The Cancer Journey Podcast

The Conversation Nobody's Having About Chemo Brain | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 110Brain fog, chemo brain, and the days when you just can't access yourself the way you normally can — this is one of the most common and least talked about experiences on a cancer journey. In Episode 110, Shariann and Alicia get candid about what it actually feels like to not feel brilliant, and what that has to do with how we're taught to push through instead of slow down.The conversation moves from the personal experience of cognitive fog to the deeper question of what we actually need on days like that — and why a safe space to say what's really there matters more than any supplement or strategy.Topics covered in this episode:• What brain fog and chemo brain actually feel like from the inside• Why the dip in cognitive sharpness triggers fear and self-blame• The difference between a bad day and a less-resourced day• What Shariann discovered about coaching from the heart during her own cancer treatment• Why slowing down is not the opposite of productivity — especially on a cancer journey• What a coaching session offers that even the best friendship can't replicate• The real-time shift that happened during this episode• Why you don't have to feel brilliant to have value• "There's magic in the telling — but it matters where you tell it"#CancerJourney #ChemoBrain #CancerJourneyPodcastChapters: 0:00 Welcome and PESH check-in 2:10 What it feels like to not feel brilliant 5:30 Chemo brain, aging, and the fear that something is wrong 8:45 Good days, less-resourced days, and the body's need for rest 12:00 Coaching from the heart — Shariann's experience during treatment 16:30 What slowing down actually makes possible 20:00 What coaching offers that friendship can't 25:00 Witnessing the shift in real time 29:30 Closing takeaways and PESH check-out

Feeling Stuck on Your Cancer Journey? You're Not Alone | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 109Feeling stuck is one of the most universal experiences on a cancer journey — and one of the least talked about.In this episode, Shariann and Alicia explore what stuckness really is, why it's so hard to move through, and what it actually looks like to begin letting go. The conversation covers the difference between being in the hole and knowing you're there, why familiar discomfort can feel safer than the unknown, and why mourning what you're leaving behind is a necessary — not optional — part of moving forward.This is a candid, grounded conversation about change, trust, and the quiet courage it takes to walk down a different street.Topics covered in this episode: • What feeling stuck actually feels like on a cancer journey • Life in Five Chapters — the pathway from stuck to unstuck • Why the hole can feel like home (and why that makes sense) • Letting go without dismissing what mattered • Mourning the losses that come with a cancer journey • Why cancer is a journey, not a battle — and what that shift actually does • The role of trust when you can't control what's happening • Shariann's baby maple tree and what nature shows us about change • How perfectionism and moving fast can become their own kind of stuckness • Why getting unstuck is always a choice — and always a process #CancerJourney #FeelingStuck #CancerJourneyPodcastChapters:0:00 Welcome and PESH check-in1:44 What feeling stuck feels like — and why it's so relevant on a cancer journey4:10 Life in Five Chapters7:30 Why the hole feels comfortable — and how we make a home there10:15 What it really means to let something go13:45 Mourning the losses along the cancer journey17:20 Shariann's baby maple tree19:30 Perfectionism, moving fast, and personal stuckness22:10 Cancer as a journey, not a battle26:00 Trust as the antidote to stuckness28:30 Closing takeaways and PESH check-out

When a Loved One Passes from Cancer | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 108When a loved one passes from cancer, the journey doesn't end — it just changes. In this episode, Christine Anastos of Connect and Thrive (CAT) shares what it really means to be a cancer caregiver, the weight of showing up through the impossible, and what it's like to navigate your own cancer diagnosis while still caring for someone you love.Christine's mother went through multiple rounds of treatment including two stem cell transplants, dialysis for 12 years, and nearly two decades of navigating the healthcare system — with Christine by her side, watching over every detail. In 2016, Christine was diagnosed with breast cancer herself and found herself moving between her own treatment and her mother's bedside.This conversation covers what caregivers carry that no one names, how to find your footing when there's no roadmap, and how to carry a loved one's memory forward with love after they're gone.Topics covered in this episode:• Why the caregiver's cancer journey is just as real as the patient's• What it felt like when Christine's mother could no longer be her source of strength• How Christine's engineering mindset became one of her greatest tools in the hospital• The role of faith when there's nothing else to hold onto• What it means to truly care for yourself as a caregiver• Christine's own breast cancer diagnosis and treatment at Dana-Farber• Her mother's 12 years on dialysis and the choice she made to let go• Carrying someone's memory forward by speaking their name and their story• What Christine would — and wouldn't — do differentlyGuest: Christine Anastos, Connect and Thrive (CAT)Chapters: 0:00 Welcome and PESH check-in 1:38 The caregiver's cancer journey 3:34 Christine's story: her mother's diagnosis and stem cell transplants 5:13 When her mother couldn't be the source of strength 6:03 How faith carried her through 8:47 Christine's own breast cancer diagnosis in 2016 12:58 The value she found in being present as a caregiver 17:28 Carrying her mother's memory forward 18:06 What she learned through Cancer Journey Institute 22:54 Letting go of anticipatory anxiety 23:05 Her mother's 12 years on dialysis and choosing to let go 25:42 No regrets — making the best of the worst 28:03 Closing reflections and PESH check-out 30:00 Christine's program: Connect and Thrive 35:00 Goodbyes#CancerJourney #CancerCaregiver #CancerJourneyPodcast

How Are You, Really | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 107What does trust actually mean when you're on a cancer journey - and why do so many people feel unseen even when they're surrounded by people trying to help them?In Episode 107 of the Cancer Journey Podcast, Shariann and Alicia explore two of the most powerful tools in Cancer Journey Coaching: trust and powerful listening. They dig into what it really takes to build trust with someone going through one of the hardest experiences of their life, why feeling heard is directly connected to healing, and what shifts when someone finally asks - not "how are you?" but "how are you, really?"This episode is for anyone on a cancer journey, supporting someone who is, or working in a space where the emotional side of cancer often goes unaddressed.Chapters: 0:00 — Welcome and PESH check-in 2:45 — What is trust? Defining it on a cancer journey 6:30 — The trust fall — and what it feels like to truly let go 11:15 — Entering the unknown after a diagnosis 15:40 — Why feeling heard is inseparable from healing 20:10 — What happens when patients don't feel seen by their care team 25:30 — How powerful listening builds trust in a clinical setting 30:45 — The case for a Cancer Journey Coach on the care team 36:00 — "How are you, really?" — one question that changes everything 40:20 — Closing PESH and takeawaysKeywords: cancer journey, trust and cancer, powerful listening, cancer coaching, cancer care team, cancer patient support, emotional side of cancer, cancer journey podcast, cancer journey coach, cancer support, healing and trust, cancer mental health#CancerJourney #CancerJourneyPodcast #CancerSupport

Underneath the Overwhelm: The Emotions, the Clarity, and Who You Get to Become | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 106We've been taught that stress is a sign we're doing something important — that carrying it means we're busy, and busy means we matter. But on a cancer journey, when the body is already working so hard, stress isn't something to push through. It's a signal worth stopping to hear.In Episode 106, Shariann and Alicia dig into what stress and overwhelm actually look like on a cancer journey — where they come from, what they're made of, and what becomes possible when you finally start to release them. They talk about why stress is rarely just stress, and how underneath it there are usually much more specific emotions — anxiety, anger, grief, frustration — that point more clearly toward what you actually need.They also explore the difference between stress that's rooted in something you're genuinely passionate about versus stress that's simply seducing you into urgency. And they sit with what opens up on the other side of overwhelm — the clarity, the spaciousness, and the unexpected invitation that a cancer journey can be to finally let go of who you thought you had to be.This is a conversation about listening to what your body has been trying to tell you — and finding yourself again on the other side.Chapters: 0:00 — Welcome and PESH check-in 1:45 — Does stress cause cancer? What we know 4:10 — The seduction of stress — why we wear it like a badge 8:30 — Gaslighting yourself into thinking stress is good 11:00 — Stress as a false emotion — what's really underneath it 16:20 — The pause — how to find out what's actually here 21:40 — Passion vs. stress — how to tell the difference energetically 27:15 — The cancer journey as a luxurious time of change 32:00 — Breaking down the walls of stress and who you get to become 37:30 — Closing PESH and takeawaysKeywords: stress and cancer, overwhelm cancer journey, cancer emotional health, stress cancer diagnosis, cancer healing, emotional side effects cancer, cancer journey podcast, managing stress cancer, cancer mindset, burnout cancer, cancer support, cancer survivor podcast#CancerJourney #CancerJourneyPodcast #CancerSupport

Still Becoming - Life & Cancer | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 105In this episode, we're joined by Judy ViaCava, a certified Cancer Journey Coach and breast cancer survivor, for an honest conversation about identity after cancer. What does it mean to stop trying to go back to who you were? How do you find yourself in what comes next? And what gets in the way of that emergence — the armor, the toxic positivity, the fear of being vulnerable?Judy shares her own experience navigating breast cancer 14 years ago, including the isolation of performing strength when she was actually scared, and what changed when she finally found a space where she could be real. She and our hosts explore what cancer journey coaching makes possible for people who are stuck in the in-between — not who they were, not yet who they're becoming.This episode is for anyone on a cancer journey, supporting someone who is, or doing the work of helping people find their way through.Interested in a coaching session with Judy? Submit our Gift Session form and mention Judy for free coaching: https://thecancerjourney.com/gift-session🎙️ Guest: Judy ViaCava, Certified Cancer Journey Coach - Director of Evolving [email protected]: 0:00 — Welcome and PESH check-in 2:30 — Introducing Judy ViaCava 4:00 — "I just want to go back to normal" — why that's impossible and what's actually possible 8:45 — How cancer puts you at the forefront when you've spent years prioritizing everyone else 13:20 — Judy's own cancer journey: performing strength and feeling alone 18:00 — Opening new doors — what emergence actually looks like 23:10 — The role of vulnerability in moving forward 27:40 — Toxic positivity and what gets lost when we suppress real emotion32:15 — What cancer journey coaches make possible that no one else can 37:00 — Coaching as reflection: seeing people before they can see themselves 42:30 — Closing PESH and takeawaysKeywords: cancer journey, who am I after cancer, cancer identity, cancer survivor healing, emotional side effects of cancer, cancer journey podcast, cancer journey coach, cancer support, cancer caregiver support, life after cancer, cancer transformation, vulnerability cancer#CancerJourney #CancerJourneyPodcast #CancerSupport

Setting Emotional Boundaries When You Have Cancer | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 104When you're navigating a cancer diagnosis, you're already carrying more than most people will ever understand. And then everyone who loves you shows up — with their own fear, their own grief, their own need to feel like things are okay. In Episode 104, Shariann and Alicia dig into what happens when other people's emotions pile onto yours, and what it actually takes to stop managing everyone else long enough to come back to yourself.This conversation covers the difference between being an empathic person and having empathy as a dominant strength — and why that distinction matters when you're trying to figure out what's yours to feel and what isn't. They talk about people pleasing in a medical context, what it means to be a "good patient," and the invisible energy drain of trying to keep everyone around you calm while you're the one who got the diagnosis.At the center of it all: the pause. Not a timeout. Not shutting it down. But a real return to yourself — so you can show up for your healing with the energy it deserves.If you're on a cancer journey, caring for someone who is, or supporting people through it professionally, this episode is an honest look at one of the most quietly exhausting parts of the experience.🎙️ Hosted by Shariann and Alicia Tom Chapters: 0:00 — Welcome and PESH check-in 2:15 — What comes up first around other people's emotions 4:30 — Introvert, extrovert and how we absorb emotion differently 8:45 — The difference between being empathic and having empathy as a strength 13:10 — People pleasing, good patients and the cost of managing everyone else 18:20 — Whose emotion is it? How to tell what's yours 22:40 — The pause — and why it matters more than counting to ten 28:00 — Managing other people's emotions for yourself, not for them 33:15 — Closing PESH and takeawaysKeywords: cancer journey, cancer emotions, other people's emotions, cancer support, emotional intelligence cancer, cancer caregiver emotions, cancer patient emotions, managing emotions cancer, cancer journey podcast, empathy cancer, cancer healing, emotional health cancer#CancerJourney #CancerJourneyPodcast #CancerSupport

Being Brave When Cancer Is in the Room | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 103Lauren Huffmaster has been living with metastatic breast cancer since 2015. In the ten years since her diagnosis, she founded Adventure Therapy Foundation, became a speaker and author, and has spent her life building something that gives other people a better experience than she had. In this episode of the Cancer Journey Podcast, she joins Shariann and Alicia to talk about what bravery actually looks like on a cancer journey — and why it doesn't have to feel brave to count.Lauren shares why the early days after diagnosis aren't the time for bravery — and why grief and fear are a completely normal response. She talks about bravery as a choice, not a feeling, and how taking even the smallest intentional step forward is an act of courage. She also opens up about the tension of wanting people to know you're struggling, even when showing up looks like strength from the outside.This conversation also explores Lauren's work at the Cancering Collective — a program inside Adventure Therapy Foundation that helps people living with cancer tell their stories in an empowered way, with writing coaches, trauma writing specialists, and space to be truly seen.If you've ever wondered whether you're being brave enough, this episode is for you.🎙️ Guest: Lauren Huffmaster, Founder of Adventure Therapy Foundation 🔗 adventurefound.orgChapters: 0:00 — Welcome and PESH check-in 1:44 — Meet Lauren Huffmaster 2:45 — What bravery looks like on a cancer journey 4:58 — When bravery isn't available — the early days after diagnosis 7:25 — Where Lauren finds and taps into her bravery 11:30 — Turning suffering outward as a source of strength 15:06 — Why your hardest days may have the most to give 18:12 — Adventure Therapy Foundation and the Cantering Collective 21:09 — The power of story in healing 25:47 — Closing PESH and takeawaysKeywords: cancer journey, cancer coaching, being brave with cancer, emotional side effects of cancer, metastatic breast cancer, cancer survivor podcast, cancer caregiver support, Adventure Therapy Foundation, Lauren Huffmaster, cancer journey podcast, cancer support community, cancer healing#CancerJourney #CancerJourneyPodcast #AdventureTherapyFoundation

Is Your Body Trying To Tell You Something? | Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 102Your body is constantly sending you messages. Exhaustion. Pain. That lump in your throat. Brain fog. Weakness. But we're so ruled by what we should be doing that we don't slow down to listen.In this episode of The Cancer Journey Podcast, we're talking about the constant battle between what you should do and what you actually need. On a cancer journey, your body gets loud. You're hyper-aware of every pulse, every heartbeat, constantly checking if something's wrong. But are you actually listening to what it's trying to tell you?We explore why we ignore our body's messages in favor of the task list and external expectations. How forcefulness and the go-go-go energy depletes you when what you actually need is softness and slowness. Why physical manifestations like pain, sweating, or that tight feeling in your chest are often messages from your emotional and spiritual self.Your body knows. It knows when you need nourishment instead of just satisfying a craving. When you need movement instead of forcing yourself to sit still. When you need rest instead of pushing through. Only you can hear those messages. And only you can give yourself what you need.We talk about getting curious like a detective, checking in with your physical body to understand what's happening emotionally and spiritually, and why slowing down to breathe and listen isn't unproductive but essential.Whether you're a cancer patient, survivor, thriver, caregiver, or coach, this conversation about body awareness, nourishment, and learning to hear what you actually need will help you honor yourself truly.Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & PESH Check-In 3:15 - The Battle: Should Do vs. Need to Do 8:40 - Hyper-Vigilance on a Cancer Journey 14:00 - Physical Manifestations of Emotions 19:20 - Getting Curious About Your Body 23:15 - Takeaways & Closing PESHConnect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey InstituteAbout The Cancer Journey: We help cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers transform the traditional "battle" mindset into a journey approach through coaching, community, and authentic conversations about the emotional and spiritual aspects of navigating cancer.#BodyMessages #CancerJourney #SelfCare #ListenToYourBody #Nourishment #EmotionalHealth #CancerSupport #BodyAwareness

Mourning the You Before Cancer | Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 101Cancer changes you. And one of the hardest parts? Mourning who you were before. When your body felt like yours. When you had clarity and energy. When breathing wasn't something you had to think about.In this episode of The Cancer Journey Podcast, we're talking about the grief that shows up when you're in the Pit of your cancer journey. That desperate wanting to grasp back what you had. The mourning for a version of yourself that doesn't fit anymore. And why we don't make time to actually process it.Mourning looks different for everyone. It can show up as depression, physical aches, a tight throat, ceaseless crying, or feeling alone even when you're surrounded by people. We explore why we weren't taught how to be with grief, how a Cancer Journey Coach creates space for you to release it, and why processing these emotions isn't a waste of time but an essential step forward.This is about identity change. That outfit you used to wear that fit perfectly? It doesn't fit anymore. So what are you wearing now? We talk about how to let go of who you were while embracing who you are, even when it's uncomfortable. How to take the good stuff forward. And why mourning with someone who truly sees you makes the journey feel less icky.Whether you're a cancer patient, survivor, thriver, or caregiver, this conversation about grief, loss, and processing emotions will help you understand why being with the mourning is how you move through it.Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & PESH Check-In 3:20 - The Descent: Wanting Who You Were 8:40 - Fragility and Loss of Ground 14:15 - How to Actually Mourn and Grieve 20:10 - What Mourning Looks Like 26:50 - Identity Change: The Outfit That Doesn't Fit 32:30 - Takeaways & Closing PESHConnect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey InstituteAbout The Cancer Journey: We help cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers transform the traditional "battle" mindset into a journey approach through coaching, community, and authentic conversations about the emotional and spiritual aspects of navigating cancer.#Mourning #CancerJourney #Grief #IdentityChange #EmotionalHealing #CancerSupport #Loss #CancerCoaching

Celebrating Cancer Journey Milestones | Cancer Journey Podcast (Episode 100!)We made it to 100 episodes! And we're celebrating by talking about something we don't do enough: celebrating milestones on a cancer journey. Not just the big ones like finishing treatment. The small ones too. Like waking up and feeling pretty good. Or making it through another day.In this special episode of The Cancer Journey Podcast, we explore why we let these moments go by without acknowledging them. Why we think celebration has to be some big hoopla when it can be as simple as buying yourself flowers or taking a nap without setting an alarm. Why we hold ourselves back from the things we actually want, telling ourselves we don't deserve them or it's too frivolous.A milestone isn't something you have to push for or achieve. Sometimes it's just showing up. Being present. Saying yes and committing to yourself over and over again. We talk about the courage it takes to keep going, how to give yourself little treats after hard things, and why celebrating yourself every day invites more of what you want into your life.Whether you're a cancer survivor, thriver, caregiver, or coach, this conversation about acknowledgment, self-permission, and treating yourself the way you'd treat someone you really love will help you stop forcing yourself to suffer with the bare minimum.Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & PESH Check-In (Episode 100!) 3:15 - What Is a Milestone Really? 8:20 - Small Milestones Matter Too 14:00 - Celebration Doesn't Have to Be Big 19:30 - Concrete Ways to Celebrate Yourself 24:20 - Takeaways & Closing PESHConnect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey InstituteAbout The Cancer Journey: We help cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers transform the traditional "battle" mindset into a journey approach through coaching, community, and authentic conversations about the emotional and spiritual aspects of navigating cancer.#Milestones #CancerJourney #Celebration #CancerSupport #SelfCare #TreatYourself #100Episodes #CancerSurvivor

People Pleasing on Your Cancer Journey | Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 99Stop people pleasing. When you're navigating cancer, it's easy to put on a brave face and try not to bring everyone down. You don't want to be seen as weak or incapable. You want to take care of everyone else first. But here's what happens: you end up completely depleted. And the people you're trying to please? They don't actually get what they need either.In this episode of The Cancer Journey Podcast, we're talking about the collapse distinction between people pleasing and providing authentic comfort. Why we give our power away. How cultural conditioning makes us think being of service means putting ourselves last. And the truth: when you people please, it's a lose-lose for everyone.We explore why people pleasing happens unconsciously, how it shows up differently on a cancer journey, and what to do instead. The answer isn't to stop caring about others. It's to connect with yourself first so you can show up authentically. When you hold your power and ask for what you want, you create space for win-win situations where everyone gets their needs met.Whether you're a cancer survivor, thriver, caregiver, or coach, this conversation about boundaries, authenticity, and holding your power will help you stop depleting yourself and start creating relationships where everyone wins.Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & PESH Check-In 3:30 - What Is People Pleasing Really? 8:15 - The Collapse Distinction: Pleasing vs. Comfort 14:40 - Giving Your Power Away 21:20 - Creating Win-Win Situations 28:50 - Learning to Ask for What You Want 36:10 - Takeaways & Closing PESHConnect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey InstituteAbout The Cancer Journey: We help cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers transform the traditional "battle" mindset into a journey approach through coaching, community, and authentic conversations about the emotional and spiritual aspects of navigating cancer.#PeoplePleasing #CancerJourney #Boundaries #SettingBoundaries #CancerSupport #PersonalPower #Authenticity #EmotionalHealing

When a Loved One is Diagnosed with Cancer | The Cancer Journey Podcast | Episode 98GET YOUR FREE MEDITATION: www.thecancerjourney.com/cancer-journey-podcast/episode-98When someone you love gets diagnosed with cancer, the instinct is to help. But knowing how to actually show up in a way that supports rather than burdens can be complicated.Leslie Purchase, one of our certified Cancer Journey Coaches, joins us to talk about what happens when a loved one is diagnosed. The difference between self-soothing and truly supporting. Why asking "what can I do?" actually creates more work for someone who's already overwhelmed. How to help when you're far away and can't be there physically.The conversation explores why it matters to pause and check your motivation before jumping in to help. Are you trying to make yourself feel better, or are you really seeking to support this person in the way they need? That subtle difference changes everything.We talk about offering concrete help instead of open-ended questions. "I'd like to make you lasagna next Tuesday. Does that work?" gives someone something to respond to rather than creating a mental list. Deputizing one friend to coordinate everyone who wants to help takes the burden off the person who just got diagnosed.For people who are far away, there are meaningful ways to show up. Send handwritten letters. Do good deeds in their honor and tell them about it. Go donate blood because they'll need blood products. These acts of connection matter deeply.Caregivers need support too. The person diagnosed isn't the only one going through something hard. Comparative suffering doesn't help anyone. You'll be a more effective caregiver if you take care of yourself, fill your own cup, and give from a place of overflow rather than scarcity.Some people will fall away when someone is diagnosed. That's real. If you're the person who can't hold the fear, know that even small things matter. A text on a Tuesday saying "I love you" counts. You don't have to show up perfectly to show up.And Leslie shares something powerful: when you get a cancer diagnosis, you expect nothing but terrible emotions forever. But life doesn't stop. There will still be unexpected moments of joy, delight, tenderness. All the beauty of life is still there.Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Grounding with Leslie Purchase 1:45 - The instinct to help when someone is diagnosed 3:30 - Self-soothing vs. truly supporting 5:45 - Why "what can I do?" creates more burden 8:00 - Offering concrete help instead 10:15 - Deputizing a point person to coordinate 12:30 - How to help from far away 15:00 - Doing good deeds in their honor 17:15 - Caregivers need support too 19:30 - Comparative suffering doesn't help 21:45 - When people fall away 24:00 - Even small things make a difference 26:15 - There will still be moments of joy 28:00 - The stone ceremony ritual 29:30 - Takeaways & closingWhether you're supporting someone with cancer or navigating your own diagnosis, this conversation offers practical tools for showing up in ways that actually help.Find Leslie Purchase: Instagram: @lotushealingmarinEmail: [email protected]: lotuscancercoaching.com Connect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey Institute#cancerjourney #cancersupport #caregiver #cancercoach #cancercoaching #emotionalsupport

