Girls with Grafts – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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Girls with Grafts

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors

Business

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

Frequency: 1 episode/12d. Total Eps: 122

Girls with Grafts is a podcast hosted by Amber Wilcox and Rachel Kudlak, Burn Survivors, and supporters of the nonprofit, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. The Girls with Grafts podcast is for burn survivors, caregivers, hospital staff, and corporate partners in the burn community. Hear in-depth conversations about burn survivor stories, gain resources for managing a burn injury, hear up-to-date information about Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors community news, and listen in on burn prevention and advocacy information.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - nonProfit
24/08/2026
#89
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nonProfit
23/08/2026
#76
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nonProfit
22/08/2026
#69
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nonProfit
21/08/2026
#60
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nonProfit
20/08/2026
#44
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nonProfit
19/08/2026
#32
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nonProfit
18/08/2026
#21
🇺🇸 USA - nonProfit
15/08/2026
#69
🇺🇸 USA - nonProfit
13/08/2026
#75
🇺🇸 USA - nonProfit
21/07/2026
#75

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://resources.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-soar
30 shares
https://www.phoenix-society.org/what-we-do/virtual-support-group
20 shares
https://resources.phoenix-society.org/resource-marketplace
15 shares

https://www.facebook.com/groups/phoenixsocietypeersupport
17 shares
https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixSocietyforBurnSurvivors
4 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 79%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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We Can Do Hard Things with Medley Zeigler Bokun

Season 5 · Episode 6

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 • Duration 55:25

Medley Zeigler Bokun and her husband, Kevin, were just three weeks into their marriage when tragedy struck, and they were both involved in a home gas explosion. The two newlyweds found themselves spending what typically is considered the "honeymoon phase" in the ICU.

In today's podcast episode, Medley joins Rachel and Amber to talk about her burn injury, the struggles she faced after going home from the hospital, and how she and Kevin navigated their journeys with their unwavering family and friends by their side. ❤️ We also chat about motherhood and fears Medley had before having her son Levi, the common struggle of overheating, and the fantastic drink Body Armor.

Tune in today to see how Medley truly embodies the word resilient!

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

Medley Zeigler Bokun, BSN, RN graduated from nursing school at Southeastern Louisiana University at the end of 2017 and immediately began her career at a Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA working as a med-surg and oncology nurse. In June of 2019 she married her wonderful husband, who at the time was a third year medical student. Just three short weeks after their wedding, they were in a gas explosion in their home. It was nearly fatal for both of them, but Medley especially sustained second, but mostly third degree burns across 96% of her body. Her chance of survival was not high, but God had other plans. Now Medley and her husband, Kevin, feel that God has called them from a place of medical ministry to a ministry that’s focused on spiritual and emotional healing. Medley and her husband now travel and speak at conferences, churches and social gatherings sharing their story of survival. And most recently in February of 2024, they welcomed their first baby into the world, a sweet baby boy named Levi.

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Podcast Sponsor

Today’s podcast is powered by Exsurco Medical! Exsurco engineers high precision products for both the healthcare and tissue bank professionals and are dedicated to advancing the healing power of skin to patients who need it the most. Learn more at www.Exsurco.com.

Sponsor Girls with Grafts

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

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No Hands? No Problem! How to Live Life to the Fullest with Samoana Matagi

Season 5 · Episode 5

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 • Duration 56:16

What's something that rhymes with no-handed? Bandit!

In today's podcast episode, podcast hosts Rachel and Amber are joined by Samoana Matagi, better known as the No-Handed Bandit. Sam talks about the high-voltage electrical accident that caused him to lose both arms and how the No-Handed Bandit was born. We also chat about Sam's first time through a toll booth, his recent encounter with a moose, his experiences wakeboarding, and the power of peer support. Tune in today!

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

Samoana Matagi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism in 2004. After two years in the field of Broadcast Journalism, he changed career paths to a high-voltage electrical line worker. Three years into his apprenticeship, he was involved in an electrical work accident that cost him his hands. He then became critically acclaimed for his recovery story, which drove him to create a YouTube channel to help other amputees. Now, he speaks to audiences about resilience. Learn more at www.nohandedbandit.com or by connecting with him on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram.

Links

Podcast Sponsor Sponsor Girls with Grafts

From Hiding to Highlighting with Birthmark Advocate, Model, and the Face Behind “The Flawless Affect,” Paige Lauren Billiot

Season 3 · Episode 11

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 • Duration 51:14

After years of hiding a prominent birthmark on her face, Paige Lauren Billiot now proudly highlights her facial difference. She was born with a port-wine stain birthmark on her face, ear, and neck, and now hopes to inspire others to embrace their imperfections.

Paige Lauren Billiot is Face Equality’s newest ambassador and in honor of Face Equality Week, we invited her on the podcast to talk about using art and creativity as a tool for social change! This year's theme is #MyFaceIsAMasterpiece, but we're taking it further and celebrating all visible and hidden differences with #MyBodyIsAMasterpiece.

Rachel and Paige talk about the challenges growing up with visible differences, how to craft a spicy response when strangers ask rude questions, and how to embrace our flaws (hey, we all have them!). Paige also shares how she started her Instagram, The Flawless Affect, her experiences working in Hollywood, and what advocacy projects she has in the works (including a doll with visible differences!).

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

Paige Lauren Billiot is a birthmark advocate, model, and producer from Seattle, WA. Growing up in Las Vegas she began pursing her love for acting as a theatre major at Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts & International Studies. In 2014 she moved to Hollywood to create representation in the film and beauty industry for others who looked like her, facing industry resistance to her unique diversity. Undeterred, Paige carved her path on Instagram, using makeup, props, and VFX to celebrate her birthmark as her Superpower.

Her influence has been recognized in many magazines including Seventeen, Glamour, and Women's Health, earning her a spot on Glamour's "50 Instagrammers You Need To Follow Right Now."

When she isn’t advocating for the birthmark community, she loves taking her four cats on walks in their strollers, while expanding her chai tea latte palate and Scooby Doo collection.

Links Podcast Sponsor Sponsor Girls with Grafts

Advancing the World of Burn Care Nursing on National Nurses Day with Emily Werthman, PhD(c), BA, RN, CBRN

Season 4 · Episode 10

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 • Duration 01:02:54

Most burn survivors and caregivers can remember a special burn nurse who truly impacted and changed the trajectory of their healing journey. In honor of National Nurses Day, we’re celebrating all of the wonderful burn care professionals with Emily Werthman, Ph. D. (c), BA, RN, CBRN!

After losing her mother to a house fire, Emily was drawn to burn care and began her career as a bedside nurse. Over the past 10+ years, she has advanced her career and now holds many positions within the field, including burn program coordinator at the Johns Hopkins Burn Center.

In this episode, we talk with Emily about the trauma, compassion fatigue, burnout burn care nurses face, the recently launched burn nursing specialty certification (CBRN), and research projects involving acute burn pain and childhood adversity. Tune in to hear more about the advancements in burn care nursing!

Looking for links? Check out our show’s description on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

Emily Werthman is the burn program coordinator of the Johns Hopkins Burn Center, where she has been a nurse since 2012. A graduate of the Allegany College nursing program, she also holds a BA in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as a BSN and MSN from the University of Notre Dame of Maryland. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Maryland where she studies the relationship between acute burn pain and childhood adversity. Emily is the lead nurse planner for the American Burn Association where she also holds a national committee appointment to the Nursing Committee. She is a subject matter expert, item writer, and exam content review committee member for the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing’s Certified Burn Nurse (CBRN) exam. She also serves as a member of BCEN’s board of directors. She was recently appointed a special advisor to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)’s burn and blast injury special advisory group. Additionally, she holds adjunct faculty positions in the Johns Hopkins and Stevenson University Schools of Nursing. She publishes and lectures frequently on burn resuscitation, critical care nursing, and burn pain.

Links Podcast Sponsor Sponsor Girls with Grafts

Finding the Miracle of the Day with our Volunteer of the Month, Xiomari Castro

Season 4 · Episode 9

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 • Duration 53:10

In honor of National Volunteer Week, Rachel and Amber are joined by our Volunteer of the Month, Xiomari Castro! Whether she's helping survivors and caregivers find their miracle of the day or providing hope through hugs, Xiomari's passion for helping the burn survivor community is truly inspiring. Her commitment and dedication are evident in her roles as Phoenix SOAR Coordinator and Spanish Instructor, and Patient Services Coordinator at the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America (BRCA).

During the episode, Xiomari shares how she first got involved with the burn community, her favorite part of her job, and the importance of peer support. She believes we all have a role in helping others and embodies what it means to give back with a humble heart. Thank you, Xiomari, for all that you do for our community!

Looking for links? Check out our show’s description on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

Xiomari Castro is the Patient Services Coordinator at Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America (BRCA) in Augusta, GA, where she has worked since March 2015. She has been an invaluable source for patients and their families at Joseph M. Still Burn Centers at Doctors Hospital of Augusta. Xiomari works to help patients, their families, and colleagues through positivity, encouragement, and compassion. She first became a Phoenix SOAR Coordinator in 2018, and in 2023, she became an Instructor, including instructing the first Spanish Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporters class. Xiomari is a native of Puerto Rico and lives with her husband and best friend, Robinson, in Augusta, GA. They have two children and four grandchildren. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her grandkids church family, serving God, and preaching the word of God.

Links

Follow Phoenix Society on Facebook

Podcast Sponsor Sponsor Girls with Grafts

Transformation After Trauma: A Couple’s Perspective on Post-Traumatic Growth

Season 4 · Episode 8

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 • Duration 59:25

We've all heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but have you heard of post-traumatic growth? Post-traumatic growth is all about the positive transformations people can undergo after experiencing trauma. During this episode of Girls with Grafts, we hear from Christopher Gage, a burn survivor, and his caregiver and wife, Holly, on how post-traumatic growth impacted their healing journeys.

You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at Chris and Holly's Healing Phoenix Arts Program, designed to provide a post-traumatic growth experience by introducing a new perspective on healing from a traumatic event. Through the dynamic and engaging program, Chris and Holly help survivors recognize the progress they have made towards their future and healing.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guests

Holly Gage is the creator and instructor of the Warrior Scar Jewelry workshops and co-founder of the Healing Phoenix Arts Program. Holly is a world-renowned jewelry artist and has instructed students of all ages and abilities with a soulful brend of creating during in-person workshops, interactive online classes, and retreats worldwide for almost 25 years. After her husband and son were involved in an explosion and fire in 2018, she became trained to support burn survivors and their families through the Phoenix SOAR program and certified in the Post Traumatic Growth program from the Boulder Crest Foundation. Together with her husband, Christopher Gage, they combine art with discussion as a healing modality for a Post Traumatic Growth experience.

Christopher Gage is the Group Discussion Facilitator of the Warrior Scar Jewelry Workshop and Co-Founder of the Healing Phoenix Arts Program. Christopher is a burn survivor whose recovery experience from his accident in 2018 is the number one event that has driven him to his current line of work. The explosion, fire, and destruction of his mobile restaurant has completely reshaped Christopher’s life for the better, in a positive way, resulting from working through the Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) process. Christopher learned there is a teaching component to PTG, and he has a need to give hope to those who have suffered trauma. Christopher is peer support trained and certified in Burn Survivor and PTG. Christopher speaks about PTG and is the author of a book detailing his journey to come later this year.

Links Podcast Sponsor Sponsor Girls with Grafts

Got Mail? A Behind the Scenes With Phoenix Society's Community Resource Coordinator

Season 4 · Episode 7

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 • Duration 55:43

Have you ever filled out our "contact us" form? If you have, then you've already met today's podcast guest: Liliana Palacios, Phoenix Society's Community Resource Coordinator! Liliana is a burn survivor who has worked with trauma survivors in various capacities throughout her career. She discovered her passion for community service after sustaining a major burn injury when she was 19.

In our conversation, Liliana provides a behind-the-scenes look at her role with Phoenix Society, reveals some of the frequently asked questions she hears from survivors and caregivers, talks about her own struggles as an amputee, and offers tips for those who are interested in giving back.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

Liliana Palacios grew up in Los Angeles and is a proud mother to three grown-up kids. She studied at San Francisco State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Education with a minor in Holistic Health and Women's Health Issues. Over the years, Lili has mainly worked supporting trauma survivors in various capacities. She discovered her passion for community service through her own experience as a burn survivor. Forty-one years ago, at the age of 19, Lili was in a house fire (she's on OG, y’all!). She attended Phoenix World Burn Congresses throughout the years. Through a fellow burn survivor and her mentor, she learned about the different resources available to the survivor community - which inspired her to get involved in community service. Her other interests include art, photography, cooking, and gardening, among other things.

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Podcast Sponsor Sponsor Girls with Grafts

The Latest Trends in Burn Care with Burn Surgeon and Survivor Dr. Jason Heard

Season 4 · Episode 6

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 • Duration 53:00

Ever wondered about donor-less skin grafts? Or how cryotherapy is used for pain control? What about spray-on skin? In this captivating podcast episode, we're joined by burn survivor and burn surgeon Dr. Jason Heard to explore these intriguing topics and more, as we delve into the latest trends and treatments in burn care.

Dr. Jason Heard, a burn survivor turned burn surgeon, brings a unique perspective to the field. At the age of 12, he experienced second and third-degree burns over 40% of his body. This life-altering event inspired him to dedicate his career to caring for others. Now a faculty member at the UC Davis Firefighters Burn Institute and Shriners Children's Northern California burn units, Dr. Heard's journey from patient to practitioner is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Join us as we delve into the cutting-edge world of burn care with Dr. Heard. We'll explore the latest trends and treatments, from revolutionary laser surgeries and donor-less skin grafting to innovative cryotherapy for donor-site pain control and the game-changing foam dressing.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

After sustaining a burn injury on almost half of his body at the age of 12, Dr. Jason Heard was drawn to the medical field and knew he wanted to help other burn survivors in the future. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics and Biotechnology at the University of Iowa in 2011. During his undergraduate years, Jason completed many burn related research projects leading to multiple peer reviewed publications. He was also able to be heavily involved with a regional burn non-profit organization, Saint Florian Fire and Burn Foundation. Through this organization, Jason was able to not only attend but develop programming for multiple burn survivor programs. He was fortunate to serve on their Board of Directors from 2012-2014.

He enrolled into medical school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in 2012 and matched into general surgery residency at UC Davis in 2016, and ultimately completed his residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2021. Jason's passion for burn care and my aspiration of doing a burn/critical care persisted throughout my training and he completed his fellowship at UC Davis in 2022. He is currently a faculty member at UC Davis/Shriners Northern California Burn Units, where he continues to care for burn survivors during their initial hospital admission and throughout their recovery, including reconstructive procedures/treatments. Jason is also on Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors’ Board of Directors.

Just Smile: A Journey of Recovery with Diana Tenney-Laperriere

Season 4 · Episode 5

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 • Duration 01:01:38

In this inspiring episode of Girls with Grafts, Diana Tenney-Laperriere shares her story of survival. In 2010, one surprisingly warm early spring day turned into tragedy when Diana was burned over 90% of her body. At the age of 54, Diana was given less than a one percent chance to live. More than 400 days later, Diana returned home.

Years and countless surgeries later, Diana and her husband, Jerry, found a new calling to advocate and support burn survivors nationwide. In this episode, we talk with Diana about her struggle with alcoholism, how she and Jerry navigated their relationship post-accident, the importance of physical fitness in recovery, and how to advocate for yourself and loved ones.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

In 2010 at the age of 54, Diana Tenney-Laperriere was burned 94% of her body, which consisted of mostly third degree burns. Dianna spent over a year recovering from her injury in the hospital and then went on to have reconstructive surgeries for the next seven years.

She has spent most of the last 10+ years working with other burn survivors and medical researchers. She is the past president, secretary, and treasures of Burn Survivors of New England, co-coordinator of Knowledge Translation for the Boston-Harvard Burn Model Systems, trained Phoenix Society peer supporter, previous speaker with the American Burn Association, former Wellness Room Leader at Phoenix World Burn Congress, and so much more. She is extremely active in burn research and advocacy. Diana has also been sober for many years and is active in AA.

Dianna married her sweetheart, Jerry, in 2023 and has currently relocated with her husband, dog Barney, and cat Pebbles, to Tennessee to help care for her mother. Additionally, Diana is very physically active and participates in ZUMBA and yoga.

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Supporting and Empowering Burn Survivors From Hospital to Home With Barbara-Anne Hodge

Season 4 · Episode 4

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 • Duration 57:00

Retired Occupational Therapist and dedicated burn survivor ally, Barbara-Anne Hodge joined today’s episode of Girls with Grafts! We talk with Barb about her experience working on the burn unit for over 25 years and what led her to help establish the Mamingwey Burn Survivor Society. Although retired, her work with the burn community has not slowed down! Barb is now a dedicated volunteer, ally, and supporter to burn survivors around the world.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Meet Our Guest

Barbara-Anne Hodge is a retired Occupational Therapist who worked for over 25 years on the Burn Unit at the HSC Hospital in Winnipeg, MB. In the course of her work, she came to know many burn survivors who were dealing with changes to their appearance and to their daily lives due to the burn injuries long after they left the hospital. To address these needs and alongside other Burn Unit staff, she helped establish the Mamingwey Burn Survivor Society in Manitoba in 2003. Today, this organization is known as the Mamingwey Burn Society Inc, and she continues in the role of Board Chair.

Barbara-Anne is also a member of the Canadian Burn Survivors Community and is the Secretary of the Board at the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance. She is a past board member of the Firefighters’ Burn Fund Inc. in Manitoba. She is now retired from hospital work and enjoys time spent with burn survivors and others as a volunteer through these various organizations. She is mom to 4 grown kids and a grandmother to 2, and spends as much time as possible with her family.

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Girls with Grafts – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

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Girls with Grafts – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

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RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

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