Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, hosts Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier discuss the therapeutic power of humor in coping with cancer and adversity. They explore how laughter and humor can enhance mental and physical well-being, particularly during challenging times such as cancer treatments. Dr. Miller shares insights from his involvement with the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor an...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy , host Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Nancie Steinberg, a healthcare communication specialist and patient advocate, to discuss her personal journey through breast cancer and leukemia. Nancie shares how her battle with breast cancer, just after losing her mother to metastatic breast cancer, shaped her work in public relations for the healthcare industry. Despite f...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, host Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Merv Neal, Australia's leading laughter expert, to explore the healing power of laughter. Merv shares his unique journey from a successful business career to becoming a laughter therapist after a life-threatening health crisis. Following years of stress and overwork, Merv found himself facing a severe medical emergency, but in...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy , hosts Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier are joined by Dr. Kelly McLean, a specialist in breast and melanoma cancers, to discuss life beyond cancer treatment. Dr. McLean and her husband, Tom Tressler, co-founded Move Beyond Surviving , a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cancer survivors navigate life's emotional and physical aspects after treatment. Dr....

Katy Bee, our distinguished guest, embarked on a transformative journey across the nation with the express purpose of advocating joy in the lives of individuals grappling with adversity, including those impacted by cancer. In this enlightening discourse, we delve into the profound science and spirituality of laughter, as well as practical methodologies for cultivating joy through quotidian acts of...

Dr. Brad Miller, in his compelling appearance on the LaughBox Podcast, elucidates the transformative power of humor in the face of adversity, particularly within the realm of cancer. He articulates how humor serves as a vital coping mechanism, allowing individuals affected by cancer to navigate their daunting circumstances with a sense of levity and resilience. Through his personal narrative, Dr....

In this episode, we engage in a profound dialogue with Jim Bob Williams, the first therapeutic humorist to appear on Jeopardy. We delve into the intricacies of navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis through a dual lens of engineering and comedic strategy, emphasizing the importance of balancing humor with candid vulnerability. Jim Bob elucidates how he employs what he terms "strategic humor" to fo...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, hosts Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier welcome Christina Vidovich, an expert in mindfulness and meditation, to discuss how individuals, especially women, can manage anxiety and stress through mindful practices. Christina shares her journey from working in developmental psychology and autism studies to becoming a business owner and discovering the healing power of...

Laughter is often seen as a temporary escape, but what if it could be part of a real treatment plan? In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Frank Chindamo, who shares the inspiration behind his LaughMD app, a groundbreaking approach to using humor as a therapeutic tool. After losing his father and stepfather to cancer, Frank saw firsthand how hospital enviro...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller welcomes Dale Atkinson, a former compliance consultant from the UK, to share his journey with esophageal adenocarcinoma and its impact on his life. Diagnosed after his wife’s successful lung surgery, Dale was given a terminal prognosis of just 11.5 months. Despite this, he chose to fight back, embracing alternative therapies such as hyperbaric...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier welcome Lynn “Elikqitie” Smargis to discuss overcoming chronic pain and PTSD while building a career in writing and publishing. Lynn shares her deeply personal journey of surviving childhood abuse, living with PTSD, and using writing as a tool for healing. She introduces her “box metaphor,” explaining how her mind stored traumatic...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier dive into the sensitive topic of boundaries when sharing personal information, especially in the context of cancer. Dr. Miller reflects on his experiences with individuals who either over-shared or kept their struggles private, stressing the importance of balancing openness and discretion. He shares two personal stories, one about Phyllis, who kept he...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier discuss the unique intersection of cancer and comedy. Dr. Miller shares his journey from his prostate cancer diagnosis to using humor as a coping mechanism. He talks about his experiences, from incontinence to impotence, and how humor allowed him to handle difficult situations. Drawing inspiration from comedians, he even took a comedy workshop at Podf...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Tami Barber discuss her inspiring journey from a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader to a cancer survivor and podcast host. Tami shares her experiences with ovarian cancer, from her initial diagnosis to her emotional highs and lows during treatment. Despite the challenges, Tami remained resilient and optimistic, finding strength in her support group, the "Bionic Babes,"...

In this episode, Jason Lee shares his journey from overcoming adversity to achieving success, focusing on resilience and the transformative power of storytelling. Jason, a specialist medical translator, discusses how a series of health challenges—including contracting COVID-19, viral pneumonia, and stage two heart failure—shook his life but also led to a profound shift in his career and mindset. H...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Jen Hardy explore the power of laughter, resilience, and living life boldly despite health challenges. Jen shares her incredible journey, from a series of misdiagnoses in 2013 to being told she had only a year to live. Despite facing muscular dystrophy and myasthenia gravis, she defied the odds by focusing on hope, humor, and changing her mindset. Her move to a...

In this episode, Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller discuss the therapeutic power of humor in dealing with cancer. Dr. Brad Miller shares insights from a professional comedian about how humor works by breaking tension, offering unexpected responses, and helping people process difficult emotions. Deb shares how comedy provides a safe way to discuss a taboo topic and can act as an icebreaker to open up d...

Cancer changes everything, but it also has a way of revealing life’s most important truths. In this heartfelt episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller sits down with Tim Sohn—two-time bestselling author and the host and creator of the Showing Up: Perspectives on Cancer podcast. Tim opens up about his 18-year journey with chronic myeloid leukemia, a diagnosis that initially brought...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier discussed the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy and routine when coping with cancer. Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller share personal stories of how unexpected events like cancer can disrupt normal routines. They emphasize that normalcy is more about having consistent routines rather than absolute normalcy. Dr. Brad Miller highlights the value...

Adversity has a way of disrupting life’s plans, but it also reveals what truly matters. In this inspiring episode, Dr. Brad Miller speaks with Carl Sharperson, Jr., Naval Academy graduate, military veteran, and author of Overcoming Adversity to Lead with Authenticity. Carl shares his deeply personal journey of battling stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, financial hardship, and helping his wife thr...

A cancer diagnosis can upend life’s plans, but it can also reshape how we approach goals and priorities. In this heartfelt episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller to discuss how cancer challenges traditional goal-setting and offers a new perspective on living with intention. Deb shares her struggle to set long-term business goals in her mastermind group, as the unce...

Facing cancer is undeniably challenging, but humor can provide a powerful lifeline. In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, host Dr. Brad Miller is joined by certified humor professional Jim-Bob Williams, who shares his deeply personal journey through prostate cancer. With wit and wisdom, Jim-Bob reveals how laughter became his steadfast companion during some of the darkest moments of hi...

The holiday season can feel especially challenging for those facing cancer. In this episode of Cancer and Comedy , co-hosts Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller discuss the unique emotional toll cancer can take during the holidays, often creating a "double whammy" of holiday blues and the harsh realities of illness. With candid warmth, Deb and Dr. Miller explore how a cancer diagnosis during the festive...

Cancer can bring overwhelming stress, but what if you could face it with humor and hope? In this latest episode of Cancer and Comedy , co-hosts Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller discuss how to transform stress into an ally. They explore how shifting perspectives—especially when facing tough news like a cancer diagnosis—can change the course of your journey. Dr. Miller emphasizes the importance of buil...

Facing a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but what if you could approach it with gratitude and even a bit of humor? In a special Thanksgiving-themed episode of Cancer and Comedy , co-hosts Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller explore the profound power of community, personal growth, and thankfulness. They remind listeners that no matter how tough life gets, it’s possible to find joy and meaning. D...