The Burn

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 “The Lemonade Date” by Danielle Thurston.

In memory of Danielle Thurston.  Mother, Teacher.  Diagnosed at 33.  Stage II.  Diagnosed at 35. Stage IV.  

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

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2f68419c-85ec-4ce0-8a11-3d9b903f431a

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

Anna Wassman-Cox is a wife, dog mom, and dancer who has faced cancer twice.  Anna was diagnosed at 25 with Stage II Triple Positive breast cancer, and then a local recurrence at 29.  In this episode Anna reads her essay “My Body is a Changing Landscape” from the 2023 “Body” issue of Wildfire. Anna’s story is about striving for a better relationship with her body after so much change. April and Anna will talk about navigating cancer a second time with prior knowledge of what to expect after having been there before, what drinking has looked like, and getting back in touch with your body through dance.  April and Anna will also discuss the incredible healing work Anna is doing with ballet for oncology patients because ballet movement is for every body.

More about Anna: https://www.instagram.com/annamazingjourney/

Learn more about Onco-Ballet Foundation: 

https://www.instagram.com/oncoballet/

https://oncoballet.com/

Learn more about Movement Pointe:

https://www.instagram.com/movementpointe/

https://movementpointe.com/

Purchase the “Body” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/library

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 Leslie's essay “Love.  At Last.”  

Leslie Martin.  Elementary School Teacher, Spin Instructor, Mom.  Diagnosed at 44.  ILC, Stage II, Triple Positive.  Huntington Beach, CA.

This episode contains the subject matter of childhood sexual abuse.

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 Leslie: https://www.instagram.com/fireball7729/

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

Emily Rau is an Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and the editor of the Willa Cather Archive.  In this episode Emily reads her essay “I Might Be in Love with All My Friends” from the 2023 “Love & Intimacy” issue of Wildfire. Emily’s story is about sensuality mixed in with a lot of milestones and steps in a breast cancer experience that we haven’t really heard before at Wildfire.  April and Emily will talk about why it was important to share a cancer story that folds into Emily’s queer and polyamorous life, honoring her grief in cancer, the role the polyamorous community played in Emily’s cancer journey and the fear of overtaxing people with our burdens. They will also discuss the prairie, and hear Emily beautifully explain the comfort and metaphor this particular landscape provided her in cancer. This episode contains explicit content about drugs and sex.

More about Emily:  https://www.instagram.com/ejrau/

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

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 Emily Helck reading her essay “Heat Lightening.”  

Emily Helck.  Writer.  Diagnosed at 28.  IDC, Stage I, HER2+.  Philadelphia, PA.

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 Emily: https://www.instagram.com/rural.ie/

Hear Emily’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2f68419c-85ec-4ce0-8a11-3d9b903f431a

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

San Francisco resident Laurie Pomeranz returns to the podcast for a second time.  She is a psychotherapist and brand advocate at Beautycounter.  At 42 she was diagnosed with Stage IIb breast cancer.  Twelve years later, the cancer returned when Laurie was 54. She now lives with metastatic breast cancer.  In this episode Laurie reads her essay “18% Chance of Light” from the 2023 “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue of Wildfire.  Laurie’s story is about learning her cancer has returned on the eve of a family trip to Iceland.   April and Laurie will talk about what it’s been like for Laurie sharing her cancer story with her son Jack, how Laurie’s mom’s cancer story is not her cancer story, and beginning again with cancer and recentering how she spends her energy.  They will also ponder living with pronoia rather than paranoia. 

More about Laurie:

https://www.instagram.com/lauriepommie/

Purchase the “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/travel23

Listen to another episode of The Burn featuring Laurie: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/decba87d-81f9-4e58-91b0-5ad50d95a7ea

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/submission

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 “Lice Doesn't Care if You Have Cancer” by Melanie Masterson.

In memory of Melanie Masterson.  Writer, Former Journalist.  Diagnosed at 39.  IDC, Stage IV, ER+, PR+.

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 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

Rebecca Hall is a writer, editor and former yoga instructor who was diagnosed at 25 with Stage III Triple Positive breast cancer.  Then she was diagnosed with a metastatic recurrence at 29.  Rebecca has been an oft-published contributor to Wildfire since its inception, as well as April’s first diagnosed young breast cancer friend.  In this episode, Rebecca reads her essay “Hair” from Wildfire’s very first issue “Phoenix“ published in 2016. Rebecca’s story is about being a young veterinary student shaving her head the night before starting chemo.  April and Rebecca will talk about the short film adaptation of this story, how Rebecca was able to overcome years of nightmares through writing, and how she is enjoying living life with cancer patient not being her primary identity. April and Rebecca will also go deep on the ways hope can look for those living with metastatic breast cancer, and the importance of sharing stories to lessen the fear of the unknown.  Rebecca’s story also appears in the Wildfire anthology Igniting the Fire Withing: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor.

Watch Bare the film: http://bareshortfilm.com/

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

Read past issues of Wildfire with more essays by Rebecca:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-mbc17

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-mh18

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 Lauren Elise Oxenhandler reading her essay “Puberty in Purgatory at Thirty-One.” 

Lauren Elise Oxenhandler.  Life Coach, Reiki Practitioner and Virtual Programming Director for the Breasties.  Diagnosed at 30.  Stage IIB, Triple Negative.  Chicago, IL.

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 Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/laureneliseox/

Hear Lauren’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2f68419c-85ec-4ce0-8a11-3d9b903f431a

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

Alyssa Tsagong of Wisconsin was diagnosed at 38 with Stage III breast cancer, and then received a Stage IV diagnosis at 41.  In this episode Alyssa reads her essay “Listening to the Trees” from the 2023 “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue of Wildfire.  Alyssa’s story is about her relationship with trees and how they have guided her while living with metastatic breast cancer.  April and Alyssa have a beautiful conversation about Alyssa’s life long connection to trees.  They will discuss trees as teachers, as a healing modality, as legacy and how that can relate to our lives and cancer.  Alyssa will also share her advice on getting started spending time with trees.  

More about Alyssa:

https://www.instagram.com/revery_alone_will_do/

https://www.instagram.com/temple_of_kinship/

Purchase the “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/travel23

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