Stories of Hope and Inspiration Podcast
Welcome to the Twist Out Cancer podcast, “Stories of Hope and Inspiration,” where healing, creativity, and community come together.
In each episode, survivors, previvors, caregivers, artists, and our nonprofit and community partners share how art, expression, and connection have helped them navigate life with and after cancer. We invite you to listen in, feel less alone, and discover new ways that creativity and collaboration can support healing.
Julie and Marea’s stories reveal a deeper truth: resilience, connection, and healing can emerge from the cracks of grief. In this heartfelt episode, these two incredible women share how art becomes a powerful bridge — transforming their experiences into inspiring visuals that tell stories of hope, support, and growth.
Navigating the World of Cancer Support: Insights from Jackie Herigodt of Imerman Angels
Listen to how Jackie’s journey has been shaped by loss, resilience, and ultimately, connection. What emerges is not just a narrative about cancer, but a reflection on what it means to be supported, understood, and truly seen.
In this episode, host Soraya Fata interviews Marty Hogan, a leukemia survivor and the founder of Windsor Tough. They discuss Marty’s cancer journey, his connection to Twist Out Cancer, and his organization’s mission to raise awareness and expand the blood stem cell donor registry. The conversation highlights the importance of community.
A Conversation with Cancer Caregiver founder, Charlotte Bayala, a Twist Out Cancer Power Partner
Discover Charlotte’s personal journey through her husband’s cancer diagnosis and how it inspired her to support others in similar situations. This episode delves into the emotional challenges caregivers face and the importance of self-care and community support. Tune in to hear stories of resilience, vulnerability, and the power of sharing experiences. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that highlights the strength found in caregiving.
Bond Courtney and Rosa Henriquez
Bond Courtney and Rosa Henriquez discuss their experience participating in the Brushes with Cancer Winter 2025 program that will take place on March 15th at Writers Theater in Glencoe, Illinois.
Michelle Hobart and Angela Scalisi
In this episode, Inspiration Michelle Hobart shares her story as a breast cancer survivor and how she kept her diagnosis a secret to start, and then shared it with family and friends. As part of the Brushes With Cancer program, she was matched with artist Angela Scalisi. Their connection started on a zoom call, which led to a five hour walk together, and an everlasting friendship.
Merton Briggs and Matthew Eckerle
Inspiration Merton Briggs – from Newark, Delaware – shares his story as a Multiple Myeloma survivor and how he responded when he was only given a few months to live. As part of the Brushes With Cancer program, he was matched with artist Matthew Eckerle, who is from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Their connection started on a zoom call, which led to a true admiration for one another and a life-long friendship.
Inspiration Jorge Ginzo and Artist Oscar Montoya are part of the Brushes with Cancer program at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Jorge is a survivor of Colon cancer and in this episode, Jorge and Oscar share the unexpected similarities in their personal stories and how they continually advocate for early testing among men.
“Woven Wonders”: A Conversation with Designers Giorgia Lupi, Inti Valez, and Daniel Mancini
Artist Giorgia Lupi, from Pentagram Design, and Daniel Mancini and Inti Valez Bolero, from Wanda Barcelona, reflect on their art installations, “Brushes With Cancer” and “Woven Wonders” which they designed in collaboration with Twist Out Cancer. They discuss how they got involved with the organization, the work that they created together, and what they will be taking from the experience. Both exhibits were on view at the WNDR Museum in Chicago in October and November 2022. The “Brushes with Cancer” exhibit from Pentagram is a work of 278 interwoven brushstrokes, representing the moments or collaborations between Twist Out Cancer’s Inspirations and Artists, as they came together to change each other’s lives. “Woven Wonders” is a larger-than-life exhibit made by Wanda Barcelona that was handmade by 12 artisans in Barcelona, weaving small strands of paper together to show how we are all interconnected and how, when cancer affects one of us, it affects us all. There are 500 variations of weaving designs in this piece.
Jenna Benn Shersher and Dr. David Shersher
Jenna had the idea for Twist Out Cancer in the middle of her own journey with cancer! While in treatment she had a vision for an organization that would focus on the people. A place where families touched by cancer could find connection and emotional support, not just treatment for the cancer itself. 10 years later, she’s done that and so much more!
Callie Cullinan and Jackie Carmody
Art therapists Callie Cullinan and Jackie Carmody discuss their involvement with Twist Out Cancer and the Twistshop program, the impact of the program, and their hopes for the future of Twist out Cancer.
Joni Goldstein and Nancy Rosen
Joni faced down cancer twice. Each time arming herself with a smile and some glitter. Brushes With Cancer brought Nancy into her life and together they developed a lovely piece of art and a beautiful friendship.
Mardi Kaplan and Anna Feneis
Mardi and Anna, whose connections to Twist Out Cancer and to each other reach far beyond a single collaboration, share how they found support and inspiration in each other through their partnership.
Caileigh Scott and Gabrielle Heckenbucker
Caileigh and Gabrielle have forged an intimate collaboration across an ocean and several time zones. These two very creative people have grown to influence and inspire each other daily.
Kelli Kim-Eng and Kenny Lapins
Kelli and Kenny have so much more in common than anyone might guess. From their odd discoveries of their own cancer diagnoses, to the way the Brushes with Cancer program has brought them back to their own artistic endeavors, these two continue to connect in many unique ways.
Donna Dang and Suhani Amin
After losing her fiancé David to bone cancer in October 2020, Donna found being a part of the Twist Out Cancer community to be tremendously helpful in navigating her grief. Suhani, in first learning and then seeking to tell Donna’s story on canvas, shares how Donna’s openness and generosity has inspired her not only artistically but in much more fundamental ways as well.
Rachel Duran and Magdalena Cuevas
When artist Magdalena and her inspiration Rachel first met, they immediately bonded over curly hair, spirituality and a love of their home state of Texas! As their connection deepened and their collaboration grew, Magdalena’s piece culminated in a full expression of not just what Rachel went through, but who she is.
Wendy Santana and Naimah Thomas
Wendy and Naimah have forged an unexpected friendship through this creative process. Not only has this partnership resulted in a piece of art that has meaning for both women, but they have come to be huge supports to each other through life’s ups and downs over the past several months as well.
Brittany Long and Chris Geier
Brittany and Chris had an immediate connection that has only deepened during this collaboration. Brittany’s openness and willingness to share not only her stories, but her journal entries from her time during treatment, has been matched by Chris’s commitment to the project and interest in reading Brittany’s entire journal archive.
Kate Van Doren and Mary Jenkins
Artist Kate Van Doren and her Inspiration, Mary Jenkins, talk about their path together over these months—building a relationship, telling Mary’s story through art, and what they continue to carry with them from their experience together.
Holli Davidove and Bari Fleischer
Through their open and honest conversations, Holli and Bari have formed a deep friendship. They inspire and support each other beyond the work of art that they are collaborating on.
Talaya Dendy and Bettina Reiser
Talaya’s cancer journey changed everything in her life. Her experience with cancer allowed her to reevaluate her life and help others live in the present. Those choices have inspired Artist ,Bettina, in more ways than one.
Mahwish Syed and Sheryl Ann Noday
Mahwish and Sheryl have so many similarities, it seems they were destined to meet. These two natural storytellers share a love of ancient cultures, genuine connection and a fascination with the divine feminine. A willingness to lean in to deep conversations and a bravery to be vulnerable and fully share their truth has brought these two women together in a strong connection that will no doubt result in powerful work of art!
Brittany Long and Chris Geier
Brittany and Chris had an immediate connection that has only deepened during this collaboration. Brittany’s openness and willingness to share not only her stories, but her journal entries from her time during treatment, has been matched by Chris’s commitment to the project and interest in reading Brittany’s entire journal archive.
Maria Kouns and Xia Laniel
As an 11 year cancer survivor, Maria says what stands out the most from her cancer journey are the moments of kindness and connection she experienced with the people in her life. From her family to her students, her memories from that time are far more positive than painful. The collaboration with Xia has continued in that tradition of forming connection amid such a disruptive event.
Kenny Lapins and Kristin Wenc
In this conversation, we get a unique glimpse at the inner workings of the Brushes with Cancer program. As returning participants, Kenny and Kristin give us some insights into what compels people to participate, sometimes even in different capacities, year after year!
Jemma Cabral and Peri Goodman
This collaboration brought a cross generational connection that both artist and inspiration are finding profound. The fact that Jemma is sharing her story to Peri, who is not only the same age as Jemma’s son but also the exact age Jemma was when she was first diagnosed with cancer has had a special resonance.
Rebecca Roin and Marie Wynn
In this special glimpse at the early stages of the creation process, Rebecca and Marie let us into the way a piece begins to form. At just a year cancer free, Marie still has access to a lot of the difficult and surprising emotions that often come from living with cancer. As a Twist Out Cancer vet, Rebecca is insightful and the perfect person to accompany Marie in this creative process.
Soraya Fata and Shefali Khanna
In this episode of Brushes With Cancer Spotlights, artist Shefali Khanna and her inspiration Soraya Fata talk about their path together over these months— from building a relationship, telling Soraya’s story through art, and what they will continue to carry with them from their experience. 17 minutes.
Andrea Ludlow and Linda Roberts
Inspiration Andrea Ludlow is a two-time cancer survivor of Melanoma and Breast Cancer. She lives in Portland, and enjoyed the very collaborative process with her artist, Linda Roberts, who lives in Montana. In this episode, Linda shares how Andrea’s journey informed her art and how she incorporated it into the creation process. 25 minutes.
Martha Acosta and Maggie Cuevas
In this episode of Brushes With Cancer Spotlights, artist Magdalena Cuevas and and her inspiration Martha Acosta talk about their path together over these months— from building a relationship, telling Martha’s story through art, and what they will continue to carry with them from their experience. 24 Minutes
Heather S. Russell and Christan Seidle
Artist Christan Seidle and her inspiration Heather Russell both live in the Austin area. They were able to get together in person as Heather shared details on her journey with cancer with Christan. In this episode, Christan offers an artist’s perspective on her experience – how participating in the Brushes With Cancer program differed from other commissions she worked on. Heather was so inspired by her experience that she is taking on more personal art projects herself! In this episode, Christan and Heather talk about building a relationship, telling Heather’s story through art, and what they will continue to carry with them from their experience.15 Minutes
Angi Taylor and Amy Morris
In this episode of Brushes With Cancer Spotlights, artist Amy Morris and and her inspiration Angi Taylor about their path together over these months— from building a relationship, telling Angi’s story through art, and what they will continue to carry with them from their experience. 13 Minutes
Jennifer King and Erin Greganti
In this episode of Brushes With Cancer Spotlights, artist Erin Greganti and and her inspiration Jennifer King about their path together over these months— from building a relationship, telling Jennifer’s story through art, and what they will continue to carry with them from their experience. 18 Minutes
Rena Williams and Murielle Cohen
In this episode, learn about how, despite being on different sides of the world – Inspiration Rena Williams in Northern Illinois and Artist Murielle Cohen in Israel – they formed an unbreakable connection and an everlasting bond. They talk about their path together, from building a relationship, telling Rena’s story through art, and what they will continue to carry with them from their experience.23 Minutes
Michael Holtz and Karen Hidalgo
Artist Karen Hidalgo and her Inspiration Michael Holtz became fast friends through the Brushes With Cancer program – they are both silly and sarcastic and enjoyed each other’s company. Not only is Karen an artist in the Southern BWC program, she is a former Inspiration. Learn how this helped her understand Michael’s journey with cancer and turn it into a unique piece of artwork. 15 Minutes
Sarah Wartell and Judy Abplanalp
Sarah and Judy discuss creating a bond as they connected and created art. They share their discoveries and revelations about living with cancer, making a new friend, and the creative process. 18 Minutes
Peter Beck and Sheryl Ann Noday
Artist Sheryl Ann Noday and her inspiration, Peter Beck, talk about their path together over these months—building a relationship, telling Peter’s story through art, and what they continue to carry with them from their experience together. 14 Minutes
Tayler and Kristie
Artist Tayler Shannon and her inspiration Kristie Teal shared how they became involved in the Brushes with Cancer program, how their relationship blossomed, and the experience of creating art together. 18 minutes.
Pam and Jackie
Pam Crowther (the inspiration) and Jackie Carmody (the artist) reflect on their shared experience in the Brushes with Cancer program.
Kara and Diona
Artist Kara Thomas and her inspiration, Diona Brzezinski, talk about their experience in the Brushes with Cancer program, including the beautiful piece of art that resulted from it, and how their participation helped them both to grow and heal.
Cami and Cortina
Cortina Peters (inspiration) and Cami Baker Miller (artist) reflect on their experience in the Brushes With Cancer program.
Michelle
Michelle discusses how art helped her through her “cancer adventure” and the importance of finding support, whether it’s a support group, a workshop, or just someone who understands what you’re going through. 16 minutes.
Amanda and Barbara
Amanda and Barbara discuss what they shared and how they both grew through their experience with Brushes with Cancer.
Bobbie and Valley
These two have a genuine connection. Bobbie talks about how cancer made her have to reimagine her relationship with her body and Valley has a somewhat unique experience of being an artist who is also a cancer survivor.
Erin and Alexandra
Erin and Alex share the story of how they met, discovered how much they had in common, and learned from each other through their partnership.
Tracie Strange
Artist Tracie Strange talks about her experience in the Brushes with Cancer program, the strong connection she felt with the woman who inspired the piece, and what she learned from the process.