Live 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 

In 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 Cancer 

In 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.

In 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

In episode 5 of Live Like It Matters, host Elissa Kalver sits down with Dena Goldberg—better known as Dena DNA—a certified genetic counselor, speaker, and educator who’s on a mission to make genetics understandable and empowering for everyone.As the founder of Malibu Genetics and DenaDNA.com, Dena specializes in helping people uncover and navigate their inherited cancer risks. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Elissa and Dena dive into the role of genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, how genetic testing can save lives, and what it really means when someone says “cancer runs in the family.”Together, they unpack how to approach testing, manage fear around results, and use this information to make proactive, life-changing choices. Dena also shares her unique perspective on the emotional side of genetics—reminding listeners that knowledge isn’t about predicting the future, but about preparing for it.With honesty, clarity, and heart, this episode bridges science and humanity—empowering us all to take charge of our health stories and to live like it truly matters.Email: dena@denadna.comWebsite: malibugenetics.com and denadna.com Instagram: @dena.dnaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenaTalksDNA/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denadnaYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/denadna 

Episode 4 of Live Like It Matters features host Elissa Kalver in conversation with Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe of Lucius. Known for their bold harmonies, evocative lyrics, and fearless artistic vision, Holly and Jess bring their music—and their hearts—to this deeply personal conversation about creativity, purpose, and connection.Together, they explore how music can be a source of healing, empowerment, and community, especially during life’s storms. Holly and Jess share stories from their journey in the music world, how they sustain each other as collaborators and friends, and how they channel their art toward something bigger than themselves.In this episode, they also introduce their meaningful collaboration: a limited-edition enamel pin set created in partnership with WeGotThis.org and Oxford Pennant. The pin set features lyrics from Lucius’s song “Tempest”—“You Aren’t Riding On This Wave Alone”—and is sold with the intention that one pin is for you and one is for someone you care about. 100% of profits support breast cancer initiatives through WeGotThis.org. This episode is a testament to the power of art to unite, to the courage it takes to keep creating, and to the beautiful intention behind turning a simple pin into a chain of hope and solidarity.Lucius - Jess Wolfe and Holly LaessigWebsite:www.ilovelucius.comElissa Kavler Email: elissa@wegotthis.orgWebsite:Elissa KalverInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissakalver/Facebook: Elissa KalverTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elissakalverLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissakalverBook: We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer

In episode 3 of Live Like It Matters features host Elissa Kalver in conversation with her friend, actress, writer, speaker, and patient advocate Taylor Coffman. Together, they dive into the highs and lows of living with severe illnesses—Elissa with stage IV breast cancer and Taylor with a rare medical condition.Taylor lives with atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS), a rare and complex disease that can cause devastating complications if undiagnosed. Awareness is critical, as aHUS often leads to issues like anemia, low platelets, kidney damage, or even organ failure—but thanks to available treatment, there is also real hope for patients.With honesty and humor, they discuss finding joy in unexpected places, the power of optimism, celebrating milestones like birthdays, and even tackling “crazy” projects, such as writing books during treatment. They also share the story behind their collaborative podcast, "Dying to Live," which was created to amplify patient voices and raise awareness for rare diseases.This episode explores resilience, creativity, and the choice to live fully, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges.Taylor Coffman Email: taylor.coffman@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.taylorcoffman.com/Instagram and TIKTOK : @taylorcoffmanmade LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-coffman/Substack: Rare Disease Girl https://taylorcoffman.substack.com/Youtube:@RareDiseaseGirl Elissa Kalver Email: elissa@wegotthis.orgWebsite:Elissa KalverInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissakalver/Facebook: ElissaKalverTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elissakalverLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissakalverBook: We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer