The Reroute

Words matter. They have power and carry weight. How we describe the lived experiences of others or our own experiences can have immense impact. Some stories can let the reader know they’re not alone. Some authors can make readers feel seen and understood. 

In this episode, you’ll hear a conversation between two writers: John Green and Kasey in the last interview she recorded before she passed. John is the author of the emotional New York Times bestselling novel, The Fault in Our Stars, which describes the lives and relationship between two young people living with cancer. He writes with love and gives life to experiences that are almost impossible to describe. He’s humble, thoughtful, and their conversation brought Kasey comfort. Listen in for a look behind the scenes, behind the dust jacket, and behind the man.

You’ll hear: 

• John’s experience on the set of The Fault in Our Stars and the new adaptation film based on his novel, Turtles All the Way Down (filming now!)
• His time as a student chaplain at a children's hospital in Ohio and what made him walk away from it
• The friendship that inspired The Fault in Our Stars and what struck Kasey most about the book and the film
• What they would each change about the healthcare paradigm 
• The language used to describe the lives of those living with cancer and which words are doing a disservice to the community
• Kasey and John’s take on the big question: What is the meaning of life? 
• And much more

Books mentioned: The Fault in Our Stars, Turtles All the Way Down, and his newest, The Anthropocene Reviewed 

Follow John on Instagram @johngreenwritesbooks 

Subscribe to his Youtube channels CrashCourse and Vlogbrothers

Listen to his podcasts The Anthropocene Reviewed and Dear Hank and John

We’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma and help continue to legacy Kasey started: https://www.reininsarcoma.org/sarcoma-story-kasey-altman/ A donation size of any amount can make a difference in further ARMS treatment research! Thank you!

Please consider sending love and support to Kasey's family in whatever capacity you can at this time.

The Altman Family

P.O. Box 261273

San Diego, CA 92126

I’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma: http://www.reininsarcoma.org/donation-form/ (Be sure to select “Kasey Altman Research Fund” in the Named Funds dropdown) A donation size of any amount can make a huge difference! Thank you!

Today I am talking with the hilarious and inspiring Drew Afualo. Drew quickly amassed over 7 million followers on TikTok giving misogynistic troll a taste of their own medicine. 

We’re discussing: 

• Drew's past and what contributed to her success
• The philosophy behind what Drew does
• Crazy responses we've both received
• Also we play a game!
• And more

I’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma: http://www.reininsarcoma.org/donation-form/ (Be sure to select “Kasey Altman Research Fund” in the Named Funds dropdown) A donation size of any amount can make a huge difference! Thank you!

Want even more content? Consider throwing a few bucks towards production costs at Kasey’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kaseyaltman

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kasey.altman

Follow me on IG so you don't miss a thing! https://instagram.com/the.reroute 

Want to collab? Email me at [email protected]

I’m coming at ya with another interview from the Milken Institute Global Conference. This week I sit down with Les Borsai and if you’re at all interested in NFTs, you’ll want to listen in. Les is an entrepreneur, he’s a financial consultant specializing in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, and he also spent a good amount of time in the music industry. Les offers some great insights into the cryptocurrency conversation, but don’t let that fool you. He’s an incredibly thoughtful guest with words of wisdom to offer YOU no matter what your interests are. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation and leave inspired to put your full weight behind your next good idea-whether you’re “ready” or not! Let’s dive in!

We’re discussing: 

• Les’ journey from being an outcast in middle school, leaving home at 16, being a rave promoter in the 80s, to now: co-founder of Wave Financial, a digital assets management company managing $1.5 billion in assets
• Changing the conversation around what success is and how he defines it for his life (it’s not what you think!)
• What perfectionism REALLY is and how to overcome it
• How Les crossed over from music promotion and management to finance and what they all have in common
• His passion for NFTs and what qualities he appreciates about the industry
• Why collaboration is key (coming from a guy who prefers doing it on his own)
• And much more! 

