Besties with Breasties Podcast

Besties with Breasties Podcast
  • 4.9 (36)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Besties with Breasties is for anyone facing breast cancer who feels isolated, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a friend who understands. Hosted by Beth Wilmes, founder of Faith Through Fire, along with survivors Jess Anderson and Jamie Grieshaber, this podcast offers honest conversations, heartfelt validation, and a healthy dose of humor. Together, the hosts share their personal experiences with breast cancer, motherhood, and life after treatment — reminding listeners they’re not alone and that thriving after diagnosis is possible. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into survivorship, you’ll find connection, hope, and the kind of friendship that heals. Podcast Website: https://www.bestieswithbreastiespodcast.com

  1. MAY 6

    S6E9: Breast Cancer PSA: Patients Need Emotional Support

    In this episode, Beth and Jamie sit down with Dr. Renata Sledge — who, for the record, thinks her own name sounds like a supervillain — an assistant professor of social work and licensed clinical social worker whose research focuses on the deeply human side of healthcare. Renata spent 15 years watching patients surrounded by doctors, family, and friends who all wanted to help — and yet still feeling profoundly alone. That gap between wanting to be supported and actually feeling it sent her back to school for her PhD, and it's the question at the heart of this conversation. Together, they unpack: Why "shared decision-making" in medicine is treated as a single moment when it actually unfolds over weeks — and how that misunderstanding leaves patients strandedHow women are socialized to mute their own needs before cancer, and why that doesn't just disappear after a diagnosisThe invisible weight of what patients carry into a diagnosis — rocky marriages, job loss, grief — and how that shapes every treatment decisionWhy the healthcare system structurally fails the patients who need it most, and who has to step in to fill that gapThe power and limits of self-advocacy, especially when someone's whole life has taught them that asking for help leads nowhere Jamie gets personal about her experience as a lifelong people-pleaser who had to go back and re-advocate for herself mid-treatment. Beth reflects on the "silent strugglers" — the women who look resilient on the outside while quietly falling apart — and how even her own nurse navigator didn't see it coming. This is a conversation about what it would look like if the system actually treated the whole person, not just the disease. Learn more or support Faith Through Fire at faiththroughfire.org Connect with Renata Sledge: https://www.umsl.edu/sswpbs/social-work/directory/sledge-renata.html Companies mentioned in this episode: Faith Through FireThrivent Gateway Financial Group

    33 min

  2. APR 21

    S6E8: She Was Betrayed During Treatment…And Then Rebuilt Better

    What happens when a breast cancer diagnosis isn't the worst thing that happens to you during treatment? In this episode, Beth and Jes sit down with Sarah, a mom of two who discovered her husband had been unfaithful at the very end of her radiation — revealed not by a confession, but by a doctor's visit. Sarah opens up about navigating that devastating double blow, the rage and grief that followed, and how she made the brave decision to walk away even at her most vulnerable. But this isn't just a story about betrayal. It's a story about what comes after. Sarah shares how she eventually found the courage to date again, what it felt like to be vulnerable with a new partner after a double mastectomy, and how she ultimately found a man who lifts her up every single day. Along the way, the Besties dig into the emotional complexity of divorce with kids, the role fathers play in shaping daughters' self-worth, and why — for women of character — the right partner won't be deterred by your story. Sarah's message to any woman who feels like her story is too messy to be loved: "Nobody's too messy to be loved. Hold your chin up. Tell yourself you're beautiful — because you are." Learn more or support Faith Through Fire at faiththroughfire.org Companies mentioned in this episode: Faith Through FireThrivent Gateway Financial Group

    25 min

  3. APR 8

    S6E7: What He Really Thought When She Said “I Had Breast Cancer”

    In this candid and eye-opening episode, Beth and Jess sit down with Kevin — the husband of Ally, a previous guest who shared her experience dating after a breast cancer diagnosis. Kevin offers a rare and refreshingly honest male perspective: what modern dating is actually like, what went through his mind when Ally disclosed her mastectomy just four dates in, and how he navigated attraction, vulnerability, and fear of recurrence in real time. Kevin opens up about the moment Allie told him she'd had a double mastectomy before reconstruction, why her confidence put him at ease, and how he quietly wrestled with the "what ifs" — including memories of losing his grandmother to cancer. The conversation gets real around intimacy and hormone therapy side effects, with all three hosts speaking frankly about why staying connected physically matters in a relationship, and how communication is the bridge that keeps couples close even when libido isn't. Kevin's parting advice to survivors navigating the dating world: be honest early, own your story with confidence, and trust that the right person won't be scared away. Learn more or support Faith Through Fire at faiththroughfire.org Companies mentioned in this episode: Faith Through FireThrivent Gateway Financial Group

    34 min

  4. MAR 25

    S6E6: Finding Love After Breast Cancer: A Journey from Diagnosis to "I Do"

    In this heartfelt episode, the Besties dive into finding love after breast cancer. Guest Ally shares her incredible journey of being diagnosed with stage 1A breast cancer at just 31 years old, going through a grueling 10.5-hour double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction, and remarkably getting back into the dating scene just months later. Ally opens up about the vulnerable moment of trying on bathing suits and realizing her future husband would never know her "real body," the courage it took to reveal her scars during an intimate moment, and how she met her now-husband on eHarmony just two weeks after joining. Her story proves that cancer doesn't have to define you and that authentic love can bloom even after life-altering surgery. The episode wraps with Ally's encouragement that there are happy moments ahead - whether or not you have a partner by your side.This is perfect for anyone navigating dating after breast cancer, survivors worried about body image and relationships, or anyone needing hope that love is possible after diagnosis. Learn more or support Faith Through Fire at faiththroughfire.org Companies mentioned in this episode: Faith Through FireThrivent Gateway Financial Group

    25 min

  5. MAR 11

    S6E5: She Started Dating Again After Breast Cancer — Here’s What Happened

    This episode explores the often-overlooked topic of dating after breast cancer. Hosts Beth and Jes sit down with Michelle, a nine-year survivor who shares her candid experiences navigating the dating scene post-diagnosis. Michelle opens up about her journey from diagnosis at age 39 through treatment (double mastectomy and chemotherapy), and how she rebuilt her confidence and self-image afterward. The conversation tackles the real questions many survivors have: When do you tell someone about your diagnosis? How do you handle body image changes? What's it really like out there? The discussion reveals an encouraging truth: breast cancer isn't the dating dealbreaker survivors often fear. Michelle emphasizes that the self-consciousness is often more internal than external—potential partners are attracted to personality, wit, and connection first. The bigger challenge? The modern dating landscape itself, with its instant gratification culture and emotional disconnect. Key takeaways include giving yourself time (2+ years) to heal physically and emotionally before jumping back into dating, recognizing that body image struggles are universal (whether in long-term relationships or dating), and understanding that it's okay to take a pause when needed. Important reminder: it's okay to have bad days, but tomorrow will get better. Learn more or support Faith Through Fire at faiththroughfire.org Companies mentioned in this episode: Faith Through FireThrivent Gateway Financial Group

    28 min

  6. FEB 25

    S6E4: From Cringe to Compassion: Mastering Communication During Cancer

    Join Beth, Jess, and guest Meg for an honest and relatable conversation about the cringiest, most frustrating things people say to breast cancer patients—and how to handle them without losing your mind. Meg, a 30-year-old mom of two, shares her recent diagnosis journey: from finding a lump while pregnant to fighting for a mammogram when doctors dismissed her concerns due to her age. She opens up about the loneliness of treatment, the exhausting "you're so strong" comments, and the infuriating "free boob job" remarks that completely miss the trauma of amputation and reconstruction. This episode explores: Why people say awkward things (spoiler: usually ignorance, not malice)The strange burden of managing other people's emotions during your own crisisHow friendships shift when you face something this hardThe difference between pity and empathy—and why one feels isolatingWhy your trauma brain makes everything feel more triggering than it actually is Also includes practical advice on setting boundaries, educating well-meaning friends, and giving yourself (and others) grace when cancer conversations go sideways. Perfect for anyone navigating cancer, supporting someone with cancer, or who's ever said something awkward and wants to do better. Learn more or support Faith Through Fire at faiththroughfire.org Companies mentioned in this episode: Faith Through FireThrivent Gateway Financial Group

    33 min

  7. FEB 10

    S6E3: When Cancer Changes Your Friendships: What No One Tells You

    Join Beth and Jess as they dive into one of the most emotionally complex parts of the breast cancer journey: how friendships change. In this candid conversation, the hosts explore why some relationships deepen while others fade after a cancer diagnosis. Beth and Jess share personal stories about discovering which friends could handle the weight of cancer and which couldn't. They discuss the "Midwest nice" culture of keeping struggles private, the surprising people who stepped up (and those who didn't), and why emotional immaturity—not lack of caring—often explains why some friends disappear during hard times. With their signature blend of honesty, humor, and heart, the hosts remind listeners that friendship changes aren't failures—they're opportunities for growth and finding your true people. Perfect for anyone navigating relationships after trauma, loss, or major life changes. Learn more or support Faith Through Fire at faiththroughfire.org Companies mentioned in this episode: Faith Through FireThrivent Gateway Financial Group

    32 min

  8. JAN 27

    S6E2: The Moment You Realize Your Body Feels Different After Cancer

    Beth, Jess, and Jamie tackle one of the hardest parts of survivorship: looking in the mirror and recognizing the person staring back. This episode starts with a simple question—how do you feel about your body in one word?—and the answers reveal everything. "Accepting." "Strong." "Disappointed." From there, the conversation goes deep into the gap between who they were before cancer and who they are now. They dive into the power of positive thinking—not the toxic "just be happy" kind, but the intentional practice of choosing gratitude and joy even when it's hard. The conversation explores how our minds and bodies work together, why negative self-talk can literally make us sick, and the delicate balance between acknowledging hard feelings and not letting them take root. Tune in for a surprisingly honest discussion about what self-love even means when you can't separate it from how you look. This episode won't give you a five-step plan to love yourself. But it will make you feel less alone in the messy middle of trying. Learn more or support Faith Through Fire at faiththroughfire.org Companies mentioned in this episode: Faith Through FireThrivent Gateway Financial Group

    39 min
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4.9
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Besties with Breasties is for anyone facing breast cancer who feels isolated, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a friend who understands. Hosted by Beth Wilmes, founder of Faith Through Fire, along with survivors Jess Anderson and Jamie Grieshaber, this podcast offers honest conversations, heartfelt validation, and a healthy dose of humor. Together, the hosts share their personal experiences with breast cancer, motherhood, and life after treatment — reminding listeners they’re not alone and that thriving after diagnosis is possible. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into survivorship, you’ll find connection, hope, and the kind of friendship that heals. Podcast Website: https://www.bestieswithbreastiespodcast.com

Information

  • Creator
    Besties with Breasties Podcast
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Besties with Breasties Podcast

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