#427 This Changes Everything: On Cancer, Fear, Laughter & Lament with Tyler Merritt

Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?

You are in for a treat this week! We are back with my good friend Tyler Merritt today, who has been on the show before. Tyler is a Nashville-based actor, author, musician, activist, cancer survivor, and founder of The Tyler Merritt Project. He’s appeared in shows like Netflix’s Outer Banks, Marvel’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and NBC’s Young Rock.

Tyler is also the author of the bestselling memoir I Take My Coffee Black and the children’s book A Door Made for Me. I’m thrilled to have him back on the show today to talk about his new book, This Changes Everything: A Surprisingly Funny Story About Race, Cancer, Faith, and Other Things We Don’t Talk About.

Tyler is a true light in this world, and this conversation is packed with depth, vulnerability, and lots of laughs. I’m honored to have him back to share more of his story, and I know you’ll walk away with so much from this conversation!

2:26 – Tyler 201

• Tyler’s second book birthday! • The positive response to his first book • Acting projects and walking through cancer • Tyler’s stance on Coca-Cola

11:31 – Finding Peace In The Present

• Tyler’s advice for someone struggling to live in the present • Living in your life right now • Navigating fear and anxiety about the future

22:07 – Facing Fear And Living Well

• Why humor has been such a powerful tool for Tyler • Confronting your fears head on • Living well and loving fully

32:33 – Learning To Lament

• The importance of true grief • The legacy Tyler hopes This Changes Everything leaves • Getting your copy of Tyler’s book

FEATURED QUOTES

“There's a thing I think sometimes that we associate with, oh my gosh, how much time do we have left? What's going to happen after I'm gone? and not really taking the moment to go, I'm still here right now, and I'm so, so radically thankful that that's a thing.”

“If tomorrow, God forbid, I was no longer here, did I love well while I was here? Did I serve well up until the very last moment?”

“There are some things I can't change, right? But while I'm here and I have the tangible moments to do these things now, I can bring as much goodness as I can into the moments that I currently exist in, and that can be my stronghold on the fear that I might see coming against me.”

Learn more about Tyler:

The Tyler Merritt Project https://thetylermerrittproject.com/

Get your copy of This Changes Everything https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Everything-Surprisingly-Cancer/dp/1546006966

Tyler’s other books https://thetylermerrittproject.com/book/

Tyler on Social Media:

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPB48_JfK-VMnYQPTYyMX5Q

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thetylermerrittproject

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetylermerrittproject/

X https://x.com/ttmproject