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For our 100th episode, we explore how storytelling helps us reclaim body, mind, and spirit after cancer. Gillian Lichota, April Stearns, Melissa Andersen, and Sarah Zsak share how writing transforms fear into agency, supports embodiment, and creates space for healing and connection.

Featured book: Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer

Gillian Lichota – Founder/CEO of iRise Above Foundation, breast cancer thriver, adventure traveler, and lead author of Rising Above

April Stearns – Founder/Editor of Wildfire Magazine; breast cancer survivor guiding expressive writing workshops.
[email protected]

IG: @wildfire_bc_magazine
FB: facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Melissa Andersen – Former teacher turned nonprofit advocate; HER2+ survivor focused on healing, nature, & creativity.
Substack: @melandersen
IG: @ms_happyturtle
FB: Melissa Andersen

Sarah Zsak – Speech-language pathologist, mom of four, Peace Corps alum, and Stage III survivor centered in faith, connection & hope. 

Personal Ink (P.ink Day): https://p-ink.org/p-ink-days/

ACS: Breast Cancer Facts & Figures:
https://www.cancer.org/

Ohio State article on early signs of breast cancer:
https://cancer.osu.edu/news/most-breast-cancers-dont-start-with-a-noticeable-lump

Hopkins Reconstruction Surgeons:
Dr. Lily Mundy – https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/lily-mundy/2700651

Dr. Nima Khavanin – https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/nima-khavanin/3052769

Support the show

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

You can feel perfectly fine, hear the word cancer, and watch your whole life tilt. For Veronika Bubenickova, a seasoned product leader, that moment redefined how she approached work, wellness, and what it means to heal. We talk about the HER2+ whirlwind, the shock of chemo, the fatigue that steals sleep, and the mindset shift that turned treatment from a threat into an ally. Veronika shares the simple tools that helped her stay grounded through it all: nourishing food, gentle movement, intentional laughter, and anchoring herself in nature to restore joy and normalcy.

Her greatest act of strength came through self-advocacy, asking hard questions, seeking the right specialists, and making choices that honored both her body and her future. Beyond the medical journey, Veronika opens up about the emotional and spiritual recovery that follows survival: naming the trauma that lingers, finding peace in uncertainty, and learning how to live fully again.

Through Lotus Journey, she now helps other women navigate that same in-between, after treatment, before life feels steady again. Her book, Diary of a Soul Reborn, offers her hard-earned insights and a gentle path toward rebuilding identity, trust, and purpose. If you’re ready to move from doom-scrolling to genuine healing, this conversation is your invitation.

Contact Veronika:

Socials: 

http://www.lotus-journey.com/ 

https://veronika-bubenickova.com/links

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

Real talk, no ribbons, no fluff.
 Dr. Cari Croghan and Jamie Vaughn dig into the tough barrier topics: fear, cultural dismissal, bias, the absurd hoops we must jump through just to access care, and cultural barriers.
From breast changes to insurance denials, we’re done whispering about it.
This one’s about knowing your body, trusting your gut, and refusing to be brushed off.
Listen in and share it with someone who needs that nudge to speak up and push back, perhaps with a little help!

Episode Summary (Real Talk)

We get honest about what it takes to advocate for yourself in a system that too often says “wait and see.” Dr. Cari, an ER-vet turned telehealth advocate—joins me to talk about the barriers women face every day: lack of education, fear, access, bias, and insurance run-arounds.
 You’ll hear practical advice on getting the right tests, when to demand a diagnostic mammogram, how to appeal denials, and where to find care even without insurance.
 It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s here to help you move from fear to action.

Contact Dr. Cari: 775-745-9239

[email protected]

• Website: drcariffs.com
• Instagram: @dr.cari.ffs
• Facebook Dr. Cari FFS
• Dr. Cari on LinkedIn

Support the show

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

Amanda Gunville, a mom, entrepreneur, author, and cancer thriver, shares her personal journey with breast cancer and how it led to writing her new book "Finding Hope and Joy in Cancer." Her story illustrates how humor, self-advocacy, and mental resilience can transform the cancer experience from purely traumatic to a journey with moments of unexpected beauty and growth.

• Amanda's pre-cancer life as a type-A perfectionist, new mom, and executive trying to be everything to everyone
• The importance of counseling for couples facing cancer—how it enhanced Amanda's marriage
• Taking control of hair loss by shaving her head before chemotherapy could take it and the humor she and her husband shared.
• How writing became therapeutic during treatment and evolved into a book to help others
• The struggle of balancing positivity with allowing yourself to feel grief and sadness
• The power of self-care and prioritizing your own needs before serving others
• Amanda's book drive initiative to donate books to newly diagnosed cancer patients
• The unexpected connections and "angel moments" that happen during cancer treatment
• The importance of allowing yourself to feel all emotions rather than forcing positivity

To support Amanda's book drive where $10 donations provide books directly to cancer patients, visit the link in our show notes. Amanda's book "Finding Hope and Joy in Cancer" launches October 1st.

