Podcast

Plan To Be Your Best …Live

These conversations explore what it means to stay grounded, whole, and effective when life or leadership is demanding more than usual. Episodes feature leaders, authors, caregivers, and individuals navigating real pressure.

Rick Cram, PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST ...As You Navigate Pain.

Podcast

Plan To Be Your Best …Live

These conversations explore what it means to stay grounded, whole, and effective when life or leadership is demanding more than usual. Episodes feature leaders, authors, caregivers, and individuals navigating real pressure.

The Latest…

Friday, January 16 | Rise Up & Heal: Lily Robinson on Hope, Resilience, and Becoming Stronger Without Going Bitter

Today on PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST…Live, I’m joined by Lily Robinson, bilingual (English–Spanish) Life & Business Coach and author of Rise Up and Heal—for a rich, encouraging conversation about resilience, hope, emotional healing, boundaries, and faith.

Friday, January 9 | A Breath of Joy: Resilience, Grief, and the Quiet Power of Connection | Kathy Joy

Today’s PTBYB Live became a quintessential episode—real, tender, and unexpectedly joyful.

Kathy Joy and I showed up exhausted and aware of the overwhelm we’re carrying… and yet the conversation turned into what I can only describe as “a carpet ride of joy.” Joy came through the stories, the honesty, the poetry, and the steady reminder that what we often need most is connection—someone willing to sit with the discord beside us.

Friday, December 19 | Resilience Isn’t White-Knuckling: Remembering Who You Are

What if resilience isn’t about endurance, toughness, or pushing through — but about remembering who you truly are?

In this deeply moving episode of Plan To Be Your Best Live, resilience coach and author Matt Hill joins Rick Cram for an honest, soul-level conversation about pain, shame, identity, energy, and what it really means to live well — even when life hurts.

Refill Your Sails with Free Encouraging Insights in Your Inbox

Friday, December 12 | When the Psychology Professor Met Grief: Dave Roberts on Love, Loss & Choice

When his 18-year-old daughter Janine died from a rare cancer, psychology professor and addiction counselor Dave Roberts thought his life was over.

22 years later, he’s still grieving — and still learning, teaching, and choosing growth.

Friday, December 5 | Becoming Is Messy: Turning Lifelong Trauma into Resilience (with Meghann Dawson)

What if your resilience isn’t somewhere “out there” in the future…but in the way you meet this moment?

Rick is joined by coach, author, and “alchemist of potential and possibility” Meghann Dawson to talk about chronic trauma, shame, nervous-system healing, and the messy, beautiful path to self-love.

Friday, November 28 | Healing Begins in Quiet: Grief, Art & Silent Resilience with Noémi Beres

“Healing doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it begins in quiet.”

In this heartfelt PTBYB Live conversation, Rick Cram and guest Noémi Beres explore how grief, silence, creativity, and intentionality can gently reshape a painful journey into one of resilience, purpose, and love.

Friday, November 21 | Brain Tumors, Human Connection & Resilience – with Karl Pontau

If you feel alone in what you’re facing, this conversation is for you.

Karl Pontau and I explore how story, community, and asking for help can hold you up when pain and fear feel overwhelming.

Friday, November 14 | Belief, Resilience & Leadership — with John Golden

“You always have a choice.” — John Golden

This episode of PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST …Live features John Golden — strategist, best-selling author, and publisher of Sales POP! Magazine — in a candid, uplifting conversation about belief, leadership, chronic pain, and personal resilience.

Thursday, November 13 | Singing Through Fire: Faith, Joy & Resilience in Suffering — with Lara Silverman

“When the room won’t stop spinning, my faith keeps me steady.” — Lara Silverman

In this special edition of PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST …Live, Rick speaks with Lara Silverman, author of Singing Through Fire: A Memoir of Finding Surprising Joy in Life’s Darkest Trials — a #1 Amazon Bestseller.

Friday, November 7 | When You’re Down, Get Up: Resilience, Purpose & Service with Chip Webster

In this powerful conversation, business leader and author Chip Webster shares how agency, purpose, and service help us rise—personally and as communities. We talk about intentional action, micro-validations (his poem), why courage is a verb, and how serving others reignites meaning when life knocks us down.

Friday, October 31 | Don Kennel is Rick’s guest, as He Heals from a Total Knee Replacement

Don joins Rick only weeks after his total knee replacement for a conversation and about what it’s like approaching the surgery, going through it and navigating the recovery—all with resilience.

Friday, October 30 | Men, Grief, and Resilience: Real Talk with Dan Griffin

Men: Real Talk. Real Solutions. No B.S.

In this conversation, author and men’s recovery leader Dan Griffin opens up about grief, miscarriage, marriage, and the real work of resilience. We talk about healthy masculinity, why “all is well” became a lifeline, and how no one gets resilient alone.

Friday, October 24 | Men, Emotions, and Real Resilience: Marchem’s “Carry the Pen” Moment

What does it look like to rebuild your identity after toxic leadership, workplace PTSD, divorce, and uncertainty—without rushing the process? Marchem Pfeiffer shares how he chose a foundation of peace, set healthy boundaries, used anchoring/grounding (breath + presence), and reframed anger as data—not identity.

Friday, October 3 | How do you keep going—honestly—through a cancer journey?

My guest Deb Krier, shares the resilience skills that helped her live on her terms: preserving energy, saying no, being honest beyond “I’m fine,” advocating with doctors, and letting small acts of hope compound.

September 19 | What does it mean to shift from pain and overwhelm to opportunity and purpose?

Diana Fritz turned pain into purpose after losing her left eye to cancer. In this conversation, she shares how faith, G.R.I.T, and resilience can transform overwhelming challenges into opportunities.

Why This Podcast Matters

When life brings pain, loss, or overwhelming stress, it’s easy to feel stuck. The PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST …LIVE Podcast exists to remind you that you are not alone—and that your best is always greater than the pain.

Each episode brings you into conversations with people who have faced incredible challenges and chosen resilience. Their stories will inspire you. Their strategies will equip you. And their hope can renew yours.

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Rick Cram - Plan To Be Your Best Live Podcast

Grow With Others — at Your Pace

Take Heart is a free online gathering for people who want to live with hope in the middle of pain.

No fixing. No toxic positivity. Just encouragement, honesty, and strength to take the next step.

Join the Next Gathering

Meet Your Host, Rick Cram

Rick Cram is a communications expert, trained caregiver, and Resilience Coach

…who has lived with intense pain since 1975, including seven surgeries on his left knee. Out of his own journey, he created the PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST method to help people strengthen resilience, navigate pain, and live with renewed hope.

Through this podcast, Rick brings his perspective as both a guide and fellow traveler—holding hope for you, and with you.

Learn More About Rick