Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  This episode features Tamira Jubber reading her essay “Linda: My Hero, My Tamoxifen Tester.”  Tamira is retired.  Diagnosed at 29.  IDC, Stage III, Triple Positive.  Colorado Springs, CO. 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_397514860More about Tamira: https://www.instagram.com/meandher2neu/Hear Tamira’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/cd54b590-654e-493b-ab39-3fdddcf76f2cGet the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/freehttps://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopTamira Jubber Show NotesRelease date: Jun 2, 2023Title: ITFW: Linda: My Hero, My Tamoxifen Tester with Tamira JubberEpisode: E04 (Burn E99)Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  This episode features Tamira Jubber reading her essay “Linda: My Hero, My Tamoxifen Tester.”  Tamira is retired.  Diagnosed at 29.  IDC, Stage III, Triple Positive.  Colorado Springs, CO. 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_397514860More about Tamira: https://www.instagram.com/meandher2neu/Hear Tamira’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn:

Meghan McCallum is a freelance writer and French to English translator living in Wisconsin.  She was diagnosed with Stage III Triple Negative breast cancer at 32. In this episode Meghan reads her essay “This Is Cancer” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Cancer Culture” issue.  Her piece is about the surrealness of suddenly finding yourself traveling in the weird world of breast cancer – and discovering that the trappings of a “regular” breast cancer experience doesn’t feel quite right.  April and Erin will discuss the power of vulnerable storytelling, the outlet sharing life’s difficulties provides to sustain one’s sense of self, and regulating yourself when sharing stories while standing in your truth.  They will also discuss the topic of performative breast cancer, and where writing is taking Meghan today. Meghan’s essay also appears in Wildfire’s book “Igniting the Fire Within.”  More about Meghan: https://www.instagram.com/thriverwriter/https://www.thriverwriter.com/Read another story written by Erin in the “Love & Intimacy” issue of Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/love23Buy 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_397514860Buy the “Cancer Culture” issue here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/printcc22Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  This episode features Denise Archer reading her essay “Dynamite for the Dinner Table.”  Denise is a sewist, writer, and part-time school bus driver. Diagnosed at 45. IDC, Stage IIB, Triple Negative.  Portland, OR. This episode contains explicit language.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_397514860More about Denise: https://www.instagram.com/h.o.m.u.n.c.u.l.u.s/Hear Denise’s stories followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/77ec508a-de6d-47cd-ac05-858e1ea34525https://player.captivate.fm/episode/18c7e32b-7574-42ed-a7ea-804710a39abfGet the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free 

This week we are sharing a favorite episode from the archives as we take a break from our regular podcast schedule for the Memorial Day holiday. Wildfire team member Angela Firman selected this episode from April 2022 to re-share. Enjoy!This episode’s guest Erin Weiss returns to The Burn again to read her essay “A Guest Room for MBC” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “MBC: Stage IV Survivorship” issue.  Erin is a mom and psychotherapist who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer following her very first mammogram at 42.  She’s been living with breast cancer since August 2019.  Her piece is about making space for metastatic breast cancer in her life and establishing boundaries for its coexistence. Erin found a way to contain this diagnosis in her life so she can live her life.  April and Erin will discuss the therapeutic writing technique of anthropomorphization, anticipatory grief, and what it’s like moving into a new house with metastatic breast cancer in the back of your mind. Erin’s essay also appears in Wildfire’s book “Igniting the Fire Within.” Please note, this episode contains explicit language. More about Erin: https://www.instagram.com/emweiss/Listen to another episode of The Burn featuring Erin: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0facf0f6-8529-4634-bd65-5bed0ce76546Buy 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_397514860Buy issues of Wildfire centered on MBC lives here:https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-mbc21https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/mbc22https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-mbc2020https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-mbc2019https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/mbc2017Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  This episode features Stephanie Kinkel reading her essay “Permanent.”  Stephanie is a middle school academic dean.  Diagnosed at 39. Stage I, IDC, Triple Positive, DCIS, ATM+.  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_397514860More about Stephanie: https://www.instagram.com/skinkelstudios/Hear Stephanie’s story followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b7d01912-1bd1-47c4-9f2a-2c547ed328b9Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Tara Dunsmore Williamson of North Carolina was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago.  She was one of the earliest breast cancer changemakers featured in Wildfire. April wrote a piece spotlighting Tara’s work in the breast cancer community called “Rising From the Ashes: Healing Ink” from the very first “Body” issue of Wildfire Magazine in 2017.  In this episode April will read her essay, and Tara will read an update about her work as a nipple and areola tattoo artist.  April and Tara will discuss the decision to stay in Cancerland through career choice, how Tara came to do this type of work, and dealing with loss in the cancer community.  April and Tara will take a deeper dive on why getting a Pink Ink tattoo is a different and healing experience.  More about Tara: https://pinkinktattoo.com/https://www.instagram.com/pink_ink_tattoo/https://twitter.com/pinkinktattoo1https://www.facebook.com/PinkInkTattooLLC/Hear more episodes about breast cancer survivors finding their place within the breast cancer community: 10 Years Learning to Love a New Body with Dana Donofree https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8fd6bcec-e7a4-4137-b280-ff60c02cde5eWhere Do You Go When You Don’t Belong Anywhere? with Laurie Ratliffhttps://player.captivate.fm/episode/0b9b88ee-02ee-4a40-9ee0-c5510e986ea0Read the “Changemakers” issue of Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-cm21Buy 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_397514860Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  This episode features Ann Camden reading her essay “Riding Shotgun.”  Ann is a former communications executive turned advocate.  Diagnosed at 38. Stage III, then diagnosed again at 45.  Stage IV.  ER+, PR+.  Raleigh, NC. 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_397514860More about Ann: https://www.instagram.com/anncamdennc/Hear Ann’s stories followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5ce9e575-0744-4515-95e3-14050ca66d8fhttps://player.captivate.fm/episode/255cf7db-e5f7-4811-a47d-d59c6af81c3bGet the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burnRipped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  This episode features Ann Camden reading her essay “Riding Shotgun.”  Ann is a former communications executive turned advocate.  Diagnosed at 38. Stage III, then diagnosed again at 45.  Stage IV.  ER+, PR+.  Raleigh, NC. 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_397514860More about Ann: https://www.instagram.com/anncamdennc/Hear Ann’s stories followed by a conversation with April Stearns on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5ce9e575-0744-4515-95e3-14050ca66d8f

This episode's guest is Wildfire’s own Angela Firman.  She helps edit each issue of the magazine.  Angela was diagnosed initially at 33 with Stage III hormone-positive breast cancer and she is now living with Stage IV metastatic disease. Angela is an avid reader, a closet-cross-stitcher, and a fervent writer. In addition to working at Wildfire Magazine, Angela is an Associate Editor for Yellow Arrow Publishing, and her nonfiction writing has been published in Open Minds Quarterly, You Might Need To Hear This, and Press Pause. Angela reads her piece “Looking Beyond the Veil” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “Grief & Acceptance” issue. Her essay is about seeing the world through a new lens after a cancer diagnosis.  April and Angela will discuss Angela’s cancer recurrence, how cancer can be part of your identity working within the community, and finding hope and transformation in the sharing of both metastatic and early-stage breast cancer stories.  They will also discuss tips on writing memoir. More about Angela: https://www.instagram.com/angelafirman11/More about this episode’s sponsor, Infinite Strength: https://www.infinitestrength.org/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_397514860Purchase a copy of the “Grief & Acceptance” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-grief-and-acceptanceRead more of Angela’s Wildfire essays: “The Elephant” in the “Identity & Aftermath” issue https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-identity20“Tuesdays with Melody by The Refiners” in the “MBC: Stage IV Survivorship” issue https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-mbc21“Good at Waiting Rooms” in the “Social” issue https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-social-2019Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Ripped from the pages of the popular Wildfire Magazine anthology, “Igniting the Fire Within,” we’ve curated this special mini podcast for you.  Each Friday, hear a new bite-sized episode. Featuring “just the stories” from the book read by the authors. Think of this as your dynamic audiobook version of Igniting the Fire Within. Enjoy!  This episode features the essay “Ocean” by Leslie Rayment read posthumously by April Stearns.  Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33. While Leslie was weaning her daughter from breastfeeding, she realized the lump she had long dismissed as a clogged milk duct could be something else and that she should have it looked at. Initially and briefly diagnosed as Stage II IDC, an MRI quickly confirmed the disease had already spread to her liver before she started any therapy. Leslie enjoyed a career as a registered dietitian with a passion for seniors' health and nutrition prior to her diagnosis. She lived in Edmonton AB with her husband Cody, son Elliot, and daughter Alicia.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_397514860Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Californian Dana Roske is a part-time winery wench, single mother to two girls, and an aspiring writer. She was diagnosed at 34 with not only breast cancer, but also a rare sarcoma called a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST).  Today, Dana reads her piece “Remember Who The F! You Are” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Identity & Aftermath” issue. Her essay is all about navigating sex and intimacy with a changed body after cancer. April and Dana will talk about what it was like for Dana to write an intimate story about sex after cancer and divorce, living in her skin again and feeling at home in her body while being an example to her daughters, and bad-bitch-hot-girl energy.  They will also discuss Dana’s experience writing in a Wildfire group workshop setting.  This episode contains explicit language and sexual content.More about Dana: https://www.instagram.com/ariela.and.june/More about this episode’s sponsor, “Life Reconstructed” author Kim Harms: https://kimharms.netPurchase a copy of the “Identity & Aftermath” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/identity22If you enjoyed this episode of The Burn, you might also like “Dating After a Mastectomy” with Juni Bucher:https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2f68419c-85ec-4ce0-8a11-3d9b903f431aBuy 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_397514860Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

This week in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, we have selected this episode from March of 2022 to re-share.  It features Melanie Childers sharing her story and feelings around her cancer-induced loss of fertility.  Certified resilience and leadership coach Melanie Childers was diagnosed at 34 with Stage II, hormone-positive breast cancer.  Today, Melanie reads her piece “No” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2018 “(In)fertility” issue. A decade ago, cancer made Melanie’s fertility choices final. A cancer diagnosis that affects reproductive organs that comes well after menopause is not going to land the same way the same diagnosis will decades prior.  It is heartbreaking, maddening, painful in a way that is hard to articulate.  Melanie wrote her piece 4 years ago, and today has the retrospect of 10 years to share her reflections.  April and Melanie will talk about what processing and grief looks like now and how cancer clarifies life’s path.  They’ll also discuss how writing is a powerful way to process wounds, and allows for a way to revisit previous versions of ourselves when we read our written words later in time.  Melanie’s piece is included in Wildfire’s upcoming book “Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor.”  This episode contains explicit language.More about Melanie and The Bad Bitch Entrepreneur podcast: https://www.melaniechilders.comhttps://www.instagram.com/the_underbelly/More about this episode’s sponsor, “Life Reconstructed” author Kim Harms: https://kimharms.netPurchase a copy of the “(In)Fertility” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-infertilityIda Sukrungruang’s essay: https://brevitymag.com/issues/issue-49-may-2015-gender/after-the-hysterectomy/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_397514860Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Anne Ferrier Crook was diagnosed at 48 with Stage I hormone-positive breast cancer. A few years later, cancer came again in the form of Stage Ib melanoma. Anne has worked in many facets of healthcare doing what she calls “holding space for life’s sacred thresholds.” She is a certified integrative health coach, medical interpreter, birth doula, consultant with the Institute for The Study of Birth, Breath, and Death, and a co-founder of The Breast Connection: Prevention & Healing Community.  In this episode, Anne reads her essay “Surviving to Thriving After Breast Cancer” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Identity & Aftermath” issue.  It is a piece about the influence of one woman’s mind on her body following two cancer diagnoses. April and Anne will discuss addressing our inner child with love and kindness to heal, finding opportunities to learn and grow after a cancer diagnosis, and how cancer prompts us to make shifts to slow down and find balance.  They will also discuss how Anne uses writing to get in touch with her inner voice to access her inner healer.More about Anne: https://integrativeradiance.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-ferrier-crook-471a382bMore about this episode’s sponsor Foobs & Fitness: https://foobsandfitness.com/Purchase a copy of the “Identity & Aftermath” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-identity20Buy 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_397514860More about Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org.Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Canadian Kim Angell is a human resources consultant and patient advocate.  Kim was initially diagnosed with Stage IIb, hormone positive lobular breast cancer at 34. At 38, her cancer returned. Kim is now living with Stage IV metastatic triple negative breast cancer. Kim has a passion for advocacy work and has contributed to various breast cancer campaigns over the years.  In this episode, Kim reads her essay “Inviting Conversations About Death” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Legacy Stories” issue.  It is a thoughtful piece about facing mortality and having hard conversations about death.  April and Kim will discuss the need to talk about death to accommodate logistics, relieving fear and expressing wants.  They’ll touch on finding joyful times while living with terminal breast cancer, the curiosity surrounding death, and the importance of modeling and normalizing talking about mortality.  Kim will also share what writing means to her when it comes to expressing and processing her thoughts to communicate with others.  More about Kim: https://www.instagram.com/kangell82/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100042887298776https://smilethroughthefog.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwAR0if1plpYJ7S-171fIef6I3_XsrltHSKwD5YSsoDBsTEg5yIYGBfZ57ZFI/More about this episode’s sponsor, Bright Spot Network: https://www.brightspotnetwork.org/Purchase a copy of the “Legacy Stories” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-identity20Buy 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_397514860More about Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org.Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

