Edge Note: What If They Mistook Disability for Inability?

What happens when everyone depends on your strength, but nobody considers what it’s costing you?In this deeply personal solo episode of Notes From the Edge, Lisa Lacy explores the hidden cost of competence, resilience, and living with non-visible illness. As someone navigating a life-threatening genetic blood-clotting disorder, bipolar I disorder, borderline personality disorder, and severe complex PTSD, Lisa shares what it means to be the person everyone relies on while privately fighting battles others cannot see.Through her experiences with medical trauma, mental illness, professional success, and the exhausting responsibility of being the family fixer, Lisa challenges the familiar call for kindness and proposes something more intentional: consideration. Because success does not cancel suffering, resilience does not mean invulnerability, and no one should have to disclose their diagnoses or trauma to be treated like a human being.In this episode, we explore:The hidden emotional, physical, and psychological cost of being the person everyone depends on.How non-visible illness and psychiatric conditions complicate everyday relationships, work, and emotional regulation.Why competence and professional success are often mistaken for an absence of suffering.The difference between kindness and consideration, especially in leadership, business, and human relationships.Why resilience is not an unlimited capacity to absorb more, and how consideration begins before suffering becomes visible.Connect with Lisa Lacy | Inside the EdgeInside the Edge is a private membership offering exclusive weekly solo episodes, monthly live conversations, and practical resources for exploring the human experience.https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeWhat did you perform in order to survive?Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Happens When Your Survival Identity Has a Name?What happens when prison takes away your identity and survival requires you to create another one? Host Lisa Lacy sits down with former teacher and author Tammy Lowe to explore the realities of incarceration, the humanity behind prison walls, and the challenges of rebuilding life after release. Tammy shares what Hollywood gets wrong about prison, what it feels like to become a number instead of a person, and why freedom doesn’t automatically mean leaving everything behind.Tammy also discusses co-authoring Tales from the Inside: The Real Side of Prison, overcoming imposter syndrome while writing her paranormal romance trilogy beginning with The Midnight Kiss, and the unexpected survival identity she created behind bars: Tilo. Together, Lisa and Tammy explore resilience, addiction and second chances, the protective roles we carry, and why forgiving ourselves may be the hardest—and most important—step toward reclaiming our stories.In This Episode:03:33 – The real side of prison: What movies get wrong about incarceration and the human beings behind the labels.06:44 – Reclaiming identity through writing: Tammy’s paranormal romance trilogy, imposter syndrome, and becoming an author.11:23 – Finding your voice after incarceration: Becoming a prison number and helping others tell their stories through Tales from the Inside.16:12 – Life after prison: Parole, rebuilding routines, addiction, old relationships, and the challenges of starting over.22:21 – The birth of Tilo: How Tammy created a protective alter ego to survive prison and why forgiveness and second chances matter.Connect with Tammy LoweLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-lowe-05b6bb36bConnect with Lisa Lacy | Inside the EdgeThe conversation doesn’t end when the episode does. Inside the Edge is my private membership community where we explore the stories we carry, the roles we’ve performed, and what it means to live more authentically. Members receive exclusive weekly reflections, monthly live conversations, practical resources, and opportunities to go deeper into the conversations we should have been having all along.https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeWhat did you perform in order to survive?Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the beliefs shaping your life were never yours to begin with?What can 10,000 funerals teach us about living? Lisa Lacy sits down with Richard “Rick” Senninger, clinical hypnotherapist, grief counselor, and consciousness researcher, to explore how grief, subconscious programming, and human behavior shape the stories we tell ourselves. From silencing the inner critic to understanding why trauma can become identity, this conversation challenges what we think we know about ourselves.But what happens when consciousness enters the conversation? Lisa and Rick explore near-death experiences, the possibility of life beyond physical death, and the questions science has yet to answer. With unexpected humor, personal experiences, and some fascinating rabbit holes, they ultimately arrive at something profoundly human: the importance of connection, purpose, and learning to live while we’re still here.In This Episode:02:48 — Hypnosis, the subconscious mind, and the beliefs driving human behavior.12:35 — What 10,000 funerals reveal about mortality, purpose, and living fully.23:30 — How grief and trauma become identity, and what it takes to move beyond survival.30:00 — Near-death experiences, consciousness research, and the possibility of life after death.36:07 — Why human connection matters when life feels overwhelming or hopeless.Connect with Richard “Rick” Senninger:https://www.richardsenninger.comConnect with Lisa Inside the Edge:https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeJoin Inside the Edge for exclusive weekly episodes, monthly live conversations, and private resources that take our discussions beyond the public podcast.What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when everyone depends on you, but nobody notices you’re falling apart?Richard Spegel is back for round three on Notes From the Edge, and we’re going straight into the uncomfortable conversations about military service, mental health stigma, bipolar I disorder, and the exhausting performance of always being the strong one. With 21 years of military service, a leadership career, and a passion for storytelling, Richard knows firsthand what happens when asking for help comes with consequences.Together, we explore late-life mental health diagnoses, the importance of building trustworthy support systems, and how Richard’s dark fantasy novel The First Law reveals the emotional realities of trauma, survival, and vulnerability. From manic productivity to finding that one person you can finally fall apart with, this conversation is raw, darkly funny, and deeply human.In This Episode:02:15 — When strength becomes a survival mask and why mental health stigma makes asking for help dangerous.05:00 — Building trustworthy professional and personal support systems and learning to communicate what you need.10:00 — The First Law: How a powerful Raven Princess reveals the hidden costs of trauma, responsibility, and emotional isolation.16:10 — Bipolar I, late-life diagnosis, manic productivity, and the unexpected consequences of military mental health evaluations.20:20 — Why dark fantasy explores real psychological pain, trauma, resilience, and the emotions we struggle to express.Connect with Richard:https://www.richardspegal.comConnect with Lisa:https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeInside the Edge is our private membership for deeper conversations, exclusive weekly reflections, monthly live gatherings, personal growth resources, and genuine human connection.What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can You Grieve and Still Feel Joy?What happens when the life you expected disappears, but the world still expects you to be strong? Diagnosed with an eye disease at nine and eventually losing her sight, author and speaker Laura Bratton joins Lisa Lacy to explore the grief of losing something we love, the hidden cost of constantly pushing through, and why genuine resilience begins with acknowledging our pain rather than burying it.From grieving changes we actually wanted to finding gratitude without pretending suffering is a gift, Laura shares the lived experiences behind her book Harnessing Courage. Together, we explore grit, mentorship, self-compassion, and the freedom that comes from letting go of the performance of strength. Sometimes being human means giving ourselves permission to feel two things at once.In This Episode:01:31 — Redefining resilience: Why pushing through everything can make us sicker.08:17 — Permission to grieve: Why grief doesn’t have an expiration date.16:28 — The hidden grief of positive life changes, promotions, and new beginnings.27:00 — Finding gratitude in life’s darkest valleys without spiritual bypassing.31:00 — Letting go of performing strength and discovering the power of self-compassion.Connect with Laura BrattonWebsite, speaking, coaching, and her book Harnessing Courage:https://www.laurabratton.com/Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge:Go beyond the public podcast with exclusive weekly episodes, monthly live experiences, and practical resources for deeper conversations and personal reflection.https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeWhat did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does a boy who grew up hungry, surrounded by violence and addiction, become a multimillion-dollar entrepreneur without losing himself along the way?Jerry Brazie grew up in generational poverty as one of nine children, dropped out of school at 15, survived brutal violence, and spent 25 years battling opioid addiction. Today, he’s an entrepreneur whose businesses have collectively generated nearly half a billion dollars in revenue. But in this raw conversation with Lisa Lacy on Notes From the Edge, Jerry reveals why his greatest accomplishments have nothing to do with money.From a near-death experience that forced him to rebuild his health to the moment fatherhood transformed his purpose, Jerry challenges conventional ideas about victimhood, entrepreneurship, personal responsibility, and success. Together, Lisa and Jerry explore why doing what you love isn’t always the answer, how survival shapes ambition, and why mentorship, male connection, and showing up for your family may matter more than any financial achievement.IN THIS EPISODE:03:00 — Growing up in generational poverty, childhood hunger, family addiction, and learning to survive through work.09:00 — A violent attack at 14, the mysterious voice that changed Jerry’s perspective, and his philosophy of personal responsibility.15:00 — Serious heart disease, repeated hospitalizations, rebuilding his health at 57, and choosing to live for his children.20:00 — Building businesses generating nearly $500 million in revenue, fatherhood as motivation, and why purpose matters more than passion.30:00 — The male loneliness epidemic, the importance of mentorship, and how the Kronos Group and Kronos Forge are creating spaces for connection and accountability.CONNECT WITH JERRY BRAZIEExplore Jerry’s entrepreneurial community, mentorship opportunities, and Kronos Forge men’s community.https://thekronosgroup.orgCONNECT WITH LISA LACY INSIDE THE EDGEJoin our private membership for exclusive weekly reflections, monthly live conversations, and resources for exploring identity, healing, and authentic living.https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeWhat did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the biggest obstacle to being seen isn’t your message, but the person you think you have to become to deliver it?Why do so many accomplished leaders feel compelled to perform confidence while quietly fearing rejection? Lisa Lacy welcomes Sarah Snyder, licensed professional counselor and Head of Partnership Development at Wasabi Publicity, for a revealing conversation about trauma, emotional intelligence, authenticity, and the psychology behind being visible. Together, they explore why our need for approval can keep us hiding behind carefully constructed identities.From the fear of public criticism to the pressure to always be the strong one, Sarah explains how authentic storytelling builds credibility without sacrificing emotional