CROC Podcast | For Cancer Survivors

The Whisper Before the Scream S6 episode 225 A survivor’s story becomes a lesson in humility when Dr. E reflects on a patient who challenged his assumptions and changed the way he practices medicine. In The Whisper Before the Scream, the CROC Podcast explores bias, compassion fatigue, and the quiet strength of a survivor whose voice was heard just in time.    

"Hey everyone, this is Angel from the CROC Podcast — Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer. This week we’re being preempted… but we didn’t want to leave you without something meaningful. So today we’re taking you back to a powerful conversation from Season 3, Episode 146 — Making Your Own Decisions: A Tricky Business for Survivor-Thrivers. Because the moment the word cancer is spoken… suddenly everyone becomes an expert. Everyone has advice. Everyone has opinions. But how do you keep your voice, your autonomy, and your peace without starting a civil war with the people trying to support you? Join Dr. E and me as we talk about finding that balance. That’s today’s CROC Podcast Throwback, and we’ll see you Wednesday with a brand-new episode."

When the room goes quiet and a patient looks you in the eye and asks, "What would you do if you were me?" this episode pulls that single, weighty question apart—frame by frame—so you can feel what it truly means to decide under pressure. Dr. E and co-host Angel Santana guide listeners through a five-part journey—the gray zone, inversion, isolation, intersection, and clay feet—using real cases and plain talk to turn clinical data into decisions that match who you are. This is a podcast about shared responsibility, not surrender; about walking beside survivors instead of walking for them. Tune in to be reassured, to learn how to ask better questions, and to find the courage to make choices that protect both your future and your essence. You won’t be alone on this walk.

due to weather conditions, we will be airing an all-new episode this Tuesday at 9am Et. 

Integrating Behavioral Health Into Oncology Treatment Plans  On a gray bridge, a patient named Kelly nearly plunges into darkness—his crisis invisible to scans, yet as urgent as any surgical emergency. In this episode, Dr. Tom Eanelli and co-host Angel Santana sit with Dr. Cara Bohan to trace the divide between lifesaving oncology care and the mental health support that too often gets left behind. Through raw stories and clear-eyed science, Dr. Cara Bohan reveals how Protocol Behavioral Health is stitching mental health into the cancer treatment protocol—screening early, checking in during chemo, bolstering caregivers, and stabilizing patients when they spiral. You’ll hear how small acts of care, deep breaths, and coordinated teams can mean the difference between despair and survival. This is a hopeful, urgent narrative for survivors, families, and clinicians: when we treat body and mind together, we save more than lives—we restore dignity. Listen for practical steps, moving patient stories, and a roadmap toward a future where no survivor falls through the canyon of care.     A Proven, Collaborative Approach to Behavioral Health Improve your patients’ lives and treatment adherence with clinically proven behavioral health interventions. Over 50% of cancer patients experience psychiatric distress, leading to unnecessary ED visits and worse health outcomes. Protocol's evidence-based interventions enhance quality of life, build resilience, and reduce care disruptions caused by behavioral health challenges.   Website: Oncology-Focused Behavioral Health | Protocol contact@protocolcares.com

Confessions: The Survivor/Thriver Is Never Wrong (Even if They Are Wrong) This week Dr. E goes back to his "Confessions" series reviewing an exchange between Doctor and Patient that could have been handled much better. Please join us. CROC gratitude shout outs Angel Santana - https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/have-faith-let-it-begin--3015374 Rod Freeman - https://www.SmallBizUp.com Charlotte Larsen - http://www.charlottelarsen.net/ Michael Benzaia - https://www.michaeljohnbenzaia.com/ http://www.crocvip.com/ https://twitter.com/CrocVip https://www.facebook.com/CROCVIP http://www.crocvip.com/ @Spotify @IHeartRadio @Spreaker @Soundcloud @Tumblr @Youtube #facebook, #tiktok, #podcast, #Podcasting, #Podcast

REWIND / REPLAY EPISODE Integrating Behavioral Health Into Oncology Treatment Plans  On a gray bridge, a patient named Kelly nearly plunges into darkness—his crisis invisible to scans, yet as urgent as any surgical emergency. In this episode, Dr. Tom Eanelli and co-host Angel Santana sit with Dr. Cara Bohan to trace the divide between lifesaving oncology care and the mental health support that too often gets left behind. Through raw stories and clear-eyed science, Dr. Cara Bohan reveals how Protocol Behavioral Health is stitching mental health into the cancer treatment protocol—screening early, checking in during chemo, bolstering caregivers, and stabilizing patients when they spiral. You’ll hear how small acts of care, deep breaths, and coordinated teams can mean the difference between despair and survival. This is a hopeful, urgent narrative for survivors, families, and clinicians: when we treat body and mind together, we save more than lives—we restore dignity. Listen for practical steps, moving patient stories, and a roadmap toward a future where no survivor falls through the canyon of care.     A Proven, Collaborative Approach to Behavioral Health Improve your patients’ lives and treatment adherence with clinically proven behavioral health interventions. Over 50% of cancer patients experience psychiatric distress, leading to unnecessary ED visits and worse health outcomes. Protocol's evidence-based interventions enhance quality of life, build resilience, and reduce care disruptions caused by behavioral health challenges.   Website: Oncology-Focused Behavioral Health | Protocol contact@protocolcares.com

