Episode 18: The Mindset Shift That Helped Her Survive Cancer (And Everything After)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:20 — 18.8MB)

Subscribe or Follow Apple Podcasts | Podchaser | Podcast Index | RSS

When bestselling author Cara Lockwood was dropped by her publisher in the middle of chemotherapy, she could have given up.
Instead, she discovered a mindset that helped her survive cancer — and rebuild her life.

In this episode of Kicking Cancer’s Ass, Cara and host Joelle Kaufman talk about what it really means to find strength when everything feels uncertain, how laughter can coexist with fear, and why giving yourself permission to be okay is one of the bravest things you can do.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:

How to navigate career loss and identity shifts during treatment
The “cancer filter” that changes how you see life forever
The simple mantra that rebuilds confidence: “I can do hard things”
Why finding humor in hardship can actually boost your immune system

✨ Kicking Cancer’s Ass is for newly diagnosed cancer patients who feel overwhelmed and want clarity, control, and hope. Every episode helps you take back power — even with cancer in the room.

Leading your team through an AI rollout?

See how the coaching works

Joelle K

I'm a 54 year old former CMO/CRO and generational breast cancer survivor. My early cancer experiences shaped my personal and professional philosophy to continuously cultivate an approach that adjusts to whatever curveball shows up. And we know, curveballs are constant, especially in midlife with aging parents, maturing kids (if you have kids), and opportunities to focus on new goals for our next 50 years. I have a book being released in January - Crushing the Cancer Curveball, A Veteran's Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. While no one wants cancer, 1 in 2 Americans and 1 in 4 people worldwide will face cancer in their lifetimes. There's an alternative narrative to the terror, anger and fear that accompanies a diagnosis - a narrative that spawns compassion, confidence, and even joy. I'd love to talk about it with you and your audience.

More about Joelle K