Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor

From Stage 4 Cancer to Purpose: A Story of Identity, Addiction, and Healing

On this episode of the Cancer and Comedy Podcast, Dr. Brad Miller sits down with Dr. Joshua Carabello, an industrial organizational psychologist and author of I’m Not Dead Yet, to explore a deeply personal journey that began with a life-altering diagnosis at just 18 years old:

What happens when surviving cancer is only the beginning of the battle?

Drawing from his experience with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Joshua opens up about the emotional and spiritual struggles that followed his diagnosis—wrestling with identity, faith, and the belief that his illness was somehow a punishment. Through honesty and reflection, he shares how those internal battles shaped his path toward healing and self-acceptance.

In this powerful, vulnerable, and hope-filled conversation, Brad and Joshua share:

• What it felt like to be diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 18
• The internal struggle between faith, identity, and self-worth
• Believing illness was punishment—and how that mindset shifted
• Finding unexpected comfort through humor and cartoons
• Life after remission and the hidden struggle with addiction
• The turning point from victim mindset to purpose-driven living
• The PERMA framework and what it means to truly flourish
• Breaking destructive cycles and rebuilding a meaningful life
• Using personal pain as a platform to help others

This episode isn’t just about surviving cancer—it’s about what comes after. It’s a story of falling, rebuilding, and ultimately choosing purpose over pain. If you’ve ever faced a life-altering challenge or struggled to find meaning after hardship, this conversation will remind you:

You are more than what happened to you,

Healing is possible even after the darkest seasons, and

Your story can become someone else’s hope.

On this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller talks with Cathy Nesbitt, a health and wellness advocate and laughter yoga teacher from CathysClub.com, about how intentional laughter, energy techniques, and even worms can help people move from stress into joy—especially when facing cancer and other major life challenges. Cathy shares the deeply personal story of losing her beloved stepfather Mike to brain cancer when she was just 21, and how that loss shaped her vow never to stay in a job that didn’t serve her, ultimately leading her from a worm composting business into the world of laughter yoga and therapeutic joy.

Brad Miller and Cathy unpack what laughter yoga actually is—not jokes or stand-up comedy, and not stretching on a yoga mat—but a guided practice of simulated laughter, deep diaphragmatic breathing, and simple movements that flood the body with “happy hormones” like dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins (Cathy’s playful “DOSE”) while lowering stress chemicals like cortisol. Cathy explains how she weaves in modalities like tapping, Brain Gym, and qigong in her free weekly online Laughter Club, which attracts seniors, people with special needs, and those coping with depression, cancer, and other health issues. She shares powerful stories, including daily laughter calls with a woman facing ovarian cancer and training a wheelchair-using disability advocate, Adam, to become a laughter yoga leader—examples of how laughter can restore dignity, connection, and resilience.

Throughout the conversation, Cathy and Brad Miller return to the core themes of hope, intention, and permission to play. Cathy talks about her bold goal to live vibrantly to age 111, and how that long-term vision drives her to care for her body, mind, and spirit right now. For listeners going through a hard season—cancer, grief, job loss, or simply feeling overwhelmed—Cathy offers practical ways to begin, start with a smile, add a small giggle, move your body, tap the thymus to support immune function, and practice gratitude for even the smallest things. “Cancer and Comedy” with Dr. Brad Miller. Miller exists to help people navigate cancer and profound adversity with honesty, faith, and humor, without minimizing the seriousness of what they’re facing. To explore more conversations and resources on coping with hope and laughter, visit cancerandcomedy.com/follow.

Website: https://www.kevincrispin.com/experiencehttps://cathysclub.com/ | www.cathyscomposters.com | www.cathyssprouters.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathynesbittsteinofficial/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

On this episode of the Cancer and Comedy Podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier take on a tender, real-life moment so many of us eventually face:

What do you do when someone you care about sends the message, “I have cancer”?

Drawing from their own journeys—Deb with breast cancer and Brad with prostate cancer—as well as years of walking alongside others, they unpack how to respond with compassion, presence, and appropriate lightness without being intrusive or “making it weird.”

In this honest, practical, and hope-filled conversation, Brad and Deb share:

1. Why you should never ignore the message
2. How to let the person with cancer lead the conversation
3. What not to say—and what to say instead
4. Respecting privacy and not overstepping
5. Being present without being intrusive
6. Faith, prayer, and spiritual support (without pushing)
7. Avoiding the trap of Dr. Google and over-Googling
8. Using humor in a grounded, respectful way
9. Leaving the door open for what comes next

This episode isn’t a script—it’s a guide to being a real friend in one of life’s hardest moments. If someone in your life has been impacted by cancer, or you want to be ready when that text comes, this conversation will help you:

1. Respond instead of freezing,
2. Listen instead of fixing, and
3. Walk with them instead of disappearing.

Together, we can truly help “turn the grim of cancer into the grin of a fulfilled life.”

