This episode’s guest is Wildfire’s own Angela Firman - back for a second visit!  She helps edit each issue of the magazine.  Angela was diagnosed initially at 33 with Stage III hormone-positive breast cancer and she is now living with Stage IV metastatic disease. Angela is an avid reader, a closet-cross-stitcher, and a fervent writer. She also serves on the board of The Pink Boat Regatta - a local sailboat race and community dedicated to raising money for breast cancer research.  In addition to working at Wildfire Magazine, Angela is an Associate Editor for Yellow Arrow Publishing, and her nonfiction writing has been published in Open Minds Quarterly, You Might Need To Hear This, and Press Pause.  Angela reads her piece “A Train to Nowhere” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Work & Career” issue. Her essay is about how sometimes cancer significantly changes a career path. April and Angela will discuss writing memoir in the third person, when suffering brings joy and living with MBC versus dying from MBC.

More about Angela:  https://www.instagram.com/angelafirman11/

More about After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD):

https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org/

https://www.instagram.com/abcdafterbreastcancerdiagnosis/

https://www.facebook.com/ABCDAfterBreastCancerDiagnosis/?ref=ts

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4VHSTPyU1IYyT1fNesmAg

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

If you liked this episode, you might like “Looking Beyond the Veil with Angela Firman": https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7630add0-ded8-43c0-9ad5-cacad940fd5b/

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

Keri Smith is a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor living in Upstate New York.  She was diagnosed at 37 with hormone positive breast cancer and is living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC).  In this episode, Keri reads her essay “Showing Up” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Work & Career” issue.  Keri’s piece is about simultaneously receiving a long deserved promotion and a cancer diagnosis all at the same time.  April and Keri will discuss navigating mixed emotions of celebration and devastation, the ways cancer is a thief, scheduling time to talk about cancer and using writing to process through cancer.  This episode contains explicit language.

More about Keri:  https://www.instagram.com/keris113/

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

If you liked this episode, you might like “A Guest Room with MBC” with Erin Weiss:

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/82d235ba-6267-410c-ab29-c0abbc9bde27/

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

Kassi Sullivan was diagnosed at 35 with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC).  Kassi is a social worker who thrives on humor, sarcasm, caffeine and true crime. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and children. In this episode, Kassi reads her essay “Authentically Me” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Work & Career” issue.  Kassi’s piece is about one woman’s struggle to be a mental health specialist for others while tending to her own needs related to her breast cancer experience.  April and Kassi will discuss the challenges of working with students while living with cancer, loving yourself through changes, things Kassi would tell her younger self and advice for those working while living with MBC.  

More about Kassi:  https://www.instagram.com/kassi_v27/

Purchase the “Work & Career” 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

Debbie Kerr was diagnosed at 49 with Stage II breast cancer in 2011.  She is a Business Systems Consultant living outside Toronto, Canada.  In this episode, Debbie reads her essay “Rosanne” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Work & Career” issue.  Debbie’s piece is about working through cancer treatment, and how her employer accommodated, but then eventually laid her off.  During her layoff process she experiences an interesting twist with an unexpected encounter resulting in a big impact.  April and Debbie will talk about working as a lifeline during treatment, using humor in hard times, long-term survivorship and the cancer related PTSD nobody talks about.  This episode is dedicated to Debbie’s friend Ann.  

More about Debbie:  https://www.instagram.com/debbieakerr/

https://www.laughterandcancer.com/

Purchase the “Work & Career” 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

Returning guest Kate Rowbotham was diagnosed at 47 with de novo Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.  Kate is a Professor and an Assistant Dean of Teaching and Learning. She is learning how to be an empty-nester, and enjoys traveling with her partner to both her daughter’s hockey games and her son’s volleyball games.  In this episode, Kate reads her essay “Finding Purpose in Paradox” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Work & Career” issue.  Kate’s piece is about one woman’s career decisions following her cancer diagnosis. April and Kate will discuss masking, searching for a job during treatment, and what inspired Kate to email April about creating a work themed issue of Wildfire Magazine.

More about Kate: https://www.instagram.com/katerowb/

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

Listen to another episode with Kate: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/118270c8-979b-466f-8b7a-53d025106a08/

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

Returning guest Beth Gainer was diagnosed at 39 with breast cancer.  She is now a long-term survivor of 23 years.  Beth is a writer and artist.  In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and friends, as well as reading, working out at the gym, and going to museums. In this episode, Beth reads her essay “Trading Places” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Work & Cancer” issue.  Beth’s piece is about cancer colliding with her work life. When her employer turned their back following her diagnosis, she took the scary leap into the unknown to change careers. April and Beth will discuss the challenges of survivorship, Beth’s art projects, staying connected to community, and workplace discrimination.  They will also talk about how cancer can motivate us to make changes that turn out better than we could have imagined.

More about Beth: 

https://bethlgainer.substack.com/

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

Listen to another episode with Beth: 

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/248e279f-1eb2-49c0-87b3-5a39d3fe32d5/

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

Stacy Conlon was diagnosed at 42 with Stage IIb lobular breast cancer.  Stacy is a certified mindfulness meditation facilitator and Reiki energy healer. In this episode, Stacy reads her essay “Snip, Surrender, Shine: A Ritual in Resilience” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2024 “Body” issue. Stacy’s piece takes us along on an act of intentional ritual when removing her hair before chemo, and giving herself a ceremony container to move through a part of her cancer journey.  April and Stacy will discuss making different spaces to honor experiences or create closure in the breast cancer journey, Stacy’s perspective on resilience, and tips for creating rituals.  They will also talk about Stacy’s upcoming book Breast Cancer Made Easier.

More about Stacy: 

https://www.instagram.com/stacy_conlon_/

https://stacyconlon.com/

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

Tova Wolking is an attorney from Oakland, California.  She was diagnosed at age 43 with Stage III, hormone positive breast cancer.  She also carries the BRCA2 gene.  In this episode, Tova reads her piece “Swim” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “Bay Area Young Survivors” issue. In the wake of Tova’s mom passing away, breast cancer took root in her body. This is the story of one woman asking how to find the key to unlocking her own grief about her breast cancer when her mother took so many of those answers with her when she died.  Note of warning for sensitive listeners, this episode touches upon loss and suicide.  

More about Bay Area Young Survivors: https://bayareayoungsurvivors.org/members/

Get the “Bay Area Young Survivors” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-bays21

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’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 October 2021 to reshare.  Enjoy!

In this episode, Laurie Ratliff reads her piece “Where Do You Go When You Don’t Belong Anywhere?” from the 2019 “Social” issue of Wildfire Magazine. We all want to know where we belong, where our people are: where are the ones who understand us and accept us completely? Since her diagnosis at 34 and in the 20+ years she’s lived with metastatic breast cancer, Laurie has navigated many communities within breast cancer, searching for others like herself. At last she found her place in the so-called pink sisterhood. When she found her home, she also found herself in the unexpected role of an advocate for a type of breast reconstruction called aesthetic flat closure. 

More about Laurie:

https://www.tiktok.com/@statisticaloddity

https://www.instagram.com/statisticaloddity/

Get the “Social” 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 

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