Girls with Grafts
by Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
Girls with Grafts is a podcast hosted by Amber Wilcox and Rachel Kudlak, Burn Survivors, and supporters of the nonprofit, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. The Girls with Grafts podcast is for burn survivors, caregivers, hospital staff, and corporate partners in the burn community. Hear in-depth conversations about burn survivor stories, gain resources for managing a burn injury, hear up-to-date information about Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors community news, and listen in on burn prevention and advocacy information.
Episodes
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When Scars Become the Scare: Halloween and Hollywood Stereotypes
In this special episode of Girls with Grafts, we're resharing a recent webinar hosted by Kelsey Ferrill of AboutFace Canada, who welcomed Phoenix Society's own Rachel Kudlak alongside Phyllida Swift, Charlene Pell, and Dr. Lise Deguire for an important conversation about Halloween costumes…
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Your Physical Health Depends on Your Mental Health with Ivan Francisco Ruiz Gamez
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with burn survivor Ivan Francisco Ruiz Gamez for a powerful conversation about recovery, grief, mental health, and finding purpose after life-changing loss. 🎙️ Ivan was just 11 years old when an RZR accident left him with burns on more than...
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Progress Doesn’t Have to Look Perfect with Amarion Hally
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with burn survivor Amarion Hally for an open conversation about recovery, mental health, and learning that you don’t have to have everything figured out. 🎙️ Amarion shares how his life changed after sustaining severe burns at age 19 and…
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Protecting, Preventing, and Supporting with Phil Tammaro
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber sit down with Phil Tammaro, burn survivor, retired fire captain, and Burn Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). 🚒 Phil shares how a burn injury at just two years old shaped his life, while his family’s long...
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Scars Don’t Change Our Value with Fahima Abbas
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with burn survivor and Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter Fahima Abbas for a heartfelt conversation about emotional healing, self-confidence, and finding your voice. 🩷 Fahima shares her burn survivor journey and how living with facial scars has...
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Becoming the Headliner of Your Own Healing Story
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber sit down with Tracy Smaldino, a burn survivor, trauma survivor, author, keynote speaker, podcast host, and founder of Trauma Rock Stars™. 🎸 Tracy shares her journey as the sole survivor of a fatal car accident that left her with severe burns...
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Phoenix SOAR, Peer Support, and the Power of Burn Community with Rebecca Garber
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Rebecca Garber, a nurse practitioner at HCA HealthONE Swedish Burn and Reconstructive Center in Englewood, Colorado. With more than 25 years of experience caring for burn-injured patients, Rebecca brings a powerful perspective on the...
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A Burn Nurse’s Mission to Build Connection with Kailin Kyle
Girls with Grafts is back for Season 9! 🎉 Rachel and Amber sit down with burn nurse Kailin Kyle to talk about her path into nursing and burn care, which began after her uncle was treated at the Connecticut Burn Center. Kailin shares how attending her first American Burn Association conference...
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Choice, Comfort, and Courage: Helping Children Visit a Loved One in the Burn Center
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Abby Horton, MS, CCLS, a Certified Child Life Specialist with over a decade of experience supporting children and families through burn injuries and medical trauma. Abby's work spans pediatric burn care, inpatient rehabilitation, and...
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Answering the Call: Damon Spring on Firefighting, Recovery, and Giving Back
When Damon Spring joined his local volunteer fire department, he was answering a call to serve his community. 🚒 During his rookie year, that calling changed his life forever. On August 18, 2018, Damon was caught in a wildfire burnover sparked by a helicopter crash, an event that would come to be...
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The Science of Staying Cool: Dr. Craig Crandall and the Burn Survivor Heat Risk Calculator
Heat hits differently when you're a burn survivor—and this week, we're getting into the science behind why. ☀️ Rachel and Amber sit down with Dr. Craig Crandall, Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Director of the Thermal and Vascular Physiology Laboratory at…
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A Son and Father’s Story of Resilience, Recovery, and Life After a Burn Injury
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Dr. Charles McKenzie and his son, Scott, to talk about burn recovery, family support, and the lasting impact of community.❤️ Scott was just 10 years old when he survived a fuel tank explosion that left him with severe burns and a long...
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You Are Uniquely You: Celebrating Face Equality Week with Phyllida Swift
This week on Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber welcome Phyllida Swift, CEO of Face Equality International, for a special episode celebrating Face Equality Week. 💛 Phyllida shares her journey to becoming a global advocate for face equality and why this work is deeply personal and meaningful to...
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Finding Strength in Connection: Ariadna’s Journey from Survivor to Supporter
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with Ariadna Bernal about her journey after a gas explosion left her with burns over 90% of her body. Ariadna describes her early days, starting with treatment in Mexico and then continuing her care at Shriners Hospitals for Children in…
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Your Injury Doesn’t Define You—It Can Be a Catalyst for Change with Kelsay Parrott
This week on Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with burn survivor Kelsay Parrott about healing that goes beyond the physical and finding purpose in pain. 🩷 Kelsay shares her story of being burned at four years old and how, for many years, she focused on physical recovery without fully addressing…
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The Magic of Showing Up: Volunteerism & Burn Camp with Madeleine Carson
In this special National Volunteer Week episode of Girls with Grafts, we welcome Madeleine Carson, Director of Programs at Burns Recovered and our Volunteer of the Month. We talk about the power of community, connection, and supporting others. 🤝 Madeleine shares how she became involved in the…
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Connection Beyond the Hospital: A Girls with Grafts x H.E.A.L. Collaboration
In this special episode, Girls with Grafts joins forces with the H.E.A.L. Changed by Fire Podcast for an important conversation about connection, healing, and the resources that help burn survivors after they leave the hospital. 🏥 Rachel, Lori, and Jen talk about how groups like Phoenix Society...
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Selfish for Survival with Chris Akin
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with Chris Akin, a burn survivor, entrepreneur, and media personality. Together, they discuss resilience, determination, and how to make the most of each day. Chris tells the story of the industrial explosion that caused his burn injury and...
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Love Is Blind… But Scars Aren’t: Ashley Nelson on Dating with Hidden Burns
This week on Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel sit down with Ashley Nelson for an honest conversation about identity, confidence, and dating after a burn injury. Ashley shares how she changed her mindset from seeing herself as a “burn victim” to a “burn survivor,” and how this new perspective...
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How to Decide if Reconstructive Scar Surgery Is Right for You with Dr. Cliff Sheckter
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with burn surgeon and researcher Dr. Cliff Sheckter about how to give survivors better tools and information when they are thinking about reconstructive scar surgery. 🩺 We discuss the Decision Aid for Reconstructive Scar Surgery, a new resource…
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Healing Is a Journey, Not a Destination with Mikki Rothbauer: Why Support Group Needs You
This week on Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with Mikki Rothbauer, a psychotherapist who has spent over twenty years helping burn survivors and their families at Regions Hospital Burn Center. Mikki talks about what she has learned from years of supporting burn survivors, from the first days after...
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“It’ll Get Better”: Shaun Free on Healing After a Workplace Burn Injury
In honor of National Burn Awareness Week, Rachel and Amber sit down with burn survivor Shaun Free to talk about survival, healing, and the powerful growth that can come after trauma. Shaun shares the story of the propane explosion that changed his life, his long road through recovery, and how he...
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In the Wake of Switzerland’s Bar Fire: Lessons from the Station Nightclub Fire
Season 8 of Girls with Grafts opens with a powerful and timely conversation following the recent Crans-Montana bar fire tragedy. In this special episode, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors CEO Amy Acton steps into the moderator’s seat, guiding a discussion that centers both the human impact of…
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A Painful Blessing: Francisco Padilla’s Journey from Burn Survivor to Physical Therapist
In the Season 7 finale of Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel sit down with physical therapist, burn survivor, and clinic owner Dr. Francisco Padilla for an inspiring full-circle conversation about healing, purpose, and the power of movement. 💛 Francisco begins by sharing the story of his…
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It’s a Lovely Thing: When Scars Build Community
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel are joined by 19-year-old burn survivor and aspiring author and speaker, Lovely Bruce. Lovely shares her burn story, her experience growing up as a survivor, and the moments that taught her resilience, faith, and the courage to embrace her...
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Pet Therapy and the Healing Power of Companionship with Dr. Kenny Tello
In our latest episode of Girls with Grafts, we sit down with Dr. Kenny Tello, Corporate Director of Team Member Well-Being at Orlando Health, where he leads initiatives that empower people, elevate leaders, and build cultures rooted in care, connection, and transformation. Together, we dive into...
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Healing Forward: From Childhood Burn Survivor to Future Occupational Therapist
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel are joined by 20-year-old burn survivor and future Occupational Therapist, Ali Moll. Ali shares her story of becoming a burn survivor at just two and a half years old after falling into a campfire and how that moment shaped her journey,...
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Our 100th Episode Celebration with Kechi Okwuchi!
We’re celebrating 100 episodes of Girls with Grafts—and we couldn’t think of a better guest to mark this milestone than our friend and returning guest, Kechi Okwuchi! 🎉 In this special episode, Amber and Rachel look back at how the podcast began, the stories that shaped it, and the incredible...
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Healing the Invisible: Surviving, Serving, and Mothering After Trauma with Brooke DelGaudio
In this powerful episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber sit down with Brooke DelGaudio, a nurse practitioner, mom, and childhood burn survivor who’s turned her pain into purpose. 💙 Brooke opens up about growing up as a burn survivor, the invisible scars of childhood trauma, and the ways...
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Recreation Therapy & the Power of Storytelling with Emily Hespeler
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Emily Hespeler, a burn survivor, storyteller, and certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). Emily shares how recreation therapy empowers survivors to heal, grow, and reclaim independence after trauma, and how sharing your story...
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Everyday Devices, Hidden Dangers: Lithium-Ion Fire Safety with Brandon Ingram
It’s Fire Prevention Week! This year’s campaign, Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home, raises awareness about safe use, storage, and disposal of the batteries powering our everyday devices. 🔥 Joining us is Brandon Ingram, a seasoned fire protection engineer with Summit…
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From Heartbreak to Healing: Jenny’s Journey After Loss
In this heartfelt episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel is joined by author and advocate Jenny Brandemuehl and Phoenix Society's Senior Director of Programs and Services, Jill Sproul. Jenny shares her deeply personal journey of love, loss, and resilience after the tragic plane crash and burn…
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From Survivor to the Big Screen: John O’Leary’s Soul on Fire
In this bonus episode of Girls with Grafts, we welcome John O'Leary — internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, former Phoenix Society board member, and now the inspiration behind the powerful new feature film Soul on Fire. 🎬 John shares his journey from survivor to storyteller…
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I’m Still Me: Resilience After a Burn Injury
In this episode of Girls With Grafts, we sit down with Terry Boyd, a 37-year burn survivor whose story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. 💪 At just 20 years old, Terry sustained burns over 93% of his body, resulting in the amputation of both legs....
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A Healer Forged in Fire: Cathy Marie Morton’s Journey Through Burn Survival and Healing
At just four years old, Cathy Marie Morton survived third-degree burns over 80% of her body, enduring 19 graft operations. Her story didn’t end there—she later survived 20 years of domestic violence. Despite unimaginable trauma, Cathy chose to transform her pain into purpose. Today, she is a…
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Carrying Your Grief Backpack: A Conversation with Donna McCartney, LISW, MHA
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, we sit down with bereavement counselor Donna McCartney, LISW, MHA. Donna shares her extensive experience supporting families and survivors as they navigate grief, loss, and life after trauma. 💪 From her time at Shriners Hospital for Children - Cincinnati to...
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Vulnerability, Confidence, and Making a Move with Mike Lopez
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Mike Lopez, burn survivor, amputee, and grappler who's turned his lived experience into a mission. 💪 From growing up as the youngest of eight in a tight-knit family to navigating the physical and emotional challenges of his burn injury,...
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The Social Work Behind the Survivors: Maggie Gould's Impact on Burn Recovery
In this season premiere of Girls with Grafts, we’re sitting down with Maggie Gould—a powerhouse in burn recovery support and clinical social work. 💛 From ICU rooms to support groups, Maggie has spent years walking alongside burn survivors and their families, helping them navigate not just…
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When the Unimaginable Happens: A Mother’s Journey of Healing with Carolyn Mae Kim
In the heartfelt season six finale of Girls with Grafts, Rachel and Amber sit down with Carolyn Mae Kim - an accredited public relations professional, author, speaker, and, most importantly, the proud mother of a young burn survivor. 💛 Carolyn shares the powerful story of her son's injury at…
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Finding the Strength in Our Scars with Kelly Woodhouse
Kelly Woodhouse is no stranger to resilience. Burned on 75% of her body at just two years old, she has transformed a childhood marked by trauma and bullying into a life of purpose, strength, and inspiration. 🩷 In this episode, Rachel sits down with Kelly to explore her journey from surviving to...
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THINK WIN: A Burn Survivor’s Guide to Strength and Resilience
In this powerful episode, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and burn survivor Jim Wall joins host Rachel to share his story of survival, resilience, and purpose. 🌟 After sustaining a burn injury in 2022, Jim drew on the strength and discipline from his military career to forge a new path forward…
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Stories Behind the Data: Insights from the 2024 State of the Survivor Report with Amy Acton
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, we’re joined by Phoenix Society CEO, Amy Acton, to explore the stories behind the data in the 2024 State of the Survivor Report! 📊Together, we unpack key findings that shed light on the current needs, challenges, and resilience of burn survivors. Special...
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Face Equality Week: Advocating for Authentic Representation in Media with Charlene Pell
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Charlene Pell, a burn survivor and the founder of Facing Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for individuals with visible differences. ✨ Charlene shares her journey, from surviving a burn injury to advocating for face equality....
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From Violence to Resilience: Davina’s Journey of Strength & Purpose
Trigger warning: In this episode of Girls with Grafts, we have an important and heartfelt discussion about domestic violence, including personal experiences and the journey to healing. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to the National...
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Celebrating National Volunteer Week: Jeanette Johnson’s Journey of Healing and Helping
In honor of National Volunteer Week, we're joined by Jeanette Johnson - burn survivor, Phoenix Society volunteer, and a voice of hope and healing. 🤝 In this heartfelt episode, Jeanette shares her journey of recovery over the past five years and how finding connection through Phoenix Society's...
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Powering Up: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety with Brian O’Connor, P.E.
In our latest episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel sits down with Brian O’Connor, a Senior Engineer in the Technical Services department at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), to discuss lithium-ion batteries. 🔋 From powering our everyday devices like our cell phones, laptops,...
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Burnaversaries, Reality TV, and the Story Behind Girls with Grafts
In this special episode of Girls with Grafts, hosts Amber Wilcox and Rachel Kudlak sit down for a light-hearted conversation! 💛 They share their personal burn survivor stories and the creation of Girl with Grafts. With their burnaversaries happening this week, they reflect on how far they’ve…
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Empowering Confidence Through Hair Restoration with Lee Hoff & Morgan Moore
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, we sit down with Lee Hoff and Morgan Moore, the dynamic duo behind Morgan & Moore Non-Surgical Hair Replacement and Inclusive Crowns, to discuss their mission to provide hope, healing, and holistic support through cranial prostheses and hair loss solutions.…
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Fueling Recovery: Hypermetabolism & Nutrition with Dr. Victoria Miles
In this episode of Girls with Grafts, we sit down with Dr. Victoria Miles to explore the fascinating and complex world of hypermetabolism—the body's heightened metabolic response after a burn injury. 🚑 Dr. Miles, who started her career as a paramedic, shares how her experience in emergency...
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Healing Through Touch with Burn Survivor & Massage Therapist Jen Hartley
In our latest episode of Girls with Grafts, we sit down with burn survivor, massage therapist, and instructor Jen Hartley to explore the transformative power of touch in scar healing. Jen opens up about her personal burn injury and how it led her to a career in massage therapy. 💆 She shares...
About this show
Girls with Grafts is a podcast hosted by Amber Wilcox and Rachel Kudlak, Burn Survivors, and supporters of the nonprofit, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. The Girls with Grafts podcast is for burn survivors, caregivers, hospital staff, and corporate partners in the burn community. Hear in-depth conversations about burn survivor stories, gain resources for managing a burn injury, hear up-to-date information about Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors community news, and listen in on burn prevention and advocacy information.
Hosted by
Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors