Have you ever been so busy surviving life that you never stopped to heal from it?

You know what I mean. Life throws something devastating your way, and somehow you find the strength to get through it. You pick yourself up, put one foot in front of the other, and keep going. And before you know it, another storm comes along.

For Kimberly Foley, life has been a series of storms.

She endured years of infertility and five rounds of IVF before finally becoming the mother of two beautiful boys. Then came open-heart surgery while her children were still very young, followed by a devastating divorce that left her raising those boys on her own.

And through it all, Kimberly did what she had always done.

She kept swimming.

She became the protector, the provider, the one who held everything together. There wasn't time to fall apart. There wasn't time to process the pain. Her children needed her, and that was enough to keep her going.

But years later, when her boys were grown and she was finally beginning to discover who she was beyond motherhood, another wave came crashing in.

Breast cancer.

A double mastectomy. Twelve rounds of chemotherapy. The loss of her hair. And eventually, the news that she would need a hysterectomy.

But something unexpected happened during her cancer journey.

All those emotions she had packed away for decades began rising to the surface. And during You Night's Candle Pass experience, surrounded by women who understood what it meant to carry invisible scars, Kimberly discovered something she had never given herself permission to do.

She could stop being strong for everyone else. She could finally let someone be strong for her.

Her story, Sink or Swim: Becoming the Shore, is about a woman who spent her entire life building boats to survive the storms, only to discover that surviving and healing are two very different things.

And perhaps the greatest revelation of all?

She wasn't simply the woman who kept everyone afloat.

She was the shore.

This is Kimberly Foley.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Have you ever heard the voice of God?

There have been moments in my life when I believe God has spoken to me so clearly that I couldn't ignore Him—during grief, heartbreak, fear, and moments when I questioned whether the work I was doing even mattered.

In this deeply personal episode of Still I Rise, I share three experiences that changed the way I understand faith and God's presence in my life: a vivid dream during the unraveling of my marriage that led me unexpectedly to Psalm 91; an encounter during one of the most difficult seasons of my work with You Night; and a remarkable message that came after the death of my mother, just when I needed encouragement most.

At 63, these experiences have taken on a new meaning. I'm thinking differently about time, the battles I choose to fight, the people I give my energy to, and how I want to spend the years I have left.

For much of my life, I asked, "Am I worth it?"

Today, I'm learning to ask a different question:

"Is this worth my time?"

Covered is a story about hearing God's voice, trusting His protection, letting go of battles that aren't ours to fight, and recognizing that none of us knows how many summers we have left.

Psalm 91 says, "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge."

Maybe being covered doesn't mean we won't experience heartbreak, loss or hardship.

Maybe it means we don't have to walk through any of it alone.

The wings weren't there to keep me from living. They were there to make me brave enough to fly.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

There’s a difference between being bent and being broken.

Life can put so much weight on us that we barely recognize ourselves under it. It can change our bodies, shake our confidence, disrupt the future we thought we were going to have, and make us question just how much more we can carry.

But sometimes, it’s under that weight that we discover what we’re actually made of.

When Tara Alviano heard the words, “You have breast cancer,” her world changed in an instant. Suddenly, her days were filled with radiation, chemotherapy, surgeries, medical appointments, exhaustion, and fear. There were mornings when simply getting out of bed felt like climbing a mountain. And there were moments when she looked in the mirror and struggled to recognize the woman looking back at her.

Before cancer, Tara thought strength meant handling everything and not showing fear.

Cancer taught her something very different.

Strength could mean being afraid and showing up anyway. It could mean asking for help. Letting someone else carry you when you couldn’t carry yourself. Celebrating a good lab report, a short walk, a peaceful morning, or simply another day with the people you love.

And through it all, Tara kept coming back to one of the greatest reasons she had to keep going—her children. She wanted them to see that courage isn’t about never being afraid. It’s about what we choose to do when we are.

Cancer left Tara with scars, both visible and invisible. But today, she doesn't see those scars simply as evidence of what cancer took from her. She sees them as evidence of what she survived.

Her story reminds us that some of the strongest people we know aren't the ones who were never brought to their knees. They're the ones who discovered they could rise again.

Cancer may have bent her.

But it did not break her.

This is Tara Alviano.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today’s guest is especially meaningful to me because I had the pleasure of getting to know Adelia Ramos in a very personal way. I was one of her coaches during this year's Story Crafting program, where our little group proudly called ourselves the Iron Rebels.

And over those weeks together, I had the privilege of watching Adelia begin to unpack a pattern that had shaped almost her entire life:

Taking care of everyone except herself.

Adelia was only eleven years old when a traumatic injury changed her mother—and her family—forever. Almost overnight, she went from being a child who was cared for to becoming a caretaker herself.

And that role followed her into adulthood.

Adelia describes her life as an overflowing plate at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Every responsibility, every obligation, every person who needed something went onto that plate. And somehow, she kept finding room for more.

Everyone else was being fed.

But Adelia was starving herself.

Eventually, the plate shattered.

At 30, she found the courage to leave a relationship of more than ten years, faced panic attacks, depression and tremendous uncertainty, and began the difficult process of rebuilding her life. Her young son became the catalyst that helped her recognize a cycle she didn't want to repeat—and for perhaps the first time, Adelia began choosing herself.

And then came cancer.

But remarkably, Adelia says cancer taught her something she hadn't learned through all those years of being the strong one:

Grace.

Grace to stop carrying everything. Grace to say no. Grace to accept help. And grace to understand that taking care of herself doesn't mean she loves anyone else less.

Today, Adelia no longer sees herself as that overflowing plate—or even as the rock that has to hold everything together.

She sees herself as a leaf.

A leaf doesn't fight every current. It bends. It moves. It trusts. And most importantly, it decides where its energy will go.

Her story is called “The Plate Finally Shattered.”

And having had the privilege of watching Adelia find the words for this story, I'm especially proud to share her voice with you today.

She is a mother, daughter, caregiver, leader, advocate, cancer survivor—and a woman who finally understands that choosing herself is not selfish.

For now, and for the future, she chooses to be the leaf.

This is Adelia Ramos.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today’s episode is especially meaningful, and before I introduce my guest, I want to dedicate this conversation to someone very special.

My guest today is Olivia Joly, a cancer survivor whose story is rooted in family, sacrifice, resilience, and the belief that no matter how deep the valley, we somehow find the strength to keep climbing.

Cancer has touched Olivia’s family in a profound way. Two of her sisters have also gone through our program, making this journey one that their family has shared in a way few families ever should.

And there is something important I want you to know about when this conversation was recorded.

At the time, Olivia’s sister Idalina was fighting for her life against cancer. Since this interview was recorded, Idalina has passed away.

And so, with tremendous love and respect for Olivia and her entire family, this episode is dedicated to the memory of Idalina.

Olivia's own story begins thousands of miles away on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, where she grew up as one of seven children in a family that had very little materially, but possessed an extraordinary abundance of love.

In 1975, her parents brought their seven children to America with a few battered suitcases, no safety net, and an enormous amount of hope.

It was her father who taught Olivia one of the greatest lessons of her life: you don't stop in the valley. You keep climbing.

And Olivia would need that lesson again and again.

Through a failed marriage and single motherhood. Through her diagnosis with Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 50 and a frightening surgery that could have changed her life forever. Through the death of her beloved father. Through watching her mother face Alzheimer's disease. And through losses and fractures within the family she loves so deeply.

Yet somehow, Olivia kept climbing.

Her story is called “Becoming the Mountain: A Story of Peaks, Valleys, and the Legacy That Carried Me.”

Because Olivia eventually realized something extraordinary.

For years, she thought her story was about surviving the mountain.

But after everything she had endured—the storms, the valleys, the scars, the grief, and every seemingly impossible climb—she realized:

She had become the mountain.

Weathered. Scarred. Still standing.

And beneath every step is the path her father carved before her.

Today, we honor Olivia's story—and we honor Idalina, whose life and memory are now forever part of it.

This is Olivia Joly.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today’s guest has spent much of her life learning something the ocean eventually teaches all of us:

We cannot control the waves. But we can learn how to keep breathing when they come.

Jessica Palumbo dreamed of becoming a mother for as long as she can remember. But before that dream came true, she would face years of infertility, uncertainty, procedures, waiting, and the quiet grief of wondering whether the children she had always imagined would ever arrive.

Eventually, the tide turned, and Jessica became the mother of two beautiful boys.

But life wasn't finished sending waves.

Jessica lost her father to stage 4 cancer. Her mother would later face breast cancer. And then Jessica herself heard the words no one ever wants to hear:

You have breast cancer.

Initially, she believed it had been caught early. But additional testing revealed a much more aggressive disease. Her treatment became more extensive, and just one year later, another devastating wave arrived:

Metastatic breast cancer.

This time, Jessica says she felt as though she were drowning.

And yet, in the middle of that fear, she began noticing something else—little reminders that perhaps she wasn't navigating these waters alone.

Hummingbirds appearing at just the right moment. Dragonflies surrounding her on the beach. And the number 4:44, appearing again and again during some of her most difficult moments.

Her Catholic faith became her anchor. Her family became her strength. And her two boys—ironically, passionate surfers who love the very big waves their mother spent so much of her life fearing—became her reason to keep swimming.

Jessica's story is called “When the Ocean Waves Come: Finding Strength Beyond a Diagnosis.”

She has learned that strength isn't about conquering the ocean. It's about finding joy between the storms, trusting that calm waters will return, and remembering that no single wave defines the entire sea.

And just as importantly:

No diagnosis defines her.

She is still here. Still loving. Still hoping. Still breathing. And still rising.

This is Jessica Palumbo.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Sometimes the thing that threatens to take your life is the very thing that teaches you how much your life is worth.

Today’s guest is Amy Benoit, and her story is about breast cancer—but it’s also about something much bigger. It’s about finding the courage to choose yourself after years of believing that keeping everyone else together was your responsibility.

Amy grew up surrounded by love, family, laughter, and a beautiful example of what home could feel like. But somewhere along the way, in a marriage increasingly affected by alcoholism, conflict, and emotional turmoil, Amy began to lose herself.

She stayed. She carried the family. She tried harder. She made excuses. And little by little, the confident woman she once knew became harder to recognize.

Then, in January of 2023, at just 40 years old, Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer.

And while cancer brought surgeries, chemotherapy, fear, and tremendous physical vulnerability, it also brought Amy something she never expected:

clarity.

After her tenth round of chemotherapy, emotionally and physically exhausted from yet another devastating argument at home, Amy had a realization that would change the course of her life:

She was fighting this hard to stay alive. So why was she fighting so hard to stay in a life that was making her miserable?

Amy made the terrifying decision to end her 14-year marriage while she was still undergoing cancer treatment. What followed was incredibly difficult—but somewhere in the middle of cancer, divorce, fear, and uncertainty, Amy began finding herself again.

She compares her journey to a lotus flower, which must push its way through darkness and mud before it ever reaches the surface and blooms.

Her story is beautifully titled “Rooted in Darkness, Blooming in Light.”

Today, the darkness is still part of Amy’s story—but it no longer defines her.

Because sometimes surviving isn't simply about staying alive.

Sometimes it's about finally deciding to live.

This is Amy Benoit.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today’s guest has spent much of her life being the strong one—the woman who carried the weight, protected everyone else, and learned how to tuck her own pain away where no one could see it.

Lisa-Jo Mitchell describes herself as Pandora’s Box: a beautiful, battle-worn treasure chest where, for years, she locked away grief, fear, anger, loss, and the parts of herself she believed she had to hide in order to survive.

And Lisa-Jo has survived a lot.

She became a mother under extraordinary circumstances while still a teenager. She endured devastating loss, including her brother’s death by suicide, the end of a marriage, struggles with alcohol, and the long journey of recovery. She built a career helping others navigate addiction and eventually learned that she carries Lynch Syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of developing certain cancers.

And then came breast cancer.

But remarkably, cancer became part of something Lisa-Jo never expected: an unlocking.

Instead of closing the lid tighter, she began opening it. She allowed people to love her, support her, and see the parts of herself she had spent a lifetime protecting. And she discovered that vulnerability wasn't weakness at all—it was courage.

Her story is called “The Key I Carried All Along: Unlocking Hope and Finding the Beauty Within.”

And perhaps the most beautiful part of Lisa-Jo’s journey is realizing that the key she spent her life searching for was never somewhere outside of her.

She had been carrying it all along.

Today, Lisa-Jo no longer defines her scars by what she has lost, but by what she has overcome. And after a lifetime of proving just how strong she could be, she has arrived at three incredibly powerful words:

I am enough.

It is my honor to introduce you to Lisa-Jo Mitchell.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today, I have the privilege of introducing you to a woman whose story reminds us that even when life changes the music, the song is not over.

My guest is Alisha Malloy, a member of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation’s SheROSE Class of 2026.

Alisha’s story is one of extraordinary love, unimaginable loss, breast cancer, faith, and ultimately, grace.

In 2012, Alisha experienced what no mother should ever have to endure when her beautiful 17-year-old daughter, Ciara Charmayn Malloy — lovingly known as C-Me — was tragically killed in a car accident. In an instant, the rhythm of Alisha’s life changed forever.

Years later, cancer would change that rhythm once again.

But Alisha discovered something powerful along the way: when life changes the melody we thought we were going to sing, it doesn't mean the music has ended.

Through her faith, Alisha has learned to hear God's grace in the pauses, His strength in the broken places, and His presence even in life's most painful movements.

She calls her story “The Symphony of Grace and Faith: The Melody, Rhythm, and Harmony.” And I think you're going to understand exactly why.

This is not simply a story about grief or cancer. It's a story about what happens when a woman chooses to keep singing — even through tears. It's about scars we no longer need to hide, weakness becoming strength, and believing that the places we never planned to be may be the very places where God is doing His greatest work.

It is my honor to introduce you to an incredibly courageous woman and SheROSE, Alisha Malloy.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Welcome back to our new season everyone!  Before we post all of the amazing interviews lined up, I have been sitting on my fourth story and pondering if I should share it.  Because Story Crafting allows participants to dive into traumatic experiences and find peace with what they have been through, well - it is only fitting that I took advantage of this platform and opportunity to do the same.

I Can Only Imagine

What happens when the life you thought you were building suddenly becomes the life you have to grieve?

In this deeply personal episode of Still I Rise, Lisa McKenzie shares I Can Only Imagine, her fourth story written using the Story Crafting process.

Beginning with the childhood heartbreak of watching her family fall apart after her father left, Lisa explores how those early wounds resurfaced decades later when the husband she loved—and trusted because he knew her story—chose to leave their marriage rather than fight for it.

But this isn't a story wrapped neatly in a silver lining.

It's about the complicated truth of rebuilding a life you never asked to rebuild. It's about learning independence when you never wanted to be independent, finding peace while still being angry about what it took to get there, and grieving the life that might have been.

Lisa also wrestles with a question many people carry after betrayal: Would an apology finally make a difference? Or is what we're really longing for something deeper—the acknowledgment that what happened to us mattered?

Perhaps healing doesn't require us to be grateful for what broke us.

Perhaps we can simply be grateful that we survived it.

And perhaps the most powerful thing no one can ever take from us is our ability to tell the truth about our own story.

“I can be angry about what happened and peaceful about where I am. I can wish he'd fought for me and know today that I am worth fighting for.”

This is I Can Only Imagine.

A story about abandonment, betrayal, worth, the life that might have been—and finally realizing:

I was worth it. And I am.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Hi everyone!

We hope you have some fun summer plans!  As we prepare for Season 5, with over 55 new interviews lined up, we wanted to let you know we are taking a small break over the summer until mid August, where we will start releasing all of the new interviews.  

If you are new to this channel, please scroll through our past interviews and listen to the amazing interviews!  With over 110 to choose from, we know you'll find stories that will inspire you!

Until we gather again in August, have fun!  Go put your toes in the sand if you can and remember to reach out to someone who might be going through a tough time just to let them know you are thinking about them.  Those messages go a long way.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today’s guest is Dr. Scott Sullivan, a world-renowned reconstructive microsurgeon at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and one of the leading experts in DIEP flap breast reconstruction and microsurgical breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Dr. Sullivan has helped advance and refine the groundbreaking DIEP flap procedure, a highly specialized form of breast reconstruction that uses a woman's own tissue to restore the breast after breast cancer surgery. His work has helped change the standard of care for women seeking natural breast reconstruction after mastectomy, giving thousands of breast cancer survivors the opportunity to reclaim not only their bodies but also their confidence, dignity, and quality of life.

But Dr. Sullivan's impact extends far beyond the operating room.

For more than a decade, he has been a dedicated supporter of You Night Empowering Events, a nonprofit organization focused on emotional healing after breast cancer. As one of our earliest sponsors, advisory board members, and champions, his generosity has helped hundreds of women find support, sisterhood, empowerment, and hope during their cancer journeys.

Dr. Sullivan also played a pivotal role in helping launch the ScART Program, an innovative healing arts initiative that encourages breast cancer survivors to transform their scars into powerful works of art and personal stories of resilience. Today, the ScART Program has touched the lives of thousands of cancer survivors across the country.

While Dr. Sullivan is internationally recognized for his expertise in breast reconstruction surgery, microsurgery, DIEP flap reconstruction, and breast cancer recovery, those who know him best admire something even greater—his compassion. Patients trust him. Families love him. Colleagues respect him. His kindness, humility, and commitment to restoring hope have made him one of the most beloved figures in the breast cancer community.

It is my great honor to welcome an extraordinary physician, innovator in restorative breast surgery, advocate for breast cancer survivors, and a truly remarkable human being—Dr. Scott Sullivan.Dr. Scott Sullivan 

 #Center for Restorative Breast Surgery  #DIEP Flap Reconstruction #Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy #Breast Cancer Survivor #Breast Cancer Recovery #Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction #Natural Breast Reconstruction #Emotional Healing After Breast Cancer #Breast Cancer Podcast #You Night Empowering Events #ScART Program #Cancer Survivor Support #Reconstructive Microsurgery #Breast Cancer Resources #Dr. Scott Sullivan

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today’s guest is someone whose life reminds us that healing comes in many forms.

When Ida Senerchia-Zecco was just 40 years old, she found herself standing at the intersection of loss, exhaustion, single motherhood, divorce, and a breast cancer diagnosis. Having already lost her own mother to breast cancer, she was faced with difficult decisions and a future filled with uncertainty.

But rather than allowing cancer to define her story, Ida began a journey of rediscovering herself. She traded stress for creativity, fear for purpose, and isolation for connection. Along the way, she learned that healing isn't always measured by scans, treatments, or medical charts—it can also be found in music, friendship, service, self-worth, and even something as simple as a daily hug.

More than three decades later, after surviving breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and now living with Stage II CLL, Ida continues to inspire others through her writing, performing, directing, and unwavering commitment to finding joy in each day.

Her story, which she beautifully calls "A Lost Song Returned," is a powerful reminder that even after life's darkest moments, the music can come back—sometimes richer, deeper, and more meaningful than before.

Please join me in welcoming Ida Senerchia-Zecco.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Welcome to the Still I Rise Podcast, where we share stories of resilience, hope, and the strength of the human spirit.

Today, I'm honored to introduce Michelle Maloney and her story, The Fire and Faith: Living with Metastatic Cancer.

Michelle has faced more than her share of loss and hardship throughout her life. After surviving breast cancer while pregnant with her son, she was later diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer that had spread to her lungs.

But this isn't just a story about cancer. It's a story about faith. Michelle discovered that two things can be true at the same time: life can feel like it's on fire, and yet peace can still be found in the middle of the flames.

Through family, friendship, prayer, and a deep trust in God, Michelle learned not to let fear steal her joy. Instead, she found comfort, purpose, and peace in each day she has been given.

Please join me in welcoming Michelle Maloney.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Many of the women I interview enter the Story Crafting program believing they are there to address the pain and trauma of cancer. But it never fails—in those intimate small groups, another wave of emotions begins to surface. Stories of childhood wounds, broken relationships, abandonment, abuse, fear, grief, and years of buried pain quietly rise to the top. That’s what a cancer diagnosis often does. It forces you to revisit so much more than the disease itself. It cracks open old wounds that were never fully healed.

But Story Crafting is about more than simply telling the story. It gives women a safe place to finally speak the unspeakable, to be heard without judgment, and ultimately, to begin releasing the weight they’ve carried for years. In sharing their truth, many women discover not only healing—but freedom.

Courtney Moore’s story, Rising from the Ashes, is a powerful example of that journey.

Her story is not just about surviving cancer—it’s about surviving a lifetime of battles that could have easily extinguished her spirit. From childhood trauma and emotional pain to abuse, anxiety, and ultimately breast cancer, Courtney has faced fire after fire. Yet through every loss, every scar, and every moment that threatened to break her, she continued to rise.

With raw honesty and breathtaking vulnerability, Courtney shares what it means to fight not only for your life, but for your children, your peace, and your sense of self. Her story is one of resilience born in darkness—a reminder that even the most blackened phoenix can find color in its wings again. Rising from the Ashes is a powerful testament to the strength of a mother, the endurance of the human spirit, and the healing power of love, hope, and choosing to keep going.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Welcome to the Still I Rise podcast…

where women turn pain into purpose and scars become stories of strength.

Today’s guest is Rochelle Ives, a member of the Gloria Gemma SheROSE Class of 2025, and let me just say… Rochelle sparkles.

When we did the SheROSE photo shoot and she placed that crown on her head, I honestly couldn’t tell which sparkled more—the crown or Rochelle herself.

But what makes Rochelle so special is that her sparkle doesn’t end when the cameras stop rolling.

She spreads joy everywhere she goes.
She encourages women.
She leaves kind words on posts.
She lifts people up.
She leads with love.

And when you hear her story, “Kaleidoscope of Strength,” you’ll understand where that light comes from.

Rochelle’s journey is one of learning that constantly saving everyone else can sometimes mean losing yourself. After years of people pleasing, heartbreak, chaos, and eventually a breast cancer diagnosis, Rochelle found her strength, reclaimed her peace, and chose healing.

Her story is powerful, honest, faith-filled, and deeply inspiring.

This is Still I Rise…
and this is Rochelle’s story:
“Kaleidoscope of Strength.”

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Welcome to the Still I Rise podcast…

the place where stories heal,
where scars become art,
and where women rise again and again… no matter what life has tried to take from them.

Today’s episode is a special Mother’s Day message.

And whether you are a mother…
missing your mother…
longing to become a mother…
or simply a woman who has spent her life nurturing everyone around you…

this message is for you.

As I sat thinking about all the things women carry—
the schedules, the stress, the caregiving, the emotional weight, the invisible labor—
I started thinking about the very first and greatest “things-to-do list” ever written.

The one God created in the beginning of time.

Day by day…
piece by piece…
He built the heavens and the Earth.

The stars.
The oceans.
The animals.
The mountains.
The beauty of creation itself.

And then…
He created woman.

The nurturer.
The life-giver.
The comforter.
The leader.
The glue that somehow keeps this spinning world from completely falling apart.

So today…
I want to take you back to the beginning.

Back to creation.

And maybe, by the end of this episode…
you’ll remember something important:

that women were never created to simply survive this world…

they were created to help hold it together.

This is Still I Rise.
And this…
is “When God Created the Ultimate Things-To-Do List.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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There are moments in life when everything changes with one phone call… one word… one sentence that splits your world in two.

For Courtney Trombka, that moment came on July 4th, 2019, when she heard the words, “You have a rare type of leukemia.” At just thirty years old, with two young children depending on her, her life suddenly became a storm she never asked to sail through.

But Courtney’s story is not just about cancer. It’s about survival. It’s about faith. It’s about what happens when a woman refuses to sink, even when life keeps sending wave after wave against her spirit.

A member of the You Night FIGHT CLUB Class of 2025, Courtney has faced leukemia, heartbreak, loss, and now prepares for a second brain surgery with a courage that is both breathtaking and deeply human. Through every battle, she has carried prayer like an anchor and hope like a lantern in the dark.

Today, she shares a story of resilience, motherhood, vulnerability, and discovering that sometimes the very thing meant to destroy you can awaken you to life in a way nothing else ever could.

This is not just a story about surviving cancer.
 This is a story about rebuilding a soul.
 About finding beauty after devastation.
 About learning to rise… again and again… no matter how fierce the storm.

Please welcome my guest, Courtney Trombka.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Welcome back to Still I Rise… and to Day 4—our final day—of this 100th episode celebration.

Over the last few days, we’ve been surrounded by the voices, the stories, and the people who have helped build this journey into what it is today.

And today, we close out this special series with two women who represent both heart and history—two voices that remind us just how personal and powerful this journey truly is.

You’ll hear from Ruth Avila and my sister, Julie Angelos—women whose connection, love, and perspective bring this full circle in a way that feels especially meaningful.

They’re sharing their reflections, their favorite moments, and what they’ve learned along the way—about life, about strength, and about what it really means to rise.

Because after 100 episodes… this isn’t just a milestone.

It’s a reminder of what’s possible when people come together, lift each other up, and keep rising—again and again.

Let’s finish this celebration together.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Welcome back to Still I Rise… and to Day 3 of our 100th episode celebration.

Over the past two days, we’ve been honoring the voices and the people who have helped shape this journey—and today, we continue with two women who have been steady, powerful forces behind the scenes and beyond.

One hundred episodes in, and what stands out most isn’t just what’s been created… but who has stood alongside it, helping to carry the mission forward every step of the way.

Today, you’ll hear from my right-hand gal, Angela Becnel, and Debbie Tonguis—two women whose presence, support, and dedication have made a lasting impact in ways that words can barely capture.

They’re sharing their memories, their insights, and what this journey has meant to them—along with what they’ve learned about resilience, connection, and rising through it all.

Because behind every moment… there are people who help make it possible.

Let’s keep the celebration going.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Welcome back to Still I Rise… and to Day 2 of our 100th episode celebration.

If you joined us yesterday, you know this isn’t just one episode—it’s a four-part series honoring the voices, the moments, and the people who have helped shape this journey.

One hundred episodes in, and the stories just keep getting richer… the connections deeper… and the impact even more meaningful.

Today, we continue that celebration with two more incredible women who have played a powerful role in what we do.

You’ll hear from our Runway Coach, Leslie Legania-Shelby, and Photographer, Tracie Morris Schaefer—two women who don’t just show up… they help bring confidence, beauty, and transformation to life in ways that leave a lasting mark on every woman they touch.

They’re sharing their favorite memories, what they’ve witnessed, and what they’ve learned along the way—about strength, resilience, and what it truly means to rise.

Because this journey is built on moments like these… and people like them.

So let’s continue the celebration.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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“Welcome to Still I Rise… and today, this one feels different.

This is our 100th episode.

One hundred conversations. One hundred moments of truth, vulnerability, strength, and rising—again and again. This podcast has always been about connection… about the people who show up, who stay, and who lift each other when life gets heavy.

So today, instead of telling one story… I wanted to bring together the voices that helped shape this journey.

I’ve invited some of my favorite people—those who have been here since the very beginning, and others who came along the way and became an essential part of what we do. These are the people who believed in the mission, who poured into it, and who helped carry it forward.

And because there are so many incredible voices to celebrate, I’m doing something special for this 100th episode. We’re turning it into a four-part series that will air over the next three days—so every story has the space it deserves to be heard.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

Day 1 features my daughter Halle and our Team Director, Jill Allender.
 Day 2 features our Runway Coach, Leslie Legania-Shelby, and Photographer, Tracie Morris Schaefer.
 Day 3 features my right-hand gal, Angela Becnel, and Debbie Tonguis.
 And Day 4 features Ruth Avila and my sister, Julie Angelos.

Each of them is sharing their favorite memories, the moments that stayed with them, and what they’ve learned—about life, about resilience, and about what it really means to rise.

Because after 100 episodes, one thing is clear…

We don’t rise alone.

So let’s get into it.”

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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In this episode of Still I Rise, Lisa sits down with Kati Cheek—an Allstate agency owner, breast cancer survivor, and a woman whose strength and generosity extend far beyond her profession.

What began as a desperate search for affordable homeowners insurance in the midst of Louisiana’s insurance crisis turned into an unexpected and life-changing connection. Kati not only helped Lisa save thousands of dollars on her home and auto policies, but she also became a trusted friend, a supporter of her nonprofit mission, and a powerful example of resilience in action.

Through her journey with cancer and her experience in the Fight Club program, Kati reached a place of deep personal growth—one that allowed her to begin sharing her story with honesty and courage. In this conversation, she opens up about navigating life’s hardest moments, finding strength in vulnerability, and stepping into a new chapter of purpose.

Since this recording, Kati has continued that journey and is now working on a book centered on resilience and rising through adversity.

This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a reminder that sometimes the people who enter our lives through the most ordinary circumstances become part of our most extraordinary stories.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Welcome to the Still I Rise Podcast—where stories of resilience, healing, and the human spirit remind us that even in our darkest moments… we rise.

Today’s episode is one you won’t forget.

Our guest, Alexis Santoro, shares a journey she describes as living through years of wildfires—unexpected, relentless, and life-altering. From the unraveling of a marriage, to losing both of her parents to cancer within a short span, to navigating life as a single mother… Alexis became, in her own words, an untrained firefighter—constantly responding, constantly surviving. 

But the most personal fire came in 2020, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram. What followed was a double mastectomy, years of recovery, and the emotional weight of fighting for her life while raising two young children and holding everything together.

And yet—this is not just a story of survival.

It’s a story of what happens after the fires begin to quiet… when you realize the land beneath you needs healing too. Alexis opens up about reclaiming her life, rediscovering her strength, and learning that vulnerability is not weakness—it’s power.

This is a conversation about loss, love, resilience, and the courage to rebuild from the ashes.

So take a breath, lean in, and get ready to be inspired.

Because no matter what you’ve walked through… there is always a way forward.

And together, we rise.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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This episode… it hit hard.

Because today, Rachel Giammolva shares something so deeply personal, so honest… that it’s going to make a lot of women feel seen.

Rachel has lost over 100 pounds. By every standard, that’s a transformation the world celebrates.

But what she reveals is something we don’t talk about enough…

Her mind still sees someone she doesn’t love.

Rachel has lived with extreme body dysmorphia—something that didn’t disappear with the weight. And when you hear her story, you begin to understand the depth of that struggle.

She grew up carrying a quiet but painful question: “Why can’t anybody see me?” 
A question shaped by childhood trauma, abandonment, and a lifetime of searching for safety and worth.

Then, at 53, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

And suddenly, everything she had quietly feared about herself… felt real.

She opens up about the loss—not just of her body, but of identity, intimacy, and the parts of herself she’s had to grieve. She talks about being called “strong”… while feeling anything but.

And yet, in the middle of all that pain… she found something unexpected.

She found healing.

She found faith.

She found what she calls daylight—the gold that can only be discovered in the darkest places.

But this episode asks something bigger…

How many women are living like this right now?

How many of us are spending our days—our precious, limited, beautiful days—being hard on ourselves, criticizing the very bodies that have carried us through survival?

How much life are we missing?

Rachel’s story is raw. It’s courageous. And it’s a reminder…

that even when we struggle to see our own worth—

we are still rising.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Today’s story is called “A River Never Ceasing” by Helen Connors—and it is exactly that… a life that keeps moving, keeps flowing, no matter what it encounters.

Helen is someone who doesn’t sit still for long. She moves forward, pushes through, gets things done. But as you’ll hear, when she allowed herself to slow down and tell her story out loud, something unexpected happened.

There was a moment—one she didn’t anticipate—when emotion rose to the surface. It caught her off guard. It was tied to a very early chapter in her life… when her mother left her as a child.

And isn’t that interesting?

How we can carry something for decades—filed away, managed, maybe even minimized—and then suddenly, when we revisit it, it speaks again.

Sometimes our memory banks hold more than just facts… they hold feelings. And those feelings can surface when we least expect it. They can even trigger us.

But here’s the beautiful part—and what makes this story so powerful:

Those emotional responses aren’t something to fear… they’re something to listen to.

Because when we pause and evaluate them, instead of pushing them back down, we gain insight. We gain healing. We gain understanding of the parts of ourselves that are still quietly asking to be seen.

Helen’s story is one of resilience, growth, and perspective—but also a reminder that even the strongest among us have moments that deserve reflection.

She describes herself as a river—shaped by the rocks, but never stopped by them.

And as you listen today, you may just find yourself reflecting on the places in your own life where the current kept moving… even when it was hard.

This is “A River Never Ceasing.”

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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When Kimberly Meyers-Turner sat down for this interview in September 2025, she believed she had survived breast cancer.

After undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstruction, she was celebrating what she thought was the end of a long and difficult journey. Full of faith, hope, and gratitude, Kimberly shared her story believing the battle was behind her.

But just months later, her life would be completely uprooted.

Kimberly began noticing something unusual on the skin near her reconstructed breast—small changes that didn’t seem urgent at first. Like many women, she trusted the system and followed medical guidance. She was referred to a dermatologist, facing a long wait for answers, while cancer cells were quietly continuing their spread beneath the surface.

What was initially believed to be a dermatological issue was later identified as something far more serious: cutaneous metastases, a form of secondary breast cancer that appears in the skin.

By the time the correct diagnosis was made, what might have been a more treatable situation had progressed. Kimberly was given a devastating prognosis—between three months to two years to live.

And yet, Kimberly’s message is not one of fear.

It is one of awareness, advocacy, and urgency.

In this episode, Kimberly shares her story so that other women will know what to look for. While cutaneous metastases are not the most common form of recurrence, they are real, and they can be missed.

Her message is clear:
 If you notice anything unusual—any bump, nodule, rash, or change in the skin on or around your breast after cancer—do not wait. Ask questions. Push for answers. Insist on a biopsy.

Kimberly hopes that by sharing her experience, other women will be empowered to advocate for themselves, catch signs earlier, and potentially change the course of their own story.

This is not just a conversation.
 It’s a warning.
 A lesson.
 And a powerful reminder to trust your instincts.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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What happens when life slowly wears away your sense of worth—and then cancer delivers what feels like the final blow?

In this powerful episode of the Still I Rise Podcast, Lisa sits down with Dina Buscher, who shares her deeply personal story of growing up in a loving Italian family, building a life rooted in strong values, and then slowly losing sight of her own worth through years of painful circumstances.

Dina describes her life using a powerful metaphor: a wooden post carved by the Master Artist—God Himself. Over time, life’s hardships and hurtful voices sanded that post down until she felt like nothing more than dust and shavings.

Then came cancer.

Instead of asking “Why me?” Dina faced the diagnosis with faith—but the emotional weight of the journey revealed something even deeper: who truly stands beside you when life gets hard.

Through her battle with cancer, Dina experienced a profound spiritual awakening. In a moment of worship, she felt God speak to her spirit with the powerful reminder:

“The same power that crushed the enemy lives in you.”

In this episode, Dina shares:

• Her experience navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment
• How painful life experiences can erode our sense of identity
• The role faith and spiritual surrender played in her healing
• The surprising ways cancer helped her rediscover her worth
• Why our value is never defined by circumstances or other people

Dina’s story is a powerful reminder that even when life reduces us to ashes, God is still the Master Artist—and He is never finished with us.

If you’re facing cancer, personal loss, or a season of feeling worn down by life, this conversation will inspire you to remember that your worth was never lost.

Listen now to this moving story of faith, resilience, and rising again.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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 What happens when you are just three months away from celebrating ten years cancer-free… and you hear the words no survivor ever wants to hear again:

“You have cancer.”

In this powerful episode of the Still I Rise Podcast, Lisa sits down with cancer survivor Jeannie Travalini, whose life was turned upside down when cancer returned just before her long-awaited 10-year milestone.

Jeannie shares her deeply personal story of navigating a second diagnosis, the emotional toll of recurrence, and the unexpected ways faith, nature, and resilience carried her through some of life’s darkest moments.

Using the metaphor of weeds in a garden, Jeannie reflects on how life’s toughest challenges—like cancer, loss, and uncertainty—can become the very experiences that shape our strength and growth.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

• The emotional shock of cancer recurrence after nearly a decade
• How faith and spirituality helped her through the hardest moments
• The lifestyle and holistic changes she embraced after her diagnosis
• Finding strength in unexpected places
• Why life’s “weeds” sometimes become our greatest teachers

Jeannie’s story entitled "Weeds that Grow Us"  is raw, honest, and inspiring—a reminder that resilience doesn’t always look perfect. Sometimes it simply means getting up and trying again.

If you or someone you love is navigating breast cancer, cancer survivorship, or recurrence, this episode will remind you that even in life’s hardest seasons, hope can still grow.

Listen now to Jeannie’s powerful story of survival, faith, and rising again.
 

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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In this powerful episode of Still I Rise, Alana Acereto shares her story, “The Darkness and the Light,” a deeply moving reflection on childhood trauma, generational healing, and her journey as a cancer survivor.

For years, Alana sought healing through therapy, trying to untangle the chaos left by early trauma. She shares that participating in Story Crafting was the first process that truly allowed her to release the pain she had carried for decades. While some parts of her story remain sacred and were shared privately within her small group, she chose to tell her public story through powerful metaphor — describing darkness, light, and the courage it takes to break cycles.

When she became a mother, Alana made a defining decision: the shadows of her past would not shape her daughter’s future. That commitment to bring light into darkness carried her not only through trauma recovery, but also through her own battle with cancer.

This episode explores childhood trauma healing, breaking generational cycles, motherhood as protection, cancer survivorship, and the power of storytelling as therapy. It is a testament to the truth that healing does not erase the darkness — it teaches us how to carry light into it.

If you are navigating trauma, illness, or the quiet work of rewriting your story, this episode will remind you: your light matters — even when it flickers.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Some journeys aren’t flat roads — they’re mountains.

Mountains with loose rocks beneath your feet.
 Mountains that make your heart race.
 Mountains that force you to stop, breathe, and pray before taking the next step.

Today’s guest, Maryann Fonseca, describes her life as climbing toward the highest peak — even though she’s afraid of heights. Along the way, she’s heard the echo of her sister’s encouragement, felt the steady love of family, endured abuse, navigated motherhood at nineteen, and leaned on the unwavering support of her husband of 37 years.

Then, in April of 2014, she received the words no woman is ever prepared to hear: breast cancer.

Thirty rounds of radiation. Five years of Tamoxifen. Physical pain. Emotional exhaustion. And yet — that was not the summit.

In 2016, at a retreat in Sedona, something shifted. On a run through the mountains, Maryann experienced a spiritual awakening — a moment she describes as entering a vortex of healing. The woman she had been no longer existed. A new version was born.

Since then, she has run marathons. Founded her wellness company, Colorfull Aura. And committed her life to becoming a light for others — especially women and minority women navigating breast cancer and beyond.

She is no longer climbing in fear.
 She is climbing with purpose.

This is Maryann Fonseca’s story.

Reaching the Peak.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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In this powerful episode of Still I Rise, Maureen Fedge shares her remarkable story of surviving acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as a child — not once, but twice.

Diagnosed at just twelve years old with an aggressive form of leukemia typically seen in adults, Maureen’s carefree childhood quickly shifted from Saturday mornings at City Park to hospital rooms, chemotherapy, and a life-saving cord blood transplant at Duke Hospital. After months in isolation and years of treatment, she was declared cancer-free — only to face recurrence again during her teenage years.

Through faith, resilience, and an unwavering will to live, Maureen fought back. Her journey through childhood cancer shaped her into a woman who now sees her scars — physical and emotional — as proof of strength.

Using the powerful metaphor of a caterpillar entering a cocoon, Maureen reflects on how darkness does not mean defeat. Sometimes it means transformation. Sometimes it means wings are forming.

This episode explores childhood leukemia survival, AML treatment, cord blood transplant recovery, faith during illness, and life after cancer. It is a moving reminder that even in the darkest seasons, hope can rise — and miracles are possible.

If you or someone you love has faced childhood cancer, this story will inspire courage, faith, and the belief that your time to fly may still be ahead.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Life doesn’t come with a single ride.
It comes with twists, drops, music, stillness — and sometimes, pure fear.

When we meet Lauren Micciantuono, she describes her life like an amusement park. Some days are gentle and steady. Some days spin too fast to breathe. And some days feel like walking through a House of Horrors — dark, unpredictable, and heavy with the fear of what might come next.

Lauren is a wife, a mother of two, and a woman who once believed she could manage the ride if she just held on tightly enough. But cancer changed that. It stripped away control and replaced it with uncertainty — forcing her to confront fear, faith, and the courage it takes to keep choosing joy when joy feels risky.

In One Ticket. All the Rides. All the Feels, Lauren shares what it means to live with breast cancer — and now metastatic disease — while learning not to brace for the next drop, but to stay present anyway. Guided by faith, grounded in family, and honest about the tension between hope and fear, her story reminds us that life will always be a mix of rides.

The question isn’t whether the ride will be scary.
 It’s whether we’re brave enough to stay on…
 and sing anyway.

This is Lauren’s rise.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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In this empowering episode of Still I Rise, Crystal Walcott shares her journey through breast cancer, resilience, and the deliberate choice to reclaim joy. Diagnosed after her first mammogram, Crystal’s life shifted in an instant — from a celebration of family, faith, and milestones to navigating surgery, recovery, and life-altering change.

Using the metaphor of a warrior carrying a boulder, Crystal reflects on the emotional weight cancer brings — the fear, grief, and anger — and the strength required to keep moving forward. Through the love of her husband, the humor and wisdom of her children, and a mindset rooted in faith and gratitude, she learned that happiness is not something we wait for — it’s something we choose.

This episode explores life after breast cancer, body image, resilience, motherhood, and what it means to carry your scars with grace. It’s a reminder that while the boulder may never disappear completely, it can grow lighter — and even beautiful — over time.

If you’re walking through cancer, recovery, or a season that feels impossibly heavy, this story will remind you that you are stronger than the weight you carry.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

In this deeply moving episode of Still I Rise, Allison Spampinato shares her story of living with metastatic breast cancer while carrying unimaginable grief, fear, and responsibility. Diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Allison fought through chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation — only to face a devastating turn when the cancer spread to her brain shortly after losing her father to metastatic pancreatic cancer.

As a mother of three, a wife, and a lifelong caregiver, Allison carried far more than illness. She carried grief, expectation, and the unspoken role of being “the strong one” for everyone around her — even after brain surgery and during ongoing chemotherapy.

Using the powerful metaphor of a shield and a trembling sword, Allison reflects on fear, resilience, and the slow, sacred process of learning that strength doesn’t mean doing everything alone. This episode explores stage 4 breast cancer, caregiver burnout, anticipatory grief, and the courage it takes to ask for help.

If you are navigating metastatic cancer, caring for others while silently breaking, or learning how to live alongside fear without letting it consume you, this story will remind you: you are not alone — and strength can be found even when the weight feels unbearable.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

In this powerful episode of Still I Rise, Idun-Cara Byers shares a deeply moving story of resilience, caregiving, and healing after breast cancer. Diagnosed with Stage One Estrogen-Positive Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, Idun-Cara faced years of surgeries, body betrayal, and identity shifts — all while continuing to care for family, build a career, and live fully.

From a childhood shaped by love and resilience, to years of caregiving through ALS and stroke, to reclaiming her body through a transformative DIEP flap reconstruction, this episode explores how scars become symbols of survival rather than loss.

Through the powerful metaphor of an hourglass, Idun-Cara reflects on time, gratitude, and choosing joy over regret. Her story is a reminder that breast cancer does not define us — and that healing is not about erasing scars, but honoring what they represent.

If you’re navigating life after cancer, caregiving burnout, or the quiet work of rebuilding yourself, this episode offers hope, wisdom, and permission to live fully — right now.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Some moments in life change us quietly.
Others crack us open completely.

For Nicole Urbanek, that moment came at just thirty-three, when the life she knew split wide with a breast cancer diagnosis. It wasn’t just her body that changed — it was the way she understood loss, resilience, and who she truly was beneath it all.

Nicole is a teacher, a storyteller, and someone who has known grief long before cancer entered the picture — losing her father at twenty, and her brother just twelve years later. In the classroom, she found purpose and light. In her students, she found a reason to keep showing up, even on her darkest days.

In her Story Crafting piece, Cracked Open, Nicole invites us into a powerful metaphor — a life shaped like a set of nesting dolls. Each layer built from love, memory, heartbreak, and survival. Cancer didn’t destroy her. It revealed her — stripping away the noise and leaving only what truly matters.

This is a story about choosing not to orbit endlessly around what’s lost…
 but reaching inward to find the next version of yourself waiting.

Because when life cracks you open, what you discover inside just might be stronger than you ever imagined.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Some stories are not about how strong we are —
 but about who carried us when we had no strength left.

When we first met Catrina Sullivan, she carried herself with strength —
and with walls.
Walls built over years of heartache.
Of people letting her down.
Of being taken advantage of.
Of learning the hard way that survival sometimes means staying guarded.

Her life has been shaped by battles most people never see —
 childhood trauma, silence in the military, abuse, loss, motherhood carried alone.
 And then, at thirty-nine, a diagnosis that stopped everything —
 Stage Two HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

But as our team circled the wagons around her, something shifted.
Catrina realized the love being offered wasn’t conditional or performative — it was real.
Safe.
Given freely, without expectation.

And still — this is not just a cancer story.

This is a testimony of faith forged in fire.
 Of a woman who kept walking, not because the road was easy,
 but because God never let her walk alone.

In He Carried Me Through the Sand, Catrina reflects on a life marked by struggle and resilience — and the unmistakable presence of God in every chapter. When her strength failed, His did not. When she could no longer stand, He carried her.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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What does it mean to survive when life never gives you time to rest?

In this powerful episode of Still I Rise, Cat Black shares her extraordinary story of surviving breast cancer and leukemia — not once, but twice — while raising two young children. Diagnosed with breast cancer at 36 with a four-year-old and a five-month-old at home, Cat fought not just for herself, but for her family. Just as life began to stabilize, a second diagnosis — leukemia — burned everything down again.

Through hospital isolation, failed chemotherapy, and a life-saving stem cell transplant from a perfect international donor, Cat rose from the ashes — scarred, transformed, and stronger than before.

Using the metaphor of the phoenix, Cat reflects on survival, motherhood, identity, and the relentless fires that shape a woman when she has no choice but to rise. This episode is a testament to maternal strength, resilience, and the quiet sparks that keep us going even in the darkest moments.

If you’ve ever faced cancer, cared for a loved one, or wondered how people survive the unimaginable — this story will stay with you long after the episode ends.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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For more than twenty years, Tara Warner has stood at the bedside of people facing cancer.

As an oncology nurse, she’s walked thousands of patients through diagnosis, treatment, fear, and hope — always reminding them that the mental battle is at least fifty percent of the fight.

But everything shifted when Tara crossed the line from caregiver to patient… when she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer.

In that moment, she saw what the system doesn’t have time to hold — the emotional fallout, the identity loss, the quiet unraveling that happens when life splits in two. Bodies are treated. Diseases are managed. But the mind and spirit are often left to carry the weight alone.

What followed wasn’t just illness — it was awakening.

In her Story Crafting piece, Becoming, Tara shares a life shaped by eruption and rebuilding — storms, loss, and the moment she made a powerful decision:
“I will not rebuild what broke me.”

Not the patterns.
 Not the silence.
 Not the version of life that required her to disappear to survive.

This is a story about choosing a new blueprint.
 About becoming truer instead of tougher.
 About honoring the mind and spirit with the same urgency we give the body.

This is Tara’s rise.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Once upon a time, in a quiet land of shifting skies and whispering winds, lived a girl named Denise.
 In her village, children didn’t build houses from wood or stone — they built them from beliefs.

Denise learned early how to build.
 Be small.
 Be silent.
 Keep the peace.
 Don’t shine too brightly.

So she built carefully. Brick by brick. Approval by approval.
 A house that looked strong on the outside — but never quite felt like home.

She grew, succeeded, achieved… and then one day, a storm arrived.
 A breast cancer diagnosis that shook the foundation and asked the questions she could no longer avoid:
 Am I living the life I want?
And who am I, really?

In the rubble, Denise heard her own voice for the first time — quiet, steady, true — whispering,
 “There’s another way.”

This is the story of rebuilding.
 Of choosing alignment over applause.
 Of learning that worth is not earned — it’s remembered.

Welcome to Still I Rise —
where storms become awakenings,
healing becomes a choice,
and coming home to yourself is the bravest thing you can do.

Welcome to my guest, Denise Whittaker.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Today on Still I Rise, you’re going to meet a woman who describes herself through the image of a firefly—small, steady, and lit from within, flickering even when everything around her feels dark.

Our guest, Dawn Freret, was stepping into a new chapter: rebuilding after a painful divorce, raising her boys, and finding love again—ready to turn 50 and see it as the beginning of the second half of her story. But then a routine mammogram became a biopsy… and in February 2025, Dawn was diagnosed with Stage 2 HER2-positive breast cancer.

Before treatment could begin, her oncologist ordered a standard echocardiogram—just to make sure her heart could handle the drugs. What it revealed stopped everything: an ejection fraction of only 20 percent. Dawn felt fine. She was active. No symptoms. And yet she was in heart failure.

In an instant, she was carrying two diagnoses—breast cancer and congestive heart failure—and her cancer treatment paused before it ever started. For six long months, she had to wait as her heart became the priority, learning a new kind of bravery: trusting her doctors, trusting timing, and allowing people to hold some of the weight.

And along the way, Dawn learned to look for what she calls “glimmers”—tiny sparks of joy, gratitude, and peace that still appear in dark seasons.

This is Dawn’s story entitled "Dancing through the Darknesss".  It's a story of resilience, vulnerability, and hope—of not just surviving the darkness… but learning to light it up and dance through it.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Welcome to Still I Rise, where we celebrate women who have walked through the darkest seasons and found a way to bloom again. Today, we step into the garden of Kathy Cole — a woman whose life has always been rooted in soil, color, and connection. From planting vegetables with her dad to creating Friendship Gardens in every home she’s lived in, Kathy has always believed that growth is something we share.

But in 2020, Kathy’s world shifted into a harsh winter. For months, she couldn’t clear her throat. As a mammographer, she worried — worried she might be sick, worried her coughing would alarm her patients, and worried something deeper was wrong. One sleepless night, guided by instinct, she picked up a flashlight, shined it into her mouth… and saw the tumor that would change everything.

The diagnosis was staggering: spindle-cell/sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma, an extremely rare cancer more commonly found in males and almost never seen in adults. When she finally found a medical team who sort of knew how to treat it, they told her something unimaginable — that they could find only three cases like hers in the entire world.

What followed was a storm of surgeries, chemo, radiation, a tracheostomy, a feeding tube, and 126 days in the hospital during COVID — alone, afraid, and fighting for every breath. And yet, even in that deep winter, hope bloomed. A friend from Hawaii shared a dream of Kathy healed, wrapped with a scripture printed over a yellow dinner-plate dahlia — the flower her father once tended with pride. It became her sign that the garden wasn’t done with her yet.

With the unwavering love of her daughters, Morgan and Miranda, Kathy slowly began to root herself back into life, rebuilding her strength, her voice, and her spirit. And she learned this truth: if something isn’t growing where it is, you can move it… water it… tend it… and choose to bloom again.

This is Kathy’s Garden.
This is how she still rises.

#spindle-cell/sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Some women survive storms.
But Kelli Beckman has weathered entire skies.

For much of her life, Kelli coped by imagining herself tethered to a hot-air balloon, floating safely above the clouds. When joy called—marriage, children, a career—she’d lower her lines and touch the ground. When life hurt, she drifted back up.

But over time, her balloon developed a leak. Divorce, the death of a parent, the loss of a job, and the passing of her best friend all struck at once. And then, at just thirty-six, she heard the words no mother of four—one still a baby—ever expects: cancer. She floated through treatments, surgeries, and fear, praying for the clouds to part. They didn’t. Still, she survived.

Years later, she faced her fiercest storm: stage 4 cancer. Her doctors told her to get her affairs in order. Had she accepted that as her ending, she would have missed the life God still intended for her. She lived to see another Christmas—one she wasn’t expected to reach—and realized she hadn’t gone above the storm. She had gone through it.

One of her greatest lessons came from a friend offering to help. Kelli, fiercely independent, resisted. Her friend gently said, “When God places it on someone’s heart to help you—let them. If you don’t, you’re blocking their blessing.” That truth changed her.

More hardships followed, including the heartbreak of her husband leaving. There were more recurrences, more setbacks—but also more miracles. She watched two sons marry. She heard little voices call her “Grandma.” She saw her youngest begin college. All moments she would have missed… if she had listened to the doctors.

Kelli’s journey reminds us that faith doesn’t always lift us out of the storm—sometimes it strengthens our legs to walk through it.

And no matter how many times life tried to pull her down…

Still, she rises.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Welcome to the Still I Rise Podcast, where we share the stories of women who walk through the unthinkable and rise stronger on the other side.

Today, we’re honored to welcome Michele Rokes—a mother, a school nurse, and a woman whose life changed in an instant. At thirty-six, a routine appointment led to a breast cancer diagnosis. Days later, she discovered she was pregnant. And then, in a heartbreaking turn, she miscarried. The cancer remained.

What followed was a journey she never asked for—surgery, grief, and years of rebuilding. Life slowly brightened again… until, five years later, cancer returned, this time more aggressive than before. Chemotherapy took her hair, her strength, and at times her sense of self. But it never took her hope.

Supported by her family and anchored by the mantra from a beloved children’s book—“We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. We’ve got to go through it”—Michele kept moving, step by step, through fear, pain, and profound love.

Today, she shares how that journey didn’t just lead her to survival—it transformed her.

This is Michele Rokes. And this is Still I Rise.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

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Welcome back to Still I Rise — the podcast that reminds us healing isn’t just about surviving what happened to us, but about rediscovering who we are after.

Today, we meet Kathy Burns, a woman whose story—The Fight of My Life—captures the quiet strength that follows the storm. Like so many survivors, Kathy believed the hardest part was behind her once chemo ended and surgery was over. Surrounded by love from family and friends, she thought she had everything she needed to move forward.

But something was still missing — a space where she could truly exhale. A space where grief could be released, not hidden. Through You Night, Kathy found that space — a sisterhood of women who understood the kind of tired that comes after the fight. Women who didn’t pity her, but got her. Women who held her hand as she began to heal the parts of her heart she hadn’t even realized were still aching.

This is Kathy’s story — a story of faith, courage, and the sacred power of finding your people. Because sometimes, the fight of your life leads you straight into the arms of those who remind you: you never have to rise alone.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Welcome back to Still I Rise — the podcast where stories of resilience remind us that even when life throws us into the steepest drops, faith, courage, and connection can carry us through.

Today’s guest is someone I affectionately call Miss Jackson — a woman whose story is as breathtaking as the ride she’s been on. Dawn Jackson has lived her life on what she calls “the rollercoaster” — a series of climbs, loops, and sudden plunges that tested her faith, her identity, and her strength. From teenage motherhood to two battles with breast cancer, Dawn’s journey is one of grit and grace — but it’s also a story about awakening. About learning that she doesn’t have to earn love to be worthy of it.

What makes Miss Jackson’s story especially powerful is her honesty about what it means to be a Black woman navigating survivorship — often without seeing herself reflected in the support groups or programs around her. Through her voice, she’s creating a bridge — helping other women of color find the information, resources, and sisterhood they deserve. Because no one should face the ride alone.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to reclaim your worth, to rediscover your faith, and to use your pain as purpose. We also talk about the responsibility — and the opportunity — to use your voice to lift others who may feel unseen.

So buckle up. This is the story of a woman who faced the scariest drops, held on through the dark tunnels, and somehow found her peace in the freefall.

This is My Life on the Rollercoaster — with Dawn Jackson.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today on Still I Rise, we meet a woman whose story reminds us that sometimes, life’s most unexpected storms reveal the deepest strength within us.

Before cancer, Alicia walked what she calls “a well-marked trail.” She planned her steps carefully, trusted in her faith, and believed that with enough preparation, she could stay safe and steady. But then came the flood — a sudden, life-altering diagnosis that swept away her sense of control and forced her to face her deepest fears.

What Alicia discovered in that flood was not defeat, but deliverance. She learned that faith isn’t about staying dry — it’s about trusting the One who keeps you afloat when the waters rise. Her story is a testimony of courage, surrender, and gratitude — a reminder that even when life divides us into “before” and “after,” God is faithful through it all.

And there’s something else beautiful about Alicia’s journey — her deep gratitude for her husband, Craig. In a world where illness sometimes divides, Craig stood firm. He became her anchor, her steady companion when the ground gave way. So tonight, as we celebrate Alicia’s story, we also honor the men like Craig — those silent warriors who stand by their women, who love through fear, and whose faithfulness becomes part of the healing itself.

Alicia’s story is called “Fear Is Not My Future,” and her words will leave you believing that even when the floodwaters rise — grace will always carry you through.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

They say you should never judge a book by its cover—and that couldn’t be more true for Louise M. Parks. Like a beautiful rose with thorns, Louise came into the program with her guard up, protective of the strength she’s had to build through a lifetime of challenges.

But as she learned to trust us, we began to see beyond that tough exterior—and discovered a woman full of grit and grace.

When we did her photo shoot, Louise asked if she could hold her motorcycle helmet while wearing her gown. I said, “Heck yeah!” It turned out to be the perfect shot—showing both sides of who she is: the fearless fighter and the elegant, feminine spirit within.

Louise’s name means “female warrior” or “heroine,” and she truly embodies that spirit. From losing her mother at just sixteen, to facing endometriosis, divorce, and later a cancer diagnosis, Louise has confronted life’s hardest battles head-on. Yet through it all, she continues to rise—with courage, gratitude, and love for the woman she’s become.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today’s guest is one of the hardest-working women I’ve ever met — a strong, beautiful mother whose heart for others shines through everything she does. She’s the founder of a nonprofit that delivers care bags to cancer patients, a gesture of love that brings comfort and hope to people when they need it most.

But what truly makes her extraordinary is not just what she does — it’s who she is. Verazonda Walker has faced life’s storms head-on: abuse, heartbreak, loss, and cancer — not once, but twice. And yet, instead of giving up, she learned to dance in the rain. Her story is one of resilience, transformation, and faith — a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, we can still find beauty, purpose, and light.

In her powerful reflection, “Dancing in the Rain,” Verazonda takes us through her journey — from surviving trauma to building a life rooted in gratitude and love; from breaking generational curses to watching butterflies emerge as symbols of renewal. Her story will move you, inspire you, and remind you that healing isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass — it’s about learning to dance through it.

Please welcome… Verazonda Walker.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Denise Poe — a woman who has faced breast cancer three times and continues to stand as a living testimony of faith and resilience. Once an introvert who buried her struggles, Denise found strength in sharing her story, releasing the pain she carried, and embracing the healing power of community.

Through her journey, Denise discovered the truth of Scripture: “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to the one who endures to the end.” Her story reminds us that with God, we can be warriors, conquerors, and overcomers — no matter the battle.

Join us as Denise shares her experiences of family, faith, and survival, and how she has turned every setback into a testimony of victory. This is more than a cancer story — it’s a story of hope, endurance, and living life with gratitude and purpose.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today on Still I Rise, we welcome a woman who is the very definition of grit and grace. Ginger Swaggerty grew up learning resilience in the hardest of circumstances, built a career in the Army and cybersecurity, and faced life’s battles head-on with unwavering strength. But nothing tested her more than hearing the words: Stage 3C ovarian cancer—a disease often called “the silent killer.”

Instead of being silenced, Ginger chose to fight, not only through the storm of chemo, scars, and fear, but by finding her voice and using it to advocate for women everywhere. She reminds us that our bodies are our heroes, that survival is as much about courage as it is about medicine, and that storms—no matter how fierce—can be danced in.

She says it best herself: “I am the storm.”

(Or as she really says it, "I am the F@cking Storm").

Please join me in welcoming a warrior, a survivor, and a woman who is living proof that beauty and strength can coexist in every season of life—Ginger Swaggerty.

#Ovarian Cancer

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today on Still I Rise I’m joined by Hlee Kue— a woman whose story is both heartbreaking and breathtaking. For years she lived by the mantra ‘Be strong all the time. Be a leader and lead, and others will follow.’ It became her armor as she showed up, smiling and producing, even through unimaginable loss.

First came the death of her younger brother — one of her anchors — and before that wound could close, came another blow: a breast cancer diagnosis delivered not in an office, but in a voicemail. In an instant, every role she once held — caregiver, leader, mentor — felt stripped away, leaving only survival.

But in the blackness, she heard a whisper: You are still here. And slowly, wing by wing, tear by tear, she began to rise again. Today, Hlee hovers between two worlds — one where her brother’s laughter still lives and this one, quieter without him. She carries her scars like wings stitched with fire and sky, red and blue, strength and sorrow.

Her story is a living reminder that people carry invisible battles, that you don’t have to be whole to be holy, and that even when grief and illness arrive back-to-back, you can still rise. You’re about to hear from a woman who embodies resilience, vulnerability, and light — and I know her words will stay with you.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today on Still I Rise, I’m honored to welcome Jennifer. Jennifer is living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and she’ll be sharing her powerful journey with us. As a very private person, it wasn’t easy for her to enter into a program that requires so much openness and honesty. But through her experience with cancer, Jennifer has learned to look at life in a completely different way.

She describes her journey like the unfolding of a flower — starting small, then gradually opening until its full beauty is revealed. That image so beautifully captures the courage it takes to let others in, to share the hard parts, and to embrace the support of a community.

Jennifer’s story is about transformation, vulnerability, and the unexpected beauty that can come when we allow ourselves to bloom. I know you’re going to be inspired by her words today.

#GloriaGemmaBreastCancerResourceFoundation #YouNightEvents #WeLiftYouUp #YouNightStoryCrafting #StillIRise

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Welcome back to the Still I Rise Podcast. Today’s guest is someone very special to me—someone who truly embodies everything that You Night was created to be. When Jill Allender first came to us, she was carrying a lot of sadness, as so many women do when they first step into our programs. She bravely joined our summer SPARK program, and that’s where I first saw this tiny seed of hope take root in her life.

And then something beautiful happened. Jill didn’t just participate—she blossomed. She grew stronger and more confident, and she began to discover her own resilience and joy again. From there, she became part of our Class of 2023, and the transformation continued. But what’s so inspiring about Jill is that she didn’t stop there. Once she felt that strength return, she turned around and started planting seeds for other women.

As a Class Director for 2024 and 2025, Jill has poured into our community every single day—checking in on the women, making sure they feel supported, celebrating their victories, and walking with them through their struggles. She has become a leader, a mentor, and an encourager in every sense of the word.

And on a personal note—she has become one of my dearest friends. I’ve watched her journey from sadness to strength, and I can tell you: Jill is the perfect example of the ‘pay it forward’ sisterhood that You Night is all about.

Today, Jill is going to share a story she wrote back in 2023 during our Story Crafting program. We’ll talk about what that story meant to her then, how her life has changed since, and why she continues to give so much of herself to others. I’m so excited for you to hear her heart and her journey.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

In this special episode of Still I Rise, host Lisa McKenzie pulls back the curtain on You Night’s Runway Empowerment Program and the upcoming YOU NIGHT FIGHT CLUB event on Saturday, October 18th at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center on Airline Hwy in Metairie!  Easy to get to, tons of free parking!  It's going to be amazing!

Way more than a fashion show, YOU NIGHT is a celebration where cancer survivors step into the spotlight to share their courage, their joy, and their stories of healing. Lisa reveals the Top 10 reasons you’ll want to be in the audience—from inspiring survivor testimonies and Broadway-level production, to the unforgettable energy that fills the room when a community comes together to cheer for its warriors.

And here’s the best part: this event is open to the public. You don’t have to know anyone on stage to walk away deeply moved and forever inspired. Whether you’re a friend, family member, caregiver, medical professional, or simply someone looking for a night of hope and empowerment—You Night is for you.

Tickets are available now—be part of a night you’ll never forget.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/you-night-2025-runway-show-and-celebration-tickets

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Facing Relapse Anxiety and Scanxiety with Dr. Jimmy Ellis”

For many cancer survivors, finishing treatment doesn’t mean the fear is over. The worry about cancer returning—often called relapse anxiety—can cast a long shadow over daily life. Add in the stress of waiting for scans and test results, and it’s no wonder so many survivors talk about scanxiety.

In this powerful conversation, host Lisa McKenzie sits down with oncologist Dr. Jimmy Ellis to explore:

• Where relapse anxiety comes from and why it’s so common
• Why survivorship has become more complex in recent years
• What “scanxiety” feels like and why waiting for results is so hard
• Practical coping strategies to help manage fear and uncertainty
• The role of financial concerns in fueling anxiety
• The importance of being truly heard by your doctor—and how Dr. Ellis approaches listening with care and compassion

Whether you’re a survivor, a caregiver, or someone who wants to better understand the emotional side of cancer, this episode offers validation, insight, and hope.

We’d love to hear from you! What helps you cope with anxiety or scanxiety? Share your rituals and strategies with us—you never know who you might encourage.

#RelapseAnxiety #Scanxiety #CancerSurvivorship #LifeAfterCancer #CancerSupport #CopingWithCancer #DrJimmyEllis #LCMCHealth #TouroInfirmary #NewOrleansHealthcare #OncologyCare #YouNightSisterhood #StillIRisePodcast #FightClubSurvivors #SheRoseProgram #WeLiftYouUp

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Today, we’re honored to sit down with someone whose hands heal more than bodies—they help mend spirits. Dr. Mark Stalder is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose work in breast reconstruction has changed the lives of countless women navigating their cancer journeys. With practices in both Covington and Mobile, and as a dedicated father of four, Dr. Stalder brings not only surgical expertise to the table but also deep compassion and an unwavering belief in the emotional side of healing.

He’s not just a doctor—he’s a storyteller through his work, a quiet force behind the scenes, and a treasured supporter of You Night. Today, he joins us to share what fuels his passion, how he finds balance, and why programs like You Night are essential in the journey from surviving to thriving.

Let’s get to know the man behind the scalpel—Dr. Mark Stalder.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

In this powerful episode of Still I Rise, husband-and-wife team Michael Holmes and Colette Marietta share both sides of the cancer journey. Michael, a devoted caregiver and Chief Growth Officer at Diagnostic Imaging Services, reflects on the emotional and practical realities of supporting a loved one through countless challenges. Colette, a courageous five-time cancer survivor and one of the longest-living known survivors of the rare adenoid cystic carcinoma, opens up about her decades-long fight, from her first diagnosis at age 17 to life-changing surgeries and ongoing advocacy. Together, they explore the strength it takes to stand by each other, the importance of community through programs like You Night, and the healing power of sharing your story. Their journey is a testament to love, perseverance, and the will to rise—no matter the odds.

#AdenoidCysticCarcinoma
 #RareCancerAwareness
 #ACCWarrior
 #LongestLivingSurvivor
 #RareCancerSurvivor
 #CancerAdvocacy
 #RareButReal
 #FightingRareCancers
 #ACCSurvivor
 #RareCancerSupport

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

In this powerful episode, the Still I Rise Podcast host, Lisa McKenzie shares the deeply personal story that led to the creation of Story Crafting — a therapeutic writing journey born out of grief, healing, and the need to make sense of life’s most painful chapters.

You'll hear how Story Crafting has helped women from all walks of life reclaim their narratives, find beauty in the brokenness, and write their way toward healing. Lisa has previously posted two of her own stories ("A Cinderella Story" and "Giants") and today she introduces her newest and most vulnerable piece yet, titled SALT.

Salt explores what happens when women carry their pain like armor — how we become hardened, calcified, when we keep looking backward. But through the act of telling our stories, we soften. We release. We heal.

This episode is an invitation — to listen, to reflect, and maybe even to write your own way forward.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM

https://www.scartevents.com/

A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars.

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM

Winning idea of the 2020 Astellas Oncology C3 (Changing Cancer Care) Prize

https://www.younightevents.com/

In this powerful new episode, @thedrsheliarivers shares her journey from surviving trauma and raising five children as a teen mom to becoming a respected therapist and founder of a thriving mental health practice. She offers deeply personal insights on healing, storytelling, and the importance of putting yourself first—without guilt.

“What’s in the cup is for you. What spills over is for everyone else.”

Now streaming on Still I Rise.

Follow Dr. Shelia Rivers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-shelia-rivers-dsw-lcsw-mph-53b5ba19/
https://www.riverspsychotherapyservices.com/
https://www.instagram.com/riverspsychotherapy/
https://www.instagram.com/thedrsheliarivers

#AskTheExpert #StillIRise #MentalHealthMatters #WomensHealth #TraumaSupport #StoryCrafting #ScART #HealingThroughArt #thedrsheliarivers

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Take Two revisits Kelly Gilheeney’s heartfelt story — a powerful reflection on survival, transformation, and facing breast cancer not once, but twice. Nearly two years after her first recording, Kelly opens up about her second diagnosis, the emotional toll of treatment, and how art, storytelling, and community helped her find light again.

From black clouds to red dresses, this is a journey of strength, grace, and the healing power of connection.

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM

www.scartevents.com

A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars.

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM

www.younightevents.com

Winning idea of the 2020 Astellas International C3Prize — helping women turn their pain into purpose through storytelling.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Take Two revisits Kerri Victorio’s powerful story — a journey of healing, reflection, and rediscovery two years after her first recording. From cancer to clarity, Kerri shares how her “mystery ride” continues with purpose, strength, and hope.

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM https://www.scartevents.com/
A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars.

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astellas International C3Prize.
https://www.younightevents.com/

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Take Two revisits Sandra’s unforgettable story — a moving reunion filled with fresh insights, heartfelt moments, and powerful hope.

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM (https://www.scartevents.com/) A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astella's International C3Prize.
https://www.younightevents.com/

Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
https://www.gloriagemma.org/

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM www.scartevents.com

A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 the Astellas Oncology C3 Changing Cancer Care Prize www.younightevents.com

In this powerful new episode, Dr. Vera Hendrix shares expert insights on cancer care, fertility, survivorship, and what it means to support others while navigating her own journey.

“Other people have done this, and there’s no reason why you cannot do this.”

Now streaming on Still I Rise.

Reach out to Dr. Vera Hendrix to learn more https://marybird.org/doctor/hendrix/

#AskTheExpert #StillIRise #BreastCancerCare #WomensHealth #CancerSupport #MedicalPerspective #VeraHendrixMD

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Take Two is the powerful follow-up to Sandra’s viral story — a reunion filled with new revelations, raw emotion, and hope.

🎥 1st interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F86VsyYyves

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM http://www.scartevents.com/

A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astella's International C3Prize http://www.younightevents.com/

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Take Two is the powerful follow-up to Alison’s viral story — a reunion filled with new revelations, raw emotion, and hope. 1st interview here: 

https://youtu.be/NdYx1WFfk9Q?si=i3QOjwIImrO9qILq

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM (www.scartevents.com) A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astella's International C3Prize.
www.younightevents.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM (www.scartevents.com) A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astella's International C3Prize. www.younightevents.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM https://www.scartevents.com/ A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astella's International C3Prize.
https://www.younightevents.com/

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM (www.scartevents.com) A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astella's International C3Prize. www.younightevents.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

In 2022, Cheryl Walsh was diagnosed with breast cancer after five years of unimaginable loss — losing her farm, her income, her stability, and nearly her husband. Just as she began treatment, she lost her sister-in-law to cancer too. But through it all, Cheryl found strength she didn’t know she had. With the support of the Gloria Gemma Foundation, the SheRoes program, and the powerful sisterhood she discovered, Cheryl began to rise from the ashes — like the phoenix she now calls her symbol.

This is a story of survival, grief, healing, and rediscovering purpose. If you’re facing cancer, caring for a loved one, or navigating life after trauma, Cheryl’s journey is a powerful reminder: even when life burns you to the ground, you can rise again.

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM (www.scartevents.com) A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars
STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astella's International C3Prize.
www.younightevents.com

Follow Still I Rise on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/the_still_i_rise_podcast/

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

"In May of 2023, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast. After losing both my parents and my husband, I thought I'd faced my share of grief—but cancer brought a new challenge. With the strength of my children, my support system, and the incredible women in the SheRoes program, I made it through. This is my story of unexpected friendship, healing, and the resilience that carried me through. If you're facing cancer or supporting someone who is, know this: you're stronger than you think, and you're never alone.”

ScART: SCAR ART PAINTING PROGRAM: https://www.scartevents.com/
A healing arts program designed to help women find strength in their emotional or surgical scars

STORY CRAFTING PROGRAM: Winning idea of the 2020 Astella's International C3Prize.
https://www.younightevents.com/

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

"At 51, I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer—one tumor was aggressive triple-negative, the other estrogen-positive. My journey was filled with challenges, but 18 years later, I stand here cancer-free. This is my story of faith, resilience, and the people who supported me along the way. If you're battling cancer or know someone who is, know that hope is real, and you're not alone."

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast so that you can be inspired by future interviews! 

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Here's an excerpt from Kristine's story:

"In December 2022, another massive tsunami came, knocking everything down in its path. Here comes cancer and all the feelings you don’t want to have at 40. Feelings of scared, nervousness, the unknown, sadness and trauma barreling at her full speed. Pain is what crashed into her first and she tried to swim. White caps started to appear at every angle and there was no way to swim around them; there were scans, biopsies, chemo that left her with feelings of anger, hopelessness and made her tired and weak. She pushed past using support and wisdom from her fans. Months and months of swimming around the dangerous white caps and next came the bi-lateral mastectomy and exchange surgery. While learning how to stay above the water with one storm at a time, the boat filled with love and support stayed right by her side.

Her husband as the captain and her 15-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son as the co-captains. They were ready to give her the support that she needed but when she could not love herself, it was hard to let anyone close. The wave of ugly and embarrassment crashed over with every “you look great” whisper in the wind. She was fighting not just on the outside where they could physically see, but on the inside where her thoughts were on repeat. 

One day, test results came floating by with positive news that she was free of cancer. She yelled for the lifeboat and she quickly pulled her tired body out of the water. With time to rest, she rode the lifeboat past the rocks and back into the calmness of the ocean. While focusing on her breath, she made her way to the sand where hope, love and support were waiting with open arms."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

In this interview and story, Joy shares how You Night's Story Crafting program helped her break free from the mental gymnastics she was having over the subject matter of friendships that end with betrayal.  We've all been there...where relationships that we form can unexpectedly turn into negative experiences, often leading us to scratch our heads as to what went wrong.  Joy talks about how that can feel like the sting of a bee when that happens, but shares that the bee stings have resulted in more of a butterfly effect where those stings forced her to grow, and like a butterfly, spread her wings and fly.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Here's a partial transcript of the interview.  Lu was on an oxygen tank at the time of this interview and it might be hard to make out all of her words.  

My name is Lutricia Milton. I am the last of ten children. I was born November 5th, 1970 at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. As far as I can remember, I had a good childhood. My mother sent my siblings and I to Mississippi to spend the summer with our grandparents. I enjoyed spending the summer with my grandparents. I learned most of my values unknown color. I learned most of my values and beliefs and Christianity from from them. Every morning we had to wake up to the sound of the rooster crow, make our bed, sweep the floors. Then we would rush out tea, wash our face, and sit at the table for breakfast. My grandmother would have breakfast ready for us Christians grits, eggs, bacon, sausage, homemade biscuit syrup and orange juice. And you could tell. I remember all of that. I remember we all had to say a Bible verse. We. For what we ate and had to give thanks to God. This was my life. Well, you know, childhood until I was 15 years old. Um, when I was 15 years old, I became pregnant and was too ashamed to tell my parents. So I went to Mississippi and apparently couldn't hide it from my grandparents either. So I went home to face the music. Um, I had an 8 pound, seven ounce baby girl on January 6th, 1987. I named her Alexis Dominique Nelson. She was the most beautiful baby that I ever seen. After having Alexis, I dropped out of high school because I was completely overwhelmed with life. Within 18 months later, I had another beautiful girl. I listened to Mitrice Nelson. She was 6 pounds when I when I was. I then realized I had to move out of my parent's home, and I applied for low income apartment and was approved to. I was 22 years old. I had no income from working and two babies to take care of. It seems as if my life is falling out of control. I enrolled in college. I received my Associate of Arts degree from Delgado Community College in 1996. Um, I havebeen. Two years later, my son was born Alonzo DeMarcus Milton. He was such a handsome and cute baby boy. I felt that I was finished with having kids after him. Then I met his father. In a year of his 8  pound 6oz was born. She was healthy. A healthy, beautiful baby girl. We were married for 20 years. He had his moments and so did I. 

To see the entire transcript, visit You Night's Story Crafting Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Dr. Leslie's story:

"I realized life had changed and everyone had moved on. It was time to let go. There are no parents to approve or disapprove of my choices. Who I am, choices I make, my views of the world and desires for the future are mine alone to decide.

This is my time and I’m not afraid. Rarely have I stopped and thought about being alone or even the prospect of dying. I have no time for nonsense, have always abhorred drama, and never waste energy on it. Anyone who knows me well has heard me say no amount of worrying will change things. It is what it is.

I’ve learned being vulnerable and accepting help isn’t weakness. Armoring up results in anger and hurt so heavy it suffocates. Who I am, what I believe, and how I live, is not up for discussion. Others’ opinions no longer have no weight. All the made up ‘rules’ are fading as is the pressure to maintain an image. The strength, warmth, and comfort of the fire that burns inside will light the way."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Sharon's story:

"With my diagnosis, I was fortunate in the sense that although having cancer was scary, it was stage one, could be treated and that would hopefully be the end of it. I didn’t need chemo or radiation. I look back on that time in my life and it’s a blur. Between all of my appointments, helping my kids and everything else, I don’t remember much. Maybe it’s my body’s way of protecting me from what I went through - I don’t know. What I do know is that my family inspires me every day to be a better person - to handle difficult situations with grace and humor and to find some joy in every day.

In the beginning of my story, I was in the dark blue water and unable to reach the surface. There was also this awful dark cloud that I felt was over my family. Now, after some reflection, I realize the dark cloud was a passing storm and although other storms have come my way, they haven’t stayed forever. Having cancer changed me as a woman and as a person. It changed how I see the world and my attitude about everything. 

My wisdom for the world:

• Don’t neglect your health or put off appointments
• Allow yourself to be photographed 
• Mental health is just as important as physical health 
• Find a therapist you trust"

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Pam's Story:

"There’s a new energy in the air making watching a summer thunderstorm magical. Hot water vapor in the air hugs my skin and drapes my body in a loving embrace, honeysuckle summer air, and living alongside loving people with good food, laughter, and joy is my new normal. It’s a lens few can see through, a perspective shift I’m privileged to enjoy the rest of my life.

Different, what I see and feel now embodies love and peace. Looking back, I remember what happened last year, sick with heartache as it was bred by intoxication with the present. I’m sad Mom passed, but I’m smiling because what we had is as rare as a four-leaf clover.

Today the water is calm at the ocean’s edge. So, if the whole world is shaking and nothing feels right, know wherever I am no matter how far, I’ll never fail to navigate the waters and feel empowered at its embrace. Today I found a piece of home at my ocean’s edge. Although it’s scary and I may have rather spent my summer in a place that doesn’t get stormy weather, I dive in and taste its salty specialness.

From my ocean’s edge to yours:

XO - P"

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Jessica's story:

Navigating adulthood, motherhood, and cancer, I learned to find solace in my children – Dalton, McDermott, and Olympia – whose vibrant personalities and bountiful love filled my life with joy and purpose, even amid the turmoil of illness. My husband Michael's quiet strength balanced my

anxious nature, and our family bond became a source of balance.

The rest of my family also provided (Mom Norah, Dad Tony, sister Vanessa, sister Emily and brother-in-law Paul) unwavering support and were instrumental in my determination. They never left my side, held me when I cried, and helped me find laughter when I thought it impossible. My mother especially became my caretaker, confidante, and personal chauffeur. We somehow found adventure and inside jokes (isn’t this fun?) as we navigated my cancer road together.My dearest friends were a source of blessings as well.

Furthermore, I was inspired by the resilience of others, like Nicky Newman, a stage-4 breast cancer warrior, whose zest for life despite terminal illness resonated deeply with me even though we didn’t share diagnoses. I adopted her mantra to "Go Grab Life." Nicky's legacy reminded me to cherish every moment, and live life to its fullest.

Today, I stand not as quicksand but as the mighty sea – powerful, serene, and capable of weathering life’s storms while embracing its joys. My journey with cancer has taught me the importance of living in the present, of finding beauty in everyday moments, and of nurturing resilience in the face of adversity.

Reflecting on my experience, I realize that while cancer imposed profound challenges, it also offered moments of introspection and growth. I've learned to navigate life with a renewed perspective, acknowledging that every situation possesses multiple angles, and that amidst hardship, there is room for joy, hope, and gratitude.

If I could distill my journey into wisdom for others, it would be to seize life with both hands, to cherish the present moment, and to nurture your inner positivity, strength and gratitude. Cancer has reshaped my life, not by altering my essence, but by reinforcing my capacity to embrace life with courage and optimism."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Patti's Story:

"After 16 years of peaceful seas and recovery, another tidal wave hit me hard when Wayne passed away from lung cancer. Waves hit me constantly for the first year after his death, sometimes gently but other times with much force. Drawing from my Al-Anon recovery, I was able to express my grief and find acceptance. Gently, the waves moved me forward with new job opportunities, adventurous European vacations, my oldest daughter's marriage, which expanded our family with a loving son-in-law and grandson, and years of quiet seas.

Unexpectedly, in November 2023, a tsunami hit me! I had an abnormal mammogram, and after extensive tests, I found out that I had breast cancer. It was my worst nightmare come true! "First, I was afraid, I was petrified … but then I grew strong … It took all my strength not to fall apart … but no, not I, I will survive!" These are words from an old favorite song describing my feelings about this news. Waiting for the specifics was the hardest. However, the storm quickly lessened as the surgeon and his staff were incredible, giving me and my family hope, encouragement, and excellent care.

Having my family and friends encircle me on this journey has been priceless. I know my recovery in Al-Anon aided me through this storm. The first step reminds me that I am powerless. God is in control. Placing my trust in God has given me the fortitude to get through all the treatments, worries, and anxiety of my cancer journey. I'm learning to survive the swells! I've reached new levels of self-discovery. I'm now floating on the waves by reaching out to others nearby rather than being smashed ashore in other seas of my life. I'm receiving care and love from the SheRose group and extending my hand to give hope and courage to others in similar seas. I've learned the value of support and that I don't have to do this alone. Cancer has given me a new perspective on life - seeing what is truly important, being at peace with myself, living in the moment, and accepting all the waves in my life, gentle or raging. I am a cancer survivor, but this is not the end of my story, as I have opened my sails to new adventures."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Lisa's story:

"The guiding light of my family is helping me through. I know they are as afraid as I am, but they do not let me see their fears. The tables turned and they have become my cheerleaders. From the fun, silly party in my honor the night before surgery to the hand holding through each chemo session, they made me smile. They made me fight harder than I believed I could. And they continue to be my source of strength as I navigate the post-treatment portion of this yellow brick road. I also have a 3-month-old grandchild now which has given me even more to fight for.

My family has grown recently with the addition of my pink sister community who continually show me compassion, empathy and share success stories to help with my struggle. My guess is that they do not realize how much they have positively impacted me. The love, laughter and tears at times have taught me lessons that are invaluable to reaching my goal of living each second of every day in joy. 

Although I am still working on letting go of fear, I am having more good days than bad, and I allow myself grace if I slip into darkness for a bit. I feel I can see Emerald City and am ready to click my heels three times, however my slippers will be pink instead of red."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Pam's Story:

"While this is one of the hardest moments of my life, there are some beautiful chapters in between. At the age of 24, I married my husband and had two amazing children. In my experience some people become their past and carry on the behavior in which they were raised or they become the exact opposite. I chose the latter. I made it my mission to be the best wife and mother I could be and to give my children a life that I only dreamed of. I made it to nearly every football game, dance competition, softball game, and every academic ceremony. My children are grown now, both are college graduates, and my daughter recently got married. My children have always been my world and will continue to be. 

A word, a date, and a place rewrote my expectations for chapter 55. I was driving home and received a call from my doctor. I didn’t know that this would be another life changing call. She asked me to pull over and she uttered the words, “You have cancer.” The word cancer has boundless meanings for everyone, and my mind was filled with racing thoughts. Thankfully, I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. I told my husband and children about my diagnosis, but I tried to hide the fear. I kept myself busy trying not to think of all the possible outcomes. However, the Lord saw my tears at night and heard my every prayer. 

March 14th of 2024 was the day I had my double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery. My family will now say how scared they all were because they didn’t know the extent of the surgery. I woke up in room 3012, ten hours later with two of those hours in recovery trying to stabilize my blood pressure. I don’t really remember anything from the first few days except for the pain. I have truly never been in pain like that, and it was jarring looking at my body for the first time with so many connecting scars that looked like a road map. Thankfully, a week later I was told that my cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes and that I did not have to have radiation or chemotherapy. I do, however, have to take medication for five years since the cancer was estrogen receptive. While the side effects are challenging, I am grateful that most of my racing thoughts did not come true. 

Since then, I have physically recovered, but I am still working on my emotional recovery. I am so thankful to have a loving family and a Savior that never left my side. Another source of comfort has been being a part of the Sheroes group. I have met the most resilient, brave, and strong women that are actually real-life superheroes. They help me to see the silver lining and to know my book isn’t over."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Brenda's story:

"In navigating through life’s turbulent waters, where uncertainty clouded my path, my girls were my beacons of light amid the storm. They guided me towards my purpose when I didn’t think I had one. Amanda and Caitlin will always be my every heartbeat, my every breath, my two reasons, my shining lights, my entire world. 

Today, our team of three has grown and I am the luckiest mommy and mimi on this planet. My family is and always will be my beacon of love, hope, positivity, and light. My faith also helped me immensely. God’s power can make things that seem impossible possible. I am truly blessed.

The lesson? Persevere through the pain and swim toward victory over those things that stand against you. Life is a struggle. It is a continuing battle, and it takes perseverance to go the distance. As a result of my cancer journey, I am stronger than I was before. I’m not saying that I don’t worry about the cancer returning, but I am eternally thankful for each new day I am given. I realize every day is a gift. I try to follow the simple advice of my favorite Disney fish, Dory, “Just keep swimming!” 

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Sunny's story:

"I would have to say that one of the biggest wakeup call in my life is when I went through a divorce from my husband of 23 ½ years and was the father of my 3 children I had suspected that he was having an affair and my suspicions were right. All I could think of was, here is the second man in my life that has chosen to abandon me.

There were myriads of emotions. I was angry and frustrated because I couldn’t control the situation and I couldn’t make him come back. It seemed so easy for him to just let me and the kids go. I felt like I had been punched in the gut and I couldn’t breathe.

The first 2 years were awful. The kids were so angry at their dad that they refused to see him or talk to him. I was a basket case trying to deal with my own feelings and emotions. I was becoming more and more depressed and anxious. I had very little money. I went to work and drank and smoked in the evening. Not a very pretty existence. But then the waters calmed down and I was able to feel capable and competent.

Until last year when I was diagnosed breast cancer diagnosis, was laid off work and then decided to retire. As you might expect the pain of my divorce went away but the depression and anxiety were back in full force. A lot to take in and process. I went back to seeing a therapist to help process the many changes. And that’s where we are today.

So, like the water, there will be days with depression and anxiety and the water will be churned up but then the wonderful calm will come over you and the waves will softly reach the shore and disappear."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Melissa's story:

"Once we got home, I decided that was the moment I needed to tell her. Looking into her innocent blue eyes looking up at me made me realize that I needed to be as strong as I possibly could, and that I needed to fight with everything I had so I could be here and watch her grow up. I truly believe that my mom was sitting next to me on the couch at that moment and was holding my hand while I explained to my daughter that I was sick, and that life was going to be very different from here on out. 

After explaining to her what was going on, I felt a calmness, yet I was also shaking. This moment was the first time I felt like I could beat this and show strength while doing it. My mom had a sign on her hospital door that read Positive Mental Attitude and you were not allowed in without it. I would often remind myself of this each time I felt like I was losing my positivity and starting to go down the wrong path. Knowing what it was like watching my mom in so much pain and that helpless feeling also gave me the strength to fight because I didn’t want my daughter to have these same memories. Shoveling dirt on a wooden casket and having to visit a stone instead of seeing my mom in person, was not the journey I wanted for my daughter.

I realized that once I was diagnosed, I was still on a rollercoaster but this time I was a little more in control because this time I was the mom, and I had a daughter to protect and stay alive for. I realized that instead of the wooden one, I was now riding Hagrid’s roller coaster. I was in the motorcycle seat and Public and my daughter were in the side car. She’s along for my journey like I was for my mom, and as much as I was scared and nervous over every hill, I knew she was safe. Instead of her knowing how nervous I was inside, I smiled and laughed with her to show her comfort and joy. It was always important to me to show her how to find joy in every situation and to celebrate every bump, hill, twist and turn even when you’re scared, and feel completely out of control."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Britta's story: 

"But, no one wins a war alone. I did have a lot of support from others while going through this arduous time. My husband, daughter, family, and friends supported me through the battles of chemotherapy and my surgery. Neighbors sent food and messages that meant a lot to me and kept me going. What I want others to know is that sometimes life will find a way to knock you down, but you can get back up.  On the other end was a doctor who called to tell me that I had not one, but two cancerous lumps in my breast and it was aggressive. Everything the doctor said after that sounded like the aftermath of a bomb that exploded. Everyone talking seemed muffled, but you can even get back up and strut on a runway in October."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Kara's story:

"I continued living wild and free. I traveled, I visited many places and experienced many things. I met my life partner and settled down again. Everything was great until it wasn’t. I received a call from my mother that my dad had a heart attack, and I ran as fast as I could back home. My dad did not make it. We lost him this time. I lost my confidante, and I had no idea what to do. I decided to do what my dad would have wanted. I became the family confidante. I was the one my family turned to for help and advice. My dad and I were so remarkably similar that everyone knew they could come to me. But who could I turn to? Where could I go? Who would take care of me? 

Nine months later, I would face the scariest journey I had ever taken. I was told I had triple negative breast cancer just before my youngest son’s first birthday. I learned later it is one of the most aggressive forms and there are limited options for treatment. I once again became the wild horse that would do things her way. I was bullied by the doctors, they tried to instill fear into me. They wanted me to do treatment their way, but I wouldn’t allow it. I knew better. I knew my body. I elected to pursue integrative medicine. If I had to do conventional for  the sake of my children, then I would incorporate holistic as well. I did what I wanted on my terms. I healed myself, mind – body-spirit. I made all my decisions based on my overall survival, not fear. I never asked God why this happened to me? I knew there was a purpose, a reason for all of this and what I had to endure. Though I may not have understood it, I knew it served a purpose. 

So, off I went into the wild. My son is now 6 years old, I am 5 years cancer free, and I do not regret any of my decisions. I believe my wild horse spirit is here to heal and help others."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from her story:

"Throughout my cancer journey, music has been my constant companion, guiding me through the darkest moments and lifting my spirits when all seemed lost. The lyrics of “Lean on Me” became a lifeline, reminding me that I was not alone.

As I emerged from the depths of treatment, I realized that my life had been transformed into a triumphant symphony. The cancer had not broken me; it had made me stronger, wiser, and more resilient. 

Reflecting on my life’s soundtrack, I am grateful for the melodies shaping my experiences. The songs of Motown and Christianity have become the soundtrack of my resilience, my triumph, and my unwavering faith. They have reminded me that even when the notes are low and the lyrics are heartbreaking, there is always hope for a beautiful symphony to emerge. 

And so, the soundtrack of my life continues to play, each song a testament to the power of the human spirit, the healing nature of music, and the transformative love of God. 

Today, “Take Me to the King” stands as a testament to the power of hope, perseverance, and the healing embrace of Christian music. My soundtrack has evolved into a beautiful symphony that will continue to play, inspiring me and others to face life’s challenges with courage and grace."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Nelia's Story:

"Amidst the barrage of treatments and doctor’s visits, there lies a quiet, unyielding force that propelled me to move forward. It was not found in the sterile halls of the hospital or the vast expanse of online medical literature. It was in the gentle, reassuring grip of my husband’s hand, the one that had not loosened since the day the words, “you have cancer” disrupted our lives. His unspoken promise that this was just another obstacle we had to overcome together. Steve’s unwavering support was my haven, and my fears were met with hope.

And then there are my children - Cassandra, Alexander, and Sophie Angelina - each a unique beacon of light in the darkest times. The fear of leaving them behind haunted the corners of my mind, a quiet whisper in the night that threatened to unravel me. Yet, it is this very fear that kindled the fire within me, a flame of determination that could not be extinguished. My children are the anchors that tether me to this world, the reasons I fight this battle with every ounce of my strength. 

In the intricate mosaic that is my life’s stained-glass window, every fragment represents a cherished story or a treasured memory. The love and resilience of my family are infused in each luminous silhouette. United, we form an exquisite work of art, born of affection and an unbreakable connection. Along with the sunlight, we embrace the darkness, for both illuminate the profound beauty of our familial bond."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Anna's story:

"Like a runner rounding the bases, I celebrated each small victory along the way. I cherished the moments of normalcy, the laughter and love that filled my home. I found solace in writing, pouring my heart into a memoir that would one day inspire others who were facing their battles.

The support of my family and friends has been my dugout, a sanctuary where I can rest and recharge. They are my cheerleaders, my coaches, and my teammates. Together, we form an

unbreakable bond, a team that will not be defeated. The journey has been arduous, filled with both triumphs and setbacks. But through it all, I have learned the importance of resilience, perseverance, and faith. Like a baseball game, life is unpredictable. There will be times when we strike out and times when we hit the ball out of the park. But it is in the face of adversity that we discover our true strength and purpose.

I am filled with gratitude for the many lessons I have learned. I have learned the importance of determination, the power of faith, and the transformative nature of love. I have learned that even in the face of adversity, we can rise above our circumstances and become a source of inspiration for others. For in the grand scheme of life, it is not the number of home runs we hit that matters, but the way we play the game."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Kayla's Story:

"I had watched as matriarchs of my family received diagnoses of their own years earlier, well-on into their 70’s. I witnessed the toll treatments took and the way they rose to the occasion, each in her own way. Both reminding me that with the right amount of grit and grace, anything in life is possible.

5 years. 5 years since this journey began. 5 years ago marks my “before.” Today I’m still navigating through my “after” and “tomorrow” and balancing being present to soak in my “here and now.”

While cancer does not define who I am, it has, very much, become the fabric of my being. Something I will forever recognize, discuss, celebrate and grieve milestones of. 

The reflection is clearer now. Just like the mirror, she has layers. A deep, dark, layer holding close to my inner thoughts and fears. Next, a reflective coating. Taking the best moments and lessons and showing them to me in the most beautiful way possible. And lastly, the glass. This glass is stronger now, having been forged through fire. This glass has been tempered by the heat. Meant to withstand. Just like the woman staring back at me. 

Deep down there are ashes swirling around themselves, ready to resurrect, to rise again. She will never be the same again. Thrown into the dark, walking straight into the fire, her wings are spreading. Illuminating the way. “For what is to give light, endure the burning.”

I am standing in the ashes of who I used to be. I am Kayla. Strong, resilient, wholehearted. I am not scared of the fire. I am the fire."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Adrianne's story:

"After surgery, and surgery and then another surgery, I had this feeling of, “Will it ever just end? How will I be able to get back to my old self and when will I feel and look ‘normal’ again?” I had run a ½ marathon just 4 months after my first initial surgery release date but, I wasn’t myself yet. I had tons of compliments and friends telling me how great and, such I had appeared on the outside…. But really, it was from the shoulders up that I was longing to have back to myself. Then, my now 10 year old daughter knocked me back into reality when at my 1 year mark she made me realize that the “New Me”, was the “Old Me” – just cancer free and even better because I was here – ALIVE. I had slowed down, learned to take time, literally stopped to smell the roses, appreciated who I spent my time with, stopped telling everyone “yes” before I told myself and my family “yes” and just relaxed a bit. I will forever be in Sylvia’s debt for what she has done for me – she will never know her true strength and super power.

Lastly, the wisdom I hope to share is that diagnosed or not – just use your time here on Earth wisely. Spend it with those you love and do things that make you happy. If you want to volunteer, do it. If you want to travel, do it. If you don’t love your job – get a new one. Find something that MAKES YOU HAPPY! Life really is short and we don’t know when it will be over. Enjoy life and be sure you have no regrets! I can tell you that I make the choice every single day to be happy and spend my days with folks I love and doing projects and ideas that make me feel better about my life. Just go for it – because you have nothing to lose and everything amazing to gain! Hell, you may just end up on a runway one day!"

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Amber's Story:

"Cancer took everything from me which has left me in a position to relearn everything anew. I have learned that if I can survive depression while battling cancer, I can overcome just about anything. I emerged from this battle more confident in my ability to navigate my mental health. The tree that had lost all its branches and leaves has started to show new life. I am a lot stronger and more resilient than I could have ever imagined. I hope my tree, one day, can provide shade and shelter for others. Most importantly, I’ve come to realize I’m not that solitary tree, I am part of a forest."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Debi's story:

"With his help, I stayed healthy throughout my chemo swim. This first transition was such a wonderful break from seeing so many doctors and lab work to some weeks of no appointments at all. I kept looking at my portal thinking I was missing something! My body progressed to where there would be no delay for surgery. A sense of peace and calmness came across me before surgery. I knew I had this with God’s help and many prayers. Just like the time I was fairly new at biking. A group of us went on a ride and as usual, I was the last to make it to the rest stop. This time it was harder than normal, but I never gave up. 

After a little inspection of my bike, we realized my front wheel brakes were on. It was like looking out of the hospital window the day of my surgery and seeing God’s beautiful rainbow He painted showing me grace. I’ve concluded that no matter how hard an obstacle is, it can be
overcome. This has truly been the hardest ride so far, but I made it with the help of my husband and sister’s loving care along with all the doctors, nurses, and staff.

I’m currently in my second transition of recovery waiting to start radiation. It’s very hard, but I did it! My new normal is ok and I’ll be fine. Take what you’re given, make the most of it, and don’t look back in hopes of things changing. While I have not completed my journey as of this writing, the unknown of my “normal” still lies ahead. I will make it to the finish line a winner. I’ve got this!"

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebo

You can also find the video version of this story on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdiqPH-w1iWHUiC4yfgecTIlr703lqw57&si=Ai8lVX93vYJsGDJP

You can also follow us on our Story Crafting Community page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Heather's Story:

"I found myself closer to Jesus and God, but drifting away from the church. I got on my knees once again, prayed, and cried for answers. My prayers were answered; a cancer nurse named Jamie, at the infusion center in New Orleans, saw me struggling and encouraged me to apply for You Night. I was not ready then, but I was ready in 2020, when unsure and unsteady, I said yes to the program.

You Night gave me cancer sisters, my pack of mighty golden phoenix warriors. Through them I learned how to love myself, gain confidence, find my voice, and strut my stuff. I was becoming the me that was hidden inside waiting to burst out. With the support of these mighty phoenixes, God, and my village I found the strength to leave my doctors, my safety net, all I knew in New Orleans, and relocate to Rhode Island.

The phoenix is a symbol of hope and rebirth. Through this, I learned pain can either burn you up and destroy you leaving you in despair, or it can burn you up and redeem you, filling your heart with love and gratitude. It is up to you to make the choice.

The gilded cage has melted into smoldering embers. My wings are healed, beige feathers replaced with scarlet red, gold, blue, purple, and green. I have burst into flames, reborn, rising from the ashes, flicking off the remaining flames, soaring high into the beautiful blue sky, living my life fully, and saying yes to every adventure and opportunity that comes my way."

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Hello everyone!
I wanted to come on with a special message today to check in and share info about our programs and a special project I'm working on.

The Chalkboard Challenge is faith-based exercise where you take a chalkboard (or journal) and everyday you wake up and write a dash and say, "I trust you, God!".  Listen in to this podcast to learn more about why this is really effective.

I'm making the chalkboards available for purchase!  Order by December 1st to get in time for the New Year! 

ORDER FORM:  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/i-trust-you-god-16-x-24-chalkboard

Join the Facebook Chalkboard Challenge group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1786742761618233

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

"As I continued to move one by one through the stepping stones of this journey, I knew that God Himself had carried me and continues to do so. He gave me strength and peace that only He could give. Prior to surgery and during recovery, I would think about the precious little faces of my grandchildren, Benjamin and Noelle, and how I wanted to continue being blessed with creating more wonderful memories of “Lolli” time and getting to watch them grow. Although I have always thought I was a person that treasured life, the cancer diagnosis really made me think about how precious time on this earth is and how quickly life can change. The little and big things in life took on a total transformation of newness and appreciation. My mosaic stepping stones did not have any resemblance to those in the past. The pieces were now different just like me. My journey was different. My life would be forever changed and I would be a new me — challenged, crumbled, crushed, connected, changed and celebrated! To God be the glory! 

Your stepping stones of life matter! You matter! You were created by God and you are the only one like you! 

The Bible says the following: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 It is He who gives me hope and a future!"

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Michelle's Story: 

"As I continue pressing ahead, I am embracing the truth that my victory belongs to God. He is my strength and defender. He sees my story from His rear view mirror. Even when my path might get a little dark I trust in Him. He will give me what I need to see me through to the other side. The battle is His, and with Him by my side, I have nothing to fear.

In sharing my journey, I want to remind everyone that they, too can do hard things. Life throws unexpected challenges our way, and it's natural to question our ability to endure. But I stand as a living testament that with God by our side, we can face any battle, conquer any fear, and overcome any obstacle. Trust in the strength that lies within you, and remember that you are never alone. You are capable of more than you can imagine, and the victory is within reach. Keep pushing forward, for you are stronger than you know."

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Laramie's Story:

"But now as I sit here and finish this and really focus on what it will take for me to finally get and enjoy the lemonade from all these lemons. Makes me think of my kids, my family, my friends, my community and my extraordinary medical team, they are my happy thoughts, my happy place, my happy start to this new life I get to live! I am going to turn my lemonade into a very big
fish bowl of a margarita!

Thank you everyone! She Rose thank you for letting me learn to bloom in the storm so I can grow in my future!  My life is forever changed!"

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebo

You can also find the video version of this story on our YouTube Channel:    • You Night Story Crafting 

You can also follow us on our Story Crafting Community page:   / younightstories 

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

  / younightstories  . Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Yer's story:

"I had to put back on my worn-out boxing gloves. As I got into the boxing ring for another round to fight this demon, I could hear my dad cheering for me in the crowd. I will keep on fighting for my life. I know that my boxing gloves will shield me and guard me against the horrible disease.    My guiding light has always been my daughter and family. I know that my father was with me every hospital visit and treatment. I am not giving up this fight. I am a strong and mighty warrior.

The fact that I have overcome so much adversity in life helps me become the 
beauty warrior I am. I learned to become patient with myself and take it one day at a time. I had cancer but cancer never had me. I have a second chance in life. I’m embracing my new warrior life. I believe my purpose is to help others go through what I went through. You are not alone. Never give up faith because you are worth it. Never lose hope and strive to be the strong person 
you are. You are the Beauty within your Beast self. I am "Yer Strong."

You can also find the video version of this story on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdiqPH-w1iWHUiC4yfgecTIlr703lqw57&si=Ai8lVX93vYJsGDJP

You can also follow us on our Story Crafting Community page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Asja's story:

"It’s funny how something so devastating is supposed to make you feel sad and give up, but little did breast cancer know I had already done the unthinkable. --the worst to me -- so this was just a cleansing process. Breast cancer literally cleared everything and everyone out my life that was not conducive for my health and growth. Needless to say, my life got silent again however, this time I heard two voices louder than ever before- Me and God. Everything I have ever wanted was inside me the whole time! The love, the support, protection, peace, joy, and all the magic has been silenced, and I have given myself permission to speak LOUDLY! You Night is confirmation that my God is in fact real. Just when my spirit was ready, God presented the stage and I received a phone call from the most kindest voice, Lisa McKenzie who offered this heavenly gift for me to share Me. I'm extremely grateful because I went through 27 rounds of chemo, 25 sessions of radiation, bilateral mastectomy, 56 appointments and counting, and reconstructive surgery physically just Me and God. I drove myself home each round of chemo, I drove myself each session, I rang the bells by myself but now I have a Sisterhood so big we need name tags and I’m tremendously grateful."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Andreana's story:

"At 31, this diagnosis was difficult to grasp. My young children had to witness all my struggles.  Getting a diagnosis of cancer makes you reflect on your life. I got married when I was 22 years old. We immediately had our first child and a few years later we had our second. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a mom. Before my diagnosis, I would look at others who were my age and did not have children and wonder if we should have waited and took some time for ourselves before we had our kids. But since my diagnosis, I have been so grateful that we had kids right away.  If we waited, I may have not been able to have children of my own. My diagnosis made me appreciate what I had in my life and slow down to appreciate the small things. I focused more on experiences with those I love. I learned to relax and just be at peace. Dandelions are blown by the wind with an unknown destination.  These flowers are widely known as the wishing flower when they are in their white stage. The Dandelion is first yellow, and this symbolizes growth, hope and healing. These flowers, just like my journey, have been a transformation. The journey may not always be easy, but always stay positive and optimistic. Life is not about the destination, but the Journey."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Amy's story:

"As the river began to calm and the end of my treatment approached, I looked back on the journey with a profound sense of gratitude. My raft, composed of the love, strength, and support of my friends and family, carried me through the most challenging experience of my life. Over five years later, the river is still flowing and unpredictable, with potential rapids ahead, but I know that my raft is strong enough to face whatever may come next. Breast cancer was a formidable challenge, but it also revealed the incredible resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and support. My friends and family, my raft, not only helped me navigate the turbulent waters but also transformed the journey into one of growth, strength, and deepened connections. Together, we conquered the rapids, emerging stronger and more united on the other side."

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

View Amy's video version of this story at:   / younightstories

You can also find the video version of this story on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdiqPH-w1iWHUiC4yfgecTIlr703lqw57&si=Ai8lVX93vYJsGDJP

You can also follow us on our Story Crafting Community page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

You can also find the video version of this story on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdiqPH-w1iWHUiC4yfgecTIlr703lqw57&si=Ai8lVX93vYJsGDJP

You can also follow us on our Story Crafting Community page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Noel's story:

"This realization was nauseating and liberating. I felt a peace I had never felt before. I had become this weak whimpering woman and suddenly I found a backbone. I found my voice. I learned what I am worth. And it was a lot more than he ever allowed it to be. My life is now uprooted, but it was MINE. I was empowered. I get to make decisions for myself. I learned that I am a complete and whole person. I am strong and resilient. I am adaptable when needed but no longer a door matt. 

The fortress was built during this reclaiming of my life. It was built quickly and sturdily and built to last. Being a natural people-pleaser I needed those walls to prevent me from ever being in that position again. But, the fortress serves me well, albeit sometimes a little too well. I used to feel guilty about having a fortress about me, but I have come to learn, that it is what gives me strength to keep moving forward. 

Never let someone else make you change who you innately are just to avoid conflict. Being a natural people pleaser doesn't mean you have to become someone else to please that person. Hold fast to who you know you are."

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

View Noel's video version of this story at:   / younightstories

You can also find the video version of this story on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdiqPH-w1iWHUiC4yfgecTIlr703lqw57&si=Ai8lVX93vYJsGDJP

You can also follow us on our Story Crafting Community page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Paula's story:
"Time spent with family and friends is something I value. My circle has always been small. My husband and I have come to accept that family is not always family, sometimes less is best. Life is short, time is precious, don't take anything for granted because you don't know what tomorrow will bring. 

The wisdom I have gained in the past 3 years since diagnosis is that I am healing now; my appearance does not define me; the scars were made to be a part of me; and I am stronger, living, and smiling. I am making pink sister friends that will last forever. 

I grow like a flower, re-blooming more each day, stronger, standing tall, blowing in the wind, showing the world the imperfect petals have their own story to share. I am a daughter, a sister, a mom, a wife, an aunt, a best friend, a nurse, a living human being, just trying to enjoy life."

Paula is a member of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation SheRose Class of 2024.

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

You can view Paula's video version of her story, plus her full-length interview by visiting You Night's YouTube Channel:   

You can also view her full video interview on our Facebook Community Page:
https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

You can also find the video version of this story on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdiqPH-w1iWHUiC4yfgecTIlr703lqw57&si=Ai8lVX93vYJsGDJP

You can also follow us on our Story Crafting Community page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Vicky''s story:

"As life moves on, sunshine is starting to peek through those clouds again. I have overcome four surgeries. The scars I have now are not because I'm damaged; they are trophies of what I’ve overcome. I am not ashamed of them; they are the story of my journey. I had to learn to trust people and depend on others, something that, if you know me, was very difficult. My son is engaged, and the wedding will be this year. I am looking forward to many grandchildren. 

Trust in others. Be an inspiration. Share your story. Be the warrior that is inside of you for yourself andyour family. Find your JOY! Don’t let the clouds hide your rays of sunshine, and never forget to dance in the rain and stomp in the mud.

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

View Vicky's video version of this story at:   / younightstories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Lisa's story:
"I do not want to cry. I look beyond. Why am I not vulnerable? Why do I not shed tears? Maybe because I adopted the hang loose attitude from the islands. I thought about it– no. Maybe because I was a bulldog. I borrowed military ideals. I thought about it–no. 

My heritage is that of Yankee, Irish and Italian. This is my pride. I am a lion! Lions are decisive, confident, leaders. A lion is brave, loyal, protective, and takes care of their pride. They value independence, strength and competence. A lion serves others. Lions roar when their control is challenged. Death is out of our control. So I came from a family of lions that taught me I need not cry. I need to persevere and push through the pain. I am me and need to keep on keeping on."

Lisa is a member of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation SheRose Class of 2024.

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

You can view Lisa's video version of her story, plus her full-length interview by visiting You Night's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdiqPH-w1iWHUiC4yfgecTIlr703lqw57&si=qLk-7pVFYGjm6J4x

You can also view her full video interview on our Facebook Community Page:
https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Jessica's story:

"Knowing I would lose my breasts, I feared losing a part of me that I never really understood the importance of until it was going to be taken away; taking away what fed my son, taking away where he would rest his head for comfort, taking away a part of my femininity, and replacing it with something that wanted to make me numb. What has made me numb in places has invigorated and brought so much life and feeling to the rest of me. 

When someone tells you that you must give up things that have kept you comfortable, things that you don’t want to face, it helps you escape; You can either embrace it or curse it. I used this chapter in my life to let go of relationships I had made excuses for, chase relationships I had once given up on, live healthy, live sober, and live as though my chapters hadn’t even started. Three surgeries and countless statistical facts later. I am grateful that my story is in permanent marker. There are no mistakes, no typos; they are simply intentional words that, when standing in the bookstore aisle, I could escape into, and know if someone reads the story, they might feel sorry for me, but they will also see that I am not a victim and I’m not simply surviving; I am thriving."

Thank you to Guardant Health for their support of the Still I Rise Podcast.  Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on guarding wellness and giving every person more time free from cancer. Their blood and tissue tests help improve outcomes across all stages of care; they can screen to help find cancer early, monitor for recurrence in early-stage cancer patients, and enable timely and targeted treatment selection for those with advanced cancer.  For more information, visit guardanthealth.com and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

View Jessica's video version of this story at: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Hi everyone!  Thank you for following our podcast, filled with short interviews that we hope will inspire and inform.  We will feature a new story every Sunday and Thursday!  This story was the second story that I wrote - to help me come to terms with a failing marriage.  I used a lot of metaphors in this to illustrate my feelings and I really hope you enjoy listening to this!  I know that all of the Story Crafting participants get real vulnerable, so thank you for allowing us to have this platform to speak what is on our hearts.

If you would like to see the video version of this story, visit our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3-5D2GKUiw&t=26s

Thank you to Guardant Health for sponsoring this podcast!  Blood is the center of transforming cancer care!  With over 500,000 of their blood tests performed by 12,000 doctors to date, Guardant's commercially available tests help inform treatment decisions for patients by holding insights that can improve clinical outcomes.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Hi everyone!  Thank you for following our podcast, filled with short interviews that we hope will inspire and inform.  We will feature a new story every Sunday and Thursday!  This story was the first story that I wrote - to help me come to terms with a failing marriage.  I used a lot of metaphors in this to illustrate my feelings and I really hope you enjoy listening to this!  I know that all of the Story Crafting participants get real vulnerable, so thank you for allowing us to have this platform to speak what is on our hearts.

If you would like to see the video version of this story, visit our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/A-zhwGbWeXM?si=PxS1KhOlfzp8_6Xu

Thank you to Guardant Health for sponsoring this podcast!  Blood is the center of transforming cancer care!  With over 500,000 of their blood tests performed by 12,000 doctors to date, Guardant's commercially available tests help inform treatment decisions for patients by holding insights that can improve clinical outcomes.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Zita's story:  "Joy and sorrow can coexist, so let your precious tears fall like diamonds on the floor for there is healing in releasing this built-up pressure, like the white teardrop that emerges from beneath the broken heart of the flower plant. There is value in emotion as in diamonds. It is the release and relief that cleanses, restores and balances the mind, body and soul. As brother Mike said as I lay crying one day, “It’s okay and important to feel the hard emotions and cry.” We are all just walking each other Home. So mom, when we see you again in Heaven one day, it’ll be our turn to say, “Put on the water, let’s have tea!” ~ granddaughter Kristina. To my husband Gerry, thank you for loving all of me 143. My beautiful family, friends, coworkers and healthcare team- Thank You!"

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Jenna's story: "Throughout my journey, feeling like a square peg, my husband Rich has been my cornerstone. He is my Superman. Rich is compassionate, caring, loving, non-judgmental and could make me laugh during the darkest days. He gives "tough love" even when I don't want to hear it. Rich made some very tough medical decisions that I would never have agreed to, but I am very grateful that he did. He reminded me constantly that we had two very young sons that needed both a father and a mother. Even if I didn't want to fight or be strong any longer, he would have me look at our boys. This gave me the strength to keep on fighting every time. My family has been my motivation- my husband, my boys, my parents and my sisters. Without their help, support and motivation, I do not think I would still be here.

  You need to look out for number one.  You need to take care of yourself. You need to be your own advocate. You need to do what is best for you, physically and emotionally.

  As time passes, the square peg keeps trying to fit into the round hole. The hole begins to get bigger and bigger, to the point where the square peg does fit into the round hole. We all are beautiful and are enough just the way we are. We are born worthy of love and acceptance. Love your little square peg- love yourself no matter what."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Maureen's story:  "My sisters were also my light. During my first diagnosis, my sisters would be there during my chemotherapy. One would drop me off, and another would pick me up. My oldest sister would go with me to appointments, pull out a notebook, and take copious notes. During my second diagnosis, she would change her work schedule to be with me during my chemotherapy. She would take me out to lunch or shopping after my infusions. When I lost my hair, my sisters lined up to have their heads shaved. They reasoned, I did not have a choice about losing my hair, but that they did. During my second bout, my two brothers got into the act and shaved their heads too!

My family tried to encourage me, especially when I was down. This past April, I had what you could call “survivor’s guilt.”   Two friends passed away from cancer about a week and a half from each other. I kept thinking, “Why am I still here? I have had cancer twice and am still here. Their deaths do not make sense.”  My sisters encouraged me to look at the positive and not dwell on the negative. They told me to think how lucky I am to remain here. Like the butterflies that come out of a dark space, so did I."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Audrey's story: "My guiding light has been my children and my now husband. My son, at the age of fourteen, was wiser than he knew. The day I received the call for the biopsy, my son looked at me and said “Mom don’t worry, you will be just fine.” My son and daughter helped in every way possible- from learning to change the dressings to taking care of the radiation burns. My son would come to radiation with me so I wasn’t alone and I had a puppy to keep me moving. I took my puppy for walks since I could not just let him out into a yard. My future husband came to stay with me and asked me again to marry him, but again, I refused. He persisted and proved to me that he was the one. We married after my treatment was finished, in the Gloria Gemma office, with Maria as a witness, my two children and Gary Calvino officiating.   I have learned from life experience that strength and wisdom can come from the places and people that you would never expect. I have grown into a beautiful pink tea rose with many, many petals. 

You can overcome anything with the help of friends and family."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Jamie's story: "My battle against breast cancer wasn't just about survival, it became a catalyst for change- igniting a passion within me to redefine my life's purpose. The journey was far from easy. It has been filled with many tears, therapy sessions, soul-searching, and of course art, creativity, and now photography. I am working to redefine my core values, set boundaries to protect my well- being, and chase my dreams with an unwavering determination. I am working to get my sparkle back.

As I walk on this path of healing and transformation, my message for others is to break free from the monotony of everyday life, to live each day with passion, and to embrace the present moment as if it was your last. Create a bucket list, cross things off your list, tell the people you care about that you love them.

Above all, love yourself, just as you are today, in this very moment."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Eileen's story:  "I am stronger than I thought I was. I am not looking at it as "my cup is always full" but more towards  being that of Superwoman. I have been faced with many challenges over the  years from health challenges to parent challenges and found that I am a  fighter, I am strong and there is nothing that I can’t overcome. Every outcome, good or bad, is a lesson that makes you stronger and wiser over time. Cherish every moment with loved ones and don’t put off doing something that you really want to do. There might not be a tomorrow, so you have to live everyday like it’s your last. Know that you don’t have to go through things alone. There is always someone out there to help you get through the toughest times whether it is your significant other, family member or a friend. Never let the challenges in life get the best of you. You're not alone!"

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Excerpt from Renee's story:  "I have overcome adverse childhood experiences. I continue to work on self-growth and acceptance. I thrive to make every day better than yesterday. Challenges will arise but I am stronger now. I am breaking through. I have scraped part of my chrysalis. I see the sunshine. It is so much brighter than the darkness. I am embracing the change. I am transforming into a grateful, beautiful butterfly. I am starting anew. I am blessed for everyday God opens my eyes. I try not to miss opportunities. I take chances. I do what matters to me. I spend time with friends, yes! I have many now. I am proud of the foundation my first-born David and his high school sweetheart Sarah are building together. Codee is growing into an incredible young man. I have the love I crave from a partner and embrace making memories with Michael, and our families. In hindsight, I appreciate each of the experiences I have endured, but they have molded ME.

When you find yourself wandering around lost like the caterpillar and surrounding yourself in the darkness of the chrysalis, be thankful for little things, look for the brightside to every situation, believe in and stay true to yourself, embrace differences, and be kind and respectful. These are ways to divert yourself to seek the sunshine and when you do, you too will transform into your own beautiful butterfly."

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

From Elizabeth's Story:  "Life happens, friendships come and go, things change after a life altering experience, but I knew God did not abandon me. My family began praying the rosary. Things changed so much for me. I became calmer and very much at ease. My son was my number one driving force. I knew he needed me, but I needed him more. As exhausted as I was staying afloat, I had no choice but to continue to swim to overcome these high waters. God stilled the waves and I swam until the sea became calm again.  

My faith has taught me to embrace what I cannot change and make them opportunities that give hope to others and build resilience. Some waves are bigger than others to overcome, but those are the ones that impact on our lives and leave imprints in the sand."

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

From Keri's story, "The Lotus' Earthquake"

Like the lotus, petal by petal I will somehow blossom. The lotus is a symbol of strength, new beginnings and rebirth. My soul’s desire for triumph is fierce. The way a lotus grows is a victory over obstacles that most can’t overcome. So this is not a sad story, it’s a story about someone who had many tough times but has learned to be happy no matter what she’s going through.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

From Jen's story entitled "Like Daddy, Like Daughter"

"Acquaintances, close friends, and family have told me that I inspire them with what I’ve gone through, and my response is always, “I didn’t have a choice. I just kept moving because I had to.” And they all respond with something like, “Sure, but you overcame all this trauma in such a way that was positive and not everyone can do that.” Listening to that repeatedly has truly made me believe that I am resilient. Just because the worst thing in the world has happened to me, doesn’t mean I have to play the victim card. I put on my big girl pants and freakin’ crushed it. That’s what my dad taught me…”Like Daddy, Like Daughter!” I want to scream to the world, “YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS!”

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY.  To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories.  Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story?  Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com