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. The Way It Felt with Erin Perkins

    12/24/2025

    The Way It Felt with Erin Perkins

    Erin Perkins was diagnosed at 34 with Stage II, Triple Negative breast cancer.  She is a volunteer, writer, Young Breast Cancer Project board member, and stay-at-home parent. Erin is a self-published author of “Young Breast Cancer Your Story and Mine: A Compact Guide”.  In this episode, Erin reads her essay “The Way It Felt” from the 2024 Mothers & Daughters issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about motherhood and memory and what happens when the fear of leaving your children collides with your own childhood wound of being left. April and Erin will talk about embodied writing, cancer activating old wounds, parenting before and after cancer, and Erin’s self-published book. They will also discuss the words that changed Erin at her friend’s deathbed.   More about episode sponsor iRise Above Foundation: https://www.iriseabovefoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/irise_above/ Learn more about Erin: https://www.erinleeperkins.com/ https://www.instagram.com/erinleeperkins/ https://erinleeperkins.substack.com/ Purchase the Mothers & Daughters issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mothers24 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. A Mother’s Biggest Problem with Julia Tabisz

    12/10/2025

    A Mother’s Biggest Problem with Julia Tabisz

    Julia Tabisz was diagnosed at 25 with Triple Negative breast cancer. She is a journalist, editor, and a mom with a passion for writing and competitive Irish dance. Julia happily lives in the woods of Maryland with her son and daughter. In this episode, Julia reads her essay “A Mother’s Biggest Problem” from the 2024 Mothers & Daughters issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is a story about motherhood, and how swiftly perspective can be upended by a cancer diagnosis while still brushing tiny teeth and tucking in tiny bodies. April and Julia will talk about journalistic writing versus writing to process and heal, how being given writing prompts unlocks flashes of memory, and how Irish dance has kept Julia connected to herself. Learn more about Julia:  https://www.instagram.com/sisterhoodunplugged/ https://sisterhoodunplugged.com/ Purchase the “Mothers & Daughters" issue of Wildfire Journal: https://www.wildfirecommunity.org/shop/p/mothers24 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

    26 min
  3. My Pony-Tale with Lauren Bruns

    11/26/2025

    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
  4. Being Myself with Stephanie Marnocha

    11/13/2025

    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
  5. The Luckiest Sister with Tawny Rachelle

    10/29/2025

    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
  6. Hair Karma with Tabitha Holman

    10/15/2025

    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
  7. I Wish I Cared Less with Raina Kerman (explicit)

    10/01/2025

    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
  8. Shampoo Commercial Dreams with Bethany Zoe

    09/17/2025

    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
See All (260)

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
    260
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 April Stearns
  • Show Website
    The Burn

You Might Also Like