Sally Joy was diagnosed at 40 with Stage II breast cancer, and is now living with Stage IV MBC. She is an inspiring corporate well-being leader, keynote speaker and LinkedIn Top Voice who posts regularly about wellbeing, resilience, survivorship and patient advocacy. Sally reads her piece “The Light Within the Darkness” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2023 “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue. It’s a piece about finding both joy and hope in uncertainty, and the silver linings that exist alongside the scars. April and Sally discuss being both incurable and hopeful, thriving while living with MBC for 6 years, and toxic positivity. They will also discuss post traumatic growth.

More about Sally Joy Wolf:

https://www.sallywolf.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sallyshoots/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-wolf-932139/

Strip Down Rise Up documentary: ​​https://www.netflix.com/title/80208242

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

Purchase the 2023 "MBC: Lesson Learned" issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc23

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 “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

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

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

This week we are sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a little summer break from our regular podcast schedule. Production assistant Monica Haro selected this episode from May of 2022 to reshare. Enjoy!

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

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

Purchase the 2022 "Cancer Culture" issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/printcc22

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 “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

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

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

In this episode we welcome returning guest Gretchen Stelter back to The Burn for a second visit. She is a freelance book editor and writer diagnosed at 39 with Triple Positive breast cancer. Gretchen reads her essay “Erin go Braugh” from the 2023 “Travel & Adventure” issue of Wildfire Magazine. Gretchen’s piece is about traveling solo after a breast cancer diagnosis. April and Gretchen will talk about updates in Gretchen’s life since her last visit, how traveling reoriented Gretchen to herself after cancer, solo travel tips, and being open with your breast cancer story - or not. They will also discuss tips on writing different pieces of your story. This episode contains explicit language.

Connect with Gretchen: https://www.instagram.com/editorstet/

Purchase the “Travel & Adventure” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc23

Listen to another episode featuring Gretchen: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9d56eeba-ece9-44bf-87df-0a7caa7d48e1

If you liked this episode, you might like “Quebec Beckons” with Anita Saesing: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/20800b87-9c19-4a15-b7b3-20e06504c695

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 “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

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

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Direct episode link: Episode URL for Captivate:

Miranda Gonzales was diagnosed at 39 with Stage III IDC. She now works and volunteers in the breast cancer arena. Miranda reads her essay “Going At It Not So Alone” from the 2019 “Social” issue of Wildfire Magazine. Miranda’s piece is about finding her people in Cancer Land. April and Miranda will talk about what it’s like for Miranda to read this essay she wrote 5 years ago, on being a long term survivor, finding peer support, and advice on taking small steps to make community connections. They will also discuss Miranda’s decision to stay working in Cancer Land.

Connect with Miranda: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8SeBDypbJn/?img_index=1

Purchase the “Social” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-social19

More on our MBC Life: https://www.ourmbclife.org/

If you liked this episode, you might also like:

“Cristina with Marissa Thomas” https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e18ce3bd-15ce-4d89-95fe-eed2c586869c

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 “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

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

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Mardi Kaplan was first diagnosed with breast cancer at 37. She is now living with Stage V MBC. In this episode, Mardi reads her essay “You Were There” from the 2023 “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue of Wildfire. Mardi’s piece is about friendship and the ones that go before us at each step of the cancer road, paving the way. April and Mardi talk about having conversations about death, living in joy while embracing mortality, the skewed perceptions of what illness may or may not look like, and friendship found in community. They will also discuss the choice of being private or public about cancer after a diagnosis. This episode contains explicit language.

Connect with Mardi:

https://www.instagram.com/mardi.gras12/

https://www.caringbridge.org/public/mardikaplan

Purchase the “MBC: Lessons Learned” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc23

If you liked this episode, you might like this one “My Cancer Jiminy Cricket with Stefanie Lejeunesse”: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c0e2274a-d77b-42cb-8cde-9177a40f5c8b

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 “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

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

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Nature lover Cheri Henderson lives along Lake Superior in Minnesota and was first diagnosed with breast cancer at 39. She in now living with Stage IV MBC. In this episode, Cheri reads her essay “Scan, Treat, Repeat” from the 2023 “New Normal” issue of Wildfire. Cheri’s piece is about living alongside cancer - but not letting it take over everything. April and Cheri talk about find your footing after a cancer diagnosis, holding both fear and joy while living with metastatic disease, finding community, and the dualities of early stage and late stage breast cancer. Cheri will share her writing process for her essay, and about the cycles of nature.

Connect with Cheri:

https://www.instagram.com/chender1/

https://www.facebook.com/cheri.henderson.31

Cheri’s resources mentioned:

Better Than Before Breast Cancer podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6O1n0AC2tuK5SaFFHCK13j?si=oHIG26JzRQWSNTbEQGjf-g&preview=coverart&nd=1&dlsi=7c2a806021c74794

More on Laura MacGregor: https://laramacgregor.com/

Purchase the “New Normal” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc23

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 “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

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

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

If you liked this episode, you might like this one too:

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

Jaclyn Chung of San Diego is a licensed marriage & family therapist who was diagnosed at 33 with breast cancer and the BRCA2 gene. In this episode, Jaclyn reads her essay “The Aftermath: Facing Lymphedema” from the 2021 “Grief & Acceptance” issue of Wildfire. Jaclyn’s piece is about dealing with the effects of lymphedema resulting from cancer treatment. April and Jaclyn will talk about the evolving stages of acceptance and grief, update on Jaclyn’s lymphedema journey, lymphedema and pregnancy, and holding both reality and hope at the same time. They will also discuss what Jaclyn’s biggest challenge has been in her survivorship currently, and what role writing plays in her survivorship today.

Connect with Jaclyn:

https://www.jaclynchung.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sumnercatherine/

Purchase the “Grief & Acceptance” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc23

If you liked this episode, you might like this one too:

Writing Stories in Lymphedema with Desi Maldonado

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0cc3a053-d550-4ed1-97ea-b0f4d687c3f4

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 “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

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

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

In 2010 Catherine Sumner was working as a federal lobbyist when she was diagnosed at 31 with Stage III breast cancer. She is a New Orleans native, now residing in the Bay Area with her law enforcement wife. In this episode, Catherine reads her essay “Strange Bedfellows” from the 2024 “Queer In Cancerland” issue of Wildfire. Catherine’s piece is a love story about how cancer affects our relationships. April and Catherine will talk about long-term survivorship and Catherine’s approach to living the life she wants. Catherine will share what it was like to go through her breast cancer diagnosis that was later followed by her wife’s own diagnosis as well. April and Catherine will dive into the benefits and challenges of navigating cancer as a queer person, and the importance of connecting with community when newly diagnosed. This episode contains explicit language

Connect with Catherine:

https://www.instagram.com/sumnercatherine/

csumner78 @yahoo

Purchase the “Queer In Cancerland” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mbc23

Purchase the 2019 “Love & Intimacy” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-love19

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 “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter

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

Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop

*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

More about Wildfire Magazine:

https://www.wildfirecommunity.org

https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/

https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity

Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions