A life narrowed by chronic pain can make even simple pleasures feel like a threat. We sit down with Dr. Leah Flaherty, a pain psychologist at Allegheny Health Network and certified Empowered Relief instructor, to explore a FREE and practical, two-hour path that helps you change how your brain responds to pain—without pretending it will vanish. Grounded in pain neuroscience education and cognitive behavioral therapy, Empowered Relief gives clear, usable tools that calm the nervous system and interrupt the brain’s habitual pain loops and is accessible to anyone, regardless of insurance or location.

We unpack why pain is both sensory and emotional, how stress chemistry keeps the alarm stuck on, and why it’s scientifically valid to say pain can exist even without new tissue damage. Dr. Flaherty explains the guided audio with binaural beats that helps many people relax faster, fall asleep more easily, and de-escalate spikes in real time. We talk through expectation management, the role of daily practice, and the power of reframing catastrophic thoughts into compassionate, realistic self-talk. Small wins count—like getting the kids from the bus stop or finishing one chore—and those wins build agency.

You’ll also hear a candid personal story of trigeminal neuralgia, navigating stigma and “it’s all in your head” comments, and finding hope after medical dead ends. If you’ve felt defeated, skeptical, or unsure where to turn next, this is a science-based, accessible option that takes only two hours and costs nothing. Search “AHN Events Empowered Relief” to register and check out AHN’s “Brain Over Pain” videos on YouTube. If this episode resonates, follow the show, share it with someone, and leave a review to help others find these tools. Your story might be the spark someone else needs to try again.

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Visit👉 thrivingyinzers.com for resources to help you keep going and growing.

• Tackle your to-do list and organize your space with TY Services.
• Shop our TY Toolkit for practical tools, books, and organizing essentials to help you manage life with more ease and intention.
• Books referenced on the podcast are available in the TY Toolkit, but here are our top 3 picks.

👉 Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (paid link)

👉Atomic Habits by James Clear (paid link)

👉Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck (paid link)

Help Us By:

1. Share the podcast with your friends and family

2. Rate and Review!

3. Shop our TY Toolkit at thrivingyinzers.com or through Amazon Associates links listed above for books & resources mentioned on the podcast to keep you inspired. We receive a small commission for your purchase which helps support the podcast.

This podcast is a production of Thriving Yinzers LLC.

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When life tests us with unimaginable challenges, we discover capacities for strength and resilience we never knew we had. Megan Grau's story embodies this truth in ways that will leave you speechless, inspired, and perhaps forever changed.

On a single day in May 2020, while the world grappled with pandemic uncertainty, Megan's world shattered: her husband Mike was diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer, her brother was hospitalized with kidney failure, and her mother entered hospice care. Within weeks, her mother passed away, and doctors delivered the devastating news that Mike had just six months to a year to live, followed by even more tragedies and loss.

But the Grau family refused to stay down as they pursued every traditional and alternative treatment they could find. Megan boldly advocated for her husband. "I care about saving my husband." She lovingly cared for her family as they faced terrible life events all at the same time.

What makes this story truly remarkable is how Megan found transformation amid tragedy. At 48, she left a 15-year career at a law firm to pursue real estate, studying for exams in hospital waiting rooms while Mike underwent surgeries. Their son Turner's college baseball career became a bright spot through the darkness, with Mike defying his prognosis to attend games throughout Turner's four years at Youngstown State and fifth year at Pitt.

The overwhelming support from their community – 500 people attending a fundraiser, meals delivered for two years, strangers appearing with gifts – reminds us of humanity's capacity for compassion.

Through it all, Megan discovered the power of intentional positivity, manifesting hope even on the hardest days while still allowing space for grief and fear when necessary.

Whatever challenges you're facing, Megan's story serves as a powerful reminder: you are stronger than you think. By sharing her ongoing journey, she offers not just inspiration but practical wisdom for finding purpose, connection, and even joy amid life's most profound difficulties.

The book Megan has now read multiple times is

"Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life" by Roxie Nafousi 👉 thrivingyinzers.com/toolkit.

Let us know how we are doing.

Support the show

Visit👉 thrivingyinzers.com for resources to help you keep going and growing.

• Tackle your to-do list and organize your space with TY Services.
• Shop our TY Toolkit for practical tools, books, and organizing essentials to help you manage life with more ease and intention.
• Books referenced on the podcast are available in the TY Toolkit, but here are our top 3 picks.

👉 Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (paid link)

👉Atomic Habits by James Clear (paid link)

👉Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck (paid link)

Help Us By:

1. Share the podcast with your friends and family

2. Rate and Review!

3. Shop our TY Toolkit at thrivingyinzers.com or through Amazon Associates links listed above for books & resources mentioned on the podcast to keep you inspired. We receive a small commission for your purchase which helps support the podcast.

This podcast is a production of Thriving Yinzers LLC.

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A cancer diagnosis changes everything. While medical treatment targets the disease, what about the person—their fears, their appearance, their family, their spirit? Laurin Scanlon from AHN's Integrative Oncology Division reveals the extraordinary support system maybe you never knew existed.

The program, fully launched in 2023 after years of development, focuses on four pillars: health and fitness, diet and nutrition, image and appearance, and mind and body. What makes these services extra special is their accessibility—most are completely free and available to anyone with cancer, regardless of where they receive treatment or what insurance they carry. Even more impressive, many services are offered virtually, allowing patients to participate from home when they don't feel well enough to travel.

Laurin shares details about their award-winning wig salon that serves all genders, races, and hair types; cooking classes that welcome entire families including children; vouchers for services like massage and acupuncture; and gentle movement classes. The program doesn't just support patients either—it embraces caregivers, family members, and friends who are also profoundly affected by a loved one's diagnosis.

Behind these services are dedicated volunteers who contribute thousands of hours annually. From therapy dogs bringing joy during treatment to behind-the-scenes volunteers crafting dignity gowns and comfort items, these individuals become part of the patient's journey. For Laurin, whose grandfather received cancer treatment at AHN facilities, the mission is deeply personal—a way to honor his memory by helping others navigate their own cancer journeys with more support and dignity. For Sherry, whose father inspired the birth of this podcast also received cancer treatment at AHN. Cohost Jodi's mom also received cancer treatment at AHN. We are grateful for the opportunity to honor our loved ones and all those fighting cancer.

Whether you're facing cancer yourself or standing beside someone who is, one phone call to 412-330-4045 connects you with this comprehensive support system. No referrals needed, no insurance requirements—just human-centered care that acknowledges healing involves much more than medicine alone.

More info i

Let us know how we are doing.

Support the show

Visit👉 thrivingyinzers.com for resources to help you keep going and growing.

• Tackle your to-do list and organize your space with TY Services.
• Shop our TY Toolkit for practical tools, books, and organizing essentials to help you manage life with more ease and intention.
• Books referenced on the podcast are available in the TY Toolkit, but here are our top 3 picks.

👉 Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (paid link)

👉Atomic Habits by James Clear (paid link)

👉Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck (paid link)

Help Us By:

1. Share the podcast with your friends and family

2. Rate and Review!

3. Shop our TY Toolkit at thrivingyinzers.com or through Amazon Associates links listed above for books & resources mentioned on the podcast to keep you inspired. We receive a small commission for your purchase which helps support the podcast.

This podcast is a production of Thriving Yinzers LLC.

Follow “This is It! The Podcast by Thriving Yinzers” on Facebook

Follow on Instagram @typghpod