Habit Nerd

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn interviews Natalie and Sebastian Khoury, authors of 'The Worst Best Year,' a memoir detailing their journey through Sebastian's battle with cancer. The conversation explores themes of growth, strength, and resilience in the face of adversity, the importance of support networks, and the unique experiences of both mother and son during this challenging time. They discuss the emotional complexities of navigating relationships, the role of faith, and the profound sense of loneliness that can accompany illness, all while highlighting the significance of human connection and the joy of overcoming obstacles together. In this conversation, Bree Hurn and Sebastian discuss the emotional and academic journey of Sebastian through his cancer treatment. They reflect on the significance of achievements amidst adversity, the importance of journaling, and the motivation behind writing their book. The discussion highlights the themes of hope, strength, and perspective, as well as the importance of community support and advocacy for cancer awareness. Sebastian shares his future aspirations in oncology and the habits that have helped him maintain mental well-being, including the 'Sunday rule' for balancing work and rest. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Journey 04:51 Growth and Strength in Adversity 07:54 Navigating Relationships During Crisis 10:54 Support Systems and Community 14:07 Balancing Life and Health 16:59 The Role of Faith and Resilience 25:07 Faith and Survival Perspectives 28:01 The Experience of Hospital Life 29:09 Loss of Control During Treatment 31:15 Loneliness in the Midst of Support 33:43 The Emotional Highs and Lows of Treatment 36:57 Ringing the Bell: A Symbol of Triumph 39:31 The Journey of Writing a Book Together 47:50 Exploring Perspectives and Awareness 50:59 The Journey of Writing and Healing 53:41 Post-Treatment Reflections and Emotional Healing 56:29 Future Aspirations and Advocacy 58:48 Habits for Mental Well-Being 01:06:51 Advocacy and Community Support 01:13:02 Introduction to The Habit Nerd 01:13:03 Strategies for Building Effective Habits Keywords cancer, resilience, memoir, family, support, growth, strength, human connection, faith, loneliness, cancer, resilience, emotional journey, advocacy, hope, strength, perspective, oncology, journaling, awareness