Michael and ashlee (Mom!) talk to Lindsey and Thomas Kealey, husband and wife, who have been navigating a journey of leukemia and caregiving, while also hosting a podcast! Michael and ashlee feel a kindred spirit stirring while interviewing these two souls who share so much in common. Thomas and Lindsey started out in the cancer world when Thomas's mom was diagnosed with cancer, and shorty after that, Thomas himself was diagnosed. Like Michael, Thomas had a stem cell transplant and is now facing the complication of graft versus host disease. Lindsey has been by his side, with unwavering support and love. Somehow, peace and hope, spirituality and optimism exude from both Thomas and Lindsey. They share their story with so much humor and so much LOVE. We hope you listen and get inspired! Links to their wonderful podcast that is DEFINITELY worth listening to:

⁠https://thebrainitonpodcast.buzzsprout.com/2393355⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thebrainitonpodcast⁠

Since recording this episode, Thomas's mom has passed away, but surrounded by love and hope..... we send the family all the love in the world.....

Join Michael and mom as they talk to NicoleàBeckett and Dr. Shruti Roy, the two inspiring co-founders of Hero Generation—a digital platform designed by caregivers, for caregivers. At a relatively young age, both Nicole and Shruti became primary caregivers for their parents, while raising their own young children and pursuing careers. Their experience as part of the “sandwich generation” inspired them to create a resource that didn’t exist: one that empowers family caregivers to ask for help, share responsibilities, access resources and join community during some of life’s most overwhelming transitions. They are on a mission! They share the roots, the why, the how, and the incredible tool they came up: HeroGen, with Michael and ashlee, as they talk about common threads in their lived, first hand experiences. Find out more about Hero Generation at:https://www.herogen.co/

Join Michael and Mom as they talk to the INSPIRATIONAL Dee Polite, AKA Trauma Saves. Dee (Devon) shares his shocking cancer diagnosis, a rare lymphoma, that started by taking his voice..... then it tried to take his life.... but Dee had other plans. Devon shares how he went from a 300lb "big" but active dad, to a fit, healthy, boxing, motivational social media influencer. Not for likes, but because HE wants to show his children, his family, his friends, that trauma does not need to make you a victim. Trauma can save you, as it saved him. He is a loving father, a dear son, a beautiful friend, and truly a gift to anyone who hears his message. You can find and follow him on instagram and youtube! We LOVED every second of this conversation....

https://www.instagram.com/traumasaves/

https://www.youtube.com/@traumasaves

Join Michael and mom Ashlee as they talk to Michael Canney, Ph.D., who is leading an exciting Phase 3 clinical trial that holds the promise of reshaping brain cancer treatment in particular in glioblastoma. This trial is testing a new surgical implant using ultrasound to enhance chemotherapy effectiveness against brain tumors, in particular because of the blood/brain barrier. Mike is at the forefront of efforts at 40 clinical sites worldwide, 20 in the US, working to push the boundaries in brain cancer treatments. The conversation takes a personal turn, as always with Michael and mom :)

find out more about this phase 3 clinical trial for Glioblastoma:

https://sonobird.eu/

More info about Carthera:

https://carthera.eu/

More about Michael Canney on Linked In:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-canney-ph-d-42457b5/

Join Michael and Ashlee, AKA mom, as they talk to author (and so much more!) Tony Stewart. Tony's wife, Lynn, was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. 6 years later, she died at home in hospice, with grace and peace. Tony shares this beautiful story with the world, in his new book Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving. It is a love story, but Tony is so open about the challenges of being a caregiver, from caring for Lynn, to his own breakdown, and then, finding love again. Tony is full of energy and life, even as he shares his heartbreak. You can find all about Tony and his book here:

https://www.tonystewartauthor.com/

he is also on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/tonystewartny/

Join Michael and ashlee AKA mom, as they talk to Louna Kadoch, mom of 3 and social worker who spent 20 years as a grief counselor before her own daughter, 12 year old Miriam, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2022. Tragically, after only 4 months, Miriam died, but this has brought the family even closer. In Miriam's last few months of life, she shared so much wisdom, so much love, humor, energy, and generosity. Miriam's story is inspirational, as is her incredible mom, Louna, who has started her own podcast called "Out of Order". This conversation is emotional, beautiful, sad, funny, so real, so and full of wisdom and so much hope..... and LOVE.

You can listen to Louna's podcast here:

https://www.fizlink.com/outoforder

You can also check out the foundation who supported Miriam and her family:

https://chailifelinecanada.org/

Join Michael and Mom as they talk to Anita, who started her page "The Awkward Life of Cancer" featuring Apollo the Alien to make her feel more normal. Or not normal, but accepting of herself in this awkward cancer life. A way to be creative, help someone else, help herself. Anita's smile is huge, and her heart is even bigger. She exudes positive vibes, although let's Michael and ashlee know that she, too, breaks down. On the regular. She even schedules it. Like Michael and ashlee, she lost someone close to her, her dad, before she was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Carcinoma. Stage IV. Not easy for a young 22 year old who had just graduated college. But Anita is a light.... facing this head on with her quirky comic stickers and incredible personality.

check out her page: https://awkward-life-of-cancer.square.site/

and her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awkward_life_of_cancer/

Join Michael and Ashlee (AKA mom) as they talk to Mark Sevillano and his mom, Yolanda. Mark went through an aggressive esophageal cancer that left him unable to swallow. Unable to eat. A single dad, he was so fortunate to have his family, in particular his incredible mom, beside him as he went through chemo, surgery, and more (or less!) chemo. Mark discovered that he needed to listen to his own body. Make his own decisions. And learn to destress his very stressful life. Mark and his mom are so full of hope and optmism! You will feel their good energy and so much love and connection. A common theme of both Michael and mom ashlee.

https://www.instagram.com/mrmarktheofficiant/

Join Michael and mom as they talk to the beautiful philanthropist and highly decorated social worker from New York, Hal Eisenberg. This episode is special as Hal shares his very private and personal cancer story on the podcast, to the public, for the first time ever. They call it the big reveal! Hal's story is captivating, as he shares how he has approached his cancer treatment with a combination of Western treatments, Eastern treatments, and spirituality. He is on the spiritual journey of a life time and he brings so much perspective and wisdom, as well as beauty into his cancer journey. He states quite clearly that cancer has indeed become a gift in his life. He is a true ray of light.

Join Michael and Mom as they flip the tables and speak to podcast host, Kenny Perkins! Kenny, AKA, Your Cancer Guy, hosts his own cancer podcast, All Talk Oncology. He is a well-respected cancer coach, an author, and the best cheerleader and energy-booster out there! Kenny shares patient stories through his podcast, and empowers patients to connect, find strength and resilience through support, and to find the mindset to give cancer survivors resilience as they heal. The conversation is free flowing and full of laughter, as well as serious moments of reflection.

Youc an find Kenny and his website, links to the podcast and coaching, here:

⁠https://www.alltalkoncology.com/⁠