Welcome to a special Rewind Episode of Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer—The CROC Podcast. Today we’re revisiting Season 4, Episode 173, titled New Shoes. Inspired by the iconic 1946 Life Magazine photo of a young post-war orphan holding a pair of new shoes with overwhelming gratitude, Dr. E takes Angel and the CROC Nation on a powerful journey—sharing a cancer staff member’s act of selflessness that reminds us all to recognize our blessings, even in life’s hardest moments. This episode is about compassion, perspective, and the quiet miracles that restore hope. We hope this rewind touches your heart—and don’t worry, we’ll be back next week with an all-new episode featuring a brand-new guest. Thank you for listening… and let’s rewind.

On the eve of a two-foot snowstorm, Dr. E and co-host Angel Santana pull back the curtain on a quiet enemy—Seasonal Affective Disorder—and how it layers on fear, fatigue, and isolation for cancer survivors. Through honest, patient-centered storytelling they trace the slow creep of darkness from the commute to the dinner table and how it magnifies trauma for newly diagnosed, actively treated, and post-treatment survivors. Then, with the chill biting and the world in grey, a turning point: Dr. E’s hike up Bear Mountain becomes a metaphor for recovery—one deliberate step, one breath, one ray of light at a time. Practical anchors emerge naturally from the narrative: light therapy, gentle movement, daily routines, and social lifelines that transform paralysis into purpose. The episode closes with a gentle spiritual benediction—grace for the hard days, permission to move at your pace, and a fierce reminder that winter is temporary. This is a short, hopeful guide to carrying light into the dark and reclaiming survivorship as a continuing journey of courage and care.

Today we’re revisiting S4Ep147: Meeting Your Oncologist — What Should You Expect? Your first oncology appointment can feel like a first date—full of questions, nerves, and uncertainty. Angel and Dr. E will help you know what you deserve, what to ask, and what to do if you’re not being heard. Summary In this episode of the Croc Podcast, the hosts delve into the often-daunting experience of meeting an oncologist for the first time. They liken the initial consultation to a first date, filled with nerves and uncertainty, and emphasize the importance of understanding what patients deserve during this critical time. The discussion highlights the need for compassionate care, effective communication, and a supportive environment, urging listeners to advocate for themselves and not settle for less than they deserve in their healthcare experience. The hosts also introduce upcoming guests, including a cancer doula and a healthcare policy expert, promising insightful discussions in future episodes. Keywords oncologist appointment, cancer care, patient advocacy, healthcare experience, Croc Podcast Takeaways Your first oncology appointment can feel like a first date. You deserve more than just basic care; advocate for yourself. The environment of a healthcare facility significantly impacts patient experience. Compassionate communication is key in patient-doctor relationships. Don't settle for less; demand the care you deserve. Titles Navigating Your First Oncology Appointment: What You Deserve Meeting Your Oncologist: A Guide to Your First Consultation Sound bites "Your first visit with your oncologist is sort of like a first date." "You deserve a lot more than you actually think." "If you received everything that I said that you're deserving of, then the answer is yes." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Croc Podcast and Episode Overview 10:22 The First Oncology Appointment: Expectations and Desires 38:15 Empowerment and Advocacy in Cancer Care

In the bright, chaotic hum of an emergency room, Dr. E finds a patient named Charles more devastated by disconnection than disease—their phone is dead; their anchors are gone. What follows is a quiet, human moment: a rushed trip, a full charge, and a returned phone that lights up more than a screen. That single act becomes a lifeline. With the phone, Charles gathers his family, makes a final decision about care, and says goodbye. The episode traces this intimate arc—setup, tender action, and the powerful, lasting consequences of a small kindness. Through narrative, research, and reflection, hosts Dr. E and Angel Santana explore how tiny gestures restore dignity, shift culture, and ripple through healthcare. Listen to a story that proves compassion doesn’t need grand gestures—just presence, connection, and a willingness to be human.

New Year’s Resolutions Revisited REWIND EPISODE As we take a brief pause for the holiday weekend, we’re bringing back an important conversation that many of us need to hear—especially at the start of a new year. Every January, as the ball drops in Times Square, millions of people make promises to themselves to finally change everything at once. And just as often, those resolutions fade, leaving behind frustration, guilt, and added pressure. For our Survivor/Thrivers, that pressure can be overwhelming. In this Rewind Episode, Angel and Dr. E revisit the idea of New Year’s resolutions through a healthier, more compassionate lens. Over the next two weeks, they share practical guidance on how to set realistic, meaningful goals—resolutions that are durable, achievable, and rooted in grace rather than stress.

REWIND Episode Happy New Year Everyone! all new Episode NEXT WEEK  Angels Of Mercy Part 1 Everyone involved in healthcare, whether from the Caretakers or Caregivers prospective, knows the value and irreplaceable necessity of great nursing care. But what rarely gets noticed are the innumerable acts of compassion that  happen everyday that go unseen and unnoticed; that is until today! Please join Angel and Dr E give credit to these healthcare superheroes!!!

S4Ep:181 Miracles of Faith: Mary's Unbeatable Journey Join Dr. E and Angel as they recount the extraordinary and inspiring journey of Mary a true survivor. This Christmas special episode delves into Mary's battles with two of the most daunting cancers, exploring themes of hope, courage, and miraculous endurance. Despite overwhelming odds and dire prognoses, Mary defies the grim expectations, embodying strength and faith. Reflect on the miracles of Christmas as Mary's story becomes a beacon of hope for all cancer Survivors, reminding us that while the battle against disease is tough, the human spirit is tougher. Embrace this heartfelt narrative, which celebrates resilience and the power of never losing faith, even in the face of life's toughest challenges.

Welcome to the Croc Podcast with Dr. E and Angel Santana. In this episode, they explain the SPIKES protocol for breaking bad news and introduce Dr. E’s approach of guarded optimism — balancing honest, clear medical communication with empathy and hope. The hosts offer practical tips for clinicians on creating safe spaces, assessing patients’ understanding and emotions, and delivering news in ways that support survivors and their communities.

Ep90: If One More Person Wishes Me A Merry Christmas, I'm Going to Scream!!!! The Holiday Season is supposed to be filled with joy and love and hope; a time of togetherness with family and friends; a time for new beginnings and new resolutions. But what if you not only feel no joy, but actually feel depressed, hopeless, and alone? Maybe you've just been diagnosed, or perhaps you're suffering the side effects of your treatments, or maybe you've been given bad news, or just maybe you've lost a loved one to cancer, and their absence at the holiday table is just too much to bear. Fear not brave friends, Angel and Dr E are here you to deliver some comfort.

In this Rewind episode of The Croc Podcast, Dr. E and Angel revisit conversations about physicians criticizing colleagues in front of patients and the growing lack of empathy and follow-through when survivor thrivers are referred to outside specialists. They share real cases, explain responsibilities for referring and specialist doctors, and offer five clear rules to improve care: always care, use redundant follow-up systems, choose trustworthy colleagues, advocate for yourself, and keep the primary care physician involved.

In this episode, Dr. Eanelli and co-host Angel Santana explore the damaging practice of physicians criticizing other physicians in front of patients. Using authentic clinic vignettes and research, they explain how such comments harm teamwork, increase patient confusion, distress, and even worsen outcomes. The hosts review four common scenarios, discuss why clinicians sometimes engage in this behavior, and offer clear solutions for patients and providers — including how patients can advocate for themselves and how clinicians can communicate professionally, empathetically, and through direct collegial contact.

Dr. E and co-host Angel Santana mark 26 years of grassroots cancer support of CROC Organization and 5 Years of The CROC PODCAST in a Thanksgiving special that centers on restoring humanity to healing. Through personal stories, the “black moleskin” practice, and reflections on survivorship, the episode explores why understanding the person behind the patient is essential for proper healing. This episode offers practical insight for practitioners and hopes for survivors—highlighting the podcast’s mission to honor, advocate for, and learn from those living with and beyond cancer.

Ep8: Defining Survivorship Module 6 - Cancer survivorship past, present, and future What better way to end this tremendously informative module on defining survivorship than with Dr. Charles Shapiro professor of medicine Mount Sinai medical center; one of the pioneers of cancer survivor advocacy and a legacy level clinician in breast cancer and translational medicine. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #TheCROCPodcast #BreastCancerAwareness #DrCharlesShapiro #BreastCancerSurvivor #CancerSurvivorship #BreastCancerResearch #CancerAdvocacy #CancerSupportCommunity #EarlyDetectionSavesLives #PinkRibbon #NotJustAPodcastAMovement #SurvivorsAndThrivers #HopeHealingCourage #FaithOverFear #StrongerTogether #TurningTragedyIntoTriumph #CROCFamily #WeAreCROC #SupportTheSurvivor #JoinTheMovement