You can follow Les on Twitter @les.eth and on Linkedin @Les Borsai

Read about Wave Financial here: https://wavegp.com/about/

Learn more about Les here: https://milkeninstitute.org/events/gc22/speakers/53236

I’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma: http://www.reininsarcoma.org/donation-form/ (Be sure to select “Kasey Altman Research Fund” in the Named Funds dropdown) A donation size of any amount can make a huge difference! Thank you!

Want even more content? Consider throwing a few bucks towards production costs at Kasey’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kaseyaltman

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kasey.altman

Follow me on IG so you don't miss a thing! https://instagram.com/the.reroute 

Want to collab? Email me at [email protected] 

Things feel heavy. Tragedy continues to strike. But how can we remain hopeful? What can we do to make sure hate does not win? As we approach the six year anniversary of the tragic mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, I sit down with the club’s former owner and founding CEO of onePULSE Foundation, Barbara Poma. We’re meeting together while at the Milken Institute Global Conference and we’re joined by Earl Crittenden, Board Chairman of onePULSE Foundation. Join me for this inspiring conversation with two changemakers and listen in for how their community has met tragedy with unity. Their foundation is addressing hate in the world and these two are committed to making love, acceptance, and inclusion WIN in the end. 

We’re discussing: 

• How the Orlando community remembers the 49 lives lost and how you can get involved
• Details of the National Pulse Memorial and Museum and the community input that inspired its design 
• Cities fracturing in the wake of tragedies: has Orlando been broken?
• The other memorial sites Barbara received advice from and how it shaped onePULSE’s process
• How Barbara’s life trajectory shifted after the shooting and what she’s been working on since
• The legacy that onePULSE Foundation hopes to leave and inspire
• And more 

Get involved with onePulse Foundation @ https://onepulsefoundation.org/

Connect with Barbara @ [email protected]

In memoriam:

Stanley Almodovar III, 23; 

Amanda Alvear, 25; 

Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26; 

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33; 

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21; 

Martin Benitez Torres, 33; 

Antonio D. Brown, 30; 

Darryl R. Burt II, 29; 

Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24; 

Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28; 

Simon A. Carrillo Fernandez, 31; 

Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25; 

Luis D. Conde, 39; 

Cory J. Connell, 21; 

Tevin E. Crosby, 25; 

Franky J. Dejesus Velazquez, 50; 

Deonka D. Drayton, 32; 

Mercedez M. Flores, 26; 

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22; 

Juan R. Guerrero, 22; 

Paul T. Henry, 41; 

Frank Hernandez, 27; 

Miguel A. Honorato, 30; 

Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40; 

Jason B. Josaphat, 19;

Eddie J. Justice, 30; 

Anthony L. Laureano Disla, 25; 

Christopher A. Leinonen, 32; 

Brenda L. Marquez McCool, 49; 

Jean C. Mendez Perez, 35;

Akyra Monet Murray, 18; 

Kimberly Morris, 37; 

Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27; 

Luis O. Ocasio-Capo, 20; 

Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25; 

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36; 

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32; 

Enrique L. Rios Jr., 25; 

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37; 

Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24; 

Christopher J. Sanfeliz, 24; 

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35; 

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25; 

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34; 

Shane E. Tomlinson, 33; 

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25; 

Luis S. Vielma, 22; 

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37; 

Jerald A. Wright, 31

I’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma: http://www.reininsarcoma.org/donation-form/ (Be sure to select “Kasey Altman Research Fund” in the Named Funds dropdown) A donation size of any amount can make a huge difference! Thank you!

Want even more content? Consider throwing a few bucks towards production costs at Kasey’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kaseyaltman

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kasey.altman

Follow me on IG so you don't miss a thing! https://instagram.com/the.reroute 

Want to collab? Email me at [email protected] 

Well, it started. I began treatment with the neoantigen vaccine. I’ve been waiting a year for this treatment and I’m finally here. On this week’s mini episode, I give you an update on the treatment: where I’m at, how it’s going, what are the next steps, and how you can help.  It’s been a long road to get to this point and there’s a lot riding on this treatment. I’m grateful for this opportunity. I feel shitty, but I do have hope. Let’s get into it.  

