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 Stephanie Kinkel reading her essay “Permanent.”  Stephanie is a middle school academic dean.  Diagnosed at 39. Stage I, IDC, Triple Positive, DCIS, ATM+.  

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 Stephanie: https://www.instagram.com/skinkelstudios/

Hear Stephanie’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b7d01912-1bd1-47c4-9f2a-2c547ed328b9

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Tara Dunsmore Williamson of North Carolina was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago.  She was one of the earliest breast cancer changemakers featured in Wildfire. April wrote a piece spotlighting Tara’s work in the breast cancer community called “Rising From the Ashes: Healing Ink” from the very first “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine in 2017.  In this episode April will read her essay, and Tara will read an update about her work as a nipple and areola tattoo artist.  April and Tara will discuss the decision to stay in Cancerland through career choice, how Tara came to do this type of work, and dealing with loss in the cancer community.  April and Tara will take a deeper dive on why getting a Pink Ink tattoo is a different and healing experience.  

More about Tara: https://pinkinktattoo.com/

https://www.instagram.com/pink_ink_tattoo/

https://twitter.com/pinkinktattoo1

https://www.facebook.com/PinkInkTattooLLC/

Hear more episodes about breast cancer survivors finding their place within the breast cancer community: 10 Years Learning to Love a New Body with Dana Donofree https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8fd6bcec-e7a4-4137-b280-ff60c02cde5e

Where Do You Go When You Don’t Belong Anywhere? with Laurie Ratliff

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0b9b88ee-02ee-4a40-9ee0-c5510e986ea0

Read the “Changemakers” issue of Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-cm21

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/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 Ann Camden reading her essay “Riding Shotgun.”  Ann is a former communications executive turned advocate.  Diagnosed at 38. Stage III, then diagnosed again at 45.  Stage IV.  ER+, PR+.  Raleigh, NC. 

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 Ann: https://www.instagram.com/anncamdennc/

Hear Ann’s stories followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5ce9e575-0744-4515-95e3-14050ca66d8f

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/255cf7db-e5f7-4811-a47d-d59c6af81c3b

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/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 Ann Camden reading her essay “Riding Shotgun.”  Ann is a former communications executive turned advocate.  Diagnosed at 38. Stage III, then diagnosed again at 45.  Stage IV.  ER+, PR+.  Raleigh, NC. 

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 Ann: https://www.instagram.com/anncamdennc/

Hear Ann’s stories followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5ce9e575-0744-4515-95e3-14050ca66d8f

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/255cf7db-e5f7-4811-a47d-d59c6af81c3b

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

This episode's guest is Wildfire’s own Angela Firman.  She helps edit each issue of the magazine.  Angela was diagnosed initially at 33 with Stage III hormone-positive breast cancer and she is now living with Stage IV metastatic disease. Angela is an avid reader, a closet-cross-stitcher, and a fervent writer. In addition to working at Wildfire Magazine, Angela is an Associate Editor for Yellow Arrow Publishing, and her nonfiction writing has been published in Open Minds Quarterly, You Might Need To Hear This, and Press Pause. Angela reads her piece “Looking Beyond the Veil” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “Grief & Acceptance” issue. Her essay is about seeing the world through a new lens after a cancer diagnosis.  April and Angela will discuss Angela’s cancer recurrence, how cancer can be part of your identity working within the community, and finding hope and transformation in the sharing of both metastatic and early-stage breast cancer stories.  They will also discuss tips on writing memoir. 

More about Angela: https://www.instagram.com/angelafirman11/

More about this episode’s sponsor, Infinite Strength: https://www.infinitestrength.org/

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 a copy of the “Grief & Acceptance” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-grief-and-acceptance

Read more of Angela’s Wildfire essays: 

“The Elephant” in the “Identity & Aftermath” issue https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-identity20

“Tuesdays with Melody by The Refiners” in the “MBC: Stage IV Survivorship” issue https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-mbc21

“Good at Waiting Rooms” in the “Social” issue https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-social-2019

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/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 the essay “Ocean” by Leslie Rayment read posthumously by April Stearns.  Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33. While Leslie was weaning her daughter from breastfeeding, she realized the lump she had long dismissed as a clogged milk duct could be something else and that she should have it looked at. Initially and briefly diagnosed as Stage II IDC, an MRI quickly confirmed the disease had already spread to her liver before she started any therapy. Leslie enjoyed a career as a registered dietitian with a passion for seniors' health and nutrition prior to her diagnosis. She lived in Edmonton AB with her husband Cody, son Elliot, and daughter Alicia.

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Californian Dana Roske is a part-time winery wench, single mother to two girls, and an aspiring writer. She was diagnosed at 34 with not only breast cancer, but also a rare sarcoma called a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST).  Today, Dana reads her piece “Remember Who The F! You Are” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Identity & Aftermath” issue. Her essay is all about navigating sex and intimacy with a changed body after cancer. April and Dana will talk about what it was like for Dana to write an intimate story about sex after cancer and divorce, living in her skin again and feeling at home in her body while being an example to her daughters, and bad-bitch-hot-girl energy.  They will also discuss Dana’s experience writing in a Wildfire group workshop setting.  This episode contains explicit language and sexual content.

More about Dana: https://www.instagram.com/ariela.and.june/

More about this episode’s sponsor, “Life Reconstructed” author Kim Harms: https://kimharms.net

Purchase a copy of the “Identity & Aftermath” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/identity22

If you enjoyed this episode of The Burn, you might also like “Dating After a Mastectomy” with Juni Bucher:

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

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

This week in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, we have selected this episode from March of 2022 to re-share.  It features Melanie Childers sharing her story and feelings around her cancer-induced loss of fertility.  

Certified resilience and leadership coach Melanie Childers was diagnosed at 34 with Stage II, hormone-positive breast cancer.  Today, Melanie reads her piece “No” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2018 “(In)fertility” issue. A decade ago, cancer made Melanie’s fertility choices final. A cancer diagnosis that affects reproductive organs that comes well after menopause is not going to land the same way the same diagnosis will decades prior.  It is heartbreaking, maddening, painful in a way that is hard to articulate.  Melanie wrote her piece 4 years ago, and today has the retrospect of 10 years to share her reflections.  April and Melanie will talk about what processing and grief looks like now and how cancer clarifies life’s path.  They’ll also discuss how writing is a powerful way to process wounds, and allows for a way to revisit previous versions of ourselves when we read our written words later in time.  Melanie’s piece is included in Wildfire’s upcoming book “Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor.”  This episode contains explicit language.

More about Melanie and The Bad Bitch Entrepreneur podcast: https://www.melaniechilders.com

https://www.instagram.com/the_underbelly/

More about this episode’s sponsor, “Life Reconstructed” author Kim Harms: https://kimharms.net

Purchase a copy of the “(In)Fertility” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-infertility

Ida Sukrungruang’s essay: https://brevitymag.com/issues/issue-49-may-2015-gender/after-the-hysterectomy/

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Anne Ferrier Crook was diagnosed at 48 with Stage I hormone-positive breast cancer. A few years later, cancer came again in the form of Stage Ib melanoma. Anne has worked in many facets of healthcare doing what she calls “holding space for life’s sacred thresholds.” She is a certified integrative health coach, medical interpreter, birth doula, consultant with the Institute for The Study of Birth, Breath, and Death, and a co-founder of The Breast Connection: Prevention & Healing Community.  In this episode, Anne reads her essay “Surviving to Thriving After Breast Cancer” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Identity & Aftermath” issue.  It is a piece about the influence of one woman’s mind on her body following two cancer diagnoses. April and Anne will discuss addressing our inner child with love and kindness to heal, finding opportunities to learn and grow after a cancer diagnosis, and how cancer prompts us to make shifts to slow down and find balance.  They will also discuss how Anne uses writing to get in touch with her inner voice to access her inner healer.

More about Anne: https://integrativeradiance.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-ferrier-crook-471a382b

More about this episode’s sponsor Foobs & Fitness: https://foobsandfitness.com/

Purchase a copy of the “Identity & Aftermath” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-identity20

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 Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org.

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Canadian Kim Angell is a human resources consultant and patient advocate.  Kim was initially diagnosed with Stage IIb, hormone positive lobular breast cancer at 34. At 38, her cancer returned. Kim is now living with Stage IV metastatic triple negative breast cancer. Kim has a passion for advocacy work and has contributed to various breast cancer campaigns over the years.  In this episode, Kim reads her essay “Inviting Conversations About Death” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Legacy Stories” issue.  It is a thoughtful piece about facing mortality and having hard conversations about death.  April and Kim will discuss the need to talk about death to accommodate logistics, relieving fear and expressing wants.  They’ll touch on finding joyful times while living with terminal breast cancer, the curiosity surrounding death, and the importance of modeling and normalizing talking about mortality.  Kim will also share what writing means to her when it comes to expressing and processing her thoughts to communicate with others.  

More about Kim: https://www.instagram.com/kangell82/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100042887298776

https://smilethroughthefog.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwAR0if1plpYJ7S-171fIef6I3_XsrltHSKwD5YSsoDBsTEg5yIYGBfZ57ZFI/

More about this episode’s sponsor, Bright Spot Network: https://www.brightspotnetwork.org/

Purchase a copy of the “Legacy Stories” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-identity20

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 Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org.

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

We are taking this week off to enjoy spring break with our loved ones, so we’ve dug through our archives to select a favorite episode from March 2022 to re-share.   We know you’ll enjoy this episode as much as we do! 

Erin Stodola was 28 when she was diagnosed with Stage I Triple Negative breast cancer.  She carries the BRCA1 gene.  Today, Erin reads her piece “The Moments Between” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2020 “Identity & Aftermath” issue.  Erin never gave her breasts much thought or considered them as part of her identity - until she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Then she thought about them a lot in their natural, reconstructed and absent forms and found a new identity along the way in between each version of her chest.  Erin completed a Masters of Museum Studies program that focused on feminism and anti-colonial curation.  April asks Erin what role, if any, her cancer plays in her museum work when thinking about breasts, identity, beauty standards, and the role of representation in art, academia and popular culture.  Erin’s piece is included in Wildfire’s upcoming book “Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor.”

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

More about this episode’s sponsor, “Life Reconstructed” author Kim Harms: https://kimharms.net

Purchase a copy of the “Identity & Aftermath” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-identity20

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 Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org.

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* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn