The exploration of humor as a potent coping mechanism when confronting life's formidable challenges, particularly cancer, is the focal point of our discourse with Dr. Lou Franzini, author of *How Humor Helps*. In this episode, we delve into the significant role that laughter plays in alleviating stress and enhancing resilience amidst adversity. Through a synthesis of personal anecdotes and empirical research, we illuminate the transformative power of humor, revealing its capacity to foster conne...

On this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller talks with James Moffitt, founder of Father’s Refuge, about grief, faith, and finding hope after the loss of a child. James shares the stories of his daughter Jessica, who died from childhood cancer at age 10, and his son Jeremy, who passed away years later from serious health complications. His experiences show how grief is not a moment in time, but a lifelong journey that reshapes identity and belief. James explains how Father’s Refuge w...

In this episode of “Cancer and Comedy”, Dr. Brad Miller talks with mental health advocate, performer, and podcast host Kevin Crispin (Behind Beautiful Things) about living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and the “things that eat you alive” on the inside. Anchored in a Bob Dylan lyric— “Behind every beautiful thing, there’s some kind of pain”—Kevin shares how he’s learned to acknowledge both the hurt and the hope, and how we can choose what to focus on. Kevin opens about child...

Cancer changes everything, but it also has a way of revealing life’s most important truths. In this heartfelt episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller sits down with Tim Sohn—two-time bestselling author and the host and creator of the Showing Up: Perspectives on Cancer podcast. Tim opens up about his 18-year journey with chronic myeloid leukemia, a diagnosis that initially brought shock and fear but ultimately inspired a mission of connection, healing, and hope. Tim shares how ...

Dr. Brad Miller welcomed humorist Alan Klein to the Cancer and Comedy podcast, focusing their conversation on the transformative power of humor in difficult times. Klein shared stories from his career and personal life, including influences from his parents and his experience working on children’s television. The discussion highlighted how small acts of humor, such as handing out dad-joke cards or wearing a red clown nose, can serve as icebreakers and foster positive interactions, even with stra...

Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller ring in the New Year on this special episode of "Cancer and Comedy," where their mission is to heal cancer-impacted people through hope and humor—turning the grim into a grin. Together, Deb and Dr. Brad explore “Planning in Pencil: A Cancer Patient’s Guide to the New Year,” offering uplifting advice for adapting to life’s unpredictability, especially for those coping with cancer or other adversities. The hosts share candid stories from their own lives—including Dr....

Pastor, author, and Marriage Monday podcast host David Barringer joins Dr. Brad Miller for a meaningful episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, a show committed to helping people facing cancer and other life challenges cope with hope and humor. David is the lead pastor of Kalamazoo First Assembly of God and the author of Speaking From the Shadows, where he shares his own battle with depression and the emotional complexities often hidden behind leadership and ministry. Known for his honesty, w...

Mallori DeSalle is a licensed mental health counselor, certified humor professional, professor at Indiana University’s School of Public Health, and a trainer of motivational interviewing. She is also an Oreo connoisseur who has tasted more than 150 flavors from around the world — and a recent breast cancer patient who uses humor as her most powerful coping tool. In this episode, Mallori shares how she faced the fears, uncertainty, and emotional strain of her cancer diagnosis with authenticity, ...

Deb Krier joins Dr. Brad Miller on a special Thanksgiving-week episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, a show dedicated to helping cancer-impacted people cope with hope and humor. Deb is the co-host of Cancer and Comedy and the creator of the Surviving Not Dying community, where she supports patients and caregivers with honest conversations, practical encouragement, and laughter during difficult seasons. In this episode, Deb and Dr. Brad talk about what they call “the gratitude we didn’t ask...

Deb Krier joins Dr. Brad Miller on this episode of “Cancer and Comedy,” where the mission is to heal cancer-impacted people through hope and humor — turning the grim into a grin. Deb is a longtime dog lover, national beagle show leader, and board member of the National Beagle Club of America. In this episode, Deb opens up about the profound role pets — especially dogs — play in helping people cope with cancer, grief, and difficult life experiences. In this deeply personal conversation, Deb sha...

Deb Krier joins Dr. Brad Miller on this episode of The Cancer and Comedy Podcast. Deb, the co-host of the show, leads a heartfelt and grounding conversation about navigating loneliness during the cancer journey — especially for those who are going through treatment without a built-in support system or close circle of caregivers. In this episode, Dr. Brad and Deb reflect on how deeply loneliness can affect cancer patients, even those who do have supportive family or friends. They share stories ...

Debbie Miller joins Dr. Brad Noah on this episode of The Cancer and Comedy Podcast. Debbie, the wife of Dr. Brad, fills in for co-host Deb Kreh to share a heartfelt and humorous conversation about coping with cancer through laughter, faith, and deep connection. In this episode, Dr. Brad and Debbie reflect on their shared journey after Brad’s cancer diagnosis and how humor became a way to heal and stay connected. Debbie also opens up about losing her father to stomach cancer at a young age and ...

Dr. Brad Miller hosts Episode 105 of the Cancer and Comedy Podcast, a show dedicated to helping people impacted by adversity heal through hope and humor. Their mission is to guide listeners in “turning the grim into a grin,” showing how laughter, attitude, and community can transform even the most challenging moments in life. In this episode, Dr. Brad welcomes humorist and keynote speaker Joel Zeph, author of Make the Right Choice: Lead, Elevate, Unleash. Joel shares how losing his job shortly ...

Cara Lockwood is the guest on Episode 103 of “Cancer and Comedy,” hosted by Dr. Brad Miller with co-host Deb Krier. Cara Lockwood is a bestselling romance novelist whose work has been adapted into Lifetime movies. She helps people navigate the cancer journey by blending humor, joy, and practical insights to reclaim strength and perspective. Her approach empowers patients not only to endure treatment but to live fully and intentionally despite life’s unexpected challenges. In this episod...

Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier host Episode 103 of the Cancer and Comedy Podcast, a show dedicated to helping cancer-impacted individuals heal through hope and humor. Their mission is to guide listeners in “turning the grim into a grin,” showing how laughter, faith, and community can transform even the most challenging moments in life. In this episode, Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller explore how humor and community support help people cope with the challenges of cancer. They discuss transforming t...

Dr. Achim Zinggrebe is Dr. Brad Miller’s guest on Episode 102 of “Cancer and Comedy.” Dr. Achim Zinggrebe is a medical doctor, author, and coach who helps people navigate the cancer journey by integrating mind, body, spirit, and energy into healing. His work empowers patients not only to endure treatment but to reclaim their identity, strength, and joy through gratitude, breathwork, mindset shifts, and spiritual practices. In this episode, Dr. Achim shares how his own cancer diagnosis became a...

Mark Light is Brad Miller’s guest on the Cancer and Comedy Podcast.[Text Wrapping Break]Mark is the author of Rock Bottom to Resilient: Transform Your Mind and Become Unshakable When the Crap Hits the Fan. In this episode, Mark shared his powerful story of being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2022, after already enduring years of life-threatening health battles, including pancreatitis and bacterial meningitis. Rather than collapse under the weight of his diagnosis, Mark leaned into r...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, host Brad welcomes back Edward Miske—singer, actor, author, and founder of the Remission Film Festival. Edward shares his journey as a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, the inspiration behind his book "Cancer and Musical Theater and Other Chronic Illnesses," and his mission to create a space for post-cancer conversations through art. The discussion explores the challenges of life after cancer, the need for resources and community, and th...

Russ Hedge is Dr. Brad Miller’s guest on this episode of “Cancer and Comedy.” Russ is an inspirational speaker, author of Befuddled: Live the Life You Choose, and the host of “Marketing with Russ.” He’s also a cancer survivor whose journey through stage 4 melanoma reshaped his faith, perspective, and mission in life. In this episode, Russ shares how a small wart on his foot turned into a life-altering diagnosis that spread to his lungs and brain. He opens up about the physical toll of surg...

Nature has always been a place of peace, but what if it could also be part of a real treatment plan? In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier share how time among the trees—whether in the mighty redwoods of California or a shady sycamore in the backyard—can play a surprising role in healing for people impacted by cancer. Research shows that “forest bathing,” the practice of fully immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and even scents of the woods, can l...

In this episode of the "Cancer and Comedy" podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier talk about the bright side of diagnosis based on material from comedian Hank Green, where he talks about cancer, laughter, and leadership. Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier discuss how Hank chose to approach his diagnosis by seeking the bright side and using his experiences as material for comedy. They highlight his openness in sharing his journey through YouTube channels and performances, noting the balance he maint...

When life gets heavy, sometimes what you need most is a red rubber nose. In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller sits down with Allen Klein, author, speaker, and self-proclaimed “Jollytologist®” to talk about how humor isn’t just a momentary relief—it’s a life-saving mindset. Allen lost his wife to a rare liver disease, and what got them through the darkest days wasn’t denial or distraction—it was laughter. From using a shriveling houseplant leaf to “censor” a Playgi...

When cancer struck, most people expected Eyal Eltawil to fall apart. Instead, he picked up a microphone. In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier share the story of Eyal, an Israeli stand-up comedian who turned his stage IV cancer diagnosis into a full-on comedy special—and then a TED Talk. His motto? “When cancer strikes, comedy heals.” Rather than hide from the fear, Eyal gave it a name—literally. He called his cancer “Simon,” giving his illness a person...

FOMO—the fear of missing out—is something we all feel. But when you’re living with cancer, that fear can hit a whole new level. In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and co-host Deb Krier talk about how to shift from that anxious, often exhausting mindset to something more peaceful and powerful: JOMO, the joy of missing out. When cancer limits what you can do—travel plans canceled, events skipped, energy zapped—it’s easy to feel like life is happening without you. Dr...