Live from Stage 4: MBC News for Us, by Us

Victoria Goldberg
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  • MEDICINE

Could a cure for breast cancer be closer than you think? Welcome to "Live from Stage 4" — a bold, hopeful podcast where people living with metastatic breast cancer, clinicians, and researchers take center stage. We share real stories, decode the science, and spotlight the ideas and breakthroughs that matter — for patients, caregivers, and anyone who believes progress is possible. This podcast is for us, by us, and all about us.

  1. Front Row Seat: Can We Talk about the Cure? A Conversation with Dr. Eric Winer

    5 DAYS AGO

    Front Row Seat: Can We Talk about the Cure? A Conversation with Dr. Eric Winer

    For a long time, the word "cure" and "metastatic breast cancer" didn't belong in the same sentence. That's changing — and nobody is better positioned to explain why than today's guest. Dr. Eric Winer is one of the world's leading breast cancer oncologists and researchers, former president of ASCO, and director of the Yale Cancer Center. In this conversation with Victoria Goldberg, he tackles the question he posed at the 2025 ABC8 conference in Lisbon: Can we talk about the cure? In this episode: Why HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer is the subtype closest to a cure — and what the biology tells usThe landmark trials rewriting the playbook: CLEOPATRA, PATINA, and DESTINY-Breast09 (DB-09)What "curative hope" means and how Dr. Winer talks about it with his own patientsThe truth about comparing DB-09 to CLEOPATRA — and why rushing to make Enhertu the universal first-line standard may be prematureOligometastatic disease, cancer dormancy, and surgery in the metastatic settingThe emerging science of exercise and cancer outcomes — and why it's no longer just about quality of lifeTwo groundbreaking curative-intent trials: SAPPHO (Dana Farber) and HERizon-Breast (Memorial Sloan Kettering, now open for enrollment), and what sequential therapy is actually trying to doThis is one of the most substantive, hopeful, and honest conversations we've had on Live from Stage IV — and one we've been waiting a long time to share. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Leave us a review, visit our website, and follow us on social media to stay connected with the latest in metastatic breast cancer research. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team about your individual treatment options. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    53 min
  2. Thriving Together 2026: LBBC's MBC Conference Through Our Eyes

    30 APR

    Thriving Together 2026: LBBC's MBC Conference Through Our Eyes

    Every year, Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) brings together hundreds of people living with metastatic breast cancer for one of the most anticipated events in the MBC community, the Thriving Together MBC Conference. This year marked a milestone: the 20th anniversary. In this episode, the members of the podcast team Abigail Johnston, Dr. Jill Tirabassi, Dr. Ellen Landsberger, and Victoria Goldberg, all MBC patients themselves, sit down for an honest, heartfelt recap of the 2026 conference. They share what moved them, what they learned, and what keeps them coming back year after year. Topics covered include: The emotional experience of walking into a room full of people living with MBC — for the first time and the tenthHighlights from the scientific sessions, including insights from Dr. Virginia Borges and Dr. Seth Wander on personalized medicine, ctDNA, and the explosion of new treatment optionsThe power of patient-centered programming and why Thriving Together hits differently than ASCO or SABCSFavorite sessions: expressive writing, reading scans and research, and the Spinning Science workshopThe growing presence of caregivers and families at the conferenceSuggestions for future programming, including tracks for long-term survivors and pre-conference prep for the newly diagnosedA look at LBBC's Hear My Voice advocacy program, Project Life, and what the next 20 years might bringWhether you've been to Thriving Together ten times or have never heard of it, this episode will make you want to be in that room. Resources mentioned: Living Beyond Breast CancerProject LifeSpinning Science (via Project Life)Hear My Voice Advocacy Program (LBBC)Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    39 min
  3. Symptoms Spotlight: Hair Loss with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk

    21 APR

    Symptoms Spotlight: Hair Loss with Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk

    Hair loss is one of the most emotionally complex side effects of cancer treatment — and in this episode of Symptom Spotlights, Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk are joined by Lisa Backus and Jill Tirabassi for an honest, practical conversation about navigating it. From complete hair loss due to chemotherapy (multiple times) to gradual thinning from hormone therapy and targeted treatment, each woman shares her unique experience — and the tips, products, and mindset shifts that have helped along the way. In this episode, we cover: The difference between hair thinning and full hair loss — and how to know which you're experiencingWigs vs. soft hats, scarves, and beanies: what actually worksCold capping, Minoxidil, biotin, vitamin panels, and other interventions to discuss with your care teamHenna head tattoos, silk pillowcases, volume shampoos, and other creative solutionsThe psychological toll of visibly "looking sick" — and why hair loss is never a small thingHow hair can grow back differently in color, texture, and curl after treatmentThis conversation is full of peer wisdom, humor, and heart. Links to products and interventions mentioned are in the show notes. Nothing shared in this episode constitutes medical advice. Always consult your care team before trying new products or supplements. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    24 min
  4. Front Row Seat: The Enigma of the Blood-Brain Barrier & More with Dr. Nancy Lin

    14 APR

    Front Row Seat: The Enigma of the Blood-Brain Barrier & More with Dr. Nancy Lin

    What happens when breast cancer spreads to the brain — and what can actually be done about it? In this episode, host Victoria Goldberg sits down with Dr. Nancy Lin, medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and one of the country's leading experts on metastatic breast cancer and brain metastasis. Dr. Lin breaks down the current treatment landscape for all subtypes — HER2+, ER+, and triple negative — covering everything from antibody drug conjugates like T-DXd and sacituzumab, to oral agents like tucatinib, to advances in focused radiation techniques. She also shares her nuanced take on the HER2 CLIMB-05 trial, why the brain metastasis prevention data were disappointing, and what the Patina trial data tells us about CDK4/6 inhibitors. Then we go deeper — into the blood-brain barrier itself. Dr. Lin explains why it's been called an enigma, what the "blood-tumor barrier" actually means for treatment, and what cutting-edge technologies like focused ultrasound and receptor-mediated transcytosis could change about drug delivery to the brain. Plus: should patients with metastatic breast cancer be getting routine brain MRIs? Dr. Lin's answer may surprise you. In this episode: New treatment options for brain mets across subtypesWhat tucatinib does — and doesn't — do for preventionThe blood-brain barrier vs. the blood-tumor barrierFocused ultrasound and microbubbles: science fiction becoming realityDrugs being designed from the ground up to cross the blood-brain barrierRoutine brain MRI screening: is the pendulum shifting?A preview of upcoming research, including the LMD registryThis podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Visit livefromstage4.org for transcripts, resources, and deeper explanations of everything discussed. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    45 min
  5. Stage 4 Living: Palliative Care is Not Hospice with Dr. Mary Busowski

    7 APR

    Stage 4 Living: Palliative Care is Not Hospice with Dr. Mary Busowski

    If you've ever heard the words "palliative care" and incorrectly assumed it meant the end was near — this episode is for you. Abigail Johnston and Amy Parliament sit down with Dr. Mary Busowski, a palliative care physician at Orlando Health, to bust one of the most persistent myths in cancer care: that palliative medicine is the same as hospice. Dr. Busowski brings a rare perspective — she trained as a neonatal ICU nurse, went to medical school, completed an infectious disease fellowship, and was among the first physicians to receive board certification in palliative medicine when the American Board of Internal Medicine officially recognized it as a specialty in 2008. In this conversation, you'll learn: The real difference between palliative care and hospiceWhy getting palliative care involved early — not just at end of life — can change your entire treatment experienceHow palliative medicine addresses more than just painWhat to look for when choosing a palliative care providerWhy Dr. Busowski calls herself a "joyful practitioner" — and what that means for her patientsDr. Busowski also shares a deeply personal story about navigating her husband's Parkinson's disease journey without palliative support — and how that experience now shapes the care she gives every patient. Whether you're newly diagnosed, deep in treatment, or supporting someone you love, this episode offers clarity, comfort, and a new way to think about the care you deserve. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    28 min
  6. S**t We Deal With Shorts: Time Burden with Dr. Jill Tirabassi

    31 MAR

    S**t We Deal With Shorts: Time Burden with Dr. Jill Tirabassi

    Living with metastatic breast cancer isn't just about medical treatments—it's a significant time commitment that impacts every aspect of daily life. In this episode of "S**T We Deal With Shorts," Dr. Jill Tirabassi examines a 2025 JAMA Network Open study that quantifies exactly how much time patients with metastatic breast and ovarian cancer spend managing their disease. The research reveals eye-opening statistics: patients averaged one out-of-home cancer-related visit per week, with travel and wait times often exceeding actual care time. At home, cancer-related tasks consumed a median of 209 minutes per week—from taking medications to managing medical bills and scheduling appointments. For over one-third of participants, these demands disrupted their daily activities more than half the time. While most patients in the study spent 5-15 hours per week on cancer-related care—not quite the "full-time job" often described—the burden is far from insignificant. Jill brings her dual perspective as both a physician and someone living with MBC to explore how treatment lines, side effects, and care logistics impact our time and lives. This episode validates what many in the MBC community already know: managing advanced cancer requires substantial time and energy beyond what appears on any scan or lab result. Article: Time Burden in Patients with Metastatic Breast and Ovarian Cancer From Clinic and Home Demands,JAMA Network Open, December 2025 Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    9 min
  7. Front Row Seat: We'll Never Cure Cancer Without AI, Say Steve Brown & Lisa Booth

    24 MAR

    Front Row Seat: We'll Never Cure Cancer Without AI, Say Steve Brown & Lisa Booth

    What if a misdiagnosis nearly cost you your life—and AI became your second opinion? In this episode, we sit down with Steve Brown, CEO of CureWise, and Lisa Booth, both living with cancer and pioneering the use of AI to navigate their treatment journeys. Steve, a tech veteran, was diagnosed with rare blood cancer in the emergency room after months of missed symptoms. When he fed his medical records to an AI agent he'd built, it immediately spotted what his doctors had overlooked. That AI became CureWise—where Steve is CEO and patient number one, and Lisa is patient number two. Lisa has been living with metastatic breast cancer for nearly 11 years, successfully navigating seven lines of therapy and multiple clinical trials. She uses CureWise to identify trial options, understand complex treatment data, advocate with her oncologist, and even appeal insurance denials. This conversation isn't just about technology—it's about empowerment. We explore: How AI agents trained in different medical specialties can analyze your records and offer multiple expert perspectivesThe gap between elite cancer care and what most patients receiveOff-label treatments and why insurance companies often say noHow to bring AI insights to your doctor without damaging the relationshipHIPAA compliance, hallucinations, and data protectionThe future of patient advocacy in the age of AISteve believes that someday soon, doctors who don't run patients through an AI model will be considered negligent. He also thinks we'll never cure cancer without AI—and after hearing his and Lisa's stories, you might agree. If you or someone you love has ever wondered, "Is there a better treatment option out there that my doctor doesn't know about?"—this episode is for you. Guests: Steve Brown (CEO, CureWise) | Lisa Booth (Patient Advocate) Hosted by: Victoria Goldberg with Jill Terabassi, Linda Weatherby, and Abigail Johnston Learn more: CureWise Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    57 min
  8. Live Chat: The Courage to Choose Life on Your Terms with Dar Finkelstein

    17 MAR

    Live Chat: The Courage to Choose Life on Your Terms with Dar Finkelstein

    In one of the most powerful conversations we've ever recorded, Dar Finkelstein—known throughout the metastatic breast cancer community as "The Queen of Joy"—shares her decision to stop treatment and transition to hospice care. After nearly seven years with metastatic breast cancer and 20 years total since her original diagnosis, Dar opens up about the impossible choice many in the MBC community eventually face: quality of life versus quantity of time. With remarkable candor and grace, she discusses how she made this heartbreaking decision, how she told her oncologist and family, and what brought her peace. In this episode, Dar talks about: • The moment she knew it was time to stop treatment • Navigating the "honeymoon period" after ending chemo • How her faith and joy mission sustain her through this transition • Practical advice for planning end-of-life care • The importance of open conversations about death within the MBC community • Finding peace, setting priorities, and still choosing joy Trigger warning: This episode discusses end-of-life issues, hospice care, and death. It's intended for mature audiences living with or affected by terminal illness. Dar's vulnerability and wisdom offer a roadmap for others facing similar decisions. Her message is clear: death is a natural part of life, and we can face it with dignity, purpose, and yes—even joy. Hosted and produced by Abigail Johnston and Melanie Sisk. Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe and leave a review — it really helps. Follow us on social media @livefromstage4 and visit our website at www.livefromstage4.org for show notes and links.  Your support helps us continue to share important stories and advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Until next time, take care and keep pushing for progress.

    44 min
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About

Could a cure for breast cancer be closer than you think? Welcome to "Live from Stage 4" — a bold, hopeful podcast where people living with metastatic breast cancer, clinicians, and researchers take center stage. We share real stories, decode the science, and spotlight the ideas and breakthroughs that matter — for patients, caregivers, and anyone who believes progress is possible. This podcast is for us, by us, and all about us.

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