Still I Rise Podcast

Lisa McKenzie, Founder of You Night Events
  • 5.0 (8)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Real stories. Raw truth. Unshakable hope. Hosted by Lisa McKenzie, founder of You Night Empowering Events, The Still I Rise Podcast is a powerful, heartfelt series that shares the voices of women who have fought — or are still fighting — cancer, and the transformative journeys they’ve taken to reclaim joy, identity, and purpose. Each episode highlights inspiring survivor stories, candid conversations with mental health experts, and uplifting insights for anyone facing life after diagnosis. We dive deep into the emotional, spiritual, and psychological layers of healing — reminding every woman that she’s not alone, and that her story matters. Whether you're navigating cancer, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking inspiration and sisterhood, this podcast is for you. Want to share your story, connect with our community, or support our mission? Visit YouNightEmpoweringEvents.com to learn more about our cancer survivor empowerment programs and how you can get involved. #StillIRisePodcast | #CancerSurvivorStories | #WomenWhoFightCancer | #YouNightSisterhood Support women rising. Align your brand with a mission of hope, courage, and transformation. Let’s talk about creating a sponsorship package that meets your goals. Call us at 877-591-5936 x1 or email lisa@younightevents.com  

  1. From the Beginning: The Voices That Built You Night (Part 3 of 4) with guests Angela Becnel and Deborah Tonguis

    1D AGO

    From the Beginning: The Voices That Built You Night (Part 3 of 4) with guests Angela Becnel and Deborah Tonguis

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Still I Rise… and to Day 3 of our 100th episode celebration. Over the past two days, we’ve been honoring the voices and the people who have helped shape this journey—and today, we continue with two women who have been steady, powerful forces behind the scenes and beyond. One hundred episodes in, and what stands out most isn’t just what’s been created… but who has stood alongside it, helping to carry the mission forward every step of the way. Today, you’ll hear from my right-hand gal, Angela Becnel, and Debbie Tonguis—two women whose presence, support, and dedication have made a lasting impact in ways that words can barely capture. They’re sharing their memories, their insights, and what this journey has meant to them—along with what they’ve learned about resilience, connection, and rising through it all. Because behind every moment… there are people who help make it possible. Let’s keep the celebration going. Support the show Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

    1h 17m
  2. From the Beginning: The Voices That Built You Night (Part 2 of 4) with guests Leslie Legania-Shelby and Tracie Morris Schaefer

    1D AGO

    From the Beginning: The Voices That Built You Night (Part 2 of 4) with guests Leslie Legania-Shelby and Tracie Morris Schaefer

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Still I Rise… and to Day 2 of our 100th episode celebration. If you joined us yesterday, you know this isn’t just one episode—it’s a four-part series honoring the voices, the moments, and the people who have helped shape this journey. One hundred episodes in, and the stories just keep getting richer… the connections deeper… and the impact even more meaningful. Today, we continue that celebration with two more incredible women who have played a powerful role in what we do. You’ll hear from our Runway Coach, Leslie Legania-Shelby, and Photographer, Tracie Morris Schaefer—two women who don’t just show up… they help bring confidence, beauty, and transformation to life in ways that leave a lasting mark on every woman they touch. They’re sharing their favorite memories, what they’ve witnessed, and what they’ve learned along the way—about strength, resilience, and what it truly means to rise. Because this journey is built on moments like these… and people like them. So let’s continue the celebration. Support the show Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

    37 min
  3. From the Beginning: The Voices That Built You Night (Part 1 of 4) with guests Halle McKenzie and Jill Allender

    2D AGO

    From the Beginning: The Voices That Built You Night (Part 1 of 4) with guests Halle McKenzie and Jill Allender

    Send us Fan Mail “Welcome to Still I Rise… and today, this one feels different. This is our 100th episode. One hundred conversations. One hundred moments of truth, vulnerability, strength, and rising—again and again. This podcast has always been about connection… about the people who show up, who stay, and who lift each other when life gets heavy. So today, instead of telling one story… I wanted to bring together the voices that helped shape this journey. I’ve invited some of my favorite people—those who have been here since the very beginning, and others who came along the way and became an essential part of what we do. These are the people who believed in the mission, who poured into it, and who helped carry it forward. And because there are so many incredible voices to celebrate, I’m doing something special for this 100th episode. We’re turning it into a four-part series that will air over the next three days—so every story has the space it deserves to be heard. Here’s what you can look forward to: Day 1 features my daughter Halle and our Team Director, Jill Allender.  Day 2 features our Runway Coach, Leslie Legania-Shelby, and Photographer, Tracie Morris Schaefer.  Day 3 features my right-hand gal, Angela Becnel, and Debbie Tonguis.  And Day 4 features Ruth Avila and my sister, Julie Angelos. Each of them is sharing their favorite memories, the moments that stayed with them, and what they’ve learned—about life, about resilience, and about what it really means to rise. Because after 100 episodes, one thing is clear… We don’t rise alone. So let’s get into it.” Support the show Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

    30 min
  4. Forged in Toughness | Kati Cheek on Resilience, Cancer & Learning to Receive Life’s Blessings

    APR 24

    Forged in Toughness | Kati Cheek on Resilience, Cancer & Learning to Receive Life’s Blessings

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Still I Rise, Lisa sits down with Kati Cheek—an Allstate agency owner, breast cancer survivor, and a woman whose strength and generosity extend far beyond her profession. What began as a desperate search for affordable homeowners insurance in the midst of Louisiana’s insurance crisis turned into an unexpected and life-changing connection. Kati not only helped Lisa save thousands of dollars on her home and auto policies, but she also became a trusted friend, a supporter of her nonprofit mission, and a powerful example of resilience in action. Through her journey with cancer and her experience in the Fight Club program, Kati reached a place of deep personal growth—one that allowed her to begin sharing her story with honesty and courage. In this conversation, she opens up about navigating life’s hardest moments, finding strength in vulnerability, and stepping into a new chapter of purpose. Since this recording, Kati has continued that journey and is now working on a book centered on resilience and rising through adversity. This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a reminder that sometimes the people who enter our lives through the most ordinary circumstances become part of our most extraordinary stories. Support the show Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

    36 min
  5. "My Wildfire Years: A Journey through Loss, Love and Healing" by Alexis Santoro

    APR 17

    "My Wildfire Years: A Journey through Loss, Love and Healing" by Alexis Santoro

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Still I Rise Podcast—where stories of resilience, healing, and the human spirit remind us that even in our darkest moments… we rise. Today’s episode is one you won’t forget. Our guest, Alexis Santoro, shares a journey she describes as living through years of wildfires—unexpected, relentless, and life-altering. From the unraveling of a marriage, to losing both of her parents to cancer within a short span, to navigating life as a single mother… Alexis became, in her own words, an untrained firefighter—constantly responding, constantly surviving.  But the most personal fire came in 2020, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram. What followed was a double mastectomy, years of recovery, and the emotional weight of fighting for her life while raising two young children and holding everything together. And yet—this is not just a story of survival. It’s a story of what happens after the fires begin to quiet… when you realize the land beneath you needs healing too. Alexis opens up about reclaiming her life, rediscovering her strength, and learning that vulnerability is not weakness—it’s power. This is a conversation about loss, love, resilience, and the courage to rebuild from the ashes. So take a breath, lean in, and get ready to be inspired. Because no matter what you’ve walked through… there is always a way forward. And together, we rise. Support the show Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

    19 min
  6. Finding Gold in the Shadows (and the quest to stop being so hard on ourselves!): "Daylight" by Rachel Giammolva

    APR 10

    Finding Gold in the Shadows (and the quest to stop being so hard on ourselves!): "Daylight" by Rachel Giammolva

    Send us Fan Mail This episode… it hit hard. Because today, Rachel Giammolva shares something so deeply personal, so honest… that it’s going to make a lot of women feel seen. Rachel has lost over 100 pounds. By every standard, that’s a transformation the world celebrates. But what she reveals is something we don’t talk about enough… Her mind still sees someone she doesn’t love. Rachel has lived with extreme body dysmorphia—something that didn’t disappear with the weight. And when you hear her story, you begin to understand the depth of that struggle. She grew up carrying a quiet but painful question: “Why can’t anybody see me?”  A question shaped by childhood trauma, abandonment, and a lifetime of searching for safety and worth. Then, at 53, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. And suddenly, everything she had quietly feared about herself… felt real. She opens up about the loss—not just of her body, but of identity, intimacy, and the parts of herself she’s had to grieve. She talks about being called “strong”… while feeling anything but. And yet, in the middle of all that pain… she found something unexpected. She found healing. She found faith. She found what she calls daylight—the gold that can only be discovered in the darkest places. But this episode asks something bigger… How many women are living like this right now? How many of us are spending our days—our precious, limited, beautiful days—being hard on ourselves, criticizing the very bodies that have carried us through survival? How much life are we missing? Rachel’s story is raw. It’s courageous. And it’s a reminder… that even when we struggle to see our own worth— we are still rising. Support the show Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

    57 min
  7. A River Never Ceasing: Healing Childhood Wounds, Breast Cancer, and Finding Strength Through It Al - by Helen Connorsl

    MAR 27

    A River Never Ceasing: Healing Childhood Wounds, Breast Cancer, and Finding Strength Through It Al - by Helen Connorsl

    Send us Fan Mail Today’s story is called “A River Never Ceasing” by Helen Connors—and it is exactly that… a life that keeps moving, keeps flowing, no matter what it encounters. Helen is someone who doesn’t sit still for long. She moves forward, pushes through, gets things done. But as you’ll hear, when she allowed herself to slow down and tell her story out loud, something unexpected happened. There was a moment—one she didn’t anticipate—when emotion rose to the surface. It caught her off guard. It was tied to a very early chapter in her life… when her mother left her as a child. And isn’t that interesting? How we can carry something for decades—filed away, managed, maybe even minimized—and then suddenly, when we revisit it, it speaks again. Sometimes our memory banks hold more than just facts… they hold feelings. And those feelings can surface when we least expect it. They can even trigger us. But here’s the beautiful part—and what makes this story so powerful: Those emotional responses aren’t something to fear… they’re something to listen to. Because when we pause and evaluate them, instead of pushing them back down, we gain insight. We gain healing. We gain understanding of the parts of ourselves that are still quietly asking to be seen. Helen’s story is one of resilience, growth, and perspective—but also a reminder that even the strongest among us have moments that deserve reflection. She describes herself as a river—shaped by the rocks, but never stopped by them. And as you listen today, you may just find yourself reflecting on the places in your own life where the current kept moving… even when it was hard. This is “A River Never Ceasing.” Support the show Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

    18 min
  8. Breast Cancer Recurrence Warning: Cutaneous Metastases After Mastectomy – Kimberly Meyers-Turner's Story

    MAR 20

    Breast Cancer Recurrence Warning: Cutaneous Metastases After Mastectomy – Kimberly Meyers-Turner's Story

    Send us Fan Mail When Kimberly Meyers-Turner sat down for this interview in September 2025, she believed she had survived breast cancer. After undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstruction, she was celebrating what she thought was the end of a long and difficult journey. Full of faith, hope, and gratitude, Kimberly shared her story believing the battle was behind her. But just months later, her life would be completely uprooted. Kimberly began noticing something unusual on the skin near her reconstructed breast—small changes that didn’t seem urgent at first. Like many women, she trusted the system and followed medical guidance. She was referred to a dermatologist, facing a long wait for answers, while cancer cells were quietly continuing their spread beneath the surface. What was initially believed to be a dermatological issue was later identified as something far more serious: cutaneous metastases, a form of secondary breast cancer that appears in the skin. By the time the correct diagnosis was made, what might have been a more treatable situation had progressed. Kimberly was given a devastating prognosis—between three months to two years to live. And yet, Kimberly’s message is not one of fear. It is one of awareness, advocacy, and urgency. In this episode, Kimberly shares her story so that other women will know what to look for. While cutaneous metastases are not the most common form of recurrence, they are real, and they can be missed. Her message is clear:  If you notice anything unusual—any bump, nodule, rash, or change in the skin on or around your breast after cancer—do not wait. Ask questions. Push for answers. Insist on a biopsy. Kimberly hopes that by sharing her experience, other women will be empowered to advocate for themselves, catch signs earlier, and potentially change the course of their own story. This is not just a conversation.  It’s a warning.  A lesson.  And a powerful reminder to trust your instincts. Support the show Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Real stories. Raw truth. Unshakable hope. Hosted by Lisa McKenzie, founder of You Night Empowering Events, The Still I Rise Podcast is a powerful, heartfelt series that shares the voices of women who have fought — or are still fighting — cancer, and the transformative journeys they’ve taken to reclaim joy, identity, and purpose. Each episode highlights inspiring survivor stories, candid conversations with mental health experts, and uplifting insights for anyone facing life after diagnosis. We dive deep into the emotional, spiritual, and psychological layers of healing — reminding every woman that she’s not alone, and that her story matters. Whether you're navigating cancer, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking inspiration and sisterhood, this podcast is for you. Want to share your story, connect with our community, or support our mission? Visit YouNightEmpoweringEvents.com to learn more about our cancer survivor empowerment programs and how you can get involved. #StillIRisePodcast | #CancerSurvivorStories | #WomenWhoFightCancer | #YouNightSisterhood Support women rising. Align your brand with a mission of hope, courage, and transformation. Let’s talk about creating a sponsorship package that meets your goals. Call us at 877-591-5936 x1 or email lisa@younightevents.com  

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa McKenzie, Founder of You Night Events
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Still I Rise Podcast
  • Show Website
    Still I Rise Podcast