68 episodes
Talking With Cancer Katie Phillips
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- Health & Fitness
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5.0 • 40 Ratings
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Talking With Cancer is a weekly podcast that does exactly that; two friends, Katie Phillips & Clair Whitefield, talking. Katie has cancer and Clair doesn’t; just like the statistic, that “one in two of us will experience cancer in our lifetime”.
In February 2022, at 43 years old and with no prior health issues or concerns, Katie was told that she had thyroid cancer. To be more specific, a type of thyroid papillary cancer known as hobnail, with a ROS1 fusion. The doctors said that her diagnosis was “rare” and “complicated” – not words that Katie wanted to hear in the same sentence.
In the early weeks following her diagnosis, she decided to keep an audio diary of her journey and immediately thought of her good friend Clair.
With Clair’s background in journalism, and Katie’s career in PR (she set up entertainment PR agency KPPR in 2011), they were the perfect match and recorded their weekly conversations over zoom.
‘Talking With Cancer’ gives insight into Katie’s life with cancer, her treatment and how she’s experiencing her world now that - in her own words - “everything has changed and nothing has changed”.
The chats between Katie and Clair can often be poignant and hard-hitting, but with Clair’s, compassionate and inquisitive approach complimenting Katie’s can-do, positive outlook toward life with cancer, the episodes are always cathartic, inspiring, and more often than not, very funny too (thanks to the weekly ‘mum cancer jokes’)!
Whether it’s tackling the more challenging topics that arise from facing life with cancer or the lighter moments encountered on the journey – “never moisturise before an echocardiogram” – each week, the podcast offers something for everyone, as we are all, in some way, affected by cancer.
Have a listen. You might learn something, understand a little more about living with cancer than you did before and hopefully, you’ll have a giggle too.
For more enquiries or to get in touch: hello@talkingwithcancer.com
To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to: @talking_withcancer
Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.
Series Audio Production by Pixiu
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The certainty of the end
This week's bonus episode is in memory of Paola Marra, who made a moving and thought provoking film with world famous photographer Rankin, about her decision to go to Dignitas in Switzerland to die. Katie was privileged enough to speak to Rankin, about why he made the film for the Dignity in Dying Campaign, which was launched in March 2024 to coincide with Paola’s death.
He talked about his bond with Paola and how struck he was by her decision to end her life having lived with cancer for seven years.
Rankin himself has done a lot of work around Death and Dying, including his exhibition Alive in the Face of Death in 2013, and more recently he published the book: How to Die Well in 2021.
Katie also speaks to her friend Cordelia Taylor, who has been living with a brain tumour for five and a half years, and was recently told by her medical team that they are out of options and that she has 2-3 months to live. In response to this Cordelia hosted a Celebration of Life party, which Katie attended. They discuss this as an idea, and they talk about all the feelings Cordelia has surrounding death & dying.
Lastly, Katie shares her own news, about the next chapter she is about to embark on in her cancer treatment, having had some progression on a recent scan.
https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/about-us/
https://www.actaboveandbeyond.co.uk/ -
Lozza aka Big Sister Energy
This week is a sort of bonus episode. At last, Katie speaks with Lauren Mahon, following a few attempts. They have a very open chat about a lot of things. Of course from one podcast host to another they talk about "You, Me & the Big C", and how that legacy lives on. Lauren talks candidly about how she navigates grief and death anxiety, particularly over recent years when so many people close to her have sadly died with cancer. She reflects on the strong and open hearted woman she has become, because of her own breast cancer experience. They discuss sex and cancer, fertility and cancer and of course Lauren’s charity Girl vs Cancer. And she passionately explains why she cares so much about a number of issues and wants to try and make real change. Katie signs off with her own health update, following her second clear scan in January.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0608649/episodes/downloads
https://girlvscancer.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/iamlaurenmahon/?hl=en -
Myths
Katie recently hosted a Cancer Myth Busting workshop at Soho House and in this week’s episode she shares some of that audio. Discussing topics such as a holistic approach to health, chemotherapy, cancer community, radical remission and generally what it’s like to live with cancer.
Talking With Cancer
For all enquiries or to get in touch: hello@talkingwithcancer.com
To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer
Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.
Series Audio Production by Pixiu -
All the Voices
This week Katie celebrates all the amazing Voices with Cancer who have featured on the podcast this series. She is thrilled to be part of a community of people who have shared their cancer story with her and her listeners. She has learnt something from each one and hopes in turn that having a platform to speak about their experience has helped them in some way too.
Talking With Cancer
For all enquiries or to get in touch: hello@talkingwithcancer.com
To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer
Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.
Series Audio Production by Pixiu -
Headings
This week Katie thought it might be useful to highlight some of the things she's learnt along the way. So she breaks down four key headings and reflects back. They are: Narratives, Self-Advocacy, Death and Hope. She really hopes this is useful for you too.
Talking With Cancer
For all enquiries or to get in touch: hello@talkingwithcancer.com
To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer
Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.
Series Audio Production by Pixiu -
Mushrooms
Katie's guest this week has over 20 years working in mycology and the ecosystem, understanding the benefits of mushrooms, and sharing that knowledge all around Europe. In her words she had to evangelise the study of mushrooms to help build her audience and in turn her business. Hearing about the benefits was fascinating, and Katie has first hand experience of their products which she believes have contributed to her wellness hugely. Add the promo code Care15 for all orders within the UK for 15% off.
Talking With Cancer
For all enquiries or to get in touch: hello@talkingwithcancer.com
To follow Katie’s journey on Instagram, go to @talking_withcancer
Artwork & logo design by Emily Juniper. Illustrations by Amy Browne.
Series Audio Production by Pixiu
Customer Reviews
Positive, informative and thought provoking
Strongly recommend this podcast 🙋♀️
Like sitting with two friends, funny, informative and thoughtful
Would recommend this to anyone who has someone in their lives with cancer, or indeed has been affected. Katie sheds light on how it feels, what it’s like as well as all sorts of insightful asides that will enrich your day - cancer or none!
A brave and honest insight into cancer
I have listened to all of Katie’s podcasts and seen how the podcast has evolved from a cancer diary to a podcast that focuses on many topics that affect individuals and families touched by cancer. Katie has an enquiring mind and a lovely manner when interviewing guests and her chats are both informative and engaging. Am glad she is shining a light on the cancer world particularly for those affected at a younger age. Well done Katie, please keep going!