The Burn

Bethany Zoe was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer at age 40. She is an aspiring conservationist with a master’s degree in Wildlife and Environmental Sustainability and finds joy and healing in caring for animals. In this episode, Bethany reads her essay “Shampoo Commercial Dreams” from the 2025 Hair issue of Wildfire Journal . Her piece explores her experience with cold capping, identity, resi...

Tegan O'Neill was diagnosed at 27 with Stage I Triple Negative breast cancer. She is a clinical social worker who finds meaning in helping herself and others heal through movement, dance, reading, and writing.  In this episode, Tegan reads her essay “Kintsugi” from the 2025 “Hair” issue of Wildfire Journa l. Her piece is about experiencing a ritual of burning her own hair—a haunting remnant o...

Shannon Gottesman was diagnosed at age 40 with hormone positive, Stage III breast cancer.  She is the Vice Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh, a traveler, an advocate, and mom of two boys.  In this episode, Shannon reads her essay “On This Mat” from the 2024 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journa l. Her piece is about learning to breathe through discomfort while finding balance in chaos...

Judith Cookis Rubens was diagnosed at 45 with Stage II, HER2+ breast cancer.  She is a freelance journalist living in North Carolina with her husband and twin sons.  Judith enjoys writing about her local community, parenting, arts, theater, and education topics. In this episode, Judith reads her essay “Dancing Myself Back to Life” from the 2024 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journa l. Her piec...

Gillian Lichota was diagnosed at 35 and 40—first with Stage III and later with Stage IV breast cancer.  She is a mother, mountain climber, adventure travel enthusiast, and the Founder and CEO of the iRise Above Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting young women through breast cancer. In this episode, Gillian reads her essay “An Open Letter to My Daughter,...

Jennifer Gordon was diagnosed at 44 with Stage II breast cancer.  She is a writer, artist, coach, advocate, dragon boater and sexual wellness coach.  In this episode, Jennifer reads her essay “A Mother’s Work is Never Done ” from the 2024 “Mothers & Daughters” issue of Wildfire Journa l. Her piece is about role reversal - where a daughter becomes both patient and protector, and a mot...

In this episode you are going to hear a collection of short pieces we are dubbing “Flash Memoir” from our archives. These are little gems we’ve published in Wildfire Magazine, read for you by April Stearns. We have nine years of published stories in our archives that are just too good not to share. In the past we used to do a call for submissions for short-form stories with a very specific prompt...

Erika Giovanniello was diagnosed at 32 with breast cancer.  She is a camper, backpacker, Frenchie dog mom, and a nurse anesthetist who has made the transition from healthcare provider to patient.  In this episode, Erika reads her essay “Decision Fatigue” from the 2024 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about wanting to be a part of the life milestones her friends are experien...

Amy Austin returns to The Burn for a second visit.  Amy was diagnosed with Stage IV de novo breast cancer at 34 after initially being misdiagnosed with a complex benign cyst. She is the third in a direct family line to be diagnosed with breast cancer without a known genetic link. In this episode Amy reads her poem “In Praise of Quiet Advocacy” from the 2024 “MBC: Advocacy” issue of Wildfire J...

Shelley Moreno returns to The Burn for a second visit.  Shelley was diagnosed in 2012 with Triple Negative breast cancer.  She is a writer, speaker and intuitive healer for pets and people. Shelley is currently writing a book and gives animal communication and intuitive coaching sessions. She lives in Los Angeles with her son Kai and their beloved cat Ollie.  In this episode Shelley...

Deltra James was diagnosed at 33 with de novo Stage IV, Triple Negative MBC.  She is a New England based mama, poet, patient advocate, and co-host of the Empowered Intimacy podcast.  In this episode Deltra reads her piece “For Now is As Good As Forever: Dating with Advanced Breast Cancer” from the 2024 “MBC: Advocacy” issue of Wildfire Journal.  Her essay is about one woman’s experi...

This week we’re sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a pause from our regular podcast schedule to enjoy a spring break with our loved one.  Production assistant Monica Haro selected this episode from January 2022 to reshare.  Enjoy! Sondra Price was diagnosed at 20, 24, and 28 with malignant phyllodes tumors that led to two lumpectomies, a bilateral mastectomy, implant...

Emily Voreas was diagnosed at 33 with Stage IIIb breast cancer, and also carries the BRCA2 gene.  Emily has a Masters in Elementary Education and  currently works as a reading interventionist.  In this episode she reads her poem “Where does the story end?” from the 2024 “Family” issue of Wildfire Journal.  Her poem is about four generations of women and cancer. April and Emily...

