Spreading Joy in a Small World: Julie McCaffrey’s Story

I’ve known Julie McCaffrey for years. She lives about 40 minutes from me, in Romeo, Michigan. Julie and her husband, Curtis, are raising four daughters, and their oldest, Jenna—now 20—lives with cystic fibrosis.

What still makes me smile is how Julie and I were connected long before we ever met through the CF community… and we had no idea. We worked in the same building, in the same industry, at the same time. Both of us were in radio. I was a news reporter at WWJ, while Julie was first a morning show intern, then events team and finally, board operator for WYCD. Even our podcast editor worked at another station in that very same building. Proof that sometimes the universe plants people in your orbit long before it tells you why.

Julie’s career path reflects both her curiosity and her compassion. She’s worked in radiology, orthopedics, and labor and delivery. She’s supported students as a paraprofessional in an elementary school and worked in a group home for adults with intellectual disabilities. Today, she works at Target—and genuinely loves it. Wherever she goes, she brings the same energy: presence, kindness, and care.

At the heart of everything Julie does is a simple but powerful mission—to spread joy. She is deeply passionate about mental health advocacy, especially within the cystic fibrosis community. And despite the very real financial strain that comes with healthcare and insurance challenges, Julie continues to show up with an unwaveringly positive spirit. Not a performative positivity—but a grounded, generous kind that makes people feel seen.

If you take just one thing from Julie today, let it be this:
You are brilliant.
You are beautiful.
And you can do anything.

(Suicide was discussed in this episode. Anyone needing help can call or text #988).

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