The Tamoxifen Sisters

10 years done in one teams call. Join us as we talk about Shannon's recent layoff from big tech and what the next steps are (Hint: definitely not to do crime)

Ever wonder what it's like to be 6 degrees of separation from Danny Bonaduce? Join us this week for another Daddy Issues episode, where we dive into how our dad lost his mind in the most public way and ... won? a world's dumbest criminals episode.

What happens when awareness becomes a brand? In this episode , we take a look at the commercialization of breast cancer awareness and the billion-dollar industry built around pink ribbons. From corporate marketing campaigns to awareness products that often fail to meaningfully support patients, we unpack how breast cancer has been transformed into a marketable symbol and ask who really benefits.  

In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between fatherhood, emotional development, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. Through honest conversation and personal reflection, we unpack the realities behind "daddy issues," challenge common misconceptions, and discuss how family dynamics shape relationships, confidence, and self-worth.

Trigger warning: this episode discusses childhood abuse, domestic violence, and family trauma. The hosts introduce their father and describe how gaps and differing memories from their childhood reflect a trauma response. They recount examples of his manipulation, rage, and control, explain why they went no-contact, and announce a bonus Father's Day episode. New episodes every Friday.

In this episode the hosts thank listeners and dive into the realities of starting tamoxifen in summer: intense heat intolerance, overwhelming sweating, hot flashes, and fatigue that disrupt daily life like swim meets and social plans. They share personal stories about overheating, implants changing how clothes and skin feel, medication refill struggles, dealing with hot kilns at the studio, and pr...

Amber and Shannon candidly unpack the unexpected physical side effects of breast cancer treatment — mastectomy numbness, nerve zaps, radiation itching and hair loss, tamoxifen-related weight changes, and scar healing. They balance raw honesty and dark humor while sharing coping strategies, body-image struggles, and acts of reclamation like tattoos, offering solidarity to anyone adjusting to life a...

In this bonus anniversary episode Amber celebrates two years since finishing active treatment and reflects on the intense emotional journey from diagnosis through surgery and radiation. She and her sister candidly discuss feeling like their lives were hijacked by cancer, differences in treatment experiences, and how creative pursuits like ceramics and art helped them rebuild joy, identity, and con...

In this episode the hosts dig into the brutal realities of the American healthcare and paid time off systems, sharing a personal breakdown of nearly $794,000 billed for cancer care and about $17,000 out-of-pocket. They discuss insurance denials, pre-existing conditions, expensive medications, the struggle to afford basic treatments, and the patchwork of employer and state leave policies — arguing...

Episode 10 opens with how an accidentally viral, funny story about Adam and a jar of pickled quail eggs that brought new listeners, then shifts to a frank conversation about workplace double standards. Amber and her Shannon discuss gender bias, invisible labor, the challenges of working while on tamoxifen and recovering from cancer, and how employers and colleagues can better support people facing...

Episode 9 of the Tamoxifen Sisters explores the physical and emotional aftermath of mastectomy and reconstruction: drain scars, surgical revisions, radiation markers, rituals like ringing the bell, and the surprises of healing. The hosts discuss choices for reclaiming their bodies—tattoos, going flat, and personal symbolism—while sharing humor, support, and reflections on body image and recovery.

In this episode the hosts navigate a bittersweet Mother's Day, mixing dark humor with conversations about grief, infertility, cancer treatments, and the complicated legacy of their mother. They reflect on caregiving, medical decisions, and how loss reshapes identity and family roles. They close with candid advice to reach out to the mothers in your life, and small moments of warmth — like a pilaf...

In this episode the Tamoxifen Sisters discuss how changes in medication manufacturers can dramatically alter side effects and effectiveness, sharing their recent personal experiences after receiving a new generic tamoxifen. They cover filler variability, fluctuating symptoms (hot flashes, joint pain, headaches, sleep disruption, skin issues), impacts on daily life and menopause-like effects, and s...

In Episode 6 of the Tamoxifen Sisters, Amber and her cohost share candid conversations about inheritable cancer, the urge to find a reason, and the awkward, often funny moments that follow diagnosis and reconstruction. They discuss self-blame, family history, people’s reactions (including “cancer ghosting”), body changes after mastectomy, and how humor helps them cope. New episodes drop every Frid...

In this intense episode of Tamoxifen Sisters, the hosts take a break from the cancer journey to vent about sexual harassment, predatory behavior, and a disturbing school incident involving a middle-school speaker. They discuss the Rape Academy scandal, personal experiences of assault and workplace harassment, and how pervasive these threats are for women of all ages. The hosts share stories from c...

In this episode Amber and Shannon share candid, often-humorous stories about life after breast cancer surgery — from drain tubes, mastectomy shirts and wound care to the never-ending pill bottles, supplements, and the surprise of seromas and operations. They reflect on family history, the emotional toll and slow recovery, trade jokes about stool softeners and collagen wraps, and promise future epi...

In episode three of Tamoxifen Sisters, Amber and Shannon discuss frustrating experiences with women’s healthcare, from difficult MRIs and biopsies to insurance denials and medical dismissiveness. They share how imaging changed surgical decisions, the impact of tamoxifen side effects on daily life, and inequities in treatment and empathy. Through candid conversation and dark humor, they explore how...

Join us as we talk about how we don't look like people perceive a cancer survivor to appear versus what it actually feels like to go through the journey. 

An intro to us! Welcome to our podcast, we'll hope you'll enjoy it