Tegan O'Neill was diagnosed at 27 with Stage I Triple Negative breast cancer. She is a clinical social worker who finds meaning in helping herself and others heal through movement, dance, reading, and writing.  In this episode, Tegan reads her essay “Kintsugi” from the 2025 “Hair” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about experiencing a ritual of burning her own hair—a haunting remnant of chemotherapy—in the company of two close friends.  April and Tegan will talk about the alchemy of pain into beauty, being vulnerable with friends, and advice for making rituals.  

More about Tegan: https://www.instagram.com/teganfish/

Purchase the “Hair” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-hair25

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 Journal: 

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 Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Shannon Gottesman was diagnosed at age 40 with hormone positive, Stage III breast cancer.  She is the Vice Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh, a traveler, an advocate, and mom of two boys.  In this episode, Shannon reads her essay “On This Mat” from the 2024 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about learning to breathe through discomfort while finding balance in chaos, and to honor a body that has fought so hard to endure. April and Shannon will discuss the complexities of cancerversaries, bridging the mind and body through yoga, mantras, and taking pause in life.

More about Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/shanny5159/

Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/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 Journal: 

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 Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Judith Cookis Rubens was diagnosed at 45 with Stage II, HER2+ breast cancer.  She is a freelance journalist living in North Carolina with her husband and twin sons.  Judith enjoys writing about her local community, parenting, arts, theater, and education topics. In this episode, Judith reads her essay “Dancing Myself Back to Life” from the 2024 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about the power of movement—not just as exercise, but as a way to reclaim the body after cancer.  April and Judith will discuss returning to dance as an adult, as well as dance and music as healing tools.  They will also discuss Judith’s experience as a journalist writing memoir.  

More about Judith: https://www.judithcookisrubens.com/

More about The Dancer’s Workout: https://thedancersworkout.mykajabi.com/

Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/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 Journal: 

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 Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Gillian Lichota was diagnosed at 35 and 40—first with Stage III and later with Stage IV breast cancer.  She is a mother, mountain climber, adventure travel enthusiast, and the Founder and CEO of the iRise Above Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting young women through breast cancer. In this episode, Gillian reads her essay “An Open Letter to My Daughter, Layke” from the 2024 “Mothers & Daughters” issue of Wildfire Journal.  Her piece is about the ways motherhood transforms us.  April and Gillian will discuss the healing found in witnessing your child’s life, leading your children with intention, the legacy offerings we want for our children,and modeling vulnerability.  They will also discuss Gillian’s careers from marine biologist to founder of a non-profit breast cancer organization. 

More about Gillian:

https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/

https://www.instagram.com/irise_above

https://www.instagram.com/irise_above

https://www.facebook.com/iRiseAboveFoundation

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf8r9NWe1TzJ77m2_zeeLtA

Purchase the “Mothers & Daughters” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mothers24

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 Journal: 

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 Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Jennifer Gordon was diagnosed at 44 with Stage II breast cancer.  She is a writer, artist, coach, advocate, dragon boater and sexual wellness coach.  In this episode, Jennifer reads her essay “A Mother’s Work is Never Done ” from the 2024 “Mothers & Daughters” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about role reversal - where a daughter becomes both patient and protector, and a mother steps in as a cancer caregiver during the pandemic. April and Jennifer will discuss the emotional aftermath of cancer coupled with the pandemic, writing for personal healing, and the reciprocation of love between mother and daughter.  They will also talk about sexual wellness and breast cancer.

More about Jennifer:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejennifergordon/

Purchase the “Mothers & Daughters” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mothers24

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 Journal: 

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 Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

In this episode you are going to hear a collection of short pieces we are dubbing “Flash Memoir” from our archives. These are little gems we’ve published in Wildfire Magazine, read for you by April Stearns. We have nine years of published stories in our archives that are just too good not to share. In the past we used to do a call for submissions for short-form stories with a very specific prompt in mind. We would get back some very impactful bite-size vignettes – not long enough to be a full essay. This collection of dense and sparkling flash memoir pieces comes from our 2017 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal. The writing prompt was “what were your surgery experiences?” with pieces written by Vicky Finch, Maegan Molnar, Libby Riley and Laurie.

  Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body17

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 Journal: 

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 Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Erika Giovanniello was diagnosed at 32 with breast cancer.  She is a camper, backpacker, Frenchie dog mom, and a nurse anesthetist who has made the transition from healthcare provider to patient.  In this episode, Erika reads her essay “Decision Fatigue” from the 2024 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about wanting to be a part of the life milestones her friends are experiencing, but she has to do cancer instead.  April and Erika will discuss the complexity of decision making, being included in decisions by medical staff, quality of life decisions, and how cancer impacted Erika’s approach to her healthcare career going forward.  They will also discuss dressing a flat chest. Contains explicit language.

More about Erika: https://www.instagram.com/thirtyflirtyandflat/

Busting Free: https://amandasavagebrown.com/busting-free/

Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-mbc24

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 Journal: 

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

Amy Austin returns to The Burn for a second visit.  Amy was diagnosed with Stage IV de novo breast cancer at 34 after initially being misdiagnosed with a complex benign cyst. She is the third in a direct family line to be diagnosed with breast cancer without a known genetic link. In this episode Amy reads her poem “In Praise of Quiet Advocacy” from the 2024 “MBC: Advocacy” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her poem is about the role of “quiet” advocacy in supporting individuals living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).  April and Amy will discuss what quiet advocacy means, the importance of being seen and seeing other young breast cancer patients, and the impact of friendships when sharing an MBC diagnosis. Amy will also share how her poem came to be with the support of another MBC friend, and the writing prompts that are all around us.

More about Amy: https://www.instagram.com/amy_r_austin/

Purchase the “MBC: Advocacy” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-mbc24

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

Listen to another episode featuring Amy: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/997971a0-b861-4698-aca8-7f4b82c90056

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

Shelley Moreno returns to The Burn for a second visit.  Shelley was diagnosed in 2012 with Triple Negative breast cancer.  She is a writer, speaker and intuitive healer for pets and people. Shelley is currently writing a book and gives animal communication and intuitive coaching sessions. She lives in Los Angeles with her son Kai and their beloved cat Ollie.  In this episode Shelley reads her piece “My Side” from the 2024 “Mothers & Daughters” issue of Wildfire Journal.  Her essay is about coming to terms with a difficult childhood and what is ultimately most healing for a daughter moving forward. April and Shelley will discuss the courage it takes to write about difficult relationships, communicating with your inner child, and the Death Mother archetype.  

More about Shelley:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-5hWYvvTuTOxBaa3mzH4iG8C5lfRJsixzBpyg0/?img_index=1

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1121613767

Purchase the “Mothers & Daughters” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mothers24

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

Deltra James was diagnosed at 33 with de novo Stage IV, Triple Negative MBC.  She is a New England based mama, poet, patient advocate, and co-host of the Empowered Intimacy podcast.  In this episode Deltra reads her piece “For Now is As Good As Forever: Dating with Advanced Breast Cancer” from the 2024 “MBC: Advocacy” issue of Wildfire Journal.  Her essay is about one woman’s experience of dating alongside her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, and podcasting about it.  April and Deltra will discuss being open to sharing cancer stories, cancer’s impact on established relationship vows, dating new people after cancer, and empowered intimacy challenges after cancer.  This episode contains sexual content.

More about Deltra:

https://www.instagram.com/deltra_does_it/

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQqB9UtXWxPio1JOyDBTn-sA4TIuPRa2o&si=kIXAwVFtnG6mXD7F

More about our episode sponsor Rethink Breast Cancer:

https://www.instagram.com/rethinkbreastcancer/

https://rethinkbreastcancer.com/find-community?utm_campaign=featured_banner_THERETHINKNETWORK&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio

Purchase the “MBC: Advocacy” 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