Live Like It Matters

What happens when life changes faster than you’re prepared for?In this episode of Live Like it Matters, Elissa Kalver speaks with former Marine and cancer advocate Jake Messier about living with stage 4 metastatic male breast cancer — and how the diagnosis reshaped his perspective on life, identity, and purpose.Jake shares openly about the emotional realities of navigating uncertainty, advocating for awareness around male breast cancer, and choosing to live visibly through difficult circumstances.This is a conversation about resilience, perspective, and what it means to keep showing up when life looks nothing like you expected.Follow Jake Messier as he shares his journey living with stage 4 metastatic male breast cancer and advocates for greater awareness, research, and inclusivity around male breast cancer.🌐 Website: https://www.theguywithstage4breastcancer.com/📲 TikTok & Instagram: @theguywithstage4breastcancerJake uses his platform to educate, advocate, and help others feel less alone while navigating cancer, uncertainty, and survivorship.Follow Elissa Kalver and stay connected with both Live Like it Matters and WE GOT THIS for more conversations about resilience, perspective, healing, and navigating life’s hardest moments together.📲 Instagram: @elissakalver🎧 Listen & Subscribe:Live Like it Matters — available on YouTube and all podcast platformsWE GOT THIS — available on YouTube and all podcast platforms💬 Share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that they’re not alone.Follow Live Like it Matters for more conversations about the moments that shape us most.

Ep. 16 - What does it actually take to build a creative career? In this episode of Live Like it Matters, Elissa Kalver speaks with writer, director, and performer Alison Flierl about the reality of breaking into Hollywood — and why the path is rarely straightforward. From writing for major TV shows to developing original projects, Alison shares what she’s learned about persistence, rejection, and staying creative through uncertainty. This is a conversation about building something over time — without a clear roadmap — and trusting the process as it unfolds. Follow Live Like it Matters for more conversations about creating a life and career that feels aligned.

Ep. 15 - Can you feel grief and gratitude at the same time?In this episode of Live Like it Matters, Elissa Kalver sits down with comedian and writer Giulia Rozzi to explore the unexpected overlap between loss, humor, and perspective.As a breast cancer survivor, Giulia shares how her experience reshaped the way she sees life — and why laughter and grief often live side by side.This is a conversation about holding multiple truths at once, letting go of how we think healing “should” look, and finding moments of lightness even in difficult seasons.Follow Live Like it Matters for more conversations about the moments that change how we live.

What changes when you realize time isn’t guaranteed?In this episode of Live Like it Matters, Elissa Kalver speaks with Sidney Raskind (Sidney Raz) about the life-shifting experience of being diagnosed with stomach cancer — and how it changed the way he approaches everyday life.Known for sharing practical advice people wish they learned sooner, Sidney reflects on how those lessons took on a completely different meaning after his diagnosis.This is a conversation about perspective, priorities, and learning how to live with more intention — not someday, but now.Follow Live Like it Matters for more conversations about the moments that shape how we live.

Ep. 13 What does it really cost to pretend you’re okay?In this episode of Live Like it Matters, Elissa Kalver speaks with Mitch Wallis, mental health advocate and founder of Heart On My Sleeve, about the breaking point that changed the trajectory of his life.From corporate success to a very public battle with depression, Mitch shares what it took to stop performing strength and start telling the truth.This is a conversation about stigma, silence, and the courage it takes to speak when everything in you wants to hide.Follow the show for more conversations about the moments that shape who we become.

Ep. 12 In this episode of Live Like it Matters, Elissa Kalver sits down with Vika Victoria, master storyteller and communications coach, to explore what happens after a life-shifting moment — when the old version of you has to reassess and resilience has to be built out of a hard story. This conversation goes beyond storytelling as a skill and into storytelling as a survival tool to learn: How identity shifts after disruption - Why resilience isn’t about “bouncing back” - And how meaning is rebuilt when certainty disappears. If you’ve ever felt like life asked you to rewrite yourself before you were ready this episode will meet you exactly where you are.🔗 Learn more about Vika: https://bravenewstory.com📲 Follow Vika on social: @vikatalks🔗 Learn more about Elissa: https://elissakalver.com📲 Follow Elissa on social: @ElissaKalver🎧 Subscribe for more conversations about meaning, resilience, and living like it matters.

In this episode of Live as It Matters, I sit down with one of my best friends, photographer, creative, and all-around light-bringer, Billye Breinnesen, the heart behind Billye Donya Photography. Billye naturally thrives behind the camera, pouring her talent into capturing raw, meaningful moments for others. But today, I coaxed her in front of the mic and right outside her comfort zone and straight into my world of content, conversation, and connection. What We Dive Into: Billye’s journey from hobby photographer to building her own brand, Billye Donya Photography. How creativity and courage collide—and what it looks like to stretch yourself in ways that feel both risky and right. The power of friendship in pushing us toward growth, even when it’s uncomfortable. What happens when two different creative worlds meet—hers behind the lens, mine in content and storytelling. Why showing up matters, even when you’re unsure, unprepared, or a little terrified. Why This Episode Matters: This conversation is about more than photography. It’s about saying yes to the moments that nudge us toward growth. It’s about letting the people who love us push us in the best possible ways. And it’s about embracing the awkward, the hilarious, and the beautifully vulnerable parts of trying something new (and sometimes documenting it!)Billye Breinnesen Email: billyedonya@billyedonya.comWebsite:  https://www.billyedonya.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyedonyaphotography/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BillyeDonyaPhotographyElissa Kalver Email: elissa@wegotthis.orgWebsite: elissakalver.comInstagram: @elissakalverFacebook: Elissa KalverTikTok: @elissakalverLinkedin: Elissa KalverBook: We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer 

In this week’s episode of Live Like It Matters, I sit down with Dr. Matt Hershcovitch, a double board-certified otolaryngologist who made a major shift in how he practices medicine — all in the name of better care and a happier life.We talk about what sparked that change, including how the pandemic pushed him to reimagine his entire approach and ultimately create SoCal Breathe Free, a practice built around actual time with patients, thoughtful care, and humanity over hustle.Dr. H and I dig into some of the biggest challenges in our healthcare system. From how financial pressure affects treatment decisions to why simply listening can be the most powerful tool a provider has.It’s an honest, inspiring conversation with someone who’s truly trying to make healthcare better for all of us. Tune in. Dr Matt Hershcovitch Website: https://www.socalbreathefree.com/Instagram: @socalbreathefreeElissa Kalver Email: elissa@wegotthis.orgWebsite: elissakalver.comInstagram: @elissakalverFacebook: Elissa KalverTikTok: @elissakalverLinkedin: Elissa KalverBook: We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer