The Burn

This week we are sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a break from our regular podcast schedule for Memorial Day.  Wildfire team member Emily Piercell selected this episode from July 2022 to reshare.  Enjoy!

Nutritional therapy practitioner and meditation teacher Juni Bucher was diagnosed at 41 with breast cancer.  Today Juni reads her piece, “Can I See?” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Body” issue.  Juni dives into her experience of dating with a changed body and one nipple after breast cancer treatment, and finding confidence and pleasure.  Juni and April discuss arriving at body acceptance, erogenous zones, and sexual health.  They’ll take a closer look at Juni’s empowering work with Rose City Sexual Health Collective where she provides nutritional support and stress management techniques alongside other sex-positive practitioners.  

More about Juni: https://www.instagram.com/junibwell/, https://www.tiktok.com/@junibwell, https://www.linkedin.com/in/juni-bucher-ntp-86379a239/,

https://www.facebook.com/junibwell

Meditate with Juni: https://insighttimer.com/junibwell?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=live_stream_share&_branch_match_id=850877922384867163&utm_campaign=web-share&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8wrzkzXyyjRNw2JdC0LTk%2F2K0iyLy3JjS%2FOLy1KTrVNzi%2BojM%2FJzMtWAwnmpqZkluba5mSWpcYXlxSlJgLVZSQWpQIA4a0saU4AAAA%3D

Tata, Cancer! podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2sw6DGpGzaMAtwnQjAvcA4

Rose City Sexual Health Collective: https://rosecitysexualhealth.com

Purchase the “Body” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc23

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

For this episode we welcome back returning guest, Kelley Franks, for a second time.  Kelley was diagnosed at 36 with Stage II breast cancer, then Stage IV MBC at 41.  Kelley lives in Ohio with her husband and teen children.  In this episode, Kelley reads her essay “Fearless” from the 2023 “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue of Wildfire.  Kelley’s story is a vulnerable piece about sharing the truths of living with metastatic breast cancer, and how she's learned to be fearless.  April and Kelley will talk about planning and having patience to live in the moment, looking at life in 3 month increments, and the idea or pronoia - believing the world conspires to do good.  They will also discuss the writing process and writers block, and how Kelley found other people her age living with MBC for the first time through Wildfire. 

Connect with Kelley: https://www.instagram.com/kelleyefranks/

Purchase the “MBC: Lesson Learned” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc23

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

if you liked this episode, you might like these, too:

Slideshow: Writing Stories in Scenes with Kelley Franks: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7fcf9ed2-0d80-40b2-aab7-116b20b1fd12

Rooting Stories in Music: Riding Shotgun with Ann Camden: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5ce9e575-0744-4515-95e3-14050ca66d8f

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

Nutritionist and spiritual director Kathleen Moss was diagnosed at 48 and 49 with invasive lobular breast cancer. Kathleen is a flat advocate, a YouTuber, a caregiver and a mom, living with her husband and stepson in rural Oregon.  In this episode, Kathleen reads her essay “Toplessness Transformed” from the 2023 “New Normal” issue of Wildfire.  Kathleen’s story is about  feeling comfortable with her new chest after her mastectomy surgery.  April and Kathleen will talk about the Goldilocks surgery procedure, what it was like the first time Kathleen saw somebody with the same chest as her own, and being visible to the breast cancer community.  They will also discuss the unexpected joy and celebration Kathleen found in her changed body. This episode mentions sexual content.

Connect with Kathleen:

https://www.instagram.com/a.breast.cancer.diary/

https://www.youtube.com/@estrogendiaries

Purchase the “New Normal” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/newnormal23

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

Sheryll Jalbuena joins us from City of Smiles, Bacolod City, in the Philippines.  She was diagnosed at 37 with Stage III breast cancer.  Sheryll retired from her banking career to become a full-time wife and mom. In this episode Sheryll reads her essay “Why Not Me?” from the 2023 “New Normal” issue of Wildfire.  Sheryll’s story is about searching for and finding acceptance within a cancer diagnosis.  April and Sheryll will talk about what survivorship looks like finding meaning and priorities, choosing to stay connected with and giving back to the cancer community, and the impact of cancer on career decisions.  They will also discuss what breast cancer experiences can look like in the Philippines.

