Episodes

What happens when a resilience expert becomes the caregiver? When a loved one is diagnosed with blood cancer, you’re suddenly balancing fear, advocacy, and everyday life all at once. In this episode, we sit down with Karen Reivich, PhD, a resilience expert, caregiver, and wife of a lymphoma survivor. Karen opens up about the reality of supporting her husband through treatment and a clinical trial, sharing invaluable lessons on managing uncertainty, accepting help, and caring for yourself while ...

Brice Davis After being diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 31, Brice Davis faced challenges that extended far beyond treatment alone. Join us as he talks about balancing fatherhood, navigating mental health struggles, rebuilding after setbacks, and adjusting to life with a chronic blood cancer. Brice reflects on the importance of community, resilience, and focusing on what matters most while creating a fulfilling life after diagnosis. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our ep...

AJ Kitt In this episode, four-time Olympic downhill skier AJ Kitt shares his diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and how revolutionary medical advances transformed an unsettling diagnosis into a manageable part of his everyday life. AJ opens up about the initial shock of the news, the emotional toll it took on his young family, and how finding CML pioneer, Dr. Brian Druker, restored his confidence amid deep uncertainty. The conversation dives into his treatment with tyrosine kinase inh...

Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents are suddenly expected to manage medications, appointments, treatment decisions, family life, and overwhelming emotions, often all at once. In this episode, we speak with Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree, pediatric cancer parent, advocate, and author of The Cancer Parent’s Handbook, about the practical guidance she wishes every family received from day one. Laura shares powerful insights from her family’s journey after her three-year...

Jay Yang, MD You cannot have progress without research. In our latest episode, Dr. Jay Yang of the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, MI, breaks down the essentials of MDS care, from risk-based treatment plans to managing fatigue and exploring promising new therapies. Tune in to find out why the future of MDS treatment is brighter than ever. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) MDS patient videos A...

Kim and Josh Woda Two college students. Two lymphoma diagnoses. One unexpected love story. In this episode, we speak with Kim and Josh Woda, who were both diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma while attending college. They share how they navigated school during treatment, coped with relapse and stem cell transplant, found support in the cancer community, and unexpectedly found each other. Their story is a powerful reminder that connection, understanding, and hope can appear when you least expect it....

Behind every policy is a patient, caregiver, or family whose story helped make change possible. In this episode, we speak with Andrea Sanchez and Becki Chandler, volunteer advocates with Blood Cancer United, about the power of patient voices in shaping public policy. Drawing from their own family experiences with blood cancer, they discuss issues ranging from medical debt and insurance coverage to clinical trial access and research funding and explain how patients and caregivers can make their ...

Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq. Cancer affects more than your health. It can impact your finances, insurance coverage, employment, and daily life. In this episode, Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq. of Triage Cancer joins us to discuss common financial and insurance challenges patients and caregivers may face after a cancer diagnosis, including understanding health insurance, managing medical debt, appealing insurance denials, finding financial assistance, and avoiding gaps in coverage. Monica also shares pra...

Jonathon Cohen, MD, MS When you hear the word “aggressive,” it can feel overwhelming, but in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), it can also point to something encouraging – a potential cure. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jonathon Cohen, of Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, GA, about what a DLBCL diagnosis really means, from how this common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is identified to current treatment options and emerging therapies. We explain what patients and families need to kn...

Samuel Brotkin, PhD, Chelsea Kaye, LCSW and Elissa Baldwin Recorded onsite at CancerCon®, a young adult cancer conference presented by Stupid Cancer®, we talk about what resilience really means after a cancer diagnosis, and why it’s not about always being “strong.” Join us alongside Sam Brotkin, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Bull City Behavioral Health and Chelsea Kaye, LCSW, an Information Specialist at Blood Cancer United. In this episode, we share compassionate, practical strategies for bu...

Tania Jain, MBBS What does a myelofibrosis (MF) diagnosis really mean, and how does it fit within a group of conditions called myeloproliferative neoplasms, or MPNs? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Tania Jain of Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore, MD, who helps break it all down in a clear and approachable way. She discusses how myelofibrosis affects the bone marrow, common symptoms to watch for, and how treatment options are tailored to each person. From...

Some people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may feel well day to day, but that doesn’t mean life stays the same. In this episode, we hear from Annette Holloway, a clinical psychologist living with CLL, as she shares how her diagnosis, treatment decisions, and side effects have shaped her daily life. Also joining us is Elise Curry, RN, OCN, a Clinical Trial Nurse Navigator at Blood Cancer United’s Clinical Trial Support Center, who helps break down treatment options, side effects, and the...