Tim McDonald is Dr. Brad Miller’s guest on an episode of “The Beyond Adversity Podcast.”

Tim is a speaker, community builder, and advocate who uses his story to encourage others facing serious health challenges and personal adversity.

He is known for openly sharing his journey with cancer and for helping people understand the importance of connection, vulnerability, and support during difficult moments in life.

In this episode Tim shared the moment his life changed when a doctor walked into the room with a single sheet of paper and said three words: “You have cancer.”

Instead of reacting with panic, Tim focused on the next step and asked the doctor what needed to happen moving forward.

He talks about how the hardest part of his diagnosis was not hearing the news itself, but walking home and telling his wife that he had cancer.

Tim reflects on the emotional weight of that moment and the determination he felt to face the challenge together as a family.

Tim also shares how his experience revealed an important issue among men dealing with illness.

He noticed that support groups often had equal numbers of men and women, but most of the conversation came from women while many men stayed silent and isolated.

Through his own journey, Tim realized that isolation can be one of the most dangerous responses to adversity.

He explains how opening up, sharing experiences, and talking honestly about fear and uncertainty can save lives and create meaningful connections.

Tim also discusses the role humor played during his treatment and recovery.

Even in the hospital and during surgery preparation, he used humor to lighten difficult moments and remind himself that maintaining perspective was important.

Beyond his personal battle with cancer, Tim shares how telling his story publicly helped others who were struggling.

He recounts a powerful moment when someone told him that a conversation they had helped pull them away from a very dark place in their life.

Tim McDonald’s story is a powerful reminder that adversity can lead to deeper connection, purpose, and impact.

His journey shows that vulnerability, honesty, and community can help people navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges.

This episode of The Beyond Adversity Podcast is an inspiring conversation for anyone facing illness, hardship, or moments when life suddenly changes direction.

It highlights how resilience, humor, and support from others can help people grow through what they go through.

“The Beyond Adversity Podcast with Dr. Brad Miller” is published weekly with the mission of helping people “Grow Through What They Go Through” as they navigate adversity and discover a life of peace, prosperity, and purpose.

https://sharemyliver.com

https://linktr.ee/tim.m

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timamcdonald

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timamcdonald

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/tamcdonald

Deb Krier joins host Dr. Brad Miller on this episode of “Cancer and Comedy”, a show devoted to helping cancer-impacted people heal through hope and humor — what they call turning the grim into a grin.

Deb is the co-host of Cancer and Comedy, a community for “lifter uppers” — people facing cancer or other serious adversity who refuse to be dragged into a dark spiral and instead choose to seek joy, connection, and laughter in the midst of difficult diagnoses.

In this episode, Deb and Dr. Brad dive into the often-overlooked topic of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and its powerful correlation with cancer and other major life challenges.

Deb shares her long-term awareness of SAD, including a vivid story about working in a top-secret government facility with no windows, where employees became increasingly irritable and depressed during the winter months. That experience led to practical interventions, like mandatory time outdoors and installing special lights that mimic sunlight.

Dr. Brad explains that SAD is not “just the winter blues,” but a clinically recognized disorder in the DSM-5, with symptoms such as low mood, fatigue, oversleeping, carbohydrate cravings, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating. He highlights how, when stacked on top of cancer, SAD can form a “brutal tag team” of depression, fatigue, and anxiety that can be devastating if left unaddressed.

Together, Deb and Dr. Brad unpack practical coping strategies for people dealing with SAD, especially those also facing cancer:

· Light & Environment:

· Use light therapy or special bulbs designed for SAD.

· Open curtains and blinds, even if you’re bedridden, to let natural light in.

· Sit near windows or spend a few minutes outdoors daily, even in the cold.

· Vitamin D & Medical Support:

· Ask your medical team to check your vitamin D levels in routine blood work.

· Discuss supplements with your doctor, especially if you’re in treatment.

· Be honest with your care team about mood changes; SAD and depression are serious and treatable, not personal failures.

· Movement & Routine:

· Maintain consistent sleep patterns from season to season.

· Incorporate gentle movement: walking indoors, climbing stairs, or simply standing and stretching.

· Use TV commercial breaks as built-in reminders to get up and move.

· Aim for small, realistic goals: if you can’t walk two miles, walk to the end of the block or around the room.

· Community, Support & a “Winter Toolkit”:

· Create a personal “winter toolkit” that might include scheduled phone calls or video chats with friends, light-therapy time, daily movement, and participation in support groups or counseling.

· Recognize that isolation—especially common in winter and during cancer treatment—can intensify SAD, and plan proactively to stay connected.

Deb and Dr. Brad also touch on “summer pattern SAD”, where people feel depressed or anxious during summer months—often triggered by body image concerns or the inability to participate in warm-weather activities they once enjoyed. They encourage listeners to avoid “all or nothing” thinking and instead celebrate what they can do, even if it’s less than before.

Throughout the conversation, they return to the core themes of laughter, gratitude, and intentionality. Laughter—whether through funny TV shows, conversations with friends, or shared “bad dad jokes”—is presented not as a shallow distraction but as a powerful, healing practice that lifts mood and reminds people they are more than their diagnosis or their season.

This episode of Cancer and Comedy is a must-listen for anyone with cancer—or caring for someone with cancer—who struggles more in the darker months, feels the weight of isolation, or wonders why their mood crashes with the seasons. Deb and Dr. Brad offer a compassionate, faith-informed, and highly practical roadmap to move from sad to glad, and from grim to grin, without denying the real pain and challenges involved.

“Cancer and Comedy with Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier” is published regularly with the mission of helping people cope with hope and humor, building a community where no one has to face cancer—or seasonal darkness—alone. Listeners are invited to join the community at cancerandcomedy.com/follow to stay connected, encouraged, and uplifted.

References:

Dr. Brad Miller

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/robertbradleymiller

Website: cancerandcomedy.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CancerandComedy

Deb Krier

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/deborahkrier

Website: https://debkrier.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedebkrier

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessPowerHour

On this episode of Cancer and Comedy, host Dr. Brad Miller and co-host Deb Krier talk with Steve Garrity, author of Great Fruit: How Cancer Led to Living a More Fruitful Life. At just 18 years old, Steve was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma after discovering a lump in his neck that had quietly grown into a grapefruit-sized tumor. What followed was nearly a year of chemotherapy, the loss of his social circle, a breakup with his girlfriend, and a total disruption of the life he thought he wanted.

Steve openly shares how, at that time, he wasn’t a “good teenager.” His life revolved around partying, bad decisions, and a crowd that quickly vanished once cancer entered the picture. Amid that isolation, his parents—especially his mother—encouraged him to journal. That journal became his lifeline during treatment and, decades later, the foundation of his book.

Over 37 years, Steve’s raw cancer journal grew into a two-part book:

1. Part One covers his life leading up to cancer and his treatment journey.
2. Part Two explores how cancer shaped his life afterward as a husband, father, business leader, and man of faith, and how it led him to focus on empathy, gratitude, and giving back.

A key turning point for Steve came when he watched It’s a Wonderful Life for the first time shortly after being declared cancer-free. He deeply resonated with George Bailey’s realization that his life had meaning, even in suffering. Steve came to view his cancer as his own version of “Clarence”—an angel-like intervention that stopped him from “running full speed over a cliff” and gave him a second chance at life with a new perspective.

The conversation also dives into humor in the midst of hardship, including Steve’s unforgettable and very awkward sperm bank story, sparked by an oncologist’s warning that chemotherapy might leave him infertile. That experience, which he later turned into a funny chapter in his book, highlights how even the most uncomfortable moments can become part of our healing through humor.

Dr. Brad and Deb connect Steve’s story to the show's larger themes: coping with hope and humor, choosing a “glass half full” mindset, and moving from “Why me?” to “What am I going to do with this?” They also reflect on how Steve’s experience led him to lead with empathy in business and life, recognizing that we often have no idea what others are quietly going through.

In the Faith It or Break It segment, Dr. Brad reflects on how God can use valley moments—like cancer—to reset our lives, drawing on the promise that all things can work together for good and for purpose.

If you or someone you love is navigating cancer or any intense adversity, this episode offers a powerful mix of story, perspective, faith, and laughter to help you turn the grim into a grin and, ultimately, into a more fruitful life.

On this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller talks with psychologist and author Dr. Lou Franzini about how humor can be a powerful ally during cancer, stress, and everyday adversity. Lou shares his journey from university professor and researcher to practitioner of therapeutic humor, drawing on his work in psychology, his involvement with Toastmasters, and even stand-up comedy to explain why humor matters so much for emotional and physical health.

Brad and Lou explore what makes humor helpful versus harmful—why racist, sexist, or demeaning jokes damage connection, and how appropriate, inclusive, or even gently self-deprecating humor can lower stress, strengthen relationships, and open the door to deeper conversation. They tackle the misconception that laughing during serious illness means you’re not taking it seriously enough and show how you can fully honor the gravity of cancer or grief while still using laughter as a release valve and a way to cope.

