The Burn

Human rights and disability advocate Clare Li is working and living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer in Montreal.  She was first diagnosed in 2018 after already managing other pre-existing chronic medical conditions.  Today Clare reads her piece “My Inner Voice'' from Wildfire’s 2022 “Canada’s Young Survivors” issue.  She explains about trusting her inner voice while deviating from the generational family view of holding doctors on a pedestal and self advocating to make your inner voice heard against those handed down thought patterns.  Clare and guest host Emily Piercell will discuss listening to that inner voice, the invisible side of illness, being as kind to ourselves as we are to others, and the profound impact Wildfire writing workshops have on healing and making connections.

More about Clare: https://www.instagram.com/missclareli/

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

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Send your voice recording testimonial to [email protected]

Hay House author and wellbeing coach Saskia Lightstar joins us from London today.  Saskia was living a rock n’ roll lifestyle when she was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer at 39.  From a pre-cancer suicide attempt to a post-cancer life as a self described Cancer Misfit & Happiness Ninja, Saskia’s cancer took her on a spiritual path of moving forward with self acceptance after her diagnosis. Today she reads her piece “A Eulogy to the Person I Was Before” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “Grief & Acceptance” issue.  Saskia and guest host Monica Haro will discuss giving ceremony to yourself in life’s transition spaces, the self-realization cancer can bring to speaking your truth, nipple tattoos, and pets.

More about Saskia: https://www.instagram.com/saskia.lightstar/ and https://www.saskialightstar.com

The Cancer Misfit book: https://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Misfit-Guide-Navigating-Treatment/dp/1401960413/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KGU9DCRU1RK2&keywords=the+cancer+misfit&qid=1655838533&sprefix=the+cancer+misfit%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1#customerReviews

More about Barnaby Le French: https://www.instagram.com/barnabylefrench/

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

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Send your voice recording testimonial to [email protected]

In this replay of episode 27, we are going back to revisit our most downloaded episode to date! 

Even doctors get breast cancer. Even young, vegan, multi-Ironman-level athlete doctors get breast cancer. (Let that sink in if you've been wondering if your diagnosis is because of something you did, didn't do, ate, didn't eat, etc.) Tracy Cushing had been an athlete & practicing emergency medicine for 19 years when one day that shifted and she became a cancer patient. Overnight, her life shifted to a different course & her Ironman plans were sidelined. Today Tracy reads her piece, “What My Medical File Won’t Tell You.” Hers is the story of one woman taking back her medical file to fill in the gaps, all the while asking as she dons the title of survivor: can she also keep her identity as an athlete, too?

Tracy is a practicing emergency room physician diagnosed at 45 with a lobular carcinoma breast cancer.

  More about Tracy: https://www.instagram.com/tracycrushescancer/ and https://www.instagram.com/vegandoctormom/

More about Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance: https://lobularbreastcancer.org

More about SheStrong: https://shestronginc.com

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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]

Denise Archer, from episode 22, returns to The Burn today to read her piece “Dynamite for the Dinner Table” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2019/2020 “Social” issue. Denise is a maker and sewist from Portland who was diagnosed at 45 with triple-negative breast cancer. Denise’s piece tells it like it is regarding the complex and intense friendships born out of a shared cancer experience. Denise and April will discuss the role of avoidance and transcending avoidance with an open heart in these friendships, honoring terminal friends with intention, and the beautiful symbolism of a hand sewn dying shawl.  Denise’s piece is included in Wildfire’s upcoming book “Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor.” This episode contains explicit language and sexual content.

More about Denise: https://www.instagram.com/h.o.m.u.n.c.u.l.u.s/

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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].

Check out past episode 22 with Denise: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/18c7e32b-7574-42ed-a7ea-804710a39abf

Chiara Riga of Santa Cruz, California was diagnosed at 27 with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer during the pandemic. Today, Chiara reads her piece “Emerging From The Ashes of Year One” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “MBC” issue.  Chiara shares her complicated experiences of navigating both difficult and celebratory milestones while living with terminal cancer. Chiara and April also discuss defining survivorship, the opportunities and blessings that emerge from terrible things, and the battle language so often applied to cancer.  Chiara shares why Wildfire writing workshops have been integral in processing her cancer trauma and solidifying cancer friendships. This episode contains explicit language.

