The Many Faces of Cancer

Today's guest is Lauren Huffmaster, certified cancer coach, founder of Adventure Therapy Foundation, podcast host, author, and inspiration. She has been in treatment for breast cancer since 2015, diagnosed at age 35. She is now living each day to the fullest with metastatic breast cancer.  We talk all about the emotional side effects of cancer, especially fear, isolation, and broken identity,...

Today's guest is Becky Bosley, an oncology nurse, leader of myeloma support groups since 2018, and both a breast and ovarian cancer survivor. She is passionate about empowering the myeloma coMMunity with research, education, advocacy and support.  We talk about the uniqueness of myeloma, the importance of support groups in the healing journey, the reach of a cancer patient beyond themselves,...

Today's guest is Dr. Rachel Orgel, a passionate educator with a lifelong commitment to student success. Diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer at age 13, Rachel would endure two recurrences and several surgeries in her teens and early 20s before an experimental procedure changed the game. We talk about childhood cancer, spending weeks or months in the hospital at a time, PTSD that st...

You are in for such a treat today!! I had the privilege of interviewing the Ninja Moms, Debbie Feinberg and Brandi Lebsack. Their sons, Max Feinberg and Kaden Lebsack, have been competing on American Ninja Warrior for several years now and always do very well, with Kaden being last man standing two years in a row! They are also breast cancer survivors and fierce friends. We talk about the Ninja Mo...

Today's guest is Dr. Cindy Howard, board certified chiropractic internist and nutritionist, incredible public speaker, award-winning author, and Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor. Dr. Cindy loves to inspire with humor, wisdom, and finding joy in adversity. We talk so much about joy, especially in the little things, reframing negativity while acknowledging the reality of our situations, bad mom...

Today's guest is Courtney Lockwood, realtor, fitness instructor, and breast cancer survivor. Going through treatment at the height of the pandemic, Courtney's story is rooted in resilience, growth and purpose. We talk about genetic testing, taking care of yourself first, having a positive mindset, empowering yourself with choices, healing through exercise, and so much more! What a fun co...

Today's guest is Beth Lehman and her story is a powerful one. She was diagnosed with alcohol related cirrhosis of the liver in 2019 and, while waiting for a transplant, was also diagnosed with liver cancer in 2020. Beth received her liver transplant in 2021 and has used her second chance to share her story, working with national organizations and speaking with current patients about the path...

Today's guest is LaTina Starling, diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer at age 29 while serving in the U.S. Navy. After her treatment, she transitioned from military to civilian life and found a way to help others with advocacy. Starting as a volunteer advocate and then given the opportunity to work full-time at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), LaTina works with v...

Today's guest is Steve Hentzen, chairman and co-founder of the Prostate Network and 15 year prostate cancer survivor. Steve is a passionate advocate for cancer patients and serves on many advisory boards and other roles. We talk about the prevalence of prostate cancer, the importance of men's health and getting regular check-ups, the formation of the Prostate Network and all the good wor...

Today's guest is Charles Wroten III, an inspiring young man. He's studying social work at East Carolina University, an accomplished collegiate rugby player, and a resilient testicular cancer survivor.  Diagnosed at age 15, he has become an advocate for men's health awareness, especially among young people. He's a public speaker and social media creator, bringing attention to th...

Today's guest is Julia Olsson, a proud mom and SAG-AFTRA member, and breast cancer survivor. She loves storytelling as a singer/songwriter and performer, and has a deep belief in authenticity, creativity, and connection. We talk about the importance of communication, especially with family, self-image and mental health, setting boundaries and self-care, transitioning from treatment to normalc...

Today's guest is Andy Campbell, a resilient survivor and inspirational author who has overcome numerous life-altering challenges, including a battle with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. He talked about his 15 core beliefs that empowered him (and can empower us) to navigate through life's labyrinth in his book "Overcoming Life's Toughest Setbacks: 15 Breakthrough Core Beliefs to Tran...

Today's guest is Harriet Cabelly, grief counselor, therapist, speaker, and author of "Light Through Darkness: Miracles Along My Cancer Journey."  Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in early 2022, Harriet got in the habit of looking for and seeing miracles all along her journey and summed up 10 miracles, including Sanctuary, Faith and Timing, and Adapatability. She also created &qu...

