Intro to Struggle Well PodcastIntro to Struggle Well Podcast
Struggle Well Podcast
Britt Myers and Josh Goldberg introduce the Struggle Well philosophy and the science of Posttraumatic Growth, focusing on how hardship can become a source of growth. The episode explains the podcast’s story-driven approach and its aim to support people facing trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and other struggles.
21:05•8 Apr 2026
Struggle Well: Turning Hard Times into Growth
Episode Overview
- Struggle is a universal part of life, but it can become a catalyst for growth rather than a dead end.
- Labels and diagnoses such as depression or PTSD should not define identity; they describe a current state, not a permanent trait.
- Posttraumatic Growth is presented as a trainable process, giving people practical tools to grow through hardship.
- Real stories from veterans, first responders, and others show that joy, connection, and purpose can return after severe struggle.
- Language, honest conversations, and shared experiences are key to helping people make sense of what happened and support others.
“Struggle is part of every life. The question is whether we waste it or allow it to become a catalyst for growth.”
Curious about how others manage life after trauma and hardship? This introductory episode of the Struggle Well Podcast lays out the big idea behind the show: struggle is universal, but it doesn’t have to be wasted. Host Britt Myers sits down with Josh Goldberg, CEO of Boulder Crest Foundation, to talk about the "Struggle Well" philosophy and the science of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG).
Josh explains that labels like depression or PTSD can easily become an identity, gently pushing back on that mindset: "When you're going through depression, you are not your depression. You are depressed. This is a state. It is not a trait." The conversation is aimed at veterans, first responders, and anyone facing anxiety, depression, addiction, or trauma—as well as the people who care about them.
You’ll hear why stories are at the heart of the podcast, with real accounts from people who have "faced profound struggle and discovered that it can become a powerful catalyst for growth." Josh shares memorable moments from Boulder Crest programmes, like a man who "hadn't laughed in 13 years" and found joy again, and another who turned his smiling photos face down until he could reconnect with happiness.
They also talk about Struggle Well as a trainable skill, not a mysterious talent. Instead of "treatment" done to someone, the focus is on teaching practical tools so people can grow through struggle and keep growing afterwards. With a mix of humour (yes, including Nicholas Sparks jokes and hints of budding Disney fandom), honesty, and science-backed ideas, this episode sets the tone for a season full of meaningful, human conversations.
If you’ve ever wondered whether anything good can come from what you’ve been through, this might be a helpful place to start. Are you ready to see your struggle in a different light?
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