Michael and Mom Talk Cancer

Join Michael and mom, ashlee, as they chat about a recent Instagram comment from someone looking for purpose. Purpose is sometimes obvious, sometimes not. Sometimes BIG, sometimes simple. It changes and evolves.... Both Michael and ashlee share how purpose gets them out of bed, passion gives them meaning, helping others gives them even more love. #cancer #BMT #love #GVHD #purpose

Join Michael and mama ashlee as they welcome 3-time cancer survivor and author extraordinaire Michelle Rapkin. She discusses both her cancer diagnoses and treatments, as well as her newly released book, "Cancer Sucks, But You'll Get Through It". the book a detailed guide from someone who knows.... Michelle is full of knowledge, passion, energy and shares her story with both hope and...

Join Michael and ashlee (AKA mom) as they sit on the couch and reflect about a recent tough day, reminding them that life is not linear, healing is not linear. As usual, the two laugh together, but always find the deeper meaning behind the laughter. Listen as they bring honesty and humor to the seemingly never-ending lessons they learn from cancer, BMT, GVHD and so many complications.

Michael and Mom talk cancer (specifically hepato splenic t-cell lymphoma) and chronic graft versus host disease, the two rare diseases that Michael lives with. Our dear friends at Lumanity asked us to answer a few questions and share our two perspectives, unique experiences, living with a rare disease diagnosis, on this special day, Rare Disease Day, February 29th, 2024. Join Michael and Mom for a...

Join Michael and ashlee (mom), as they talk to Weston Lord. Weston has survived 2 bone marrow transplants, 4 "tussles" with cancer, and many complications, including GVHD, like Michael. In Weston's own words: "Over the years, I have come to terms with the fact that the struggle is good. Overcoming adversity, triumphing over what we thought was impossible leads to the greatest gr...

Join Michael and mom (Ashlee) as they laugh, share some of the more humorous moments post knee replacement surgery, plus, the continued love and gratitude. As always, they somehow find the joy in the most challenging of moments. The beauty in the pain... even while delaing with physical pain and the painful reality of losing part of Michael's health insurance. Listen, smile, be moved, and hope...

Join Michael and mama Ashlee as they talk PTSD, those cancer fighting words, toxic positivity, and as usual, LOVE! By the way, this episode was recorded BEFORE Michael underwent a complicated knee surgery, but the lessons, the perspective, are universal, timeless.... for now.......

Join Michael and Mom as they talk to THE Dr. Erica Harris! Survivor, BMT recipient, double lung transplant recipient. She is a motivational speaker, a mindset health expert (Rise, Survive and Thrive Alive), Tex x speaker, podcast host, retired chiropractor and MOM of two boys! She is smart, funny, down to earth, wise beyond her years, and is open and willing to share all she has learned with US. s...

Jeff Boothman shares his cancer story with Michael and ashlee, and how he turned his struggle into a self-help "manual" in the form of his new book: HOW TO BE A CANCER PATIENT. No one teaches you how to deal with this life changing diagnosis, but Jeff shares his wisdom and knowledge, having been through all the struggles himself. He is full of amazing information all laid out in an often...

Join Michael and Mom as they chit chat for a few moments, reflecting on life of late..... Michael talking about letting his illness guide him, NOT control him. Ashlee discussing how love is NOT their broken record, but a message that needs to be heard over and over again.... It is a SHORT chat, but a fun one. We hope you enjoy the two as they laugh and cry together.

Join Michael and Mom as they talk to Brian Burkhardt from the Oliver Patch Project. Brian shares the story of how his son's cancer diagnosis brought his family, his community, and the pediatric cancer world together through milestones that are celebrated with colorful, artistic patches. The patches symbolize strength, while keeping love and positivity in the forefront. An exciting new developm...

Join Michael and mom as they talk candidly to Rob Long, former football star at Syracuse, brain cancer survivor, literally beating every odd, and now Executive director of Uplifting Athletes. He turned his very dismal brain cancer diagnosis into a new path, to help others going through rare disease. Uplifting Athletes raises money and awareness to fund research for rare diseases, enhances student...

Join Michael and mom (ashlee) as they interview JJ Singleton, diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the young age of 27. He has been through relapse, he has been told his cancer is incurable, but somehow he is here, advocating, inspiring, beating every odd. He has a special passion for mental health, especially men's mental health. His southern accent is charming but do not let it fool you, he i...

