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 Jen Pogue reading her essay “My Life is a Movie.”  

Jen Pogue. Film & TV Actor, Producer, Production Coordinator.  Diagnosed at 37.  IDC, Stage IV, Triple Negative.  Toronto, ON.

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 Jen: https://www.instagram.com/jpo_and_co/

Hear Jen’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/82d0ac2c-0dbc-42b3-b8a1-16efaa3e7b56

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

Diana Vega was diagnosed at 29 with a type of breast cancer called Pleomorphic sarcoma, Stage IIb.  She is a nurse, photographer, floral designer, writer, dancer, singer, songwriter, traveler, and ultimately she is an explorer of possibilities. In this episode Diana reads her essay “I Call Her Mother” from Wildfire Magazine's 2018 “The Caregivers” issue. 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.  This is a story about finding a chosen mother figure that steps up to support and give care when cancer comes.  April and Diana will talk about what Diana’s relationship with her chosen mom looks like today, going from being a nurse to becoming the patient, and quality vs. quantity of living a joyful life.  Diana has been a Wildfire cover model two times and will share about learning to love her body through visible advocacy.  April and Diana will also discuss the survivor’s guilt that comes with long term survivorship and how Diana is channeling that guilt in her life now.

More about Diana: https://www.instagram.com/dystopiadiana/

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

Check out “The Caregivers” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-caregivers

Read another essay by Diana in the “Money” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/money22

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: dhttps://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 Kira Hodgson reading her essay “A Fragile Invincibility.” 

Kira Hodgson.  Product Designer. Diagnosed at 31. IDC, Stage III, ER+, PR+. Protland, OR.

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 Kira: https://www.instagram.com/kirahodgson/

Hear Kira’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

Lisa Jones Christensen of Utah was diagnosed at 39 with Stage III, hormone positive breast cancer as a new mom.  Lisa is a business school professor, career coach, and a consultant to social impact businesses. In this episode Lisa reads her essay “Never Assume” from the 2023 “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine.  It is a piece about giving grace to ourselves and others and also learning that we never really know what a person is dealing with behind the scenes.  April and Lisa will discuss what it's like reading your own story out loud to share with others, how lessons are learned in the writing process, getting to the story behind the medical file, and being a single new mom while a cancer patient.  They will also talk about the changing landscape of cancer trauma and how it changes and molds us.  

More about Lisa: https://www.instagram.com/drlisajoneschristensen/

Buy the “Body” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/body23

Purchase 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 Karen Ranieri's essay in the “Changemakers” issue:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-cm21

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: dhttps://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 Meghan Nathanson reading her essay “There Can Be Joy.”  

Meghan Nathanson.  Writer and Visual Artist.  Diagnosed at 45.  IDC, Stage II, ER+, PR+.  Coastal Maine. 

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 Meghan: https://www.instagram.com/meghan.nathanson.artistry/

Hear Meghan’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

Rachel Van Stratton-Kirk is a medical device marketing leader from Orange County, California.  She was diagnosed at 35 with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) not long after her initial stage I diagnosis.  Rachel is the third generation of her family to receive a breast cancer diagnosis.  In this episode Rachel reads her essay “Time” from the 2023 “Five Years & Counting” issue of Wildfire Magazine.  It is a piece about beating statistics and the lightness of embracing flat closure.  April and Rachel will discuss putting thoughts into words to express what you really need to say, Rachel’s MBC statistics, who to trust when sharing about your cancer both professionally and personally, thoughts on caregivers, and explanting implants.  They will also talk about the concept of time after a cancer diagnosis.  

More about Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/rjvsk/

Buy the “Five Years & Counting” issue of Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/5years23

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: dhttps://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/podcast

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 Claire Millet reading her essay “Body Map.”  

Claire Millet. Craniosacral Therapist/Acupuncturist.  Diagnosed at 33.  IDC, Stage II, ER+, PR+, then IBC, Stage IV.  Boston, MA.

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 Claire: https://www.instagram.com/clairyfied/

Hear Claire’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

Janelle is a corporate trainer living in Florida with her husband, Jordan.  She was diagnosed at 32 with Stage IV, Triple Positive breast cancer.  In this episode Janelle reads her essay “The Kittens” from the 2023 “Love & Intimacy” issue of Wildfire Magazine.  This is a piece about the loss, love, and grief around living with metastatic breast cancer.  April and Janelle will discuss grief and guilt surrounding future hopes living with MBC, advice for those receiving an MBC diagnosis early in a marriage, when hard things can break people open and bring them together, and seeing the good in complicated circumstances.  They will also discuss the role of writing in Janelle’s life, and the lessons learned while living with MBC.  

Trigger warning: pet loss.

More about Janelle:https://www.instagram.com/janelle.tellone/

Buy the “Love” issue of Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/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 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

*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/contact-us

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 Shelley Moreno reading her essay “Each Body Part Has a Story to Tell.” 

Shelley Moreno. Writer and Speaker.  Diagnosed at 40.  IDC, Stage III, Triple Negative.  Los Angeles, 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 Shelley: 

https://www.instagram.com/shelleyshell_m/

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

Hear Shelley’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f4367fb7-ea95-4dcc-8a7c-6cca787778f3

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 Helck is a writer and artist who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 28 over a decade ago.  Emily was one of the very first writers published in Wildfire Magazine. She wrote “Heat Lightning” in the first “Love In the Time of Cancer” issue in 2016.  This essay is also included in our anthology, "Igniting the Fire Within." April and Emily will discuss what it’s like revisiting this essay many years later, how cancer might not be the last difficult thing that could happen in life, what survivorship and advocacy can look like in the past vs. the present, and thoughts on approaching death and loss.  They will also talk about the privilege of choosing to share your cancer story or not with new people years later.  Emily will also share about her recently opened independent bookstore, The Lost Bookshop. 

More about Emily:

https://www.instagram.com/lostbookshopny/

https://thelostbookshop.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

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

*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/contact-us