Stage Hope

Stage Hope
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Mental Health

Stage Hope was created out of a shared experience of two friends walking similar paths at non adjacent moments of their lives. The thing in common, a cancer diagnosis; though challenging, out of it would come a mutual shared desire to cultivate space for storytelling, speaking through hard moments and highlighting the key element that drives many of us to aspire to better things, hope.  In this space you will hear about moments of adversity that many experience in life and the willingness to pull from the moment, light, lived lessons and insights that inspire. Our experiences, though singular, resonate across all people; the goal, to provide real life stories, resourceful tools that uplift the heart with hope you can carry with you.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Dropping the Ball: Work, Recovery, and the Superwoman Schema

    Struggling to find work-life balance during or after cancer treatment? Learn how to escape the Superwoman Schema, beat burnout, and finally prioritize joy. Episode Resources: Superwoman Schema Research Paper by Dr. Cheryl Woods-GiscombéCancer and Careers: Navigating the Workplace During and After TreatmentAtomic Habits by James ClearUnderstanding and Managing Chemo BrainExplaining Allostatic Load and the Biological Impact of Chronic StressHave you ever felt like you're constantly dropping balls in the endless juggling act of being a working professional and a parent? In this episode, we get real about the myth of work-life balance, sharing their deeply personal experiences of navigating demanding careers during and after cancer treatment. Tune in to gain a refreshing, honest perspective on setting boundaries, managing burnout, and giving yourself permission to step back when life throws its hardest curveballs. The conversation dives into the complex realities of cancer survivorship and returning to the workforce, from battling post-treatment brain fog to overcoming the intense pressure of feeling left behind by peers. Together, we unpack the "Superwoman Schema" - a psychological framework that heavily pressures women of color to flawlessly execute their professional and familial roles - and debate the hidden costs of constantly choosing resilience over rest. We explore practical, habit-building strategies to calm morning anxiety before you even touch your inbox. However, the ultimate breakthrough hinges on a thought-provoking five-million-dollar question that will completely redefine how you prioritize your own personal joy. If this honest conversation resonated with your own daily juggling act, be sure to subscribe to Stage Hope and leave a review! Connect with Stage Hope: InstagramTikTokYouTubeSubstack

    46 min

  2. May 21

    Food as Medicine, Without the Obsession | Wendy Lopez, RD on Wellness, Joyful Eating & Slowing Down

    Tired of toxic diet culture? Registered dietitian Wendy Lopez shares practical tips for plant-forward eating, stress-free meal prep, and food freedom. Episode Resources: Official Website for Diabetes DigitalThe Diabetes Digital PodcastFind a Registered Dietitian DatabaseEWG’s Consumer Guide to Pesticides in ProduceHarvard’s Guide to Plant-Forward EatingAre you exhausted by rigid wellness trends and the constant pressure to eat perfectly? In this episode, Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator Wendy Lopez breaks down how to genuinely nourish your body without sacrificing the cultural joy of eating. Tune in to discover practical ways to balance a plant-forward lifestyle, simplify busy weeknight meals, and ditch the perfectionist mindset that makes nutrition feel like an overwhelming chore.  We dive into the surprising realities behind organic food labels and why connecting with local farmers might actually be the smarter choice for your health. Wendy unpacks the darker side of modern wellness culture, explaining how to embrace intuitive eating and mindful nutrition without spiraling into stressful, disordered habits. The conversation also explores the deep ties between holistic health and major life transitions, touching on everything from breast cancer recovery to navigating IVF. You will walk away with a fresh perspective on disease prevention and a much-needed reminder to slow down, process your emotions, and reclaim your personal identity.  Hit play to rethink your relationship with food, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an empowering conversation like this one! Connect with Stage Hope: InstagramTikTokYouTubeSubstack

    45 min

  3. Apr 29

    Do Less, Better: Reflection, Purpose, and the Season Ahead

    Overwhelmed by goals? In this podcast episode, discover how daily self-reflection, finding your purpose, and doing less better transforms personal growth. Episode Resources: Jim Rohn on the Power of ReflectionCharles Duhigg on the ARC FrameworkEssentialism by Greg McKeownDigital Detox Guide from Cleveland ClinicDo you find yourself trapped in a cycle of starting projects but struggling to cross the finish line? In this episode of Stage Hope, Kayoll and Cassandra explore the transformative power of daily self-reflection and how to break free from the heavy pressure of doing it all. Tune in to learn how shifting your focus to doing "less better" can help you reclaim your time, energy, and overall peace of mind.  The co-hosts open up about the realities of juggling motherhood, demanding careers, and how surviving a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis radically shifted their approach to time management and work-life balance. They break down actionable self-development strategies, including the ARC framework for beating procrastination and the bold concept of "heading to the red" when faced with daunting tasks. You'll hear an honest conversation about setting boundaries, the hidden dangers of perfectionism, and why relying on a strong spiritual foundation can help center your daily actions. Will working harder on yourself than your job actually cure your burnout, or is the real secret to personal growth simply learning to embrace the chaos?  If you are ready to set intentional goals for the season ahead, make sure to subscribe and leave a review!

    1 hr

  4. Apr 15

    Two Friends, Same Diagnosis, One Bold Vision

    Two breast cancer survivors launch the Stage Hope Podcast, sharing raw stories of diagnosis, motherhood, and finding joy beyond the struggle. Meet Cassandra Dell and Dr. Kayoll Gyan - an engineer and a nurse scientist, two mothers, and friends who are done waiting for the 'right time' to share their stories. In this debut episode of the Stage Hope Podcast, they rip the Band-Aid off and open up about theirbreast cancer diagnoses, treatment journeys, and what it really means to find hope on the other side of a life-altering experience. From the gut-punch of reading "carcinoma" on a patient chart to making impossible decisions about fertility in the middle of a cancer fight, Cassandra and Kayoll walk through the raw, unfiltered reality of young motherhood colliding with a breast cancer diagnosis. They explore the emotional weight of the diagnostic waiting period, the grief of plans interrupted, and how faith, community, and identity shift when life throws its hardest curveball. What stands out is their shared commitment to talking about cancer not from a place of fear, but from one of resilience, purpose, and even joy - proving that vulnerability and courage are two sides of the same coin. If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe to the Stage Hope Podcast so you never miss an episode, and leave a review to help others find this community of hope and honest conversation.

    48 min
  • 4 Episodes

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Stage Hope was created out of a shared experience of two friends walking similar paths at non adjacent moments of their lives. The thing in common, a cancer diagnosis; though challenging, out of it would come a mutual shared desire to cultivate space for storytelling, speaking through hard moments and highlighting the key element that drives many of us to aspire to better things, hope.  In this space you will hear about moments of adversity that many experience in life and the willingness to pull from the moment, light, lived lessons and insights that inspire. Our experiences, though singular, resonate across all people; the goal, to provide real life stories, resourceful tools that uplift the heart with hope you can carry with you.

Information

  • Creator
    Stage Hope
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stage Hope
  • Show Website
    Stage Hope