In this heartfelt episode, Chris Woodruff and Christy Richards sit down with Marissa Bondurant, a writer, mother of four, and passionate childhood cancer advocate. Marissa shares the powerful story of her family's journey through childhood cancer, which led her to discover a new purpose: using her experiences to encourage and bring gospel hope to others.
Together, they discuss Marissa’s transition from writing updates for family and friends to creating a ministry that reaches caregivers and cancer families worldwide. They also learn about her book Who Cares for You?, her inspiring blog, and the 31-Day Prayer Guide for Caregivers, which are resources designed to comfort and strengthen those walking through difficult seasons. 
Marissa also shares practical advice for staying connected, instructions for accessing her writing and guides, and a deeply encouraging message for anyone facing challenges: God sees you and will use your story for good.

You can find Marissa's resources on her website.

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In this inspiring episode, hosts Chris Woodruff and Christy Richards sit down with special guests Elise Keel, Megan Beasley, and Seamus, a Duke athlete, to discuss the transformative work of Team Impact. Team Impact connects children facing serious illnesses with college athletic teams, fostering meaningful relationships that empower kids and inspire athletes. These connections create a community of support, resilience, and joy for families navigating life with pediatric illness.
Listeners will hear firsthand accounts from the Beasley family and Seamus about how Team Impact has shaped their lives. The Beasleys share their journey of joining the program, highlighting the incredible bonds formed and the emotional support they’ve experienced. Meanwhile, Seamus offers a unique perspective as an athlete, reflecting on his life lessons and personal growth from participating in this initiative. Together, their stories showcase the profound ripple effect of Team Impact’s mission on children, families, and college communities.
Whether you’re a family seeking support, an athlete eager to make a difference, or inspired by the power of connection, this episode is a touching reminder of how compassion and teamwork can create lasting change.
Connect with Team Impact: https://www.teamimpact.org
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Welcome back to the Lighthouse Podcast! This is our March edition, but don't forget that we have 133 other episodes you can also listen to. Today, Chris and Christy have the privilege of talking with Pamela Jones. Pamela's daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 12.

Before that diagnosis, back when Sarah was an infant, they had a miracle happen that you will want to hear! That miracle set the stage for a powerful faith journey through her life. Pamela and her family realized that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. They would continue to claim his promises through the journey ahead.

Going through cancer treatments as you turn from pre-teen to teen was incredibly difficult for Sarah. But she continued to hold on to her faith that could move mountains. The Bible tells us not to fear 365 times, and Sarah, as well as her family held on to that through the valley lows. 

Pamela joined a Facebook group for families going through this journey. And it provided friendship, community, and encouragement. She continues to share about the tough times and the blessings along the road. In closing, she encourages families going through this to accept help no matter how hard it is to say "yes." 

In the opener, Christy mentioned that we have space for first-time families walking through childhood cancer on our weeklong summer retreats. And that we also have space on an upcoming weekend retreat in Jasper, GA. You can learn about those by going to https://www.lighthousefamilyretreat.org/retreat. 

Peyton Gully joins Chris and Christy on the podcast this week to share her personal journey with childhood cancer. Now a junior in college, Peyton was diagnosed as a sophomore in high school at the age of 15 with mixed phenotype acute leukemia. As an active cross-country runner and lacrosse player, Peyton describes noticing her performance slowing down leading up to her diagnosis. When a month-long headache  sent her to the ER, she found herself on a multi-year journey of chemotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, and two bone marrow transplants before finally being declared cancer-free three years ago. Peyton describes what it was like to miss a year and a half of high school, and how the support of her friends and family made a difference in her journey. She ends by sharing how the experience deepened her faith, and why she is ultimately thankful for what she endured.

Chris and Christy kick off September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, with this important conversation. Christy shares from her experience as the mother of a childhood cancer survivor, explaining why September is so important. Then she and Chris explain the many experiences and types of support that Lighthouse Family Retreat provides. They explain what a week at one of Lighthouse's seaside retreats looks like, including the balance of both programmed events (such as the special time just for parents called Common Ground, Dad's Poker Night, Mom's Luncheon, and the UnBirthday Party) and free time as a family. Chris and Christy go on to share about other retreat experiences Lighthouse offers, such as the one-day regional retreats and weekend retreats, which allow families to not only experience a taste of Lighthouse, but also to connect with other families living in their area. Then they close the conversation by highlighting the resources that Lighthouse provides beyond retreats.

In this second episode of a two-part conversation with Joe and Alana Phillips, Chris and Christy talk with the couple about all of the updates in their daughter Tillery's cancer journey. They share what has been different this time around, after having been off treatment for three and a half years, including the shock of hearing the news that the mass had grown, and the frustration of having to find a new oncologist as theirs had left the hospital. They explain the path that led them to St. Jude for Tillery's current treatment, which is a drug trial, and the challenges that come from being a part of a trial. They share the good—that the tumor has shrunk; the bad—that she struggles with physical, behavioral, and educational side effects from the treatment; and the hard—not knowing the right choice to make for Tillery's treatment. Joe and Alana keep it positive, but real, explaining how others' response to Tillery's relapse has differed from the first time around, but how thankful they are for their support team.

Joe and Alana Phillips were generous to talk with us on two separate occasions, as their daughter's cancer journey took a big twist soon after recording the first podcast. In this initial conversation, Chris and Christy talk with the parents of Luke and Tillery about Tillery's initial diagnosis at 15 months old with a brain tumor. They describe the early months of her life when they noticed her missing milestones, and the fight to get her symptoms recognized by the medical community. As Tillery and Alana ended up spending several months in a hospital six hours from their home, Joe and Alana share what they learned about their marriage and each other through the challenges of childhood cancer and an extended physical separation. Both share how their faith in God and their church and cancer communities helped carry them through, and what led them to start a 5K to fund childhood cancer research, as well as a men's group for dads of childhood cancer patients.

Last week on the podcast, Chris and Christy spoke with Kayla Funk, a childhood cancer survivor, and on this episode, they chat with Kayla's siblings. Morgan and Andrew, who were teenagers when their sister was diagnosed, describe the early days of Kayla's cancer journey and what it was like to be on the other side of a sibling's diagnosis. Andrew shares the difficult emotions he experienced, especially with Kayla's relapse, and how his friends helped him process and get through it. Morgan also reflects on the strong support system her family had, and talks about the ups and downs of coping with the emotions. And both siblings share about the positive ways they all grew up and came together during such a hard season. They also offer up advice for both teenagers and parents in a similar situation.

Kayla Funk was 18 years old and ready to launch into her young adult life when she started developing strange health symptoms while serving on a mission trip in Kenya. She was soon diagnosed with neuroblastoma, which is typically diagnosed in children under five. On this podcast, she shares with Chris and Christy about the struggle of being ready to be an adult while being thrust back into a world where she was treated like a child and having to fight for her own voice in the children's healthcare system. Kayla also shares openly about the challenges of navigating her independence from her parents throughout her diagnosis and treatment as a young adult, and about her fight to regain the ability to walk and recover her motor skills. She closes the conversation by sharing about what her life is like now, including working at the non-profit she and her family started to fund research to end childhood cancer.

In our inaugural episode of season 3, Aria Randolph, a friend of Lighthouse and homeschool educator, shares her journey to making the choice to homeschool, even as someone who enjoyed her own public school experience. She explains the two main "whys" her family has chosen this path, and the importance for each family to figure out their own "whys" when it comes to their education choices. Chris, Christy and Aria discuss the impact of cancer on a child's educational life, and why that might influence a parent's decision to make different schooling decisions for each individual child in their family. Aria helpfully breaks down the process for getting started in homeschooling and also debunks some homeschooling myths.

Chris and Christy pick back up on the subject of life after treatment this week. Christy shares the journey she and her son Carter have been on since he was diagnosed with ALL at age six, and specifically, the things she wishes people knew about the post-treatment phase. She explains the daily toll that treatment takes on the family, and the adjustment it takes to having it all come to a stop. She shares about the loneliness families can feel when their support system suddenly goes away, and how even ending treatment is a complex emotional rollercoaster. Christy also shares some practical advice—including reconnecting with your child's pediatrician before treatment ends or finding a new pediatrician if necessary, and seeking out counseling to help you process all that your family has endured. She encourages parents to give themselves grace—not every day will feel like a celebration when your child is off treatment, and that is okay.

This week on The Lighthouse Podcast, Chris and Christy are covering a topic that's often overlooked when it comes to childhood cancer: the off-treatment journey. They speak with Dr. Karen Effinger, who is the medical director of survivorship at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at CHOA. The survivor clinic sees oncology and bone marrow transplant patients who have completed their treatment. Dr .Effinger explains how survivor care marks a shift in focus from ridding the body of cancer to the effects caused by the patient's treatment—and in educating and equipping the patient to think about their overall health and how they can live a long, healthy life after cancer. Dr. Effinger goes on to explain how parents can prepare themselves and their child for this type of post-treatment care. Christy shares her personal experience with survivor care and how helpful it was for her son, while at the same time, being a big adjustment for her as his primary caregiver and health advocate. And Dr. Effinger concludes their conversation by sharing some helpful tips for parents who may not have access to a full survivor clinic. (Note: The resources Dr. Effinger mentions can be found at www.survivorshipguidelines.org.)

Josh and Kayla Boyer attended a Lighthouse retreat in 2018 with their family, including their daughter Lydia who was battling stage 4 medulloblastoma. Chris and Christy sat down with the couple to hear their story, including Lydia's initial diagnosis, which—as is the case for so many families—was hard-earned. Lydia's symptoms began in April 2016, starting in subtle ways, but getting worse over the next few months until she was finally diagnosed with cancer that had spread throughout her brain. Her parents were told that she had little chance of survival—and then after her relapse, that her survival chance was only 5%. Kayla and Josh both share about their deep faith that carried them through—including a surrender of Kayla's life to God's will. Praising God that finally this February they received those coveted letters NED (No Evidence of Disease), the Boyers still have to live in the tension of trusting God and knowing their daughter's diagnosis is aggressive and prone to relapse. But their mantra of "grace for the day" has kept them living in the moment and grateful for God's faithfulness.

We are so thrilled to be starting season 8 of the Lighthouse Podcast! First and Foremost, we wanted to make you aware that our posting schedule is changing slightly. For this season, new episodes will drop on the first Tuesday of each month. We encourage you to go back and listen to the helpful episodes from Season 1 to 7.  

Now, let us introduce you to our guests for the first episode of this season - high school sweethearts - Zach and Karli Lansdell. The Lansdell’s currently reside in Rome, GA, and have one outdoor-loving, huge heart, and all-boy named Levi. Their journey with childhood cancer began when Levi was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on August 10, 2022.

The journey was long and intense, as they spent over 200 days in the hospital. They did amazing things to make the hospital feel like home and keep Levi comfortable and happy.

They have now moved into the post-treatment plan, and that brings its own challenges. Through their journey, they learned to advocate with gut feelings, ask for help, and be honest with your mental health. Both Zach and Karli leave us with some encouraging advice that can be taken to heart right away.

In the opener, Chris and Christy mentioned that our retreat applications are open for both families walking through childhood cancer and volunteers. You can learn more by visiting our website at www.lighthousefamilyretreat.org

Chris and Christy spoke with Becca Johnson, a Child Life Specialist on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at CHOA, where she has worked with both in-patient and out-patient care for seven years. Becca explains why a child might need a bone marrow transplant, and how she helps children and families throughout the lengthy process. She also details the entire process from pre-transplant through the transplant and beyond—a procedure that usually involves a hospital stay of 4-6 weeks and is very painful and isolating for the child. She shares creative ways they keep the child connected to important people in the child's life—like siblings, who are unable to visit. Lastly, she explains the simple process for getting on the bone marrow transplant registry, and the importance of volunteering for this critical procedure that saves lives. Visit bethematch.org for more information on becoming a bone marrow donor.

On this week's episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, Chris and Christy have an informative discussion with Dr. Brock, Director of Supportive Care at a local children's hospital in Atlanta. Dr. Brock explains what supportive care is and how the main mission of supportive, or palliative, care is to help kids who have a serious illness like cancer—and their families—live as well as possible. Supportive care is a relatively new field that does not replace your child's oncology team, but rather supports it, building a bigger village for your child's cancer journey. Dr. Brock dispels some of the misconceptions of palliative care and explains how the process works for children and families. She shares the best time to introduce this type of care, the qualifications for receiving supportive care, and how parents can request it if a consult has not been requested by the cancer team. She explains how the support extends to the family and includes interesting examples of palliative care. They conclude the discussion by talking about the challenges of the job, but the beauty that comes from knowing you've been able to help relieve the suffering of children and families—and even make their days better—during their cancer journey.

Chris and Christy enjoyed sitting down with a longtime friend of Lighthouse, pediatric oncology nurse Jaime Newton. Jaime served on Lighthouse summer staff several years ago—a summer that confirmed her decision in early childhood to pursue this career path after seeing the nurses care for her brother's best friend while he was being treated for leukemia. Jaime describes a day in the life of a pediatric oncology nurse, from the practical to the fun (who knew syringes could be used like that?!). She shares honestly about the hard parts of her job, but is quick to point out the beauty and the honor of walking with families through their journey. Jaime also shares how she manages her emotions, explains the "team nursing" concept, and encourages families to view their nurses as an extension of their role as their child's advocate. At Chris' request, she also offers up tips on how families can support their hard-working nurses during their child's hospital stay (hint: words matter).

Chris and Christy welcome Stephanie Fee back to the podcast—this time sharing her journey as a single mom on the childhood cancer journey. After going through her own divorce while her son was on treatment, Steph became extremely passionate about helping single moms navigate the journey of childhood cancer. She speaks of the strength these women have as they juggle all that childhood cancer involves, as well as solo parenting. Steph goes on to share her best advice for getting through it: ask for help. She and Chris discuss the help that churches can offer, as well as the importance of inviting key family and friends into your circle to help on a deeper level. Steph also shares the things that were the biggest help to her in those days, and offers ideas for others to help their friends and family on a similar journey.

Child Life Specialist Lindsay Carrick joins Chris and Christy on The Lighthouse Podcast again this week, taking a deeper dive into an important topic when it comes to childhood cancer: communication. How do you talk to a child about their cancer diagnosis? Lindsay walks us through the steps she takes as a CLS, from working with the parents, to making the tough conversations age- and developmentally appropriate, and even bringing in hands-on activities to help kids understand what is happening. She shares the importance of being "optimistically honest" with kids about their diagnosis to prevent kids from filling in the gaps of what they know with false information, and also how to talk to siblings and peers about the changes they see in the child on treatment. Chris asks Lindsay about how to preemptively address kids' fears, and they wrap up the conversation talking about end-of-life decisions and the role a CLS might take in helping families establish their child's legacy.

Christy kicks off the first part of this two-part interview with Child Life Specialist Lindsay Carrick by declaring herself Child Life's biggest fan, and as the conversation between Chris, Christy, and Lindsay continues, it's easy to see why. Child Life Specialists wear many hats, but their main goal is to be a supportive presence for patients and their families while in the hospital or clinic. Lindsay details how CLS support their patients before and during procedures, involve the parents, and ultimately try to work themselves out of a job by teaching kids coping skills they can use throughout their journey. She also shares the educational and training requirements for becoming a CLS, and talks about the importance of including even young kids in the decision-making process when it comes to the procedures they experience on their cancer journey.

Today we sit down with Roger & Angie Howie. Their daughter Faith was diagnosed at 4 years old with Leukemia (ALL). They talk through their initial reaction to the news of the diagnosis and the struggles they experienced after getting the news, including misunderstanding with other family members. Now 12 years later, the Howies are active in the childhood cancer community supporting other families going through what they went through. Roger points this drive to help others back to their time at Lighthouse and the support they felt from Lighthouse when they were going through treatment. They both share their number one piece of advice they share to newly diagnosed families.

Bojana Pencheva is a genetic counselor with a local children's hospital in Atlanta, and she sat down with Chris and Christy to talk about a fairly recent development in the world of childhood cancer: cancer predisposition programs. Bojana explains what genetic counseling is and how it can help certain patients and their families to help them reduce their increased cancer risk. She goes on to explain what is involved with the screening and the reduction risk plan that may follow, and encourages parents to advocate for this testing for their children and family if there is a family history of childhood cancers. Bojana also talks about the empowering nature of genetic counseling, giving children and teens a sense of control over their own health, especially as they transition to adulthood. She also speaks with positivity about the future of these programs in both creating registries to better help patients and to help doctors learn more about these cancer predisposition syndromes.

Stephanie Fee returns to talk about Creed and losing her son to childhood cancer. She shares her experience in hopes that it helps families walking through a similar situation. She gives an overview of what it was like for her in the early days and what has helped her cope. She talks about the importance of keeping Creed’s memory alive and gives advice to friends of those who may know someone whose child has passed away.

Chris & Christy sit down with Stephanie Fee for Part One of the story of her son Creed. Creed was born prematurely and from the moment Stephanie brought him home, until his passing, he was in and out of hospitals and on medication. For five years of his life, Stephanie was searching for answers as to what was causing him to be ill frequently only to find out he had Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). When he was six, he became sick again with an autoimmune disease and was admitted to the hospital for 6 months. While in the hospital side effects caused Creed to become almost unrecognizable to Stephanie. One morning she received a call from Creed’s dad that Creed was going to have to be put on a ventilator and that she should come in before he was incubated. Creed passed away soon after at seven years old. In this episode you will hear about the strength, humor, and child like faith of Creed.

Today, we're joined by Dan and Kate Hutson. Dan & Kate are the parents to 4 beautiful children, Audrey, Elijah, Jack & Greta. In August of 2021, their lives took an unexpected turn when their son, Elijah, began displaying unexplained bruising all over his body within a remarkably short span. On their 8th wedding anniversary, August 3, 2021, Elijah received the diagnosis of ALL, marked by Philadelphia chromosomes—a moment that reshaped their family's trajectory.

In this candid conversation, they emphasize the crucial role of advocating for your family's needs within the hospital setting, highlighting parents' unique understanding of their child's needs. Their story underlines the incredible blessing of support from their family, friends, church community, and the invaluable aid provided by their child life specialist. For parents embarking on a similar journey, they share valuable advice and wisdom born from their own experiences.

They proudly refer to themselves as "Team Hutson," fully aware that the Lord continues to walk alongside them in this journey. Their most heartfelt prayer is to share their testimony and draw others closer to Jesus. All glory to God.

Tune in to this heartfelt conversation of faith, resilience, and insights on navigating the storm as a family.

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Today Chris & Christy sit down with the Wamsley family. Matt & Lindsey’s daughter Addie was suddenly diagnosed with ALL after struggling with what they thought was an ear infection. The week prior to her diagnosis, a new Phase 3 Trial had just opened up at St Jude’s. The Wamsley’s go into detail about joining this out of state trial, the goal of the trial, and the support they received from their doctors during the entire process. In this conversation, they talk about the relationship they had with their doctors and what was important to them when choosing a doctor for their daughter’s treatment. Lindsey, a licensed therapist, talks through emotions and how it is ok and normal to feel more than one emotion at a time, especially during this journey.

In this episode, we sit down with Tenise Newburg from Camp Sunshine. She opens by talking about her personal experience with camp as both a camper and then as a volunteer. She discusses the current programing at Camp Sunshine, what the value of camp is for an individual and for families, and the ways your family can get involved. Tenise digs a little deeper into what she considers one of the most important programs for the family - sibling camp. She continues by talking about the importance of safety at camp and the ways in which they keep families and children safe while on a week at camp. If you do not live in Georgia or surrounding states, she suggests researching the Children’s Oncology Camping Association International to find an oncology camp near you. Learn more about Camp Sunshine at mycampsunshine.com.

Today Chris & Christy sit down with Whitney Crosser to talk through her son’s childhood cancer journey. She first discussed when she realized something wasn't quite right with her son’s health after he spiked multiple fevers. After Wyatt’s diagnosis of Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma, Whitney decided to take her son to Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York for treatment. In this episode, she discusses her family's experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering and why they chose to travel to this hospital instead of having treatments at their local children’s hospital.

As we kick off Season Two of The Lighthouse Podcast, Chris & Christy sit down with Mary Kate Snider, VP of Mission Delivery with Make a Wish Georgia. She starts by explaining the requirements for a family to receive a Make a Wish journey and the mission behind Make a Wish. In a world of Childhood Cancer where the child doesn’t get many choices, Mary Kate talks about how a main focus of Make a Wish Georgia is to give kids the choice - a choice of an experience they can get excited about. Continuing, Mary Kate explains the referral process and how Make a Wish Georgia gets in contact with families eligible for an experience. She talks about the process of talking with the child about their wish and how they make it a process and full experience not just a transactional experience. She continues to talk about volunteer opportunities and how others can get involved in raising awareness. She ends the episode by talking about what she wishes parents knew about Make a Wish Georgia. 


Referral forms can be found at: Wish.org

On the final podcast of 2020, co-hosts Christy Richards and Chris Woodruff reflect upon the year that was. They talk about the good things that happened, things they appreciate in spite of the difficulties and some lessons they learned along the way. Chris and Christie then turn their attention to 2021. They discuss the value of being intentional and aligning priorities as we anticipate the new year. Instead of viewing 2021 as an opportunity to make up for all we missed in 2020, Christy encourages us to make a plan so that we don't miss out on some of the good things we experienced this year. What can we take from 2020 that will make 2021 the best year it can be? Listing out the favorite things from this year that we can carry over to the new year is helpful and will make sure we don't forget the lessons we learned. Instead of making big commitments or hoping for sweeping changes, they suggest making small changes that are more manageable and make a bigger difference over the course of time. Thinking about priorities and dreams can help us be more focused and realistic as we approach a new year. We look forward to seeing you in 2021!

In the second of two episodes, Jenny Boyett returns to the podcast to take a deeper dive into the four temperament types of Choleric (Red), Sanguine (Yellow), Phlegmatic (Green) and Melancoly (Blue). She speaks in depth about the characteristics and needs of each type and what approval, acceptance and attention looks like for every color. Jenny shares some humorous and real personal stories and hypotheticals that shed light on life situations that and how we can help our children feel loved and heard. Jenny also offers advice on how to speak into the different temperament types while walking through a season of childhood cancer. She points out how your temperament magnifies when you are in crisis and how to learn from it and manage it. Knowing your tendencies and the tendencies of your spouse and children changes the conversations you have and reduces tension and stress. Finally, Jenny gives tips on disciplining your children based on their temperament and offers encouragement to be patient and take small, intentional steps towards understanding.

Jenny Boyett joins Chris and Christy for the first of two episodes on the four temperaments. The temperaments were discovered over a thousand years ago by Hippocrates and given the greek names Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholy and Phlegmatic. These four have been assigned colors to make them easier to understand. Jenny discusses the importance of not only understanding your own temperament - for self-awareness - but knowing and understanding the temperaments of your spouse and children as well. Communication is key and knowing how to communicate to others based on their "color" can help others become the best version of themselves. In contrast to personalities, temperaments are given at birth and are hard-wired into us. They are a gift from God and cannot be changed. Temperaments can be discovered when our children are young and can help parents better guide and talk to our children. Jenny gives a high level overview of each of the four temperament types and the colors associated with each. She dives into the strengths and weaknesses of the four types and how to encourage each one.

Cliff and Tracy Atfield join the podcast to tell their own story of journeying through childhood cancer. The Atfields, now empty-nesters with a married daughter and a son who's a senior in college, take us back to 2005 to when their then 6-year old son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). They recall the difficult questions they faced, both from their own minds and the mouth of their child. They discuss the difficulty of finding the balance between honesty and protection as well as the challenges of disciplining your children. The Atfields touch on the importance of flexibility while keeping things as normal as possible. They offer advice on self-care and maintaining emotional health and offer practical tips on keeping your marriage healthy in the midst of so much stress and uncertainty. Finally, they emphasize the importance of saying "yes" to people who offer to help and the absolute necessity of holding onto hope.

Tony & Sara Beth Paredes, who have lived the childhood cancer journey, join the podcast to share their family's story. Their son, Ethan, was diagnosed on his 5th birthday with Leukemia (ALL). Hear about their families struggles with the fog of childhood cancer, raising a toddler in addition to their child on treatment, and trying to create a normalcy within their family during treatment and beyond. The Paredes' discuss the unique challenges they had with their doctor and how they made the difficult decision to switch doctors. Tony talks directly to dads about the challenges he faced in the leadership role of their home. Finally, Tony & Sara Beth share some insight of what they wish they knew when the look back on their childhood cancer journey. 

Stephenie Craig, Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in emotional/relational health, is back again with co-hosts Chris and Christy to dive further into the subject of anxiety. Stephenie defines self-care and the need for it in both women AND men. Often, taking time to care for yourself feels selfish or there's just no time when dealing with the complexities of managing a family living through childhood cancer. Stephenie reminds us there is nothing selfish about taking care of ourselves, because we can't take care of others if we don't take care of ourselves. Our bodies need rest, hydration, and fuel. Sometimes, the simple things are the first things we neglect when we're facing a crisis. Stephenie shares a strategy for mapping out self-care within your family dynamic. Rather than focusing on major life changes, she encourages us to determine simple steps we can take to manage our self-care. These small goals aren't put in place as another potential source of shame but to provide opportunity to celebrate progress. Mastering self-care will not only improve our health, but sets a powerful example for our family members to do the same. Finally, Stephenie shares tips for avoiding secondary problems by choosing healthy coping mechanisms.

Welcome back to The Lighthouse Family Podcast as we welcome the incredible Mary Ann Massolio. As a mother of two, Jay and Kathleen, Mary Ann wears multiple hats—serving as the Executive Director of the 1Voice Foundation and dedicating herself to Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Social Work in Tampa Bay for almost three decades.

Mary Ann's journey took a profound turn when her son, Jay, was diagnosed with 4th stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the tender age of 9. In the midst of his brave battle, Jay tragically passed away just six months into treatment. This heartbreaking experience not only reshaped Mary Ann's professional trajectory but also sparked a deep resolve within her. In honor of Jay's memory, Mary Ann established the first school in the United States exclusively for children battling cancer.

