From Carpools To Chemo with Marisa Peters

Cancer changes more than the body. It reshapes routines, relationships, and how we see the time we have. In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, Marisa Peters sits down with Taline Khoukaz, an oncology nurse practitioner with 26 years of experience who is being honored at the Be Seen Alive Awards. Taline shares why compassionate cancer care starts with listening, how she helps patients pursue what matters to them during treatment, and why patients and families should feel empowered to speak up and advocate for their needs.

Taline also opens up about the often overlooked weight caregivers carry, the emotional toll of losing patients, and why healthcare professionals need support, too. She reflects on how oncology has shaped her parenting and how music, dancing, and small moments of joy help her keep going. Her message is simple: being seen means recognizing the humanity of everyone touched by cancer, including those providing the care.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction
• [00:35] Introducing Taline Khoukaz and the Be Seen Alive Awards
• [04:21] From candy striper to oncology nurse practitioner
• [08:36] Why oncology chose Taline, and 26 years later, why she stayed
• [11:05] Crying on the way home, swimming, and finding relief through music
• [11:45] Taline's feel-good music and her love of dancing
• [13:05] What it means to be seen as a cancer patient
• [26:45] What's changing in colorectal cancer treatment
• [29:03] Helping patients move through the fear of their first chemotherapy cycle
• [35:46] The lessons Taline's children are learning from her work
• [39:01] Celebrating life, music, and the Be Seen community
• [40:07] What it means to Taline to be seen
• [41:18] The emotional weight healthcare providers carry home

Our Guest

Taline Khoukaz is an oncology nurse practitioner with 26 years of experience caring for cancer patients. Working alongside a leading gastrointestinal oncology team, she combines clinical expertise with compassionate, individualized care. She helps patients navigate treatment, manage uncertainty, and maintain the quality of life that matters to them.

Resources and Links

Taline Khoukaz

• USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center: https://uscnorris.com/

Marisa Peters

• Marisa Peters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• Be Seen Substack: https://gobeseen.substack.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo

Mentioned

• Be Seen Alive Awards: https://beseen.care/alive-awards

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and perspectives on cancer care. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance about diagnosis, treatment, and individual medical needs.

A stage IV colorectal cancer diagnosis at age 43, just months after having her first child, could have defined Julie Clauer's life by fear. Instead, it led to a life more full of gratitude, connection, and purpose.

In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, host Marisa Peters sits down with patient advocate and survivor Julie Clauer. Diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer at age 43, just months after having her first child, Julie shares her raw and remarkable journey. It began with a shocking ER diagnosis, where she was told she had lesions throughout her liver and did not even know where her liver was. She Googled it, despite knowing not to Google medical information. From there, she built a life defined not by cancer, but by connection, purpose, and joy.

Julie opens up about the "tour of oncologists" she undertook, interviewing seven specialists before finding the one who saw her as an individual, not a diagnosis. She explains her "Thank You Cancer" list, a running inventory of over 50 gifts, both big and small, that have come from her illness. She reflects on the lessons she's learned about self-advocacy, the importance of a primary care doctor, and why she loves that her treatment is often invisible. She also honors the three extraordinary members of her care team: Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, nurse practitioner Taline Lucas, and volunteer Judy Stark, who are being recognized with Be Seen Alive Awards.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction
• [02:21] Life before cancer: a new mom in Chicago
• [02:55] Symptoms, no primary care doctor, and a weekend of severe pain
• [07:27] The resident, the chart, and the 50 pounds she "lost"
• [09:46] Advice for listeners: have a primary care doctor
• [12:11] What made Julie feel seen: touring seven oncologists
• [14:36] Moving to LA and the gifts that came with cancer
• [16:58] Honoring her care team at the Be Seen Alive Awards
• [17:39] Why the Alive Awards matter to Julie
• [19:12] Nearly 200 infusions and the Century Club
• [20:11] What cancer looks like vs. the reality
• [22:01] "How healthy are you?" A patient's dichotomy
• [28:47] Julie's hype song: "Girl on Fire"
• [30:21] The elephant herd and the Thank You, Cancer list
• [32:51] Gratitude, and joining "the Cancer Club"
• [34:37] What it means to Julie to be seen

Our Guest

Julie Clauer is a patient advocate and survivor living with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Diagnosed at age 43, she has been in treatment for over eight years and is a dedicated advocate for research and innovation. She is a member of the "Long Hauler Hollow" at Colon Town and is honoring her care team at the second annual Be Seen Alive Awards.

Resources and Links

Julie Clauer

• https://colontown.org/staff/

Mentioned

• Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards
• ColonTown: https://colontown.org/
• Long Hauler Hollow by ColonTown

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

Dr. Raldow shares her philosophy of empowering patients through transparent communication, even when it means having difficult conversations about fertility and sexual health. She opens up about the technological revolution in her field, from AI-assisted planning to adaptive radiation therapy that spares healthy tissue and reduces side effects. She reflects on the courage of her patients, explains why she wishes more people understood the reality of radiation treatment, and shares the song that gets her through hard times. This conversation is a powerful reminder that in the fight against cancer, seeing the patient for who they are is just as critical as the technology used to treat them.

Notable Quotes

• [05:16] "You have the potential to make the experience so much better for the patient, or you can also unfortunately make it so much worse." — Dr. Ann Raldow, on why every visit matters

• [13:28] "If you don't give them all of the information, you're making the choice for them." — Dr. Ann Raldow

• [15:22] "If you yourself aren't having those difficult conversations, then who is?" — Dr. Ann Raldow

• [22:04] "It's a non-invasive treatment, and it's like getting a very long, high-dose targeted X-ray." — Dr. Ann Raldow, on what radiation really is

Our Guest

Dr. Ann Raldow is a nationally respected radiation oncologist at UCLA Health, specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. She is known for her expertise in leading-edge radiation techniques and her deeply compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. She is an honoree at the second annual Be Seen Alive Awards.

Resources and Links

Dr. Ann Raldow

• linkedin.com/in/ann-raldow-a5328417
• https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/ann-raldow

Marisa Peters

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/
• https://beseen.care/podcast
• https://gobeseen.substack.com
• https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
• https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo

Mentioned

• Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards
• Fight CRC: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

What if we could stop cancer before it ever starts?

In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, host Marisa Peters sits down with Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, Deputy Director for Research Programs at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of the world’s leading experts in gastrointestinal cancer.

With more than 30 years of experience in colorectal cancer research, Dr. Lenz has helped transform how we understand and treat cancer through his “clinic-to-bench” approach. His work on molecular subtypes like MSI-high and BRAF mutations has opened new possibilities for patients facing colorectal cancer.

Beyond science, Dr. Lenz reflects on mentorship, teamwork, patient advocacy, and the lessons he has learned from thousands of patients. Ahead of the second annual Be Seen Alive Awards, this conversation explores how trust, collaboration, and innovation are shaping the future of cancer treatment.

Key Takeaways

• A father’s illness inspired Dr. Lenz’s path into medicine.
• Patients are partners in their own care journey.
• A negative trial can still create meaningful breakthroughs.
• Molecular research is changing cancer treatment.
• MSI-high discoveries have improved outcomes for many patients.
• Cancer prevention may be the next frontier.
• RNA, methylation, and epigenetics could unlock future advances.

Our Guest

Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz is a world-renowned oncologist and expert in gastrointestinal cancer. He serves as Deputy Director for Research Programs at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and is a professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. His research has helped redefine colorectal cancer treatment worldwide.

Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/heinz-josef-lenz-5a6001178
• https://norriscancer.usc.edu/
• https://keck.usc.edu/

Marisa Peters

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/
• https://beseen.care/podcast
• https://gobeseen.substack.com
• https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
• https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo

Mentioned

• Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards
• Fight CRC: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

What happens after the last cancer treatment, when everyone assumes the patient is finally okay? In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, Marisa Peters speaks with actress, advocate, stage IV colon cancer survivor, and Alive Awards honoree Elizabeth Wachsberg. Diagnosed at 38 after a colon blockage sent her to the ER, Elizabeth faced chemotherapy, surgery, panic attacks, and the struggle to keep her health insurance while fighting for her life, until a surgeon gave her hope with the words, “Let’s cure this thing.”

Elizabeth opens up about why “warrior” language can feel like a trap, and the grief of surviving when so many others do not. She also shares how humor helped her through the darkest moments and why support must continue after treatment ends. Her story is a powerful reminder that the last treatment does not mark the end of the journey or the need for care.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Episode preview
• [02:10] Meet Elizabeth Wachsberg
• [04:22] The challenge of working during treatment to keep health insurance
• [10:00] The "Black Cloud Days" and the emotional toll of treatment
• [17:11] The moment of diagnosis and Dr. Sharma's first call
• [20:23] The care team that offered hope: Dr. Agopian's "Let's cure this thing"
• [29:13] The "after" of cancer: panic attacks, anxiety, and feeling abandoned
• [36:06] What it means to be honored with an Alive Award
• [43:53] Honoring the doctors who showed up: Dr. Sharma and Dr. Agopian
• [47:51] Advice for the newly diagnosed and the need for post-treatment support
• [57:30] What it means to Elizabeth to be seen

Notable Quotes

• [57:39] “It’s a comfort to be seen. It’s an honor to be seen.” — Elizabeth Wachsberg

• [58:35] “I see a future where we fund cancer research in a way that allows people to eradicate the disease.” — Elizabeth Wachsberg

Our Guest

Elizabeth Wachsberg is a stage IV colon cancer survivor, actress, and advocate. Diagnosed at 38, she has become a powerful voice in the colorectal cancer community, sharing her story with candor and humor to raise awareness and support others. A SAG member for over 20 years, she is dedicated to advocating for research funding and mental health support for cancer survivors.

Resources and Links

Elizabeth Wachsberg

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-wachsberg-22bb0913b/
• https://www.instagram.com/elizabethwachsberg/

Marisa Peters

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• https://gobeseen.substack.com
• https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo
• Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

What do you do when someone you love is fighting for their life, but you’re not sure how to help? When Marisa Peters was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, her cousin Julie Hahn felt the pain of supporting someone from a distance while trying to respect their privacy. In this special episode of From Carpools to Chemo, Marisa sits down with Julie, Chair of Communications and Marketing for the Be Seen Network, to discuss their lifelong bond, Julie’s journey from uncertainty to purpose, and their shared mission to help patients, survivors, caregivers, and medical professionals feel truly seen.

Julie also takes us behind the scenes of the second annual Alive Awards, a musical celebration honoring the frontline heroes of colorectal cancer. From the collaborative spirit of the “Good Hive” to making “We Got Your Backside” bracelets with survivors, Julie shares how saying “yes” helped her find purpose through service. This heartfelt conversation is a reminder that when people come together, no one has to face cancer alone.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Episode preview
• [01:08] Meet Julie Hahn
• [02:38] The mission of the Alive Awards
• [04:30] Julie's experience of Marisa's diagnosis
• [06:01] Feeling paralyzed and not knowing how to help
• [07:21] The moment Julie found her calling with Be Seen
• [10:30] Memories of the first Alive Awards
• [18:44] The Cologuard Classic as a turning point
• [19:39] The power of becoming "previvors"
• [22:13] The "We Got Your Backside" bracelet event
• [26:27] The meaning of the bee and the "Good Hive"
• [33:55] Julie's personal hype song
• [36:54] What "Be Seen" means to Julie
• [38:01] The broader vision of the Be Seen Network

Notable Quotes

• [06:35] "I felt sad, and I felt hopeless, and I just wanted to be there and do all the things." — Julie Hahn

• [26:44] " The bee is part of a hive. It doesn't make honey on its own. It goes from flower to flower... but it helps a garden grow." — Julie Hahn

Our Guest

Julie Hahn is the Chair of Communications and Marketing for the Be Seen Network and a passionate advocate for the colorectal cancer community. As Marisa Peters' cousin, she was drawn to the cause after Marisa's diagnosis and has since become an integral part of the movement. A wife, mother of four girls, and an experienced entrepreneur, Julie uses her talents to help share Be Seen's mission and spark action in others.

Resources and Links

Marisa Peters

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• https://gobeseen.substack.com
• https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
• https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo

Mentioned

• Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, host Marisa Peters sits down with JJ Singleton, a 27-year-old former college football player whose life took a devastating turn when a throbbing in his abdomen turned out to be colorectal cancer. Now 10 years into his journey, JJ has endured 10 surgeries, 4 failed chemo cocktails, 450 days without food or water, and is approaching his 173rd round of treatment. And he's still standing, unfiltered, unpolished, and more real than ever.

JJ takes us back to Memorial Day 2015, when he first felt the pain. As a former athlete, he did what athletes do: he pushed through. He ignored the blood in his stool, ignored the weight loss, which he mistook for fitness progress, and kept training for a CrossFit competition. But by the time his mom convinced him to see a doctor, the tumor was so large you could see it pulsing through his shirt.

What followed was a decade of misdiagnoses, failed treatments, clinical trial "Hail Marys," and a body that betrayed him. But it was also a decade of unlikely friendship, radical honesty, and an advocacy journey that started on a bathroom floor, covered in vomit, watching polished cancer commercials, and vowing that if he ever shared his story, it would be 100% real.

Tune in to hear JJ's extraordinary story of resilience, realness, and the power of saying yes. Whether you're navigating your own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or simply need a reminder that you're not alone, this conversation is for you. Listen now and discover what it truly means to be seen.

Resources and Links

JJ Singleton

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jj-singleton-a275ab2a4
• https://www.instagram.com/jj5145/?hl=en
• https://manuptocancer.org/
• https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/

Marisa Peters

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/
• https://beseen.care/podcast
• https://gobeseen.substack.com
• https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
• https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

What if one simple test could give you more time?

In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, Marisa Peters sits down with Dr. Jordan Karlitz, nationally recognized gastroenterologist and Senior Medical Officer at Exact Sciences, to break down one of the most urgent public health issues today: colorectal cancer.

Despite being one of the most preventable cancers, millions of people are still skipping screening, and the consequences are rising fast, especially in younger adults.

Dr. Karlitz shares what’s really happening behind the data, why screening guidelines changed, and how new non-invasive technologies are making early detection more accessible than ever.

But this conversation goes beyond medicine. It’s about advocacy, awareness, and the life-saving power of speaking up before it’s too late.

If you’ve ever delayed a checkup, ignored symptoms, or assumed “it won’t happen to me,” this episode is your wake-up call.

Key Takeaways

• Colorectal cancer is the #2 cancer killer but is highly preventable with early screening
• Screening should begin at age 45 for average-risk individuals
• Millions remain unscreened, largely due to fear, stigma, and lack of awareness
• Non-invasive tests are increasing access and improving adherence
• Being proactive and advocating for your own health can change outcomes
• Get clarity on colonoscopy vs non-invasive screening options
• Hear a powerful reminder of why early detection literally buys time

Resources and Links

Dr. Jordan Karlitz

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-karlitz-md-facg-agaf-3b3506101/
• https://x.com/jkarlitzmd
• https://som.cuanschutz.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/35786

Marisa Peters

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/
• https://beseen.care/podcast
• https://gobeseen.substack.com
• https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
• https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

Imagine knowing you should schedule a preventive screening but putting it off because navigating the healthcare system feels overwhelming.

In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo on The BE SEEN Network, host Marisa Peters speaks with Alex Colavin, co-founder of Threshold Health, about the barriers that prevent people from accessing life-saving cancer screenings. From complicated scheduling systems to psychological avoidance, many people delay care until symptoms become severe.

Alex shares his journey from studying cancer evolution as a scientist to building a company focused on improving access to preventive care. Through Threshold Health’s Beeline service, patients are connected with human care navigators who help simplify the process of scheduling screenings and taking the next step toward early detection. Because we know when scheduling is made easier - more people are seen.

Together, Marisa and Alex discuss why prevention should be easier, how small system changes can dramatically increase screening rates, and why making healthcare more human may be the key to saving lives.

In This Episode

• [01:05] Introduction to Alex Colavin and Threshold Health
• [03:10] Alex’s journey from cancer research to entrepreneurship
• [06:00] Discovering the real barrier to screening: access
• [08:20] How easier scheduling dramatically increases screening rates
• [10:12] The emotional impact of patient stories and late diagnoses
• [12:42] Why do healthcare systems place too much responsibility on patients
• [13:50] How Beeline helps people schedule screenings more easily
• [16:10] Shame, stigma, and delayed preventive care
• [18:38] Banana pancakes, family time, and slowing down
• [21:19] Advice for living more intentionally

Resources and Links

Alex Colavin

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/acolavin
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/beeline-health
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/acolavin

Marisa Peters

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/
• https://beseen.care/podcast
• https://gobeseen.substack.com
• https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
• https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo

Disclaimer

This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

In this poignant episode of From Carpools to Chemo, host Marisa Peters sits down with Dr. George Beauregard, a physician and father, who shares the heart-wrenching journey of his son Patrick's unexpected diagnosis of stage 4 colorectal cancer at just 29 years old. Patrick's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection, the fragility of life, and the profound impact cancer has not only on patients but also on their families.

George, both a father and a medical professional, talks about the overwhelming emotions and challenges he faced as he navigated his son’s diagnosis and treatment. As George shares his personal experience with grief, faith, and his role as an advocate for early detection, his message is clear: cancer awareness, especially for young people, is crucial. George’s journey is a testament to the power of turning grief into advocacy and ensuring that the lessons learned from one’s pain can help save others.

In This Episode:

• [00:00] Introduction to George Beauregard
• [02:10] The shock of Patrick’s diagnosis: Stage 4 colorectal cancer at 29
• [03:03] From father to physician: Balancing love and expertise during a medical crisis
• [05:00] The importance of early detection and how young people are affected
• [08:00] Grieving as a father and supporting a family through cancer
• [12:00] Faith, anger, and acceptance: George’s spiritual journey
• [16:00] Raising awareness for early-onset colorectal cancer
• [20:00] Turning grief into advocacy: Patrick’s legacy and the book George wrote
• [24:00] Closing thoughts: The importance of staying present and advocating for better cancer detection

Resources and Links

George Beauregard

• https://www.georgebeauregard.com/
• https://sonehealthcare.com/meet-the-team/george-beauregard-do/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-beauregard-do-24677a40

Marisa Peters

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
• https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/
• https://beseen.care/podcast
• https://gobeseen.substack.com
• https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
• https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo