The Cancer Pod: Integrative Medicine Talk
A cancer diagnosis brings decisions, side effects, and a million questions you never saw coming. Whether you’re navigating treatment, adjusting to life after cancer, or supporting a loved one, The Cancer Pod gives you the evidence, tools, and community to move forward with clarity.
Hosted by Dr. Leah Sherman, an integrative practitioner and breast cancer survivor, this show bridges conventional cancer care with evidence-based complementary approaches. From interviews with experts in oncology to stories from #cancerinsiders who have used their diagnosis to help others, the podcast explores an array of important topics including managing side effects, demystifying supplements, exploring complementary treatments, and survivorship.
No fluff, no toxic positivity—just honest, empowering, and at times funny conversations to help you make informed choices every step of the way.
Support the podcast and join our community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecancerpod
Disclaimer: This podcast is for education, entertainment, and informational purposes only. Do not apply any of this information without first speaking to your doctor. The views and opinions expressed on this podcast by the hosts and their guests are solely their own.
Episodes
129 episodes
Life After Breast Cancer: Finding Your Way with Author and Survivorship Mentor, Kia Lee
When treatment ends and the world moves on, cancer survivors are often left alone with a flood of unprocessed emotions. Author and survivorship mentor Kia Lee sits down with Leah to explore the hidden emotional weight of life after cancer—and w...
Inherited: A Life Without a Cure with Melanie Ezell
When faced with a Stage IV terminal cancer diagnosis at age 37, how do you keep living, surfing big waves, and raising a child?In this powerful episode, author and big-wave surfer Melanie Ezell joins Leah to share her unfiltered story of...
Life, Illustrated with James Burns, Artist and Prostate Cancer Advocate
What happens when a graphic designer decides to document his own cancer diagnosis in a comic, panel by panel?Georgia-based artist and prostate cancer education advocate James Burns joins Leah to talk about his autobiographical med...
Can Exercise Actually Fight Cancer? The Science of Movement with JC Rodriguez
Can working out actually change what's happening inside your body during cancer treatment? Dr. Leah Sherman sits down with certified clinical exercise physiologist JC Rodriguez to unpack the real science behind exercise and cancer—...
Sound Healing with Sandy Duarte
What if sound could help you heal?Sandy Duarte is an award-winning actress, author, Stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, registered yoga instructor, and one of OncoDaily's 2026 Top 100 Most Influential Cancer Survivors. While u...
End-of-Life Planning with Dr. Susan Abernethy
Death is a topic most of us avoid...until we can’t.But what if talking about it early actually gave us more peace, not less? In this episode, Leah sits down with Dr. Susan Abernethy, founder of Mudança Healing, whose path from naturopath...
Self-Care and Advocacy with Dr. Holly Lucille
What does it actually mean to advocate for yourself in the medical system?Dr. Holly Lucille, ND, RN, ONC sat down with Dr. Tina Kaczor for a candid conversation about helping patients access the best possible care through self-adv...
Grief, Guilt, and Identity After Cancer with Natasha Ewa, MSW, LCSW, C-MBT
Survivor’s guilt is a common and not often talked about emotional experience after cancer. Dr. Leah Sherman sits down with returning guest Natasha Ewa, licensed clinical social worker and founder of I Thrive Therapy and Wellness, ...
The Power of Connection with Beth Blakey, CEO, Cancer Hope Network
Cancer Hope Network CEO Beth Blakey on Peer Mentorship, Caregiver Support, and Connection in Cancer CareBeth Blakey, CEO of Cancer Hope Network, discusses the organization’s 46-year mission to ensure no one faces cancer alone. The unique...
Cancer and Intimacy with Claire Rumore
What happens to desire after a cancer diagnosis? In this episode, Dr. Leah Sherman speaks with intimacy coach and cancer survivor Claire Rumore about the often-overlooked intimacy challenges that come with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Claire...
Navigating Cancer Care with Chad Levitt, MD
Dr. Kaczor speaks with Dr. Chad Levitt, a board-certified radiation oncologist with over 25 years of experience and founder of ONCARE MD. Levitt discusses how patients are, in effect, consumers of a product called "medical care." As consumers, ...
Optimize Surgery Recovery: An Integrative Approach
In this episode, we dive deep into surgical support for cancer patients and share all the insider intel you might be missing out on. From what not to take before surgery (blood clotting is essential!) to the importance of inflammation in the he...
Gila Pfeffer: Humor Writer and Breast Cancer Prevention Advocate
Writer, humorist, previvor, survivor, and breast cancer prevention advocate Gila Pfeffer joins Leah for a thoughtful, funny, and deeply honest conversation about loss, resilience, and finding humor in the most unlikely situations.Gila t...
Innovations, Breakthroughs and Insights
Dr. Tina Kaczor and Dr. Leah Sherman discuss new diagnostic tools that can tell benign tumors from cancer in the pancreas, highlight the growing concerns over microplastics, and explore the link between ultra-processed foods and early colorecta...
Charlotte Bayala on Overcoming the Challenges of Gratitude
In this special November episode, we are swapping podcasts with Charlotte Bayala of the Cancer Caregiver Podcast. Charlotte explores the complexities of meeting expectations of gratitude during the holidays when you or your loved one is dealing...
Jeff Stewart: Author, Scientist, Jeopardy Champ, and Cancer Insider
In 2022, Jeff Stewart was preparing to donate a kidney when his life took a completely different turn. Unknown to him at the time, he was harboring two separate cancers—kidney and stomach. As a former Jeopardy champ, long-time molecular biologi...
Interview with Maria Montoya, Patient Advocate and #CancerInsider
Maria Montoya shares her personal experience as a two-time AYA breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed first at 30 and later at 37, she discusses dealing with Li Fraumeni Syndrome—a rare genetic predisposition to various cancers. Maria also talks abo...
Interview with Charlotte Bayala of The Cancer Caregiver Podcast
Charlotte Bayala, host of the award-winning Cancer Caregiver Podcast, joins Dr. Leah Sherman to discuss the unique challenges caregivers face. Charlotte shares her journey of becoming a care...
Gynecological Cancers: Genetics, Hormones, & HPV with Dr. Natalie Godbee
Dr. Natalie Godbee, gynecologic oncologist at City of Hope in Atlanta, Georgia, talks with Dr. Leah Sherman in a wide-ranging interview on gynecologic cancers. The conversation covers the pros and cons of the HPV vaccine, the symptoms and risk ...
Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Conversation with Dr. David Grew
In this episode of the Cancer Pod, Dr. Leah Sherman sits down with Dr. David Grew, a board-certified radiation oncologist and founder of Primr, a free digital video resource. They also go into details abo...
Does Timing Matter? Treatment Outcomes and Cancer Fatigue
What if something as simple as a morning versus an afternoon infusion determined whether your immune treatment works? A recent study of over 1600 patients shows that time of day can profoundly affect whether you derive benefit (ie, “respond to ...
Faking Cancer: Amanda, Belle, and Elisabeth
Belle Gibson (Apple Cider Vinegar), Amanda Riley (Scamanda), and Elizabeth Finch (Anatomy of Lies). Each one created elaborate schemes that often duped even their loved ones. In this episode, Tina and Leah examine the psychological...
Young Adults and Cancer: The Truth About Rising Rates and Prevention
The diagnosis of cancer is rising in young adults (under 45 years old). This episode of The Cancer Pod delves into potential reasons behind this trend, including epigenetics, environmental exposures, ...
Seed Oils, Are They Really That Bad?
In 2024, a study sparked debate among wellness influencers, raising concerns about seed oils and their potential link to rising colorectal cancer rates in young adults. But is there any truth to these claims? In this episode, we break down the ...
Alcohol and Cancer, An Update 2025
Did you know it takes an Act of Congress to change the warning label on alcohol? It’s true! But even more crucial: how much alcohol does it take to increase your cancer risk? In this episode, Tina and Leah dive into the connection between alcoh...
