Psych With Cancer: Turning Suffering Into Something Good | Glynn Chambers

In this deeply moving episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I reconnect with my old friend and colleague, Glynn Chambers—a psychologist based in Bendigo, Australia—who shares his raw and personal journey through cancer.Glynn speaks with honesty, insight, and even humour about his diagnosis, the emotional rollercoaster that followed, and what it means to live with uncertainty. He reflects on how he’s made sense of suffering, the role of vulnerability, and how self-compassion has become both a refuge and a resource. We also talk about his beautifully honest blog, Psych With Cancer, and his podcast, Chemotional Rollercoaster, where he explores the highs and lows of cancer with grace and wit.This conversation is full of heart—offering comfort, connection, and a few good laughs—for anyone living with illness or supporting someone who is.If you’re going through something hard, this one’s for you.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Glynn Chambers01:19 Reconnecting After 15 Years02:04 Glynn’s Cancer Diagnosis Journey04:51 The Emotional Rollercoaster07:57 Facing the Diagnosis16:22 Acceptance and Reflection24:39 Managing Expectations30:52 Finding Gratitude in a Cancer Diagnosis31:07 Expectations vs Reality of Life with Cancer32:18 Facing Intrusive Thoughts and Grief33:21 Embracing the Present Moment34:18 The Discipline of Leaning into the Present34:56 Lessons from Children and Nature37:55 Self-Compassion and the Inner Critic48:13 Receiving Compassion from Others57:50 Humour and Playfulness in Adversity01:03:10 Advice for New Cancer PatientsLINKS:Chemotional Rollercoaster Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/chemotional-rollercoaster/id1783415934Psych with Cancer Bloghttps://psychwithcancer.substack.com/If you would like to learn more about compassion focused therapy, you can find Dr Stan Steindl's book The Gifts of Compassion here: https://www.ausapress.com/p/the-gifts-of-compassion-how-to-understand-and-overcome-suffering/Say hi on social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drstansteindl Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/StanSteindl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_stan_steindl/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-steindl-150a5264/ Website: https://www.stansteindl.com/ YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/G9OCVSqg_AA*Affiliate Disclaimer: Note this description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in no way obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support! Video hashtags:compassion, cancerjourney, selfcompassion, psychology, vulnerability, healing