Life Coach and Professor on Surviving the Unthinkable | Joel Nagelbush

Dara Levan sits down with Joel Nagelbush—a professor, life coach, and motivational speaker who has faced unimaginable challenges. In 2002, Joel was diagnosed with thyroid cancer while simultaneously learning he would become a dad. His son Justin was born a month early and by three months old, his liver had fully cirrhosed, requiring a life-saving transplant. Justin received his new liver on August 7th, 2003.

Now, 17 years later, Joel shares the devastating news he received just yesterday—Justin's body is in chronic rejection of his liver. Through tears and raw honesty, Joel reveals how he processes fear, maintains his spiritual beliefs, and guides his son through this terrifying moment. This conversation explores the power of purpose, the illusion of control, and finding gratitude even in life's darkest moments.

KEYWORDS
Joel Nagelbush, Every Soul Has a Story, Dara Levan, thyroid cancer, liver transplant, fatherhood, chronic rejection, organ donation, survival, purpose, no accidents, spiritual awakening, grief, trauma, PTSD, fear, uncertainty, catastrophic thinking, mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, growth, motivation, life coaching, professor, Jackson Memorial Hospital, organ transplant, immunosuppressed, COVID-19, pandemic, family, healing, gratitude, authenticity, hospice volunteer, Make-A-Wish, motivational speaking, parenting, teenager, hope, connection, emotional wellness

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro with Dara Levan
0:56 - No accidents: Finding purpose
1:53 - Thyroid cancer and becoming a dad
2:12 - The surreal bubble of trauma
4:16 - 107 countries by age 28
5:10 - Justin's liver transplant diagnosis
6:18 - Three-month checkup discovery
8:02 - Justin's 17-hour transplant surgery
9:54 - PTSD of being a cancer survivor
13:04 - Global awakening and COVID connection
17:07 - Justin's lab results and chronic rejection
22:24 - Joel and Justin's sacred time together
25:42 - Humor and a ghost conversation
28:18 - The "Jedi moment" with Justin
35:04 - Catastrophizing and spiritual practice
40:38 - Closing gratitude and wrap-up
RESOURCES:

Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:

• https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/
• Website: daralevan.com
• https://jacksonhealth.org/

QUOTES:

"When dealing with traumatic illness, when dealing with critical illness or death, the uncertainty becomes almost the greatest plague."
– Joel Nagelbush

We have to be shaken to awaken, but more than that, once you see, once you awaken, you can't unsee.
– Dara Levan