The FDA just removed a major warning label from hormone therapy — a sign that science around women’s hormones is changing fast. But what does this shift really mean for people who’ve faced cancer or want to protect their long-term health?

In this episode, Dr. Mary Ann Martin (“The Hormone Hacker”) joins us to unpack how hormones, food, and stress all shape your body’s internal environment — and what you can actually do to make it less welcoming to cancer.

You’ll learn:

What the FDA’s hormone change really says (and why it matters)

How hormone balance affects inflammation, metabolism, and healing

The truth about sugar, food myths, and “feeding cancer”

Simple tests that show if your body is in a healing or hostile state

This isn’t fear — it’s clarity.Kicking Cancer’s Ass brings you the stories, science, and suggestions to take back control of your health and healing.

Why does waiting for scan results feel like your nervous system is vibrating? Because your brain hates uncertainty more than bad news—and it's trying to protect you by preparing for every worst-case scenario. In this episode, Joelle shares what happened on January 3rd, 2023, when a routine imaging appointment turned into an MRI, then a biopsy, then surgery delay—all while the "what ifs" took over her brain. If you're sitting in that space right now, waiting for results that feel like they hold your entire life, this is for you. You'll learn why waiting activates your threat system (it's biology, not a character flaw), why willpower won't help but structure will, and the one simple tool that interrupts the spiral: name the fear, name the fact. Seven out of ten biopsies come back benign. Right now, in this moment, you're okay. You don't need certainty to be okay today—you just need a plan for the waiting. And whatever the answer is? You can handle it.Strategic Choice: Opens with the visceral feeling listeners recognize ("vibrating nervous system"), immediately validates their experience, then moves to Joelle's specific story as proof she understands. The three concrete takeaways give immediate value, and ending with "you can handle it" delivers the confidence promise without empty platitudes.

What happens when a doctor tells you "it's not good" and you're only 42?

Miguel Rueda got one of the rarest prostate cancer diagnoses possible—2% of 2% of cases—at an age when most men don't even get screened. His urologist told him if it were him, he'd just live out what time remained. That phone call came nine years ago.

Miguel runs marathons now. His kids call him every day. He's on a medication that didn't exist when he was diagnosed, working because he and his team bought enough time for it to become available.

This conversation reveals how Miguel stopped asking "why me" and started asking "so what, now what?" You'll hear about the snowy hill that changed his perspective, the microwave incident that taught him about accepting help, and why being vulnerable with his three kids made his family stronger than cancer could break it.

If you're wondering whether fighting is worth it, this episode answers that question without sugarcoating what the fight actually requires.ManUpToCancer - Join Our Pack - https://manuptocancer.org/ Movember Foundation - https://us.movember.com/

Why does hearing "it's malignant" make you want to scream, cry, or punch a wall—sometimes all in the same hour? Your body just learned about a threat that's been there for a while, and your nervous system jumped into fight or flight before your brain could catch up. That's not weakness. That's biology.

In this episode, Joelle walks you through what's happening inside your body in those first shocking moments after diagnosis. You'll understand why you're trying to make decisions with a brain that's been hit by lightning. Why that quiet question "Did I cause this?" won't stop whispering. Why people saying "stay positive" makes you want to throw something.

You'll also learn the one thing that calms your nervous system enough to think clearly, and how to let your feelings move through you instead of gaining strength inside you. This is for day one, before the plans, before the treatment—when you're just trying to catch your breath.

You're not crazy. You're in shock. And that's exactly where we start.

When treatment ended, no one offered me survivorship care. It was just — “You’re done. Be grateful.”

In this episode, Dr. Mindy Goldman, Chief Clinical Officer of MIDI Health and UCSF Professor Emeritus, reveals the truth behind The Survivorship Lie:why 80% of OB-GYNs aren’t trained in menopause care, how women fall through the cracks between oncologists and gynecologists, and what every survivor deserves to know about hormones, heart health, bone density, and quality of life after cancer.

Dr. Goldman shares groundbreaking insights from her 25-year career — including how survivorship guidelines are finally changing, what treatments are safe, and how to advocate for care that treats all of you, not just your cancer.

🎙️ Kicking Cancer’s Ass is your guide to reclaiming power, clarity, and hope — even with cancer in the room.

