BRCA & Beyond

Marisa Stachelski

BRCA & Beyond is where real talk meets real life with a gene mutation. I’m Marisa, a BRCA2 previvor, colon cancer survivor, wife, and mom of two, and I know firsthand how overwhelming, emotional, and downright confusing this journey can be. But here’s the truth — your gene mutation does not define you. Your choices do. And there is a full, beautiful life waiting beyond this diagnosis. Here, we’ll talk about the decisions no one ever expects to face, the emotions that come with them, and the messy, beautiful, complicated life that happens in between. You’ll hear honest stories (mine and others’), practical tips, and guides that make the path a little clearer. We’ll welcome guests who share their own journeys and expertise, offering fresh perspectives, hope, and encouragement. We’ll laugh when we can, cry when we need to, and remind each other that joy still exists, even in the chaos. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, deep into decision-making, or simply searching for connection, this is a space to feel understood, supported, and never alone. Pull up a seat, friend. We’re in this together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Cancer Prevention Month… For Us, It’s Every Day With a Genetic Mutation

    Cancer Prevention Month… For Us, It’s Every Day With a Genetic Mutation February is Cancer Prevention Month. But for those of us living with a genetic mutation like BRCA, prevention isn’t something we think about once a year—it’s part of everyday life. In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa shares an honest, real conversation about what cancer prevention actually looks like when your risk is hereditary. From daily lifestyle choices to medical surveillance and preventative surgeries, this episode breaks down the difference between general wellness advice and true hereditary cancer risk management. Marisa opens up about her own experience—how she exercised, ate well, and still faced a stage 1 colon cancer diagnosis—and why that doesn’t make healthy habits pointless. Instead, she explains how movement, nutrition, hormone balance, inflammation reduction, and metabolic health all play an important role in supporting the body, even when your DNA can’t be changed. This episode is for anyone: Living with a BRCA or other genetic mutationNavigating hereditary cancer riskConsidering preventative surgeryFeeling overwhelmed by prevention decisionsWondering what prevention really looks like beyond lifestyle adviceIf you’ve ever felt like the typical “just be healthy” message doesn’t fully apply to you, this conversation will help you feel more informed, more grounded, and less alone. Because when your risk is genetic, prevention isn’t a month. It’s a way of life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 9m
  2. 29 JAN

    From Prehab to Rehab for Previvors & Survivors

    In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa sits down with Rori Zura—breast cancer survivor, certified Cancer Exercise Specialist, and founder of Foobs & Fitness to talk about what recovery really looks like for previvors and survivors, before, during, and after surgery and treatment. After navigating years of breast health concerns and a strong family history of cancer, Rori was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at just 33 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic. During treatment, fitness became her anchor—not to “fix” her body, but to stay connected to it and reclaim a sense of control. That experience reshaped her life and led her to become a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist and ultimately create Foobs & Fitness. From prehab to rehab, this conversation dives into the often-overlooked side of healing: rebuilding strength, protecting range of motion, navigating muscle loss, and learning how to move safely after mastectomy, reconstruction, hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. Rori shares expert insight on the rehab gap many people face after being discharged, the physical and emotional impact of recovery, and why individualized, cancer-informed movement is essential for long-term healing. Whether you’re preparing for preventative surgery, actively in treatment, or navigating life after cancer, this episode offers practical guidance, reassurance, and real-world strategies to help you reconnect with your body in a way that feels safe, supported, and empowering. Today, through Foobs & Fitness, Rori supports both previvors and survivors with in-person and virtual programs designed specifically for every stage of the journey, helping people use movement as a lifeline to rebuild strength, confidence, and trust in their bodies during survivorship and beyond. Connect with Rori & explore Foobs & Fitness: Website: https://foobsandfitness.com/ Instagram: @foobsandfitness If you or someone you love is facing preventative surgery, cancer treatment, or survivorship, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for compassionate, informed, and realistic guidance on rebuilding after it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  3. 22 JAN

