Believe Big Podcast

A cancering journey can be a tough road.  Conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can take a toll on a patient mentally, emotionally and physically.  But, there are some things that can be done to help alleviate some of the side-effects and even enhance the treatments! Join me today as I speak with Jen Nolan, owner and lead oncology nutrition consultant with Remission Nutrition.  J...

When you are diagnosed with cancer, so many questions come to mind: How quickly do I need to begin treatment? What tests do I need to understand my cancer? What changes do I need to make to my lifestyle and food choices? What is a CSC or a CTC and is that important for my cancer journey? Dr. Leigh Erin Connealy answers these questions and provides so much more information for anyone who is current...

Imagine taking your child to urgent care thinking they have appendicitis and instead being told they have cancer, and not just cancer, but Ewing sarcoma.  Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the bones and in the soft tissues around the bones. This is exactly what happened to Jen and Ella Edwards when Ella was only 9 years old! Today, Jen and Ella join me to talk about Ella's...

Parents, this episode is especially for you!   Do you have a picky eater in the family?   Does the thought of mealtime with your picky eater cause a wave of anxiety for you?   Do you want to know how to better approach mealtime in a fun way to help your picky eater expand his/her palette and improve their nutrition levels? Well today, you are in the right place.  This week's podcast episode f...

Hope is defined as an optimistic state of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes; a feeling of trust;  or confident expectation. This week I am joined by author Andrea Herzer and Andrea knows all about hope, growing it and maintaining it.  Andrea shares her story of managing extreme challenges and finding hope in difficult times, primarily through chronic health issues. Despite her hard...

This week’s podcast features an interview with Maggie and Brad Jones. Maggie is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at the age of 40 and given a terminal prognosis.  Maggie is now NED. Brad is a director, writer, and producer and has worked in the film industry for over 20 years.  Together, they have used Maggie’s cancer journey as an inspiration to create a new docu-ser...

Today’s podcast episode features Karen Dubs, a fitness and wellness expert. Karen shares her insights on managing stress and implementing self-care practices in daily life. We discuss the importance of recognizing the signs of stress, such as  fatigue,  difficulty sleeping, and  irritability, and taking steps to address these.  She emphasizes the role of physical activity in managing stress, recom...

This is a very special episode for EVERYONE.    What do you do when your family member, your friend, your co-worker, your neighbor is diagnosed with cancer or is facing a difficult crisis? Have you ever said to that person you care about, "if you need anything, let me know"?  But you really didn't know what they needed.  You didn't really know what you could do for them, but yo...

The western American diet is under fire for the amount of sugar we consume on a daily basis. Overconsumption of sugar creates all sorts of health issues for us and it is a big topic of discussion for everyone these days, especially cancer patients. In this episode, Dr. Lucas Tims returns for a second time to talk about sugar and the role it plays in cancer.  Can consuming sugar increase your risk...

In this episode I get to speak with Dawn Swann, a certified integrative health coach, about the importance of gut health.  Dawn shares her personal journey of healing her gut and gives tips on making simple changes in diet to improve overall health. She emphasizes that the key to optimal health is a process of continual learning and small steps. We also discuss the impact of food on overall health...

In the information age, we are bombarded by traditional methods of healing that often fall short of supporting our needs. To thrive, we must get back to how our bodies heal themselves naturally through a combination of therapies including (but not limited to) light, vibration, PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy, manual therapy, and exercise. Today’s podcast features Chris Hodel, my friend...

Men are often "tough" customers when it comes to new options in the world of health and wellness.  That's a trend that was not lost on Robin Daly when he began digging into the world of integrative and complementary medicine for his daughter. It's a trend he wants to change. Men NEED options for their health as much as women, but they are often left out or overlooked, making it...

Hormones, we all have them.   Testosterone Progesterone Estrogen Melatonin Cortisol Oxytocin They act as our bodies chemical messengers, sending signals into our bloodstream and tissues for functions such as our metabolism, sleep cycles, mood, reproduction and more. And depending on our stress levels, our hormones can get out of balance effecting our overall health. Join me today as Dr. Halie Scho...

We all need a good night sleep every night and a solid circadian rhythm.  But how do we optimize our sleep, especially if one happens to be a cancer patient? Sleep disturbances for a cancer patient (and even the average person sometimes) can be numerous, including: racing thoughts emotional trauma anxiety, maybe even depression side-effects of medication physical stress even bad technology habits...

NED (no evidence of disease), it's what every cancer patient longs to hear.  It's exactly what Tania Atkin has heard after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in February 2022. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that forms in the plasma cells.  It affects the white blood cells and the body's immune system.  It can be a devastating diagnosis, especially for a professional athlete...

It's been 10 years since Alison Gannett was diagnosed with "terminal" brain cancer and given approximately six months to live.  How has she managed to beat the odds? Cancer is not a "generalized" disease to be treated like you're on a conveyor belt.  It's an "individualized" condition, and Alison credits cancer for waking her up to the root causes of di...

A cancer diagnosis is frightening.  A terminal diagnosis can be absolutely paralyzing.  But when  Jane McLelland was diagnosed with a second aggressive cancer in 1999, classified as terminal, she did not freeze.  Instead she dove headfirst into medical research because she knew she had nothing to lose. Fast forward to 2021 and find out how Jane is trying to turn the world of oncology on its ear. ...

Today's episode is about the personal experience of getting and removing breast implants from my friend, Kathryn Gordon. Kathryn shares openly and honestly about her decision to get breast implants, how it impacted her health, how it impacted her marriage and her decision to have them removed.  She also discusses her challenges finding answers for the health issues she was facing due to her i...

We all travel, some of us more than others, and travel can be laced with all sorts of stressors and air-borne illness potential.    As a frequent traveler, I have learned a lot about how to travel and stay healthy in the process.  I've found products that lend themselves to helping me keep my immune system functioning at it's best and this always leads to a more enjoyable trip! In this e...

How often do you consider the produce you purchase to eat?  How often do you consider the quality of the soil it's grown in? Have you ever thought about the nutritional value of your choices or do you just assume you're getting adequate nutrition from ANY produce you purchase?   Today on the podcast I welcome two guests who will enlighten you and challenge any thoughts you may have about...

Is it possible to LIVE with cancer?  The answer is YES!  Today's podcast guest is Jenny Bradley, and she has been living and thriving with cancer for quite a number of years.  Proving that cancer does not have to be a "life sentence".  She's living her best life giving back to other cancer patients and proving that life does go on even after a diagnosis. In her own words:  &quo...

This is the second of two episodes with my dear friend, Susie Larson.  Today, Susie talks about her own personal health challenges.  She openly shares the mental battle she has waged with the enemy and points to the raw moments in that battle that almost broke her spirit.  Susie also shares the miracle of prayers from complete strangers and friends including  Mercy Prayers from her friend, Melissa...

Today we kick off 2023 with my dear friend, Susie Larson! Join me in this part one of two episodes as Susie talks about her book, Fully Alive .  Susie points out that in order for a person to heal physically, a person must also heal spiritually and emotionally.  Everything about our health is connected and for true health to be achieved, all aspects of the person must be addressed.  She also share...

Today, I am chatting with  Believe Big's Lead Patient Advocate, Patty Buddemeyer.  Patty has been a part of the Believe Big family since the beginning and she has worked with hundreds of patients who reach out in search of information and answers along their cancer journeys. Join me as Patty and I cover a lot of territory for patients and caregivers, alike.  We will talk about the importance...

Would you like to begin the new year with a vision that's clear and focused?  Believe it or not, there is power in a single word. Following the simple and powerful concept outlined in the book, One Word That Will Change Your Life , you can ditch the new year's resolution list and narrow your intentions with one word for the whole year that can drive success in your life. Join me today as...