The Empty Chair | A Survivor Speaks™ Podcast Series

I survived breast cancer. But surviving was only the beginning of my story.

Welcome to Episode 3 of The Empty Chair™ — A Survivor Speaks Original Podcast.

In "I Survived Cancer—But What Happens Next?" I share what happened as I began rebuilding my life after breast cancer.

From one of the most frightening experiences of motherhood to pursuing my dreams in professional modeling, including Ashley Stewart and The New Yorker, this episode explores faith, resilience, unexpected opportunities, friendship, and loss.

I also honor the life and legacy of my dear friend Kelly Downing, whose encouragement and friendship became an important part of my journey.

Kelly's gospel album, Greater Faith in You, remains available on YouTube. One of my favorite songs is The Master's Hands.

EPISODE SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you in part by The Survivor Speaks™ Collection, our first official in-house sponsor.

More than merchandise, every design represents strength, resilience, awareness, healing, and purpose.

Wear the Story. Support the Mission™.

Explore the collection:
https://survivorspeaksllc.com

ABOUT THE EMPTY CHAIR™

The Empty Chair™ is a Survivor Speaks Original Podcast exploring real experiences, faith, resilience, healing, loss, and the stories that deserve to be heard.

Because some of the most powerful stories are told from an empty chair.

Created, written, narrated, and produced by Survivor Speaks™.

Real People. Real Stories. Real Impact.™

#TheEmptyChairPodcast #SurvivorSpeaks #BreastCancerSurvivor #FaithAndResilience #SurvivorStories

In Episode 2 of The Empty Chair™, A Survivor Speaks™ Original Podcast Series, we continue a deeply personal journey through survivorship, faith, family, and the unexpected truths that emerge when life changes forever.

From the people whose love carried us through difficult moments to the realities of breast cancer treatment, this episode explores the emotional and physical challenges of navigating a diagnosis, finding strength through uncertainty, and discovering purpose beyond survival.

We also shine a light on an important conversation too often overlooked: Men Get Breast Cancer Too. Through awareness, education, and advocacy, Survivor Speaks™ reminds listeners that every voice deserves to be heard.

Because survivorship is more than a diagnosis. It's the story of everything that comes after.

Real People. Real Stories. Real Impact.™

We also revisit someone very special, my Novy, whose unwavering love and thoughtfulness have been a constant throughout my survivorship journey. For 19 years, she has remembered me every Breast Cancer Awareness Month without missing a single year.

In the first episode of The Empty Chair, a Survivor Speaks original podcast, our host begins with why this show starts with an empty chair. Then she tells her own breast cancer story from the start. She found a lump after giving birth. Next came urgent appointments, a trusted friend at her side and the shock of a diagnosis 19 years ago: triple-negative breast cancer.

She talks about choosing faith and treatment, and how she told her family. She describes a surgeon who made the impossible understandable, and what chemotherapy was really like, including Abraxane. She also covers insurance hurdles, heart scares, pushing through treatment, and what happened when her story of survival ran into workplace politics.

Along the way she pays tribute to her shero, Vanessa, and the friendships that carry us. She takes an advocacy break to remind listeners that breast cancer has no gender. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she closes with reminders about awareness, peace and being heard.