Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor

Dr. Brad Miller
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  • Mental Health
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The Cancer and Comedy Podcast is for Cancer Impacted People Who are Not Done Living and Are Passionate About Facing the Grim with a Grin. My name is Dr. Brad Miller and The Cancer and Comedy Podcast became my Passion Project At Christmas time 2022 when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer just after retiring from a 43 year career as a pastor. My response was to laugh to keep from crying. I decided after a Christmas visit with my pre-school granddaughters that God wasn't done with me yet and I was going to fully live my life in such a way as to see those granddaughters grow up. I decided to combine my experience as a pastor with my Doctoral Degree in Transformational Leadership with my love of comedy to create the Cancer and Comedy Podcast as place for Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor. I like to say the Cancer and Comedy Podcast is a Place to Turn the Grim into a Grin. Along with my co-host Deb Krier from TryingNotToDie.Live, who is a cancer warrior in her own right, we are dedicated to produce a weekly podcast which brings education, inspiration and entertainment to our audience with practical stories, interviews, funny stories and bad jokes which are designed to help cancer impacted people cope with hope. We will also have faith-based segments in the episodes. Moreover, we love to feature uplifting stories of how people kicked cancer in the butt and won at life. So if you are a cancer impacted person please join me right here on the Cancer and Comedy Podcast where we are all set to lift you up. Dr. Brad Miller, January 2025

  1. 5d ago

    From Lost Years to Laughs: Dave Mowry on Healing with Humor and Mental Health

    Dr. Brad Miller welcomes Dave Mowry—author of OMG, That’s Me and Healing with Humor, stand‑up comic, mental health advocate, and survivor of what he calls his “14 lost years” of bipolar disorder, crippling anxiety, and depression. Dave traces his journey from “successful businessman with the great house and the great family” to a single moment on the freeway when his mind “snapped,” launching more than a decade of panic attacks, isolation, and despair—then the unlikely, often hilarious path back through blogging, comedy classes, and teaching others to turn their pain into punchlines. What unfolds is a raw, hopeful, and surprisingly funny story about mental illness, shame, resilience, and the strange power of comedy to literally rewire a suffering brain. Brad and Dave explore:The 1996 snap and the ‘14 dark years’What a panic attack really feels likeDepression, anxiety, and the basic acts of livingThe turning point: writing and being seenDiscovering comedy in a NAMI classThe hospital joke that changed everythingFrom student to teacherThe moment on stage when a switch flipsStories from the book Healing with HumorMarriage, loss, and a different kind of successBaby steps, not getting stuck, and tiny acts of kindness This guide offers:A vivid, honest picture of bipolar disorder and severe anxiety In‑the‑trenches descriptions of panic attacks, depression, and the “constant conversations in my head” that typical tip‑sheet articles miss.A new way to relate to dark thoughts and triggers How deliberately hunting for jokes in painful memories can interrupt panic, build resilience, and gradually “rewire” your responses.Practical, tiny‑step strategies for the ‘lost years’ Concrete examples of micro‑moves—changing your seat on the couch, going outside at night, then in daylight—that keep you from getting stuck.Hope for those who can’t imagine a comeback yet Why “you’re not alone,” why suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and what it looks like to slowly emerge on the other side.Tools for caregivers, spouses, and friends Stories and language you can share so others really understand what living with serious mental illness feels like—and how to support without fixing.A model for turning pain into purpose From blog posts to comedy stages to books and audiobooks, Dave shows how your most painful experiences can become a lifeline for someone else. The brutal realities of bipolar disorder, panic, and long‑term depression don’t magically vanish—but with honest storytelling, practical baby steps, and a willingness to laugh at the right things, they become battles you don’t have to fight alone. Whether you’re in your own “lost years,” love someone who is, or simply want to understand mental illness beyond clichés, Dave’s journey offers clarity, courage, and a path toward healing with humor.

    From Lost Years to Laughs: Dave Mowry on Healing with Humor and Mental Health

  2. Sep 4

    Encore: Unleashing Your Inner Voice: Courtney Elmer’s Journey to Empowerment and Fulfillment

    Courtney Elmer is Dr. Brad Miller's guest on today’s episode of the "Cancer and Comedy Podcast." Courtney is the CEO of The EffortLESS Life. Every year, she assists hundreds of entrepreneurs in simplifying and scaling their businesses using a proven new approach to work smarter, not harder. She developed The EffortLESS Life Method to help struggling entrepreneurs understand why stress, overwhelm, and burnout occur, even when they are pursuing their passion. In this episode, Courtney shares how her cancer diagnosis served as a catalyst for transformative change in her life. She talks about the challenges she faced, including the emotional impact of receiving the news, dealing with Christmas festivities, and managing a wedding. Courtney reflects on her journey of recovery, the risks associated with her surgery, and the profound realization that losing her voice, something she had suppressed for years, became a profound fear. Courtney Elmer talks to Dr. Brad about the spiritual aspect of her healing journey, emphasizing the importance of faith and her relationship with God. She discusses the shifts she made in her life, from leaving her corporate job to pursuing her passion for writing and speaking. Courtney Elmer's story shows us the power of resilience, courage, and the ability to redefine oneself in the face of adversity. Her experiences highlight the importance of listening to one's inner voice, embracing change, and finding gratitude even in the darkest moments. "The Cancer and Comedy Podcast with Dr. Brad Miller features stories of hope and inspiration infused with humor to uplift people suffering from cancer. https://www.theeffortlesslife.co/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneyelmer_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyelmer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecourtneyelmer

    Encore: Unleashing Your Inner Voice: Courtney Elmer’s Journey to Empowerment and Fulfillment

  3. Aug 28

    Cancer Hates Happiness: Emma Victoria Johnson’s Story of Survival, Support, and Smiles

    Dr. Brad Miller welcomes Emma Victoria Johnson—a young British woman living in Australia who was handed an 18‑month, stage‑four breast cancer death sentence…and flatly refused to accept it. After a cold, compassionless prognosis (“no chemo, no surgery, no hope”), a boyfriend who bolted within a week, and a best friend who took up with him, Emma fired her oncologist, went searching for real options, and landed at Oasis of Hope in Tijuana, Mexico. What unfolds is a story that’s raw, irreverent, moving, and frequently hilarious: from heartbreak and “two clowns” to becoming the joyful “clinic clown,” dancing on her “shaky‑shaky board,” and helping other patients walk into treatment instead of running from it. Emma lays bare what it means to stare down death, rebuild your life, and choose happiness so fiercely that, as she puts it, “cancer hates it.” Brad and Emma explore: The terminal stage‑four diagnosis and firing her oncologist on the spotRelationship collapse: the boyfriend who ran and the best friend who replaced herFinding Oasis of Hope in Tijuana and what it’s really like inside the clinicBecoming the “clinic clown” and using dark humor to get people into treatmentScanxiety: the mind‑spin before PET scans and waiting for resultsThe “shaky‑shaky board,” lymphatic drainage, and making daily treatment funLosing old friends, gaining a new cancer “family,” and discovering who truly shows upTurning survival into mission: advocacy for Oasis of Hope, social media, and a future book and show This guide offers: A brutally honest look at hearing “18 months to live” and choosing a different storyEmotional language for patients and families facing anger, betrayal, fear, and hope all at oncePractical mindset tools for scanxiety, treatment days, and protecting your mental healthEncouragement to trust your own intuition, seek second opinions, and not let others’ fear dictate your path The harsh realities of stage four cancer don’t disappear—but with fierce self‑belief, humor that borders on outrageous, and a community that refuses to give up, they become battles you can face with grit, joy, and a stubborn will to live.

    Cancer Hates Happiness: Emma Victoria Johnson’s Story of Survival, Support, and Smiles

  4. Aug 21

    Breaking the Silence on Prostate Cancer: Michael Bovarnick’s Mission to Educate and Empower

    Dr. Brad Miller welcomes Michael Bavarnik—two‑time prostate cancer survivor, founder of The Prostate Education Project, devoted husband of 62 years, and tireless patient educator. Michael traces his journey from watching his father endure a brutal, old‑school course of prostate cancer, to facing his own aggressive disease, staying undetectable for 20 years, and then getting hit with a recurrence that forced him to rethink everything. What unfolds is a story that’s blunt, practical, often funny, and full of hard‑won wisdom about cancer, marriage, masculinity, and why silence is so dangerous for men. Brad and Michael explore: Family history and first diagnosisNerves, sex, and the “two brains” problemTwenty years of “undetectable”… then the PSA climbsRadiation, ADT, and the mental battleThe Prostate Education Project (English + Spanish)Marriage, intimacy, and what men avoid talking aboutPractical tools and core beliefsLife after “you have prostate cancer” This guide offers: Clear explanations of PSA, staging, surgery, radiation, and ADT in everyday languageSupport for couples redefining intimacy, manhood, and connection after treatmentA roadmap for the first weeks after diagnosis, so patients and loved ones aren’t lost in jargon and fearEncouragement to keep asking questions, keep testing, and keep choosing education over silence The harsh realities of prostate cancer don’t disappear—but with information, honest talk, and a bit of humor, they become challenges you can face with clarity, courage, and support.

    Breaking the Silence on Prostate Cancer: Michael Bovarnick’s Mission to Educate and Empower

  5. Aug 14

    Paralyzed but Not Defeated: How Geri Carlson Found Hope and Humor After Diagnosis

    On this episode of the Cancer and Comedy Podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier walk through one of the most vulnerable moments in the cancer journey: How do you tell the people you love, “I have cancer”? Drawing from Deb’s experience with breast cancer, Brad’s with prostate cancer, and countless conversations with patients, families, and friends, they unpack how to share your diagnosis in a way that’s honest, emotionally safe, and true to who you are—without feeling like you have to manage everyone else’s reactions. In this real, compassionate, and surprisingly light-hearted conversation, Brad and Deb explore: How to decide who to tell, when, and in what order Text, call, post, or in-person? Choosing the right way to share What to do if you feel more afraid of their reaction than your diagnosis Setting boundaries around questions, advice, and “miracle cures” How much detail to share (and what you’re allowed to keep private) Letting people help without feeling guilty or like a burden Using humor to break tension—without dismissing your own pain Handling unhelpful comments with grace (and a little internal eye-roll) Creating a “communication plan” so you’re not updating everyone 24/7 This episode isn’t a script for how you should tell people—it’s a guide to finding a way that fits you. If you’ve just received a diagnosis, are preparing for that conversation, or love someone who’s wrestling with how to share their news, this discussion will help you: Communicate instead of shutting down, Share honestly instead of oversharing or sugarcoating, and Invite support instead of trying to “be strong” alone. Together, we can keep turning “the grim of cancer into the grin of a fulfilled life”—one brave, honest conversation at a time. https://www.hopeblvd.org/episodes/ https://gericarlson.com/

    Paralyzed but Not Defeated: How Geri Carlson Found Hope and Humor After Diagnosis

  6. Aug 7

    Encore: From Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader to Cancer Thriver: The Journey of Tammy Barber

    In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Tami Barber discuss her inspiring journey from a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader to a cancer survivor and podcast host. Tami shares her experiences with ovarian cancer, from her initial diagnosis to her emotional highs and lows during treatment. Despite the challenges, Tami remained resilient and optimistic, finding strength in her support group, the "Bionic Babes," and her podcast, Cancer, the Emotional Mountain. She also discusses her transition from cheerleading to a life focused on helping others navigate their cancer journey. Tami uses humor, her personal growth, and a unique perspective to connect with fellow cancer survivors, emphasizing the importance of community and sharing her story. Tami's advice to listeners is simple but powerful: "Say yes to opportunities," even when they push you out of your comfort zone, as it can lead to growth and unexpected blessings. Her positive attitude and determination continue to inspire many on their cancer journey. Tami Barber’s Links: ● Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cancer-the-emotional-mountain/id1681151075 ● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cancer-The-Emotional-Mountain/100076137765181/?sk=about ● Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/sideline.legends Brad Miller’s Links: Website: https://cancerandcomedy.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP2JvmMDeBzbj3mziVGJUw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbradleymiller/

