Navigating Cancer TOGETHER

Dr. David Stewart trained in medical oncology at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston from 1976 to 1978 and then joined the staff at MD Anderson. He returned to Ottawa Canada in 1980, moved back to MD Anderson in 2003, and then again moved back to Ottawa Canada in 2011 as a Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Medical Oncology. Since completing his term as a division head in 2019, he has c...

Grisel Scarantino is a Career & Life Coach specializing in helping seasoned professionals find satisfaction and fulfillment in their careers. She is an Appendix Cancer (Goblet Cell Carcinoid) survivor with a passion for achieving that elusive yet attainable work-life balance that so many of us are searching for. She is a certified professional who has dedicated her life to supporting people ha...

Howard Brown is an author, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, interfaith peacemaker, two-time stage IV cancer survivor, and healthcare advocate. For over three decades, Howard’s business innovations, leadership principles, mentoring, and resilience in beating cancer against long odds have made him a sought-after speaker and consultant for businesses, nonprofits, congregations, and community groups. His...

Andrea Wilson Woods is a writer who loves to tell stories, and a patient advocate who founded the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. Andrea is the CEO and co-founder of Cancer University, a for-profit, social-impact, digital health company. Her best-selling and award-winning book, Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, is a medical memoir about raising and losing her...

Jen Franklin is a cancer recovery coach who helps women over 40 to take charge of their health after cancer and regain their confidence. After having an aggressive Lymphoma (blood cancer) Stage 4 in 2018 and noticing the gap between finishing cancer treatments and understanding how to move forward with life again, she set out on a mission to regain her health and thrive. Once realizing others stru...

Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP, wears many hats, including special education advocate, speech pathologist, entrepreneur, author, and cancer survivor. In 2014, Crystal was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (a rare blood cancer impacting the bone marrow). Now she is a two-time cancer survivor with a passion for empowering everyone to thrive in the midst of life's challenges. ✨ A few highlights...

Trish Perry is a Results Coach and 10-year breast cancer survivor. Trish helps professionals who have been thrown off track by an unexpected hardship to find their inner power, direction, and balance again to regain success and joy in their lives. Trish WAS that professional 10 years ago, pre-cancer. She had a high-powered job and was raising three kids when multiple adversities hit. She was diagn...

Integrative or Complementary Therapy Provider Lisa Erickson is an energy worker and meditation teacher specializing in women’s energetics, sexual trauma healing, and complementary care. She is the author of Chakra Empowerment for Women and the Art and Science of Meditation through Llewelyn Worldwide.  ✨ A few highlights from the show: 1. Our energy body intersects with our physical body and our p...

Elizabeth (Liz) Benditt, 4x survivor/thriver, Melanoma (2009), Thyroid (2010), Basel Cell (2015), Breast (2017) Liz is currently President and CEO of The Balm Box, a self-care and gifting site for breast cancer patients. In addition to teaching undergraduate business marketing courses at the University of Kansas, Benditt also serves on the Education First Shawnee Mission board of directors and vol...

Lane Stokes spent five years as an ordained minister before moving toward counseling. Unlike most ministers, he pursued mental health rather than pastoral counseling. He believed it would help him to better understand his clients in whatever type of therapy he would offer. In the past 34 years of private practice as a mental health clinician, and marriage and family counselor, he believes that he...

When Andrew Buerger's sister was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, her courage and strength spurred Andy to turn pain into a passion. Andy founded Jodi's Climb for Hope, which raised more than $900,000 for research by leading mountain-climbing expeditions-an apt metaphor for the struggles women affected by breast cancer endure. In 2008 tragedy struck again when Andy's wife Jen was diagnosed w...

Jefri Franks, M.S., CPC, resides in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a keynote speaker and certified life coach with a niche in Grief, transition, and personal growth. Her passion is helping people bloom wherever they are, regardless of their circumstances. Jefri accompanies her clients as they build resilience and hope! She is also a self-published author. Her book is called Heather's Journey: A Mot...

Jefri Franks, M.S., CPC, resides in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a keynote speaker and certified life coach with a niche in Grief, transition, and personal growth. Her passion is helping people bloom wherever they are, regardless of their circumstances. Jefri accompanies her clients as they build resilience and hope! She is also a self-published author. Her book is called Heather's Journey: A Mot...

