The Cancer Pod: Integrative Medicine Talk

Dr. Tina Kaczor and Dr. Leah Sherman
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Join Tina and Leah, two naturopathic physicians with years of experience in natural medicine and cancer care. Leah is the ”cancer insider.“ Tina is the science-y one. Listen in and join us as we talk with each other or respected experts in integrative oncology. Whether it is you or a loved one, whether you are in treatment or beyond, you’ll find helpful info, tips, and tricks to get through tough times. We frame things around cancer, but honestly, anyone can benefit.  So, tune in, join our community of like-minded folks, and please let us know what you think!  Disclaimer: This podcast is for education, entertainment, and informational purposes only. Do not apply any of this information without first speaking to your doctor. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast by the hosts and their guests are solely their own.  

  1. The Power of Connection with Beth Blakey, CEO, Cancer Hope Network

    4 DAYS AGO

    The Power of Connection with Beth Blakey, CEO, Cancer Hope Network

    Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Cancer Hope Network CEO Beth Blakey on Peer Mentorship, Caregiver Support, and Connection in Cancer Care Beth Blakey, CEO of Cancer Hope Network, discusses the organization’s 46-year mission to ensure no one faces cancer alone. The unique model of free, confidential, one-on-one peer mentorship connecting patients and caregivers with trained cancer survivors or caregivers continues to touch lives. Blakey shares her personal story that led her to join the organization in 2019, and how she rose to become the CEO. She explains how, even in the midst of rapid technological advances, one thing has not changed: the need for personal connections. Cancer Hope Network facilitates these connections the old-fashioned way, through helping patients and their caregivers one on one. Blakey also outlines key initiatives: Cancer Hope Network en Español, the TACT (Talking About Clinical Trials) program, and Hopeful Hearts for parents of children and adolescents with cancer. Learn more about the expert cancer care and support of Cancer Hope Network on their website. Follow Cancer Hope Network: Instagram Facebook TikTok  Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today on Buy Me a Coffee or on Patreon! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category.  Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Buy our merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow us wherever you browse. We're always @TheCancerPod: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTubeTHANK YOU!!

    39 min
  2. Cancer and Intimacy with Claire Rumore

    1 APR

    Cancer and Intimacy with Claire Rumore

    Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! What happens to desire after a cancer diagnosis? In this episode, Dr. Leah Sherman speaks with intimacy coach and cancer survivor Claire Rumore about the often-overlooked intimacy challenges that come with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Claire shares how cancer may reshape desire, body image, and relationship dynamics—and why clinical care frequently misses these impacts. They explore practical approaches like redefining intimacy beyond intercourse, using nervous system regulation and consent-based touch to rebuild safety, and the Erotic Blueprints framework for understanding desire. Claire also introduces resources from her site cancerandintimacy.com designed to support patients, survivors, and their partners through this deeply personal aspect of cancer care. Cancer and Intimacy website Coupon Code: CAI20 Free resource kit: Reclaiming Intimacy During and After Cancer, The Sensual Wardrobe Reset Claire's Bio and social media links Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today on Buy Me a Coffee or on Patreon! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category.  Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Buy our merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow us wherever you browse. We're always @TheCancerPod: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTubeTHANK YOU!!

    52 min
  3. Navigating Cancer Care with Chad Levitt, MD

    4 MAR

    Navigating Cancer Care with Chad Levitt, MD

    Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Dr. Kaczor speaks with Dr. Chad Levitt, a board-certified radiation oncologist with over 25 years of experience and founder of ONCARE MD. Levitt discusses how patients are, in effect, consumers of a product called "medical care." As consumers, they are in charge and must navigate the often fragmented healthcare landscape. He talks about the need to have your questions answered fully, to seek second opinions, and to ensure that your care team communicates clearly. The discussion covers what fully informed consent looks like, the limits of the NCCN guidelines, and the need for integrative oncology (including nutrition, stress, and supportive care). His company, OncCareMD, provides unbiased, membership-based advice for optimal treatments with frequent touch points to ensure treatment goes smoothly. Dr. Chad Levitt's bio and links OnCareMD website NCCN Guidelines for Patients Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today on Buy Me a Coffee or on Patreon! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category.  Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Buy our merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow us wherever you browse. We're always @TheCancerPod: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTubeTHANK YOU!!

    42 min
  4. Optimize Surgery Recovery: An Integrative Approach

    4 FEB

    Optimize Surgery Recovery: An Integrative Approach

    Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! In this episode, we dive deep into surgical support for cancer patients and share all the insider intel you might be missing out on. From what not to take before surgery (blood clotting is essential!) to the importance of inflammation in the healing process (yes, inflammation is actually your friend after surgery!), we cover it all.  Discover key nutrients, physical and occupational therapy recommendations, and even some mind-body strategies to boost your recovery. We’re talking macronutrients, micronutrients, supplements, and the best foods to eat before and after surgery. Also, we reveal a common supplement that we’re told to skip that might actually help with healing! This episode is packed with practical, easy-to-implement advice that you won't want to miss. Past episodes we mentioned: Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Supplements 101Vitamin D: Supplements 101Calcium: The Low Down and the High PointsVitamin C: Supplements 101Magnesium: the Goldilocks Nutrient?Flax and Chia Seeds: Foods FirstLink to nutrient absorption chart of gutFind clinical trials on exercise as cancer supportive therapyProducts we mentioned (we may earn a small commission at no cost to you): Juven Ginger People Tummy Drops  Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today on Buy Me a Coffee or on Patreon! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category.  Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Buy our merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow us wherever you browse. We're always @TheCancerPod: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTubeTHANK YOU!!