More about Chiara: https://www.instagram.com/chiaravscancer/

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].

Today our host April Stearns gives us some reflections and food for thought from the young breast cancer landscape.  In this mini yet dense episode, April honors the memory of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) influencer & advocate Nalie Agustin, ponders what it means to be a “cancer famous” social media influencer, and how our words live on after we are gone. She’ll talk about the empowerment and inspiration that emerges when being vulnerable with your authentic voice, finding meaning in what you are experiencing, and share a story about a quote from Brene Brown that captivated her. 

In memoriam: Natalie “Nalie”  Agustin, November 1988 - March 2022.

More about April: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/about

More about Nalie Agustin:https://www.instagram.com/nalieagustin/ and https://www.instagram.com/thediaryofnalie/

Brene Brown’s podcast: https://brenebrown.com/podcast-show/unlocking-us/

Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

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].

Margaret Loniewska was diagnosed at 40 with Stage IV de novo metastatic breast cancer while pregnant in 2019. Today she reads her piece #GucciTrackSuit” from Wildfire’s 2020 “MBC: Stage IV Self Care” issue.  It’s a piece about honoring yourself and experiencing joy when it comes to money, and a life-changing purchase. When cancer comes money issues don’t evaporate or become frivolous. Cancer turns up the volume on topics, like money, that feel taboo.  April and Margaret will also discuss the surreal headspace of being diagnosed with terminal cancer while growing a new life inside your sick body, making the right choices for yourself during cancer, and Margaret’s MBC advocacy work with Rethink Breast Cancer. Margaret’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 Margaret: https://www.instagram.com/mbc_in_toronto/

More about Rethink’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Advisory Board: https://rethinkbreastcancer.com/metastatic-breast-cancer-advisory-board/

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/s

San Francisco psychotherapist Laurie Hessen Pomeranz was diagnosed in 2010 at age 42 with ductal and lobular breast cancer.  Today Laurie reads her piece “The Day My Nipple Fell Off” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “Body” issue. Laurie finds that sometimes the tiniest losses represent the biggest shifts.  Laurie and April will discuss being long-term survivors, Laurie’s feelings about her breast reconstruction and flat experience, humor in dark spots that come out in writing, and how she never wrote until her cancer diagnosis.  Now she is able to unite legacy with reflections from past writings for herself and others. The importance of slowing down to write about impactful moments will also be discussed.  Laurie’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  Laurie: https://www.instagram.com/lauriepommie/

More of Laurie’s writing: https://www.salon.com/2010/12/04/breast_cancer_survivors_bare_all/ and https://www.amazon.com/Nipple-Other-Stories-Survival-Solidarity/dp/1484934024

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

Julie was 35 when she was diagnosed with DCIS and mucinous carcinoma. She is a park ranger in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State, and a co-founder of Wild Homestead Living.  Today, Julie reads her piece “After Death Leaves Its Calling Card” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Cancer Culture” issue.  It’s a piece about a cancer diagnosis meeting you exactly where you are on life’s path and folding into your existing life. Cancer and the loss of Julie’s best friend in an accident 20 years prior become interlinked. That earlier loss is deeply connected to the trauma cancer brings, and Julie finds a breakdown becomes a breakthrough.  April and Julie discuss using writing to recenter, writing as a means to help those close to you understand you better, and finding joy in choosing yourself and realizing your dreams.

More about Julie and Wild Homestead Living: https://wildhomesteadliving.com 

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

Our episode 5 guest Erin Weiss returns to The Burn today to read her essay “A Guest Room for MBC” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “MBC: Stage IV Survivorship” issue.  Erin is a mom and psychotherapist who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer following her very first mammogram at 42.  She’s been living with breast cancer since August 2019.  Her piece is about making space for metastatic breast cancer in her life and establishing boundaries for its coexistence. Erin found a way to contain this diagnosis in her life so she can live her life.  April and Erin will discuss the therapeutic writing technique of anthropomorphization, anticipatory grief, and what it’s like moving into a new house with metastatic breast cancer in the back of your mind. Please note, this episode contains explicit language. More about Erin: https://www.instagram.com/emweiss/

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