The Burn

Anita Saesing was diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer at 27. Anita is a lover of travel and writing.  She lives in Arizona with her partner and toy poodle.  In this episode Anita reads her essay “Quebec Beckons” from the 2023 “Travel & Adventure” issue of Wildfire.  Anita’s story is about a chance encounter with a handsome stranger that provides a life-changing shift.&...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within , we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within . Enjoy!   This episode features Erin Stodola reading her...

Canadian Patti Duncan is an animal and travel lover who was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer in 2016.  In this episode Patti reads her essay “Trouble” from the 2023 “Travel” issue of Wildfire.  Patti’s story is about a travel adventure met with roadblocks, snafus and fiascos, and ultimately some deep healing.  April and Patti will discuss traveling solo for the first time, a life...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within , we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within . Enjoy!   This episode features Gretchen Stelter reading...

This week we are sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a break from our regular podcast schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Production assistant Monica Haro selected this episode from October 2022 to reshare.  Enjoy! Miami Beach residents LaTonya Davis and her nephson Jayden Holmes share their collaborative piece “Together We Are Thriving, Celebrating, and Reflectin...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within , we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within . Enjoy!   This episode features April Renn reading her es...

Canadian Vesna Zic-Côté was diagnosed at 38 with breast cancer.  She is a patient advocate living with stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and a member of Rethink Breast Cancer’s Volunteer MBC Advisory Board. In this episode Vesna reads her essay “SOS” from the 2019 “MBC: Young & Stage IV” issue of Wildfire.  Her story is also included in the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire With...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within , we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within . Enjoy!   This episode features April Stearns reading "We...

Marissa Thomas was diagnosed at 35 with breast cancer.  Marissa works in healthcare administration, is a board member with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and cofounder of For the Breast of Us. In this episode Marissa reads her essay “Cristina” from the 2019 “Social” issue of Wildfire in which she was also our guest editor.  Her essay is about remembering and honoring her breast cancer frie...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within , we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!   This episode features Kim Harms reading her essa...

Thirteen years ago Dana Donofree was diagnosed with breast cancer at 27.  She is the founder of AnaOno Intimates, and the guest editor from our 2023 “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine.  In this episode, Dana will read her guest editor's note from “Body” that features a chest inclusivity photo spread Dana curated for this issue.  Dana’s words are about one survivor’s tireless work in...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!   This episode features Vanessa D'Souza reading h...

Kellie Chouinard is a student, teacher, and researcher from Ontario, Canada.  She was diagnosed at 34 with Triple Negative breast cancer.  In this episode, Kellie reads her essay “Pressure, Pause” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2023 “Body” issue.  Kellie’s piece is about the complicated relationship we have with our bodies that extends into breast cancer - and the complicated pressures we...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!   This episode features Jessica Fox reading her e...

Vikki Pedigo was diagnosed at 41 with breast cancer.  She is a health coach and nurse practitioner from upstate New York.  In this episode, Vikki reads her essay “The Water Spirit” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2023 “Travel” issue.  Vikki writes about the time a much needed vacation became an unexpected spiritual retreat while exploring a lava fissure between tectonic plates after her ca...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!   This episode features Borah Lee reading her ess...

Lisa Cassenti was diagnosed at 43 with Stage II breast cancer.  She carries both the BRCA2 and BRIP1 gene mutations.  Lisa is a special educator, author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of The Breast Connection.  In this episode Lisa reads her essay “Intimacy Without Nipples” from the 2023 “Love & Intimacy” issue of Wildfire Magazine.  This is a piece about finding pleasure af...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!   This episode features Jen Pogue reading her ess...

Diana Vega was diagnosed at 29 with a type of breast cancer called Pleomorphic sarcoma, Stage IIb.  She is a nurse, photographer, floral designer, writer, dancer, singer, songwriter, traveler, and ultimately she is an explorer of possibilities. In this episode Diana reads her essay “I Call Her Mother” from Wildfire Magazine's 2018 “The Caregivers” issue. Her story is also included in the Wild...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!   This episode features Kira Hodgson reading her...

Lisa Jones Christensen of Utah was diagnosed at 39 with Stage III, hormone positive breast cancer as a new mom.  Lisa is a business school professor, career coach, and a consultant to social impact businesses. In this episode Lisa reads her essay “Never Assume” from the 2023 “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine.  It is a piece about giving grace to ourselves and others and also learning tha...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!   This episode features Meghan Nathanson reading...

Rachel Van Stratton-Kirk is a medical device marketing leader from Orange County, California.  She was diagnosed at 35 with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) not long after her initial stage I diagnosis.  Rachel is the third generation of her family to receive a breast cancer diagnosis.  In this episode Rachel reads her essay “Time” from the 2023 “Five Years & Counting” issue of Wi...

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!   This episode features Claire Millet reading her...

Janelle is a corporate trainer living in Florida with her husband, Jordan.  She was diagnosed at 32 with Stage IV, Triple Positive breast cancer.  In this episode Janelle reads her essay “The Kittens” from the 2023 “Love & Intimacy” issue of Wildfire Magazine.  This is a piece about the loss, love, and grief around living with metastatic breast cancer.  April and Janelle wi...