Talk About Cancer artwork

Talk About Cancer

52 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 25 ratings

Talk About Cancer is a podcast of stories from cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members. The host, Serena Hu, talks to her guests about their emotional journeys with cancer and what happens to the relationships in their lives after a cancer diagnosis. They will often explore how culture and faith shape each person's experience of cancer and grief. You will find diverse perspectives, honesty, and wisdom in these stories to help you deal with cancer and its aftermath.  http://talkaboutcancerpodcast.com

Mental Health Health & Fitness Society & Culture Personal Journals cancer patient survivor caregiver treatment support wellness mental health story storytelling
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Courage micro-series #3: Finding strength

June 19, 2022 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.45 MB

In the third and last episode of the courage micro-series, we are going to hear from a few people who talked about finding strength when dealing with cancer and grief.  Learn more about Matt's story on his website. Check out Ashley's new book Travel Lost Found. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Email [email protected] or come say hi on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin! Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would ...

Courage micro-series #2: Getting through

May 13, 2022 06:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MB

In the second episode of the courage micro-series, we are going to hear from a few people who talked about moving forward, despite being scared and having limited control over their situations. Check out Rudy's cancer rock opera on Youtube! Read about Natasha's story in her new book: Behind these sarcoma scars. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Email [email protected] or come say hi on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin! Please follow the podcast i...

Courage micro-series #1: See me

April 20, 2022 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.6 MB

In this first episode of the courage micro-series, we are going to hear from a few people who about the experience of not being seen or heard while dealing with cancer.  To find out more about Savio's resources, please visit his website. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Email [email protected] or come say hi on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin! Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also be grateful if you ca...

Courage micro-series #1

April 20, 2022 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.55 MB

In this first episode of the courage micro-series, we are going to hear from a few people who touched on the experience of not being seen or heard while dealing with cancer.  To find out more about Savio's resources, please visit his website. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Email [email protected] or come say hi on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin! Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also be grateful if y...

Back for a new season

March 30, 2022 22:00 - 3 minutes - 2.5 MB

I am back from a little break and starting to work on a new season. First up is the micro-series about courage. If you want to share your words and stories of courage, please visit: https://talkaboutcancerpodcast.com/shareyourstory/ You can always submit your writings or recordings anonymously. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Email [email protected] or come say hi on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin! Thank you for listening! Music by Madirfan ...

An oncologist's cancer story

January 01, 2022 06:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MB

Reema shared how her cancer experience might have been similar to and different from someone who is not an oncologist, and how this experience has influenced the way she practices medicine today. Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also be grateful if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and needs of you listeners out there. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Contact me on Instagram or em...

On the ride

December 25, 2021 03:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MB

Charles shared how having lost so many family members to cancer shapes how he approaches caregiving for his wife today, and how leaning into art and dark humor has helped him process and cope with it all.   Check out some of Charles' recent work:  Short film: A History of Worry Short story collection: Slippery When Metastasized Coloring book: Pug Monster Gallery HuffPost article about air guitar workout You can connect with him on his website, Twitter, and Instagram. Please follow the ...

I didn't cause this

December 09, 2021 06:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MB

Nefa-Tari shared the devastating experience of being diagnosed with uterine cancer and ending her marriage soon after, and how she eventually found her way out of that incredibly tough period by advocating for her own needs and leaning on her faith. Check out the services SHARE offers and connect with Nefa-Tari! Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also be grateful if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests an...

What is the universe telling me

November 25, 2021 05:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

Sagar took us through some in-depth reflections about health, purpose, and the importance of having a creative outlet, which he discovered when his wife started to paint on his head after chemo. Check Sagar and Sheena's collaborations on Instagram @myheadisacanvas! Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also be grateful if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and needs of you listeners out there. Have topic ...

Rebuilding life after caregiving

November 18, 2021 04:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

Kandis shared how she picked herself back up one step at a time after a tough caregiving experience and how she eventually found positive ways to channel her grief.  Some resources Kandis mentioned:  Gilda's Club Chicago  Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Therapy for Black Girls Also check out Kandis' article about compound caregiving on Caregiving.com. You can follow her on Instagram @kandi_koated. Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also be g...

The family gets cancer too

November 11, 2021 07:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MB

Melody shared what it was like to deal with cancer during her childhood, the ways that experience has influenced different stages of her life, and the things she continues to uncover as an adult. You can follow Melody on Instagram @lunapeakfoundation, on Facebook @lunapeakfouncation, or on Twitter @lunapeakfamily. You can also find more information about the foundation at https://www.lunapeakfoundation.org/. Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also...

Don't have to be superman

November 04, 2021 04:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

Akili reflected on the disruptions he faced when his son Kaine was diagnosed with leukemia more than two years ago and the growth he had to go through to survive this “good” bad diagnosis. Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also be grateful if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and needs of you listeners out there. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Contact me on Instagram or email me a...

When my vagina broke

October 28, 2021 02:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MB

Anna explained how cancer treatment “broke” her vagina and the challenges with dating when she took sexual intercourse off the table. Her experiences inspired her to create the Entwine dating app to help others like her find companionship with confidence. You can follow the app on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I would also be grateful if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests...

Talk about the elephant

October 21, 2021 03:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MB

Lauren shared what it was like to follow her daughter Melissa's lead in having open conversations about end-of-life wishes, which gave Lauren a path forward during grief and led to the founding of 13 Thirty Cancer Connect to support thousands of AYA cancer patients in her community. Find out more about 13 Thirty Cancer Connect's programs that are now available virtually and locally in Rochester NY and Syracuse NY.  Please follow the podcast if these stories are resonating with you. I woul...

Finding post-traumatic growth

October 14, 2021 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MB

Fabian took us back to the time when his existential crisis collided with his cancer diagnosis and how he was able to pull through 900 days of chemo with a vision to support other cancer people struggling with mental health. You can download the War On Cancer app on your phone and check out the amazing Clinical Trial Finder feature. You can also connect with Fabian on Instagram @fabianbolin.  Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. I would also be grateful if you can leave...

When my world shattered

October 07, 2021 02:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MB

Brianna talked about how isolating the caregiving and the grieving experiences can be, and how creating art in a nonverbal way can be incredibly cathartic and healing. Check out Brianna's artwork on her website and let me know what it brings up for you! Also, follow her on Instagram @briannalhb so you will get updates about her upcoming workshops and shows. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. I would also be grateful if you can leave an honest rating and review so I ...

Saved by activism

September 30, 2021 04:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MB

Laura explained how being diagnosed with cancer gave new meaning to her work as a health care advocate and that staying engaged with advocacy actually helped her push through her cancer treatment. Laura mentioned Imerman Angels, which has also been referenced by a few other guests on this podcast about the wonderful one-on-one peer support they offer. If you are interested in getting your story out for advocacy efforts, check out the resources offered by Laura’s nonprofit Health Care Voic...

Be present with the pain

September 23, 2021 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MB

Michelle and Phil shared some of the most challenging moments, thoughts, and feelings they’ve had in their caregiving and grief process over the last three decades, and how they were able to eventually move forward from the devastating loss of their son Gabe. You can read more about their story in an article Phil had written for the San Diego Reader. Also, check out Okizu and the amazing services they are still providing to families today.  Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying th...

Check off your bucket list

September 16, 2021 02:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB

Gaz shared how he’s dealing with a terminal diagnosis as a young adult and why for a practical person like him, living from scan to scan takes on a different meaning. You can connect with Gaz on Instagram @Gaz_Emmerson where you will see that he’s still biking to his chemo appointments and enjoy concerts with his friends. You will also find the link to his fundraiser for Sarcoma UK there, which now stands at a whopping $111K pounds! Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. ...

Not my story

September 09, 2021 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MB

Julieta talked openly about grappling with not being cancer-free after her chemo treatment and the complex layers of love, fear, and hope she’s balancing with her intergenerational family. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and needs of you listeners out there. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Contact me on Instagram or email me at talkaboutcan...

We were so young

September 02, 2021 04:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MB

Rachel shared some of the most intimate moments from her and her late husband’s cancer experience, including how she knew when it was time to let go. You can find Rachel’s book Wife, Widow, Now What? on Amazon and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Also, check out CaringBridge as a resource for anyone who wants to blog about your health experience but doesn't want to deal with the headaches of set up a blog site. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be ...

Fast forward your life

August 26, 2021 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

Babz walked us through how he reacted when he first got his diagnosis and how he quickly realized that dealing with cancer was mostly a mental game. You can check out Babz's Community Interest Company Freshrb, which uses video production to highlight marginalized health issues. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and needs of you listeners out there. Have topic ...

Secret society of caregivers

August 19, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

Sue gave us a glimpse into the struggles of caring for a loved one who is fully dependent on her and how in an extreme situation like this, self-care may just mean grabbing a few Oreos. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and needs of you listeners out there. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Contact me on Instagram or email me at talkaboutcancer...

Find beauty in the path

August 12, 2021 01:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MB

Tara talked about the multiple transformations she has had to go through: from being a caretaker to survivor to thriver, and from natural ways of healing to eventually facing her fears of chemotherapy. You can find Tara's bestseller book Grace, Grit, and Gratitude on Amazon and connect with her on Instagram @taracoyote. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and nee...

Not just a number

August 05, 2021 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MB

Shoni gets vulnerable and candid about her mom’s and her own experience with cancer and why her voice as a Black woman, matters. You can connect with Shoni on Instagram @brsuga and learn more about For the Breast of Us on their website. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and needs of you listeners out there. Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  C...

New lease on life

July 29, 2021 04:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MB

Jared shared what it was like to get a blood stem cell transplant in the middle of the pandemic and how he is adjusting to the identity and life of a survivor, including edible gummies, makeup experiments, and being a Be The Match ambassador. You can find Jared on Instagram at @jaredlips and listen to his fun podcast Back on Air.  Learn more about Be The Match and how to become a donor on its website. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you c...

Question the expert

July 22, 2021 03:00 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MB

Emily talked about the importance of listening to your body and not being afraid to question your doctor when his or her guidance is contrary to what you believe is the right answer for you. She also shared what it was like to deal with an unexpected disability after surgery. You can find Emily @wonkyarm on Instagram and at her blog.  Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the inte...

A journey with no regrets

July 15, 2021 03:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MB

Kunal shared his experience taking on the caregiver role as his wife dealt with breast cancer and how setting clear boundaries for everyone involved - including himself - ultimately helped him to walk away from the experience with no regrets. The books that Kunal found helpful for working through his grief after his wife passed away are:  The Secret by Rhonda Byrne Option B by Sheryl Sandberg My Gita by Devdutt Pattanaik  Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would als...

A splash of blue in pink

July 08, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MB

Rod shared his experience as a male breast cancer patient and how that experience led him to become an advocate and create a resource site to serve the needs of the male breast cancer community. You can find Rod on Twitter or at his website http://malebc.org/. Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you can leave an honest rating and review so I know if I am serving the interests and needs of you listeners out there. Have topic suggestions or feed...

The real side effects of cancer

July 01, 2021 06:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MB

Dorothy explained what it was like to be diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26 and how being at high risk for developing ovarian cancer within the decade made major life decisions incredibly complicated for her. You can find Dorothy on Instagram or at the Atrium Foundation website. Check out her book 26 & Fu¢ked where you can get her full story.  Want to hear other stories from cancer patients, survivors, or co-survivors like this one? Want to share your story? Get in contact with...

Trust your inner voice

June 24, 2021 04:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MB

Angel shared how being a nurse has affected her experience with her mom’s cancer care and why it’s crucial for caregivers to honor their own needs during and after the caregiving journey. Want to hear other stories from cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, or family members like this one? Want to share your story? Get in contact with me at: https://talkaboutcancerpodcast.com/ Please follow the podcast if you are enjoying the show. Would also be awesome if you can leave an honest rating...