Connect with Sheryll: 

https://www.instagram.com/sajalbuena/

https://www.facebook.com/sheryll.ascalonjalbuena

Purchase the “New Normal” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/newnormal23

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

Desi Maldonado was diagnosed at 44 with Stage III triple negative breast cancer.  She is an assistant director of procurement services, an artist, wife and grandmother.  In this episode Desi reads her essay “Lymphedema” from the 2023 “New Normal” issue of Wildfire.  Desi’s story is about living alongside secondary lymphedema - a topic not discussed enough in the cancer space.  April will explain what lymphedema is as she dives into Desi’s experience with it.  April and Desi will talk about what set off Desi’s lymphedema, how lymphedema awareness and preventive measures get lost in the chaos of a cancer diagnosis, and occupying the complicated space of survivor’s guilt blended with a lymphedema struggle. They will also discuss the importance of sharing truths to help shoulder the load of our stories and reveal hope.

Connect with Desi: https://www.instagram.com/bestofdesi/

Purchase the “New Normal” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/newnormal23

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

Chiara Riga of Santa Cruz, CA returns to The Burn for a second time.  She is a marketing operations manager who was diagnosed at 27 with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.  In this episode Chiara reads her essay “I Thought All Love Was Off the Table” from the 2023 “Love & Intimacy” issue of Wildfire.  Chiara’s story is about finding love after a breast cancer diagnosis, and putting hope back on the table.  April and Chiara will talk about what it was like shifting from living with her caregiver mom and moving in with her partner, how to manage a container for cancer in a relationship, and the challenge of explaining cancer to her future in-laws with language and cultural barriers.  They will also discuss planning life around cancer and share travel planning tips while living with MBC.

Connect with Chiara: https://www.instagram.com/chiaravscancer/

Purchase the “Love & Intimacy” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/love23

Listen to another episode of The Burn featuring Chiara:  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9ab23b08-72b2-4a54-8af9-451c54c76be4

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

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within, we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  

This episode features Rebecca Hall reading her essay “Hair.”  

Rebecca Hall.  Writer, Certified Yoga Instructor, MBC Advocate (when not busy surviving, which is most of the time!)  Diagnosed at 25.  IDC, Stage III, Triple Positive.  Diagnosed at 29, Stage IV.  Santa Cruz, CA.

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

More about Becky: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccahallwriter/

Hear Becky’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1a34adcc-dc65-439d-8c42-f6a9de3677dc

Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

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

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

Send your voice recording testimonial to [email protected]

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

Follow Wildfire Magazine:

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

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Brittany Johnston was diagnosed at 33 with breast cancer just barely 2 years ago.  In this episode Brittany reads her essay “Reintroduction” from the 2023 “New Normal” issue of Wildfire. 

Brittany’s story is about navigating the new normal after a cancer diagnosis with it’s profound mental health components.  April and Brittany will talk about the intersection of cancer and depression, taking the positives of cancer while simultaneously realizing the negatives, and the mental health gaps in oncology care.  They will also discuss treating ourselves with compassion.  

Connect with Brittany: https://www.instagram.com/b_myself_n_i/

Purchase the “New Normal” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/newnormal23

Past episodes with similar topics you might like:

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4ee04976-476a-476a-a384-cd7323f37184

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7ab8f684-6a73-4125-9798-3fd6a2109476

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

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, Igniting the Fire Within, we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  

This episode features April Stearns reading AnnMarie’s essay “Just Hold Me.”  

AnnMarie Giannino.  Director of Communities at Lyfebulb.  Diagnosed at 40.  Stage I, IDC, ER+, PR+.  Upstate NY.  

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

More about AnnMarie:  https://www.instagram.com/stupiddumbbreastcancer/ 

Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

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

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

Send your voice recording testimonial to [email protected]

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

Follow Wildfire Magazine:

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

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Deb Ontiveros is a Los Angeles native currently residing in Southern Utah.  She is an interpreter, community health worker, and social justice activist for over 20 years.  After being diagnosed with triple positive metastatic breast cancer at age 37, she has shifted her focus to breast cancer advocacy.  Deb reads her essay “We Can Do Hard Things ” from the 2023 “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue of Wildfire.  It’s a piece about what was learned living in the glare of uncertainty.  April and Deb will discuss the timing of and finding your place in the breast cancer community, living by the words “what doesn’t kill me, nourishes me”, and reflections on losing people within the breast cancer community.  They will also talk about feeling like an outsider when diagnosed young, and how Deb found found connections with and became an ambassador for people of color within the breast cancer community.

This episode includes explicit language, references to drugs and domestic violence.

More about Deb:  https://www.instagram.com/deb4peace247/

More about For the Breast of Us:  https://www.instagram.com/forthebreastofus/

Purchase the “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-mbc23

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