The Game On Glio Podcast

Shannon Traphagen (S.M. Traphagen)
  • 5.0 (24)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

Now in its sixth season, with 60+ episodes aired, Game On Glio was the first of its kind to create a media platform for telling the stories and journeys of those diagnosed with brain cancers such as Glioblastoma. Expanding on its original platform, this show shines a light on grief and loss, brain cancer education and stories, and provides inspiration, hope, and second chances! Guests include caregivers, scientists, therapists, patients, widows(ers), non-profits, relationship experts, well known personalities, and authors. The mission of this show is to find a way to give a voice to those that need it most, bring education and advocacy to cancers, grief and loss, and to tell stories in the most unique way. There’s always hope! Host--Shannon (S.M.) Traphagen **Disclaimer-this podcast is not a medical podcast. It is designed to offer guidance and information, tell stories, offer hope, and advocate for those dealing with these topics. While medical experts are on the show, questions regarding your medical care should be directed to your primary care doctor or contact the resources on the website to obtain further information. Copyright- Shannon Traphagen Write Life Media LLC

  1. Aug 12

    S6 Ep6: "His Cancer. Her Battle, too." Guest Melissa Coulier

    Cancer doesn't happen to just one person. It enters a marriage, settles into the quiet spaces, changes the conversations, and asks both people to become versions of themselves they never expected to meet. In this deeply personal conversation, guest Melissa Coulier opens the door to the side of cancer that often remains just outside the spotlight—the caregiving, the uncertainty, the fierce love, and the moments when simply putting one foot in front of the other becomes an act of courage. Wife of actor Dave Coulier (best known for his character Joey on Full House), Melissa shares a glimpse into what it means to stand beside someone you love through a cancer battle while navigating everything that comes with it. Melissa, who grew up in nature, discusses how nature and movement have given her strength so she can continue be a strength for her husband, while also learning what it means to "wear many hats" as a caregiver. Her work in wellness (she is ACE certified pain free movement specialist) and owner of Recess Club gave her building blocks as a foundation to draw from-though she never knew how necessary movement would be until cancer entered her life. Watch on our YouTube channel or listen anywhere you get your podcasts. If you or a loved is impacted by brain cancer and you would like to see if you qualify for a clinical trial, please review the resource list on gameongliopodcast.com-or reach out to us via Instagram DM (@writelifestories). If you like our show, please help us continue to grow and reach new listeners. Share our podcast with others and consider giving us a review on Apple and Spotify! And, please follow us on YouTube.   This season is sponsored by: GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com) Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtanapharma.com)

  2. Jul 29

    S6 Ep5: "Rewriting The Script" Guest Grace Wethor

    In this inspiring episode of Game On Glio, actress and pediatric cancer survivor Grace Wethor shares her remarkable journey of resilience, purpose, and hope after a life-changing diagnosis. Grace opens up about what it was like to be diagnosed with cancer at a young age, how she continues to navigate the uncertainty that comes with survivorship, and why she made the intentional choice to embrace life instead of living in fear.Together, we explore the emotional reality of living with the "not knowing." Whether you're a cancer survivor, caregiver, advocate, or someone searching for hope in the midst of uncertainty, this conversation offers an honest and uplifting perspective on resilience, courage, and rewriting the script when life doesn't go according to plan. If you're looking for inspiration, meaningful conversations, or stories that remind you to live fully despite the unknown, this is an episode you won't want to miss.   Watch the video episode on our YouTube channel. Follow us on IG: @writelifestories   Season Sponsors: Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtanapharma.com) GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com)

  3. Jul 15

    S6 Ep4: "Secure or Surviving? How Trauma Shapes the Way We Love." Guest Dr Maika Steinborn

    Do you know what insecure attachment styles are? What is the difference between secure and surviving? As someone with a graduate degree and years in the social work field, I didn't even know the answer to these. So, I decided to find answers. It led me to a host of discoveries about what it means to have a childhood upbringing in a secure environment and how that leads to secure attachments in adulthood. But, more importantly, it led me to the realization that even if you grow up securely attached, trauma in adulthood can lead to issues with insecure attachment. Traumas like the death of a spouse. Our guest today, Dr. Maika Steinborn, is a clinical and educational psychologist passionate about sharing uplifting and practical insights from psychology to help empower people to do what’s important  on the deepest level of their heart. With a deep understanding the nuances and complications of how lard life can be, she supports people in making sense of themselves and connecting with, unleashing and guiding their inner power. Her approach is based on the idea that with the right mindset, knowledge and skills, humans are much more capable of growth and happiness than we often assume.   She breaks all this down for us in today's episode and how we can move into secure attachments in all relationships and how to navigate healing over surviving. Watch on YouTube or listen anywhere you get your podcasts.   This season is sponsored by: GammaTile Therapy (gammatile.com) Curtana Pharmaceuticals (curtana pharma.com)   This episode is supported by: Highmark BlueCross Blueshield Alpheus Medical

  4. Jun 17

    S6 Ep3: "After Goodbye" Guest Diane Pathieu

    When Diane Pathieu first sat down with us, it was alongside her husband Nick. we talked about life, challenges, and everything in between. Since then, life has handed her a chapter she never asked to write—the loss of her husband. This past year, Nick Adamski lost his battle with brain cancer. He fought his battle with courage, joy, humility, and honesty. In this powerful return appearance, Diane joins us to talk candidly about widowhood, grief, love that doesn't end when a life does, and how we find our footing when the world shifts beneath us. It's heartbreaking, hopeful, and profoundly human. Some stories deserve a sequel--we're incredibly grateful Diane chose to share her story with us. This is what life looks like after goodbye......   This episode is supported by our Premier Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Curtana Pharmaceuticals   Our episode sponsors: Highmark Bluecross BlueShield of WNY Alpheus Medical

  5. May 20

    S6 Ep2: "There Needs to Be Better Milestones in Brain Cancer" Guest Dr. Vijay Agarwal

    When you think of ultrasounds, you probably think of sonograms, pregnancy, mammograms, and gynecology. At least I do! I never would have associated ultrasound with brain cancer-until now. Our guest today, Dr. Vijay Agarwal, CEO of Alpheus Medical, has developed an investigational therapy that pairs a tumor-accumulating drug with low-intensity ultrasound to achieve localized activation inside the brain — an approach sometimes referred to as sonodynamic therapy (SDT). After the drug has accumulated, the Alpheus LIDU® system delivers low-intensity, diffuse ultrasound across the affected brain hemisphere. Dr. Agarwal discusses with me why this technology pairs so well with treating brain cancer. He stresses the importance for more innovative ways to treat brain cancer, and why funding is so crucial to work of many companies like his. More importantly, he sheds light on his passion for this work and his hope for the future. Sbd9TlIR9XwI4A7qN57b Watch the video of this episode on our YouTube channel. Sbd9TlIR9XwI4A7qN57b Premier sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Curtana Pharmaceuticals

  6. May 6

    S6 Ep1: "A Little Drop Of Possible" Guest Rebecca Devine

    That Brainy Blonde! That's right, our guest today is That Brainy Blonde-Rebecca Devine. How else would we kick off season 6 and brain cancer awareness month than with an eight year survivor of glioblastoma. Rebecca's story is inspiring in so many ways, not least of which, her determination to find innovative ways to keep this cancer at bay. Rebecca's story is one of hope and resilience. We have an intimate discussion around the clinical trial she did that has gotten her to where she is today. We also discuss her daily habits and how she views life from this different lens.   If you are looking for clinical trials our resource information-visit thegameongliopodcast.com If you would like to work with us-visit writelifemediallc.com   Our premier sponsors for this season include: GammaTile Therapy Curtana Pharmaceuticals   Episode sponsors: Alpheus Medical Tactical Therapeutics Highmark BCBS of WNY

  7. 12/17/2025

    S5 Ep12: "A Miracle Message" Guests Bryce Newman, with parents Nicole and Richard Newman

    It's fitting to end our 5th season with this interview. Every once in a while you come across a story that reminds you miracles do happen in this world. In covering such hard stories, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. I've learned from my own experience, and through others stories, that when we see or are faced with death up close, it has the tendency to shine a light on what we truly need to put our energy into. It brings the present moment into focus, and all other problems or future worries fade away. But, it does something else too- it reminds us we don't have control over everything that happens in our life, no matter how much we might want to believe we do. That's what today's story is about. From aspiring high school baseball player with a potential for a future professional career, to brain cancer patient fighting for his life. Bryce Newman never expected his life would be put into hyper-focus, with only one single motivation-to live. By all accounts, fighting medulablastoma, one of the most aggressive pediatric brain cancers there is, takes the life within a couple of years. Not Bryce, not this patient, not this life. Nearly eight years on, and working towards his Master's degree in sports management, Bryce says, "The minute I was diagnosed, I put it in God's hands." He says he was calm, he trusted God. But he wasn't the only one. His entire school did too. And from that one act, his life was seemingly spared. The movie "Miracle at Manchester", starring Eddie McClintock was then made Bryce found renewed purpose, founding Miracle Children's  Foundation. Listen now or watch on YouTube.   Season Sponsors: GammaTile (gammatile.com) Imvax (imvax.com)   episode sponsors: Highmark BCBS of WNY Curtana Pharmaceuticals Cypris Therapeutics

  8. 11/26/2025

    S5 Ep11: "Be part of our tribe" Guests Dr Toral Patel and Dr Andrew Brenner

    We all know how hard it is to feel out of place. To not know where we belong. Being part of a community, a tribe, is not only important for our physical well being but it's vitally important for our brain health and mental wellness! Why am I talking about tribes and communities here on Game On Glio? Because-my friend, you are part of our tribe! You are never alone. You are part of this community. Seth Godin talks about tribes as being essential for growth and leadership. He also explains that in order to pursue something passionately one must have "Faith that leads to HOPE, and it overcomes FEAR. Faith is critical to ALL innovation.” This is important because it's this type of thinking and leadership that has led to some of the most innovative clinical trials out right now. One of those trials is the ReSPECT-gbm trial. Today we sit down with Andrew Brenner, MD, PhD; a professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. A tumor biologist and oncologist, his focus is in drug development for the management of primary brain tumors and breast neoplasms. Dr. Brenner’s academic work focuses on both clinical cancer management and the development of novel therapies to treat breast and central nervous system tumors.  And, Dr. Toral Patel who is an Associate Professor and neurosurgeon at the UT Southwestern Medical Center, specializing in brain tumor surgery, including malignant and benign tumors. Her expertise includes advanced surgical techniques like laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and she also holds a patent for nano-carrier research for central nervous system diseases. Together, they discuss the importance of clincial trials and the why and how of ReSPECT-GBM and ReSPECT-LM trials. If you like our show, please help us continue to grow and reach new listeners. Share our podcast with others and consider giving us a review on Apple and Spotify!   Season Premier Sponsors: Imvax Inc. (imvax.com) GammaTile (gammatile.com)   Episode Sponsors: Cypris Therapeutics Curtana Pharmaceuticals Brockport Custom Carpets

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About

Now in its sixth season, with 60+ episodes aired, Game On Glio was the first of its kind to create a media platform for telling the stories and journeys of those diagnosed with brain cancers such as Glioblastoma. Expanding on its original platform, this show shines a light on grief and loss, brain cancer education and stories, and provides inspiration, hope, and second chances! Guests include caregivers, scientists, therapists, patients, widows(ers), non-profits, relationship experts, well known personalities, and authors. The mission of this show is to find a way to give a voice to those that need it most, bring education and advocacy to cancers, grief and loss, and to tell stories in the most unique way. There’s always hope! Host--Shannon (S.M.) Traphagen **Disclaimer-this podcast is not a medical podcast. It is designed to offer guidance and information, tell stories, offer hope, and advocate for those dealing with these topics. While medical experts are on the show, questions regarding your medical care should be directed to your primary care doctor or contact the resources on the website to obtain further information. Copyright- Shannon Traphagen Write Life Media LLC

Information

  • Creator
    Shannon Traphagen (S.M. Traphagen)
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright SM Traphagen 2025. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Game On Glio Podcast

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