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. My Pony-Tale with Lauren Bruns

    NOV 26

    My Pony-Tale with Lauren Bruns

    Lauren Bruns was diagnosed at 38 with Triple Positive breast cancer while just eight weeks into her second pregnancy. Lauren is a former competitive dancer, engineering graduate, and earned her MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.  She is currently a management consultant. Lauren loves traveling, biking, swimming, NYT games, and rooting for her beloved Cleveland sports teams.   In this episode, Lauren reads her essay “My Pony-Tale” from the 2025 Hair issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about how keeping her hair through cold capping felt like both a gift and a disguise during a pandemic pregnancy.  April and Stephanie will talk about moments of hope in cancer, the duality of being pregnant while going through cancer treatment, and what newborn bonding looked like for her family because of cancer. More about episode sponsor Wildflower Health Coaching: https://www.wildflowerhealthcoaching.com/ https://www.instagram.com/yourkickasslifeaftercancer  Learn more about Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/brunsle/ Purchase the “Hair” 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

    35 min
  2. Being Myself with Stephanie Marnocha

    NOV 13

    Being Myself with Stephanie Marnocha

    Stephanie Marnocha was diagnosed at 33 with Stage III breast cancer.  Stephanie is a licensed clinical social worker and outdoors lover. She lives in Denver with her four-legged adventure buddy, Annie. In this episode, Stephanie reads her essay “Being Myself” from the 2024 Body issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about body autonomy and standing by a choice that goes against the grain.  April and Stephanie will talk about really seeing yourself when the mastectomy bandages come off, anorexia, losing time to inner dialogues, and insights on keeping a journaling practice. They’ll also discuss cancer and fertility. More about episode sponsor After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD): https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org/ Learn more about Stephanie: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.marnocha 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

    32 min
  3. The Luckiest Sister with Tawny Rachelle

    OCT 29

    The Luckiest Sister with Tawny Rachelle

    Tawny Rachelle was diagnosed at 39 with Stage II, hormone positive breast cancer. Tawny is a long-term survivor with more than five years since being diagnosed.  She is also a long-time contributor to Wildfire Journal having published six pieces with us over the years since 2018. In this episode, Tawny reads her essay “The Luckiest Sister” from the 2018 “Caregivers” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about the tender space of sisterhood where care runs deeper than routine and obligation. April and Tawny will talk about the touching selfless moment she was shown by her sister, the caregiving that gets overshadowed by cancer, giving back as a caregiver after cancer, and the different ways of showing up for people.  They will also discuss Tawny’s biggest challenges today as a long-term survivor. More about episode sponsor iRise Above Foundation:  https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/irise_above Learn more about Tawny: https://www.instagram.com/itsjustahiccup/ Purchase the “Caregivers” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-caregivers 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
  4. Hair Karma with Tabitha Holman

    OCT 15

    Hair Karma with Tabitha Holman

    Tabitha Holman was diagnosed at 39 with de novo Stage IV breast cancer.  Tabitha is an elementary school teacher, and mother of two young boys.  At the time of her diagnosis, she was considered too young and low-risk to access a timely mammogram when she found her lump. Now she is focusing her efforts on advocacy in hopes of improving access to screening, research, and care.  In this episode, Tabitha reads her essay “Hair Karma” from the 2025 Hair issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about  the emotional complexity of losing her hair during chemotherapy—just months after giving birth—and the surprising, full-circle moment that made her stop and wonder. April and Tabitha will talk about kindness, having cancer and being post-partum, and advocating for medical care that goes against the standard of care.  They also discuss grief and living with MBC.   More about episode sponsor After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD): https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org/ Learn more about Tabitha: https://www.instagram.com/tabitha.arise/ Purchase the “Hair” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-hair25 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

    32 min
  5. I Wish I Cared Less with Raina Kerman (explicit)

    OCT 1

    I Wish I Cared Less with Raina Kerman (explicit)

    Raina Kerman was diagnosed at 45 with Stage II,Triple Negative breast cancer. Raina is a dog-loving, fantasy-reading, fitness enthusiast living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In this episode, Raina reads her essay “I Wish I Cared Less” from the 2025 Hair issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about the painful, exhausting, and at times almost comically intense world of cold capping, and what it looks like to want something so badly—not just hair, but agency, normalcy, identity—and to have to let it go.  April and Raina discuss the act of surrendering, family support, maintaining appearances, and the language used around breast cancer.  This episode contains explicit language. Learn more about Raina: https://www.instagram.com/raina_terror/ Purchase the “Hair” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-hair25 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

    43 min
  6. Shampoo Commercial Dreams with Bethany Zoe

    SEP 17

    Shampoo Commercial Dreams with Bethany Zoe

    Bethany Zoe was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer at age 40. She is an aspiring conservationist with a master’s degree in Wildlife and Environmental Sustainability and finds joy and healing in caring for animals. In this episode, Bethany reads her essay “Shampoo Commercial Dreams” from the 2025 Hair issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece explores her experience with cold capping, identity, resilience, and the ways we cling to what keeps us feeling most like ourselves—especially when cancer threatens to strip that away. April and Bethany also discuss imposter syndrome in cancer, writing from a wound versus a scar, and how to decide when and with whom to share your story. Purchase the “Hair” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-hair25 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

    29 min
  7. Kintsugi with Tegan O'Neill

    SEP 3

    Kintsugi with Tegan O'Neill

    Tegan O'Neill was diagnosed at 27 with Stage I Triple Negative breast cancer. She is a clinical social worker who finds meaning in helping herself and others heal through movement, dance, reading, and writing.  In this episode, Tegan reads her essay “Kintsugi” from the 2025 “Hair” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about experiencing a ritual of burning her own hair—a haunting remnant of chemotherapy—in the company of two close friends.  April and Tegan will talk about the alchemy of pain into beauty, being vulnerable with friends, and advice for making rituals.   More about Tegan: https://www.instagram.com/teganfish/ Purchase the “Hair” issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/digital-hair25 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

    34 min
  8. On This Mat with Shannon Gottesman

    AUG 20

    On This Mat with Shannon Gottesman

    Shannon Gottesman was diagnosed at age 40 with hormone positive, Stage III breast cancer.  She is the Vice Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh, a traveler, an advocate, and mom of two boys.  In this episode, Shannon reads her essay “On This Mat” from the 2024 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about learning to breathe through discomfort while finding balance in chaos, and to honor a body that has fought so hard to endure. April and Shannon will discuss the complexities of cancerversaries, bridging the mind and body through yoga, mantras, and taking pause in life. More about Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/shanny5159/ 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

    30 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 April Stearns
  • Show Website
    The Burn

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