A second chance at life

June 17, 2021 03:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

Marlene told the story of how she first heard about her cancer diagnosis not from the doctor, but in a message from her grandfather who she’s never met, and why her cancer journey has ultimately transformed her life in a positive way. You can listen to more of Marlene’s and others’ stories about surviving trauma on her podcast called Surviving Trauma: Stories of Hope and follow her page on Facebook at My Centered Life.   Want to hear other stories from cancer patients, survivors, caregiver...

Fight for your joy

June 09, 2021 06:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MB

Alicia described the ways in which faith has shaped her dad’s outlook and experience with end-of-life and why the last six weeks of his life were both the best and the hardest. Want to share your story about your cancer journey as a survivor, caregiver, or family member? Get in touch with me!  Have topic suggestions or feedback about the show?  Contact me on Instagram or email me at [email protected].  Please follow the podcast if you enjoy the show. I would also really a...

Redefining purpose through writing

June 02, 2021 06:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MB

Ilene shared her journey as a 7-year metastatic breast cancer endurer and how picking up the pen and paper to write again has, in more ways than one, helped her continue to live beyond the statistics. Ilene's blog is called Cancerbus You can find her on Twitter @ilenealizah You can find out more about the wonderful retreat she went to at the Commonweal Retreat Center  She also mentioned the book The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully by Frank Ostases...

Don't try to fix everything

May 26, 2021 07:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MB

Dori helps us understand why open communication is so important when a family member is living with an incurable diagnosis and how she’s been working hard to be fully transparent and honoring the needs of her husband and children on their journey with cancer. I’m super appreciative of the personal reflections Dori shared in this conversation. At the core, her message has been so consistent, which is that open communication is so important for families navigating the cancer journey. She dem...

Do what's right for you

May 19, 2021 04:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MB

Andy talked about the hard decisions he has had to make in taking a holistic approach to his cancer treatment and how having been grounded with the right mindset got him through one of the greatest challenges he’s faced. If you are looking for someone who practices what he preaches, Andy is your guy. As a seasoned talent development coach, he walked into his cancer journey with a strong mindset for dealing with the challenges that life brings. That by no means meant that his cancer experie...

Embrace it all

May 12, 2021 06:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MB

Jason reflected on his experience of losing his dad as a child and how the cultural norms of the Vietnamese culture shaped his experience of grief and mourning. We also explore what he is doing differently as an adult now that he has had some time to reflect on his earlier experience. It was so interesting to listen to Jason reflect on his experience of grief as a child and what his perspective is now as an adult. I especially admire the way he was able to reflect on his experience in a no...

Every step of the way

May 05, 2021 04:00 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MB

We have our first sister duo on the show to share their story with us. You will hear about how they managed stress family members and friends had unintentionally caused and how they were always a team in getting through every situation.  I had fun chatting with the sister duo Bella and Tonia. As someone who didn’t grow up with a sibling under the same roof, I marveled at the close relationship they have with one another. But what was very interesting to me was that, even as close as they we...

Give yourself grace

April 27, 2021 07:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MB

Victoria talked about turning to alcohol to numb the anxiety and pain she experienced in the aftermath of cancer treatment and reminded us to let go of the expectations we put on ourselves and get support to develop healthier ways to cope with trauma. I so appreciated Victoria for coming on the show to share her story about the trauma she experienced with cancer and alcohol abuse. She brought so much humanity to an issue that may not be talked about very often - which is that in dealing wit...

See you on the moon

April 20, 2021 06:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MB

Jason spoke lovingly about his memories of his mom - who battled three types of cancer for over a decade - and the ways in which he continues to remember and honor her legacy since she died in 2019. He also shared some interesting stories about kilts and prostate cancer awareness. What a storyteller Jason was. There was literally a story to illustrate every point he made in our conversation! It was really interesting to hear how Jason’s experience as an officer for more than 20 years has in...

Lean into the pain

April 12, 2021 07:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

Stephanie took us through some of the toughest parts of her cancer journey, including how she had to postpone her wedding, how she got lost in the dark space, and what helped her to get through and eventually reconnect with life again.  A big shout out to Stephanie for doing such a deep dive during our recording. She was so transparent in sharing some of the most vulnerable moments on her journey, and because she is such a great storyteller - which I attribute to her journalist background -...