well-being. They also explore the changing world of public relations, why genuine connection matters more than manufactured perfection, and how one small act of kindness can communicate more love than a thousand words.IN THIS EPISODE:02:45 — How trauma, black-and-white thinking, and the fear of rejection keep leaders hiding or performing for approval.06:15 — Emotional intelligence, recognizing your needs, and building the internal security to show up authentically.16:35 — Why authenticity matters more than ever in the age of AI, and how to stop performing a version of yourself for public approval.22:10 — Handling online criticism, protecting your mental health, and how strategic publicity and social media work together.28:30 — The exhaustion of always being the strong one, the power of vulnerability, and Sarah’s moving story about how a handful of grapes became an act of love.CONNECT WITH SARAH SNYDERLearn how Sarah and the Wasabi Publicity team help entrepreneurs, experts, and thought leaders build credibility and visibility through authentic communication.https://wasabipublicity.comCONNECT WITH LISA LACY INSIDE THE EDGEJoin our private membership for deeper conversations, exclusive weekly reflections, monthly live gatherings, and resources for exploring identity, healing, and authentic living.https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeWhat did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why is going no contact treated like the only way to heal from narcissistic abuse? The truth is, sometimes it’s simply unrealistic. When children, family relationships, finances, and shared responsibilities are involved, cutting someone off completely isn’t always possible. And healing shouldn’t come with another impossible set of rules.In this deeply personal Edge Note, Lisa Lacy shares her experiences with a clinically diagnosed narcissistic former husband, trauma bonding, betrayal, and complicated family dynamics involving her mother and daughter. She challenges traditional recovery advice and explores a different approach to boundaries: Your energy is a privilege, not an entitlement. You decide who gets access, how much, and for how long.In this episode, we explore:Why no contact isn’t always realistic in narcissistic abuse recovery.Trauma bonding and why leaving an abusive relationship is rarely simple.Navigating narcissistic family dynamics when children and generations are involved.Setting boundaries around your time, conversations, emotional availability, and energy.Reclaiming your autonomy without guilt, explanations, or abandoning yourself.Connect with Lisa Lacy:https://www.lisalacy.comJoin Inside the Edge: Exclusive weekly episodes, monthly private live experiences, member resources, and deeper human conversations.https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeWhat did you perform in order to survive?Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when other people decide what you’re capable of? After a spinal cord injury at 20, Ken Kunken returned to Cornell University in a wheelchair, only to find a campus without a single ramp or curb cut. The challenge wasn’t simply adapting to a different life. It was navigating a world that hadn’t made room for him.Ken went on to build a career spanning more than four decades as a trial attorney, become a husband and father of triplets, and write his memoir, I Dream of Things That Never Were. We talk about disability, accessibility, depression, independence, asking for help, and why opportunity and inclusion matter far more than anyone’s assumptions about another person’s abilities.In this episode:02:38 | Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury and redefining independence05:50 | The importance of family, community, and meaningful support08:03 | Returning to an inaccessible Cornell campus and pursuing a legal career10:15 | Writing his memoir, navigating personal challenges, and building a family17:45 | Self-confidence, disability stereotypes, and the importance of opportunityConnect with Ken KunkenAuthor of I Dream of Things That Never Were: The Ken Kunken Storyhttps://kenkunken.comConnect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge:Join us for exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live conversations, and resources that encourage self-discovery, connection, and personal growth.https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeWhat did you perform in order to survive?Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if your adoption was never legal? Patricia Knight Meyer was handed over as an infant along a Texas hospital curb without an agency, a judge, or legal adoption paperwork. At 12, she discovered she had no birth certificate. At 47, she finally received one that reflected her true identity.In this deeply personal conversation, Patricia joins Lisa Lacy to explore black-market adoption, adoption trauma, abandonment, people-pleasing, and the complicated emotions of reuniting with biological parents. She also shares the story behind her award-winning memoir, Wonderland: Memoir of a Black-Market Adoption, and why adoptee rights, identity, and family preservation deserve more honest conversations.In This Episode:02:43 – How adoption trauma, abandonment fears, and people-pleasing shaped Patricia’s childhood.06:04 – Discovering her missing birth certificate and questioning whether she had been stolen.09:19 – Reuniting with her biological parents and confronting the identity she thought she knew.15:05 – Preparing for adoption reunions, managing expectations, and establishing healthy boundaries.24:25 – Writing Wonderland, surviving devastating losses, and reclaiming her personal history.Connect with Patricia Knight Meyerhttps://www.myadoptedlife.comConnect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGEhttps://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edgeGo beyond the public podcast with exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live conversations, and practical resources exploring identity, trauma, recovery, and personal growth.What did you perform in order to survive?Welcome to the Edge.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.