I’m sharing:

• My current reality: the good, the bad, and the ugly
• The weight of emotional labor and vulnerability hangovers - can you relate?
• My physical and emotional pain points (got any ideas for relief?)
• What I’m hoping for NEXT week plus what’s coming further down the line with treatment
• My thoughts for those battling invisible illness 
• The easiest thing you can do to support me right now (it’s FREE!)
• What’s next on the podcast
• And more

I’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma: http://www.reininsarcoma.org/donation-form/ (Be sure to select “Kasey Altman Research Fund” in the Named Funds dropdown) A donation size of any amount can make a huge difference! Thank you!

Want even more content? Consider throwing a few bucks towards production costs at Kasey’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kaseyaltman

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kasey.altman

Follow me on IG so you don't miss a thing! https://instagram.com/the.reroute 

Want to collab? Email me at [email protected] 

End of Episode Links:

E-Mail: [email protected]

Instagram: https://instagram.com/matty_dflip

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matty_dflip

What role should sex and intimacy play in our lives and relationships? How can we work to cultivate the deeply connected relationships that we want? And do we even deserve that? What about those relationships that are filled with love, but lack desire? Today, I’m joined by Zoe Kors, a sex and intimacy coach, an author, and host of her own podcast, Radical Intimacy. We’re coming to you from the Milken Institute Global Conference and she helps answer these tricky, often overlooked, questions. Zoe explains why intimacy matters, why it’s important to sit with yourself and your feelings, and how intimacy with others actually starts with ourselves. As a cancer survivor, Zoe recounts a few of the reroutes she’s experienced and how that led her here. Her insight is illuminating and her advice is confirming: don’t miss out! 

We’re discussing: 

• The debate over sex addiction and how that relates to betrayal trauma 
• Baby steps to becoming more intimate with yourself
• The 3 most common coping mechanisms for discomfort (a.k.a. the trifecta of anti-intimacy) and how to persevere through it
• What those “negative” feelings of sadness or anger are really telling us
• The one area we often fail to invest in that will undoubtedly affect our relationships 
• Reroutes in Zoe’s past: Rock band? Cancer? Divorce? Or all of the above?
• Which people are often discarded as non-sexual beings and why that needs to change
• Plus much more! 

Connect with Zoe: https://www.zoekors.com/

Listen to her Radical Intimacy podcast: https://www.zoekors.com/podcast

Check out her book, Radical Intimacy: https://www.zoekors.com/book

I’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma: http://www.reininsarcoma.org/donation-form/ (Be sure to select “Kasey Altman Research Fund” in the Named Funds dropdown) A donation size of any amount can make a huge difference! Thank you!

Want even more content? Consider throwing a few bucks towards production costs at Kasey’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kaseyaltman

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kasey.altman

Follow me on IG so you don't miss a thing! https://instagram.com/the.reroute 

Want to collab? Email me at [email protected]

Want a peek behind the scenes of recording The Reroute and some expert tips on creating and sustaining a killer podcast? You’re in for a treat with this really special episode because I’m joined by my friend, my producer, and the creative genius that champions me and my show from behind the scenes: Matt DiFillippo! We’re coming to you live from the Milken Institute Global Conference to bring you all the goods on how the Reroute started, where it’s going, and who else touches the process to bring it to fruition every week!

Listen up as Matt and I (and shoutout to David Panzirer in the background!) jump into all things podcasting, his top tips for podcasters wanting to stand out, and why it is we keep showing up to do this work. Join us for this fun and enlightening episode!

We’re getting into:

• The Reroute’s beginnings and how far it’s come (has it had its own reroute recently??)
• The #1 reason podcasts fail and how to keep gaining momentum so yours doesn’t
• What I vowed to myself three months ago that shifted the tone of my work plus my advice for young, female professionals
• How we raised $2000 for the Kasey Altman Research Fund in the middle of recording this episode (and what Matt had to let go of to bring in the cash!)
• Targeted daily engagement: What is it and how will it help your podcast grow?
• A look at how Patreon works and how it supports your favorite creators (like me!)
• Matt’s advice for standing out in the oversaturated podcast world 
• The army of people behind me and my hopes for them
• Plus much more from this behind the scenes episode! 

Loving the show? Consider throwing a few bucks to become a patron of The Reroute to support its production and get access to exclusive bonus content from me! 100% of the proceeds after production costs go directly to the Kasey Altman Research Fund for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) research : https://www.patreon.com/kaseyaltman

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kasey.altman

Follow me on IG so you don't miss a thing! https://instagram.com/the.reroute 

Want to collab? Email me at [email protected] 

Connect with Matt:
https://instagram.com/matty_dflip
https://kimdifillippo.com

I’m back with a solo episode! And this one is small, but mighty. Short, but FULL. Full of updates on my treatment, how I’m feeling physically (get ready to applaud!) and emotionally, and what’s to come (BIG stuff!). It’s been a rough few weeks. Hell, let’s face it. It’s been a rough 18 months! I’m at a fork in the road. I’m about to face the biggest reroute of my life and I’m so honored you’re following along. Let’s get into the details. 

I’m sharing:

• What’s involved with my latest round of radiation and if I can feel it working
• The radical uncertainty I’m facing with my upcoming neoantigen vaccine: it could go one of two ways
• What’s riding on this vaccine, besides my whole future
• A few of the lessons I’ve learned along the way, 18 months into this experience
• Some details about my upcoming book: Everyone Loves You When You’re Dying, plus what’s needed moving forward and my biggest hope for the book
• Three well-thought-out tips for those facing the same road ahead (just trust me on the first one!) 
• The big objective while I’m at the Milken Institute Global Conference (this is my WHY)
• And so much more!

I’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma: http://www.reininsarcoma.org/donation-form/ (Be sure to select “Kasey Altman Research Fund” in the Named Funds dropdown) A donation size of any amount can make a huge difference! Thank you!

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kasey.altman

Follow me on IG so you don't miss a thing! https://instagram.com/the.reroute 

Want to collab? Email me at [email protected]

You’ve heard about him. You may have even seen him lurking in the background on TikTok. He’s a self-described “average tech sales account manager” by day, but I’d call him a gourmet chef by night. He’s Willow’s dad, my best friend, my partner, Darius Saffold. And today he’s answering your burning questions. He’s not holding back! So join us as we discuss our relationship, his biggest pet peeves, and what it is in life that makes him happy (other than Willow and I, of course). 

We’re getting into: 

• How this East Coast guy handles the West Coast (Is he homesick or just hungry??) 
• Darius’ version of how we met
• How he developed his thick skin and sense of humor as a kid 
• The perspective he’s gained from being my partner and his take on if people should have an expectation of fairness in life or not
• His tip for winning over the one you want
• The most difficult part of dealing with cancer as a couple plus our advice for those going through similar situations
• How we handle the engagement and wedding pressure others put on us
• Our take on religion and how we describe our individual faith systems
• Darius’ dream menu for his future restaurant (BBQ chicken anyone?)
• Plus more with this very special guest!

I’d be honored if you’d consider donating to the Kasey Altman Research Fund through Rein in Sarcoma: http://www.reininsarcoma.org/donation-form/ (Be sure to select “Kasey Altman Research Fund” in the Named Funds dropdown) A donation size of any amount can make a huge difference! Thank you!

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kasey.altman

Follow me on IG so you don't miss a thing! https://instagram.com/the.reroute 

Want to collab? Email me at [email protected]