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

    6D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Fishkeeping with Liz Grissom

    FEB 4

    Fishkeeping with Liz Grissom

    Liz Grissom was diagnosed at 33 with Triple Negative breast cancer, and had a recurrence at 41.  She is a talent development partner, enjoys running, drawing and marveling over a great book. She lives in Virginia with her two sons, firefighter spouse, and their dog. In this episode, Liz reads her essay “Fishkeeping”  from the 2025 Second Time Around  issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about the moment when everything changed—again. When recurrence doesn’t come with a handbook, when you’re trying to plan summer vacation but end up rerouting your entire life. April and Liz will talk about parenting through cancer, sharing the news of a cancer diagnosis with loved ones, using metaphors in storytelling and coming to acceptance with cancer. More about our episode sponsors: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD): https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org/ Cold Crowns: https://www.coldcapcrowns.com/ Learn more about Liz:https://www.instagram.com/liz.grissom/ Purchase the “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/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

    37 min
  8. Reclaiming Myself the Second Time Around with Shayna Welsh

    JAN 21

    Reclaiming Myself the Second Time Around with Shayna Welsh

    Enhanced Show notes:  Direct episode link for social: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/63fb5a68-0e43-4805-9746-8c094dd01266/ Embed: Transcript link: https://share.descript.com/view/edc4w3EIlAl Shayna Welsh Show Notes Release date: Jan 21, 2026 Title: Reclaiming Myself the Second Time Around with Shayna Welsh Episode: E211 (C261) Shayna Welsh represents the very young age group of breast cancer patients—those diagnosed in their early 20s. Shayna was first diagnosed at 23 with Stage II triple-positive breast cancer, and then again at 25 with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Shayna is a member of several breast cancer organizations, including the Young Breast Cancer Project, Living Beauty, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and Under the Pencil. In this episode, Shayna reads her essay, “Reclaiming Myself the Second Time,” from the 2025 The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece explores the liminal space where identity is rebuilt—scar by scar, photo by photo, and moment by moment. April and Shayna discuss the impact of Shayna’s cover photo on The Second Time Around issue of Wildfire, feeling things on your own timeline, whole-brain activities, and the complexities of living in the world with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. More about this episode’s sponsors:  AnaOno: https://www.anaono.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anaonointimates/ Young Survival Coalition (YSC): https://youngsurvival.org/ Learn more about Shayna: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_with_shayna/ 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

    36 min
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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
    269
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 April Stearns
  • Show Website
    The Burn

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