Advertise on podcast: Kidney Cancer Unfiltered

Julie Lykins cared for her husband through his kidney cancer journey, and now works as a hospice nurse with the same care team that supported her family. In this deeply personal conversation with host Annamaria Scaccia, Julie breaks down the real difference between palliative care and hospice, debunks the idea that hospice means "giving up," and shares what she calls the hardest and most healing parts of walking this road twice. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We begin season 6 of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered in conversation with host Annamaria Scaccia and two survivors. Lindsay Walker's diagnosis came out of nowhere during an unrelated MRI. Matt McClain's came after months of unexplained back pain. Both share how they found their footing and their community after the shock of a kidney cancer diagnosis.Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're closing out Season 5 of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered with a deep dive into Men’s Mental Health. Masculinity and cancer can be a complicated mix, but emotional well-being isn't a gendered concept, it’s a human one. Dennis Heffern, LCSW and Marc Olivares, MA, MS, LPC-S join host Annamaria Scaccia to break down: ✨ Why "pushing through" can work against your healing ✨ Using a "strengths-based approach" to find your way back up ✨ How loved ones can better understand the unique way men express distress If there is a man in your life who needs to hear this, send it to them! Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grief doesn't look the same for everyone. It shows up in waves, in silence, and sometimes, it becomes the force that moves you forward. This week on Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, host Annamaria Scaccia sits down with Ritchie Johnson, MBA, BSN, RN, President and Founder of the Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation. After losing her son to Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC), Ritchie turned his legacy into a mission to dismantle the systemic barriers facing the RMC community. In this episode, we discuss: 🧡 What it means to turn grief into advocacy 🩺 The reality of RMC: a "wildfire" cancer that demands urgent, expert care 🤝 Breaking down medical "silos" to ensure no patient is left behind Thanks to Ritchie for sharing her powerful story. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s no playbook for facing fertility while navigating kidney cancer. 🧡 Survivor Janelle Moxley joins host Annamaria Scaccia to share her journey through IVF, recurrence, and the questions no one prepares you for... "I kind of wondered: cancer was hard on me, why can't pregnancy be easy? Why is that hard too?" A must-listen for anyone walking this road. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caregiving is a marathon of the heart. On the latest Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, Sara Benitez, LCSW, OSW-C of Moffitt Cancer Center shares with host Annamaria Scaccia how to navigate the terrain, including: 🎙️ Why "hard" conversations matter 🎙️ Maintaining your identity 🎙️ Resources for YOU Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer takes so much, but it shouldn’t take your sense of self or your right to intimacy. In our latest episode, "Sex After Cancer: Desire, Communication, and Self-Love," host Annamaria Scaccia is joined by the incredible Ebonie Michelle, MPH, Founder of Prowl The LAB. They dive into the vulnerability of navigating new physical sensations, the power of self-love, and why choosing yourself is the first step toward reclaiming your sexual wellness. This isn't just about a diagnosis; it’s about finding the strength to be your most authentic self in your relationships. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we express the things that feel impossible to put into words? In our season 5 premiere episode, The Art of Healing, host Annamaria Scaccia and Kayla Fulginiti of Elephants and Tea dive into the power of creative expression. From the rhythm of pottery and knitting to the physical release of dance and movement — it’s about meeting yourself where you are and releasing the expectations that often come with the cancer experience. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this season's final episode, host Annamaria Scaccia talks to Dr. Kara Goldman, a reproductive endocrinologist at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Goldman helps break down everything you need to know about fertility preservation after cancer — from navigating conflicting medical advice to making empowered choices about your future family. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into survivorship, it’s never too early (or too late) to ask: Do I want kids? Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anxiety after #kidneycancer? You’re not alone. In episode 7 of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, Dr. Tracy Murray from Ochsner Health shares with host Annamaria Scaccia why getting professional help matters, simple ways to ease anxiety, and the truth about not having to “be strong” all the time. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer at Work — What are your rights? Joanna Fawzy Doran, Esq., CEO of Triage Cancer, joins host Annamaria Scaccia to discuss the legal and practical challenges people face when navigating cancer and employment. From understanding protections under laws like FMLA and ADA to knowing what isn't guaranteed, this episode is packed with essential info — plus resources for free legal and financial guidance. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can You Be Fit with One Kidney? Kidney cancer survivor Josh Silva shares with Annamaria Scaccia how an incidental diagnosis at 31 changed his life — and how fitness, gratitude, and being present have shaped his healing. He speaks candidly about survivor’s guilt and reminds others: Your cancer experience is valid, no matter what it looked like. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mari Galle, L. Ac, DACM & founder of Moving Beyond Cancer Collaborative joined Annamaria Scaccia on Kidney Cancer Unfiltered to discuss the importance of integrative oncology care — approaches that support the whole person, not just the disease. Galle emphasized that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all and encourages patients to build a care plan tailored to their needs, including modalities like physical therapy, exercise, nutrition, mind-body practices, and emotional support. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, we spotlight the often-overlooked experiences of Native American communities in the context of kidney cancer. Experts Dr. Monica Yellowhair of the Arizona Cancer Center and Dr. Ken Batai of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center share research findings on health disparities, barriers to care, and the need for culturally respectful treatment in tribal communities. Nancy Washburn, also of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, brings a vital voice to the conversation — offering a front-line view of what it means to navigate patients through a system full of red tape and limited access. With host Annamaria Scaccia, the conversation emphasizes the crucial role of patient navigators and community health workers in bridging healthcare gaps and ensuring Native patients don’t fall through the cracks and calls on providers, researchers, and systems to do better — for ALL patients. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's conversation, host Annamaria Scaccia sat down with Haley Pollack, Executive Director of Bright Spot Network, to talk about what it really means to parent through a cancer diagnosis. Haley shares personal stories, practical wisdom, and a powerful reminder: you don’t have to be perfect — you just have to be present. They cover everything from embracing mac & cheese for dinner to allowing yourself grace through survivorship and parenthood. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.