Rebecca Olin, MD, MSCE Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex diagnosis, and it can be difficult to know what to expect in those early conversations after diagnosis. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Rebecca Olin from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), who helps explain what AML is and how care is approached today. Dr. Olin walks us through how doctors evaluate AML, what factors influence treatment decisions, and how therapies – including targeted treatments, stem cell tra...

Chris Pagliarulo A cancer diagnosis in your 20s or 30s can raise questions most people never expect to face so early in life. In this episode, we speak with Chris Pagliarulo, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 29, about the medical, emotional, and practical realities of cancer during early adulthood. We explore issues that are especially relevant for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients, including delayed diagnosis, fertility preservation, treatment side effects, career...

Marlise Luskin, MD With so many new advances in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), understanding today’s treatment landscape can give patients a clearer, more hopeful outlook. In this episode, we speak with Marlise Luskin, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about what adults should know when facing a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Dr. Luskin helps listeners understand how ALL develops, how subtypes are identified, and why genetics play an important role in guiding treatment. ...

Andrew Yee, MD Multiple myeloma can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming at first, but today’s advances tell a much brighter story. In this episode, Dr. Andrew Yee of Massachusetts General Hospital explains what myeloma is, how it’s diagnosed, and why new treatment options, from four-drug regimens to CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, are transforming patient outcomes. With enthusiasm and relatable analogies, he highlights how patients may progress from periods of significant challenges...

CAR T‑cell therapy is redefining what personalized cancer treatment can look like, offering real promise for patients and families. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Richard Maziarz and CAR T Nurse Coordinator Bashi Ratterree of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Together, they explain how CAR T‑cell therapy works, who may be eligible, what patients can expect during treatment and recovery, and the promising advancements shaping the future of this innovative therapy. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRI...

Stefan Barta, MD, MS Cutaneous T‑cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare condition that often raises important questions for patients and families. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Stefan Barta, of the University of Pennsylvania, to bring clarity to what CTCL is, how it’s diagnosed, and what patients can expect from staging and treatment. Dr. Barta breaks down the differences between CTCL subtypes, explains why diagnosing someone can take time, and shares the most up-to-date therapies, including s...

Mikkael A. Sekeres, MD, MS Curious about what’s new in the world of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)? We’re bringing you the latest insights straight from one of the field’s leading experts. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Miami Health. Recorded onsite at the 2025 ASH (American Society of Hematology) Annual Meeting and Exposition, this conversation explores what MDS is, how it’s treated today, and what researchers...

Ann Grace MacMullan, C-IAYT In this episode, we sit down with Ann Grace MacMullan, Director of Integrative Wellness at the International Waldenstrӧm’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF), to explore how wellness can become a powerful part of life after a cancer diagnosis. Ann Grace shares practical, calming techniques, including breathing exercises, “Bee’s Breath”, and guided meditation, that you can do anywhere to reduce stress and feel more grounded. We’ll also dive into what integrative well...

Jean Koff, MD, MSc Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can sound overwhelming, but what does it really mean for patients and families? In this episode, we speak to Dr. Jean Koff of Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, who breaks down the big picture of NHL: what it is, how it’s an umbrella term for multiple subtypes, and what today’s treatments and tomorrow’s innovations could mean for you. From understanding subtypes and staging to exploring options like watchful waiting, chemotherapy, and cut...

Michell Fullmer, RDN, LDN, CSP, CNSC Nutrition plays a powerful role in supporting children through cancer treatment, but it’s not always easy for caregivers to know what’s best, especially when there are taste changes, appetite shifts, and treatment side effects. In this episode, we sit down with Michell Fullmer, a registered dietitian at Nemours Children’s Hospital, to share practical insights that simplify nutrition during cancer care, reduce mealtime stress, and empower caregivers to make ...

Abdulraheem Yacoub, MD In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Abdulraheem Yacoub of The University of Kansas Cancer Center to discuss myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), a group of rare blood cancers that affect how blood cells are produced. We explore what MPNs are, the most common types, and the signs and symptoms that lead to diagnosis. We also answer real questions from members of our MPN online chat community, covering topics like life expectancy, genetic mutations, and managing side effect...

When cancer enters a family, it changes everything – routines, roles, and relationships. In this episode, we talk with Lindsey and Thomas Kealey about what it means to navigate cancer together as a care partner and patient. From unexpected diagnoses to months spent living in a hospital room, Lindsey shares how she balanced caregiving, work, and self-care while learning to hold space for difficult emotions. Together, they offer practical tips for caregivers, like creating healing spaces, communi...