Today, on Notable Leaders’ Radio, I speak with Andrea Wilson Woods, President & Founder, Blue Faery. She highlights how she transformed early hardship, loss, and fierce protectiveness into founding Blue Faery, a nonprofit dedicated to liver cancer advocacy, while sharing lessons on empathy, resilience, and finding joy amidst adversity.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

Recognize the power of role models in shaping your identity. Reflect on who inspired you in childhood (real or fictional) and what qualities you admired. Consciously apply those traits—such as resilience, strength, or compassion—in your daily decisions and relationships, just as Andrea channeled Wonder Woman’s fierceness and protectiveness throughout her life.

Practice “detachment with empathy.” If you work or volunteer in caregiving or helping professions, learn to care deeply without carrying every burden as your own. Create emotional boundaries so you can keep showing up with compassion, just as Andrea does, without risking burnout. Use counseling, mindfulness, or peer support to reinforce this practice.

Intentionally cultivate moments of joy and humor, even during tough times. Look for lightness: share a joke with loved ones, recall funny memories, or build small rituals that make you smile. “Joy is a resilient muscle, strengthening it will give you balance and energy to keep going.”

Separate your self-worth from your achievements. Reflect on how your roles (career, family, volunteer, etc.) do not define your value. Develop interests and relationships untethered to performance, and give yourself grace in moments of transition—embrace who you are, not just what you do.

Join or build supportive communities. If you or someone you know is affected by a particular challenge (like liver cancer), seek out or help create organizations and groups that provide understanding and resources—there’s power in connection and shared experience.
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