The Burn

April Stearns
  • 4.9 (31)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

Listen every other Wednesday when April Stearns and the writers of Wildfire Journal & Writing Community share their experiences of being diagnosed with breast cancer under 50. The Burn is about telling cancer stories like you’ve never read - or heard - before. We go way deeper than the medical facts to the transformation of survivorship, and in the process, we talk about the healing power of writing. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or not, you'll be inspired to write the stories in you that need to be shared. Come for the stories, stay to discover how to write your way back to yourself. #WeAreWildfire

  1. Sleeping Snakes and the Lake with Katie Murray

    4d ago

    Sleeping Snakes and the Lake with Katie Murray

    Second-time guest Katie Murray joins The Burn to share her story of being diagnosed at 41 with Stage II invasive lobular breast cancer. A writer, teacher, and mother of four, Katie reads her essay “Sleeping Snakes and the Lake” from the 2025 Living Well issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece offers a meditation on healing — not the kind defined by treatment end dates or clean scans, but the slow, quiet kind that arrives unexpectedly years later, in moments as small and tender as noticing baby eyelashes. April and Katie discuss healing versus recovery, the pressure of timelines, hope, and the shame Katie carried about her cancer diagnosis. Learn more about Katie: https://www.instagram.com/1day_2019/ Listen to Katie’s previous episode on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e220fb14-d5bb-47d4-acb6-4c488df7d62f/ Purchase the Living Well issue of Wildfire Journal: `https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/print-body25 Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free More about Wildfire Journal:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

    31 min
  2. Ready for Battle with Liz McFarland

    May 13

    Ready for Battle with Liz McFarland

    Liz McFarland was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer at 39. A realtor and proud choice mom to two young adults, Liz joins this episode to read her essay “Ready for Battle” from the 2025 Body issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece explores beauty and body image, the lasting impact of middle school shame, and the complicated realities of silicone, surgery, sensation, and sagging. At its heart, it’s about vulnerability — about what happens when we stop pretending to be warriors and simply tell the truth. Liz and April discuss the need to control the small things during cancer, how adolescent experiences shape our emotional terrain, the persistence of body shame, and what survivorship looks like for Liz now, thirteen years after diagnosis. More about episode sponsor Resensation: https://www.resensation.com/ Learn more about Liz:https://www.instagram.com/lizzymcfarland/ Purchase the Body issue of Wildfire Journal: `https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/print-body25 Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free More about Wildfire Journal:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

    31 min
  3. Still Here: On 15 Years in Cancerland with Dana Donofree

    May 1

    Still Here: On 15 Years in Cancerland with Dana Donofree

    Dana Donofree was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 at age 27. She is a survivor, advocate, and the founder of AnaOno, an intimate apparel brand designed to support those affected by breast surgery and reconstruction. Dana is also the longtime guest editor of Wildfire Journal’s annual Body issue. In this episode, April welcomes Dana back for her third appearance on The Burn. Together, they reflect on a Cancerland retrospective, exploring topics such as unpopular opinions in breast cancer, the role of AnaOno, and what it means to feel sexy at any age. They also discuss Dana’s continued commitment to guest editing the Body issue of Wildfire Journal, her insights on working and advocating within the cancer space, and the ongoing challenges of survivorship. Learn more about Dana: https://www.anaono.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anaonointimates/ https://www.instagram.com/dana_donofree/ Listen to Dana’s previous appearances on The Burn: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8fd6bcec-e7a4-4137-b280-ff60c02cde5e/ https://player.captivate.fm/episode/03ba8e52-d604-4937-91e4-689238b12bfe/ Shop the Wildfire Journal store to explore all of the Body issues published over the years: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free More about Wildfire Journal:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