Us kids banding together

April 04, 2021 23:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MB

Michelle shared a lovely story about how her whole family came together to share the caregiving responsibilities when her dad’s health started to decline. And how they worked as an incredible team to support their dad and stepmom in the most difficult times, as well as each other through their grieving process. Listening to Michelle’s story really warmed my heart. There were similarities in our experiences with our dads’ declines but I was so blown away by the way her whole family came tog...

Not going out like that

March 29, 2021 04:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MB

Rudy shared his experience as a brain cancer endurer, about how he learned to embrace new ways to live his life, and identifying a greater purpose that has kept him going beyond two “expiration” dates. He also helped me understand why the term cancer “survivor” is not a universally welcomed label.  I had a lot of fun talking to Rudy. His mind goes a mile a minute and we covered so many topics in this episode. I appreciated that he very gently called out the fact that he doesn’t like the lab...

Tap into more life

March 21, 2021 17:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MB

Carrie shared her experiences of first being a caregiver to her brother and then becoming a cancer survivor herself. She talks about the anger she still feels about losing her brother but how she has been able to channel that anger towards serving others. As a survivor who’s been in the shoes of a caregiver, she’s taken on the added responsibility of stay strong for her family members because she understands the trauma they have already gone through with losing her brother.  I had so many t...

Not a Lifetime movie sickness!

March 07, 2021 22:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MB

Stacey shared her experience being a three-time cancer survivor and how the recurring adversity makes her strong and propels her to take the learnings from her own experience to help others recover. She also talks about how the phrase “cancer prevention” just doesn’t sit right with her and why her cancer experience does not conform to the typical Lifetime movie plotline. I so enjoyed talking with Stacey about her cancer journey.  For someone who has had to go through the cancer experience t...

Not a Lifetime movie sickness

March 07, 2021 22:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MB

Stacey shared her experience being a three-time cancer survivor and how the recurring adversity makes her strong and propels her to take the learnings from her own experience to help others recover. She also talks about how the phrase “cancer prevention” just doesn’t sit right with her and why her cancer experience does not conform to the typical Lifetime movie plotline. I so enjoyed talking with Stacey about her cancer journey.  For someone who has had to go through the cancer experience t...

Not a Lifetime movie

March 07, 2021 22:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MB

Stacey shared her experience being a three-time cancer survivor and how the recurring adversity makes her strong and propels her to take the learnings from her own experience to help others recover. She also talks about how the phrase “cancer prevention” just doesn’t sit right with her and why her cancer experience does not conform to the typical Lifetime movie plotline. I so enjoyed talking with Stacey about her cancer journey.  For someone who has had to go through the cancer experience t...

Gifts of cancer (and quarantine!)

February 16, 2021 06:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MB

Carina and Mila, who are friends and colleagues, have supported each other on different parts of their journeys with breast cancer. We heard some common themes in their stories:  One of the big ones was the importance of putting yourself first, which they both had to learn over time when they started to feel the negative impact on their mental health. They also talked about how cultural norms sometimes created challenges for them in finding the support they needed and how it was important t...

A death the dying process

January 27, 2021 07:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MB

I shared my experience with my dad’s death and dying process in this interview. A good friend who is an experienced medical social worker played guest host as she knew a bit about the journey I was on with my dad. Big thanks to her for listening and helping me get the story recorded. As two social workers, we did digress into some intellectualizing about the importance of having conversations with your loved ones and cultural impact on the experience of death and dying. I talked about “prof...

A death and dying process

January 27, 2021 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MB

I shared my experience with my dad’s death and dying process in this interview. A good friend who is an experienced medical social worker played guest host as she knew a bit about the journey I was on with my dad. Big thanks to her for listening and helping me get the story recorded. As two social workers, we did digress into some intellectualizing about the importance of having conversations with your loved ones and cultural impact on the experience of death and dying. I talked about “prof...

Twitter Mentions

@thetacpodcast 36 Episodes
@malefitness 1 Episode
@charlesamuir 1 Episode
@lpackard 1 Episode
@ilenealizah 1 Episode
@entwinedating 1 Episode