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Live Like It Matters
Ep. 11 - Billye Breinnesen
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.com
Website: https://www.billyedonya.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyedonyaphotography/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BillyeDonyaPhotography
Elissa Kalver
Email: elissa@wegotthis.org
Website: elissakalver.com
Instagram: @elissakalver
Facebook: Elissa Kalver
TikTok: @elissakalver
Linkedin: Elissa Kalver
Book: We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer
Where storytelling meets spontaneity. No script. No rules. Just raw, honest, and often ridiculous conversations about life, loss, healing, and hope. These are the messy, magical moments that make life worth showing up for, even when it’s hard. Elissa sits down with friends, specialists, fellow cancer thrivers, and sometimes whoever happens to wander in on recording day. With no script, expect raw laughter, real tears, and unexpectedly deep conversations. Every episode is a reminder that authenticity is messy, beautiful, and worth sharing. And remember to Live Like It Matters
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13. I Wish I Knew This Sooner with Sidney Raskind
01:01:04||Season 1, Ep. 13What 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.
13. The Cost of “I’m Fine” with Mitch Wallis
56:53||Season 1, Ep. 13Ep. 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.
12. When Life Forces a Rewrite: Storytelling as Resilience with Vika Victoria
47:09||Season 1, Ep. 12Ep. 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.
10. Ep. 10 – Dr. Matt Hershcovitch
47:06||Ep. 10In 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 Cancer9. Ep. 9 – Arielle Worona
32:01||Ep. 9In this week’s episode of Live Like It Matters, join host Elissa Kalver as she engages in a fun and insightful conversation with her friend, Arielle Worona. Arielle shares her journey from a secure television executive job to launching her own media agency and discussing the challenges and rewards of betting on herself. They reminisce about life's unexpected paths including Arielle’s stint in a band where she met her husband, and a childhood injury that almost led to leg amputation. Together, they reflect on the importance of chasing dreams, the empowerment of entrepreneurial risks, and the love and support of family and friends. An inspiring episode filled with life lessons, risk-taking, and a celebration of meaningful connections. Arielle WoronaEmail: arielle@alizamediagroup.comWebsite: www.alizamediagroup.com / www.relishxarielle.com Instagram: @alizamediagroup / @relishxarielleFacebook: @alizamediagroup / @relishxarielleLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alizamedia / https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielleworona/IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2844350/Causes: Make A Wish, WeGotThis.org, Endometriosis Foundation of America Elissa Kalver Email: elissa@wegotthis.orgWebsite: elissakalver.comInstagram: @elissakalverFacebook: Elissa KalverTikTok: @elissakalverLinkedin: Elissa KalverBook: We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer8. Ep. 8 – Julia Johns
31:15||Ep. 8In this week’s special episode of Live Like It Matters, Elissa Kalver sits down with her friend Julia Johns — a standup comedian, writer, and breast cancer survivor whom she met through the cancer community. Julia shares her remarkable journey from being a teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio, to moving to New York to pursue her dream in comedy. Along the way, she transformed her breast cancer experience into a one-woman show, A Tale of Two Titties, using humor to process pain and connect with others. Together, Elissa and Julia explore: The therapeutic power of humor in healingTheir shared experiences in the cancer communityThe challenges of navigating cancer treatmentThe importance of having a supportive medical teamHow storytelling can break down stigma and spark connection This heartfelt and hilarious conversation reminds us that laughter can coexist with loss — and that thriving often begins with telling the truth, no matter how hard or funny it may be.Tune in for an inspiring and entertaining discussion filled with laughter, insight, and camaraderie.Julia Johns Email: johnsjm1@gmail.comWebsite: www.juliajohns.comInstagram: @heyjuliajohns Linkedin: Julia JohnsIMDB: Julia Johns IMDbYoutube: @heyjuliajohns Elissa Kalver Email: elissa@wegotthis.orgWebsite: elissakalver.comInstagram: @elissakalverFacebook: Elissa KalverTikTok: @elissakalverLinkedin: Elissa KalverBook: We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer7. Ep. 7 - The Caregiver Experience with My Husband, Eric Kalver
41:29||Ep. 7In this heartfelt episode of Live Like It Matters, I sit down with my husband, Eric Kalver — my partner in life, love, and every twist that comes with living with Stage IV breast cancer.Together, we open up about what it’s really like to navigate marriage, parenthood, and the uncertainty of a terminal diagnosis. Eric shares honestly about the emotional weight of being a caregiver — the parts that are beautiful, the parts that are brutal, and everything in between.We talk about how we’ve learned to communicate, find humor in the hard moments, and stay connected even when cancer tries to take center stage. This conversation isn’t just about illness — it’s about partnership, resilience, and what it means to show up for each other no matter what.If you’re a caregiver, a patient, or just someone trying to love someone through something hard — this episode is for you.6. Ep. 6 - Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
01:17:17||Ep. 6In this powerful episode of Live Like It Matters, host Elissa Kalver sits down with three incredible metastatic breast cancer thrivers. Her friends— Megan O’Neil, Keriann Engle, and Shayna Welsh — for an open, honest conversation about what it’s really like to live with a terminal disease that requires lifelong treatment.Together, they talk about navigating life with stage IV cancer, the emotional and physical realities, the resilience it takes to keep going, and the unique challenges that come with knowing there may never be a finish line.They also dive into how Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be complicated for those living with metastatic disease. While pink ribbons and celebrations dominate October, many in the stage IV community often feel left out — especially since metastatic breast cancer remains vastly underfunded, despite accounting for nearly all breast cancer deaths.This episode is raw, real, and filled with heart — a reminder that awareness must include everyone, especially those still fighting.Guests: • Megan O’Neil - @meagainoneil • Keriann Engle - @keriannengle • Shayna Welsh - @thrivingwcancer