We are taking this week off to enjoy spring break with our loved ones, so we’ve dug through our archives to select a favorite episode from March 2022 to re-share.   We know you’ll enjoy this episode as much as we do! Erin Stodola was 28 when she was diagnosed with Stage I Triple Negative breast cancer.  She carries the BRCA1 gene.  Today, Erin reads her piece “The Moments Between” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2020 “Identity & Aftermath” issue.  Erin never gave her breasts much thought or considered them as part of her identity - until she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Then she thought about them a lot in their natural, reconstructed and absent forms and found a new identity along the way in between each version of her chest.  Erin completed a Masters of Museum Studies program that focused on feminism and anti-colonial curation.  April asks Erin what role, if any, her cancer plays in her museum work when thinking about breasts, identity, beauty standards, and the role of representation in art, academia and popular culture.  Erin’s piece is included in Wildfire’s upcoming book “Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor.”More about Erin: https://www.instagram.com/erinstodola/More about this episode’s sponsor, “Life Reconstructed” author Kim Harms: https://kimharms.netPurchase a copy of the “Identity & Aftermath” issue: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-identity20Buy 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_397514860More about Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org.Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

Beth Gainer is an author who is an educator, as well as a professional writer and editor. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39, and is now 22 years out from her diagnosis. In this episode she reads her piece “First Comes Cancer Then Comes Divorce” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2016 “Love & Intimacy” issue.  Beth’s essay is about how cancer affected her marriage.  April and Beth will talk about writing from a scar vs. a wound, Beth’s cancer induced infertility and subsequent adoption, and Beth gives advice and hope for those whose partners don’t show up for them when cancer comes.  April and Beth will also discuss the complicated feelings of wanting to move on from the cancer community.More about Beth: bethlgainer@gmail.comFor another episode about cancer and marriage listen to Jenny Collin’s episode “What a Pen Name Can Unlock”: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2e9011c7-6c09-48f1-b712-9c8f10cea72dGet the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burnBuy 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

Gretchen Stelter is a freelance book editor & writer from Madison, Wisconsin.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer at 39.  She has volunteered with Girls, Inc. for nine years and co-chaired the Safety & Security Committee for ThrillerFest, which is a conference for thriller writers.  In this episode, Gretchen reads her piece “Let Me Hear Your Body Talk” from the Wildfire book, “Igniting the Fire Within” and which was originally published in our 2022 “Cancer Culture” issue.  Gretchen’s essay is about the ways we share our body by choice - or not.  April and Gretchen will discuss the ways our bodies are objectified sexually and medically, reconciling receiving unwanted body attention pre-cancer to becoming invisible sometimes after a cancer diagnosis, and the loneliness that can come with breast cancer both inside and outside the cancer community.  They will also talk about choosing when to step out of the cancer closet and the possibility of when sharing can backfire.  More about Gretchen: https://twitter.com/editorStethttps://www.instagram.com/editorstet/https://www.facebook.com/GretchenSWriterEditor/https://www.gretchenstelter.com/Purchase a copy of the “Cancer Culture” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/printcc22Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burnBuy 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

This week in honor of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Awareness Month, we have selected this episode from February 2022 to re-share.  It features Whitney O’Connor who discovered her link to Li-Fraumeni Syndrome when diagnosed with breast cancer.   Li-Fraumeni Syndrome is just one of the many genetic mutations that can lead to a breast cancer diagnosis.  Whitney was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called the Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice – the first time at 30 and then again at 32.  While her diagnosis of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome provided the hint to a cancer mystery, it also gave Whitney a built-in support system because the gene ran in her family. In this episode, Whitney reads from her piece “The Cancer Gene” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2021 “Family” issue.  Her essay is included in the Wildfire book “Igniting the Fire Within.”More about Whitney: https://www.instagram.com/boobiequeenchronicles/More about Li-Fraumeni Syndrome: https://www.lfsassociation.org/what-is-lfs/More about The Boobie Queen Company: https://www.boobiecrowns.com and  https://www.facebook.com/boobiequeenchroniclesPurchase a digital copy of the “Family” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-download-family2020Buy 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_397514860More about Wildfire: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org.Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burn