    42 min
  4. Swimming, and Changing Direction with Shalini Krishnan

    Apr 22

    Swimming, and Changing Direction with Shalini Krishnan

    Shalini “Shal” Krishnan was diagnosed at age 31 with Stage II breast cancer. She works as a project manager in the international sports sector and currently lives in Lausanne, Switzerland with her partner. In this episode, Shalini reads her essay, “Swimming, and Changing Direction,” from the 2024 Body issue of Wildfire Journal. The piece transports us to a memory of being caught in the waves at a beach in Brazil, tossed, breathless, and disoriented. A moment of fear that lodged in her body and paralleled the experience of cancer. April and Shalini discuss using metaphor to make sense of illness and how April’s Sparks writing workshop helped Shalini shape and write this story. They explore fear, how Shalini once took her body for granted, and what it has meant to rebuild her relationship with it as an athlete after cancer. They also talk about Shalini’s experience of attending 10 weddings across 7 countries while undergoing treatment. More about episode sponsor Young Survival Coalition: https://youngsurvival.org/ Learn more about Shalini:  https://www.instagram.com/shal_k/ https://shalsworld.com/ Purchase the Body issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-body24 Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free More about Wildfire Journal:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

    33 min
  5. Rosé-Colored Glasses with Susan Danenberger

    Apr 8

    Rosé-Colored Glasses with Susan Danenberger

    Susan Danenberger was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer at 48, and again at 50 with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC). A fifth-generation farmer and winemaker, she owns Danenberger Family Vineyards in Central Illinois. In this episode, Susan reads her essay, “Rosé-Colored Glasses,” from the 2025 Body issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece draws us into a deeply personal story of body image, beauty, and transformation after breast cancer—one that begins with stilettos and selfies, and unfolds into a powerful journey of reckoning and rebuilding. April and Susan will talk about autonomy in the context of cancer, trusting (and questioning) medical providers, seeing yourself through the eyes of others, and financial toxicity. They also discuss how connecting with other survivors at New York Fashion Week changed Susan’s life. More about episode sponsor Young Survival Coalition: https://youngsurvival.org/ Learn more about Susan: https://www.instagram.com/stilettosinthevineyard/ https://danenbergerfamilyvineyards.com/ Purchase the Body issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/print-body25 Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free More about Wildfire Journal:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions

    35 min
  6. The Life I Choose, Every Day with Vanessa Cuccurullo

    Mar 18

    The Life I Choose, Every Day with Vanessa Cuccurullo

    Vanessa Cuccurullo is a two-time cancer survivor who was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma at 20 and breast cancer at 48. She is the founder of Mrs. C Botanicals, a clean cannabis brand, and lives between New York City and Shelter Island with her family. In this episode, Vanessa shares her essay, “The Life I Choose, Every Day,” from the 2025 Living Well issue of Wildfire Journal. The piece reflects on a deeply personal moment one year after treatment during a wellness retreat in Portugal, where she experiences a ritual of reclamation after cancer. Instead of returning to who she was before cancer, Vanessa steps fully into who she is now. April and Vanessa talk about losing yourself in who you become to other people before and after cancer, embracing joy, and choosing when and where to share your cancer story. Vanessa also shares how founding Mrs. C Botanicals and incorporating cannabis into her life has supported her well-being in survivorship. More about episode sponsor Young Survival Coalition: https://youngsurvival.org/ Learn more about Vanessa: https://vanessacuccurullo.substack.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn6sg__rox_qayzZ76vh7bQHWSrFbPD3hoZbY6-XMQcWMdCwq4VUbJR5ej8ms_aem_K1f_UqPWLKMWUcUiZlbzRQ https://www.instagram.com/nescucc/ Purchase the Living Well issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/secondtime Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free More about Wildfire Journal:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions Listen to more episodes of The Burn from The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire Journal: Fishkeeping with Liz Grissom: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6df4e954-7188-4f13-b72f-0a86cc3c2dd3/ Reclaiming Myself the Second Time Around with Shayna Welsh: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/63fb5a68-0e43-4805-9746-8c094dd01266/

