Episode 25: The Mindset Shift That Makes Cancer Less Terrifying

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When English teacher Lesley Kaminski got the notification “invasive breast cancer” on her Apple Watch mid-class, her world stopped. But what happened next was more than treatment — it was transformation.

In this episode, Lesley shares how she went from collapse to control: reframing chemo from something she had to do into something she got to do. You’ll hear how a compassionate nurse navigator helped her find hope, how her husband lost 90 pounds alongside her healing, and how community and gratitude became her most powerful medicine.

If you’ve ever wondered how to face cancer without feeling crushed by it, this conversation will give you the mindset and tools to move from survival mode to truly living again.

🎙 Hosted by Joelle Kaufman, founder of Kicking Cancer’s Ass — the podcast where we trade whispers and fear for raw honesty, unexpected joy, and real strategies that help you reclaim your power.

Tags: cancer mindset, breast cancer survivor, cancer reframe, fear to power, cancer stories, emotional healing, gratitude, nurse navigator, cancer podcast

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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.

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