Her vast firsthand understanding—from navigating her own child's treatment to supporting families through bereavement—grants her a wealth of wisdom about the intricate dynamics of family experiences during these trying times. Tune in as Mary Ann shares her remarkable story and the impactful work she continues to carry out in memory of her son.

To learn more about 1Voice Foundation, click HERE

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Stephenie Craig, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in emotional/relational health, joins the podcast to talk about anxiety. Stephenie defines anxiety and how it works from a physiological and psychological perspective. We all feel overwhelmed at times, but anxiety makes us feel like we are out of control. Stephenie explains that all emotions serve a purpose, including anxiety. She discusses the contrast between the illusion of control and the sometimes crippling weight of anxious feelings. She explains the physical manifestations of anxiety in our lives and the necessary role breathing plays in our response to difficult circumstances. Stephenie details specific exercises anyone can do to manage their breathing as well as many other tools we can put in our anxiety management toolbox. Anxiety can make us feel shame and that we are powerless. Stephenie offers encouragement to those who feel helpless or alone.

James Ludemann, pediatric oncology nurse, is back on the podcast to share his personal story and how it led to the path he is on today. James was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) right after his sixteenth birthday. James talks about what it was like as a teenager to experience the diagnosis, his shock at discovering the depth and length of his treatment, and the physical toll it took on his body. He discusses how he handled his emotions during the journey, how it affected his peer relationships and what his parents did to help him get through the initial stages of his illness. James shares how his relationships with family and friends, in partnership with his personal faith, buoyed him and helped him get through. Finally, James gives some advice to parents of teenagers who are on treatment, based on his personal experience.

Tim and Leslie Day, parents of Episode 4 guest, Anna Day, join co-hosts Chris and Christy to discuss their family's childhood cancer journey from the parents' perspective. The Days recount how a routine doctor visit for their 9-month-old twins led to a diagnosis of Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. They offer insight into dealing with cancer when you don't know "what the end will look like and when it's going to be." They share how they handle the waiting, the importance of communicating what you feel, and finding the good in what is happening. They spend some time walking through how each parent processes things differently and how they've been intentional in understanding and helping each other and wrap up the episode by sharing some words of encouragement and hope.

Jeff Earnhardt, Leadership Coach and owner of Coaching with Jeff, wraps up our discussion on the Enneagram, the powerful, scientifically-validated personality typing system that teaches there are nine different ways to see people and experiences. Understanding our core motivation will help us know our core fear. The combination of these two things will unlock self-awareness. Jeff shares the final three Enneagram types. He unpacks the core fears and motivations of the Enthusiastic Visionary (7), the Active Controller (8) and the Adaptive Peacemaker (9). Jeff finishes by suggesting several resources that will help you discover your Enneagram type. You can find "The Road Back to You" here: http://bit.ly/RoadBTY You can access the RHETI Enneagram Assessment here: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/rheti

Jeff Earnhardt, Leadership Coach and owner of Coaching with Jeff, returns to the podcast to further develop our understanding of the ancient and powerful personality typing system known as the Enneagram. In this episode, Jeff reminds us of the importance of understanding our strengths and weaknesses, our emotional triggers and how we make decisions. All of these lead to the kind of self-awareness that will help us regulate our responses to any and all situations. It’s critical to understand ourselves, but just as vital to try and understand others. Jeff takes us through types 4, 5 and 6 of the Enneagram. He reveals the motivations, core fears and world views of the the Intense Creative (4), the Quiet Specialist (5) and the Loyal Skeptic (6).

Jeff Earnhardt, Leadership Coach and owner of Coaching with Jeff, sits down with Chris and Christy to unpack the Enneagram. The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system that lays out nine different ways to see people and circumstances. This powerful and timeless instrument helps people understand their core motivation and their greatest fear. He shares the importance of understanding ourselves before we can understand others and our relationships with them. Unlocking our core motivations and fears as well as of those closest to us can lead to more empathetic and healthier family and business relationships. In this episode, Jeff takes us through personality types one through three of nine so we can recognize ourselves and begin to apply this knowledge to our life and relationships.