Highlights:

The real reason menopause care is missing from cancer recovery

Safe & modern hormone options explained

New non-hormonal drugs for hot flashes & sleep

How heart, bone, and weight changes connect to survivorship

What every woman should ask her medical team

The day before my preventive mastectomy, I got a call that changed everything.The surgery was cancelled — because cancer was already here.

In this solo episode, I share what that moment taught me about power.Because even when cancer takes control, you still have choices.

I walk you through the three swings that helped me reclaim mine:

Letting people in — on my terms

Becoming my own best-informed advocate

Finding joy through “happiness tripwires”

If you’re newly diagnosed or walking alongside someone who is, this episode will remind you:you may not choose the pitch — but you can always choose the swing.

💥 Kicking Cancer’s Ass is your weekly guide to clarity, control, and hope — even with cancer in the room.

https://youtu.be/vISAElC_YTA

When bestselling author Cara Lockwood was dropped by her publisher in the middle of chemotherapy, she could have given up.Instead, she discovered a mindset that helped her survive cancer — and rebuild her life.

In this episode of Kicking Cancer’s Ass, Cara and host Joelle Kaufman talk about what it really means to find strength when everything feels uncertain, how laughter can coexist with fear, and why giving yourself permission to be okay is one of the bravest things you can do.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:

How to navigate career loss and identity shifts during treatment

The “cancer filter” that changes how you see life forever

The simple mantra that rebuilds confidence: “I can do hard things”

Why finding humor in hardship can actually boost your immune system

✨ Kicking Cancer’s Ass is for newly diagnosed cancer patients who feel overwhelmed and want clarity, control, and hope. Every episode helps you take back power — even with cancer in the room.

Telling your family you have cancer might be the hardest conversation of your life.Joelle Kaufman has lived it — as both the child of a survivor and a parent with cancer.

When Joelle found out she had cancer, she had to tell her three kids — ages 21, 19, and 15 — and then her parents, including her mom, a 43-year survivor. In this raw, heartfelt episode, Joelle shares the real conversation, what she learned, and how love and strength show up in unexpected ways.

You’ll discover:

What to say (and what not to say) when sharing your diagnosis

Why you can’t protect your family from their emotions — and shouldn’t try

How to stay present, honest, and connected, even through fear

The truth that every reaction — even tears — is love in motion

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or supporting someone who is, this episode will remind you that cancer may be in the room, but it does not get to take your power.

🔗 Join the Kicking Cancer’s Ass community: kcapodcast.com 💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to know they’re not alone.

When you hear the words “It’s malignant,” your world stops. Everything you thought you knew about control, safety, and your future suddenly disappears.

In this raw and hopeful conversation, bestselling author Cara Lockwood — known for her 35+ romance novels — shares how one moment changed everything: the phone call that shattered her world, and the sentence that helped her rebuild it — “Cancer doesn’t get to decide. You do.”

Host Joelle Kaufman and Cara dive deep into:

The shock of diagnosis and the “white room” moment every patient knows

What it really means to take back control of your treatment and your life

How to use humor, honesty, and even your “cancer card” to stay in charge

Why giving yourself permission to lead your care changes everything

If you’re newly diagnosed and feel like cancer is running the show, this episode will help you reclaim your power, your calm, and your voice — one decision at a time.

🎙️ Kicking Cancer’s Ass is your weekly dose of hope, humor, and hard-won wisdom — because even with cancer in the room, you’re still in charge.

What if the hardest part of cancer isn't chemo—it's finding the words to tell your partner?

Joelle Kaufman knows this moment intimately. Walking to her husband's office after her biopsy results, she recalls: "He looked up from his desk and his eyes just filled. He didn't ask. I didn't have to explain. I just nodded."

In this raw, honest episode, Joelle reveals three truths about telling your partner: First, they already know something's wrong—the people who love you feel your fear before you speak. Second, they don't need your treatment plan—they need to hear "I'm scared and I need you with me." Third, their reaction isn't yours to manage—it's love trying to find a place to land.

"The minute you let them in, you've stopped facing cancer alone," Joelle shares. This isn't about delivering devastating news. It's about building your foundation as a team.

Ready to transform the hardest conversation into your strongest connection? Listen now.