Amanda Gunville on Instagram

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

Kommah McDowell shares her powerful journey surviving triple negative inflammatory breast cancer diagnosed at age 29 after months of doctors dismissing her symptoms as "too young for cancer." Twenty years later, she's transformed her experience into patient advocacy and authorship.

• Diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer at 29 after multiple doctors dismissed her symptoms 
• Received a 5% survival rate prognosis, showing how inflammatory breast cancer often gets diagnosed late
• Experienced medical gaslighting when symptoms including pain, redness, and breast growth were repeatedly dismissed
• Got married during treatment when she was bald and could barely walk
• Told she couldn't have children but experienced a "miracle pregnancy" between periods of treatment-induced menopause
• Founded a nonprofit to help cancer patients afford transportation to treatment and basic necessities
• Now an author of two books and professional speaker after celebrating 20 years of survival
• Emphasizes the importance of knowing your body, trusting yourself, and fighting to be heard
• Stresses that second opinions can be lifesaving, even with trusted doctors

If you're experiencing unusual symptoms, trust yourself. Know your body, and always fight to be heard. Remember that second opinions could be a matter of life or death, even if you trust your doctor.

Connect with Kommah:

[email protected]

http://linkedin.com/in/kommah-m-951662199

Www.kommahmcdowell.com

Instagram: @KommahMcDowell

Resources:

Silver Lining: Cancer was the best worst thing that ever happened to me. https://a.co/d/4VbMZz6

String of Pearls: Seeking God’s intentionality in our lives.
​​https://a.co/d/9X7d4Cx 

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

Jamie and Luan Lawrenson-Woods explore the long-term effects of breast cancer treatment and the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare settings. They dive into personal experiences with cognitive challenges, identity shifts, and finding purpose after diagnosis.

• Luan shares how her podcast "Rewritten Me" emerged from the information gap about reconstruction options in Australia
• Both discuss experiencing "chemo brain" and cognitive difficulties post-treatment, including word-finding problems and anxiety
• Trauma from diagnosis creates lasting PTSD symptoms that aren't always recognized by others who expect survivors to "get back to normal"
• Luann's new podcast "Regarding Me" teaches cancer survivors self-advocacy skills for healthcare settings. Check it out for more on how to speak up, be heard, and put yourself at the center of your care.
• The Six Self-Advocacy Steps (SSAS) framework helps patients communicate effectively with medical providers
• Early detection saves lives – know your body, track unusual symptoms, and never delay getting concerns checked
• Resources like "Know Your Lemons" provide accessible education about proper breast examination techniques

📞 Contact Luan Lawrenson-Woods

• Phone: +(61) 432 731 743
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @luanlawriewoods
• LinkedIn: Luan Lawrenson-Woods
• Website: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/

📚 Resources

• SSAS Guide: Six Self-Advocacy Steps – Free download: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/self-advocacy-resources
• Blogs – More coming soon: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/self-advocacy-resources 

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

When Luan Lawrenson-Woods saw a raw TV interview about metastatic breast cancer, she had no idea it would save her life. At 46, she booked a mammogram she wouldn’t have been called for until 50—and learned she had an aggressive, rare lobular breast cancer. It had been silently growing, showing no lump and only a hidden dimple in her breast crease she never noticed.

In this candid conversation, the award-winning Australian patient advocate shares her path from diagnosis in 2017 through chemo, mastectomy, radiotherapy, and DIEP flap reconstruction, to becoming a fierce voice for women navigating healthcare systems. She opens up about ongoing PTSD, the power of self-advocacy, the role her marriage played in her recovery, and the full-circle moment of meeting the man whose TV appearance inspired her to get checked.

Check out Luan’s podcast Regarding Me for more on how to speak up, be heard, and put yourself at the center of your care.

📞 Contact Luan Lawrenson-Woods

• Phone: +(61) 432 731 743
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @luanlawriewoods
• LinkedIn: Luan Lawrenson-Woods
• Website: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/

📚 Resources

• SSAS Guide: Six Self-Advocacy Steps – Free download: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/self-advocacy-resources
• Blogs – More coming soon: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/self-advocacy-resources 

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

🗓️ Episode Summary:
In this fiery and inspiring episode, host Jamie Vaughn welcomes Anna Crollman—10-year breast cancer survivor, founder of My Cancer Chic, national patient advocate, and cause marketing manager at Cake Body. Anna shares her personal journey from diagnosis at age 27 to becoming a force for healthcare equity and empowerment. The two dive deep into survivorship, relationship dynamics, fertility preservation, the politics of healthcare, and why knowing your breast cancer risk today could save your life tomorrow.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Who Anna was before breast cancer—and how the diagnosis changed everything.
• How she discovered her lump, advocated fiercely for fertility preservation, and fired her first doctor.
• The real deal about young women and breast cancer—hint: yes, it happens, and it’s often aggressive.
• The healthcare system’s blind spots when it comes to young people, insurance gaps, and access to screening.
• Why healthcare is political—and why that matters to you, even if you’re healthy.
• Tangible calls to action that everyone—diagnosed or not—should take today.

