Join Michael and ashlee as they speak with Matthew Zachary, entertainer, speaker, provocateur, advocate, cancer rebel. Matthew was diagnosed with brain cancer as a college senior. He was only 21 years old. He wasn't sure he would make it to his 22nd birthday. That was 27 years ago.
Matthew is one of todays’ most respected, influential, and visionary voices in healthcare. He is the Founder of the award-winning nonprofit Stupid Cancer. Matthew started the young adult cancer movement, improving the lives of millions of cancer survivors in their teens, 20s, and 30s. He is also co-founder and chair of Offscrip Health, a documentary podcast studio where he hosts "Out of Patients with Matthew Zachary," a Top-10 Healthcare Podcast! WOW! Michael and ashlee were so incredibly honored to share this time with Matthew, one of their personal heroes and inspirations. We hope you love listening to their honest conversation as much as we loved speaking with Matthew! You can find and connect with Matthew via his website:

https://www.matthewzachary.com/

Join Michael and ashlee (mom) as they speak with Marques Ogden, who had it all, lost it all, and is now sharing his message of inspiration with us. Marques is a former NFL player, who became a successful entrepreneur, but then hit rock bottom, lost his fortune, turned to alcohol and painkillers, found himself working as a custodian to survive, with only $400 to his name. Marques realized the analogy in his new job of cleaning offices, to cleaning up his life. He picked himself up, finding purpose in his pain. Such a similar message to Michael and Ashlee, who have found so much beauty in pain. Marques is now an inspirational keynote speaker, four-time best-selling author, business coach and consultant, host of Get Authentic with Marques Ogden and Founder of Ogden Ventures LLC. To learn more, visit www.marquesogden.com or connect with Marques through his BRAND NEW app: Marques Ogden. We hope you listen and enjoy these beautiful life lessons!  

(Oh, and Michael’s shout out! Check out Dr. Josephine Spence’s book on Amazon about her cancer journey: Finding Hope and Healing in Houston!)

In this episode, Michael and mom (ashlee) have an honest, short conversation about the difference between "Bouncing Forward" and "Bouncing Back". The two have learned so much in the last 3 years, and somehow, the lessons just keep coming! They feel such a strong purpose to share their perspective with YOU. We hope you listen, feel the passion and growth, the perspective and L-O-V-E. Michael and mom are so grateful for you. (Plus, they have some cool new sound equipment thanks to Micah from These Fukken Feelings Podcast! THANK YOU MICAH!)

Join Michael and mom as they talk to Andy Shepperd who singlehandedly started his beautiful foundation, Project Outrun (learn more HERE: https://projectoutrun.org/ ). This brilliant, artistic, generous human shares the "why" and the "how" he started his foundation for pediatric oncology patients to design their own, cool Nikes. It is empowering, creative, fun, healing. All the things we want for our pediatric survivors. Michael and mom laugh and get serious along with Andy and his son Griffin who joins in from time to time, on this extravagant episode! Andy is looking for 4 minutes with Phil Knight, hoping to take his foundation to the next level. Anyone out there with connections to Phil, reach out to Andy or Michael and mom!! Enjoy the spontaneous, heart felt conversation with these 4 as they discuss hard moments, and moments of true love. Leading with heart.... #imnotsickbutmyshoesare #4minuteswithPhil

Join Michael and mom, ashlee, in this enlightening interview with Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE Childhood Cancer. Kristin joined CURE in 2006 as the Chief Executive Officer, leaving her law practice after her own personal experience with her son's cancer diagnosis. Her son was fortunate and is doing beautifully to this day, but it changed the direction of Kristin's life. She could not turn away. Since joining CURE, they have raised over $77 million dollars, more than $38 invested in pediatric cancer research! She also helped to start Quiet Heroes, an annual luncheon to recognize mothers (ashlee can relate) who have given their lives to care for their children with cancer. The interview is full of valuable information and personal passion, as she shares her own story, her perspective, her knowledge with us all.

Join Michael and Mom and they sit together and chat about recent updates to Michael's treatment and how they deal best: LOVE. This episode is a simple conversation, a reflection on continued treatments, continued struggles, but also new lessons... the two discuss not chasing peace, not chasing love, not chasing joy, but BEING the peace, the love, the joy.  The mom and son try to embody the lessons they share, even if it is not always easy. 

Michael and mom, ashlee, talk to oncology physical therapist Suzette Smith. Suzette completed the first EVER oncology rehab residency at Beaumont Hospital and is currently working for Henry Ford hospital. She wrote a chapter on Prevention and Wellness for the textbook "Oncology Rehabilitation, a Guidebook for Clinicians".  In this episode Suzette speaks about the benefits of PT, physical, mental, emotional for the cancer patient.  Suzette discusses the benefits of movement, but also mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. Listen in to this interesting, enlightening conversation that can truly inspire us all to MOVE. 

Michael and mom talk to cancer survivor and coach, Matt Ode who went from cancer to coma at age 24, when he was diagnosed with stage 3C testicular cancer.  After chemo and 5 surgeries Matt almost died multiple times from his severe complications. Before his cancer diagnosis Matt was a healthy personal trainer, weighing in at 185lb. After 8 months of treatment he dwindled down to 110lbs. After so much hard work and deep internal discovery, Matt Ode is cancer free and lives a vibrant, enthusiastic, energetic life, helping individuals transform their mind, body and spirt, as a transformation coach. He is truly a MIRACLE story and this interview is fun and fascinating, full of so many pieces of wisdom.  Matt and Michael have so much in common. The 3 find a life-long bond in the space of less than an hour.Find Matt on his website: https://mattodespeaks.com/ and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/takingbackyourlifeaftercancer

Michael and mom talk to cancer survivor Chuck Keels about his miraculous story of healing from his stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis. After being placed in hospice and sent home to die peacefully, Chuck ended up back to the hospital with a broken back, felt the presence of God, and survived. He and his wife Hannah, also a stage 4 cancer survivor, started a foundation to support other survivors, encouraging them to Get Up and Live! The foundation "Live Hope Cancer Foundation" was born, encouraging those touched by cancer to GET UP AND LIVE!  Tragically, Hannah passed away in November of 2022, but her heart lives on through Chuck and the work they did together. More about Chuck and his foundation, advice, coaching, plus the 3 books that he has had published, can be found at https://www.getupandlive.org/ 

In this episode, Michael and his mom ashlee talk about new lessons.... living life in that in-between place, between cancer and health. Michael confesses to being both grateful for being alive, yet so frustrated by the complications he must live with, in cancer's wake. They both encourage you to take risks, to shed your armor, not to take life and your health for granted.  Appreciate your family.  Your friends. Your LIFE. Nothing is guaranteed. Join Michael and ashlee as they sit and talk, sharing the love they have for each other, and the gifts that cancer has given them, with you.