Debi Voris is a graduate of UCLA, an avid runner, skier, and SCUBA diver.  She loves traveling. She started her health transformation when she released 70 lbs. and has kept her weight off for over 8 years. She never ran in her life and has now completed six half marathons. Currently, Debi helps revitalize people’s health. She is a Certified Wholistic Health Coach. She is passionate about a whole b...

Jefri Franks, M.S., CPC, is a keynote speaker and certified life coach with a niche in Grief, transition, and personal growth. Her passion is helping people bloom wherever they are, regardless of their circumstances. Jefri accompanies her clients as they build resilience and hope! She is also a self-published author. Her book is called Heather's Journey: A Mother's Accidental Guide Through Loss To...

Mayim Vega is a Naturopathic Herbalist, Holistic Life Coach, and the founder of an online school called the Arukah Holistic Life Academy. Arukah offers a dual certification program in Naturopathic Herbalism & Holistic Life Coaching, with an emphasis on the online business model. It seems like a strange combination, but she believes that these 3 fields are important to becoming an effective hea...

Matthew J. Brownstein is the CEO of Anahat Education Group and the Executive Director of the Institute of Interpersonal Hypnotherapy. Matthew founded the International Association of Interpersonal Hypnotherapists and OnlineMonastery.com where he teaches the Anahat Meditation System. He is the author of five books including The Sacred Geometry of Meditation, The Sutras on Healing and Enlightenment,...

Tiffany was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer that had spread to her brain at age 36. Prior to her diagnosis, Tiffany lived an active, healthy lifestyle and worked as a nurse. Never did she think that one day, she herself would become the patient that she had spent her career caring for. Throughout her diagnosis, Tiffany has learned to become her own best advocate and work with her...

Shelly Slocum is the author of an Amazon #1 New Release, Love, and Inspiration from Mom. She has been a Real Estate Broker for 21 years and taught classes as an instructor for Dale Carnegie Training, but she believes her most important job has been being a mom to her two wonderful daughters! She now savors the ultimate reward for parenting, which is being MiMi to her three precious grandchildren....

Nic Hyl is a fashion designer and cancer thriver. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2022, she along with her husband, set out to help others by creating a foundation that donates funds from the sale of selected products, to help women, men, and families battling the daily costs of breast cancer. Live Beautiful Nation Foundation launched on October 1, 2022. ✨A few highlights from t...

Tracey Stills is a 20-year African American breast cancer survivor/thriver, wife, and mother. Tracey became the advocate she couldn't find. The one that she needed while fighting for her life. She had many trials and tribulations that came her way during treatment. Her faith is what sincerely sustained her.   ✨ A few highlights from the show: Tips from Tracey 1. Keep every appointment. 2. Listen...

Rayna Neises author of No Regrets:  Hope for Your Caregiving Season, ICF certified coach, Positive Approach® to Care Independent Certified Trainer, the host of “A Season of Caring” podcast, and speaker is passionate about supporting daughters and sons in a season of caring with their aging parents. Rayna lost both of her parents to Alzheimer’s disease twenty years apart. After her season of caring...

Dr. Edward Smink Ph. D. defended his doctoral thesis, “Thresholds of Afflictions: The Heroic Journey of Healing,” at Pacifica Graduate Institute in May of 2010 and graduated with a Ph. D. in Philosophy with an emphasis in Depth Psychology. His dissertation hallmarks what Dr. Smink considers a sacred trust of his over forty years of experience in healthcare as a registered nurse, crisis and pastora...

Mary P. Wells is best known as The Encouragement Expert. She is an 8-year Breast Cancer Thriver and the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of One Word Encourage, LLC. The ministry focuses on sharing God’s Words of encouragement worldwide for people to thrive in all seasons of their lives. Mary is passionate about speaking life to those impacted by their circumstances, including breast cancer. Rec...

Spencer Bishins has a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, and a law degree from Florida State University. After law school, he worked in the private sector for two years prior to joining the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2010. He worked at the Appeals Council for almost four years, reviewing thousands of disability decisions for compliance with SSA’s complex rules and pr...