Navigating Cancer TOGETHER

This Men's Health Month, Navigating Cancer TOGETHER sits down with Samuel "Sam" Simmons, a trauma-informed healing advocate with over 36 years of experience supporting men and their communities. Sam is the author of Just Sam: A Black Man's Journey to Healing, the visionary behind the 18th Annual Community Empowerment Through Black Men Healing Conference, co-host of Voices Radio Show on 89.9 KMOJ, and the 2024 NAMI Minnesota Profess...

In this special National Cancer Survivor Month episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, host and 15-year cancer thriver Talaya Dendy brings together seven survivors at different stages of their journey to explore what survivorship truly means. From newly diagnosed to 20 years out, Vanessa, Shoni, Savio, Jerry, Ebonie, Christopher, and Heather share their challenges, unexpected blessings, and the raw, unfiltered truth about life after...

In this special rebroadcast, we honor the memory of Kelly U’Ren Moody, a devoted advocate and colleague who passed away on January 16, 2026. This conversation, originally recorded in September 2021, captures Kelly’s extraordinary spirit as she navigated a terminal oral cancer diagnosis. After being told in 2016 that she had only four to six months to live, Kelly went on to live a full, impactful life for nearly another ...

"The 'all-clear' is often where the real work of healing begins."

In this special Podcasthon 2026 episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, host Talaya Dendy (Board-Certified Patient Advocate & Cancer Doula) pulls back the curtain on the unfiltered reality of life after cancer. Talaya shares her own 14-year "thriver" journey and explains why we must move beyond forced positivity to address the "Gumbo of Emotions" survivors face.

Thi...

How do we find the "heart" of survivorship? In this 2025 recap of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, we explore the most impactful cancer survivor stories of the year and share essential support for caregivers and patients. Host Talaya Dendy reflects on a landmark year for the show, providing a vulnerable 2025 cancer recap that balances professional milestones with her own personal 14-year health and survivorship journey.

Whether you are n...

In this Season One finale, host Talaya Dendy celebrates the milestone of completing The Healing Pen and a Mic Companion podcast. Reflecting on the live October workshop, Talaya shares why she has decided to keep her signature 5-hour "deep dive" format and how journaling serves as a vital tool for movement, not just reflection. This episode features moving testimonials from participants and a first look at the evolving future of the...

In this episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, host Talaya Dendy welcomes back award-winning journalist, poet, and two-time cancer survivor Annamaria Scaccia. Annamaria shares her powerful story of surviving both kidney and thyroid cancer by age 40 and how she is transforming her life through bodybuilding and advocacy. They discuss the psychological power of strength training, the challenges of managing rare cancer types, how cance...

In this powerful episode of the Healing Pen and a Mic companion podcast, host Talaya Dendy sits down with Lisa Beckendorf, a celebrated cancer survivor and patient advocate.

Lisa shares her personal journey through multiple cancer diagnoses and the pivotal moment she transitioned from a career in commercial real estate to full-time advocacy. Initially asking, "Why me?", she realized her experience was a powerful way to give back to ...

In this powerful and heart-centered episode, Talaya Dendy welcomes Jennifer Schultz, a four-time melanoma survivor, university professor of public speaking, and passionate advocate.

Recorded live during The Healing Pen and a Mic Journaling Workshop at the Mali Center in St. Paul, Jenn shares the intimate reality of her 10-year battle with recurrent cancer and her journey into survivorship. Drawing from her personal experience and pr...

Join host Talaya Dendy on Navigating Cancer TOGETHER for another inspiring conversation with the truly remarkable Wenora Johnson.

Wenora is a three-time cancer survivor (colorectal, endometrial, and basal cell carcinoma) and a passionate patient and research advocate. In this episode, she shares her incredible, decades-long journey and how her background in the Navy instilled the grit and discipline she needed to face these health c...

Welcome back to The Healing Pen and a Mic Companion Podcast! In the second episode, Talaya Dendy sits down with Donya Dawson, a courageous cancer survivor, proud member of the Rondo community, and dedicated public servant with the State of Minnesota.

Live from the Mali Center in St. Paul, Donya shares her transformative journey of healing and empowerment following her breast cancer diagnosis. Donya discusses how her experience ignit...

Welcome to the Healing Pen and a Mic Companion Podcast! In this powerful introductory episode, join Talaya Dendy, a 14-year cancer thriver, cancer doula, and compassionate facilitator, as she unveils the vision behind The Healing Pen and a Mic.

Discover the transformative power of combining journaling and storytelling (through podcasting) as a path to healing within the cancer community. Talaya sets the stage for her unique Journali...

In this essential and empathetic episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, host Talaya Dendy welcomes Amy Chastain, a seasoned caregiver and Registered Nurse, author, and tireless caregiver advocate. Amy shares wisdom from decades of experience, navigating the complexities of caregiving not only in her professional life but also through personal challenges.

We dive deep into "the invisible job" that so many undertake: the role that is ...

Welcome back to Navigating Cancer TOGETHER! We’re picking up right where we left off with the remarkable Peta-Ann Wood, a breast cancer thriver and Soulful Coach.

Part 1, "Choosing Flat: Peta-Ann's Journey to Self-Acceptance," was about the courage to choose (flatness, self-advocacy, and leaving people-pleasing behind). Now, Part 2 is the roadmap for flourishing once those massive decisions are made.

Peta-Ann opens up about the...

In this honest and empowering episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, host Talaya Dendy sits down with the phenomenal Peta-Ann Wood, breast cancer thriver, Soulful Coach, and creator of Elegant Rebel.

This conversation goes beyond the clinical. Peta-Ann openly shares how a late diagnosis of AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) changed her cancer experience, guiding her from people-pleasing straight toward radical self-discovery.

If you've ever felt ...

Zulma Williams: Inspiring Cancer Survivors Through Advocacy and Tenacity

In this inspiring and essential episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, host Talaya Dendy welcomes special guest Zulma Williams, a licensed clinical social worker and inspiring breast cancer survivor.

Zulma shares her compelling personal journey: from immigrating to the U.S. and pursuing higher education later in life, to her personal journey through breast canc...

In this episode, Talaya sits down with Dr. Fazlur Rahman, a retired oncologist with a remarkable 35-year career spent serving communities in San Angelo, Texas. An author and advocate for patient-centered medicine, Dr. Rahman shares his invaluable insights on what's missing in modern healthcare and how we can bring it back.

This is more than a medical conversation; it's a deep exploration of the human side of oncology for anyone navi...

Welcome to another powerful episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, hosted by Talaya Dendy.

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on prostate cancer awareness, the critical issue of health disparities, and the vital importance of open conversations within the Black and African American community. Talaya is joined by a remarkable guest, Christopher Shaddock, a veteran and prostate cancer survivor who shares his powerful personal journ...

Have you ever had a health concern that felt minor, but your gut told you to speak up anyway?

In this episode, host Talaya Dendy shares a personal and timely story about the power of trusting your instincts, especially when it comes to your health. Drawing from her experience, she reveals how self-advocacy can be a life-saving tool, and why it's never a "false alarm" to speak up about your concerns.

You'll discover how...