Adventures with Scars

Today on the podcast, Lauren Huffmaster welcomes her guest Lauren Burke!  In 2022, Lauren Burke’s life took an unexpected turn when a suspected "bruise" from her dogs turned out to be a lump the size of a ping-pong ball. What followed was a complex journey through the medical system—from initial misdiagnosis and reassurances that "it was nothing to worry about," to a life-alter...

Lauren is excited to bring April Johnson Stearns, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Wildfire Magazine & Writing Community to the podcast. April Stearns was diagnosed at 35 years old with Stage 3 breast cancer that she found while breastfeeding her daughter. Four years later, while struggling to “go back to normal” and find other young(er) people in similar circumstances, April launched Wildfire Magazi...

Lauren welcomes today's guest Becky Johnson. Becky is a breast cancer survivor, real estate broker, and the co-founder of FlatWear Clothing , a fashion brand created for women who have chosen to remain flat after mastectomy. A Maine native, Becky was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s and made the deeply personal decision to go flat rather than undergo reconstruction. Like so many women,...

This episode Lauren welcomes guest Troy Karnes. "I’m a father, husband, author, ghostwriter, recovering alcoholic & salesman, cancer survivor, business consultant, and I’m on a mission to share everything I learned fighting cancer and addiction with people who struggle to find peace and clarity, which isn't easy in the age of short attention spans and daily hacks. I get it, and I wan...

Our guest on this episode is Jordan Carte. Jordan is a writer and artist whose life took an unexpected turn with a diagnosis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 2023. After walking through treatment and recovery, they were faced again with illness in 2025, when treatment-induced Acute Myeloid Leukemia reshaped their world. Through it all, Jordan continues to create—painting, writing, and weaving r...

Lauren's guest on this episode is Nikki Rasmussen-Hineman. Nikki is a fun-loving, baseball-watching, concert-going Parrothead and executive bourbon steward who looks forward to finding something positive and beautiful in every day.  She is also a breast cancer survivor who has worked in healthcare for more than 30 years as a physical therapist and in medical software.   Inspired by the life,...

In this episode, Chapter 2 of Lauren's book "Cancering", the topic is- Reflections, first steps toward a new direction.  In a world where cancer was once synonymous with despair and finality, a new reality emerges: survivors now live a decade beyond their diagnosis. This seismic shift presents us with fresh challenges to confront head-on. How do we navigate life after hearing those...

In this season of Adventures with Scars, Lauren reads through her book Cancering, about emotionally healing from cancer. This first chapter deals with Fear and how to recognize it and work through and even appreciate it. To order Cancering go to Amazon.  To find out more about Lauren's nonprofit Adventure Therapy Foundation go to www.adventurefound.org 

Lauren welcomes guest Lissett Mckee in this episode of Adventures with Scars. Lissett was diagnosed in 2018 with breast cancer, then in 2021 she was diagnosed with stomach cancer.  She joined Debbie's Dream Foundation, a stomach cancer foundation, as a patient advocate. She now goes to Washington annually to ask Congress for money for cancer research and acts as a cancer mentor. 

Lauren's guest on this episode is Lauren Hunter! Lauren is an intuitive and faith-focused entrepreneur who values working with creative visionaries to bring ideas to fruition. She offers author services, highly sensitive person coaching and book coaching, and freelance writing to her passionate clients.  With a diverse background in content marketing, PR, and publishing including her two book...

Lauren's guest in this episode is Stephanie S. Abbott. Stephanie is a cancer survivor, a former healthcare executive, and author of " Buried or Planted - 100+ Expert Insights from a Healthcare Executives' Journey as a Cancer Patient" . Stephanie has served in multiple leadership roles to include Chief Experience Officer for Adventist Health, Division Vice President Patient Expe...

In this episode, Lauren has a wonderful conversation with Nancy Ferro. Nancy founded Epic Experience after her oldest son Michael was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  5 years after Michaels diagnosis she had witnessed what the outdoors and being with other cancer thrivers could do to offer hope.   Nancy is married to her husband Mark and they have their children, Michael and Amanda Ferro, Colin...

Lauren welcomes Brigitte Cutshall to the podcast in this episode. Brigitte is a health advocate and speaker who is passionate about encouraging others to lead their happiest, healthiest lives. After dealing with breast cancer twice, melanoma and a rare primary brain tumor, her goal is to “empower others not just to survive, but thrive.” Brigitte is the founder of Gemini Media, a creative enforcer,...

On this episode of Adventures with Scars Lauren welcomes guest Terri Curtis.  Terri is the C-suite of the Curtis family.  She has been an amazing human for 47 years, a pediatric occupational therapist for 25 years and a mother for 16years.  She is currently writing the chapters of her life as she continues on her journey as a breast cancer advocate, MBC thriver and general badass.  She is here tod...

On this episode Lauren welcomes guest Judith Fitzgerald. Judy was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in 2009. Her year of treatment included a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Since her diagnosis, she has been an active advocate for breast cancer prevention and founded Sisters4Prevention in 2010. Judy serves as a consumer advocate for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Grant...

On this episode of Adventures with Scars Lauren is pleased to welcome guest Mahwish Syed. Mahwish Syed is an award winning fashion and interior designer, celebrated author, cancer survivor, and devoted mother. Her creations have adorned bodies and homes for over two decades, fostering spaces that nurture and heal. Featured in distinguished publications like New York Times, Architectural Digest, El...

In this episode, Lauren welcomes Tania Streete to the podcast. Tania is a single mother of two sons with disabilities. Her youngest son is now 19 years old and has Down syndrome. Her oldest son is 28 years old with Brain Damage, Epilepsy, Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), learning disorder, Irlen Syndrome, and Dyslexia.  In 2008, Tania and her boys relocated...

In this episode Lauren shares her insight about the difficulties with a broken identity that comes with a cancer diagnosis and how that identity is rebuilt. Take a listen and let us know what you think or if you would like to share your own experience email us at info@adventurefound.org.  To find out more about Adventure Therapy Foundation visit us online at wwwadventurefound.org 

We are so pleased to welcome to the podcast in this episode Amanda Medina! Amanda is 39 years old and from Texas. She is a mother to a 21-year-old son and has a wonderfully supportive boyfriend. She was diagnosed July 17th 2018 with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer De Novo. She is currently no evidence of active disease. She is a Registered and Certified Dental Assistant of over 17 years. Since he...

This episode features a conversation with Lauren and Audrey Graves, a mom and educator who was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer after the birth of her son in 2006 and currently is living with Metastatic Breast Cancer.  Audrey shares her journey through being a mom and an educator, she currently works as the Principal of the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually...

On this episode of Adventures with Scars Lauren welcomes Lori Ponce! Lori is a wife and mother of three girls. She homeschools her daughters and teaches adults with disabilities. She is passionate about exercise and has a personal training certification. In 2021, her life was significantly changed when her youngest was diagnosed at age four with Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma. Then, on her daughter&apos...

On this episode of Adventures with Scars, Lauren welcomes guest Melanie Anderson. Melanie has supported and led organizations serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 30 years.  As a driven human service professional and active single parent to two amazing young adults (ages 19 and 22), she knows how to help and support others.  At age 50, after being diagnosed with...

On this episode of Adventures with Scars Lauren welcomes guest Kandy Salby! Kandy is a retired high school English teacher, mother of 2 college kids and stepmom to 2 younger kids, living with stage 4 colon cancer for the last 3 and a half years. Cancer has motivated her to explore and experience the amazing power of healing through mind, body & soul. Her approach to healing has been “no stone...

Lauren's guest today is Mandy and we are going to let her introduce herself. "My name is Mandy Johnson Bryant and I have a fabulous husband Daniel and two wonderful boys, Jonah, age 13, and Jesse, age 10.  Most days I appreciate how blessed I am but other days are hard.  God gave me two godly, faithful men to share my life with.  My first husband, James, passed away from a brain tumor ca...

In this episode Lauren welcomes guest Josh Tidwell, a cancer co-survivor who lost his wife Cassie Tidwell to cancer. Cassie and Josh were one of the first families Adventure Therapy was able to help send on a retreat to the Tiny Home in Tennessee. She was so impacted by the time of rest and retreat that she expressed a desire to start an organization who would help send families impacted by cancer...