Life Expectancy – Sisters Surviving & Thriving is more than a podcast. It’s a project rooted in survival, advocacy, and connection. Julee, biologist and educator, and Stacey, cancer survivor, liver transplant recipient, and recovering alcoholic, are sisters with a complicated past and a shared commitment to telling the truth. Through stories, resources, and conversation, they’re building something bigger than themselves – a space for anyone navigating illness, recovery, family, or forgiveness.

Real stories. Real survival. Real sisterhood. New episodes drop on the regular

Special Between-the-Seasons Episode

UC Health Liver Transplant Picnic 2025

Julee and Stacey visit the UC Health Liver Transplant Picnic for the first time and find themselves surrounded by people who truly understand what transplant life feels like. They capture short, powerful conversations with recipients from brand new to decades out, each sharing raw moments of fear, resilience, setbacks, and gratitude. The episode highlights community, connection, and the shared experience of surviving the unimaginable while honoring the gift of organ donation.

Julee and Stacey share the Life Expectancy Season 1 Spotify Playlist –
a soundtrack of survival, sisterhood, and second chances.
Each song carries a memory from their journey through addiction, illness, and recovery, revealing how music became their language when words fell short.

Season 1

Life Expectancy is a podcast about the unexpected pitfalls of health and the sisterly support needed to come out the other side. Every week, we discuss our history, our struggles, and the hope that was never lost during addiction, transplant, and cancer. We have smart conversations with each other, special friends, and insights into the difficulty navigating the healthcare system, sisterly bonds, and the expectations that come with life. We hope to inspire and provide comfort in times that are less than inspiring and more than uncomfortable. We are bound to get messy; It’s a work in progress.

Julee and Stacey introduce the series with a candid look at what lies ahead. This episode sets the stage for the personal, emotional, and sometimes messy journey they’ll be sharing; touching on transplant, cancer, caregiving, and what it really means to survive and thrive.

Julee and Stacey unpack their complicated family history and the roots of their sisterhood. From childhood estrangement to years of reconnection, they reflect on the moments that shaped their dynamic and how those early rifts still echo in their story of survival and healing.

The sisters explore how the same moment can feel entirely different depending on your role. They unpack key turning points from both the patient and health advocate sides – revealing emotional disconnects, missteps, and moments of clarity that shaped their journey.

The sisters reflect on news stories that hit close to home during their transplant journey. They unpack how current events can stir up personal memories, shift perspectives, and reveal just how deeply public narratives can impact private healing.

Stacey and Julee unpack the realities of getting on the UNOS transplant list. They break down MELD scores, hospital systems, and hard choices – blending lived experience with insight into what it takes to fight for a second chance at life.

Stacey and Julee dive into the roles that define a medical journey—patient, partner, advocate, and caregiver. They share what it takes to navigate hospitals, directives, and family dynamics while balancing control, trust, and compassion through the chaos of serious illness.

The content of this podcast is for informational and storytelling purposes only. We are not medical professionals, and nothing discussed in this episode or any episode of Life Expectancy: Sisters Surviving and Thriving should be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This podcast is a personal account of our lived experiences with addiction, illness, recovery, and advocacy. Every individual’s situation is unique, and what worked—or didn’t work—for us may not apply to others. If you are facing medical concerns, addiction, or any health-related challenges, please seek guidance from a qualified medical professional or licensed healthcare provider. Additionally, discussions in this podcast may include sensitive topics related to health, addiction, and medical treatment. Listener discretion is advised. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that we are sharing our personal journey and perspectives, and we do not assume responsibility for how this information is interpreted or applied. Always consult a professional for medical or legal advice regarding your own health and well-being. Thank you for being part of our journey, and we encourage you to seek support from trusted professionals when needed.