In this heartfelt episode of INDY Foundation Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan kicks off a powerful new mini-series: Coming Home to Yourself. Kayla shares her deeply personal story of becoming a widow in her late 20s and how that season of profound grief unexpectedly became the foundation for quiet, unshakable confidence.

This episode dives into:

• How grief, trauma, and cancer can lead to personal transformation
• Why confidence is often born from loss, not success
• Letting go of perfection, people-pleasing, and the need for approval
• The importance of protecting your peace and reclaiming your identity
• Real stories of cancer warriors who rediscovered themselves post-diagnosis

Whether you're navigating cancer, grief, identity shifts, or simply looking to reconnect with your true self, this episode is for you.

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

In this heartfelt episode of Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan shares the powerful mission and inspiration behind INDY Foundation’s signature Valentine’s event: Babes, Wine & Galentines.

This annual celebration, now in its fourth year, is dedicated to honoring Minnesota’s cancer warriors—women who are navigating or have survived cancer. More than just a fun night out, this event is a moving blend of community, compassion, confidence, and connection.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The story behind the Babes, Wine & Galentines event and why it matters
• How local businesses like White Peony Boutique are helping warriors reclaim their confidence
• The emotional impact of the makeover experience on women battling cancer
• A behind-the-scenes look at the transformations, tears, and triumphs
• How community support, sponsorships, and volunteers make this night possible
• Ways you can get involved, attend, or support this cause

Whether you're a supporter of cancer nonprofits, a lover of Galentine’s events, or someone who believes in the power of women supporting women, this episode will inspire you to lead with love and take action.

Event Info: Babes, Wine & Galentines 2026

Thursday, February 12 | Park Event Center, Waite Park, MN

In this milestone 70th episode, host Kayla Keenan wraps up a powerful six-part series on navigating life through cancer, grief, and transformation. Drawing from her personal experience as a young caregiver and widow, Kayla shares six profound lessons she learned through crisis—insights that reshaped her identity, strengthened her faith, and revealed her purpose.

Whether you're currently facing a cancer diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or healing from loss, this episode offers hope, clarity, and real-life tools for emotional resilience and personal growth.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How faith becomes a daily act of surrender and strength during hard times
• Why your identity can and should evolve after trauma
• The importance of setting boundaries to protect your energy and well-being
• How practicing gratitude grounds you when life feels unsteady
• The transformative power of compassion and empathy for yourself and others
• How purpose can emerge from pain—and lead to profound impact

Kayla also reflects on the emotional journey of starting the INDY Foundation and the unexpected healing it brought. If you’ve ever wondered how to find light after loss, this episode is a must-listen.

Journal Prompts Shared in the Episode:

• What signs of progress, no matter how small, have you noticed?
• What have you learned about resilience, faith, or identity through your season of struggle?
• What dreams now feel closer than before?
• Who has supported you—and how can you honor that connection?
• If today marked a breakthrough, what’s one step forward you could take?

Join the INDY Foundation Community:

We’re more than a podcast—we’re a movement. Learn how to support cancer warriors, attend our upcoming Bow Ties & Arrows Gala (Feb 12) and Valentine’s Celebration (Mar 28), and stay connected through our website and social platforms.

Episode Summary:

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, host Kayla Keenan shares the story of losing her spouse to cancer and how that life-altering experience became the foundation for something bigger. Through raw reflection and deep insight, Kayla explores how grief became a catalyst for the creation of the INDY Foundation — a nonprofit supporting families affected by cancer.

Listeners will hear how she reframed her suffering as sacred preparation for purpose, and why she believes challenges are not punishments but powerful opportunities to grow. She offers journal prompts designed to help you explore your own journey and uncover what your current challenge might be preparing you for.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing adversity, searching for meaning, or learning to lead with heart after loss.

Topics Covered:

• Kayla’s personal journey through cancer grief
• The founding and mission of the INDY Foundation
• Why challenges are often sacred preparation
• Journal prompts for reflection and healing
• Finding purpose through pain and community

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Series Overview

01:03 Personal Reflections on Loss and Growth

02:51 The Impact of Cancer and Community Support

06:54 Reframing Challenges and Finding Purpose

08:09 Journal Prompts for Self-Reflection

09:36 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

In this heartfelt New Year's episode, Kayla Keenan reflects on the challenges of returning to routine after the holidays and the importance of finding stillness amidst chaos. She recaps previous podcast episodes on learning from crises and the power of surrender before diving into the current theme of not reacting impulsively. Drawing from personal experiences, including her husband's cancer diagnosis, she illustrates the value of choosing calm over urgency. The episode concludes with thoughtful journal prompts encouraging listeners to explore their reactions and the quest for inner peace.

00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings

00:42 Recap of Previous Episodes

02:18 The Importance of Not Reacting

03:07 Personal Anecdotes and Lessons

07:14 Choosing Peace Over Urgency

08:56 Final Thoughts and Journal Prompts

11:19 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

In this special year-end episode of INDY Foundation Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan takes a heartfelt look back at the most powerful moments of 2025. Through emotional reflections and unforgettable stories, we revisit the central theme that has guided us all year: the irreplaceable value of human connection during a cancer journey.

From the physical toll of treatment to the emotional weight of a diagnosis, this episode highlights the strength found in relationships—with family, friends, and even strangers. You’ll hear how love and community carried individuals through their darkest days, including a moving tribute to a young widow and her late husband, Kyle.

We also share behind-the-scenes insights into the INDY Foundation’s mission and the personal journey that inspired it. Kayla reflects on the power of nonprofit support, community-driven care, and what it truly means to show up for one another.

Whether you’ve been with us all year or are just joining the conversation, this episode is a powerful reminder that no one should walk through cancer alone.

Tune in and celebrate the moments that moved us, the people who inspired us, and the connections that carried us forward.

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

The video reflects on Kyle's impactful life, emphasizing his legacy of kindness and leadership. It shares an essay written by Grayson, the son of Kyle's friend and coworker, highlighting Kyle's influence on him. The essay recounts Kyle's welcoming nature, mentorship, and the life-altering advice he provided. Even during his illness, Kyle's mental strength and kindness remained strong, teaching Grayson invaluable lessons about the true meaning of strength and making a lasting impact on his life.

00:00 A Birthday to Remember

00:21 Kyle's Legacy Lives On

00:32 Grayson's Essay on Kyle

01:36 Memories of Kyle

02:34 Life Lessons from Kyle

02:55 Kyle's Battle and Strength

03:36 The True Measure of Strength

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

In this deeply heartfelt episode of INDY Foundation: Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan explores what it truly means to surrender during a cancer journey.

Drawing from her personal experience as a caregiver to her fiancé Kyle, who battled stage four colon cancer, Kayla shares the emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges that come with letting go of what we cannot control—money, image, control itself, timelines, and even the illusion of safety.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The emotional toll of losing control after a cancer diagnosis
• How community and employer support helped ease financial stress
• The struggle of maintaining identity and image during illness
• Processing uncertainty around treatment outcomes and timelines
• Journal prompts to help you surrender expectations and find peace
• A vulnerable look into caregiving, grief, and post-diagnosis life

Whether you’re a cancer warrior, caregiver, or someone facing life’s unexpected turns, this episode will help you reflect, breathe deeper, and maybe—just maybe—let go.

Journal Prompts from the Episode:

1. What are you gripping tightly right now—control, money, image, or expectations?
2. What would happen if you loosened your grip by just 1%?
3. What’s something you’re trying to force that just isn’t working?
4. I’m afraid to surrender because...
5. But I know that if I released it, I would gain...

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

The episode addresses the personal struggles that can often overshadow the joy of holidays, particularly for those affected by crises like illness or loss. The speaker introduces a new series reflecting on life's challenging chapters and how such hardships shape and prepare an individual for what comes next. Sharing a deeply personal story about her husband's diagnosis and passing, she discusses the emotional journey and coping mechanisms, emphasizing that crises are opportunities for growth. The episode concludes with journal prompts designed to help listeners process their experiences and emotions.

00:00 Introduction: Navigating Personal Crisis

00:39 The Hardest Chapters: Personal Reflections

01:22 Life-Changing Moments: Kyle's Diagnosis

03:11 Finding Meaning in Crisis

04:10 Journal Prompts for Healing

05:45 Conclusion: Preparing for the Future

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of the INDY Foundation: Connecting Through Cancer Podcast, we reflect on gratitude, connection, and the strength of families facing cancer. The episode highlights the story of a young family from Central Minnesota navigating the challenges of stage three breast cancer, emphasizing the vital support provided by the Indie Foundation. Through emotional narratives and heartfelt messages, the podcast underscores the importance of community, donor contributions, and volunteer efforts, showcasing how these elements bring hope, relief, and moments of joy to families during difficult times.

00:00 Welcome to the INDY Foundation Podcast

00:28 The Struggles of Families Facing Cancer

00:51 A Story of Hope: Central Minnesota Family

02:04 INDY Warrior Check Presentation

03:19 The Impact of Community Support

03:56 Gratitude for Indie Warriors and Supporters

05:35 A Call to Action: Supporting Indie Warrior Families

06:10 Closing Remarks: Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761