    When Survival Eases, and Deeper Healing Begins

    In this episode of BRCA & Beyond, Marisa talks about what healing can look like after preventative surgery, when survival mode eases, but your nervous system and emotions are still catching up. This conversation covers scanxiety, fight-or-flight responses, and the emotional side of recovery that can show up long after surgeries are done. From nervous system regulation to unexpected body image struggles, Marisa shares how the body continues to process medical stress even when life looks “back to normal” on the outside. If you’ve experienced preventative surgery, mastectomy recovery, reconstruction, hereditary cancer risk, or life after cancer, this episode offers connection and validation around the emotional layers of healing that often come next. It’s for anyone learning how to feel safe in their body again while navigating life after BRCA, colon cancer recovery, or major health decisions. Founding PartnerThis episode is brought to you by our founding partner, Auntie Tats’s Candle Shoppe. Each candle is hand-poured in small batches using clean, thoughtful ingredients like beeswax and coconut wax. No harsh chemicals, just soft, calming scents that help you slow down, breathe a little deeper, and feel more grounded in your space. And if you’ve been walking through recovery, grief, health anxiety, or big life transitions, you already know how important those quiet moments are. Find them at www.auntietatsscandleshoppe.com and on Instagram @auntietatsscandles—woman-owned and proudly supporting this community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  4. 15 JAN

    Love, Danielle - A Film About Previvorship

    🎙️ Episode DescriptionMarisa sits down with the two women behind the powerful film Love, Danielle—actor, writer, and producer Devin Sidell and executive producer Amy Byer Shainman for an honest, thoughtful conversation about the emotional side of hereditary cancer, identity, healing, and what it really means to rebuild your life after a life-changing diagnosis. 🎬 About the FilmWhen Danielle, a happily married thirty-something, tests positive for a BRCA1 gene mutation, she learns that this puts her at a very high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Thanks a lot, DNA. She struggles to carry on with daily life working at her bakery with her husband Pat and hanging out with her well-meaning but clueless friends—while watching her older sister Amy undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer. Danielle begins to face the weight of a life-altering decision: whether to preemptively remove her “ticking time bomb” breasts and reproductive organs before cancer has a chance to strike. Her decision-making process is layered with flashbacks to a complicated childhood, anesthesia-induced dreams, and difficult confrontations with her recovering alcoholic mother and self-absorbed television-star father. Ultimately, Danielle must learn how to prioritize her health, her future, and herself. 🎥 Where to Watch Love, DanielleYou can stream Love, Danielle on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and YouTube, or purchase a DVD copy. The film is also available for educational licensing through SWANK.com. Love, Danielle is currently being utilized by conferences and educational settings and is often paired with live Q&A sessions with Devin Sidell and Amy Byer Shainman for patient and provider education and empathy training. To license the film, visit SWANK.com and request a quote. 🌸 Meet the Women Behind the FilmDevin Sidell is an actor, writer, and producer who received her B.A. from Princeton University before returning to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film, television, and theatre. She has appeared on Malcolm in the Middle, The O.C., NUMB3RS, Ray Donovan, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, NCIS, Mayans MC, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and in Rob Zombie’s feature film 31 (Official Selection, Sundance Film Festival). Devin is also a recurring sketch performer on Jimmy Kimmel Live! A BRCA1 mutation carrier with a family history of breast and ovarian cancers, Devin chose to undergo both a preventative double mastectomy and preventative hysterectomy/oophorectomy in 2017 — earning her the label of “previvor.” Amy Byer Shainman is a BRCA1 carrier, previvor, advocate, author, and film producer dedicated to educating and empowering individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer syndromes. Known as BRCA Responder, she is the executive producer of the award-winning films Love, Danielle and Pink and Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer, and the author of the award-winning medical memoir Resurrection Lily: The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew. Amy brings clarity, compassion, and visibility to the hereditary cancer community through storytelling and lived experience. 💗 Connect & Learn MoreFollow the film and its creators: Film: @lovedanielle.filmAmy: @BRCAresponderDevin: @devin.sidell www.devinsidell.comWebsite: www.lovedaniellefilm.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr

About

BRCA & Beyond is where real talk meets real life with a gene mutation. I’m Marisa, a BRCA2 previvor, colon cancer survivor, wife, and mom of two, and I know firsthand how overwhelming, emotional, and downright confusing this journey can be. But here’s the truth — your gene mutation does not define you. Your choices do. And there is a full, beautiful life waiting beyond this diagnosis. Here, we’ll talk about the decisions no one ever expects to face, the emotions that come with them, and the messy, beautiful, complicated life that happens in between. You’ll hear honest stories (mine and others’), practical tips, and guides that make the path a little clearer. We’ll welcome guests who share their own journeys and expertise, offering fresh perspectives, hope, and encouragement. We’ll laugh when we can, cry when we need to, and remind each other that joy still exists, even in the chaos. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, deep into decision-making, or simply searching for connection, this is a space to feel understood, supported, and never alone. Pull up a seat, friend. We’re in this together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.