    Encore: From Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader to Cancer Thriver: The Journey of Tammy Barber

  7. Jul 31

    Finding Hope and Humor: Ryan McCormick ’s Journey from Cancer Survivor to Comedian

    On this episode of the Cancer and Comedy Podcast, Dr. Brad Miller sits down with stand‑up comic Ryan McCormick—known on stage as “The Nutty Irishman”—to unpack what happens when a working comic, new husband, and soon‑to‑be dad is suddenly hit with a life‑threatening cancer diagnosis. From open mics at Crackers Comedy Club in Indianapolis to corporate days and weekend gigs across the Midwest, Ryan had built a life with two solid tracks: 8–5 office job by day, comedy by night. Then, in the span of just a few months in 2004, everything changed: May: he and his wife find out they’re pregnantJune: they get marriedOctober: he hears the words “non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma”—likely stage 3 or 4January: their son is born Marriage, pregnancy, cancer, and a newborn…all inside nine months. With honesty, sharp wit, and the perspective of someone now years past active treatment, Ryan and Brad explore: The “insane period” after diagnosisThat surreal stretch where life piles on—wedding, baby, chemo—and your brain can’t process what’s happening.Trusting the oncologist…and the chemo cocktailThe day the oncologist walked in with total confidence:“This is what you have. This is what we’re going to do. This is when we start.”How that clarity and competence gave Ryan a lifeline.Life on CHOP‑R: the chemo grindLosing his hair on schedule, lumps shrinking in days, the three‑week cycle of getting slammed, barely recovering, then going right back in.Why his doctor banned stand‑up and late dinners—and the dark humor of, “What happened to the patients who didn’t listen?” / “Yeah, they’re not around anymore.”Finding jokes in the most painful placesFrom brutal bone marrow and bone chip tests to “drinking too much milk” before a procedure, Ryan mined the details for comedy.Why he kept doing cancer jokes even when early audiences went silent and it “fell on deaf ears”—because talking about it on stage helped him survive it emotionally.When the crowd goes quiet—and why he does it anywayHow he learned to read the room, build trust as a clean comic, and then take audiences into darker, more personal territory.The difference between bombing for laughs and succeeding for his own mental health.Marriage under extreme stressHow his wife shouldered hospital runs, medical arguments, and the possibility of open‑heart surgery when a chemo port caused a dangerous clot.The social circle that shrank when friends didn’t know how to handle “the c‑word”—and how he eventually saw their disappearance as fear, not malice.Why he’s proud to say their marriage came out stronger than before.Parenting, privacy, and punchlinesNavigating how much to say about cancer around very young kids.Using jokes about his son in his act—while honoring his daughter’s firm boundary: “Don’t talk about me on stage.”What this taught him about the “line” in comedy and the cost of crossing it.Volunteering and giving the support he wishes he’d had soonerRyan’s work as a First Connection volunteer with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society / Blood Cancer United: being the voice on the phone for newly diagnosed patients who sound just like he once did.The power of telling someone, “Here’s what it might really feel like—and you can get through it.”From “bad days” to “bad moments”Ryan’s core coping philosophy:“I don’t believe in bad days. I believe in bad moments.”How breaking life down into one day at a time (and sometimes one moment at a time) kept him from spiraling into despair. This episode isn’t just about a comic making cancer jokes. It’s a real‑world roadmap for anyone staring down chemo, chronic illness, or any crisis that blows up your “normal” life: See how someone who literally makes a living onstage handled being told not to leave the house—or even work a crowd.Learn why humor doesn’t always have to land with the audience to be healing for you.Discover how to balance honesty, boundaries, and relationship health when your story involves spouses, kids, and scared friends.Get practical language and mindset shifts for saying, “I’m not my cancer. It’s part of my story, but it doesn’t get to define the whole thing.” You’ll leave with stories that are painful, absurd, and genuinely funny—plus real tools for facing your own “insane period” with more hope, more perspective, and maybe even a few jokes you didn’t know you were allowed to tell.

    Finding Hope and Humor: Ryan McCormick ’s Journey from Cancer Survivor to Comedian

  8. Jul 24

    Encore: From the Front Lines to the Punch Lines How Robin Phoenix Johnson Heals Through Humor

    In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller sits down with Robin Phoenix Johnson, a retired Army lieutenant colonel turned stand-up comedian and certified humor professional. Robin shares her powerful journey from military leadership to therapeutic humor, driven by personal experiences with caregiving and loss. Together, they explore the science and soul behind therapeutic humor—how laughter can provide mental, emotional, and even physical relief during times of adversity. Robin discusses her roots in military culture, where humor often served as a necessary coping tool amid chaos and combat, and how that shaped her current work helping others—especially veterans—reframe their pain through comedy. Robin introduces the H.E.A.L.A.R.I.O.U.S. process, a humor-for-health initiative she developed to apply cognitive behavioral therapy techniques through laughter and joke writing. From working with veterans dealing with PTSD to caregivers and healthcare professionals facing burnout, she demonstrates how humor can disrupt negative thought patterns, build empathy, and create connection. She also delves into the academic and clinical aspects of her work, sharing how she has collaborated with institutions such as Stanford’s Hoover Institution and the United States Military Academy at West Point to deepen research into the effects of laughter on the brain and emotional resilience. In the episode, Robin explains the difference between humor used as a weapon and humor as a healing agent, encourages business leaders to embrace humor as a leadership and creative tool, and offers personal stories—including one where laughter helped a veteran who had attempted suicide—to highlight the power of humor to heal. They conclude with a reflection on Desmond Tutu’s quote about upstream prevention, emphasizing the role of humor not just in responding to pain, but also in preventing it. Robin also shares how the name "Phoenix" symbolizes her post-military rebirth into a purpose-driven life of joy, service, and storytelling. Robin Phoenix Johnson’s Links: Website: https://robinphoenixjohnson.com/ H.E.A.L.A.R.I.O.U.S. Initiative: https://healarius.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinphoenixjohnson/ Humor Camp Info: [Hosted at the National Comedy Center, October 9–11 in Jamestown, NY] Brad Miller’s Links: Website: https://cancerandcomedy.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP2JvmMDeBzbj3mziVGJUw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbradleymiller/

    Encore: From the Front Lines to the Punch Lines How Robin Phoenix Johnson Heals Through Humor
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About

The Cancer and Comedy Podcast is for Cancer Impacted People Who are Not Done Living and Are Passionate About Facing the Grim with a Grin. My name is Dr. Brad Miller and The Cancer and Comedy Podcast became my Passion Project At Christmas time 2022 when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer just after retiring from a 43 year career as a pastor. My response was to laugh to keep from crying. I decided after a Christmas visit with my pre-school granddaughters that God wasn't done with me yet and I was going to fully live my life in such a way as to see those granddaughters grow up. I decided to combine my experience as a pastor with my Doctoral Degree in Transformational Leadership with my love of comedy to create the Cancer and Comedy Podcast as place for Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor. I like to say the Cancer and Comedy Podcast is a Place to Turn the Grim into a Grin. Along with my co-host Deb Krier from TryingNotToDie.Live, who is a cancer warrior in her own right, we are dedicated to produce a weekly podcast which brings education, inspiration and entertainment to our audience with practical stories, interviews, funny stories and bad jokes which are designed to help cancer impacted people cope with hope. We will also have faith-based segments in the episodes. Moreover, we love to feature uplifting stories of how people kicked cancer in the butt and won at life. So if you are a cancer impacted person please join me right here on the Cancer and Comedy Podcast where we are all set to lift you up. Dr. Brad Miller, January 2025

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