Living Through Loss, Love, and Legacy with Julie Barth

Celebrity Edition of "How to Live A Fantastic Life" with Dr. Allen Lycka

About Today’s Guest

Julie Barth is the founder of the Colin James Barth (CJB) Outreach, a nonprofit helping women-led households in crisis. A mother of six and trauma survivor, Julie’s journey includes raising a daughter with special needs, losing her husband to cancer, and enduring an abusive second marriage. Through her pain, she’s emerged as a powerful advocate and author, committed to helping others find strength and support.

Finding Purpose in Pain

Julie recounts the hardships that inspired her nonprofit: caring for her daughter Tatum, born with primordial dwarfism; becoming a widow at 35 with four young children; and surviving over a decade in an abusive relationship. Recognizing the lack of real-time support for women in crisis, she created the CJB Outreach to act as a "concierge" for women needing resources without sacrificing everything. Julie emphasizes that resilience isn’t just survival—it’s using hardship to help others heal and find meaning.

Grief and the Misconceptions Around It

Julie opens up about grieving her husband during his illness, noting how others began mourning only after his passing. This disconnect left her feeling judged for not appearing “sad enough.” She explains that grief is deeply personal, nonlinear, and often isolating—especially when societal expectations don’t match individual experiences.

Navigating Special Needs Parenting

Julie shares the emotional and logistical challenges of raising a child with complex health needs. From conflicting educational goals to overwhelming medical schedules, she underscores the need for systems that recognize the parent's voice and the child’s individual worth. She advocates redefining success beyond societal norms and focusing on a meaningful life.

Recognizing and Escaping Abuse

Julie discusses the subtle signs of emotional and financial abuse and why many women overlook or dismiss them. She challenges the belief that healthy relationships require "fighting for," instead suggesting that mutual respect and safety should be the foundation. Her advice: build small steps toward independence, gain confidence, and put your well-being first.

The Power of Writing and Reflection

Julie’s memoir, Notes from a Blackberry, began as notes typed quietly during her husband’s chemo treatments. Originally written for her children to understand their father and their family’s journey, the manuscript later became a powerful narrative that helped others feel seen. Julie hopes her story brings comfort to caregivers and raises awareness for what often goes unnoticed behind closed doors.

Living a Fantastic Life

Julie believes living a fantastic life starts with letting go of societal expectations. True happiness comes from authenticity—choosing a life that feels right rather than one that looks right. Her advice: stop worrying about what others think, and start making decisions based on your own values and joy.

Connect with Julie

Visit www.juliebarthauthor.com to get a copy of Notes from a Blackberry, support the CJB Outreach, or explore Julie’s other work.

BIO:

Julie Barth is a mother of six, trauma survivor, and founder of the Colin James Barth Outreach, a nonprofit supporting women-led households in crisis. Inspired by personal hardships, including caring for a child with Primordial Dwarfism, losing her husband to cancer, and surviving abuse, Julie has dedicated her life to advocacy and empowerment. Her mission is to help women protect themselves and seek support without shame or stigma.

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/julie.e.barth

https://www.instagram.com/julie_barth_author/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebarthauthor/

https://www.juliebarthauthor.net

https://www.cjboutreach.org/