The Cancer Pod: Integrative Medicine Talk

The Cancer Pod
  • 4.8 (48)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Biweekly

Cancer treatment and recovery bring complicated decisions, unpredictable side effects, and questions no one prepared you for. The Cancer Pod is an integrative oncology podcast that bridges conventional cancer care with evidence-based complementary approaches, giving patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members practical tools and honest answers, with a touch of humor to make the hard stuff less scary. I’m Leah Sherman, ND, RYT, an integrative practitioner and breast cancer survivor with years of clinical experience working in cancer centers supporting patients through treatment and survivorship. Each episode covers a different aspect of integrative care, whether discussing the management of treatment side effects, helping navigate cancer survivorship, and separating the science from wellness-industry noise. You’ll hear expert interviews, practical strategies addressing supplements and nutrition, and real conversations with #cancerinsiders—people who have turned their own diagnosis into advocacy and support for others.  No matter where you are on the cancer continuum—newly diagnosed, mid-treatment, living with cancer or well into survivorship—The Cancer Pod gives you the evidence, tools, and community to move forward with clarity and confidence. Support the podcast and join our community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecancerpod 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. Sep 2

    Can Exercise Actually Fight Cancer? The Science of Movement with JC Rodriguez

    Can working out actually change what's happening inside your body during cancer treatment?  Dr. Leah Sherman sits down with certified clinical exercise physiologist JC Rodriguez to unpack the real science behind exercise and cancer—including how movement may redirect blood flow away from tumors, alter tumor metabolism, and boost immune surveillance. JC breaks down what this looks like in practice: how to move through severe fatigue with “mentally small” wins like a 5-minute walk or in-bed stretches, why consistency matters more than intensity, and general targets for cardio and strength training (individualized to each person). He also covers managing joint pain from hormone therapy, exercising safely with a port, and where to find accessible, cancer-specific fitness support — from YMCA Livestrong to ACSM-certified specialists. Visit JC’s website and learn more https://www.oncolofit.com/ Download JC’s FREE Get Stronger in 21 Days Guide: https://oncolofit.aweb.page/thriving-after-cancer-guide Get his FREE Cancer Recovery Starter Kit: https://www.oncolofit.com/beat-cancer Follow JC on social media: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/oncolofit/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jc.oncolofit YouTube https://youtube.com/@jc.oncolofit 00:41 Meet JC Rodriguez 01:28 What Is Cancer Exercise Science 03:15 How Exercise Fights Cancer 05:49 Starting With Fatigue 09:06 Low Impact Options 10:05 Inflammation And Movement 11:37 How Much Exercise Weekly 12:45 Strength Training Basics 14:00 Weight Gain And Muscle Loss 18:15 Radiation Fatigue Differences 19:45 Hormone Therapy Joint Pain 23:48 Exercising With A Port 31:01 How To Find A Cancer Exercise Program 34:41 Why J.C. Chose Oncology 37:16 Free Downloadable Guides And Tips 38:27 Final Advice And Wrap Up Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content and more! Join today on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. Check out thecancerpod.com! Looking for more information? The website has blogs, merch, and all of the episodes listed by season and category.  Shop the Bookshop! The shelves at Bookshop feature books by authors who have been on the show and other fav books. Buy The Cancer Pod merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow @TheCancerPod on social media: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTube

    Can Exercise Actually Fight Cancer? The Science of Movement with JC Rodriguez

  2. Aug 19

    Sound Healing with Sandy Duarte

    What if sound could help you heal? Sandy Duarte is an award-winning actress, author,  Stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, registered yoga instructor, and one of OncoDaily's 2026 Top 100 Most Influential Cancer Survivors. While undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, she turned to crystal singing bowls to calm her nervous system. Her practice has expanded into sound baths, women’s retreats, and community healing, bringing the singing bowls to hospitals, corporate settings, and museum installations. In this interview, Sandy describes her personal experience using Peter Hess® therapy singing bowls, which are placed on the body specifically for Sound Massage. Sandy also talks about her book, Cancer Ramblings, a real-time reflection of her experience with cancer treatment. What is your experience with sound therapy? Leave a comment below! Visit Sandy’s website: cancerramblings.com Follow Sandy on social media: https://www.instagram.com/sandy__duarte https://x.com/sandyduarte https://www.tiktok.com/@cancer.ramblings Find her on IMDB.  Buy her book on Amazon. Subscribe to her YouTube channel. Learn more about Peter Hess® Singing Bowls. Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content and more! Join today on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. Check out thecancerpod.com! Looking for more information? The website has blogs, merch, and all of the episodes listed by season and category.  Shop the Bookshop! The shelves at Bookshop feature books by authors who have been on the show and other fav books. Buy The Cancer Pod merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow @TheCancerPod on social media: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTube

    Sound Healing with Sandy Duarte

  3. Aug 5

    End-of-Life Planning with Dr. Susan Abernethy

    Death is a topic most of us avoid...until we can’t. But what if talking about it early actually gave us more peace, not less? In this episode, Leah sits down with Dr. Susan Abernethy, founder of Mudança Healing, whose path from naturopathic medicine and nonprofit leadership (including Make-A-Wish) led her to become an end-of-life doula. Susan shares how having honest conversations early, especially after a cancer or dementia diagnosis, can ease the pressure of rapid-fire medical decisions, bring clarity to what really matters, and offer real comfort to both patients and the families who love them. We get into the practical side too: the gaps hospice care often leaves behind, the toll caregiving takes on families, and why services like respite matter so much. Susan also walks us through the tools she uses in her workshops—from Death Decks to checklists—to help individuals and organizations get ready for what's ahead, not just legally, but practically and emotionally. This conversation is a gentle reminder: planning for the end isn’t morbid. It is an act of care for the people you love. Connect with Susan: www.mudancahealing.com and on Instagram @mudanca_healing Resources mentioned in this episode: All There Is with Anderson Cooper https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper/id1643163707 Death, End-of-Life, and Dementia Decks https://thedeathdeck.com/collections/shop-all-decks A Good Death by Margaret Rice https://bookshop.org/a/103670/9781911632146 Learn more about end-of-life doulas at https://inelda.org/ Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content and more! Join today on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. Check out thecancerpod.com! Looking for more information? The website has blogs, merch, and all of the episodes listed by season and category.  Shop the Bookshop! The shelves at Bookshop feature books by authors who have been on the show and other fav books. Buy The Cancer Pod merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow @TheCancerPod on social media: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTube

    End-of-Life Planning with Dr. Susan Abernethy

  4. Jul 1

    Self-Care and Advocacy with Dr. Holly Lucille

    What does it actually mean to advocate for yourself in the medical system? Dr. Holly Lucille, ND, RN, ONC sat down with Dr. Tina Kaczor for a candid conversation about helping patients access the best possible care through self-advocacy and shared decision-making. Navigating a cancer diagnosis is incredibly overwhelming. Between well-intentioned opinions from loved ones and rushed informed consent, it’s easy to feel lost. Dr. Lucille brings compassion and pragmatism to the table, explaining why we need to slow down, understand the true risks and side effects, and look at the whole picture—physical, emotional, and spiritual. In this episode: The Power of Slowing Down: How to navigate a new diagnosis without being rushed into decisions.The Myth of "Forced Positivity": Breaking down the toxicity of societal pressure to stay positive.Holistic Resilience: The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), relationships, and the practice of habitual nourishment.Healing Tools that Work: A look at trauma-informed strategies like EMDR, brainspotting, and the role of spirituality in recovery.Want to learn more about Dr. Lucille? Visit her website. Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content and more! Join today on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. Check out thecancerpod.com! Looking for more information? The website has blogs, merch, and all of the episodes listed by season and category.  Shop the Bookshop! The shelves at Bookshop feature books by authors who have been on the show and other fav books. Buy The Cancer Pod merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow @TheCancerPod on social media: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTube

    Self-Care and Advocacy with Dr. Holly Lucille

  5. Jun 3

    Grief, Guilt, and Identity After Cancer with Natasha Ewa, MSW, LCSW, C-MBT

    Survivor’s guilt is a common and not often talked about emotional experience after cancer. Dr. Leah Sherman sits down with returning guest Natasha Ewa, licensed clinical social worker and founder of I Thrive Therapy and Wellness, for an honest conversation about what survivor’s guilt actually looks like, why body image after cancer is so personal, and what healing can feel like on the other side. The conversation widens to cover grief over pre-cancer identity, hypervigilance, reconstruction decisions, and Natasha’s documentation of her own DIEP flap experience and complications. Whether you’re navigating survivorship yourself or supporting someone who is, this one meets you where you are. Visit the I Thrive Therapy and Wellness website Follow Natasha on Instagram Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content and more! Join today on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. Check out thecancerpod.com! Looking for more information? The website has blogs, merch, and all of the episodes listed by season and category.  Shop the Bookshop! The shelves at Bookshop feature books by authors who have been on the show and other fav books. Buy The Cancer Pod merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow @TheCancerPod on social media: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTube

    Grief, Guilt, and Identity After Cancer with Natasha Ewa, MSW, LCSW, C-MBT

  6. May 6

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

    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  Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content and more! Join today on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. Check out thecancerpod.com! Looking for more information? The website has blogs, merch, and all of the episodes listed by season and category.  Shop the Bookshop! The shelves at Bookshop feature books by authors who have been on the show and other fav books. Buy The Cancer Pod merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow @TheCancerPod on social media: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTube

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

  7. Apr 1

    Cancer and Intimacy with Claire Rumore

    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 Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content and more! Join today on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. Check out thecancerpod.com! Looking for more information? The website has blogs, merch, and all of the episodes listed by season and category.  Shop the Bookshop! The shelves at Bookshop feature books by authors who have been on the show and other fav books. Buy The Cancer Pod merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow @TheCancerPod on social media: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTube

    Cancer and Intimacy with Claire Rumore

  8. Mar 4

    Navigating Cancer Care with Chad Levitt, MD

    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 Leave a message and let us know what you liked about the episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content and more! Join today on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. Check out thecancerpod.com! Looking for more information? The website has blogs, merch, and all of the episodes listed by season and category.  Shop the Bookshop! The shelves at Bookshop feature books by authors who have been on the show and other fav books. Buy The Cancer Pod merch! Whether it’s a cozy hoody or a handy water bottle, we have something for everybody. Have a comment or suggestion? Email info (at) thecancerpod (dot) com Follow @TheCancerPod on social media: InstagramBlueskyFacebookLinkedInYouTube

    Navigating Cancer Care with Chad Levitt, MD
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4.8
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48 Ratings

About

Cancer treatment and recovery bring complicated decisions, unpredictable side effects, and questions no one prepared you for. The Cancer Pod is an integrative oncology podcast that bridges conventional cancer care with evidence-based complementary approaches, giving patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members practical tools and honest answers, with a touch of humor to make the hard stuff less scary. I’m Leah Sherman, ND, RYT, an integrative practitioner and breast cancer survivor with years of clinical experience working in cancer centers supporting patients through treatment and survivorship. Each episode covers a different aspect of integrative care, whether discussing the management of treatment side effects, helping navigate cancer survivorship, and separating the science from wellness-industry noise. You’ll hear expert interviews, practical strategies addressing supplements and nutrition, and real conversations with #cancerinsiders—people who have turned their own diagnosis into advocacy and support for others.  No matter where you are on the cancer continuum—newly diagnosed, mid-treatment, living with cancer or well into survivorship—The Cancer Pod gives you the evidence, tools, and community to move forward with clarity and confidence. Support the podcast and join our community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecancerpod 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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