Join Michael and ashlee as they chat with special guest, Michael's girlfriend Suzane Lima, AKA Suzie Q! They talk casual, getting-to-know Suzie conversation, as well as going a little deeper, asking Suzie what it is like dating a 22 year old cancer survivor living with a chronic illness. Suzie is cute and fun and so open, as she shares a little of her heart with Michael, mom and YOU, the audie...

Join Michael and mom (ashlee) as they talk about taking their first trip since Michael was diagnosed with cancer in July of 2020. The duo talk about packing meds, COVID, taking a hotel bath, but most importantly, they share the beautiful experience they had attending Stupid Cancer's #cancercon2023 in Atlanta as guests AND Keynote speakers. From Atlanta they flew to NYC to film some PR for the...

Join Michael and ashlee as they speak with Matthew Zachary, entertainer, speaker, provocateur, advocate, cancer rebel. Matthew was diagnosed with brain cancer as a college senior. He was only 21 years old. He wasn't sure he would make it to his 22nd birthday. That was 27 years ago. Matthew is one of todays’ most respected, influential, and visionary voices in healthcare. He is the Founder of t...

Join Michael and ashlee (mom) as they speak with Marques Ogden, who had it all, lost it all, and is now sharing his message of inspiration with us. Marques is a former NFL player, who became a successful entrepreneur, but then hit rock bottom, lost his fortune, turned to alcohol and painkillers, found himself working as a custodian to survive, with only $400 to his name. Marques realized the analo...

In this episode, Michael and mom (ashlee) have an honest, short conversation about the difference between "Bouncing Forward" and "Bouncing Back". The two have learned so much in the last 3 years, and somehow, the lessons just keep coming! They feel such a strong purpose to share their perspective with YOU. We hope you listen, feel the passion and growth, the perspective and L-O...

Join Michael and mom as they talk to Andy Shepperd who singlehandedly started his beautiful foundation, Project Outrun (learn more HERE: https://projectoutrun.org/ ). This brilliant, artistic, generous human shares the "why" and the "how" he started his foundation for pediatric oncology patients to design their own, cool Nikes. It is empowering, creative, fun, healing. All the...

Join Michael and mom, ashlee, in this enlightening interview with Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE Childhood Cancer. Kristin joined CURE in 2006 as the Chief Executive Officer, leaving her law practice after her own personal experience with her son's cancer diagnosis. Her son was fortunate and is doing beautifully to this day, but it changed the direction of Kristin's life. She could not turn a...

Join Michael and Mom and they sit together and chat about recent updates to Michael's treatment and how they deal best: LOVE. This episode is a simple conversation, a reflection on continued treatments, continued struggles, but also new lessons... the two discuss not chasing peace, not chasing love, not chasing joy, but BEING the peace, the love, the joy.  The mom and son try to embody the le...

Michael and mom, ashlee, talk to oncology physical therapist Suzette Smith. Suzette completed the first EVER oncology rehab residency at Beaumont Hospital and is currently working for Henry Ford hospital. She wrote a chapter on Prevention and Wellness for the textbook "Oncology Rehabilitation, a Guidebook for Clinicians".  In this episode Suzette speaks about the benefits of PT, physical, men...

Michael and mom talk to cancer survivor and coach, Matt Ode who went from cancer to coma at age 24, when he was diagnosed with stage 3C testicular cancer.  After chemo and 5 surgeries Matt almost died multiple times from his severe complications. Before his cancer diagnosis Matt was a healthy personal trainer, weighing in at 185lb. After 8 months of treatment he dwindled down to 110lbs. After...

Michael and mom talk to cancer survivor Chuck Keels about his miraculous story of healing from his stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis. After being placed in hospice and sent home to die peacefully, Chuck ended up back to the hospital with a broken back, felt the presence of God, and survived. He and his wife Hannah, also a stage 4 cancer survivor, started a foundation to support other survivors, en...

In this episode, Michael and his mom ashlee talk about new lessons.... living life in that in-between place, between cancer and health. Michael confesses to being both grateful for being alive, yet so frustrated by the complications he must live with, in cancer's wake. They both encourage you to take risks, to shed your armor, not to take life and your health for granted.  Appreciate your fam...