What do you do when life hands you a story you never asked for?

Ray Hartjen is a writer, musician, father, and cancer patient who didn’t just survive a diagnosis—he rewrote the narrative. After learning he had multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, Ray chose to reframe instead of retreat. In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, we explore how a routine blood test cracked his world open—and how he rebuilt it with music, meaning, and the mantra, If not now, when?

We talk about the emotional toll of illness, the power of perspective, and the roles we take on when everything changes. Ray shares what it means to show up fully, how support groups shaped his recovery, and why he believes in “punching the day in the face.” Whether you're facing a life detour or just waiting to start the next chapter, this conversation is a powerful reminder that clarity often follows chaos—and it’s never too late to begin again.

• [00:00] Opening reflection: Clarity after crisis

• [01:00] Meet Ray Hartjen: writer, musician, father—and cancer patient

• [03:00] A routine blood test leads to a life-changing diagnosis

• [06:00] What 90% bone marrow cancer looks like when you feel “fine”

• [08:00] Reframing the story: Same roles, new lens

• [10:00] The “mixing board” model of healing: mind, body, spirit

• [12:00] The timeline exercise that redefined his urgency

• [15:00] “If not now, when?”—and the motto that lit a fire

• [17:00] Book 1: Immaculate and the Steelers’ role in Pittsburgh’s revival

• [20:00] Why big dreams require small steps

• [22:00] Advice for anyone with a full journal and an unfinished dream

• [24:00] What support groups reveal about the healing journey

• [26:00] From patient to advocate: reaching back to pull others forward

• [28:00] Hesitations, control, and why vulnerability builds strength

• [30:00] What not to say—and what to say instead when offering help

• [33:00] Book 2: The Indy 500 and chasing long-held passions

• [35:00] Making music, dreaming bigger, and playing Vegas

• [37:00] The hardest conversation: telling his daughter

• [40:00] Grace, grit, and why the world needs your story

• [43:00] Final encouragement: “You are stronger than you think”

• Website: rayhartjen.com

• Book: Me, Myself, and My Multiple Myeloma

• Book: Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh

• Book: The Indy 500: A Year-Long Quest… (coming soon)

• Connect on social: @‌rayhartjen (except TikTok: @‌rayhartjen5)

• Email: rayhartjen@gmail.com

You’ve taken the tests—Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, DISC—but what if they’re missing the real point? In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, personality expert and educator Eric Gee breaks down why most models get it wrong—and how his Project Utopia framework gets it right.

Instead of focusing on traits or labels, Eric’s system centers on values, using animal archetypes grouped into four core packs: Gatherers, Hunters, Smiths, and Shamans. With over 50,000 people personally profiled, Eric shares how understanding your true motivation—not just your behavior—can reframe everything from your relationships to your career choices.

Whether you’ve always felt a little “off-type” or you’re deep into self-discovery, this episode is a funny, thoughtful, and wildly insightful look at what really drives us.

• [00:00] What most personality tests get wrong—and why values matter more

• [03:00] Eric’s origin story: RadioShack computers and personality geekery

• [06:00] Superficial traits vs. deeper drives: A shift in methodology

• [08:00] Why Eric uses animal archetypes—and what makes them stick

• [10:00] The four core packs: Gatherers, Hunters, Smiths, and Shamans

• [12:30] Using values to communicate more effectively (especially in school)

• [14:00] How personality typing transforms marriages and partnerships

• [15:30] Nature vs. Nurture—and the effects of parenting styles

• [18:00] Gatherer overconfidence, shaman midlife clarity, and personality pivots

• [20:00] Why you can’t “change” your type—and what happens when you try

• [23:00] The burnout factor: When teachers’ personalities clash with systems

• [25:00] Magic, personality, and breaking assumptions

• [27:00] When others know you better than you know yourself

• [30:00] The least common types—and what makes them powerful

• [32:00] How to find your type (and why it should be fun)

• [34:00] Energy, intuition, and reading people in the wild

• [36:00] Why Hemingway isn’t for everyone—and how writing reflects values

• [38:00] A final takeaway: The power of self-honesty and personal rebellion

• Website: ProjectYOUtopia.com

• Book: The Power of Personality by Eric G

• Free personality test: Available on Eric’s site

• Eric’s social links: Included on the Project YOUtopia website

What if the key to happiness wasn’t in getting what you want—but in choosing how you respond when you don’t? In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, international bestselling author and cartoonist Andrew Matthews joins us from Australia to unpack what it really means to bounce back. With over 8 million books sold in 49 languages, Andrew’s simple, illustrated messages about happiness have helped millions reframe their pain, reclaim their power, and live with more joy—even in the midst of hard times.

We explore the difference between people who move forward and those who stay stuck, why acceptance is the real first step toward healing, and how a slice of cake might be all it takes to shift your mindset. Whether you're recovering from loss, trying to find meaning in the mess, or just want to feel a little more like yourself again—this conversation is packed with insight, humor, and hope.

• [00:00] Introduction: When life knocks you down, then what?

• [01:00] Meet Andrew Matthews: The decision that changed everything

• [03:00] The happiness myth—and the truth he discovered at 25

• [06:30] Rejection, risk, and the cartoon book that went global

• [08:15] What happy people have in common (hint: it’s not stuff)

• [10:45] The cake cartoon and the power of what we focus on

• [12:00] Lessons from people with “bigger problems and better attitudes”

• [14:15] Why bouncing back starts with acceptance

• [17:00] The trap of “it shouldn’t have happened”—and how to move on

• [19:00] Resilience, stoicism, and choosing how we interpret events

• [21:30] Nick Vujicic, country western songs, and perspective shifts

• [24:00] When self-help stops working—and what to do next

• [26:00] The problem with overthinking and the gift of self-awareness

• [28:00] Social media, short attention spans, and the myth of comparison

• [30:00] Decision vs. transformation: the real turning point

• [32:00] Different books for different seasons of hardship

• [34:00] Supporting people around you without pushing them

• [36:00] Being the best example—not the loudest voice

• [38:00] Real-life stories: from broke and hopeless to joyful and thriving

• [42:00] Start where you are—there’s no other place to begin

• [44:00] Where to find Andrew’s books and newsletters

• [45:00] Final thoughts and thank yous

• Andrew’s Website: andrewmatthews.com

• Books by Andrew Matthews:

  • Being Happy

  • Bouncing Back

  • Happiness in Hard Times

  • Follow Your Heart

• Audiobooks available on Audible

• Andrew’s newsletter (sign up on his website)