How Cancer Helped Me Intentionally Redefine My Life with Amy Taylor

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Amy Taylor—a Missouri-based mental health advocate, podcast host, and social worker—about how a diagnosis of thyroid cancer sparked a transformative journey toward living more intentionally. Amy shares the realities of cancer treatment, going back to school in her fifties, pivoting careers, and launching her own podcast and side hustle to support conversations around mental health and neurodivergence.

About the Guest:

Amy Taylor has nearly 30 years of experience as a social worker and recently obtained her MBA in her fifties. She believes fiercely in the power of choice—the right to love openly, to embrace every unique aspect of ourselves, and to live authentically. She has walked a path through mental health challenges, with the courage to face Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, and ADHD, and she extends her hand to those who walk a similar road. As a single mom to a multiracial daughter on the spectrum, she has learned that differences are not barriers but gifts, bridging our understanding and compassion.

Main Topics Covered:

• Amy’s cancer diagnosis, treatment process, and experience with radioactive iodine isolation
• Realizations about “autopilot” living, and the decision to make bold life changes after illness
• Returning to school at age 52 to complete an MBA 20 years in the making
• Making a meaningful career pivot within social work and health advocacy
• Launching a podcast and side hustle as a first-time entrepreneur
• Breaking down stigma and building online support for neurodivergent families

Quote from the Episode:

“I had a lot of time to think, and I thought a lot about how cancer is pretty scary. And I was not happy with the way my life was going. And there were things that I had wanted to do for years and had not done. And I thought, you know what? I'm not going to put it off anymore. I'm going to make these changes.” — Amy Taylor

Timestamps: [00:00:08] Amy Taylor’s hometown and Kansas City connections

[00:01:54] Receiving a thyroid cancer diagnosis and sharing her prognosis

[00:03:17] Life before diagnosis: career, family, and “autopilot” routines

[00:05:13] How Amy’s cancer was discovered through routine blood work

[00:07:58] Undergoing radioactive iodine therapy and isolation

[00:11:28] Complications in treatment and support from family

[00:14:27] Facing mortality and intentional living during isolation

[00:17:53] Decision to return to school and the challenges of finishing an MBA

[00:22:19] Switching jobs for more meaning and less burnout in social work

[00:25:57] Starting a podcast and side hustle for the first time

[00:29:00] Building community around neurodivergence and mental health

[00:30:03] Final fun questions: food, relaxation, and karaoke

Connect with the Guest:

Podcast: Mental Health Warrior & Neurospicy Mama https://open.spotify.com/show/6gSjJDMEff7WJr71zvZnwy?si=39cfbe74414442ea&nd=1&dlsi=33ee4d7fa9374faf

Special Offer from the Guest:

Get Amy Taylor’s “Who Am I?” guided journal for free—a resource designed to help you unlock self-understanding, clarity, direction, and mindfulness. Download available at advancingwithamy.com.

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

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For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi

Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofj

For Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stone

before that I used Kit.

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors