CROC Podcast | For Cancer Survivors

Integrating Behavioral Health Into Oncology Treatment Plans 

On a gray bridge, a patient named Kelly nearly plunges into darkness—his crisis invisible to scans, yet as urgent as any surgical emergency. In this episode, Dr. Tom Eanelli and co-host Angel Santana sit with Dr. Cara Bohan to trace the divide between lifesaving oncology care and the mental health support that too often gets left behind.

Through raw stories and clear-eyed...

Welcome to a special Rewind Episode of Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer—The CROC Podcast.

Today we’re revisiting Season 4, Episode 173, titled New Shoes.

Inspired by the iconic 1946 Life Magazine photo of a young post-war orphan holding a pair of new shoes with overwhelming gratitude, Dr. E takes Angel and the CROC Nation on a powerful journey—sharing a cancer staff member’s act of selflessness that reminds us all to recognize ...

On the eve of a two-foot snowstorm, Dr. E and co-host Angel Santana pull back the curtain on a quiet enemy—Seasonal Affective Disorder—and how it layers on fear, fatigue, and isolation for cancer survivors. Through honest, patient-centered storytelling they trace the slow creep of darkness from the commute to the dinner table and how it magnifies trauma for newly diagnosed, actively treated, and post-treatment survivors.

Then, with...

Today we’re revisiting S4Ep147: Meeting Your Oncologist — What Should You Expect? Your first oncology appointment can feel like a first date—full of questions, nerves, and uncertainty. Angel and Dr. E will help you know what you deserve, what to ask, and what to do if you’re not being heard.

Summary

In this episode of the Croc Podcast, the hosts delve into the often-daunting experience of meeting an oncologist for the first time. T...

In the bright, chaotic hum of an emergency room, Dr. E finds a patient named Charles more devastated by disconnection than disease—their phone is dead; their anchors are gone. What follows is a quiet, human moment: a rushed trip, a full charge, and a returned phone that lights up more than a screen.

That single act becomes a lifeline. With the phone, Charles gathers his family, makes a final decision about care, and says goodbye. T...

As we take a brief pause for the holiday weekend, we’re bringing back an important conversation that many of us need to hear—especially at the start of a new year.

Every January, as the ball drops in Times Square, millions of people make promises to themselves to finally change everything at once. And just as often, those resolutions fade, leaving behind frustration, guilt, and added...

REWIND Episode Happy New Year Everyone! all new Episode NEXT WEEK 

Angels Of Mercy Part 1 Everyone involved in healthcare, whether from the Caretakers or Caregivers prospective, knows the value and irreplaceable necessity of great nursing care. But what rarely gets noticed are the innumerable acts of compassion that  happen everyday that go unseen and unnoticed; that is until today! Please join Angel and Dr E give credit to these h...

S4Ep:181 Miracles of Faith: Mary's Unbeatable Journey

Join Dr. E and Angel as they recount the extraordinary and inspiring journey of Mary a true survivor. This Christmas special episode delves into Mary's battles with two of the most daunting cancers, exploring themes of hope, courage, and miraculous endurance. Despite overwhelming odds and dire prognoses, Mary defies the grim expectations, embodying strength and faith.

Reflect on...

Welcome to the Croc Podcast with Dr. E and Angel Santana. In this episode, they explain the SPIKES protocol for breaking bad news and introduce Dr. E’s approach of guarded optimism — balancing honest, clear medical communication with empathy and hope. The hosts offer practical tips for clinicians on creating safe spaces, assessing patients’ understanding and emotions, and delivering news in ways that support survivors and their com...

Ep90: If One More Person Wishes Me A Merry Christmas, I'm Going to Scream!!!! The Holiday Season is supposed to be filled with joy and love and hope; a time of togetherness with family and friends; a time for new beginnings and new resolutions. But what if you not only feel no joy, but actually feel depressed, hopeless, and alone? Maybe you've just been diagnosed, or perhaps you're suffering the side effects of your treatments, ...

In this Rewind episode of The Croc Podcast, Dr. E and Angel revisit conversations about physicians criticizing colleagues in front of patients and the growing lack of empathy and follow-through when survivor thrivers are referred to outside specialists.

They share real cases, explain responsibilities for referring and specialist doctors, and offer five clear rules to improve care: always care, use redundant follow-up systems, choos...

In this episode, Dr. Eanelli and co-host Angel Santana explore the damaging practice of physicians criticizing other physicians in front of patients. Using authentic clinic vignettes and research, they explain how such comments harm teamwork, increase patient confusion, distress, and even worsen outcomes.

The hosts review four common scenarios, discuss why clinicians sometimes engage in this behavior, and offer clear solutions for ...

Dr. E and co-host Angel Santana mark 26 years of grassroots cancer support of CROC Organization and 5 Years of The CROC PODCAST in a Thanksgiving special that centers on restoring humanity to healing. Through personal stories, the “black moleskin” practice, and reflections on survivorship, the episode explores why understanding the person behind the patient is essential for proper healing.

This episode offers practical insight for ...

🎙️ Croc Podcast Special Announcement

Hello everyone! We wanted to let you know that this week’s Croc Podcast will be airing on a special new day — Wednesday, November 12th, at 9:00 a.m.

Dr. E has been handling some unexpected administrative duties, so we’ll be postponing today’s episode and rescheduling it for this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.

We appreciate you're understanding and support! In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the rest of...

Ep8: Defining Survivorship Module 6 - Cancer survivorship past, present, and future What better way to end this tremendously informative module on defining survivorship than with Dr. Charles Shapiro professor of medicine Mount Sinai medical center; one of the pioneers of cancer survivor advocacy and a legacy level clinician in breast cancer and translational medicine. --------------------------------------------------------------...

I Believe in Miracles Joanne’s Journey of Hope When we think about the concept of miracles, we immediately think of something grand, like the parting of the Red Sea. But there are many small miracles that surround us on a daily basis that often go unnoticed. On today’s podcast Angel and Dr. E discuss a patient’s miraculous journey to cure from what many thought was an incurable and stigmatized illness.

• #CancerSurvivor

• #C...

Jive Talking & Other Slangs as a Way to Connect & Communicate with Survivor/Thrivers Traditional medical training teaches formality and distance; and discourages the use of language that is understandable, comfortable and brings us closer to our patients. On today’s podcast Dr. E tells a story of a patient who taught him how important it is to use not just formal training but also personal and cultural experience to bette...

Back Sept 14 with Dr. E — Stay Connected to Croc Nation

Hello everyone, this is Angel Santana, co-host and producer of The Croc Podcast. September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness for leukemia, lymphoma, and melanoma and to emphasize education, early detection, and support for those affected.

We don't have a new episode this week, but we'll be back Sunday, September 14 with Dr. E in studio. Stay connected...