MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast

MesotheliomaPodcast.com
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Education

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is a supportive, medically informed, and deeply human show dedicated to helping families navigate life after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Hosted by patient advocate, Dave Foster, the podcast brings together the voices of doctors, survivors, caregivers, and leading experts to deliver clarity, guidance, and hope when it’s needed most. Sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, one of the nation’s most experienced mesothelioma law firms, the show offers more than legal insight—it provides practical direction, emotional support, and a roadmap for getting the best medical care as quickly as possible. Whether you or a loved one has just been diagnosed or you're searching for trusted information, MESO breaks down the medical, legal, and personal impact of this rare disease in a way that’s easy to understand and compassionate at every step. Every episode delivers meaningful conversations, survivor stories, expert interviews, and actionable next steps so families can make informed decisions with confidence. If you need answers, support, or guidance—you’re in the right place. For more information, visit Danziger & De Llano at Dandell.com.

  1. 2d ago

    What To Say When Cancer Hits

    The moment someone says, “I’ve been diagnosed with cancer,” most of us feel two things at once: love and panic. We want to help, but we’re scared we’ll say the wrong thing, make it awkward, or accidentally cause more pain. We slow it all down and share a clearer path forward, starting with the words that matter most because they’re honest and human: “I’m here for you.” From there, we move into the support that cancer patients actually feel in their daily life. Vague offers like “Let me know if you need anything” often put the burden back on the person who is already exhausted. We explain how to offer specific, practical help that’s easy to accept: bringing dinner on a certain night, driving to appointments, picking up groceries, mowing the lawn, walking the dog, or watching the kids. If you’re looking for caregiver tips, mesothelioma support guidance, or a simple checklist for how to support a friend with cancer, this is the heart of it. We also talk about presence, not performance. Listening can be more powerful than advice, and normal conversation can be a gift when someone needs a break from treatments, appointments, and medical talk. We cover what not to say, why comparisons can backfire, and why consistent support matters more than grand gestures, especially as time passes and the initial rush of attention fades. If this helps, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families facing mesothelioma and cancer can find practical, compassionate support. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

  2. Aug 12

    How Mesothelioma Claims Work And What Families Need

    We talk with attorney Paul Danziger about how mesothelioma claims really work, from asbestos trust funds to the proof families need to move quickly. We focus on practical steps that can help people protect their loved ones and pursue accountability after asbestos exposure.  • Paul’s path into asbestos and industrial disease litigation  • How asbestos bankruptcy trust funds are created and why there are many of them  • Why most claims involve multiple companies and multiple sources of exposure  • Why we typically pursue manufacturers rather than employers  • Personal injury lawsuits versus wrongful death claims  • Unexpected exposure sources like talc baby powder and other consumer products  • Take-home asbestos exposure and how a single fiber can matter  • The pathology report as the key medical document  • How we prove causation decades later using records, coworkers, product photos, and databases  • Why it often makes sense to file, even if you are unsure you qualify  For more information, resources, and support, visit our sponsors Danziger and Dayano at dandel.com.  MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

  3. Jul 13

    Surviving Peritoneal Mesothelioma

    A routine surgery turns into a life-changing phone call, and suddenly you are the rare case no one around you has seen before. We sit down with Julie Russell, a nurse and nearly 20-year survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma, to tell the full story of how an incidental pathology finding led to a diagnosis, a scramble for answers, and a decision to travel for the right care when “close to home” was not enough. Julie walks us through what it’s like to hear specialists speak bluntly, to face radical surgery, and to go through intraperitoneal chemotherapy while trying to protect your quality of life. She also shares a pivotal moment: listening to her body when her kidneys started taking a hit, and choosing to stop chemo one treatment early, a decision later validated by nephrology. It’s a powerful look at patient advocacy that stays honest about uncertainty, risk, and the pressure to follow a protocol when your gut says something is wrong. We also dig into survivorship after mesothelioma, including CT scan frequency, lung nodules, and the anxiety that can come with long-term surveillance at Dana-Farber. Along the way, we unpack possible asbestos exposure sources, the growing conversation around talc, and even a surprising lesson about cosmic radiation from flying that reframes how we think about exposure and risk. If you or someone you love is navigating peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, or any rare cancer, this conversation offers practical guidance and real hope. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find support. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

  4. Jul 7

    Free Mesothelioma Information

    MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

  5. Jul 6

    Cancer Nutrition That Actually Helps

    Googling “what to eat after a cancer diagnosis” can send you into a panic spiral fast. One page says cut all sugar, another says buy a shelf of supplements, and somehow you’re supposed to do that while managing appointments, side effects, and real life. We wanted a clear, evidence-based voice, so we sat down with Nicole Andrews, a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition, to talk about what actually helps people stay strong through treatment. We dig into why nutrition during chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery is not about perfection, it’s about being well-nourished enough to tolerate full-dose care and recover between appointments. Nicole explains why the “sugar feeds cancer” myth causes real harm, how cancer metabolism really works, and why cutting carbs often backfires when your body needs energy the most. We also talk through the practical stuff families face every day: metallic taste, appetite loss, nausea, and when water suddenly tastes terrible. Nicole shares flexible, realistic strategies like using citrus or mint, changing proteins when favorite foods become intolerable, trying smoothies for calorie and protein boosts, and making hydration easier without shame. We also go straight at supplements and cancer risk reduction. Nicole outlines why high-dose supplements can be risky unless a true deficiency shows up in labs, and what matters more for long-term health: fiber, movement, sleep, and reducing alcohol and processed meats. If you want a simple framework you can actually use, plus myth-busting you can trust, you’ll get a lot out of this conversation. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs steady guidance, and leave us a review with your biggest cancer nutrition question. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

