, and hope.Adam’s journey is a testament to resilience, connection, and the quiet courage it takes to keep choosing happy. His story will move you, inspire you, and remind you that a can-do heart can carry us through anything life brings.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

At fifteen, Shaela Warkentin-Avila’s life changed in an instant. A car crash left her blind — but it also revealed a new kind of vision.In the dark, she found clarity.With striking honesty and grace, Shaela opens up about the night that tested her faith, the love that held her together, and the forgiveness that set her free.It’s a story about loss, resilience, and learning to see beauty where you never thought it could exist.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com

In 2009, Colonel Timothy Karcher’s vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Baghdad. The explosion would take both of his legs and change the course of his life. What followed was a journey through pain, perseverance, and perspective. One that revealed the power of humor, leadership, and the will to keep moving forward.This special Veterans Day episode of I Choose Happy honors Colonel Karcher’s extraordinary story, and the countless men and women who have served our country with strength, resilience, and heart.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com.

When Mary Van Alstyne woke up in a hospital after a devastating car crash, she didn’t know where she was, why she was there, or how she’d survived. Her body was broken, her memory blurred — and her only focus was on getting back to her son.What began as a grueling recovery became the start of something much deeper. Through physical therapy, Mary learned to breathe through pain, not yet realizing that single act would become her life’s work. In this episode, she shares how trauma led her to healing, how breath helped her rebuild from the inside out, and why she now dedicates her life to teaching others how to do the same.__________Connect with Mary on Instagram @mevamethod or visit meva.love to learn more about her breathwork and embodiment practice.__________Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired — join today by clicking here.__________Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com__________I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order using the code ICHOSEHAPPY at TheComfy.com.

On the 15th anniversary of her breast cancer diagnosis, host Marilyn Getas Byrne steps to the other side of the microphone to share her own story — a deeply personal journey of fear, faith, and the power of choosing life.From the moment she found a lump at 40 to a near-death experience that reshaped her understanding of belief, Marilyn recounts the odyssey that tested every part of her — body, mind, and spirit. Through loss, financial hardship, and family crisis, she discovered the strength that comes from faith, humor, and human connection.This is the story behind I Choose Happy itself: the moment a journalist, mother, and survivor learned that healing is not the absence of pain — but the courage to choose joy anyway.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

In an age of constant scrolling, comparison, and FOMO, today’s kids are under pressures that previous generations never faced. In this episode of I Choose Happy, Marilyn Getas Byrne sits down with child development specialist Diane Provo, who has spent decades helping families navigate the emotional challenges of modern childhood.Together they explore the hidden cost of social media on self-worth, why “keeping up” is eroding confidence, and how parents can re-center around what really matters. Diane offers practical ways to build resilient kids through humor, perspective, and authentic connection—plus simple tools families can use to create calm and joy at home.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone raising children in a digital world — and a powerful reminder that happiness starts with staying true to yourself.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

When TV news anchor Mindy Basara began feeling a crushing exhaustion she couldn’t explain, doctors told her it was “just perimenopause.” But she knew something deeper was wrong. In this candid conversation, Mindy opens up about her long road to a lupus diagnosis, the invisible battles that came with it, and how she learned to slow down, advocate for herself, and choose joy anyway.From sleepless shifts in the newsroom to learning to rest without guilt, this episode shines a light on what it means to live with an autoimmune disease that can’t always be seen—and how Mindy redefined success, strength, and self-care along the way.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

When Amanda Schneider left for a work trip to San Diego, she was a devoted mom of three, a successful entrepreneur, and happily married. What happened that night in a hotel room would change everything. After unknowingly being drugged and assaulted, Amanda returned home confused, afraid, and unsure how to move forward.In this powerful episode of I Choose Happy, Amanda opens up about the courage it took to tell her husband, the frustration of navigating an imperfect justice system, and the healing that began when she found her voice—and used it. Now the executive director of Amplify Voices, Amanda helps other survivors share their stories, breaking the silence that fuels shame and isolation.This is a story about trauma, truth, and the extraordinary strength that comes from turning pain into purpose.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

Dr. Robb Kelly is known around the world as The Addiction Doctor—a leading specialist who’s worked with celebrities, athletes, and families to break the cycle of addiction. But before he built his reputation as a top authority, he lived through the devastation of alcoholism himself.From playing bass alongside Elton John to sleeping on the streets, Dr. Robb’s life nearly ended in despair. It was his daughter’s plea—“Daddy, please stop drinking”—that changed everything. Today, he combines personal survival with groundbreaking clinical work to help others heal the trauma that fuels addiction.In this candid and unflinching conversation, Dr. Robb explains why addiction is never about the substance itself, the overlooked role of childhood trauma, and why real recovery means addressing the wounds beneath the behavior.This is more than an interview—it’s a window into the mind of one of the world’s most respected voices on addiction and healing.------Learn more about Dr. Robb and his Texas-based practice at RobbKelly.com.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

When Kristin Meece’s daughter was just three years old, she began showing unusual symptoms—excessive thirst, sudden weight loss, and unshakable fatigue. A quick finger prick confirmed what Kristin’s instincts already feared: type 1 diabetes.In this episode of I Choose Happy, Kristin shares the shock of that diagnosis, the steep learning curve that followed, and the resilience her daughter showed from the very first insulin shot. From sleepless nights to moments of advocacy in grocery store aisles and classrooms, Kristin’s story is one of fierce maternal love, community support, and the determination to give her daughter a full, thriving life.This conversation is both a guidepost for parents facing chronic illness and a reminder that joy and strength can live alongside fear and challenge.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

At 13, Jonah Rosas was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Overnight, life shifted from water polo and middle school routines to chemotherapy, hospitals, and the relentless uncertainty of cancer.In this episode of I Choose Happy, Jonah reflects on the resilience it took to keep moving forward, the humor and family support that carried him through, and the relief of finally being told he was “out of the woods.” Now, years later, he’s come full circle—pursuing a PhD in cancer research to help the very patients walking the path he once did.This is a story about survival, perspective, and choosing to transform hardship into purpose.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

When her 14-year-old daughter Claire noticed a mole on her ankle changing, Marianne Banister never imagined it would be the start of a fight for her daughter’s life. Despite careful screenings, sunscreen, and doing “all the right things,” Claire was diagnosed with adolescent melanoma — an aggressive cancer most families don’t even know children can get. By 17, Claire was gone. In this episode, Marianne shares the heartbreak of losing her daughter, the lessons she learned along the way, and how she and her family turned grief into purpose through the Claire Marie Foundation. A conversation about loss, advocacy, and the power of love that never leaves.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

When 54-year-old Joseph Pangilinan went to urgent care for a nagging cough, he expected antibiotics and rest. Instead, he walked out with a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer — tumors in his lungs, lesions in his bones, even his brain. Told he might only have months to live, Joseph made a choice: to live fully, with humor, grit, and gratitude.Four and a half years later, Joseph shares how he’s defied the odds, what it means to float from “lily pad to lily pad” with shifting treatments, and why his mantra “motion is medicine” keeps him moving forward. A raw and inspiring conversation about acceptance, family, advocacy, and finding light in the darkest of diagnoses.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

When Melanie Hatchett's world was shattered by unimaginable loss, grief became a constant companion — a train she couldn’t step off. But along the way, she discovered that sorrow and joy can travel together, and in this raw and powerful conversation, Melanie shares how she learned to honor her pain without letting it define her, and how choosing happiness — even in the shadow of heartbreak — can become a radical act of healing.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

At just eight years old, Keri Chen woke to her little sister saying, “Daddy’s killing mommy.” Her world shattered in that moment, but Keri’s story isn’t about tragedy alone—it’s about the radical power of choosing joy, breaking cycles of generational pain, and building a life rooted in gratitude. Today, Marilyn sits down with Keri to explore how she transformed unthinkable trauma into a life of purpose, connection, and deep love for her family. This conversation is raw, real, and a testament to the truth that while events shape us, they do not have to define us.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

After a devastating accident in the Grand Canyon takes the life of a child, Margot Baker’s world is shattered. What follows is a harrowing journey through grief, survivor's guilt, and the tragic loss of her best friend. But in the silence of her home—and later, in the stillness of the Canyon—Margot hears a whisper that will change her life forever.This is a story about choosing life when everything in you wants to give up. It’s about rivers, rituals, and remembering who you are. And it’s a story we’ll never forget.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.

When Aundria Adams ran away from an abusive home at 16, she thought she'd finally found safety. But what began as a quest for healing led her straight into the arms of a manipulative therapist who was running a cult in plain sight. In this gripping episode, Aundria shares how she escaped both her childhood trauma and a hidden web of psychological abuse—breaking the cycle not just for herself, but for her family. It's a harrowing story of betrayal, resilience, and ultimately, reclaiming joy.------Connect with Marilyn and be a part of the conversation in the I Choose Happy private Facebook group. This is your safe space to share and be inspired. Please join today by clicking here.------Find out more about Marilyn at marilyngetasbyrne.com.------I Choose Happy is made possible by The Comfy, a Shark Tank sensation whose wearable blankets make life happier. Find out for yourself with 20% off your first order with the code ichoosehappy at TheComfy.com.