Best Shine Cancer Support Podcasts (2025)

1
The Woman on the Plane: Choosing Kindness Over Judgment 31:48

1d ago31:48

31:48

In this heartfelt solo episode of the Tell Her podcast, Sharni opens up about recent reflections on privacy, the shift away from chasing online validation, and the quiet joy of living more intentionally. After sharing a glimpse into a spontaneous trip to New York with her daughter Molly, Sharni recounts a powerful story from their journey home, sit…

1
Dr Harriet Etheredge, Gordon Bedford, Suzalee Blair-Gordon and Suzannah Kinsella: How do people feel about using genomic data to guide health across a lifetime? 30:35

11h ago30:35

30:35

In this episode of Behind the Genes, we explore the hopes, concerns and complex questions raised by the idea of a lifetime genome — a single genomic record used across a person’s life to guide healthcare decisions. Drawing on conversations from Genomics England’s Public Standing Group on the lifetime genome, our guests explore what it might mean fo…

1
Health Before Hormones: The Cost of Dismissing Women’s Symptoms 1:25:00

8d ago1:25:00

1:25:00

In this profoundly moving episode of Tell Her, we sit down with Jo from Durham—a courageous mother and wife—who opens up about her journey after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 53. Today, Jo lives with the knowledge that her cancer is now untreatable, and she’s been given just 8 months to live. Despite this heartbreaking prognosis, Jo sha…

1
Is Paliative care what we think? 38:04

14d ago38:04

38:04

Sam and Professor Jonathan Koffman join Tatum to give an inside look at what palliative care offers. There are so many misconceptions so it can be reassuring to know what it's actually all about. Jonathan lends his expertise as a Professor of Palliative Care and 29 year old Sam's shares his experience of movie nights in hospice.…

1
How Kindness from Strangers Transformed My Life: A Story of acceptence and Growth 9:47

15d ago9:47

9:47

How Kindness from Strangers Transformed My Life: A Story of Resilience and Growth In this episode, I reflect on my transformative journey, sharing personal stories about the people who inspired and supported me. From the kindness of a client who paid for her family's holiday to the mentorship from a woman who saw her potential, she discusses how th…

1
The Scoop on Returning to Work 42:29

17d ago42:29

42:29

What do I put on my CV to explain the gap? What if I go back to back to my job but I can't do the role like ? Julie Denning joins Tatum to share her expertise as a Health Psychologist and returning to work specialist coach.By Shine Cancer Support

1
Dr Natalie Banner, Paul Arvidson, Dr Rich Gorman and Professor Bobbie Farsides: How can we enable ethical and inclusive research to thrive? 42:02

22d ago42:02

42:02

In this episode of Behind the Genes, we explore how ethical preparedness can offer a more compassionate and collaborative approach to genomic medicine. Drawing on insights from the EPPiGen Project, our guests discuss how creative storytelling methods, like poetry, have helped families and professionals navigate the complex emotional, ethical and pr…

1
From Misdiagnosis to Mission: How Leah Turned Her Cancer Journey into a Career Supporting Women with Hair Loss 1:11:20

22d ago1:11:20

1:11:20

Welcome to The Tell Her Podcast—where extraordinary, ordinary women share the raw, real stories that shaped them. In this episode, we meet Leah, who showed up to train with me as a hair loss specialist just days after finishing cancer treatment. Why? Because she had a plan to help other women, and nothing—not even breast cancer—was going to stop he…

1
Relapse, Recovery & Radical Honesty: Tabbin’s Story of Alcohol and Breast Cancer 1:01:50

29d ago1:01:50

1:01:50

In this powerful and honest episode of the Tell Her podcast, Sharni sits down with Tabbin Almond to talk about grey area drinking, the silent struggles many women face, and the life-altering health consequences most of us were never told about—especially the link between alcohol and breast cancer. Tabbin opens up about her years working in the high…

1
The Fight For Her Life: The Ultimate Comeback Story From Breakdown To Breakthrough with World Champion Nicola Barke 1:18:18

1M ago1:18:18

1:18:18

Nicola’s story isn’t just about surviving trauma, it’s about rising with purpose and doing something powerful with the pain. From performing ballet at a national level to becoming a world champion in Taekwondo, she’s always been someone who pushes boundaries. She’s taken that same tenacity into the boxing ring, into corporate leadership at HSBC, an…

1
From Ashes to Impact with Ashely Higgins 1:23:52

1M ago1:23:52

1:23:52

Sometimes it takes losing everything to discover what really matters. Ashley had it all mapped out. A thriving salon, a long-term partner, a future she’d worked hard to build. But within the space of a week, her world collapsed. A devastating fire destroyed her salon and her life savings. Days later, her seven-year relationship ended. With nowhere …

1
Boundaries, Burnout & Becoming Yourself – Kate Baxendale’s Journey of Self-Acceptance 1:36:57

2M ago1:36:57

1:36:57

Some women hit breaking point and decide to shrink. Kate Baxendale hit hers and chose to expand. After decades in high-pressure leadership roles across the NHS, juggling responsibility for hundreds of lives and navigating the invisible weight of being “the strong one,” Kate found herself unravelling. Not all at once but slowly, subtly, almost imper…

1
Stomas and Meetups 35:24

2M ago35:24

35:24

Sam and Lana join Tatum to share how they instantly bonded at a Shine meetup event with humour about living with stomas. They share tips of what they wish they had known sooner and why it makes such a difference meeting others who understand.By Shine Cancer Support

1
Vivienne Parry, Alice Tuff-Lacey, Dalia Kasperaviciute and Kerry Leeson Bevers: What can we learn from the Generation Study? 34:03

2M ago34:03

34:03

As of February 2025, the Generation Study has recruited over 3,000 participants. In this episode of Behind the Genes, we explore what we have learnt so far from running the study and how it continues to evolve in response to emerging challenges. The conversation delves into key lessons from early recruitment, the challenges of ensuring diverse repr…

1
Fighting for Answers – Mandi Potter's Journey Through Hair Loss, Cancer & Finding Strength 2:08:03

2M ago2:08:03

2:08:03

Some battles you choose. Others come crashing into your life and force you to fight. Mandi’s story is one of resilience, determination, and never backing down when something doesn’t feel right. It started with what seemed like a minor health issue. hair loss linked to an underactive thyroid. But as she sought answers, she was met with dismissals, m…

1
From Hairdresser to Hair Detective – Victoria Scott on Trusting the Signs & Taking Control 1:00:19

2M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Hair loss isn’t just about aging or genetics. It can be one of the first warning signs that something deeper is happening in the body. Stress, hormonal imbalances, illness, and nutritional deficiencies can all trigger excessive shedding, yet many people dismiss it until it’s too late. The body prioritises vital functions first when it’s under press…

1
Lisa Daly’s Journey of Strength, Survival, and Purpose 1:33:14

2M ago1:33:14

1:33:14

Some stories stay with you long after they’re told, and this is one of them. In this episode of The Tell Her Podcast, Lisa Daly shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, survival, and finding purpose through adversity. From overcoming breast cancer to navigating the heartbreaking loss of her parents, Lisa’s story is a testament to the power o…

1
Dr Ana Lisa Tavares, Anne Lennox, Dr Meriel McEntagart, Dr Carlo Rinaldi: Can patient collaboration shape the future of therapies for rare conditions? 46:08

3M ago46:08

46:08

Rare condition research is evolving, and patient communities are driving the breakthrough. In this special Rare Disease Day episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of rare condition therapies. From groundbreaking gene therapy trials to the power of patient-driven research, our guests discuss how collaboration between…

1
Turning Pain into Power: Rebecca Dickenson on Boundaries, Burnout & Brave Choices 1:09:37

3M ago1:09:37

1:09:37

In this powerful episode of The Tell Her Podcast, host Sharni Knighton sits down with Rebecca Dickenson, an industry-leading hair professional and entrepreneur, to explore the emotional side of service-based careers, personal growth, and the power of human connection. Rebecca opens up about how hairdressing is more than just a job it’s about creati…

1
Does our language change after diagnosis? 42:58

3M ago42:58

42:58

Joss and Gemma join Tatum to dive into the surprising trickiness of words when communicating with others after a diagnosis. They share their PR campaigns, humour and come up with new cancer words!By Shine Cancer Support

1
Meet Sharni Knighton: Why She’s Sharing the Stories of Extraordinary Ordinary Women 46:36

3M ago46:36

46:36

Empowering Women: Conversations on Vulnerability, Strength, and Authenticity In the debut episode of the 'Tell Her Podcast,' host Sharni is Interviewed for an in-depth conversation about the motivations behind starting the podcast. Sharni reveals her vision to create a supportive space for women, her personal and professional journey, and the extra…

1
Dr Gavin Arno, Kate Arkell, Bhavini Makwana and Naimah Callachand: Can genomic research close the diagnostic gap in inherited sight loss? 29:47

3M ago29:47

29:47

In this episode, our guests explore the impact of genetic discoveries on inherited retinal dystrophies, in particular retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The discussion highlights a recent study that identified two non-coding genetic variants linked to RP, predominantly in individuals of South Asian and African ancestry. The conversation highlights how adva…

1
Menopause and Cancer with Dani 54:26

4M ago54:26

54:26

Dani joins Tatum to talk about all things hormonal, why we deserve more options and why its ok to be a bit more of a difficult patient! She also shares what inspired her to start the organisation, Menopause and Cancer. https://menopauseandcancer.org/By Shine Cancer Support

1
Dr Natalie Banner, Dr Raghib Ali, Professor Naomi Allen, Dr Andrea Ramírez: How can we unlock the potential of large-scale health datasets? 37:53

4M ago37:53

37:53

In this episode, our guests discuss the potential of large-scale health datasets to transform research and improve patient outcomes and healthcare systems. Our guests also delve into the ethical, logistical, and technical challenges that come with these programmes. We hear how organisations such as UK Biobank, Our Future Health, and All of Us are c…

1
John Pullinger: What is the diagnostic odyssey? 4:59

4M ago4:59

4:59

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked John Pullinger, Senior Bio Sample Operations Manager at Genomics England, to explain what it means to go on a diagnostic odyssey. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about genomics on our YouTube channel. If you’ve got any questions, or have any ot…

1
Jillian Hastings Ward, Dr Karen Low and Lindsay Randall: How can parental insights transform care for rare genetic conditions? 29:26

4M ago29:26

29:26

The Genetic Rare Syndromes Observational Cohort (GenROC) study aims to improve our understanding of how rare genetic conditions affect the way children grow, their physical health and their development. Through actively involving parents as experts in their child's condition, the study seeks to gather valuable insights and ensure that family experi…

1
Cancer Scams and Scammers Part 2 51:17

4M ago51:17

51:17

Clare, Ceinwen and Tatum are back on the cancer scamming case. They delve into the seedy world of dodgy detection machines, TikTok bots creating fake arrests and a whole wild west of deworming. You can also listen to Part 1 of this (we even chat about Belle Gibson) here: https://shinecancersupport.podbean.com/e/cancer-scams-and-scammers/…

1
Faith and cancer: how our beliefs can help us to cope 53:50

5M ago53:50

53:50

In this podcast we're looking at faith and cancer. It's not a topic that gets spoken about a lot, so we thought we'd examine the different ways members of the Shine community have found their different faiths helpful (and challenging) in navigating their experiences with cancer. Tatum talks to Hannah, Suki, Anoushe, Rachel and Sarah about how they …

1
Dr Rich Scott and Adam Clatworthy: Reflecting on 2024 - A year of change and discovery 48:52

5M ago48:52

48:52

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on what has been a busy year at Genomics England and in the wider genomics community. Throughout the year, guests have joined us to discuss groundbreaking research discoveries, important ethical considerations, and share their personal stories. It was also a year of transformation: we rebranded …

1
Katrina Stone: What happens when I go for whole genome sequencing? 4:46

5M ago4:46

4:46

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Katrina Stone, Clinical Genetics Doctor, and Clinical Fellow at Genomics England, to explain what happens when you go for whole genome sequencing for a rare condition. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about genomics on our YouTube channel. If yo…

1
David Kessler: Finding Meaning 52:16

5M ago52:16

52:16

I had such a great discussion with David Kessler for this episode. David is one of the world’s foremost experts on grief and loss. He’s also had two very personal losses: the death of his mother when he was just 13, and the death of his younger son when his son was 21. David has just come out with a brand new workbook, Finding Meaning: The Sixth St…

1
Mel Dixon, Jo Balfour and Dr Rona Smith: How can we work with patients to drive research initiatives? 39:21

5M ago39:21

39:21

In this episode, we explore the importance of patient involvement in shaping rare condition research initiatives. Our guests discuss why it’s crucial to involve individuals with lived experiences, including patients and caregivers, in setting research agendas. In doing so, this approach ensures research can be more inclusive, efficient, and impactf…

1
Coping with cancer in your 20s 37:09

6M ago37:09

37:09

Having cancer in your 20s is just different. It can feel especially isolating because friends are busy dating, travelling and diving into careers when you you are in waiting rooms with other cancer patients five decades older. Hex, Aimee and Neil share what it's like having cancer when adult life only just started.…

1
Meriel McEntagart: Are genetic conditions always inherited from parents? 6:13

6M ago6:13

6:13

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Meriel McEntagart, Clinical Geneticist in the NHS and Clinical Lead for Rare Disease Technologies at Genomics England, to explain how genetic conditions can be inherited, and other ways they may arise. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about geno…

1
Losing a partner to cancer: coping with grief & rebuilding your life 57:05

6M ago57:05

57:05

Tatum talks with Jakub, Andrew and Pete about coping with grief, especially when the emotions that come with it are sometimes surprising.By Shine Cancer Support

1
Helen White, Professor Ian Tomlinson, Claire Coughlan and Dr David Church: Can genetic discoveries revolutionise bowel cancer care? 34:21

6M ago34:21

34:21

In this episode, we explore findings from a groundbreaking study recently published in Nature which revealed potential targets for bowel cancer prevention and treatment. The study provides the most detailed understanding yet of bowel cancer’s genetic makeup. The research, which used data from the 100,000 Genomes Project identified over 250 genes th…

1
Adrianto Wirawan: What does 'no primary findings' mean? 3:57

6M ago3:57

3:57

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Adrianto Wirawan, Director of Bioinformatics Engineering at Genomics England, to explain what the term 'no primary findings' means. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about genomics on our YouTube channel. If you’ve got any questions, or have any …

1
Michelle Glogovac Reflects on Losing Her Dad at Age 7 42:58

6M ago42:58

42:58

I had such a great discussion with Michelle Glogovac for this episode. Michelle lost her dad when she was 7, and I’m so grateful that she was willing to come on and speak with us for this special discussion that is our first episode of this year’s Children’s Grief Awareness Month. It’s kind of funny how I came to be speaking with Michelle for this.…

1
Mathilde Leblond: What do parents want to know about the Generation Study? 11:07

6M ago11:07

11:07

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Mathilde Leblond, Senior Design Researcher for the Generation Study at Genomics England, to answer some frequently asked questions that we received from parents who we engaged with for the design of the study. You can hear more information about Generation Study via the study's official website and in our prev…

1
Callum Morris: What happens in a clinical trial? 8:26

7M ago8:26

8:26

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Callum Morris, Pharmaceutical Research and Development Insights Manager at Genomics England, to explain what happens in a clinical trial. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about genomics on our YouTube channel. If you’ve got any questions, or hav…

1
Reimagining Resilience - Live at Shine Connect 2024 43:46

7M ago43:46

43:46

In this special live episode, Tatum hosts the podcast with Shine Co-CEO, Ceinwen, and speaks to guests Rena, Matt, Becca and Adam about how they've coped with their diagnoses and what resilience means to them (and whether it's useful). Rena was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and underwent 15 months of surgery. Matt was diagnosed with …

1
Nicole Chai: How does X-linked inheritance work? 3:25

7M ago3:25

3:25

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Nicole Chai, Research and Development Bioinformatician at Genomics England, to explain what X-linked inheritance is. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about genomics on our YouTube channel. If you’ve got any questions, or have any other topics yo…

1
Amanda-Lee Pitzer: The Relieved Widow 48:12

7M ago48:12

48:12

I had such a great discussion with Amanda-Lee Pitzer for this episode. Amanda-Lee is the author of the new memoir The Relieved Widow. “Relieved,” you say? Yes, the title is perhaps a bit jarring. But Amanda-Lee is doing readers a service by being open and honest about her story of losing her military husband to suicide when their boys were 8 and 10…

1
Arina Puzriakova: What is a polygenic disorder? 5:50

7M ago5:50

5:50

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Arina Puzriakova, Scientific Curator at Genomics England, to explain what a polygenic disorder is. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about genomics on our YouTube channel. If you’ve got any questions, or have any other topics you’d like us to exp…

1
Öznur Özkurt, Mathilde Leblond, Rebecca Middleton and Sandra Igwe: How has design research shaped the Generation Study? 24:02

7M ago24:02

24:02

The Generation Study is a research initiative aiming to explore the use of whole genome sequencing in newborns, to screen for more than 200 rare genetic conditions. This study will recruit 100,000 babies across England, and you can learn more about the Generation Study via the study's official website. Design research has played a vital role in sha…

1
Jeanette Koncikowski: ‘Shipwrecked’ by Widowed Parenting 45:15

7M ago45:15

45:15

I had such a great discussion with Jeanette Koncikowski for this episode. We first talked five years ago, when Jeanette was my guest way back in episode 10. I invited her back now because she’s out with a brand-new book, Shipwrecked: A Memoir of Widowed Parenting and Life After Loss. It’s a “teaching memoir,” in which Jeanette both shares her famil…

1
Amanda Pichini: Which healthcare professionals are involved in my genomic healthcare journey? 5:33

7M ago5:33

5:33

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Amanda Pichini, Clinical Director at Genomics England and Genetic Counsellor, to explain which healthcare professionals you may come into contact with in your genomic healthcare journey. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about genomics on our You…

1
43. Pixie Lott: her brand new album, creative fulfilment and the magic of meditation. 35:17

8M ago35:17

35:17

On this week’s episode of Open, Emma is joined by singer songwriter, Pixie Lott. Pixie took the pop world by storm back in 2009 with her debut album, Turn It Up which led to three UK number one singles (including the unforgettable Cry Me Out and Mama Do) four Brit nominations and two MTV EMA awards. She’s a former judge on The Voice kids and guest …

1
Jessica Waite: The Widows Guide to Dead Bastards 1:00:02

8M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

I had such a great discussion with Jessica Waite for this episode. I’ve had a number of listeners recently asking for more discussions with widowed parents who have complicated situations. Or, as one listener put it, “the end-of-life stories that are really ugly.” One of the gifts Jessica is giving us with her new book is that she’s writing about s…

1
Maili Raven-Adams, Niharika Batra, Trupti Patel and Naimah Callachand: How can we ensure equitable access to genomic medicine? 37:11

8M ago37:11

37:11

Digital consent models, language barriers, and cultural differences are just a few factors that can exclude people from participating in genomic research. In this episode, our guests discuss these issues, and explore alternative methods such as in-person discussions and the use of trusted community figures to engage with their communities to increa…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Shine Cancer Support Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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