Last week we talked with Peggy Miller, co-founder of the Bret Miller 1T Male Breast Cancer Happens Foundation. This week we get to hear Bret's story. Diagnosed at age 24 with breast cancer, he decided that no man should ever feel alone again when they hear the words "You have breast cancer." We talk about the lack of research and resources for men with breast cancer, pinkwashing, ad...

Today's guest is Peggy Miller. Peggy's son Bret was diagnosed 15 years ago with breast cancer. Since then, she and her family have been on a mission to bring awareness to male breast cancer. They started a non-profit called Bret Miller 1T Male Breast Cancer Happens and have been spreading the word about self exams, cutting edge research, and an annual male breast cancer conference.  #Tog...

Today's guest is Truitt Taylor, diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 31. He's owner of the design/build firm, Taylor Construction + Design, and cofounder of Beauty and the Builder, an Atlanta based non-profit organization focusing on serving the community, especially victims of sex trafficking, with skincare, self-care training, and providing essential living items and assisting with...

Today's guest is such an inspiration!! Meet Tom Anderson, M.Ed., a two time cancer survivor, two time Chicago Marathon finisher (while going through treatment), and two college degrees, working on his doctorate. Wow!! Tom was diagnosed in 2020 with lung cancer that had metastasized to his lymphatic system. Immunotherapy was a life saver for him and he's been NED (no evidence of disease)...

Today's guest is Maureen Kozicki. In 2014, Maureen's world changed with an ovarian cancer diagnosis. A longtime yoga and meditation teacher, she struggled to find her own voice amid countless "right ways" to heal and toxic positivity. Determined to chart her own path, she emerged with a passion for helping others do the same. In this episode, we break down "toxic positivit...

Today's guest is Peggy Velasco, a 16 year breast cancer survivor, retired in Florida with her husband and their dog Scout. Peggy had an incredible support team during her cancer journey and she pays it forward. We had a great conversation about loss and resilience, dating after cancer, "what is, instead of what if", the importance of community, continuing to look forward, and so muc...

Today's guest is Mike Craycraft, registered pharmacist, testicular cancer survivor, and founder of the Testicular Cancer Society. Mike provides heartfelt insight into what it was like to remain silent about his diagnosis for seven months, living like he was dying, what it took to accept his condition, the importance of self-advocacy, and what it's like to really live after a cancer diagn...

Today's guest is Jennifer Dutilly, a breast cancer survivor, a very active Boy Mom, the Director of Clinical Growth at Parker Integrative Health and a Personal Development Coach. Jennifer and I go deep in this episode - from having cancer after a year of being told her tumor was benign, to multiple surgeries and infections, body image and survivor's guilt, changing careers, integrative h...

Welcome to another solo episode. This topic has come up several times with guests and I wanted to do a whole episode on it because it's that important and it's not talked about enough. Some say survivorship starts as soon as you are diagnosed. I think it should be defined as everything that happens after the end of active treatment. Sounds like what we all want, right? Treatment done, no...

Today's guest is Peter Coolbaugh, an avid baseball fan, cat dad, and survivor of both stage 5 kidney failure and stage 3 Multiple Myeloma. He started out with back pain and it took several weeks before someone finally did bloodwork and a diagnosis could be made.  Peter's story is incredible, with all he went through for over a year, from alternating days of kidney dialysis and chemothera...

Today's guest is Patty Thompson, amazing massage and spinal flow therapist and three time cancer survivor. 40 years ago, Patty was sent home from the Mayo Clinic, basically to die. She had Stage IV cancer, cervical, uterine, AND non-Hodgkins lymphoma and there was nothing more they could do for her. So they told her to get her affairs in order and released her. Can you imagine???? Patty is he...

Today's guest is Lauren Taylor, owner and founder of Aesthetics 360 Lash and MedSpa, located in Parker, Colorado. She is also currently going through treatment for breast cancer.  Lauren really just wanted to feel better and look and feel her best while undergoing treatment and one of her aesthetic nurses was also an oncology nurse. Together they created an oncology department in the MedSpa,...