Candidly with Carolyn

It isn't just about being grateful for "surviving" cancer. We deserve more than this. It's about living quality lives. This includes thriving in our intimate relationships and sex lives, whether 25 or 70 years old. Shifts in feelings, attitudes and abilities in sexuality and intimacy can be challenging. For some, sex lives can change dramatically after cancer. When it comes to go...

You asked. She answers. Carolyn is happily passing the mic to others with CANDIDLY - guiding you through a variety of very human cancer-related experiences, and tackling your questions with guests. But some of you sneakily found a way to send in questions for her. She - finally - got around to answering them. Enjoy this personal reflection guided by what you wanted to know. For Carolyn, March 19th...

It was 2013 and Chris Ho was in his early-30s living a normal young professional life. It was an exciting time! And then….he was hit with testicular cancer. A profound story that includes some loss - including that of both of his testicles. It turns out, Chris gained far more and it's been life changing. Chris and Carolyn share parallels in their lives - and beyond being disrupted by The Big C...

A live on-location recording from Calgary, we welcome Dr. Cedric Tremblay on to the pod! Freshly after sharing the stage at a researcher's conference, Carolyn and Cedric plop down on a set of comfortable armchairs to chat about people with lived cancer experiences, the burden of childhood cancers, lessons learned as a once upon a time young-er researcher, leveraging cross-border 🇦🇺 citizenship...

In 2019, Sam Megarry went to the hospital thinking that she had appendicitis. She had no idea what she was about to encounter around the bend - a Stage 3 colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome diagnosis. Her life was suddenly flipped upside down at 28 years old. Carolyn and Sam met in group therapy at Gilda's Club Toronto where a small crew of young adults in their 20s and 30s at different stage...

We are back to our regular programming answering your questions survivor-on-survivor style - this time with Aisha McClellan! Aisha was diagnosed with cervical cancer just as she was about to turn 32 years old. Shortly after, she was told that she could have 3 months to live. Spoiler alert: years later, she joins us on the pod - and we'd love for you to meet her! Carolyn and Aisha met and hit i...

Welcome to another special edition Live from AACR 2025 Chicago episode of Candidly with Carolyn! This time with Katie Coleman, software engineer, author of Too Young For Cancer and Rare Cancer Patient Advocate. Facing a cancer diagnosis especially as a young adult can be very lonely and isolating as it is. What happens when we are diagnosed with 1 of only 10 known stage 4 cases in the entire world...

Live from Chicago, we've got another special edition instalment for you! This time, we welcome Dr. Fei-Fei Liu on to the pod. Aside from treating breast cancer patients at Princess Margaret Hospital and fostering the next generation of scientists and clinicians through the University of Toronto - she is setting the sails for Canada's investigative priorities as Scientific Director of Insti...

Live from Chicago, join us for this special edition instalment of Candidly With Carolyn where we welcome Carmen Monge - Author, Researcher & Globe Trotting Cancer Patient Advocate on to the pod to hangout. They meet in the lobby of their hotel in Chicago and catch their breath after hurriedly getting ready from one conference event to another. Pour yourself a cup of your favourite coffee, hit...

Carolyn welcomes Brooks Nelson and Yee Won Chong, filmmakers of Trans Dudes With Lady Cancer on to the pod. Join us for this survivors hangout as we talk about scenarios and circumstances that trans-masc and trans-femme individuals can face within the healthcare system with examples from Yee Won and Brooks' first-hand breast and ovarian cancer diagnosis experience, their 'whys' and goa...

Carolyn welcomes Dr. Scott Adams, CEO and Director of Research & Training of Cancer Fatigue Services on to the pod. Hang out with us as we catch up, share laughs and go all in on a topic that can interfere with day-to-day function and tasks of those even 15+ years post-diagnosis and treatment. Cancer Fatigue can be severe enough to significantly disrupt the lives of 1/3 of those living with an...

Carolyn welcomes trauma-informed therapist and integrated wellness practitioner, Stefanie Anne Rico on to the pod. On this episode, we explore themes of community, ancestry and spirituality through healing and grieving. Your questions lead Carolyn and Stefanie through a discussion on community, culture, healthy communication, and navigating the emotional landscape of cancer - while emphasizing the...

Carolyn welcomes Ariz Bhimani, testicular cancer survivor and Founder of recovery undergarment line BRFZY on to the pod. On this episode, we get personal, Ariz flashes his briefs, we geek out and catch up on venture building and of course, address questions submitted by you. From supporting others with cancer, shifts in our friendships and dating, and seeking help amidst overwhelm Carolyn and Ariz...

Carolyn welcomes Ilene Shiller from Wellspring on to the pod to discuss the relationship between cancer, work and finances. Upwards of 40% of cancer patients experience financial distress*. What financial cost considerations are often unaccounted for? What and how do we bring up the C word when job seeking? Ever since your diagnosis, have you experienced shifts in your professional interests? From...