The Game On Glio Podcast

Life can change in a single moment. One day, you’re living the life you know; the next, you’re learning how to navigate a world you never imagined.

On this episode of Game On Glio, Elizabeth Jenkins opens up about the sudden loss of her husband Jason and the profound impact it had on her life. But her story doesn’t end with loss. As Executive Board Chair of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge-yes those Dolphins, Elizabeth has channeled her passion into a mission that brings people together to fight cancer, proving that sometimes the most meaningful battles are fought far beyond the football field.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that grief changes us, love continues to shape us, and purpose can emerge in the most unexpected places. Join us for a conversation about navigating the unthinkable, finding strength in the face of loss, and fighting for something bigger than ourselves.

Join the fight, learn more about the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, critical research they fund, and how you can get involved: https://dolphinscancerchallenge.com/dcc

If you like our show, please help us continue to grow and reach new listeners. Share our podcast with others and consider giving us a review on Apple and Spotify! And, please follow us on YouTube.

Season Sponsors:

GammaTile Therapy

Curtana Pharmaceuticals

A conversation about children navigating both cancer and the foster care system—and the woman determined to make sure they aren't forgotten.

Our guest today, Kara Buente, started The Bella Project. She shares what drove her to help children with cancer in the foster care system, and how the Bella Project was built.

We tend to forget the advocacy that foster care children need when they get sick. The system does not work for them the way it works for other pediatric cancer cases. Find out why in today's episode.

Learn more about the Bella Project at www.thebellaproject.com

Premier Sponsors:

GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com)

Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtanapharma.com)

What happens when the person you planned to spend forever with is suddenly gone—but your love story with them isn't finished yet?

In this deeply personal episode of Game On Glio, actress Laura Orrico (Kevin Can Wait, The King of Queens) shares her extraordinary journey through grief after losing her spouse and learning how to navigate life after the death of her husband. She opens up about the parts of grief no one prepares you for, including the complicated emotions that come with beginning to imagine a future you never expected to have.

Laura also talks candidly about dating after loss—what it felt like to open herself up to the possibility of love again all while trying to make a dream she had long held a reality.

Then, at 49 years old, her story takes an unexpected turn that has brought her love full circle.

Today, Laura is living a life shaped by profound loss, unexpected love, motherhood, and resilience. She shares where she is now—and what she has learned about rebuilding a life.

Because sometimes goodbye isn't the end. Sometimes love finds a way to write another chapter.

Watch Laura Orrico's story on our YouTube channel or listen anywhere you get your podcasts.

If you like our show, please help us continue to grow and reach new listeners. Share our podcast with others and consider giving us a review on Apple and Spotify! And, please follow us on YouTube.

This season is supported by:

GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com)

Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtanapharma.com)

What if the future of brain tumor treatment is closer than we think?

On this episode of Game On Glio, we sit down with Dr. Annick Desjardins, neuro-oncologist and Director of Clinical Research at Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, for a powerful conversation about where brain tumor research and treatment are headed—and what that could mean for patients and families facing a diagnosis.

Dr. Desjardins takes us beyond the medical jargon and into the rapidly evolving world of brain tumor care, sharing insight into emerging treatments-including oncolytic and infection driven treatments, and clinical research. We also talk about the importance of hope, innovation, and continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to treating brain tumors.

Find brain cancer clinical trials on our website episode bio page.

Listen to this episode here, on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or watch on our YouTube channel.

Season sponsors:

GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com)

Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtanapharma.com)

Cancer doesn't happen to just one person. It enters a marriage, settles into the quiet spaces, changes the conversations, and asks both people to become versions of themselves they never expected to meet. In this deeply personal conversation, guest Melissa Coulier opens the door to the side of cancer that often remains just outside the spotlight—the caregiving, the uncertainty, the fierce love, and the moments when simply putting one foot in front of the other becomes an act of courage.

Wife of actor Dave Coulier (best known for his character Joey on Full House), Melissa shares a glimpse into what it means to stand beside someone you love through a cancer battle while navigating everything that comes with it. Melissa, who grew up in nature, discusses how nature and movement have given her strength so she can continue be a strength for her husband, while also learning what it means to "wear many hats" as a caregiver. Her work in wellness (she is ACE certified pain free movement specialist) and owner of Recess Club gave her building blocks as a foundation to draw from-though she never knew how necessary movement would be until cancer entered her life.

Watch on our YouTube channel or listen anywhere you get your podcasts.

If you or a loved is impacted by brain cancer and you would like to see if you qualify for a clinical trial, please review the resource list on gameongliopodcast.com-or reach out to us via Instagram DM (@writelifestories).

If you like our show, please help us continue to grow and reach new listeners. Share our podcast with others and consider giving us a review on Apple and Spotify! And, please follow us on YouTube.

