Melissa Greggs, inspired by her mother Dr. Jennie Bennett’s legacy, now serves as acting director of Reconstruction of a Survivor. 

Despite facing grief and depression after her mother’s passing, Greggs channels her passion for helping women feel confident through fashion. Her journey blends advocacy, self-discovery, and continuing her mother’s mission.

Learn more about Reconstruction of a Survivor here.

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. What is Reconstruction of a Survivor and how did it start?

2. Where are the support groups for Reconstruction of a Survivor located?

3. What inspired Dr. Jennie Bennett to create a curriculum for support groups?

4. How did Dr. Jennie Bennett transition from teaching math and science to supporting breast cancer survivors?

5. How did Melissa’s personal life and career change due to her mother’s illness?

6. How does Melissa see fashion as a transformative force for women, especially survivors?

7. How does Melissa cope with grief and depression after her mother’s passing?

8. What lessons did Melissa learn from her mother that guide her as acting director?

9. What challenges and new skills has Melissa faced in taking on the acting directorship of Reconstruction of a Survivor?

10. How do Dorothy and Melissa see the balance between leading with heart and head, especially in the nonprofit world?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Creating Support for Breast Cancer Survivors

05:26 Unique Daughter's Achievements

09:13 Navigating Early Experiences and Identity

10:21 Empowerment Through Personal Style

15:58 Sharing Imperfection and Struggle

18:37 Embracing Leadership Journey

21:30 Empowerment Through Education

26:42 Dressing for Confidence and Comfort

29:57 Authentic Grace and Confidence

30:47 Graceful Fight Against Breast Cancer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leah Adams currently serves as Vice President of Engagement at Houston’s Institute for Spirituality and Health. Her path to the Institute began decades ago and her journey is one of resilience and connection—turning grief into a mission to help others heal.

Since 1955, the Institute has brought spirituality into healthcare, education, and community programs, offering support groups, professional training, and resources that nurture mind, body, and spirit.

In this episode, Dorothy Gibbons and Leah explore the power of compassionate care and belonging in times of need.

Learn more about The Institute for Spirituality and Health here.

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. What is the Institute for Spirituality and Health, and what is Leah Adams’s role there?

2. How long has the Institute for Spirituality and Health been around, and how did it get started?

3. How did the Institute innovate chaplaincy in healthcare?

4. How did Leah Adams’s personal journey lead her to the Institute?

5. How did Leah process her brother’s tragic death, and how did it influence her spiritual journey?

6. What’s the difference between spirituality and religion, according to the Institute?

7. Why is a spiritual practice or community important, especially in unsettled times?

8. What kinds of support groups and programs does the Institute offer, and who are they for?

9. How does the Institute promote spiritual presence and connection in healthcare education?

10. What are the main centers of excellence within the Institute and what do they focus on?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Journey from Tragedy to Private Equity

03:48 Finding Unity in Global Diversity

09:48 Embracing Spirituality at Work

11:21 Spiritual Community for Resilience

15:23 Promoting Spirituality in Medicine

16:51 The Power of Presence

21:33 Community and Belonging in Houston

24:40 End-of-Life Care and Support

29:21 Connecting Through Mission-Driven Leadership

31:18 Weekly Support & Wellness Groups

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Becca Johnson shares the sequence of events that led to her breast cancer diagnosis and what happened next. 

Initial mammograms and consultations showed no clear issues, but persistent symptoms led Becca to push for further testing. When the diagnosis came, she documented every detail and sought support from medical staff and loved ones. 

Becca describes communicating with her children and organizing her next steps. Faith guided her choices as she incorporated both conventional treatment and alternative approaches. Community support, including fundraising through T-shirt sales featuring meaningful Bible verses, helped cover medical expenses. Becca stresses the importance of research, questioning, and finding a supportive network. 

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. How did Becca Johnson first discover she had breast cancer?

2. What was Becca’s initial reaction upon receiving her cancer diagnosis?

3. How did Becca approach telling her children about her diagnosis?

4. What did Becca do after learning about her diagnosis?

5. What specific type of breast cancer was Becca diagnosed with?

6. Did Becca have any known familial risk factors for breast cancer?

7. How did Becca’s faith influence her journey with breast cancer?

8. What role did Becca’s support network play during her diagnosis and treatment?

9. What advice does Becca share for others who receive a cancer diagnosis?

10. What does Becca recommend to those struggling with feelings of isolation after a cancer diagnosis?

11. How did Becca personalize her healing journey (e.g., alternative treatments, lifestyle changes)?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Mammogram Misdiagnosis: Lingering Concerns

06:15 Urgent Call to Doctor

06:52 Seeking Guidance and Self-Discipline

12:11 A Life-Altering Diagnosis

16:04 Urgent Lumpectomy Needed

17:30 Surgery Decision Urgency

21:26 Exodus 14 Revelation

26:10 Spiritual Awakening at 25

27:10 Turning Point: A New Path

31:25 Unique Responses to Cancer Treatment

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

¿Qué pasa después del diagnóstico? Elizabeth nos cuenta cómo su rol de navegadora de pacientes cambia vidas, brindando no solo recursos médicos, sino también esperanza, comunidad y contención emocional. Desde el diagnóstico hasta la recuperación, ella se convierte en guía, consejera y ángel para quienes enfrentan una de las luchas más difíciles de su vida.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Quianta Moore grew up in Pennsylvania, moved to Texas, and then found her path through medicine, law, and policy. She now leads the Hackett Center for Mental Health where she’s focused on access to care, early brain development, and what happens to women during times like menopause or postpartum.

• We’ll learn what shaped her career and why she took risks to tackle gaps in women’s health.
• We’ll talk about mental health challenges uniquely impacting women, from isolation to the cost and coverage of care.
• We’ll hear how common sense can make a difference while we wait for research.

Learn more about The Hackett Center for Mental Health here.

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. What is Dr. Quianta Moore’s background and journey into medicine and public health?

2. How did Dr. Moore become interested in women’s health?

3. Why did Dr. Moore pursue both medical and legal training, and how did that shape her career?

4. What is the Hackett Center for Mental Health, and what does Dr. Moore do there?

5. How did Hurricane Harvey affect health outcomes in Houston?

6. What is the relationship between mental health and physical health in women, especially around menopause?

7. What disparities do women face in healthcare coverage and costs?

8. What challenges exist for women seeking menopause-related care?

9. How does social connectedness impact mental health, and are there examples from Houston communities?

10. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect mental health, especially for children and adolescents?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Choosing Medicine: A Journey

04:08 Hackett Center for Mental Health Leadership

06:57 Immediate Action over Waiting for Research

12:19 Ophthalmology Fellowship Success Story

15:10 Focus: Early Brain Development Impact

18:34 Women: Disproportionate Health Care Burdens

22:20 Addressing Menopause in the Workplace

24:35 Community Resource Platform Development

28:12 Parental Isolation and Social Connection

31:19 Early Brain Development and COVID Impact

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No, Mammograms are Not a “One and Done” Procedure

Crowd favorite Dr. Raz joins Dorothy to shed light on the importance of mammograms in detecting breast cancer early. He gets granular by explaining what a mammogram is and why it’s important to have one every year.

Changing guidelines have left many women confused over the year, and Dr. Raz’s insights clear the air. He emphasizes the need for consistency and punctuality in mammogram screenings to catch cancer early and improve survivability.

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1.) What’s a mammogram?

2.) Why should women get them done early?

3.) What are the different kinds of mammograms?

4.) How have changing guidelines had an impact on women’s health?

5.) Why is it important to get screened every year?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 What is a mammogram?

01:23 Importance of annual mammograms

04:01 Role of USPSTF in setting guidelines

04:58 Impact of changing guidelines on insurance coverage

05:24 Difference between screening and diagnostic mammograms

08:10 What women need to know about mammograms

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meredith Hilliard, armed with the knowledge of her BRCA gene and her family's history, decided to have a robotic prophylactic mastectomy to avert the disease that haunted her relatives. 

Supported by her community and inspired by her mother’s experience, she became one of the first in Texas to try this innovative procedure. Her story is one of preparation, courage, and hope for a cancer-free future.

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. Who is Meredith Hilliard, and what makes her story unique?

2. How did Meredith learn about breast cancer at a young age?

3. What is the BRCA gene, and how did Meredith’s family discover they were carriers?

4. How did having a family history and the BRCA gene influence Meredith’s decisions about her health?

5. What is a prophylactic mastectomy and why did Meredith choose to have one?

6. How did Meredith feel during the regular surveillance (MRI and mammograms) before surgery?

7. What support did Meredith have during her decision and surgery?

8. What is a robotic mastectomy, and how did Meredith become a candidate for this procedure?

9. What was Meredith’s experience with reconstruction following her mastectomy?

10. How does Meredith feel about her decision in hindsight?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Secret Struggles with Cancer

04:23 Early Diagnosis Key to Discovery

08:03 BRCA Gene and Cancer Anxiety

11:23 Robotic Mastectomy Experience

15:02 Family Health and Surgery Discussion

18:26 Referral to MD Anderson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lolita Guarin doesn’t call herself a stress management expert because she's studied it. She calls herself one because she's lived it. 

We talk about:

• the patterns we carry from childhood and how they shape our reactions,
• the signals our bodies send when we've reached a limit,
• and how self-compassion starts with a single decision to pause and notice.

Hear how Lolita turned her own story into a message for others.

Subscribe to Lolita’s YouTube channel here.

Learn more about Lolita’s C.A.L.M. method here.

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. How did Lolita Guarin become a stress management expert?

2. How does Lolita define stress, and how is it connected to trauma?

3. Can childhood patterns impact how we experience stress as adults?

4. Do we carry childhood stress patterns with us forever?

5. How did Lolita’s realization about her childhood shape her stress management journey?

6. What led to Lolita's personal health crisis, and how did it relate to stress?

7. How did she begin to recover from chronic stress and burnout?

8. What does Lolita see as the limitations of typical stress management practices like yoga or meditation?

9. What is one practical self-love technique Lolita uses and recommends?

10. How does Lolita approach helping clients start on their journey to reducing stress?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Childhood Experience and Emotional Triggers

04:18 Empowerment: Beyond Childhood Limitations

07:00 Relentless Work Leads to Burnout

11:08 Path to Becoming a Wellness Coach

14:50 Managing Stress Without Self-Judgment

17:40 Self-Reflection and Inner Critique

21:40 Empathy in Parental Advice

26:34 Childhood Patterns Fuel High Achievers

29:23 Tradition, Fear, and Loyalty Cycle

31:10 Prioritize Self-Care for Loved Ones

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you create a network where women feel safe to share their stories and support one another?

Amber Jamshed started the Houston Professional Women Organization to answer that question. She builds platforms for women—so they can connect, mentor each other, and grow. 

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• The challenges and opportunities as a first-generation immigrant
• How to break barriers and change the narrative around women supporting women
• Why health and self-care need to be priorities for every woman

Listen in as Amber shares why community, advocacy, and leadership matter. 

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. Who is Amber Jamshed, and what inspired her work in women’s empowerment?

2. What is the Houston Professional Women Organization, and why was it started?

3. How does the organization help women grow professionally and personally?

4. What challenges do women face when it comes to seeking support and resources?

5. How did the organization adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic?

6. What changes has Amber seen in women’s attitudes toward supporting each other?

7. What are some of the cultural barriers that affect women’s health, especially regarding breast health?

8. How important is sharing personal stories for spreading awareness and empowering others?

9. What role do spouses or male family members play in encouraging women’s health decisions in some communities?

10. How does Amber personally prioritize her own health and self-care?

Timestamped Overview

04:54 Empowering Women Through Networking

09:04 Empowering Immigrant Women Voices

12:37 Connecting Health and Awareness

14:47 Breast Cancer's Emotional Impact

17:55 Empathy Through Actions

22:54 Multicultural Center Programs Overview

24:56 New Beginnings

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a young boy’s traumatic introduction to cancer shape his lifelong journey?

Kirk Cox's early encounters with his mother's breast cancer in the 60s profoundly affected him. Watching her bravery through invasive surgeries and treatments left an indelible mark. This personal history guided him as he later managed his Aunt Dottie's care and faced the tragic loss of his own child.

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. How was Kirk Cox first introduced to breast cancer?

2. What were the treatments and experiences of his mother with breast cancer in the 1960s?

3. How did Kirk's mother manage her illness while raising children?

4. What was the difference in cancer treatment between the 1960s and 1970s as experienced by Kirk's mother?

5. Did Kirk worry about losing his mother to cancer as a child?

6. What responsibility did Kirk take on after his mother’s passing?

7. How did the treatment for his Aunt Dottie's breast cancer differ from his mother's?

8. How has Kirk experienced and dealt with grief throughout his life?

9. What impact did the loss of Kirk's son have on him?

10. What advice does Kirk offer to those dealing with grief or supporting someone in grief?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Mother's breast cancer diagnosed later, treatment different.

04:45 Aunt misdiagnosed; family care responsibilities transferred.

09:05 Two friends drowned in lake after storm.

09:55 Received devastating news, started grieving child's loss.

13:53 Dealing with grief consistently prevents anxiety.

17:49 Grief resurfaces unpredictably; embrace it for healing.

21:59 It's okay to ask for help grieving.

25:39 Support network is vital for difficult conversations.

26:26 Impressed supporter of cancer care and technologies.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.