The Many Faces of Cancer

Today's guest is Tim McDonald, author, healthcare advocate, speaker, and community builder who turned his stage IV colorectal cancer diagnosis into a mission for change. He was also the first metastatic colorectal cancer patient to receive a transplant from an altruistic donor, rather than a directed donor. Tim uses storytelling and advocacy to raise awareness and drive impact through his podcast Advocacy at Work, and his bran...

Today's guest is Dale Atkinson, UK entrepreneur and stage IV esophageal cancer patient who refused to accept a palliative only health plan. Diagnosed on his son's first birthday, Dale dove into research and built his own evidence-based integrative strategy, combining standard treatment with complementary therapies and targeted off-label medications. His tumor and metastases have disappeared, leaving only a small amount of...

Today's guest is Rosemary Carrera, breast cancer survivor who turned her personal journey into a mission to help others. In 2019 she founded 305 Pink Pack, a non-profit that removes the everyday barriers people face during cancer treatment by providing support such as transportation, childcare and grocery assistance. Rosemary is also a powerful advocate for equitable cancer care and access within the Hispanic community.

We talk...

Today's guest is Josh Vintner-Jackson, diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at only age 29 and living with stage 4 since 2023. Diagnosed during COVID, living in Texas, he went through chemo in complete isolation. That experience of profound loneliness drove him to create Chat Cancer, a community for young adults navigating cancer. His philosophy for life: you can't control the storm, but you can control how you navigate it...

Todays' guest is Mark Morningstar, a man with a passion for music. He's done it all, from school marching bands to Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps, to drumming in a rock band, to teaching music to high schoolers. He's also a liver cancer survivor, due to the miracle of the living liver donor program. The liver is the one organ that can regenerate and can, therefore, be donated by someone still living. Truly a miracle ...

Today's guest is Shaun Barnard, described by friends and family as a man of endless ideas and blue-sky thinking. Shaun channelled his great passion for traveling into founding In My Wildest, a UK charity created in memory of his mum, who died from breast cancer. This charity helps people living with cancer fund travel insurance, which is oftentimes very expensive, so they can keep exploring the world, making memories, and livi...

Today's guest is Tommy Holl, also known as "The Real Elf", a beloved entertainment and experiential brand dedicated to spreading joy, wonder and connection during the holidays and beyond. His mission became even clearer after surviving epithelioid sarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer that mostly affects young adults. According to Tommy, life is short, joy matters and magic should be shared generously.

We talk about The ...

Today's guest is Tony Collier BEM, who has been living with advanced stage prostate cancer since 2017. He is an avid runner, prostate cancer advocate and awareness speaker, and an encourager of those living with and beyond cancer to exercise for continued health. He was also awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019 for his work in the re-generation of his home town and his charity fundraising.

We talk about the importance of ex...

Today's guest is Brian Finley, former middle and high school science teacher, son of a Marine Corps aviator and diplomat, and cholangiocarcinoma survivor. Given 3-6 months to live at diagnosis in 2023, Brian is currently NED, defying the odds. He attributes his health to the use of both traditional and complementary methods, both of which he uses today. Brian also serves as a mentor for other cancer patients through the Cholan...

Today's guest is Sally Orange MBE, former British Army Major and physiotherapist turned fruit dressing adventure athlete, mental health campaigner and charity fundraiser. Diagnosed in 2025 with breast cancer, she has faced her experience with hope, moving forward openly and unapologetically.

Sally has completed over 85 marathons, including The London Marathon and the Everest Marathon, both between diagnosis and surgery!! She ha...

Today's guest is Jonathan Gegerson, author, speaker, and advocate for those diagnosed with cancer. Jonathan was diagnosed in 2019 with very rare salivary duct carcinoma and has endured over 200 chemo cycles, 67 radiation sessions and 7 major surgeries over the past 6 years. His goal is to inspire others to be thankful for what they have, help them embrace the suffering and turn it into victory. He recently published Perspectiv...

I wanted to take this first episode of 2026 to reflect on the last 104 episodes over the past almost 2 years of the show. There have been some amazing conversations and incredible humans that I've had the absolute pleasure of chatting with. I'm sharing some of the highlights and great things so many of my guests have accomplished, all during or after a cancer diagnosis. 

I hope you enjoy this look back and remember with me...

Today's guest is Nathalie Latham, photographer and film maker, based in Paris, until her life altering diagnosis of Stage 3 cervical cancer at age 39. During her therapy, she was stuck in bed for 7 days and nights and needed activity to focus her mind, so she began drawing. As she recovered, she kept drawing to remind herself that she was alive. These drawings are now part of her visual memoir I AM ALIVE: Creating Resilience a...

Today's guest is Amanda Gunville, visionary executive, investor and author of the book Finding Hope & Joy in Cancer. She's also a survivor of triple positive breast cancer largely due to her own self-advocacy and not taking "no" for an answer. Being a mom of a young toddler, Amanda learned to face her diagnosis with grace, joy, and determination to live, along with a good dose of humor.

We talk about fighting...

Today's guest is Tessa Parry-Wingfield, global communications consultant, public speaker, and survivor of ocular melanoma, a very rare form of eye cancer that affects about 6 people per million annually. She has found purpose in her adversity and ironically "sees life clearly" despite her vision issues.

We talk about learning to live with a prosthetic eye and monocular vision, the challenges of rare cancers, eye and v...

Today's guest is Shannon Griffin, owner of 4Humanitees, a purpose driven T-shirt company dedicated to empowerment and awareness, founder of Survive and Thrive, a non profit for cancer survivors and their families, and a triple negative breast cancer survivor.

Shannon brings her over 30 years of social work to helping socioeconomically impacted families, striving to break cycles of marginalization and systemic inequity through s...

Today's guest is Erin Cummings, co-founder and executive director of Hodgkin's International, a non-profit dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for long-term survivors of Hodgkin's Lymphoma Worldwide. She herself is an over 50 year survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Erin believes that survivorship is not the end of the cancer journey, but a lifelong chapter that deserves understanding, resources and h...

Today's guest is Pearl Carter, 87 years old and has experienced 7 cancers since first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. She comes from a long family history of cancer - 6 of her 8 siblings have had cancer, along with other relatives. She has used her experience to help others. She has been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society since 1991.

We talk about when cancer runs in the family, all the different treatments she&...

Today's guest is Diane Sidden, corporate executive, wife and mother, and breast cancer survivor. One day she heard a little voice tell her to check her breasts, and her journey began.

We talk about faith, paying attention to signs and that little voice, navigating the ups and downs, the importance of personal treatment decisions, and so much more.

We all have a story to share, whether we share it along the way, as it's happ...