What if you could prevent breast cancer before it starts? And what if you could turn that journey—plus divorce and life's biggest challenges—into comedy gold?
Comedian Merit Kahn joins host Kandas Rodarte to share her powerful story as a BRCA1 previvor who chose preventative mastectomy at age 40. Merit transformed her experience into a one-woman comedy show called "Optimistic Personality Disorder" and now helps women rewrite the stories that limit their lives.
This conversation will make you laugh, think differently about genetic testing, and realize that you have the power to rewrite any belief that doesn't serve you.
About Merit Kahn: Merit Kahn is a comedian, keynote speaker, and certified emotional intelligence coach. As a BRCA1 gene carrier with an 87% lifetime breast cancer risk, she chose preventative surgery and turned her story into an inspiring comedy show that tours nationally.
IN THIS EPISODE
0:00 - Introduction & Welcome Merit Kahn
1:30 - Merit's Story: Rewriting Life Through Comedy
4:15 - Family History & Discovering Genetic Testing
8:45 - Making the Preventative Mastectomy Decision
14:20 - Being a Previvor vs Survivor vs Thriver
17:30 - Creating the Optimistic Personality Disorder Show
21:45 - Finding Humor in Dating After Surgery (hilarious implant sales rep story!)
26:10 - The Business of Comedy & Working with Directors
30:25 - Writing Your Own Material & Comedy Ethics
34:50 - Predestination vs Making Your Own Path
38:15 - How Humor Connects, Inspires & Creates
42:00 - Merit's Moment of Gratitude
44:30 - Where to See the Show & Closing
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✨ Genetic testing gives you choices—knowledge is power when it comes to cancer prevention
✨ Being a "previvor" means taking proactive steps before cancer happens
✨ You can rewrite any belief that was handed down to you or that you created in the past
✨ Comedy requires laughter every 7-10 seconds—there's a science to stand-up
✨ Tragedy plus time equals comedy, but nobody said it had to take a long time
✨ Laughter lightens the load you hold, making it easier to carry life's challenges
RESOURCES & LINKS
Full Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/295
Merit Kahn: Website: https://OptimisticPersonalityDisorder.com or https://OPDShow.com
Upcoming Shows: Nebraska, Colorado, and touring nationally in 2026
Related Gratitude Geek Episodes:
Episode 294: The Goldilocks Procedure with Deb Davis - https://kandasrodarte.com/294
Episode 275: Rewriting Fear Stories with Fletcher Ellingson - https://kandasrodarte.com/275
Mentioned in Episode:
Myriad Labs Genetic Testing: https://myriad.com/
Comedy Works (Denver): https://comedyworks.com/
Moms Unhinged Comedy Tour: https://momsunhinged.com/
ABOUT GRATITUDE GEEK
Gratitude Geek is a podcast for women solopreneurs over 40 who believe gratitude is a business strategy. Host Kandas Rodarte, a metastatic breast cancer thriver and growth coach with 30+ years of marketing expertise, shares conversations about resilience, entrepreneurship, and building authentic connections.
Connect with Kandas:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gratitudegeek
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gratitudegeek
Website: https://KandasRodarte.com
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