Cancer Connections is a new podcast by the Clearity Foundation "for anyone who has been impacted by a cancer diagnosis," which is hosted by Hillary Theakston. Three of the first four episodes discuss how ACEs, trauma, and stress impact our health as well as how we can heal. Here are descriptions and links for the first four episodes:
The Link Between Stress and Cancer with Dr. Gabor Maté 
- How to talk about stress and illness in a compassionate way that doesn't shame or blame.
- Chronic stress and its impact on the body.
- How the way we talk about illness influences the way we treat it
- Why we need to focus on the healing capacity of the individual in addition to traditional western interventions.
- The health benefits of saying "no".
- Discovering your authentic self in the face of mortality.
What We Can Learn From Cases of Exceptional Healing With Dr. Jeffrey Rediger 
Are spontaneous healers medical flukes? Or is there something we can learn from them and apply to our own lives? Dr. Jeffrey Rediger, author of "Cured: The Life-Changing Science of Spontaneous Healing," talks with us about what he's learned from studying these kinds of cases for the past 15 years. Some of the topics we cover:
- Why it's so important to explore the link between disease and mind
- How personal beliefs influence health and illness
- How connecting with intuition and living authentically could be the critical element for dramatic healing
- Why it's so hard for us to talk about what really matters, and how to start those conversations anyways
Can a Conversation About Death Bring Joy? BJ Miller 
It's not just you—nobody wants to talk about death. Not only is it an uncomfortable topic to bring up, but also, as palliative care expert Dr. BJ Miller explains, it's nearly impossible to capture in words the range of feelings one can have about such a momentous and personal life event. But if we don't talk about it, what are we missing out on? Can we find joy and meaning in life by having a conversation about death? In this episode, host Hillary Theakston and her guest Dr. Miller discuss the challenges and the benefits of opening up more to our loved ones about this universal experience. Topics include:
- The emotional and spiritual benefits of addressing mortality
- Ways one might broach the subject of death with loved ones
- Why you probably need to turn your To Do list upside down
What Happens When Biography Becomes Biology? A Survivor Explains: Cissy White 
In this episode of Cancer Connections, we talk with Cissy White, a journalist and advocate for PTSD and abuse survivors, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019. Cissy shares her experience living with cancer, including how her work to heal from PTSD has helped inform how she manages stress today, and taught her how to authentically advocate for herself when choosing treatment options. Cissy also talks about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how the health impact of childhood trauma can linger into adulthood and even across generations. For more information about ACEs, check out these sites:
- ACES Too High - https://acestoohigh.com
- PACES - https://www.pacesconnectioninfo.com
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