🔗 Connect with Anna Crollman – My Cancer Chic

📍 Website: https://www.mycancerchic.com
📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @MyCancerChic
📌 TikTok: @MyCancerChic
📌 Pinterest: @MyCancerChic
📘 Facebook: @MyCancerChic
🐦 Twitter (X): https://mycancerchic.com/Twitter

▶️ YouTube: www.mycancerchic.com/YouTube 

🧬 Risk Assessment Tools:
🍋 Know Your Lemons Risk Assessment: https://knowyourlemons.org/risk-assessment
🌸 Bright Pink – Assess Your Risk: https://www.brightpink.org/assessyourrisk

🌼 Organizations Anna Works With:

• AIRS Foundation – Advocating for access and education on breast reconstruction: https://airsfoundation.org

Support the show

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

In this powerful episode, Jamie sits down with Gail Menasco, a breast cancer survivor, insurance advocate, and founder of the BRA Society, to unpack how one woman’s relentless fight for access to care led to real legislative change.

Gail shares her deeply personal story of being diagnosed at 38 and navigating a broken insurance system that nearly denied her the muscle-sparing surgery she needed. Instead of giving up, she researched surgical options, challenged insurance denials, switched jobs for better coverage, and ultimately pushed through Senate Bill 1137 in Oregon to expand access to breast reconstruction procedures for others like her.

📌 What You’ll Learn

• Why many insurance plans are quietly switching from PPOs to EPOs—and what that means for access
• What led Gail to write a bill and how she got it passed unanimously in the Oregon legislature
• The hidden cost of “ghost networks” and the real risk of balance billing
• The rise of the BRA Society and how it’s helping patients nationwide
• A breakdown of Senate Bill 1137—and what it could mean for future federal legislation
• How you can take action in your own state

💪 Call to Action

✔️ Visit brasociety.org for resources, advocacy tools, and grant info
📞 Contact your state and federal representatives, your story matters
💸 Donate to the BRA Society to expand grants for women needing out-of-area care
🗣️ Share your story, because stories fuel change

🎧 Also Mentioned

• Center for Restorative Breast Surgery (New Orleans)
• DIEP Flap vs. MS-TRAM vs. Apex technique
• The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA)

Previous Interview with Gail 

Interview w/ Gail on Central Oregon Daily News 

Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Potter 

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .

Send us a text

Imagine receiving a life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 37. Gail Menasco, owner of "Menasco Consulting" and a fierce advocate for healthcare reform and health equity, shares her compelling journey from being an adventurous mom and business owner to navigating the shockwaves of a cancer diagnosis. Through her personal story, Gail underscores the critical importance of regular self-checks and the whirlwind that follows the initial discovery of a lump. She opens up about her mission to support others through the maze of information, insurance hurdles, and treatment decisions, offering invaluable insights for anyone facing similar challenges.

We delve into the intricate case of a 38-year-old woman diagnosed with high-grade DCIS, shedding light on the unique difficulties posed by being ER/PR negative. This narrative takes us through the emotional and logistical hurdles of deciding between mastectomy and radiation, and the painstaking search for a skilled surgeon for DIEP flap reconstruction. Her story is a testament to resilience and determination, highlighting the frustrating experiences with local surgeons and the eventual decision to seek out-of-state options. This episode provides a raw look at the arduous path of dealing with a rare and aggressive form of DCIS.

Gail's journey through the complexities of health insurance and employment changes reveals her strategic thinking and fierce advocacy.

Contact Gail:
Menasco Consulting Website 

Are you loving the Test Those Breasts! Podcast? You can show your support by donating to the Test Those Breasts Nonprofit @ https://testthosebreasts.org/donate/

Where to find Jamie:
Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Test Those Breasts Facebook Group LinkTree
Jamie Vaughn in the News!

Thanks for listening!
I would appreciate your rating and review where you listen to podcasts!

I am not a doctor and not all information in this podcast comes from qualified healthcare providers, therefore may not constitute medical advice. For personalized medical advice, you should reach out to one of the qualified healthcare providers interviewed on this podcast and/or seek medical advice from your own providers .