• S4 Ep 11: Breaking down the molecular science of cancer with Dr. Craig Horbinski
    Nov 20 2024

    Dr. Horbinski sits down with me to discuss the complexities of brain tumors and how his work in the Feinberg School of Medicine lab is looking into mutIDH1 and how it dramatically alters the glioma’s micro-environmental landscape by preventing the thrombosis-necrosis phenomenon that is characteristic of IDH1 wild-type gliomas. Furthermore, mutIDH1 increases the risk of seizures in patients. He explains why his team's work may improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy.

    For methylation profiling patient care and information, please send samples to: Northwestern Department of Pathology.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • S4 Ep 10: “God Is In The Details” -Guest Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton
    Oct 30 2024

    For all of Scott Hamilton's successes, there has also been sacrifice, fear, and loss. He has battled health issues that truly put death in front of him and has made him confront very hard truths. And, it was through his wife that he learned and felt the power of faith in God's word.

    Scott doesn't see his life as lucky-he sees his life as a road map. All of his experiences teach him and have helped him navigate 4 pillars that are at the foundation of everything he does in life: emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual living. He calls it "getting strong".

    Staying rooted in his spiritual life has allowed Scott to stay humble, kind, patient, and has driven him to give back. Because of his own cancer battle, and the brain tumor he lives with, Scott founded Scott CARES Foundation, revolutionizing cancer care by funding cutting-edge research that focuses on treating the cancer while sparing the patient from harsh side effects associated with conventional cancer treatments. He also helped develop ChemoCare.com- a way for patient's to take back control of their chemo treatments and feel empowered.

    Watch or hear (an extended version) of his story now! The video is on YouTube. The audio is available here on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are played!

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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • S4 Ep 9: “Grief is like Being in an Ocean” -Guests Robert & Brooke Ham
    Oct 16 2024

    Robert and Melanie Ham were young, with two young children when Melanie was diagnosed with an incurable rare form of Sarcoma in 2020. Robert, an award winning film maker and military veteran, decided he wanted to document her journey, their love, to help others.

    The documentary aired in 2022 after Melanie's death and has been viewed more than 1 million times on YouTube.

    Robert knew that a part of his grief journey included finding a way forward for himself and his children. That mean, not giving up on love and the lessons it teaches us. Enter Brooke. Brooke had been battling her own hard grief journey after her marriage ended in divorce. With two children of her own, Brooke had to find a way to balance single motherhood while also redefining what life was to look like for her. Brooke knew that she never wanted to give up on love, because a life without love is only half a life.

    This is a story of love, of hope, of longing, of enduring memory. Listen now! Or watch the video episode on our YouTube channel.

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    52 mins
  • S4 Ep 8: “I have GBM & Im Still Here!” -Guests Tara McCaughan & Stephen O'Brian
    Sep 25 2024

    Having glioblastoma doesn't mean life is over. In fact, it can be viewed as an opportunity! Tara McCaughan from Northern Ireland has been living with gbm for nearly five years.

    Her story shows us how human resilience and internal cognitive reshuffling can be our biggest weapon in battling such a formidable disease. But she doesn't do it alone, her partner Stephen is her rock.

    We need stories like hers! I sit down with Tara and Stephen to learn how she realigned her life after her diagnosis, and what motivates her today to see the beauty in her disease.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • S4 Ep 7: "Understand Your Financial Goals After Loss" - Guests Dan Schlein and Frank Randall from Alliance Advisory Group
    Aug 28 2024

    There are so many facets of the grief and loss journey. One that many don't think of is financial understanding.

    Whether it's starting a non-profit organization after a loss or trying to navigate investing from money left to you after a death, it's vital to know how to advocate for your own best interests. Self advocating is important in in all areas of life, not just in caregiving or physical health.

    Today, I sit down with Frank Randall and Dan Schlein of Alliance Advisory Group to discuss the who, what, where, when, and why of financial advising and important questions people should be asking when meeting with a financial advisor.

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    58 mins
  • S4 Ep 6: "You Grow Through what you Go Through" - Guest Emily Peterson
    Aug 14 2024

    Grief is something that crashes into us. It takes a toll on us emotionally and physically. But when it does, it also teaches us. We grow from our journeys in life--the good and the bad.

    Emily Peterson, CEO of Saranoni Luxury Blankets, knows this journey all to well.

    Emily's husband Nathan was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer just 3 months after launching their Saranoni Cares initiative for cancer patients, including brain cancer. Nathan, just in his early 50's, only had two months before the cancer took his life.

    With six kids to care for, Emily hardly had any time to grieve. Hear her story only on Game ON Glio! Listen now.

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    54 mins
  • S4 Ep 5: "Life is in the Transitions" -Guests Annie Kuo & Matt Becker
    Jul 24 2024

    Love is infinite. You don't run out of love. You don't stop loving your late spouse just because a "new and different love" introduces itself. Your heart grows around what was to make room for what is.

    Annie and Matt teach us just that. In this episode, we sit down with the two to talk about finding love again after loss, and what it truly looks like to live life in the transitions.

    Annie and Matt both have children and lost their late spouses early in life. Yet the universe found a way to bring these two together to create a second chapter in life. Listen to their inspiring story. Listen now!

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • S4 Ep 4: "Live Every Moment, And Do It Big" -Guest Lauren Long
    Jun 26 2024

    Big Tree Memorial Fund, a 501c3 was started in honor of Erik Knapp who died from glioblastoma in his early 30's. The fund is unique in that it doesn't just focus on brain cancer, but any family suffering from hardship due to a cancer diagnosis. The fund helps supports families and caregivers through resource and financial assistance.

    Erik was Lauren's best friend, and to honor his memory and the man he was, she could think of nothing better than finding a way to help others!

    Lauren sits down with me in this wonderful friendly interview between two women who have such respect for each other, lifting and elevating each other, to discuss how brain cancer impacted her life through her best friend Erik Knapp and how the Big Tree Memorial Fund was started.

    Listen now!! Please share with others. 🙏

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    55 mins