In this episode you are going to hear a collection of short pieces we are dubbing “Flash Memoir” from our archives.  These are little gems we’ve published in Wildfire Magazine, read for you by April Stearns.  We have 9 years of published stories in our archives that are just too good not to share. In the past we used to do a call for submissions for short form stories with a very specifi...

Chelsee Wilson was diagnosed at 29 with Stage IIIa, Triple Positive breast cancer. She is now 5+ years out from diagnosis.  Chelsee lives in Oklahoma with her husband and loves baking, crocheting, reading and writing.  In this episode she reads her essay “The Power of No” from the 2022 “Identity & Aftermath” issue of Wildfire Magazine. Her story is about one woman’s quest to bre...

Bethany Adair was diagnosed at 34 with Stage II breast cancer, and is now living with Stage IV metastatic disease.  She is a mindset coach, speaker, MBC thriver and author of My Guru Cancer .  In this episode, Bethany reads her piece “A Letter to My Greatest Guru” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2023 “MBC: Lesson Learned” issue.  Her essay is about viewing a cancer experience as an opportu...

Meaghan Calcari Campbell returns to The Burn for another episode.  Meaghan was diagnosed at 32 with Stage II, Triple Positive breast cancer in 2012. And then again in 2015 with DCIS and the ATM+ gene.  Meaghan works in philanthropy and ocean conservation, and is a proud member of the Bay Area Young Survivors. Meaghan’s writing has been published in the four Bay Area Young Survivors antho...

Jen Pogue returns to The Burn for another episode.  Jen is an actor and producer living in Toronto, Canada.  She was diagnosed at 37 with de novo Stage IV Triple Negative metastatic breast cancer. Jen reads her story “Revenge” from Wildfire Magazine ’s 2024 “MBC: Advocacy” issue. Her essay is about being overlooked by a doctor and the importance of sharing your story.  April and Jen...

This episode’s guest is Wildfire’s own Angela Firman - back for a second visit!  She helps edit each issue of the magazine.  Angela was diagnosed initially at 33 with Stage III hormone-positive breast cancer and she is now living with Stage IV metastatic disease. Angela is an avid reader, a closet-cross-stitcher, and a fervent writer. She also serves on the board of The Pink Boat Regatta...

Keri Smith is a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor living in Upstate New York.  She was diagnosed at 37 with hormone positive breast cancer and is living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC).  In this episode, Keri reads her essay “Showing Up” from Wildfire Magazine ’s 2024 “Work & Career” issue.  Keri’s piece is about simultaneously receiving a long deserved pro...

Kassi Sullivan was diagnosed at 35 with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC).  Kassi is a social worker who thrives on humor, sarcasm, caffeine and true crime. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and children. In this episode, Kassi reads her essay “Authentically Me” from Wildfire Magazine ’s 2024 “Work & Career” issue.  Kassi’s piece is about one woman’s struggle to be a menta...

Debbie Kerr was diagnosed at 49 with Stage II breast cancer in 2011.  She is a Business Systems Consultant living outside Toronto, Canada.  In this episode, Debbie reads her essay “Rosanne” from Wildfire Magazine ’s 2024 “Work & Career” issue.  Debbie’s piece is about working through cancer treatment, and how her employer accommodated, but then eventually laid her off.  Dur...

Returning guest Kate Rowbotham was diagnosed at 47 with de novo Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.  Kate is a Professor and an Assistant Dean of Teaching and Learning. She is learning how to be an empty-nester, and enjoys traveling with her partner to both her daughter’s hockey games and her son’s volleyball games.  In this episode, Kate reads her essay “Finding Purpose in Paradox” from...

Returning guest Beth Gainer was diagnosed at 39 with breast cancer.  She is now a long-term survivor of 23 years.  Beth is a writer and artist.  In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and friends, as well as reading, working out at the gym, and going to museums. In this episode, Beth reads her essay “Trading Places” from Wildfire Magazine ’s 2024 “Work & Cancer” iss...

Stacy Conlon was diagnosed at 42 with Stage IIb lobular breast cancer.  Stacy is a certified mindfulness meditation facilitator and Reiki energy healer. In this episode, Stacy reads her essay “Snip, Surrender, Shine: A Ritual in Resilience” from Wildfire Magazine ’s 2024 “Body” issue. Stacy’s piece takes us along on an act of intentional ritual when removing her hair before chemo, and giving...