Burnaversaries, Reality TV, and the Story Behind Girls with Grafts

In this special episode of Girls with Grafts, hosts Amber Wilcox and Rachel Kudlak sit down for a light-hearted conversation! 💛 They share their personal burn survivor stories and the creation of Girl with Grafts. With their burnaversaries happening this week, they reflect on how far they’ve come and how they are celebrating—Rachel with a home-cooked meal today and Amber with an Easter Egg Hunt fundraiser in her local community later this month. 🐣

But it’s not all serious talk! The duo also catch up on their shared love of reality TV, including a deep dive into Traitors and what other binge-worthy shows have been keeping them entertained.

Join us for an episode filled with resilience, laughter, and a little reality TV obsession—because healing isn’t just about recovery, it’s about embracing joy, connection, and all of life’s moments. ✨

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlsWithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!  

#BurnSurvivor #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories #Burnaversary 

 

Meet Our Guests 

Amber Wilcox is a burn survivor, yoga instructor, and marketing professional from Ormond Beach, Florida. After her kitchen accident in 2020, Amber faced burns on 20% of her body from a hot caramel spill. After two skin graft surgeries from Orlando Regional Burn Center, Amber experienced hypertrophic scarring and underwent a series of laser burn surgeries at Tampa General Hospital. As the RevOps Strategist for Impulse Creative, Amber helps drive the company's growth by operationalizing the experience throughout the customer lifecycle; from prospect to delight. When not marketing, Amber enjoys volunteering for Phoenix Society as a Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter, teaching yoga for Kula for Karma supporting youth in Florida detention centers, or providing free yoga for peers on her website, yogaamber.com.

Rachel Kudlak is a burn survivor and marketing professional residing in Charleston, South Carolina. As the Marketing Lead, Rachel manages and leads Phoenix Society’s marketing and digital strategies. She develops online marketing tactics, creates dynamic content, and maintains consistent engagement across online platforms. Before joining Phoenix Society’s team, Rachel served as the Marketing and Communications Phoenix Fellow and worked in the SEO/ORM industry. When not working, Rachel enjoys going on walks with her dog Remy, trying a new recipe, or binge-watching reality tv.

 

Links 

• Watch our “Meet the Girls Behind Girls with Grafts:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkZFJeQtVq0 
• Learn more about Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery): https://resources.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-soar
• Watch our podcast episode with J.R., titled “Learning to Live with Intent with Burn Survivor, Actor, and Author J.R. Martinez:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqO0TbOePRo 
• Have feedback on the show? Want to recommend guests or topics? Email us at [e-mail]! 
• Read “The ‘Burnaversary’ Effect: The Emotional Impact of Anniversaries:” https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/the-burnaversary-effect  
• Read “What does your burnaversary mean to you?:” https://www.phoenix-socie