This season is sponsored by:

GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com)

Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtanapharma.com)

In this inspiring episode of Game On Glio, actress and pediatric cancer survivor Grace Wethor shares her remarkable journey of resilience, purpose, and hope after a life-changing diagnosis. Grace opens up about what it was like to be diagnosed with cancer at a young age, how she continues to navigate the uncertainty that comes with survivorship, and why she made the intentional choice to embrace life instead of living in fear.Together, we explore the emotional reality of living with the "not knowing."

Whether you're a cancer survivor, caregiver, advocate, or someone searching for hope in the midst of uncertainty, this conversation offers an honest and uplifting perspective on resilience, courage, and rewriting the script when life doesn't go according to plan. If you're looking for inspiration, meaningful conversations, or stories that remind you to live fully despite the unknown, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Watch the video episode on our YouTube channel.

Follow us on IG: @writelifestories

Season Sponsors:

Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtanapharma.com)

GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com)

Do you know what insecure attachment styles are? What is the difference between secure and surviving? As someone with a graduate degree and years in the social work field, I didn't even know the answer to these.

So, I decided to find answers. It led me to a host of discoveries about what it means to have a childhood upbringing in a secure environment and how that leads to secure attachments in adulthood. But, more importantly, it led me to the realization that even if you grow up securely attached, trauma in adulthood can lead to issues with insecure attachment. Traumas like the death of a spouse.

Our guest today, Dr. Maika Steinborn, is a clinical and educational psychologist passionate about sharing uplifting and practical insights from psychology to help empower people to do what’s important  on the deepest level of their heart. With a deep understanding the nuances and complications of how lard life can be, she supports people in making sense of themselves and connecting with, unleashing and guiding their inner power. Her approach is based on the idea that with the right mindset, knowledge and skills, humans are much more capable of growth and happiness than we often assume.

She breaks all this down for us in today's episode and how we can move into secure attachments in all relationships and how to navigate healing over surviving.

Watch on YouTube or listen anywhere you get your podcasts.

This season is sponsored by:

GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com)

Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtana pharma.com)

This episode is supported by:

Highmark BlueCross Blueshield

Alpheus Medical

When Diane Pathieu first sat down with us, it was alongside her husband Nick. we talked about life, challenges, and everything in between. Since then, life has handed her a chapter she never asked to write—the loss of her husband.

This past year, Nick Adamski lost his battle with brain cancer. He fought his battle with courage, joy, humility, and honesty.

In this powerful return appearance, Diane joins us to talk candidly about widowhood, grief, love that doesn't end when a life does, and how we find our footing when the world shifts beneath us. It's heartbreaking, hopeful, and profoundly human.

Some stories deserve a sequel--we're incredibly grateful Diane chose to share her story with us. This is what life looks like after goodbye......

This episode is supported by our Premier Sponsors:

GammaTile Therapy

Curtana Pharmaceuticals

Our episode sponsors:

Highmark Bluecross BlueShield of WNY

Alpheus Medical

When you think of ultrasounds, you probably think of sonograms, pregnancy, mammograms, and gynecology. At least I do!

I never would have associated ultrasound with brain cancer-until now. Our guest today, Dr. Vijay Agarwal, CEO of Alpheus Medical, has developed an investigational therapy that pairs a tumor-accumulating drug with low-intensity ultrasound to achieve localized activation inside the brain — an approach sometimes referred to as sonodynamic therapy (SDT).

After the drug has accumulated, the Alpheus LIDU® system delivers low-intensity, diffuse ultrasound across the affected brain hemisphere.

Dr. Agarwal discusses with me why this technology pairs so well with treating brain cancer. He stresses the importance for more innovative ways to treat brain cancer, and why funding is so crucial to work of many companies like his. More importantly, he sheds light on his passion for this work and his hope for the future.

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Watch the video of this episode on our YouTube channel.

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Premier sponsors:

GammaTile Therapy

Curtana Pharmaceuticals

That Brainy Blonde! That's right, our guest today is That Brainy Blonde-Rebecca Devine.

How else would we kick off season 6 and brain cancer awareness month than with an eight year survivor of glioblastoma.

Rebecca's story is inspiring in so many ways, not least of which, her determination to find innovative ways to keep this cancer at bay. Rebecca's story is one of hope and resilience.

We have an intimate discussion around the clinical trial she did that has gotten her to where she is today. We also discuss her daily habits and how she views life from this different lens.

If you are looking for clinical trials our resource information-visit thegameongliopodcast.com

If you would like to work with us-visit writelifemediallc.com

Our premier sponsors for this season include:

GammaTile Therapy

Curtana Pharmaceuticals

Episode sponsors:

Alpheus Medical

Tactical Therapeutics

Highmark BCBS of WNY