  6. Jun 30

    Mesothelioma Support That Actually Helps

    A mesothelioma diagnosis doesn’t just change a treatment plan, it rearranges an entire family’s life. We talk with seasoned members of a mesothelioma care team about the moments that hit hardest right after diagnosis and the quiet, practical choices that help patients and caregivers keep going when everything feels urgent. We dig into the real-world stressors families face beyond medical care: travel to a specialist, time away from work, bills that don’t pause, and the emotional whiplash of learning the cancer is often tied to asbestos exposure. When that exposure is occupational or even secondhand from a loved one’s work clothes, the grief can come with anger and a deep sense of betrayal. We also share what support can look like when it’s done well, from caregiver groups to daily check-ins that make people feel seen. You’ll hear a simple idea that carries a lot of power: head and heart have to work together. When mood drops, it’s harder to eat, walk, recover, and stay engaged with care, so emotional support becomes part of the treatment path. We close with grounded advice for the first weeks, like limiting panic scrolling, bringing someone to appointments, taking notes, asking direct questions, and seeking a mesothelioma center of excellence when possible. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with someone who needs support, and leave a review so more families facing mesothelioma can find us. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

  7. Jun 3

    VA Benefits And Mesothelioma

    Filing for VA benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis feels like the obvious first move but it can be the wrong move if you don’t understand how asbestos exposure is argued across systems. We sit down together and walk through the real-world “should I file?” decision, especially for veterans who served for a few years and then spent decades in high-risk civilian jobs like shipyards, refineries, boiler rooms, HVAC, and industrial plants. When the record gets messy, the VA and companies can start pointing fingers at each other, and that confusion can cost families meaningful compensation. We also talk through practical steps that protect both care and financial stability: getting guidance from a mesothelioma lawyer or advocate who handles asbestos claims and VA claims, using a VA placeholder claim when it helps, and what to do when a VA disability claim gets denied. We share how appeals work, why regional VA service centers can be a powerful resource, and where families can look for strong treatment options through major VA medical centers and affiliated specialists. Finally, we outline the “big three” financial paths families ask about most: Social Security Disability benefits with mesothelioma fast track, asbestos trust funds with payments that often arrive in stages, and lawsuits against viable companies outside bankruptcy trusts. We answer common questions about timelines, whether compensation is taxable, and what “no upfront cost” contingency fees really mean. If this helped, subscribe, share with a veteran’s family, and leave a review so more people find support when they need it most. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

  8. May 26

    Hope After Mesothelioma

    You can do everything “right” and still get a life-changing diagnosis. Linda Chitwood is a retired RN, longtime nurse educator, and the author of Fear To Faith and she joins us to share how her husband Lenny was diagnosed with mesothelioma despite an outdoors career, no smoking, and no obvious single-source exposure. What started as an unusual cough turned into a moment that stopped her cold: she listened to his lungs and heard nothing on one side. Within days, the medical questions turned to asbestos exposure, tumor findings, and a rare clear cell subtype that required careful pathology review.  We walk through the decisions families dread making, including what it meant to pursue extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), a major surgery that removes the affected lung and surrounding tissue. Linda explains why recovery can be so tough, what helped Lenny do well, and why pain management became one of the biggest challenges. We also talk about how mesothelioma treatment options have evolved, including newer approaches like immunotherapy, and why quality of life remains the central goal.  Just as crucial, we dig into mesothelioma caregiver support: accepting meals, leaning on church and community, taking breaks without guilt, and remembering that adult children often carry quiet fear with too little support. Linda also shares her current fight with multiple myeloma and how her family now shows up for her during chemotherapy. If you’re looking for practical guidance, honest perspective, and real hope, press play, then subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave us a review with what hit home for you. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

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About

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is a supportive, medically informed, and deeply human show dedicated to helping families navigate life after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Hosted by patient advocate, Dave Foster, the podcast brings together the voices of doctors, survivors, caregivers, and leading experts to deliver clarity, guidance, and hope when it’s needed most. Sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, one of the nation’s most experienced mesothelioma law firms, the show offers more than legal insight—it provides practical direction, emotional support, and a roadmap for getting the best medical care as quickly as possible. Whether you or a loved one has just been diagnosed or you're searching for trusted information, MESO breaks down the medical, legal, and personal impact of this rare disease in a way that’s easy to understand and compassionate at every step. Every episode delivers meaningful conversations, survivor stories, expert interviews, and actionable next steps so families can make informed decisions with confidence. If you need answers, support, or guidance—you’re in the right place. For more information, visit Danziger & De Llano at Dandell.com.

Information

  • Creator
    MesotheliomaPodcast.com
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast
  • Show Website
    MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast