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 Whitney O'Connor reading her essay “The Cancer Gene.”  

Whitney O'Connor.  Licensed Professional Counselor and Founder of The Boobie Queen Company.  Diagnosed at 30 and 32.  IDC, Stage III and Stage I, HER2+, TP53+.  Augusta, GA.  

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 Whitney: https://www.instagram.com/boobiequeenchronicles/

Hear Whitney’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ac2d9319-3fb7-4e93-8ea6-fd4436398b1e

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

Episode URL for Captivate:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

Tina Conrad was diagnosed a decade ago at 37.  She is the daughter of a two-time TNBC breast cancer survivor. She is a merchandise manager, and the creator of DJ Breast Cancer podcast.  In this episode Tina reads her essay “Frayed Jeans and Roses” from the 2022 “Cancer Culture” issue of Wildfire.  Tina’s story is about boundaries as an advocate in Cancerland.  April and Tina will discuss balancing giving to community and taking care of yourself, social media breaks, friendships within the community, and what advocacy has looked like for Tina since her mom’s diagnosis through to her own.  They will also discuss poetry vs. long form essay writing to get in touch with yourself.  

More about Tina: 

https://www.instagram.com/djbreastcancer/

https://open.spotify.com/show/5MD1cIBFadQjUzjY5fSNSu?si=37f426c02d4d4d9f

Purchase the “Cancer Culture” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/printcc22

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 “Love in the Time of Chemotherapy” by Christina Zajicek.

In memory of Christina Zajicek.  Diagnosed at 28.  IDC, Stage IIB.  Diagnosed at 30 with 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

Anita Saesing was diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer at 27. Anita is a lover of travel and writing.  She lives in Arizona with her partner and toy poodle.  In this episode Anita reads her essay “Quebec Beckons” from the 2023 “Travel & Adventure” issue of Wildfire.  Anita’s story is about a chance encounter with a handsome stranger that provides a life-changing shift.  April and Anita will discuss the use of dialog in writing, balancing FOMO with breast cancer and social media, and the merits and fears of solo travel.  They will also talk about being anonymous or open with your cancer status when meeting new people.  

More about Anita: https://www.instagram.com/anita9218/

Purchase the “Travel & Adventure” 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

If you like this episode, check out “Remember Who The F! You Are with Dana Roske”: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2c9bb081-94d1-4d76-af5a-7971ff570db9

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 Erin Stodola reading her essay “The Moments Between.”  

Erin Stodola.  Museum Professional.  Diagnosed at 29.  IDC, StageI, Triple Negative, BRCA1+, Salmon Arm, BC.

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 Erin: https://www.instagram.com/erinstodola/

Hear Erin’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

Canadian Patti Duncan is an animal and travel lover who was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer in 2016.  In this episode Patti reads her essay “Trouble” from the 2023 “Travel” issue of Wildfire.  Patti’s story is about a travel adventure met with roadblocks, snafus and fiascos, and ultimately some deep healing.  April and Patti will discuss traveling solo for the first time, a life changing cancer retreat, the unpredictability of both cancer and travel, and the hope created with future travel plans.  They will also talk about how a Wildfire writing workshop gave Patti a push to tell her story and what it was like being published.  

More about Patti:

https://www.instagram.com/pattileeduncan/

https://www.facebook.com/patti.duncan.9026

Purchase the “Travel” 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

If you like this episode, check out “A Beggar in a Red Beret with Borah Lee”: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2c9bb081-94d1-4d76-af5a-7971ff570db9

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 Gretchen Stelter reading her essay “Let Me Hear Your Body Talk.”  

Gretchen Stelter.  Book editor and Writer.  Diagnosed at 39.  Stage II, Triple Positive, Madison, WI.  

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 Gretchen: https://www.instagram.com/editorstet/

Hear Gretchen’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9d56eeba-ece9-44bf-87df-0a7caa7d48e1

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

This week we are sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a break from our regular podcast schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Production assistant Monica Haro selected this episode from October 2022 to reshare.  Enjoy!

Miami Beach residents LaTonya Davis and her nephson Jayden Holmes share their collaborative piece “Together We Are Thriving, Celebrating, and Reflecting” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Cancer Culture” issue.  It is a reflection about the loved ones they have lost to metastatic breast cancer.  LaTonya was diagnosed at 47 with triple negative breast cancer after already losing her mother and sister (Jayden’s mom) to the same disease. LaTonya is a proud NPR How I Built This Fellow and founder of The Breast Talk Ever.  She is raising her musician nephson Jayden.  April, LaTonya and Jayden will discuss survivorship and the realities of dying, survivor’s guilt, and how families carry on after losing their loved ones to cancer.  They will also discuss how LaTonya formed her lifestyle company The Breast Talk Ever by using the mindset of meeting people where they are at in life.

More about LaTonya: https://www.instagram.com/coachlatonya/

More about Jayden:https://www.instagram.com/mask_of_lilith/ and https://www.instagram.com/goodbye_disasterpiece/

More about The Breast Talk Ever: https://www.thebreasttalkever.com/

Purchase the “Cancer Culture” issue here:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/printcc22

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 Renn reading her essay “From Mom I Got Strength, Led Zeppelin and PALB2.”  

April Renn.  Writer, Streamer, Chef.  Diagnosed at 36.  DCIS, Stage IIA, 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

Hear April’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9a526887-b080-45ae-b96d-1ad9c8da18c1

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

Canadian Vesna Zic-Côté was diagnosed at 38 with breast cancer.  She is a patient advocate living with stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and a member of Rethink Breast Cancer’s Volunteer MBC Advisory Board. In this episode Vesna reads her essay “SOS” from the 2019 “MBC: Young & Stage IV” issue of Wildfire.  Her story is also included in the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community. She uses metaphor to express what it is like living with MBC.  April and Vesna will discuss what help can look like for those living with MBC, Vesna’s advocacy, and loss within the MBC community.  Vesna will share her advice for both people who want to be MBC allies and those who are newly diagnosed MBC patients.  

More about Vesna: https://www.instagram.com/vesna.mbc.lens/

More about Rethink Breast Cancer: https://rethinkbreastcancer.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

Purchase the “MBC: Young & Stage IV” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-mbc19

If you like this episode, check out “A Guest Room for MBC with Ering Weiss”: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/82d235ba-6267-410c-ab29-c0abbc9bde27

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