Episodes

In this episode, Matthew Zachary, Elura Nanos, and guest Amanda Ferraro discuss what they are thankful for, what they’ll be eating on Thanksgiving day, and how to avoid contracting COVID-19. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amanda Ferraro is the Iron Woman of cancer survivorship. She’s endured a WTF whirlwind — double pneumonia, seven brain surgeries to treat a cyst on her cerebellum, hydrocephalus, appendicitis, acute myeloid leukemia, and various complications related to those illnesses. But Amanda lived to tell the tale. She started a blog called Cancer is an Asshole, which she expanded into a podcast. Amanda continues to share her story, advocates for patients and runs a nonprofit, all while fighting chronic health problems and being a mom. And for information on us, visit https://OffScrip.com and follow @MatthewZachary, @VaxOnPod, and @OffScripHealth on Twitter. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Vax On, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos discuss an unexpected Twitter feud about the COVID-19 vaccine. They also discuss scientific evidence that SARS-CoV-2 has been spreading explosively among our woodland friends across the United States. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today I talk to Melissa Boudreau, endometriosis advocate and the latest podcasting rockstar to join OffScrip Health. It took years of suffering the debilitating effects of endometriosis and a battery of unrelated tests before Melissa would finally get diagnosed with the disease. That’s because endometriosis isn’t talked about. Despite the fact that one in ten women have it, it takes an average of 7 to 10 years for most women to get diagnosed. Melissa is working to change that. She started the podcast "The Cycle" to get the conversation going and help endo patients share their stories. Listen to The Cycle. Endometriosis Podcast. And for information on us, visit https://OffScrip.com and follow @MatthewZachary, @VaxOnPod, and @OffScripHealth on Twitter. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For decades, the portrayal of cancer in movies and television was grim. If a character was diagnosed with cancer, it was a near certainty they'd be dead by the credits. But, like cancer treatment itself, Hollywood evolved, and many storylines about cancer became stories of survival. In this episode, we ask the question, "Who influences us and why?" From musicians to television stars, film producers to televised cancer screenings, when celebrities lend their voices to raising awareness and fundraising, that kind of star power can move mountains. Join us as we hear from voices such as actor Patrick Dempsey, StandUp2Cancer Co-Founders Katie Couric, Pam Williams, the late Laura Ziskin. Also appearing in this episode: Steven Hoffman (Professor of Global Health Law and Political Science at York University in Toronto, Canada,) Dr. Larissa Nekhlyudov (Director of Internal Medicine for Cancer Survivors at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute,) Kami Kosenko (Professor of Communication at North Caro…

In this episode of Vax On, Matthew Zachary and Andrew MacDowell discuss scientists' predictions on the COVID-19 pandemic. They also talk about the U.S. opening its borders for international travel and Sermo poll on an unexpected COVID-19 treatment.

Matthew Zachary talks with digital evangelist Ritesh Patel, Senior Partner, Global Digital Health at FINN Partners about the intersection of healthcare and digital strategy, tools, platforms, and ecosystems.

In this episode of Vax On, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos discuss the FDA’s authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children 5 through 11. They also discuss some of China’s aggressive tactics used to eliminate COVID-19 in the country.

Today I talk to Allison Rosen, a science nerd, TikTok star, dance fanatic, and cancer survivor. Allison was diagnosed with Stage II colon cancer at age 32 and ever since has been using her personal experience as a cancer survivor and her training as a medical researcher to educate people about young adult cancer, including on TikTok.

In this episode of Vax On, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos dive into vaccine rates by zodiac sign, breakthrough COVID-19 deaths, and an unsettling supply chain disaster.

Today Koby and Hannah Greenzweig, a pair of twins in their tweens, wax about adolescence in the age of Covid. Hannah loves to draw and play with Baby Tristan, her toy dinosaur. Koby loves the Terminator but didn’t care much for his fourth-grade teacher. The Greenzweigs jam about everything from video games and middle-school bullies to doing your taxes. Believe me, these kids have a lot to say. That’s because they’re my children.  For more information on us, visit https://OffScrip.com and follow @MatthewZachary, @VaxOnPod, and @OffScripHealth on Twitter.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos discuss the most recent foods and goods that have been in short supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss one Miami School’s unusual vaccine mandate.