Lou offers practical “prescriptions” for bringing more humor into your life, even if you don’t think you’re naturally funny: intentionally seek out comedy, share it with others, and encourage humor in children and families as a lifelong resilience skill. “Cancer and Comedy” with Dr. Brad Miller is dedicated to helping people face cancer and profound challenges with hope, faith, and honest conversation—without losing the healing power of laughter. To continue your own journey of healing with hope and humor, visit cancerandcomedy.com/follow.

Website: https://www.kevincrispin.com/experiencewww.fathersrefuge.com

Email: [email protected]

1. cancerincomedy.com
2. amazon.com

On this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller talks with James Moffitt, founder of Father’s Refuge, about grief, faith, and finding hope after the loss of a child. James shares the stories of his daughter Jessica, who died from childhood cancer at age 10, and his son Jeremy, who passed away years later from serious health complications. His experiences show how grief is not a moment in time, but a lifelong journey that reshapes identity and belief.

James explains how Father’s Refuge was created after realizing that fathers often lack support once a child’s treatment ends. He and Brad discuss how men are taught to hide emotion, which can lead to isolation and broken relationships. James opens up about wrestling with God in moments of anger and despair, and how the idea of refuge became a place for dads to be honest and not alone.

The conversation highlights Jessica’s remarkable courage as she chose peace and family over further treatment. James also reflects on his strained relationship with Jeremy and the pain of unresolved distance. Woven throughout the episode are messages of hope, humor, and encouragement, reminding listeners that even after profound loss, healing and purpose are still possible.

“Cancer and Comedy” with Dr. Brad Miller is dedicated to helping people navigate cancer and profound loss with hope, faith, and honest conversation. Learn more about James and access resources for grieving fathers at fathersrefuge.com or contact him at [email protected]. To connect with the wider community and continue your own journey of healing with hope and humor, visit cancerandcomedy.com/follow.

Website: https://www.fathersrefuge.com/

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of “Cancer and Comedy”, Dr. Brad Miller talks with mental health advocate, performer, and podcast host Kevin Crispin (Behind Beautiful Things) about living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and the “things that eat you alive” on the inside. Anchored in a Bob Dylan lyric— “Behind every beautiful thing, there’s some kind of pain”—Kevin shares how he’s learned to acknowledge both the hurt and the hope, and how we can choose what to focus on.

Kevin opens about childhood racing thoughts, irrational fears, and feeling “other,” and how therapy, performing, and his one-man show “Invisible Now” helped him put words (and even humor) to what was happening in his mind. He and Dr. Brad explore the power of storytelling to lift shame, reduce isolation, and build empathy—especially for people facing cancer, depression, or any adversity that quietly consumes them.

If you’ve ever struggled with your own thoughts, or loved someone who has, this conversation offers compassion, perspective, and a reminder that telling the truth—sometimes with a little laughter—can be a powerful step toward healing.

“Cancer and Comedy” with Dr. Brad Miller helps people confront life’s hardest realities with hope and humor. Learn more and join the community at cancerandcomedy.com/follow.

Website: https://www.kevincrispin.com/the-actor

Podcast Website: https://www.sadtimespodcast.com/

Cancer changes everything, but it also has a way of revealing life’s most important truths. In this heartfelt episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller sits down with Tim Sohn—two-time bestselling author and the host and creator of the Showing Up: Perspectives on Cancer podcast. Tim opens up about his 18-year journey with chronic myeloid leukemia, a diagnosis that initially brought shock and fear but ultimately inspired a mission of connection, healing, and hope.

Tim shares how he found strength in storytelling—first by hearing others’ experiences and then by sharing his own. He discusses how creating a live stream show and publishing books featuring cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers brought people together from all over the world to find comfort and community. Through humor, emotional support (like his trusty rubber chicken), and a red bucket hat with a goat symbolizing “Get Out And Thrive,” Tim brings light to even the darkest moments.

He also reflects on the emotional weight of losing friends in the cancer community, the importance of self-care, and the lessons he’s learned about asking for help and living life intentionally. For Tim, showing up consistently—whether through weekly live streams, in-person events, or his nonprofit—has been the key to creating a safe space for others to sharetheir stories and find hope.

Tim’s message is clear: community and connection are powerful tools for healing. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that reminds us to live fully, love deeply, and always show up for one another.

Website: https://cancerandcomedy.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP2JvmMDeBzbj3mziVGJUw

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eWJCkSrGcmh2QX4flQiWW

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbradleymiller/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertbradleymiller/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cancerandcomedy

Tim Sohn Links:

Website: https://perspectivesoncancer.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsohn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timothyjsohn/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tim-Sohn/author/B0BW9TGC7Z/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@perspectivesoncancer