April Renn is a student, and an eccentric mother of one.  She was diagnosed at 36 with Stage II breast cancer and carries the PALB2 gene.  April is a long-term survivor being 5+ years out from diagnosis.  In this episode she reads her piece “From Mom I Got Strength, Led Zeppelin and PALB2” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2019 “Genetics” issue.  April’s essay is about being sandwiched between her mother and her young daughter, with breast cancer swirling all around. April and April Renn will talk about long-term survivorship topics: not being currently active in the breast cancer community, long-term side effects of treatment, and feeling freedom in really seeing yourself when accepting and facing mortality.  They will also discuss raising and teaching daughters about breast health and genetic predispositions.  April Renn shares about a novel she is working on and how the free Wildfire journal she downloaded helped her to return to writing.  Her essay is included in the Wildfire book “Igniting the Fire Within.”Purchase a digital copy of the “Genetics” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/digital-genetics19Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burnBuy 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 

Jamil Rivers is a powerhouse.  Diagnosed at 39 with Stage IV de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC), she is a CEO, devoted mama, wife and passionate advocate.  Since diagnosis, Jamil has become an advocate using her cancer experiences to advance legislative policy, medical research and customize support to better meet the needs of individuals impacted by breast cancer, particularly metastatic and African-American patients. She launched The Chrysalis Initiative which provides mentoring, resource navigation, and outreach for African-American women.  In this episode Jamil reads her essay “Fighting for Equality in an Unequal Society” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Legacy Stories” issue.  Her essay is about using one’s story to advocate for deep change within a system that has been broken and biased for a long time.  April and Jamil will discuss the meaning behind The Chrysalis Initiative name, how cancer revealed Jamil as a leader to help others, and creating an equitable healthcare space in a landscape of discrimination and substandard support.  Jamil gives advice for others living with MBC that want to start new projects, and talks about when she knew her advocacy work was impacting lives.More about Jamil: https://www.instagram.com/truejamilkali/More on The Chrysalis Initiative:1 (800) 929-4979https://thechrysalisinitiative.org/https://www.instagram.com/chrysalisinitiative/https://www.facebook.com/chrysalisinitiative/https://twitter.com/chrysalisinithttps://www.linkedin.com/company/chrysalis-initiativehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs-NCZTCIXspPb3Q44XFzxQMore about BC Navi: https://www.bcnavi.com/s/National Comprehensive Cancer Network: https://www.nccn.org/business-policy/business/academyPurchase a print or digital copy of the “Legacy Stories” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/mbc22Get the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burnBuy the Wildfire book “Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young...

Stephanie is a retired hair stylist, writer, and advocate for AdvancedBreastCancer.net. Stephanie was diagnosed stage IIIa at 25, and then stage IV at 31. In this episode Stephanie reads their essay “My Life and Being Wrong” from Wildfire Magazine’s 2022 “Legacy Stories” issue.  Stephanie’s unusual cancer story is about a very unexpected pregnancy.  Stephanie and April will discuss the importance of using your story for advocacy, reasons for being private with your cancer story, and being an example to our children when it comes to cancer.  They will also talk about Stephanie’s future plans to write a book with helpful tips on how to get started. More about Stephanie: https://www.instagram.com/_the_radiatedlizard/Purchase a print or digital copy of the “Legacy Stories” issue of Wildfire Magazine: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/mbc22More breast cancer stories from LBGTQIA2S+ community members: “Slowing Down to Write One Moment with Dawn Amodeo” https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a082c76d-bd6e-4345-adc5-2b3ac29af98fGet the free Wildfire email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.orgLearn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshopsShop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shopSend your voice recording testimonial to editor@wildfirecommunity.org*Free* The Burn Writing Companion: Guided Prompt Journal (Vol. 1): https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/the-burnBuy 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_397514860Other resources mentioned in this episode:Bright Spot Network https://www.brightspotnetwork.org/Mighty and Bright https://mightyandbright.com/Camp Kesem https://www.kesem.org/AdvancedBreastCancer.net https://advancedbreastcancer.net/