Rad Chat

Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara

Rad Chat is a forward-thinking global knowledge hub where healthcare professionals can advance their knowledge and expertise in radiotherapy and oncology by utilising the award winning, first therapeutic radiographer led oncology podcast and social media channels. We're empowering healthcare professionals worldwide by providing free, CPD-accredited radiotherapy and oncology education, by sharing real-world experience, expert insights, best practice and patient perspectives, we're helping healthcare professionals’ advance cancer care and improve patient outcomes.

  1. 11h ago

    E222: Dr Georgia Harris - Life as a Consultant Clinical Oncologist

    Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment and side effects of treatment. Episode 222: Part of the Education and Workforce Series (Part 75) Description: In this inspiring episode of Rad Chat, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara are joined by Dr Georgia Harris, a radiation oncologist whose career has taken her from Australia to Canada and back again, developing expertise across palliative radiotherapy, supportive cancer care and global oncology. After graduating with honours from the University of Sydney and completing her radiation oncology training in Australia, Georgia undertook a specialist fellowship in palliative radiation oncology at the renowned Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. She also holds a Master of Public Health, reflecting her passion for improving cancer care and addressing inequalities in access to treatment. Now based at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney, Georgia combines clinical practice with research spanning palliative radiotherapy, oligometastatic disease, breast cancer, radiotherapy for older adults, fear of cancer recurrence and the evolving role of radiotherapy alongside immunotherapy. In this episode, we explore Georgia's career journey, the experiences and opportunities that have shaped her practice, and her passion for delivering compassionate, personalised cancer care. We also discuss the importance of palliative and supportive care, the challenges and rewards of working in oncology, and the role of coaching, mentorship and leadership in developing a fulfilling career. An insightful and engaging conversation about finding your path in oncology, embracing opportunities, supporting others and making a meaningful difference to the lives of people affected by cancer. CPD Reflection Points: Reflect on Dr Georgia Harris's career journey and the experiences, opportunities and challenges that have shaped her professional development. Identify one professional development goal you would like to achieve over the next 12 months and outline the steps you could take to work towards it.Consider the importance of integrating palliative and supportive care into oncology practice, particularly when supporting people living with advanced cancer. Reflect on a patient interaction or clinical experience where personalised care influenced decision-making. What did you learn, and how could this inform your future practice?Consider how mentors, colleagues or leaders influenced your professional development? What is the difference between coaching, mentoring and leadership, and how might each support individuals within the oncology workforce? How can you contribute to creating a supportive learning environment that encourages reflection, confidence and professional growth?Identify one action you could take to support the development or wellbeing of a colleague, student or member of your team. Consider how you would evaluate the impact of this action on your own practice and the wider team.Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form. Links from the Episode: Dr Georgia HarrisResearch links from the Episode: Dr Georgia Harris Research Gate Rad Chat Links: Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke. © Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.   We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.   You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.   You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.   Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

  2. 6d ago

    E221: Gina Giebner - Gastrointestinal Dietary Advice for People Living with and Beyond Cancer

    Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment, diet and nutrition. Episode 221: Part of the education and workforce development series (Part 74) Description: In this educational episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Gina Giebner, a cancer dietitian with 20+ years of specialist gastrointestinal experience and a current NHS oncology caseload. She helps people optimise nutrition before, during and after cancer treatment. This episode is a deep dive into how people living with and beyond cancer can consider diet and nutrition.  CPD Reflection Points: How has this episode changed or developed your understanding of the role of nutrition before, during and after cancer treatment?Think about a patient you currently care for. Are there any nutritional needs, concerns or opportunities you could identify or address differently following what you have learned from this episode?What is one practical change you will make to your clinical practice to better support patients with their nutritional needs throughout cancer treatment?Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form. Links from the Episode: British Society of Gastroenterology practice guidance on the management of acute and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and complications as a result of treatment for cancer The Rehab Dietitian PRDA diet sheetOnline course Rad Chat Links: Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke. © Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.   We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.   You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.   You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.   Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

  3. Sep 29

    E220: Dr. Laura Charlesworth - Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Cancer Care

    Trigger Warning: cancer, mental health and serious mental illness, neglect, death and dying.  Episode 220: Part of the Workforce and Development Series (part 78). Description: In this thought-provoking episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara are joined by Dr. Laura Charlesworth to explore the experiences of people living with serious mental illness alongside cancer. Laura shares insights from her research into how serious mental illness and other co-morbidities can influence cancer care, and discusses the importance of person-centred care, health service design and tackling health inequalities. Laura completed her PhD in 2024, titled Enabling coping in people living with cancer and serious mental illness. Her research explored how people living with serious mental illness perceived and experienced their needs when diagnosed with and treated for cancer. Through in-depth interviews and grounded theory analysis, Laura developed a new theoretical model highlighting how personal experiences and resilience, healthcare encounters and stigma, and the wider social determinants of health can shape an individual’s ability to cope with the complexities of living with cancer and serious mental illness. Laura is an Associate Professor and Health Services Research Fellow at York St John University. In this episode, we discuss what her research tells us about delivering more compassionate, inclusive and person-centred cancer care, and consider how health services can better respond to the needs of people experiencing multiple health inequalities. CPD Reflection Points: What did you learn? What were the key things you learned from this activity? Did anything challenge, reinforce or change your existing knowledge, understanding or beliefs?How does this relate to your practice? How does the learning relate to your current role and practice? Has it highlighted anything you could improve, develop or approach differently?What difference could this make to service users? How could applying this learning improve the experience, safety, dignity, outcomes or equality of care for the people you work with?What will you do differently? Identify one specific action you will take as a result of this learning. This could relate to your clinical practice, communication, professional behaviour, teamwork or service delivery.How will you know it has made a difference? How will you evaluate the impact of your learning or action? What evidence, feedback, observation or outcome could demonstrate that your practice has changed or improved?Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form. Links from the Episode: Patient Resource: Cancer and serious mental illness Centre for mental health Life after LaryDr. Laura CharlesworthResearch links from the Episode: How does severe mental illness impact on cancer outcomes in individuals with severe mental illness and cancer? A scoping review of the literature - Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation SciencesExploring the perceived impact of stigma on the cancer experience of people with severe mental illness | Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Springer Nature LinkResilience in people with severe mental illness and cancer, a qualitative study | Supportive Care in Cancer | Springer Nature LinkRad Chat Links: Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke. © Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.   We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.   You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.   You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.   Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

  4. Sep 21

    E219: Sophie Davis, Emma-Praer Breger and Rachael Williams - The Modern Therapeutic Radiographer

    Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment and side effects of treatment. Episode 219: Part of the Education and Workforce Development Series (Part 73) Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Sophie Davis, Emma-Praer Breger and Rachael Williams. During her time studying Biomedical Science, Sophie sparked a keen interest in cancer cell biology and treatment, this led Sophie to exploring a career as a therapeutic radiographer. Sophie completed a master's Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology. Sophie then went on to become a Band 5 Therapeutic Radiographer at The Royal Marsden Hospital. Sophie had a keen interest in students and education and became the practice educator for Therapeutic Radiography students. Sophie had a passion for improving education and completed a masters module in practice education. In 2022 Sophie started working as a lecturer at London South Bank University. Sophie is currently working on implementing different skills and simulation programmes into the degree course to enhance clinical learning. Emma-Praer has over a decade of experience as a therapeutic radiographer, having worked in a range of hospitals across England, including a veterinary clinic where she delivered radiotherapy to dogs and cats. Following her role at UCLH Macmillan Support and Information Services, she developed a passion for teaching, which led her to become a lecturer at LSBU. She is currently completing her PGCE apprenticeship and has recently introduced a personal statement–led approach to student recruitment. Rachael qualified as a Therapeutic Radiographer in July 2010 from the University of the West of England. Rachael is currently the course leader and senior lecturer for the Therapeutic Radiography programme at London South Bank University. Rachael is passionate about radiotherapy with a specific interest in radiotherapy planning and dosimetry, along with clinical practice. Rachael enjoys teaching students the profession both academically and clinically. To ensure students receive equal opportunities and positive experiences while completing their clinical training. Rachael has a keen interest in education and has pursued this by completing a master’s in education, with a specific focus on inclusive teaching. CPD Reflection Points: Reflect on how you can promote therapeutic radiography within your workplace, education and wider professional networks to raise awareness of the profession.Consider how sharing your career journey and experiences could inspire students, prospective applicants and colleagues to explore careers in therapeutic radiography.Reflect on the potential impact of writing and publishing a book to share professional knowledge, experiences and patient stories, and consider whether this could support your own professional development.Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form. Links from the Episode: The Modern Therapeutic Radiographer: An Introductory Guide(Series in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering)Therapeutic Radiographer CareersWorld Radiotherapy Awareness DayRad Chat Links: Rad Chat WebsiteLink TreeFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokBlueSkyYouTubeCredits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke. © Rad Chat 2025. All rights reserved.   We (or our licensors) own all intellectual property rights in this podcast and all related content, online and offline.   You may not use, copy, modify, download, archive, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, licence, create derivative works from or commercially exploit any part of our content unless we expressly agree in writing.   You must not use any images, audio, video, graphics or clips separately from their accompanying context.   Please acknowledge Rad Chat (and any identified contributors) clearly whenever referencing or sharing our content.

About

Rad Chat is a forward-thinking global knowledge hub where healthcare professionals can advance their knowledge and expertise in radiotherapy and oncology by utilising the award winning, first therapeutic radiographer led oncology podcast and social media channels. We're empowering healthcare professionals worldwide by providing free, CPD-accredited radiotherapy and oncology education, by sharing real-world experience, expert insights, best practice and patient perspectives, we're helping healthcare professionals’ advance cancer care and improve patient outcomes.

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