This powerful “Best Of” episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship brings together the most impactful moments from the season, featuring breast cancer survivors, doctors, and advocates sharing what every woman needs to know.

From early detection and self-advocacy to navigating diagnosis, treatment, and life after cancer, this episode highlights the real experiences and expert insights that could save lives. You will hear from leading voices in breast cancer care alongside survivors who have turned their pain into purpose, offering guidance, clarity, and hope.

This conversation also explores critical topics affecting Black women, including triple-negative breast cancer, rising diagnoses in younger women, the importance of listening to your body, advocating for yourself in the medical system, and understanding your treatment options.

KEY EPISODES: 

How 4-Time Cancer Survivor Karen E. Jackson Pioneered the Black Breast Cancer Movement

Diagnosed Twice Before 40: Athena Jones on Early Detection & Surviving Breast Cancer

Love & Marriage: Huntsville’s Kimberlee Scott on Breast Cancer, Faith & Resilience

The Stress–Cancer Link: 2-Time Survivor Dee Manuel Cloud on Stress, Survival & Self-Advocacy

Your Care Should Fit YOU: How to Advocate for Treatment You Deserve | Dr. Nina Tamirisa

Grief After Cancer: Healing the Loss No One Talks About | Dr. John Onwuchekwa

RESOURCES: 

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork

YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

Breast cancer changes more than your body. In this powerful segment, Nettie Jones breaks down the emotional and relational impact of diagnosis, from intimacy and body image to self-worth and identity. She shares why healing starts with acknowledging where you are, not minimizing the experience, and how cancer can reveal the truth about your relationships and your relationship with yourself.

RESOURCES: 

Nettie Jones 

Website - nettiejones.com

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork
YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, host Caleen Allen sits down with Nettie Jones, licensed psychotherapist, author of The Girlfriend’s Therapist Handbook, and truth-teller known as “the girlfriend’s therapist.”

Nettie brings decades of experience helping women navigate the hidden trauma behind breast cancer. She unpacks what it means to be labeled “strong,” why so many women silently unravel under the weight of expectations, and how therapy, truth-telling, and faith can help survivors reclaim their identity.

From intimacy challenges to body image, from sitting in silence to asking for help, Nettie offers practical tools and hard questions that empower women to love themselves fully, even in a body they may no longer recognize. She also dives into generational trauma, why mental health in the Black community is finally being normalized, and how every woman can own her truth to begin real healing.

If you’re a survivor, caregiver, or advocate, this conversation serves as a reminder that healing begins with honesty, and sisterhood can carry you the rest of the way.

✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship

KEY POINTS: 

- [7:15] Why your relationship with yourself is the most important one

- [10:25] Why being told “be strong” can be harmful

- [11:28] Grieving the life you thought you’d have after diagnosis

- [14:53] Breaking stigma: Black women and therapy

- [17:10] Hard questions every woman must ask herself

- [19:36] Intimacy, body image, and relationship struggles post-diagnosis

- [23:36] Learning to love yourself in a body that’s changed

- [26:50] Younger Black women on embracing therapy and wellness

- [28:28] The link between mental health and disease outcomes

- [31:27] Owning your truth as the first step to healing

- [32:22] Practical tools: Nettie’s “Check-In Conversation Deck”

- [36:59] Sitting in silence vs. knowing when to ask for help

- [39:11] The role of Sisters Network in building community support

- [40:11] Breaking generational patterns and choosing wellness

- [42:31] Nettie’s book: The Girlfriend’s Therapist Handbook

- [44:24] Why every woman needs therapy

QUOTES:

"You can't heal what you're not willing to reveal. Period." – Nettie Jones

"It's really hard to learn to love a body that's changing when you didn't love the body you had." – Nettie Jones

"Strength comes from surrendering, surrendering things that you can't change, but being okay with being able to do the things that you can change." – Nettie Jones

"Your trauma is valid. Your tears are valid, and it's not too late to find your way back to yourself." – Nettie Jones

"Healing doesn't start with your partner. It doesn't start with your job, and unfortunately, sometimes it uses pain to get to you." – Nettie Jones

RESOURCES: 

Nettie Jones 

Website - nettiejones.com

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork

YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

Breast cancer surgery decisions can feel overwhelming. In this segment, breast surgical oncologist Dr. Ryland Gore explains how doctors determine whether a patient needs a lumpectomy or mastectomy and why breast reconstruction should always be part of the conversation. She also addresses the disparities Black women face in breast cancer care and why many experts now recommend starting mammograms earlier.

In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, host Caleen Allen welcomes Dr. Ryland Gore, a surgical oncologist who shares her powerful journey from working in a traditional practice to founding the Dream Breast Care Center in Atlanta—a sanctuary designed to provide compassionate, patient-centered, and culturally attuned care, particularly for Black women facing breast cancer.

Dr. Gore opens up about having the inspiration from her late father, the urgent disparities in breast health for women of color, and why creating a space that feels sacred has always been essential to her mission. She discusses the alarming rise in breast cancer diagnoses among young Black women, misconceptions that persist in communities, as well as the reasons why early detection and self-advocacy are critical.

Gain insights into how Dr. Gore blends medical expertise with empathy and how she is working “to reimagine survivorship” as a space of protection, peace, and empowerment.

✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org 

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship!

KEY POINTS 

[0:49] Vision for Dream Breast Care Center and its inspiration

[3:41] Youngest breast cancer patient: Diagnosed at age 19

[4:53] Trust your gut; don’t stop seeking answers

[5:53] A “luxury haven” where patients feel peace in crisis

[7:42] Every patient exits with knowledge of their options and next steps

[9:04] Lumpectomy vs. mastectomy, and the importance of reconstruction

[10:47] Systemic disparities in breast cancer care for women of color!

[12:35] Why mammograms should start at 35 for Black women

[14:54] Social media as a powerful tool to use 

[16:51] Debunking myths: deodorant, bras, and “cutting makes it spread”

QUOTES 

“I want to take care of people the right way. I want them to feel special. I want people, especially people that look like me, to feel seen.” – Dr. Ryland Gore

“Keep going. It's okay to get a second and a third opinion. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to continue to keep pushing until you get the answers that you need.” – Dr. Ryland Gore

“Surgery. I try to make it a team sport. I let patients know, especially if they're a candidate for either, that or this is not a decision you have to make today. Call me in a couple of days if you need to think about it, because some people do want to discuss with their families. And, I also let them know that what you decide today, you may change your mind a year from now. So…there are options.” – Dr. Ryland Gore

“We continue to open the door so that they feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help, and when they seek help, we don't turn them away. If it's nothing, then it's nothing, but it's our job to rule that out.” – Dr. Ryland Gore

“Don't be afraid to advocate for yourselves. Don't be afraid to speak up. And if you need a second or third opinion, do that, but make sure you're comfortable with your care and make sure you feel safe with your healthcare team.” – Dr. Ryland Gore

RESOURCES

Dr. Ryland Gore

Website - rylandgoremd.com

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork

YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

What happens when cancer or chronic illness leaves you unable to work? In this powerful segment, Monica Bryant, Esq., founder of Triage Cancer, breaks down Social Security Disability benefits, including SSI and SSDI, why most applications are denied, and why appeals matter. She also shares critical guidance on legal support, contingency lawyers, hospital charity care, and how survivors can take small, manageable steps toward financial stability. A must-listen for women navigating survivorship, disability, and long-term care options

RESOURCES: 

Monica Bryant, Esq.

Website - https://triagecancer.org/staff 

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork

YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

In this episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Caleen Allen sits down with Monica Bryant, Esq - lawyer, Chief Mission Officer of Triage Cancer, and national advocate for cancer patients’ rights.

Monica breaks down the complicated but critical issues every cancer patient and caregiver needs to understand, from health insurance and job protection to medical leave, COBRA, disability benefits, and financial assistance programs. She shares how patients can protect their privacy at work, avoid costly mistakes with insurance, and access resources that can make the difference between financial ruin and survivorship with dignity.

This conversation is equipped with knowledge and confidence to ask the right questions, understand your options, and advocate for yourself at work, in treatment, and in life.

✨ Learn more: triagecancer.org  | sistersnetworkinc.org 

🔔 Subscribe for more empowering episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship

KEY POINTS: 

- [0:00] Introduction

- [3:39] What Triage Cancer does and how it helps survivors and caregivers

- [4:32] Free resources, legal navigation, and financial education available online

- [6:09] How patients can slow down and gather information

- [9:22] Understanding your health insurance and avoiding costly mistakes

- [10:48] Privacy at work: Do you have to disclose a cancer diagnosis?

- [13:15] Job protection, FMLA, ADA, and medical leave explained

- [15:41] How FMLA works, its 12-week limit, and misconceptions

- [18:28] Advocacy to expand leave laws and improve protections for patients

- [23:31] COBRA vs. Marketplace plans: what to know in treatment transitions

- [26:13] Medicaid, Medicare, and supplemental insurance options

- [28:43] Training healthcare professionals on financial toxicity and advocacy

- [30:22] Post-treatment costs: screenings, surveillance, and hidden expenses

- [33:18] Social Security disability benefits and why most claims are denied

- [35:51] Why you shouldn’t take “no” for an answer in disability appeals

- [36:02] Advice for newly diagnosed patients feeling overwhelmed

- [39:37] The future of insurance, Medicaid, and patient advocacy

QUOTES:

"Triage Cancer is a national nonprofit that I co-founded over 13 years ago to provide free education on all of the legal and practical issues that can arise after a cancer diagnosis." – Monica Bryant, Esq.

"Our goal is to provide people with enough information so that they can figure out what needs to be dealt with right now and what can maybe wait until later. Which, of course, is the definition of triage." – Monica Bryant, Esq.

"Access to accurate legal information isn't a luxury, it's something that every single person should have access to." – Monica Bryant, Esq.

"Whether we're talking about someone's job, their insurance or their medical care, I want people to understand that they have options." – Monica Bryant, Esq.

RESOURCES: 

Monica Bryant, Esq.

Website - https://triagecancer.org/staff 

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork

YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

Breast reconstruction after cancer is not about vanity. In this powerful segment, Dr. Aisha Baron explains how reconstruction plays a critical role in healing, dignity, and body autonomy after treatment. Drawing from both her medical expertise and lived experience, Dr. Baron breaks down why many women, especially Black women, are not given full information about their options and why reconstruction should be viewed as essential care, not cosmetic. This conversation empowers survivors to ask questions, seek referrals, and make informed choices that align with their bodies, values, and long term healing.

RESOURCES

Dr. Aisha Baron 

Website breastbodybeauty.com/meet-dr-baron 

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork

YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

Breast reconstruction after cancer is not about vanity - it’s about healing, dignity, and choice.

In this powerful episode of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Caleen Allen sits down with Dr. Aisha Baron, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and breast cancer survivor, to break down what Black women need to know about breast reconstruction after mastectomy or lumpectomy.

Dr. Baron explains the full range of breast reconstruction options, including implants, tissue expanders, flap reconstruction, lumpectomy reconstruction, and choosing to go flat. She addresses why many Black women are not offered reconstruction early enough, what patients are legally entitled to under insurance, and how reconstruction plays a critical role in emotional healing, body image, and quality of life after cancer.

This conversation reframes reconstruction as a medical and emotional necessity, not a cosmetic choice. Dr. Baron empowers women to advocate for referrals, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions that align with their bodies, values, and healing journeys.

If you are newly diagnosed, navigating survivorship, or supporting a loved one, this episode provides clarity, confidence, and permission to choose what healing looks like for you.

✨ Because surviving breast cancer is not the end; and your body, your choice, and your healing matter.

✨ Learn more: sistersnetworkinc.org 

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of SIS: Sisters In Survivorship!

KEY POINTS 

[1:05] Why Dr. Baron chose women’s health and plastic surgery 

[2:24] Representation matters: Black women make up less than 0.2% of plastic surgeons!

[5:07] Comprehensive reconstruction options, from implants to advanced microsurgery.

[7:28] Tissue expanders: what they are, how they work, and less painful techniques.

[9:12] Understanding oncoplastic surgery after lumpectomy

[10:52] Why early consultation with a plastic surgeon matters (before any cancer surgery).

[12:24] Recovery timelines: implants vs. DIEP flap and what patients can expect.

[14:41] Emotional healing: support groups, survivor connections, and mental health resources.

[16:51] Importance of mammogram screenings before cosmetic or reconstructive surgery.

[22:41] Reclaiming your body: How reconstruction restores power, choice, and dignity.

QUOTES 

“I don't just rebuild bodies. I help women believe in themselves again.” – Dr. Aisha Baron

“Patients are allowed to care about how they look after cancer. It's not shallow or vain, it's survival with dignity.” – Dr. Aisha Baron

“As a cancer survivor, I don't take a single patient's journey lightly. I've walked that path too.” – Dr. Aisha Baron

“You can grieve what you've lost and still fight for what you deserve.” – Dr. Aisha Baron

“The reconstructive process; it can be a beautiful experience. It doesn't mean that it's without complications. Sometimes, some patients may go through complications, but I think as long as you have a surgeon that's really there with you, every step of the way, and you can develop that relationship of trust, then I think it makes it all the more easy.” – Dr. Aisha Baron

RESOURCES

Dr. Aisha Baron 

Website breastbodybeauty.com/meet-dr-baron 

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork

YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast

Breast cancer can be isolating especially for young Black women. In this powerful segment from SIS: Sisters In Survivorship, Kiara Prince opens up about the hardest parts of her diagnosis: telling her family, carrying the physical and emotional weight alone, and navigating treatment while the world keeps moving.

Kiara shares how visibility on social media became a lifeline, why seeing other young survivors helped her heal mentally, and how sisterhood through platforms like TikTok and Sisters Network Inc. reminded her that cancer is not the end of the story.

This clip is a reminder that survivorship is deeply personal and that listening to yourself, staying mentally strong, and finding community can change everything.

RESOURCES: 

Website - sistersnetworkinc.org

IG -  @sistersnetwork

YouTube Channel - @SisInSurvivorshipPodcast