After beating cancer in her early twenties, Loren Brill wanted to eliminate processed foods from her diet. Unable to find great-tasting cookies made from clean ingredients, she developed her own and founded Sweet Loren's, which specializes in vegan cookie dough made with all-natural ingredients. On this week's show, Loren shares her experience with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, her interest in health foods, and her mission to prove that one can be good to their body without giving up the sweet things in life.

In this episode of Vax On, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos discuss pandemic-driven sleep deprivation, new booster shots, and a new Texas mandate that stops vaccine mandates in their tracks.

Young adult cancer patients face a unique set of problems, but not so long ago they were a largely invisible and underserved community. On this episode we talk to mavericks of a new generation who fought to give young adults like them a voice.

In this episode of Vax On, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos discuss Merck’s new COVID-19 antiviral pill, the beginning of the booster shot, and one national product shortage you didn’t see coming.

On this week's show: Liz Margolies, psychotherapist and Founder of the National LGBT Cancer Network, who discusses the LGBT community's disproportionate cancer burden, inequities in cancer treatment, and her organization's advocacy efforts.

On VAX ON, Matthew and Elura proudly welcome vaccine myth-buster Ms. Information and Krishna Stone (from Gay Men's Health Crisis) live in studio. These four powerhouse personalities get raw and honest about the crisis of our time, vaccine misinformation, COVID-19's impact on the LGBTQ community, and how the world's problems can be solved with Drag Queens.

Dr. Stephen Liu, Director of Thoracic Oncology at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center believes in biomarker testing. On this episode, Dr. Liu explains what biomarker testing is and why it should be a mandatory part of cancer care. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Elevation Oncology.

In this episode of Vax On, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos discuss some effects of the pandemic on kids, ranging from the sad to the hopeful to the downright hilarious. Plus, our latest Sermoment!

On the show today, my guest is Scott Slater, a longtime friend, a former colleague at Stupid Cancer, and one of the earliest activists who helped build the original young adult cancer movement back in the mid-2000s. Yes, Scott is a cancer survivor, but that’s just one of his MANY titles. He’s a software engineer and app developer…. He’s the founder and punk-in-chief at Codepunk, which is an epic web development company. He’s an accomplished musician, and NOW he can add “composer of musicals” to his long list of creds. As the aging GenX’ers that we are, Scott and I wax poetic as about cancer in the age of “Woke Culture,” his new musical, “Fable,” and how the hell we’re somehow still here after a combined 35 years of survivorship. Plus, Scott correctly identifies the idiot’s bias as the “Dunn Krueger Effect.” Alex Trebek is surely beaming from on high.  And for information on us, visit https://OffScrip.com and follow @MatthewZachary, @VaxOnPod, and @OffScripHealth on Twitter. See Priv…

In this episode of Vax On, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos discuss how teens are challenging misinformation and parental consent for the COVID-19 vaccine. They also discuss New York state’s latest vaccine mandate and this week’s Sermoment!

Today on the show, we talk to powerhouse couple David and Robin Dubin, who founded Alive and Kickn to advocate for those with the Lynch gene. At age 29, Dave was diagnosed with colon cancer and Lynch Syndrome. Few have heard of it, but Dave and Robin are trying to change that. Because Lynch is a genetic pre-condition to cancer that affects 1 out of every 279 people, and most people don’t even know they have it. Dave and Robin talk survivorship, pre-vivorship, and the importance of genetic testing. For more information, visit https://OffScripMedia.com and follow @MZOutofPatients, @MatthewZachary, @VaxOnPod, and @OffScripMedia on Twitter.

In his new book, "Relentless: Unleashing a Life of Purpose, Grit, and Faith," Tesh describes how obstacles shaped him—including being suspended from college, living homeless for months, and facing a deadly disease.