I Have Cancer and I'm Tired and Angry | The Cancer Journey PodcastThis episode didn't go where we expected. We started talking about exhaustion and anger on a cancer journey, and ended up processing something vulnerable in real time.When you have cancer, "tired" doesn't describe the bone-deep exhaustion that makes it hard to lift your arm. When you're that depleted, your nerves are on the surface. Someone asking you to wait five extra minutes can make you explode. There's no filter left, no capacity to be kind, no energy to protect anyone from how you're feeling.Shariann tapped into that energy during this conversation. The rage that comes from having no reserves. And Alicia realized she was triggered, suddenly back to being four years old, watching her mom go through five cancers over 14 years. Scared of the fire she didn't know how to handle as a kid.They stopped. They talked through it. Right there on the podcast.This conversation explores why anger on a cancer journey isn't frustration but rage, why patients need a safe space to release it without consequence, how that anger reverberates and impacts loved ones even years later, why caregivers need tools to hold space without taking it personally, and how you can clean things up after the explosion happens.Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Grounding 1:30 - I have cancer and I'm tired and angry 3:45 - When "tired" doesn't go deep enough 6:00 - Bone-deep exhaustion and what it takes 8:30 - The anger that comes from having no reserves 11:00 - Your nerves are on the surface 13:30 - A real moment: processing anger in real time 16:45 - When the anger triggers old memories 19:30 - What caregivers carry 22:00 - Creating safe spaces for rage 4:30 - You can clean it up after 27:00 - Takeaways & closingThe anger doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human. And you deserve support that meets you exactly where you are, without judgment, without asking you to filter yourself.Whether you're on a cancer journey, supporting someone who is, or carrying the impact of someone else's anger, this conversation offers permission to feel it all.Connect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey Institute#cancerjourney #anger #cancersupport #caregiver #cancercoaching #realconversations #vulnerability

Grief on a Cancer Journey | The Cancer Journey PodcastGrief lands heavy, and on a cancer journey, it shows up in ways you don't always expect. This episode explores the many forms of grief that appear along the cancer journey and why making space for it matters more than trying to avoid it.Grief isn't just about death. It's mourning the person you were before diagnosis. It's the anticipatory grief caregivers carry, always simmering in the background. It's watching someone you love change in ways you can't control. It's feeling loss for things that haven't even happened yet.Alicia shares her experience of losing someone very suddenly three years ago. How the grief was physical, showing up as tightness and daily tears. How having the tools from the Cancer Journey Institute helped her process emotions instead of self-destructing. How she learned that the only way through grief is through it, not around it.For caregivers, grief often gets suppressed. You're trying to hold everything together, control what you can, keep your fear from touching the person you love. But that anticipatory grief doesn't go away. It sits there, even when things are okay. And even if your person survives, they're different now. You're grieving someone who's still here.The conversation explores why active mourning matters, why nothing else can matter for a while when grief is heavy, and how being in relationship with your emotions expands your world instead of shrinking it. Grief and living can coexist when you give yourself space to feel what's real in this moment.Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Grounding 1:45 - What grief means on a cancer journey 4:00 - Letting go of who you were before 6:30 - Alicia's experience of sudden loss 9:15 - The physical weight of grief 11:30 - Active mourning and making space 14:00 - Anticipatory grief for caregivers 16:45 - The only way through is through 19:00 - Grief and living can coexist 21:30 - Being in relationship with your emotions 24:00 - Why grief is proof love was present 26:30 - Takeaways & closingGrief is hard. And since it's going to be uncomfortable anyway, you might as well try some other hard things too. Feel your emotions. Ask for help. Try what might work. The good part of grief is that it's proof love was present.Whether you're on a cancer journey, supporting someone who is, or navigating grief in any form, this conversation offers permission to feel it all.Connect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey Institute#cancerjourney #grief #goodgrief #cancersupport #cancercoaching #healingjourney #mourning #cancer

Reactivating Your 5 Senses | The Cancer Journey PodcastWhen was the last time you truly noticed what you were experiencing through your 5 senses? On a cancer journey—and honestly, in life—we can become so disconnected from our bodies that we forget to simply be present.In this episode, Shariann and Alicia explore how your 5 senses (taste, touch, smell, sound, sight) can ground you when you're feeling untethered. They share personal experiences of how treatment changes your senses, why slowing down to notice what's here can soothe your nervous system, and how being present is actually productive.What we talk about:• Why we take our 5 senses for granted• How to use your senses as a grounding technique• What happens when treatment affects taste and smell• The judgment and "shoulds" that come up when we slow down• Why appreciating your breath and your senses is enough• How presence can shift from feeling like "wasted time" to genuine gratitudeKey moments: [00:00] Introduction and PESH check-in [02:15] Why we fall out of touch with our five senses [05:30] Going through the five senses in real time [12:45] How cancer treatment changes your senses [18:20] The productivity trap and permission to slow down [24:10] Gratitude for simply being alive [27:45] Takeaways and closing PESHWhether you're on a cancer journey, supporting someone who is, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself—this episode offers a simple but powerful practice for coming back to what's real and tangible.Resources mentioned: The Cancer Journey Institute: https://thecancerjourney.com/Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey InstituteSubscribe to The Cancer Journey Podcast for weekly conversations about emotional wellness, relationships, self-advocacy, and empowerment on the cancer journey.#TheCancerJourney #CancerSupport #Mindfulness #FiveSenses #CancerPodcast #Grounding #EmotionalWellness #Presence

How to Manifest The Life You Want: Beyond the BuzzwordJoin our virtual DREAM workshop: Jan 18, 2026 https://thecancerjourney.com/dream-workshop-offerManifesting became a trendy buzzword without anyone explaining how to actually do it. This episode breaks down what manifesting really means and how to use it as a practical tool on your cancer journey.Manifesting isn't about positive thinking that magically produces results. It's about alignment with what your heart truly wants, getting specific about the experience you're seeking, and being loud enough about your dreams that opportunities can find you.Twenty-six years ago, Shariann asked doctors why cancer treatment wasn't focused on boosting the immune system. That question, asked by many others too, contributed to the development of immunotherapy treatments we have today. Science itself is a form of manifestation, starting with someone wondering "what if this is possible?"There's a difference between saying "I want to live" and "I want to live so I can see my grandchildren flourish." That specificity matters. Manifesting requires effort and attention, not just wishful thinking. Being loud about what matters to you isn't selfish but necessary for your dreams to become real.Manifesting goes beyond the buzzword when you get clear on what you want and why it matters, understand the role of alignment in making things happen, stop playing small with your dreams, share your passion to attract support and opportunities, and connect manifesting with practical tools like DREAM Goals.Whether you're on a cancer journey or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers a grounded approach to creating the life you actually want.Join us for our virtual DREAM Goals workshop this weekend to explore what you want and start manifesting it in alignment with who you are. Details at thecancerjourney.comTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Grounding 1:30 - What manifesting actually means 3:45 - Alignment with self and the universe 6:00 - The psychic/red car theory connection 9:15 - Manifesting on a cancer journey 11:30 - Getting specific about what "living" means 14:00 - The role of voice and energy in creating change 16:30 - Shariann's immunotherapy story 18:45 - Science as manifestation 21:00 - Being loud about your dreams 23:15 - How The Cancer Journey Institute was born 25:00 - Manifesting takes effort and awareness 27:00 - Takeaways & closingConnect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey Institute#cancerjourney #cancersupport #manifesting #dreamgoals #cancercoaching #healingjourney

Dreaming with Cancer: Why Your Heart's Desires Still MatterCan you dream when you have cancer? Should you? In this episode, we challenge the idea that dreaming is frivolous during a cancer journey and explore why staying connected to what your heart wants is actually essential for healing.We talk about what happens when you shut down your desires to be "practical," how cancer can force you to stop performing someone else's dream and start listening to your own, and why giving yourself permission to want things (even when the future feels uncertain) is one of the most important acts of self-love you can practice.Shariann shares her personal story of how cancer screamed at her to stop living the prescribed "American dream" and start tuning into what she actually wanted. We discuss the magic that happens when someone asks "what do you need?" and you're finally able to articulate an answer.You'll also hear about our DREAM Goals tool, a process that holds your hand through exploring your heart's whispers across different areas of life, without the pressure of traditional goal-setting. Because these aren't the kind of goals that make you feel responsible or afraid. They're intentions that stay alive in your heart and start flowing once you give them voice.In this episode, we talk about why dreaming during cancer isn't frivolous but healing, the difference between performing someone else's dream and living your own, how to practice asking for what you want, what makes DREAM Goals different from traditional goal-setting, and why it's okay to dream even when you don't know if it will come true.Whether you're currently on a cancer journey, supporting someone who is, or simply feeling disconnected from what your heart actually wants, this conversation offers permission to dream again.Connect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey Institute#cancerjourney #cancersupport #dreamingwithcancer #cancercoaching #healingjourney #cancerthriver

How to Stop Beating Yourself Up on Your Cancer Journey | Self-Compassion & ForgivenessStop beating yourself up. When you're navigating cancer, it's easy to become your own harshest critic. That voice that says you're not doing enough, that you messed up, that you should have done better gets so much louder. In this episode of The Cancer Journey Podcast, we explore why we're so hard on ourselves and how to show yourself the compassion you'd give anyone you love.You're not broken. You're whole, right now, in this moment. We talk about why we're conditioned to problem-solve our emotions like a math equation (spoiler: it doesn't work), how your emotions are messengers that won't go away until you listen, and the forgiveness practice you can do before bed tonight. When you show yourself compassion, judgment disappears. And nobody knows what you need the way you do.Whether you're a cancer patient, survivor, thriver, caregiver, or coach, this conversation about self-forgiveness and emotional healing will help you stop punishing yourself and start being your own best ally.🎙️ Hosted by Shariann & Alicia TomTimestamps: 0:00 - Intro & PESH Check-In 3:15 - Why We Beat Ourselves Up 8:42 - The Conditioning to Problem-Solve 15:20 - Your Emotions Are Messengers 22:10 - How to Forgive Yourself 28:45 - Showing Yourself Compassion 35:30 - Takeaways & Closing PESHConnect with us: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey InstituteAbout The Cancer Journey: We help cancer survivors, thrivers, and caregivers transform the traditional "battle" mindset into a journey approach through coaching, community, and authentic conversations about the emotional and spiritual aspects of navigating cancer.#CancerJourney #SelfCompassion #CancerSupport #EmotionalHealing #Forgiveness #CancerSurvivor #MentalHealth

Permission to Be Sad During a Cancer JourneySadness feels like it should be simple to talk about, but it's not. In this Cancer Journey Podcast episode, we explore why it's so hard to actually let yourself be sad, what happens in your body when you suppress it, and why crying feels so out of control.We talk about the physical sensations of sadness, why it feels inconvenient or like a deactivator that stops all forward momentum, and what you lose when you push emotions down (hint: it's not just the hard feelings that get muted). This conversation gets into loneliness during the holidays, grief that doesn't have a clear space, and why people reach for tissues to "fix" someone else's tears instead of just letting them cry.Maybe you're an ugly crier. Maybe you need a movie or specific song to give yourself permission to cry. Maybe sadness feels like it will derail your entire day if you let it in. This episode creates space for all of it.CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Pesh Check-In 03:12 The Physical Sensation of Sadness 08:45 Sadness as a Deactivator 12:30 Permission and Inconvenient Emotions 18:20 Loneliness and Loss During the Holidays 24:15 Why Crying Feels Out of Control 29:40 Sharing Sadness vs. Suppressing It 35:10 Letting Others Have Their Process 40:25 Final Reflections & TakeawaysFollow The Cancer Journey: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourneyThe Cancer Journey Institute supports people through cancer with coaching programs that shift the perspective from battle to journey. Learn more about our Cancer Journey Coach Certification and Fundamentals Program at thecancerjourney.comKeywords: cancer journey, cancer podcast, emotions during cancer, grief and cancer, sadness, permission to feel, cancer support, caregiver support, holiday grief, emotional health, cancer coaching#cancerjourney #cancerpodcast #grief #emotionalhealth #cancersupport

Cancer and Loneliness: Finding Connection When You Feel Most AloneLoneliness during cancer isn't about being physically alone - it's about feeling separated even when surrounded by support. In this episode, we explore the profound difference between aloneness and loneliness, and why the cancer journey can feel so isolating even with loved ones by your side.We discuss the unseen parts of cancer that amplify loneliness: the physical sensations only you experience, the emotional exhaustion that's invisible to others, the mind stories you carry alone. We talk about why our culture struggles with difficult emotions and how that pushes us further into isolation. And we share practical tools for moving from loneliness toward connection - including a powerful 10-minute exercise to help you understand your own patterns.In this episode:• The critical difference between being alone and feeling lonely• Why cancer creates unique forms of isolation even with support• How dismissing our emotions builds resentment and deepens loneliness• The loneliness-to-connection practice: exploring what these feelings mean specifically for you• Why giving emotions space to exist (without fixing them) is transformative• How loneliness often signals disconnection from ourselvesThis conversation offers both permission to feel what you're feeling and practical pathways toward genuine connection. Because all emotions - including loneliness - are messengers worth our attention.Resources: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: @thecancerjourney Facebook: The Cancer Journey Institute

What does it mean to gift yourself joy during a cancer journey, especially when the holidays arrive and energy is limited?In this episode, we explore how joy is still completely possible even when cancer is in the mix. We talk about giving yourself permission to experience joy without guilt, finding what brings you joy without efforting or spending money you don't have, and navigating the holidays when you can't show up the way you used to.We get into the difference between form and function, why understanding what an experience gives you matters more than what it looks like, and how to create meaningful memories and connections that honor your current reality. Plus some creative ideas for gifts that come from the heart instead of the mall.This conversation is raw, honest, and full of possibilities for patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers who want joy to be real, not forced.In This Episode:• What it means to gift yourself joy and permission• Why joy and love are connected• Navigating holiday expectations during a cancer journey• The exhaustion of "have to" versus the freedom of "want to"• Form versus function: finding what experiences give you• Creative gift ideas that don't require shopping or spending• Making meaningful memories when energy is limited• How to honor relationships without draining yourself• The role of Cancer Journey Coaches in helping you discover what you want• Why connection matters more than perfectionConnect with The Cancer Journey:Website: www.thecancerjourney.comInstagram: @thecancerjourney Topics: cancer and joy, holidays during cancer, cancer journey, gifting yourself permission, self-love during cancer, cancer caregiver support, finding joy with limited energy, meaningful gifts, cancer coaching, holiday stress, cancer support, form versus function, creating memories during cancer

In this episode, we discuss why cancer is so hard. The immediate fear of death that comes with diagnosis. The exhaustion of holding everything together. The emotions that need somewhere safe to land. We explore the pressure to be positive, the confusion of trying to make sense of something senseless, and why having a coach who can hold space for all of it matters so deeply.In this conversation, we talk about:- The immediate emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis- Why "just be positive" doesn't work (and what does)- The unique challenges of navigating a journey no one can fully prepare you for- How Cancer Journey Coaches create safe containers for authentic emotions- The difference between therapy and coaching in cancer support- Why you don't have to do this aloneAbout The Cancer Journey Institute:We help people navigate cancer as a journey of transformation rather than just a battle to survive. Through our Cancer Journey Coach Certification program, one-on-one coaching, and community support, we create spaces where all emotions are welcome and authenticity is honored.Learn more about us: www.thecancerjourney.comFree coaching session: https://thecancerjourney.com/gift-sessionCancer Journey Coach Certification: https://thecancerjourney.com/the-certification-programConnect with us:Instagram: @thecancerjourneyFacebook: The Cancer Journey InstituteWebsite: www.thecancerjourney.comRemember: You are more powerful than you realize. 🧡Keywords: cancer support, cancer coaching, emotional support cancer, cancer diagnosis, cancer caregiver support, authenticity in cancer, mental health cancer journey, cancer emotions, life after cancer diagnosis, holistic cancer support, cancer journey transformation

How do you show up for yourself when you're not feeling your best? In this episode, we get vulnerable and record while we're both actually sick to talk about what it means to keep going when you're depleted.During a cancer journey, you often feel sick, tired, or completely disconnected from your body. And the easiest thing to do is isolate and push everything away. But sometimes what you need most is to show up anyway, exactly as you are.Key topics we cover:• Why we chose to record while sick and what that taught us• The self-blame spiral that happens when you get sick• Why your filter disappears when you're depleted• The pressure to be "presentable" or "on" when socializing• How to find the middle ground between pushing through and total isolation• Why complaining is actually part of processing• The safety of having a Cancer Journey Coach to vent to without repercussions• Why being sick doesn't mean you're less than normal• How to show up authentically instead of performing• Different ways to stay connected when you're not feeling 100%• Why you don't have to isolate just because you're sickWe share personal stories about showing up to treatment with and without makeup, the relief of recognizing not every thought has to be intelligent, and why connection matters even when you're feeling your worst.This conversation explores the expectation to be your "best self" and why that's not realistic or necessary when you're going through something hard. Being sick during cancer is already happening in your body. You don't need societal pressure telling you to either push through or completely disappear.You're still a full person when you're sick. You still get to want connection, wear something that makes you feel good, go to events in sweatpants, or FaceTime a friend while you each watch your own thing.The key is showing up as much as you can without being hard on yourself. Being authentic. Finding what nourishes you, even when you're depleted.Remember: you're more powerful than you realize.Connect with The Cancer Journey: Website: www.thecancerjourney.comTopics: showing up when sick, cancer fatigue, authenticity during illness, self-blame and illness, cancer journey support, isolation during cancer, being sick during cancer, cancer coaching, vulnerability, real talk about cancer

Language of Cancer: Why the Words You Use Matter for Your HealingThe language we use during cancer affects our healing and sense of self profoundly. In this episode, we explore the power of words during a cancer journey, from battle language to toxic positivity to the things we say to ourselves when no one else is listening.Cancer comes with its own vocabulary. Medical terminology we're forced to learn, cultural phrases like "fight the battle," and the constant pressure to "stay positive." But these words don't always serve us. Sometimes they create separation, resentment, or war within ourselves.Key topics we cover:• Why "battle" language feels violent and creates a win-or-lose mentality• The difference between toxic positivity, positivity, and hope• How hiding behind "I'm fine" creates separation and resentment• The power of words we say to ourselves, especially during low moments• Why "I am stupid" versus "I feel stupid" matters more than you think• How brain fog and chemo brain affect self-perception and value• The importance of having a safe space to say the worst things out loud• Why Cancer Journey Coaches create containers for complete honesty• How the words we consume at our lowest become part of our identity• The impact of being conscious about word choice throughout the dayWe share personal stories about feeling alone during stem cell transplant recovery, catching ourselves in negative self-talk, and the physical response our bodies have to words like "gentle" and "kind." We discuss how cultural cancer language (ribbons, survivors, warriors) can create pressure rather than support.This conversation explores the three types of words that matter: the words we use with others, the words we consume from media and people around us, and the words we say to ourselves internally. All three shape our cancer experience profoundly.When you're at a low point during cancer, you need someone who understands that you need an extremely safe space to release whatever is vibrating in the back of your head. Not advice. Not someone telling you what you should say or feel. Just space to let it out and discover what's actually true underneath.Your body is listening to everything you say.Remember: you're more powerful than you realize.Connect with The Cancer Journey: Website: www.thecancerjourney.comTopics: cancer language, battle language, toxic positivity, words matter, cancer journey, self-talk during cancer, hope vs positivity, cancer coaching, emotional support, healing language, cancer experience, brain fog, chemo brain

Cancer and Relationships: How Connections Change During Your JourneyHow do relationships change during a cancer journey, and what do you really need from the people in your life? In this episode, we explore the complex dynamics that shift when cancer becomes part of your story.Cancer changes you, which means it changes every relationship. From your doctors to your family, from your partner to your friends, each connection transforms in different ways. We discuss what happens when you become the center of attention, why that can feel both validating and vulnerable, and how to navigate the messiness of needing support while also wanting to protect the people you love.Connect with The Cancer Journey: Website: https://thecancerjourney.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecancerjourney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mycancercoach/Key topics we cover:• How cancer shifts your relationship with yourself and with the diagnosis itself• Why some people you expected to show up disappear, and how to handle that• The vulnerability of becoming the center of attention during active treatment• Why no one person can be everything you need (and why that's okay)• How to recognize what different people in your life are actually good at providing• The exhaustion of trying to protect everyone while going through treatment yourself• Why asking for specific support is so hard but so necessary• How to handle the fear of being "too much" or talking about cancer too often• The power of having a Cancer Journey Coach as your clean, judgment-free container• Why clarity about your needs transforms every relationship for the betterWe share personal stories about learning that partners can't always provide emotional support the way we need, why girlfriends might need breaks from heavy conversations, and how Cancer Journey Coaches create space for unlimited processing without the weight of managing the relationship itself.This conversation is for anyone navigating cancer as a patient, survivor, thriver, or caregiver. It's for anyone who has felt torn between needing support and not wanting to burden others, or anyone searching for clarity about what they actually need from the relationships in their life.Cancer Journey Coaches provide trained, tool-equipped support that helps you process emotions, work through confusion, and gain clarity without worrying about taking up too much space or time. It's the safe container where you can be completely yourself.Remember: you're more powerful than you realize.Topics: cancer relationships, cancer support, relationship changes during cancer, cancer journey, asking for help, vulnerability in cancer, cancer caregivers, emotional support, cancer coaching, setting boundaries during cancer, communication during illnessChapters: 00:00 Introduction and PESH Check-in 03:45 How Relationships Change During Cancer 09:20 Becoming the Center of Attention 15:30 The Desire to Protect Loved Ones 22:15 No One Person Can Be Everything 28:40 Recognizing What Different People Offer 34:50 The Vulnerability of Asking for Support 41:20 Why Cancer Journey Coaches Create Clean Containers 48:35 Finding Clarity in Your Relationships 55:10 Final Takeaways and Closing PESH

What are allies on your cancer journey, and how can you find support in unexpected places? In this episode, we explore the concept of allies as more than just people who show up for you.We dive into why traditional support systems sometimes fall short during cancer, and how expanding your definition of "ally" can open up entirely new possibilities for feeling held, resourced, and nourished. From nature walks to warm soup, from movement to music, from gratitude to simply being willing to try something new, allies can show up in countless forms.Key topics we cover:• What allies really are (people, places, things, and actions)• Why some people disappear during your cancer journey and how to navigate that• The concept of attachment and what healthy support actually looks like• Why you are your own best ally• How to recognize what truly nourishes your soul• The importance of being open and willing to receive support in new forms• Why trying something new (even if it doesn't work) is valuable• The fluid nature of allies and why that's actually freeingWe share personal stories, including an experience with wooden trolls in a garden and how nature became a powerful source of healing. We also discuss the practical side of building your list of allies so that when you're feeling low or slipping into the pit, you have concrete ways to shift your energy and find your way back to yourself.This conversation is for anyone navigating cancer as a patient, survivor, thriver, or caregiver. It's for anyone who has felt alone even when people are around, or who is searching for more ways to feel supported on this journey.Remember: you're more powerful than you realize.Connect with The Cancer Journey: www.thecancerjourney.comTopics: cancer support, cancer allies, cancer journey, emotional support during cancer, finding support, cancer caregivers, holistic cancer support, cancer empowerment, self-advocacy, cancer communityChapters: 00:00 Introduction and PESH Check-in 02:15 Defining Allies Beyond Just People 08:30 When Expected Support Disappears 15:45 Attachment and Healthy Support 22:10 You Are Your Own Best Ally 28:35 Examples of Unexpected Allies 35:20 The Process of Discovering Your Allies 42:15 Flexibility and Grace in Finding Support 48:30 Final Takeaways and Closing PESH

Resentment hides in the shadows and builds from things you tell yourself are too small to mention, until it eclipses the love in relationships that matter most. In this final episode of our Hard Emotion Series, we explore why resentment is so common on a cancer journey and how to address the "pinch" before it becomes unbearable.#CancerJourney #Resentment #PatientAdvocacyWHAT WE EXPLORE IN THIS EPISODE:Resentment is that knot in your stomach that starts as a ping—something small like dishes left on the sink or a dismissive tone from your doctor. Each time you swallow the feeling and tell yourself it's not worth mentioning, you add another layer. Before you know it, you're bitter, avoiding appointments, or considering walking away from relationships that actually matter.On a cancer journey, resentment shows up constantly. You're expected to be grateful for everything anyone gives you, even when it's not what you need. You don't want to "stir the pot" with your medical team. You silence yourself because "it's not worth making it a big deal." But that's gaslighting yourself: if an emotion came up, it matters.We discuss why passive aggression is often resentment trying to find its voice, how power dynamics in medical relationships make this worse, and practical ways to notice when something "pinches" so you can address it before resentment builds. The key insight: if a relationship can't stand up to you having your voice, was it worth having?This conversation offers guidance for cancer patients navigating difficult medical relationships, caregivers feeling unheard, and anyone learning to advocate for themselves without passive aggression or silent suffering.

In part three of our Hard Emotion Series, we explore Disappointment—the heart-dropping-into-your-stomach feeling that makes you want to blame yourself, fix it immediately, or avoid feeling it altogether.This episode offers compassionate guidance for anyone navigating the inevitable disappointments of a cancer journey while maintaining hope and finding new paths forward.Join our community at: thecancerjourney.com#CancerJourney #Disappointment #HeartEmotionSeries #Hope #EmotionalHealth #CancerSupport #ProcessingEmotions #Grief #Resilience #CancerCoaching #Healing #Authenticity #CancerCommunity #CancerAwareness #CancerSurvivor

In part two of our Hard Emotion Series, we dive into the emotions most people are afraid to name honestly: Anger and Rage. These aren't just frustration or being upset, they're powerful energies that carry immense judgment in our culture, making them the emotions we suppress most.We explore the crucial difference between anger (when a boundary gets crossed) and rage (when boundaries get crossed repeatedly until you feel invisible). They discuss why we avoid these emotions, how that avoidance actually makes things worse, and the clean versus dirty ways to release this energy.For anyone on a cancer journey, boundaries get violated constantly—by your body, the medical system, well-meaning loved ones. This episode offers a compassionate framework for acknowledging and working with these taboo emotions instead of suppressing them until they explode.Join our community: www.thecancerjourney.com#CancerJourney #Anger #Rage #HeartEmotionSeries #EmotionalHealth #Boundaries #CancerSupport #ProcessingEmotions #SelfCompassion #CancerCoaching #MentalHealth #EmotionalIntelligence #Authenticity #CancerCommunity #Healing

Some emotions are often labeled "taboo" but are essential parts of being human, especially on a cancer journey, and we're digging into them with our Hard Emotions Series. We're starting with Fear because it's the emotion we hear about most from anyone navigating cancer. Not just fear of dying, but fear of what happens to loved ones, fear of losing control, fear of judgment, and the cascade of fears that can feel overwhelming.#CancerJourney #Fear #HardEmotionSeries #CancerSupport #EmotionalHealing #CancerCoaching #Vulnerability #Bravery #ProcessingFear #CancerCommunity #MentalHealth #Courage #Authenticity #CancerSurvivors #Caregivers

Take a behind-the-scenes look at our recent Earth & Essence event at Filoli Gardens, where we brought together people at all stages of their cancer journeys for an afternoon of nature, reflection, and community.In this episode, Shariann and Alicia share insights from watching participants explore the manicured gardens and the imperfect forest trail with trolls, and how both paths offered exactly what different people needed. They explore why solo reflection time in nature before community sharing created space for authentic connections and unexpected collaborations.From roses that smell like lychee to trolls asking "What do I hear when I get quiet?" this conversation reveals how structured, safe spaces can help people reconnect with themselves amid the chaos of cancer treatment and caregiving.#CancerJourney #NatureHealing #CommunitySupport #CancerSupport #Reflection #Mindfulness #FiloliGardens #CancerSurvivors #Caregivers #Healing #Authenticity #SelfCare

We get real about the pressure to "stay positive" during cancer treatment and offer a different approach, one that makes space for ALL your emotions while still moving toward healing and hope.This conversation is for anyone tired of forced positivity, anyone feeling stuck in difficult emotions, or anyone ready to discover the power they have to shift their healing journey through perspective.Website: thecancerjourney.comFollow us for more content on transforming your cancer journey.Remember: You're so much more powerful than you realize🧡#CancerJourney #PerspectiveHealing #CancerSupport #EmotionalHealing #Hope #CancerCoaching

What's the difference between what you want and what you need? And why does that distinction become so crucial when you're navigating a cancer journey?In this heartfelt episode, Shariann and Alicia explore how cancer puts you center stage in your own life, forcing you to ask yourself what you actually want—not just what you need to survive, but what would make this life feel worth living.From Ryan Gosling's powerful scene in The Notebook to the vulnerability of sharing their own wants out loud, this conversation dives deep into why we often live in survival mode and how the space that cancer creates can become a sacred invitation to dream again.Asking for what you want isn't selfis it's essential. This episode is for anyone who's ever struggled to voice what they truly desire, especially those whose lives have been touched by cancer.Join our community: Website: www.thecancerjourney.com#CancerJourney #WantVsNeed #PersonalGrowth #CancerSupport #Authenticity #SelfAdvocacy #Vulnerability #CancerCoaching #LifePurpose #SelfCare #Mindfulness #CancerSurvivors #Caregivers #LifeTransformation #Desires #Dreams #CancerCommunity

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself.This episode is about the blame we carry, the shame that festers, and that voice in our head that sounds like a prosecutor building a case against us.If you've ever whispered "What did I do wrong?" or "How is this my fault?" after a cancer diagnosis (or really, after anything difficult in life), this conversation is for you.Healing isn't linear, and neither is learning to be gentle with yourself.Take what serves you. Leave what doesn't. And remember, you get to choose what you carry.Connect with us: www.thecancerjourney.com

Drawing from Shariann's incredible 20+ year journey through five different cancer diagnoses, we talk about how cancer forces all of us to slow down in a world that's absolutely obsessed with speed, and why that forced pause might be exactly what our souls have been craving.Here's what we really get into: Why cancer is like hitting a detour sign with no GPS to guide you, and how that's where Cancer Journey coaches come in to help you navigate. We talk about the huge difference between thinking this is just a temporary detour versus recognizing it as a complete life recalibration. Shariann shares some beautiful insights about how the forced slowdown of treatment can actually become sacred time for self-discovery, and we dig into why our society judges "sitting around" so harshly and how you can reclaim the incredible power of stillness.

This episode isn't about treating yourself better when you're alone. It's about what happens when self-care and relationships intersect. When caring for yourself feels like it might hurt someone else. When you have to choose between your well-being and someone else's comfort.We talk about the moment you realize you've been absorbing emotions that were never yours to carry. What it means to love yourself with the same intentionality as you love others. Why boundaries aren't about keeping people out but about showing up authentically within your relationships.Join our community: www.thecancerjourney.com

We're having an honest conversation about one of the hardest but most important topics on the cancer journey—asking for help. We're exploring why this feels so difficult when it's actually one of the strongest things you can do, how to shift from "help" (which can feel victim-like) to "collaboration" and "support" (which feels empowering), and the beautiful truth that when you ask for support, you're not just receiving, you're giving others the gift of feeling needed and valued.Remember: You were never meant to carry it all alone, and asking for help actually strengthens relationships and creates something beautiful that none of us could achieve solo.Join the CJI Family at www.thecancerjourney.com#CancerJourney #AskingForHelp #CancerSupport #Connection #Collaboration #PersonalEmpowerment #CancerCoaching #SupportSystem #CommunitySupport #Relationships #Podcast

We're opening our hearts about one of the most challenging yet essential topics on the cancer journey—the intersection of cancer and money, and how financial fears can sometimes feel just as devastating as the diagnosis itself.We're having an honest conversation about why money becomes such a heavy topic when cancer enters your world, how financial panic can eclipse even the cancer experience itself, the parallel journeys of facing cancer and facing money, why both can feel isolating and terrifying to look at, how your perspective becomes your most powerful tool for both challenges, and the incredible resources that exist beyond what's in your bank account.

You ARE your power—it's not something outside yourself that you need to find. No one knows you and loves you like you do. The most beautiful choice you have is how you choose to see your situation. And having someone reflect back your incredible light? That's not selfish—that's essential.Whether you're a cancer patient, survivor, thriver, or caregiver, this episode offers gentle wisdom and hope for those moments when everything feels impossible.#CancerJourney #ReclaimYourPower #CancerSupport #Empowerment #CancerCoaching #PersonalGrowth #Podcast

When life throws you something as overwhelming as a cancer diagnosis, it can feel like peace is something that only exists on vacation, somewhere far away from all the decisions, treatments, and uncertainty. But what if peace isn't a destination you have to travel to?In this episode, we explore what it really means to find and hold your peace during life's most chaotic moments, especially when you're navigating a cancer journey.This isn't about toxic positivity or avoiding difficult emotions. It's about developing the awareness to recognize when you're carrying weight that doesn't belong to you, and the tools to return to your own center when the world feels chaotic.#CancerJourney #InnerPeace #PersonalPower #EmotionalWellness #SelfTrust #Healing

In this final episode of our stress response series, we explore two responses that are newer to the research but probably familiar to your lived experience: Fawn and Fib. These responses show up when your nervous system decides the safest way through a situation is to either keep everyone else comfortable or create a more acceptable version of yourself.The goal isn't to eliminate these responses—they developed for good reasons and sometimes they still serve you. It's about developing enough awareness to recognize when they show up and choose whether they're actually helping you get what you need in that moment.#CancerJourney #StressResponse #Fawn #Fib #EmotionalAwareness #Authenticity #Survival #Healing

When you're facing overwhelming situations during a cancer journey, the flight response shows up in ways that might surprise you. It's not always about physically running away—sometimes it's that internal "no" when your doctor is delivering difficult news, or the complete denial that kicks in during diagnosis.In this episode, we continue our stress response series by exploring what flight actually feels like, why it happens, and how to work with that urge to step away instead of judging yourself for having it.Flight can feel like relief in the moment—there's this sense of "I don't need to know, this isn't mine to handle." But the challenge comes when stepping back becomes permanent avoidance. The key is learning to use that space to gather yourself and then come back to engage more consciously.

When you're facing a cancer diagnosis, your fight stress response is going to show up whether you want it to or not. That surge of adrenaline, the pounding heart, the feeling like you need to control everything right now—it's your primitive nervous system trying to protect you from what it perceives as a threat.In this episode, we continue our series on stress responses by exploring what the fight response actually feels like from the inside, why it shows up so intensely during cancer journeys, and how to work with all that intense energy instead of being completely overwhelmed by it.Learn more by visiting: thecancerjourney.com#CancerJourney #StressResponse #Fight #EmotionalAwareness #SelfCompassion #Healing

When you're navigating a cancer journey, stress responses are going to show up whether you want them to or not. But what if the thing we've been taught to judge ourselves for is actually pointing us toward the solution?In this conversation, we explore how these responses are really precursors to emotions—and why that freeze response you might be criticizing yourself for could actually be your pathway to conscious choice-making.Whether you're receiving unexpected news from your medical team, dealing with the daily challenges of treatment, or supporting someone through their cancer journey, this episode will help you understand what your body is trying to communicate and how to work with it consciously.Because here's what we know: you're going to be triggered. The question is whether you're going to notice what's happening in your body and take a moment to be with it, or let the automatic response take over completely.

When cancer enters your life, it can feel like a dark veil settles over everything—making joy feel impossible or even inappropriate. But what if everything you've been told about how you're "supposed to feel" during a cancer journey is wrong?Joy isn't something you manufacture or force. It bubbles up naturally when you stop judging yourself for being human. Whether you're a patient, thriver, survivor, or caregiver, this episode will help you embrace the full spectrum of emotions available to you.

Join us for a tender exploration of one of cancer's most unexpected heartbreaks—when the people you thought would be your strongest support quietly step away when you need them most.We create space for the complex emotions that arise when friendships shift during life's most challenging seasons. This isn't about blame or judgment, but about honoring the very real grief that comes when support systems change in ways we never anticipated.Discover why this happens so frequently, how to process the intense emotions that arise, and why having a safe space to express these feelings becomes essential for your healing journey. Learn the difference between healthy emotional release and misdirected anger, and explore how these relationship changes can actually reveal deeper truths about authentic connection.We also explore the beautiful surprise of unexpected support—how people you never anticipated often become the steady presences that carry you through. This conversation offers both validation for the pain of relationship loss and hope for the connections that truly sustain us.Whether you're currently experiencing relationship changes during a health crisis or supporting someone who is, this conversation provides understanding, tools, and the reminder that your emotional responses are completely valid and deserve safe expression.

Join us for an honest exploration of burnout culture and the profound exhaustion so many of us carry, not just from work, but from a society that profits from our depletion.We create space for the soul-deep tiredness that comes from carrying everyone else's needs while forgetting to include yourself in the equation. Discover why burnout isn't just about being busy, but about moving so far from your natural rhythm that everything feels overwhelming.Learn how the cancer journey often becomes an unexpected invitation to drop the bags we've been carrying and remember what truly matters. Explore the difference between the speed our culture demands and the pace our souls actually need to thrive.This conversation isn't about time management or productivity hacks. It's about recognizing that trees don't hurry to become redwoods, flowers don't rush their blooming, and neither should you. Sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply moving at your own natural pace.Whether you're experiencing burnout yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers permission to rest, to slow down, and to remember that your presence matters more than your productivity.

Join us for a tender exploration of one of cancer's most disorienting experiences - that moment when you look in the mirror and don't recognize the person staring back.We create space for the profound grief that comes when your sense of self feels foreign, when the roles that defined you no longer fit, when your energy and capacity have shifted beyond recognition. This loss deserves to be honored fully, without rushing toward resolution.Yet we also explore the unexpected invitation that can emerge from this stripping away. When cancer forces us into what we call "the Pit" - that raw space where everything non-essential falls away - we sometimes rediscover parts of ourselves that have been waiting patiently to be remembered.Whether you're currently navigating this identity wilderness or supporting someone who is, this conversation creates space for the full spectrum of this profound human experience.

We open our hearts about the different levels of listening—from those light surface conversations that help us feel connected to the world, to the profound practice of powerful listening that creates spaces where people feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood.Discover why listening goes far beyond hearing words or waiting for your turn to speak. Learn how curiosity, presence, and genuine care create the safety for something magical to unfold - those moments when someone doesn't just hear what you're saying, but attunes to what's happening in your heart.For anyone walking the cancer journey—or any of life's challenging paths—being truly witnessed can be the most healing gift of all. This conversation isn't about perfecting a technique; it's about creating those sacred connections where both people walk away feeling less alone in their experience.Whether you're supporting someone through cancer or simply longing for deeper connection in your relationships, this conversation invites you into a more heartful way of being with those you care about.Connect with your Cancer Journey community: www.thecancerjourney.com