Episodes

On the show today, Judith L. Pearson, triple-negative breast cancer survivor, patent advocate, and author of the new book, From Shadows to Life: A Biography of the Cancer Survivorship Movement. If you're a long-time listener, you already know that if I had to fanboy around only one cancer advocacy organization, it would obviously be Stupid Cancer BUT, if one more slot opened up, it would be the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship or NCCS as it is called because acronyms are our friends. This book is a labor of love that digs into the past 50 years of cancer advocacy and blends medical history with a group biography of average citizens who created a social movement that continues to this day to help millions of people when they hear the words. "You have cancer." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week's episode of VAX ON, Elura and Matthew discuss the CDC’s updated COVID-19 guidelines for minors, and some unexpected state guidelines for California’s theme parks. They also discuss concerns about digital vaccine passports and the re-opening of major cruise lines.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the show today “Health/Technology Researcher” — and returning champion — Susannah Fox joins me along with Vicky Rideout, a researcher on children and media to discuss the findings from their brand new study: Coping with COVID-19: How Young People Use Digital Media to Manage Their Mental Health. What is absolutely fascinating about all of this is that there are actually two sets of data, one concluded in 2018 and then, with the pandemic, they repeated the same study and compared the differences. Spoiler – the results were shocking and yet… not shocking as you can imagine. Thank you to the generous sponsors who made this study possible: Hopelab, California Health Care Foundation, and Common Sense Media. 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 talk about how living through a pandemic re-wires your memory. They also discuss unreported COVID-19 deaths and Yo-Yo Ma’s surprise cello concert at a vaccination site in Massachusetts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The vaccine is yet another classic case of patients who want to be compliant, but can’t because the system prevents it, or at least makes it extremely complicated and confusing. In this week’s episode, Jen shares her frustrations trying to get a vaccine and her hopes that her laundry list of diseases will qualify her eventually. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Kellie Stecher is OB/GYN at M Health Fairview Center for Women and the Co-Founder/President at Patient Care Heroes, a mental health service and community support platform for front-line medical professionals. A proud band geek whose favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird, Kellie lives the Hippocratic oath every day while juggling a career, a family, two kids, and the impact of COVID. Our conversation focuses on reproductive rights, physician burnout lifehacks, healthcare access in rural communities, empathy in med school, and oh so much more. 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 reminisce during the 1 year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic. They also discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on child marriages, and how sex-related businesses have been excluded from COVID-19 financial aid. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Back on the show today in this special bonus episode of Out of Patients, a little segment we're calling "Scrambled Eggs." with returning champion guest Alice Crisci, cancer survivor, fertility activist, and Founder and CEO of MedAnswers. What triggered this conversation was a recent article in Ms. Magazine by cancer survivor Madison Chapman opening up a wormhole about all the stupidity and ridiculousness surrounding fertility preservation and fertility rights issues; unnecessary obstacles that somehow still lie in the road nearly 45 years later when the science first began. Note that if you are interested in fertility advocacy and what you are about to listen to pisses you off just enough, our partnership with the nonprofit RESOLVE may be just the thing you're looking for to take action, join the movement, and give back.  Let's jump down the rabbit hole. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this series finale crossover episode, we meet Maimah Karmo, President, and CEO of the Tigerlily Foundation, and learn about her journey to end disparities for young breast cancer patients of color. If you like this series, be sure to subscribe, leave a rating, a review, share on social media, and please tell your community to check it out. Your voice matters. Tell us your story in your voice and give us your feedback about the series by leaving us a good old-fashioned voicemail at (855) AUDIO66 (283-4666.) And don’t forget to join the #BCSM weekly tweet chat live every Monday at 9pm/ET 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 VAXON, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos debrief after receiving their second COVID-19 vaccine. They also discuss the CDC’s updated protocol for those who are vaccinated, how airlines are planning to help vaccinated passengers cross borders with ease, and how one intrepid high school marching band in Washington State came up with a clever way to keep their rehearsals on track. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this crossover episode, we meet breast cancer advocates and users of #BCSM, Liza Bernstein, Anne Marie Mercurio, Christine Hodgdon, and Julia Maues. We find out how they got involved in #BCSM and how they utilized the hashtag to further their advocacy. If you like this series, be sure to subscribe, leave a rating, a review, share on social media, and please tell your community to check it out. Your voice matters. Tell us your story in your voice and give us your feedback about the series by leaving us a good old-fashioned voicemail at (855) AUDIO66, that’s 855-AUDIO66 (283-4666.) And don’t forget to join the #BCSM weekly tweet chat live every Monday at 9pm/ET on Twitter. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of Out of Patients features a new segment called The Art of Survivorship (AOS). Today, Matthew takes a trip down memory lane to highlight and recognize two fellow musicians affected by cancer. Prepare to be inspired by Dr. Adam Dachman and the late David M. Bailey in this special episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome back to Out of Patients! For months here at OffScrip Media, we’ve been working with breast cancer patient advocate Alicia Staley on a narrative series about how breast cancer patients dared to be the change they wished to see, saw an opportunity to fill a need, and created the Breast Cancer Social Media Community. Now, OffScrip Media is proud to present The #BCSM Podcast. What began in 2011 as a conversation on Twitter has evolved into a global network of patients, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers dedicated to empowering those affected by breast cancer.The next three episodes of Out Of Patients will be crossover episodes from the BCSM podcast. You can listen on their feed as well by searching “Hashtag BCSM podcast” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this first-ever episode of VAXON, Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos discuss a very inconvenient snowpocalypse, fake grandmas, Biden’s goal to open K-8 schools, and more! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elizabeth Woolfe is a veteran nonprofit consultant and unmatched sherpa guide in the business, management, and organizational culture of charity. Full disclosure: Liz also one of my best friends in the world and saved my ass more than a few times serving as strategic counsel to Stupid Cancer during the latter half of my tenure. As of this recording, we pay tribute to the late Cloris Leachman by preparing you for today's "Roll, Roll, Roll in Ze Hay."  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Award-winning hosts and patient advocates Matthew Zachary and Elura Nanos react to the great vaccine rollout of 2021. They’ll sort through the week’s healthcare news and related fuckery as America gets its vax on and shows #COVID19 the door. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this bonus episode of "Jen Horonjeff is Noncompliant," Jen brings to Matthew Zachary's attention the idea that patients who enroll in clinical trials should more than benefit from the therapeutic aspects of treatment. After all, aren't they essentially helping a private sector on their go-to-market drug approval and commercialization strategy? After all, if you're helping a business make more money, shouldn't you be entitled to some of that sweet, sweet cheddar yourself? Say, perhaps, some equity stake in their growth? Food for thought because inquiring minds want to know. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Mark Lewis is the Director of GI Oncology at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City. He is also a young adult survivor of pancreatic cancer, a thought leader on #MEDTwitter, and one of the funniest and down-to-earth physicians you’re likely to meet. Motivated by losing his father to cancer, coupled with a genetic predisposition for empathy, his story of “when the doctor gets cancer” preaches the virtues of data and truth. Prepare to find out what happens when Sid the Science Kid meets Dexter’s Lab meets Pickle Rick. Follow Mark on Twitter at @DrMarkLewis See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the show today, Bio Entrepreneur Marty Keiser, Founder of IV BioHoldings, LiquidLung, HepGene, and Mammogen. What is a biomarker? Hint - it's not inside a box of Crayola. Biomarkers are aspects of our genes that do so much more than determine our height, eye color, and predisposition to cancer. Diagnostics today can be used to detect earlier, diagnose easier, and treat better. That's what Marty and his entrepreneurial ventures are all about. It's not just making cancer suck less; it's using pioneering diagnostics to make radiation and chemo not just suck less, but perhaps not even be needed at all. Enjoy the show. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the show today: President and CEO of the Alliance for Health Policy, Sarah Dash. AHP —or “The Alliance” — is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to informing policymakers on critical health policy issues. I know it sounds wonky but it’s actually awesome because they are the good kind of “how the sausage is made.” After all, industry puts too much burden on patients to navigate the healthcare system. Listen in as we geek out over covalent bonds, how 20-something staffers run the country and the possibility of “un-geeking” health policy for the layperson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

HUGE show today with Dr. Lisa Richardson, Division Director, Cancer Prevention and Control at the CDC. As the first guest I've ever had on the show with a BS in Zoology, Lisa is the real deal. She's down to earth, speaks "person" and "science" simultaneously, and has been a 25+-year first-hand witness to the staggering revolution and evolution of cancer care across these United States. In this rapid-fire "no stupid questions" episode, Lisa and I talk about everything from simulated humans, plummeting screenings, mRNA, and telehealth, to 1990s’-era patient activism, the rise of survivorship, cancer, and COVID — and the prospect of 2021 "Vaccine Parties" being the exact opposite of pox parties. Hilarity ensues. Enjoy the show. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show, I welcome Linda Bohannon, President of The Cancer Support Community, the largest nonprofit provider of social and emotional support for anyone touched by cancer. An oncology nurse by trade, Linda and I go back to a time long before Stupid Cancer. In the mid-2000s, she was running "Advocacy Relations" for Lilly Oncology during the official US launch of Lilly Oncology On Canvas, which was a groundbreaking effort for its time that you will hear more about in our conversation. Now, The Cancer Support Community itself has a 40-year backstory worth appreciating, and Linda takes us down that rabbit hole, including her stint as a high school student volunteering for the organization she would one day lead. We also talk about the current state of nursing, including COVID's impact on the profession, the hope for a turnaround in the nursing shortage, the struggles of carrying the emotional burden of work home with you, rounded out with nonprofit leadership lifehacks during a g…

I've got a treat for you today because my buddy Steve Goodman here with live in-studio. He is sitting about nine feet away, chomping at the bit to chat about all the shared things we find aggrieved, inane, downright agitating, and yet possibly hopeful. The man's a mensch, first and foremost. He's also a 30-year veteran TV producer and cybernetically engaged 1980's trivia junkie. For this episode, he is here as the big brother and caregiver to his sister, the late Annie Goodman, my co-host on The Stupid Cancer Show from 2013-2015. After we rant on about what the hell a lower-third is, we get real and talk about love, hope, strength, loss, grief, perseverance, Annie's footprint, her impact, her legacy, and the sibling dynamic through thick and thin. Some of you may have heard Annie's voice on the air with me back in the day. She was one of the kindest, fiercest, and most inspiring human beings I have ever known. Her loss was tragic, unnecessary, and will forever remain a permanent bookm…

On the show today, the legendary Julie Larson, speaker, educator, psychotherapist, and luminary, legacy young adult cancer advocate. As one of the few people who have been consistently working in the same career profession they went to school for, Julie may consider herself a midwestern gal transplant to the big city but, after more than 15 years in the space, she has more than earned her credibility as one of the early progenitors of the young adult cancer movement. Her first “not so shabby” big stint was to essentially create from scratch the first adolescent and young adult cancer program for CancerCare to give you some perspective. Now, if you don’t know what CancerCare is, we get into it during the show but just know this was a huge deal in the annals of patient advocacy and AYA survivorship programming. I was privileged enough to work with her as that effort was getting built out, and I have watched her rise to literal superstardom in our community. As someone who was “there” be…