    53 min
  5. Gila Pfeffer: Humor Writer and Breast Cancer Prevention Advocate

    7 JAN

    Gila Pfeffer: Humor Writer and Breast Cancer Prevention Advocate

    Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Writer, humorist, previvor, survivor, and breast cancer prevention advocate Gila Pfeffer joins Leah for a thoughtful, funny, and deeply honest conversation about loss, resilience, and finding humor in the most unlikely situations. Gila talks about her memoir, Nearly Departed: Adventures in Loss, Cancer, and Other Inconveniences, how humor can be a survival tool during cancer treatment, and her cheeky Feel It on the First campaign that raises awareness of breast cancer screenings and risk reduction. Gila shares her experiences from undergoing a risk-reducing double mastectomy as a BRCA+ previvor to becoming a cancer survivor who is a powerful voice in breast cancer awareness.  This wide-ranging interview moves between generations—Gila’s experience as a daughter watching her mother go through cancer, and later as a mother facing her own diagnosis—highlighting the power of storytelling to help us make sense of what feels impossible. Honest, insightful, and refreshingly human, this episode is for anyone navigating cancer. Follow Gila on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gilapfeffer/ Subscribe to her Substack  Send your Feel It On the First pictures to Gila! gilawrites@gmail.com Things mentioned in this episode: Read Gila’s first publication in McSweeney’s An Open Letter to Tiffany & Co. About Their Advertising Campaign for the Ring That Helps Women Remember They Survived Cancer The Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Calculator Koning-Vera, compression-free mammography Eleonora Deplinsky, MD Gynecologic medical oncologist  Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today on Buy Me a Coffee or on Patreon! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category.  Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Buy our merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow us wherever you browse. We're always @TheCancerPod: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTubeTHANK YOU!!

    59 min
  6. Innovations, Breakthroughs and Insights

    17/12/2025

    Innovations, Breakthroughs and Insights

    Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Dr. Tina Kaczor and Dr. Leah Sherman discuss new diagnostic tools that can tell benign tumors from cancer in the pancreas, highlight the growing concerns over microplastics, and explore the link between ultra-processed foods and early colorectal cancer. They also highlight some amazing inventions by teenagers, like a melanoma-detection app and a skin-cancer-reducing soap. Last, they cover the benefits of hypnosis before breast cancer surgery and the health impact of commonly used chemicals in dry cleaning. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and overall wellness. Soap for skin cancers invented by TIME's Kid of the Year, Hemen Bekele A skin cancer detecting app invented by Richmond, VA high-schoolers The dramatic increase in glyphosate use across the Midwest in the USA The rising rates of cancer in young people around the world Exposure of rat fetuses to glyphosate levels led to early cancer development The rising rate of glyphosate exposure over time  Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today on Buy Me a Coffee or on Patreon! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category.  Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Buy our merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow us wherever you browse. We're always @TheCancerPod: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTubeTHANK YOU!!

    33 min
  7. Charlotte Bayala on Overcoming the Challenges of Gratitude

    19/11/2025

    Charlotte Bayala on Overcoming the Challenges of Gratitude

    Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! In this special November episode, we are swapping podcasts with Charlotte Bayala of the Cancer Caregiver Podcast. Charlotte explores the complexities of meeting expectations of gratitude during the holidays when you or your loved one is dealing with cancer. Listeners will hear an honest, grounded discussion of the mixed emotions that arise, and a breathing tool to help you deal with them in real time. By the end, listeners will have strategies for expressing gratitude authentically in difficult times.  Links to Charlotte's bio and social media https://www.cancercaregiverpodcast.com/ Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today on Buy Me a Coffee or on Patreon! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category.  Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Buy our merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow us wherever you browse. We're always @TheCancerPod: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTubeTHANK YOU!!

    20 min
  8. Jeff Stewart: Author, Scientist, Jeopardy Champ, and Cancer Insider

    22/10/2025

    Jeff Stewart: Author, Scientist, Jeopardy Champ, and Cancer Insider

    Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! In 2022, Jeff Stewart was preparing to donate a kidney when his life took a completely different turn. Unknown to him at the time, he was harboring two separate cancers—kidney and stomach. As a former Jeopardy champ, long-time molecular biologist, and inventor, it’s no surprise that Jeff instinctively framed his relationship with cancer as a complex puzzle that needed solving. In this heartfelt interview with Dr. Sherman, Jeff shares the insights he has gained over the years. He also discusses his published memoir, Living: Inspiration from a Father with Cancer. Written with his seven children in mind, Living offers advice and inspiration for everyone, regardless of age.  He also touches on his love of writing itself, having just completed his upcoming young adult fantasy book, Angel Chloe and the Wall of Stone and Bone. Jeff passed away in August 2025, yet his wisdom, humor, and legacy live on to inspire us, just as he intended. Hope for Stomach Cancer support group mentioned by Jeff Buy his book, Living: Inspiration from a Father with Cancer, from our bookshop.org collection NPR piece by Jeff on experimental therapies  Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today on Buy Me a Coffee or on Patreon! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category.  Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Buy our merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow us wherever you browse. We're always @TheCancerPod: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTubeTHANK YOU!!

    38 min
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Join Tina and Leah, two naturopathic physicians with years of experience in natural medicine and cancer care. Leah is the ”cancer insider.“ Tina is the science-y one. Listen in and join us as we talk with each other or respected experts in integrative oncology. Whether it is you or a loved one, whether you are in treatment or beyond, you’ll find helpful info, tips, and tricks to get through tough times. We frame things around cancer, but honestly, anyone can benefit.  So, tune in, join our community of like-minded folks, and please let us know what you think!  Disclaimer: This podcast is for education, entertainment, and informational purposes only. Do not apply any of this information without first speaking to your doctor. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast by the hosts and their guests are solely their own.  

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