    31 min
  7. The Gift of Koselig with Sarah Deer

    Mar 4

    The Gift of Koselig with Sarah Deer

    At 27, Sarah Deer was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. By 33, she faced a metastatic recurrence. An English language arts teacher turned librarian, Sarah now lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband, Ryan. In this episode, Sarah shares her essay “The Gift of Koselig” from the 2025 “The Second Time Around” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her writing invites us into a world of sensory grounding, reclaiming pleasure, and daring to seek joy even in the face of a terminal diagnosis. April and Sarah will talk about Sarah’s current season of survivorship, the contradictions living alongside cancer, and intentionally cultivating balance in life. More about episode sponsor Rethink Breast Cancer: https://rethinkbreastcancer.com/  More about episode sponsor Young Survival Coalition: https://youngsurvival.org/ Learn more about Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/seruhjane/ Purchase the The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/secondtime Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free More about Wildfire Journal:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions Listen to more episodes of The Burn from The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire Journal: Fishkeeping with Liz Grissom: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6df4e954-7188-4f13-b72f-0a86cc3c2dd3/ Reclaiming Myself the Second Time Around with Shayna Welsh: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/63fb5a68-0e43-4805-9746-8c094dd01266/

    31 min
  8. The Second Time, My Way with Pye Pajewski

    Feb 18

    The Second Time, My Way with Pye Pajewski

    Pye is a returning guest to The Burn, having last joined us in January 2023. She is a writer and artisan who was first diagnosed with breast cancer at 37, and again at 59. Pye’s work has appeared in five issues of Wildfire to date. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband, Steve, a photographer. In this episode, Pye reads two poems she wrote for the 2025 “The Second Time Around” issue of Wildfire Journal. These poems explore the strange familiarity and quiet revelations of facing cancer again after more than two decades. April and Pye talk about what it’s been like to be an ongoing contributor to Wildfire, the differences in cancer care across decades, parenting with cancer at two very different stages of life, and how you decide who to share details of your diagnosis with. They also discuss the role of art in Pye’s life. More about episode sponsor iRise Above Foundation: https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/ More about episode sponsor Young Survival Coalition: https://youngsurvival.org/ Learn more about Pye: https://www.instagram.com/blog.forthegirls/ https://www.blogforthegirls.com/ Listen to My Story in Ink with Pye Pajewski: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/305b98f0-e162-45ec-a886-e831dca7d671/ Purchase the The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/secondtime Buy the Wildfire book Igniting the Fire Within: Stories of Healing, Hope & Humor, Inside Today’s Young Breast Cancer Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVJ629F?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Get the free Wildfire “Hot Flashes” email newsletter: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/newsletter?rq=newsletter Learn about Wildfire writing workshops: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/workshops Shop Wildfire merch & more: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop *Free* Get Wildfire and The Burn freebies here: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/free More about Wildfire Journal:  https://www.wildfirecommunity.org https://www.instagram.com/wildfire_bc_magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/wildfirecommunity Information on submitting your story for consideration to be published in Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/submissions Listen to more episodes of The Burn from The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire Journal: Fishkeeping with Liz Grissom: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6df4e954-7188-4f13-b72f-0a86cc3c2dd3/ Reclaiming Myself the Second Time Around with Shayna Welsh: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/63fb5a68-0e43-4805-9746-8c094dd01266/

    33 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Listen every other Wednesday when April Stearns and the writers of Wildfire Journal & Writing Community share their experiences of being diagnosed with breast cancer under 50. The Burn is about telling cancer stories like you’ve never read - or heard - before. We go way deeper than the medical facts to the transformation of survivorship, and in the process, we talk about the healing power of writing. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or not, you'll be inspired to write the stories in you that need to be shared. Come for the stories, stay to discover how to write your way back to yourself. #WeAreWildfire

Information

  • Creator
    April Stearns
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    271
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 April Stearns
  • Show Website
    The Burn

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