Success is Subjective: Helping parents of college students accept that dropping out is okay

Episode 131 - What is Driving Your Decisions? —Brian Tierney

May 17, 2022 Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC Season 2 Episode 131
Success is Subjective: Helping parents of college students accept that dropping out is okay
Episode 131 - What is Driving Your Decisions? —Brian Tierney
Show Notes

What is driving your decisions? Fear? Your parent’s experiences? Greed? Your teachers’ opinions? When your life decisions are being made from any place other than your best self, you seek out disaster.

Brian Tierney, Clinical Outreach Manager for Red Rock Recovery Center, was told by many to put off college following high school but decided to go anyway in hopes to not feel less than his peers. After three years of trying to keep up with the crowd, Brian was forced by his addiction to drop out. After many long and difficult years of recovering and self-discovery, he decided to pick school back up 10 years later, finding his purpose in the addiction treatment space. Now, you can find Brian working at Red Rock Recovery Center where he works to create intentional spaces for people suffering from substance use disorder.

In this episode of Success is Subjective, Brian joins Joanna to share his journey going from an addict and college dropout, to going back to school 10 years later to fulfill his purpose in serving individuals in recovery. Brian’s 360 college story goes to show the impact of knowing what’s really influencing your path. Listen in to gain insight on the importance of not rushing life decisions and Brian’s personal experience as he learned why and how to have a strong and personal why behind all decisions, big and small. 

What You Will Learn

How private preparatory school affected Brian’s perspective on college

The different opinions Brian received regarding college  

How college dramatically affected his addiction 

When Brian decided to drop out of college and take a step back

How impactful taking a break from school can be 

The importance in taking the time (no matter how long it takes) to fully step into recovery

The 360 experience that Brian had when he went back to college 10 years later 

What pushed Brian to explore working in the Addiction Treatment Space

The importance in knowing which self you’re choosing to be and why


Connect with Brian Tierney

Red Rock Recovery Center

Email brian.tierney@redrockrecoverycenter.com

Contact 720-557-6180 


Connect with Joanna Lilley  

Success is Subjective Website

Success is Subjective Patreon

Lilley Consulting Website

Lilley Consulting on Instagram 

Lilley Consulting on Facebook 

Success is Subjective on Apple Podcast

Sponsored by: College Alternative

Email joanna@successissubjective.org