Joe and Jen Moore, who have lived the childhood cancer journey, join the podcast to share their unique story. The Moore’s daughter, Macie, was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) when she was three years old. Hear how they processed the initial diagnosis, along with the realization that a long, two-and-a-half year treatment regimen was ahead of them. The Moore’s talk about the concerns they had in the early days after the diagnosis and two huge things God used to prepare them in advance to get through those times. They emphasize the role their church played in keeping them grounded and the vital nature of their involvement in a small group. Finally, the Moore’s elaborate on their idea of pain for a purpose and how their story has provided them opportunities to be who God created them to be.

Alan Bohnhoff, a licensed professional counselor, joins Chris and Christy to talk about parenting siblings of children on treatment. He discusses the challenges facing parents and siblings in families living through childhood cancer. Alan addresses the major issues facing parents - including guilt, stress, marriage-strain, and more. In this episode, he shares five steps for parents to help siblings manage the pressure and feelings they experience but don’t know how to process in a healthy way.

Chuck and Mary Ann Detling join the podcast to talk about their experience of living through childhood cancer. Hear how a relatively-minor injury at a neighborhood party led to the discovery and diagnosis of their oldest daughter’s inoperable brain tumor when she was six years old. In this episode, the Detlings talk about the importance of keeping things “normal” for their child, of dealing with the stress of treatment with no end date, and the critical role faith plays. They also explore the balance between trusting and having a good relationship with your doctor while being an advocate for your child through research and second opinions.

Adam Tomberlin, Director of Development at Lighthouse Family Retreat, takes on the intimidating but necessary task of fundraising. Whether for research or family support, raising funds is a critical skill to master in the fight against childhood cancer. Adam shares simple and proven strategies for generating support that don’t require a lot of experience or upfront financial investment. He emphasizes the importance of using social media to promote your fundraising as well as some do’s and don’t’s of “making an ask." Often people want to help, but don’t know how. Adam explains how to move past fear and uncertainty to unlock the potential of giving in your circle of influence. Make it easier for your family and friends to make a difference through generosity!

Welcome back to The Lighthouse Family Podcast! Today, we're privileged to welcome Chalene Skinner as our guest. Her journey is truly extraordinary, centered around her daughter, Easton. Easton's path began at birth, born with Down Syndrome, and took a significant turn at the age of 3 with a diagnosis of ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia), charting an unexpected journey for their family.

Life took a challenging turn when Easton was 5, and Chalene and her husband went through a divorce. For Chalene, this period was an immensely trying time, navigating her daughter's cancer journey while facing the emotional strains of separation.

In her pursuit of healing and self-expression, Chalene turned to writing. Her book, "6 Rounds to Resilience," offers profound insights from her experiences. This book provides invaluable insights to those facing challenging times. Its simplicity and practicality make it a valuable resource for anyone navigating life's challenges. Join us as we delve into Chalene's inspiring story and explore the invaluable wisdom she shares in "6 Rounds to Resilience."

To purchase 6 Rounds to Resilience click HERE

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James Ludemann, pediatric oncology nurse, takes listeners on a deep dive into the world of childhood cancer. He explains the different types of childhood cancer, the categories they fall into, and who they affect. He also highlights some of the ways children are diagnosed and goes into detail about treatments, explaining chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, surgery, and bone marrow transplants. For more information, James recommends the following resources: www.childrensoncologygroup.org, aphon.org, curechildhoodcancer.org, www.lls.org, www.amandarileyfoundation.org, alexslemonade.org, bethematch.org. 

Anna Day, older sister of a childhood cancer survivor, shares her unique experience of this journey from a sibling’s perspective. Hear how she coped with her sister’s illness, the things she learned and how it has shaped her as a person. Anna recounts her frustration when she learned of the lack of funding for childhood cancer research and how it spurred her on to actually do something about it. Her passion and persistence led to the formation of a non-profit that has raised thousands of dollars for childhood cancer research. She reflects upon how her parents handled their family’s struggle and the things they did to help her better navigate the challenges she faced while her sister was on treatment. For more information, visit annasbakesalefoundation.org/

Kristin Connor, Executive Director of CURE Childhood Cancer, joins co-hosts Chris Woodruff and Christy Richards to share why the research CURE funds is so important in the fight against childhood cancer. Kristin discusses the research their organization funds as well as the support CURE offers families through financial assistance, professional counseling, meals, bereavement services and more. She also reveals CURE’s research focus as well as promising new possibilities in regards to treatments. For more information about CURE Childhood Cancer, visit curechildhoodcancer.org. For more information on Lighthouse Family Retreat, visit lighthousefamilyretreat.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @lighthousefr.