This week we’re sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a little holiday break from our regular podcast schedule.  Production assistant Monica Haro selected this episode from December 2021 to reshare.  Enjoy!

Erica Fitch was 12 when her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two decades later at 30, she was diagnosed with DCIS: stage 0, estrogen positive breast cancer when her own daughter was 2. She carries the BRCA2 mutation. Her story today is about growing up with intimate knowledge of illness and the parallels when you face it yourself. And how to write about deeply personal stories that have been sewn into the fabric of your identity. Erica reads her piece “Memories in Color: Four Generations” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2020 “Family” issue, where she uses the structure of color to explore and write the hard stories in our lives. 

More about Erica:  https://www.instagram.com/beeing_erica/

More about color symbolism: https://www.writersdigest.com/prompts/the-color-of-ideas-color-associations-writing-prompt

Get the “Family” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body21

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions 

Lorie Kolak is a wife and a stay-at-home mom from Illinois.  She was diagnosed at 41 with Stage II breast cancer, and also carries the pK71 genetic mutation.  Lorie has worked in university libraries, book sales and distribution, copywriting, and copy-editing. When not writing or reading, she enjoys arts and crafts.  In this episode, Lorie reads her essay “Door Marked Danger” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Body” issue.  Lorie’s piece slows down to take us into the moments surrounding her nipple tattoo experience following her mastectomy.  April and Lorie will discuss the storytelling fairy tales buried inside of us, cold capping, talking about cancer with children, and the times when you do get to have a choice in the cancer experience.  

Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body24

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Claire Lemiski is an airline pilot who was diagnosed at 36 with Stage III, hormone positive breast cancer. As a captain at a regional airline in Toronto, Claire is passionate about providing mentorship to new and aspiring women pilots.  In this episode, Claire reads her essay “About Damn Time” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Family” issue.  Claire’s piece is about breast cancer being a genderless disease, and a bond that was strengthened with her father because of their shared experience of both receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. April and Claire will discuss using a musical container for writing, the treatment contrasts and misconceptions of male breast cancer, reconstruction, and the intersection of career and cancer.  They will also talk about Claire’s lymphedema concerns, and when it’s appropriate to talk about breast cancer when asked about her lymphedema compression sleeve.

More about Claire: https://www.instagram.com/flatpilot/

Purchase the “Family” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/family24

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

This week we are sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a little fall break from our regular podcast schedule.  Production assistant Monica Haro selected this episode from September 2021 to reshare.  Enjoy!

When Katie Murray was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was surprised to discover that old traumas she thought she had dealt with were reawakened within her. She turned to writing to ground herself - quite literally on the gurney going into and emerging from surgery - and make sense of all she'd been through, prior to cancer, and then during her cancer treatment. Katie reads a story “Naked Narrative” from the 2021 “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine.  Trigger warning: this episode includes a mention of miscarriage.

More about Katie:

https://www.instagram.com/1day_2019/

More about our episode sponsor: 

Less Radical Podcast 

https://cancerculture.substack.com/podcast

Get the “Body” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body21

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Jennifer Bringle is a freelance writer and editor who was diagnosed at 37 with Stage II, hormone positive breast cancer.  She also has the BRCA2 genetic mutation.  Jennifer lives in  North Carolina with her husband, young son and special needs cat.  In this episode, Jennifer reads her essay “Bra Hunting” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Body” issue. Jennifer’s essay is about bra shopping after breast cancer surgery told through the lens of buying bras throughout her life.  April and Jennifer will talk about the possibility of more reconstruction surgeries in the future, cancer stealing the pleasure of dressing your body, and finding new joy in writing about the past.  They will also discuss the people we encounter along the way in our cancer experience.  Jennifer will also share her writing process and tips.  

More about Jennifer:

https://jenniferbringle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jbhandy78/

More about our episode sponsor: 

Less Radical Podcast 

https://cancerculture.substack.com/podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mMdQpSdVr9kKSGXTfYLmo

Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body24

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Shangrong Lee was diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer at age 43 in 2017.  Shangrong is a mother, wife and marathon runner.  She is a Baddie Ambassador with For the Breast of Us, and a Young Advocate Alumni for Living Beyond Breast Cancer.  In this episode, Shangrong reads her essay “The Story About My Body” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Body” issue. Shangrong’s piece is about receiving a cancer diagnosis that transports her back in time growing up Asian when she felt like her body wasn’t a safe space because she looked different from ridiculous American beauty standards.  Then she found running, and found her way to feeling safe in her body again. April and Shangrong will discuss running as an enjoyable lifestyle, body comparisons, and accepting body betrayal.  They will also talk about Shangrong’s advocacy work with For the Breast of Us and Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

More about Shangrong: https://www.instagram.com/shangrongs.vibes/

More about our episode sponsor: 

Less Radical Podcast 

https://cancerculture.substack.com/podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mMdQpSdVr9kKSGXTfYLmo

Resources mentioned in this episode:

https://www.breastofus.com/

https://www.lbbc.org/

Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body24

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Hannah Haworth was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41, and she carries both the Check2 and ATM genetic mutations.  Hannah is an author of teen fiction and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and daughter.  In this episode, Hannah reads her essay “The Deformed Woman” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Body” issue. Hannah’s piece is about attending a support meeting only to hear a woman raging about the changes to her body and realizing she is not angry about her similar body, but rather, feels transformed. April and Hannah will discuss Hannah’s experience of writing her usual fiction books versus cancer memoir, embracing the privilege of aging, and the road to finding a support group that resonates.  Hannah will also share two of her favorite writing prompts.  

More about Hannah: 

https://www.instagram.com/hannahjayneauthor/

https://www.hannah-jayne.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHannahJayne

More about our episode sponsors: 

Less Radical Podcast 

https://pod.link/1767700499

https://cancerculture.substack.com/podcast

Resensation

https://www.resensation.com/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADC90IQsJbb48LEuw53Hoo9Fa3Pln&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1Yy5BhD-ARIsAI0RbXbQpYzvDXACzT2cKM-g-ZJI6bN5bNUUr0TsWnPK8Mx5xGLxXpLFuMYaAotqEALw_wcBhttps://www.resensation.com

https://www.instagram.com/resensation?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

https://www.facebook.com/resensation/

Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body24

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

This week we are sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a little fall break from our regular podcast schedule to enjoy some Halloween fun.  Production assistant Monica Haro selected this episode from January 2022 to reshare.  Enjoy!

Megan-Claire Chase was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer at 39 after watching her mother go through her own cancer. Her mom was still very much in need of caregiving when Megan was diagnosed and this led to some hard truths about being a daughter and a caregiver to a parent. What do you do when you need love and nurturing while at the same time being that for a parent? In this episode, Megan reads her piece "When Cancer Worlds Collide'" from Wildfire Magazine's 2018 "Caregivers" issue. 

More about Megan-Claire:  https://www.instagram.com/warriormegsie/

Get the “Caregivers” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-caregivers

Listen to more episodes centered on caregivers:

Well, Let’s Start a Podcast by Danielle Hernandez

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/958ded9e-a99d-4531-be9c-e9d459dc49a2/

I Call Her Mother by Diana Mae Vega

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/aa086054-221d-4dce-96c5-bb28f4451138/

Let the Mirror Shatter by Wang Shein

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7fb3d4a9-b5d7-4a17-9d7e-419fab782f86/

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Psychotherapist Erin Weiss returns to The Burn for a third visit.  Erin was diagnosed with Stage IV de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC) following her first mammogram at age 42.  She’s been living with MBC since August 2019.  In this episode, she reads her essay “Barbershop Quartet” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Body” issue.  Erin’s piece is about her experience of life’s traumas as told in four parts via haircuts that culminate with the cut that comes due to a cancer diagnosis. April and Erin will discuss Erin’s process for sharing different and varied stories from her breast cancer experience, and the writing that happens away from the keyboard.  They will also talk about the loss of femininity hair loss evokes, realizing the trauma wrapped up in long hair, and the relationship between identity and living with MBC.  This episode contains explicit language. 

More about Erin: https://www.instagram.com/emweiss/

More about our episode sponsor AnaOno: 

https://www.anaono.com/

https://www.instagram.com/anaonointimates/

Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body24

Listen to past episodes featuring Erin:

A Guest Room for MBC

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7f4b0f3b-d769-4ef9-bacb-ddfed49a86ef/

Feeling Good as Hell? 

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0facf0f6-8529-4634-bd65-5bed0ce76546/

Listen to past episodes featuring AnaOno founder Dana Donofree:

10 Years Learning to Love a New Body

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2550ea8c-41b9-4314-9072-f612cf7394ba/

Chest Inclusivity

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/03ba8e52-d604-4937-91e4-689238b12bfe/

More episodes about hair:

Permanent:  It Was Never Just About Hair with Stephanie Kinkel

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b7d01912-1bd1-47c4-9f2a-2c547ed328b9/

Hair with Rebecca Hall

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1a34adcc-dc65-439d-8c42-f6a9de3677dc/

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Susan DiGregorio of Maine was diagnosed just days before her 38th birthday with Stage Ib hormone positive breast cancer. Susan is a mom, wife, volunteer and also works in real estate.  In this episode, Susan reads her piece “The Hidden Struggle of Secondary Infertility” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Family” issue.  Susan’s story is about the complexities surrounding her inability to have another child after cancer.  April and Susan will discuss the roles pets play in cancer, finding acceptance with hormone therapy side effects, and the time and layers in recovering from cancer’s aftermath.  They will also talk about the significance of connecting with others within the cancer community.

More about Susan:

https://www.instagram.com/suelaspada/

https://www.facebook.com/susan.laspada

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-digregorio-24495b25/

Purchase the “Family” issue of Wildfire Magazine:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/family24

Listen to more episodes from the “Family” issue:

March 13 with Kate Rowbotham

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/118270c8-979b-466f-8b7a-53d025106a08/

Mama with DeDe Drake

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0cf1633e-3721-4522-bd72-efb5a51146d9/

Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine: 

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions