Fear and loathing are natural responses to a cancer diagnosis—but what if they aren’t the final word? In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and co-host Deb Krier tackle the emotional rollercoaster that begins with those two gut-punch words: “It’s cancer.” Instead of staying stuck in panic, dread, and overwhelm, they explore how humor, faith, and even a little sass can help shift the story. Using a lighthearted lens, they walk through the “F-words” of cancer—not that ...

Play isn’t just for kids—and it might be more powerful than we think. In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier explore the surprising ways toys and play can help cancer-impacted people cope with stress, anxiety, and the emotional weight of treatment. They share personal stories—like the comfort of a stuffed animal during hospital stays or the joy of getting a goofy rubber chicken from a grandchild—that highlight how simple objects can hold deep emotional m...

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect the body—it can shake your career, identity, and entire sense of control. In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier explore why cancer coaching is gaining traction as a meaningful support tool, especially for professionals who are used to being in charge. They unpack what cancer coaching really is: a focused, one-on-one resource to help patients, survivors, and caregivers navigate the emotional, practical, and physic...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller sits down with Robin Phoenix Johnson, a retired Army lieutenant colonel turned stand-up comedian and certified humor professional. Robin shares her powerful journey from military leadership to therapeutic humor, driven by personal experiences with caregiving and loss. Together, they explore the science and soul behind therapeutic humor—how laughter can provide mental, emotional, and even physical relief during times of adversity. Robin dis...

In this episode, Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller discuss the language used to describe cancer experiences, emphasizing the importance of personal terminology. Deb identifies as a warrior and survivor, while Brad prefers "coping" and "impacted." They critique terms like "patient" and "battle," noting individual preferences and the need for respectful language. Deb shares her use of "Arty" for humor, and Brad mentions others' creative approaches, highlighting the significance of language in shaping ...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, hosts Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier discuss the therapeutic power of humor in coping with cancer and adversity. They explore how laughter and humor can enhance mental and physical well-being, particularly during challenging times such as cancer treatments. Dr. Miller shares insights from his involvement with the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor and his participation in the Humor Academy, a three-year program that certifies humor professionals. ...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy , host Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Nancie Steinberg, a healthcare communication specialist and patient advocate, to discuss her personal journey through breast cancer and leukemia. Nancie shares how her battle with breast cancer, just after losing her mother to metastatic breast cancer, shaped her work in public relations for the healthcare industry. Despite facing significant challenges, including undergoing a mastectomy and chemotherapy, Nancie continued...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, host Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Merv Neal, Australia's leading laughter expert, to explore the healing power of laughter. Merv shares his unique journey from a successful business career to becoming a laughter therapist after a life-threatening health crisis. Following years of stress and overwork, Merv found himself facing a severe medical emergency, but instead of succumbing to the situation, he found solace and healing in laughter. This unexpected remed...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy , hosts Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier are joined by Dr. Kelly McLean, a specialist in breast and melanoma cancers, to discuss life beyond cancer treatment. Dr. McLean and her husband, Tom Tressler, co-founded Move Beyond Surviving , a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cancer survivors navigate life's emotional and physical aspects after treatment. Dr. McLean explains how surviving cancer isn’t just about medical recovery but also about adjustin...

Katy Bee, our distinguished guest, embarked on a transformative journey across the nation with the express purpose of advocating joy in the lives of individuals grappling with adversity, including those impacted by cancer. In this enlightening discourse, we delve into the profound science and spirituality of laughter, as well as practical methodologies for cultivating joy through quotidian acts of kindness and appreciation. Katie articulates her experiences as a joy advocate, detailing her encou...

Dr. Brad Miller, in his compelling appearance on the LaughBox Podcast, elucidates the transformative power of humor in the face of adversity, particularly within the realm of cancer. He articulates how humor serves as a vital coping mechanism, allowing individuals affected by cancer to navigate their daunting circumstances with a sense of levity and resilience. Through his personal narrative, Dr. Miller highlights the profound dichotomy between despair and laughter, demonstrating that the integr...

In this episode, we engage in a profound dialogue with Jim Bob Williams, the first therapeutic humorist to appear on Jeopardy. We delve into the intricacies of navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis through a dual lens of engineering and comedic strategy, emphasizing the importance of balancing humor with candid vulnerability. Jim Bob elucidates how he employs what he terms "strategic humor" to forge connections with others facing similar adversities, thereby transforming his personal challenges...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, hosts Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier welcome Christina Vidovich, an expert in mindfulness and meditation, to discuss how individuals, especially women, can manage anxiety and stress through mindful practices. Christina shares her journey from working in developmental psychology and autism studies to becoming a business owner and discovering the healing power of meditation. After experiencing personal loss and challenges, she created a series of "one-minute ca...

Laughter is often seen as a temporary escape, but what if it could be part of a real treatment plan? In this episode of the Cancer and Comedy podcast, Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Frank Chindamo, who shares the inspiration behind his LaughMD app, a groundbreaking approach to using humor as a therapeutic tool. After losing his father and stepfather to cancer, Frank saw firsthand how hospital environments, often cold and soul-crushing, contribute to emotional and physical pain. His mission? To tra...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller welcomes Dale Atkinson, a former compliance consultant from the UK, to share his journey with esophageal adenocarcinoma and its impact on his life. Diagnosed after his wife’s successful lung surgery, Dale was given a terminal prognosis of just 11.5 months. Despite this, he chose to fight back, embracing alternative therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, mistletoe therapy, and high-dose vitamin C. Dr. Miller and Dale discuss the power o...

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier welcome Lynn “Elikqitie” Smargis to discuss overcoming chronic pain and PTSD while building a career in writing and publishing. Lynn shares her deeply personal journey of surviving childhood abuse, living with PTSD, and using writing as a tool for healing. She introduces her “box metaphor,” explaining how her mind stored traumatic memories and how she gradually worked through them. Dr. Miller and Deb engage in a robust discussi...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier dive into the sensitive topic of boundaries when sharing personal information, especially in the context of cancer. Dr. Miller reflects on his experiences with individuals who either over-shared or kept their struggles private, stressing the importance of balancing openness and discretion. He shares two personal stories, one about Phyllis, who kept her cancer diagnosis private, and another about Harry, who was more open with his condition. Through t...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier discuss the unique intersection of cancer and comedy. Dr. Miller shares his journey from his prostate cancer diagnosis to using humor as a coping mechanism. He talks about his experiences, from incontinence to impotence, and how humor allowed him to handle difficult situations. Drawing inspiration from comedians, he even took a comedy workshop at Podfest, which led him to perform a stand-up routine about his cancer journey. The laughter, he says, is...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Tami Barber discuss her inspiring journey from a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader to a cancer survivor and podcast host. Tami shares her experiences with ovarian cancer, from her initial diagnosis to her emotional highs and lows during treatment. Despite the challenges, Tami remained resilient and optimistic, finding strength in her support group, the "Bionic Babes," and her podcast, Cancer, the Emotional Mountain. She also discusses her transition from cheerleadi...

In this episode, Jason Lee shares his journey from overcoming adversity to achieving success, focusing on resilience and the transformative power of storytelling. Jason, a specialist medical translator, discusses how a series of health challenges—including contracting COVID-19, viral pneumonia, and stage two heart failure—shook his life but also led to a profound shift in his career and mindset. He speaks candidly about the mental health struggles he faced, mainly stemming from childhood trauma,...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Jen Hardy explore the power of laughter, resilience, and living life boldly despite health challenges. Jen shares her incredible journey, from a series of misdiagnoses in 2013 to being told she had only a year to live. Despite facing muscular dystrophy and myasthenia gravis, she defied the odds by focusing on hope, humor, and changing her mindset. Her move to a coastal island, away from stress, brought her back to life—physically and emotionally. She now wa...

In this episode, Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller discuss the therapeutic power of humor in dealing with cancer. Dr. Brad Miller shares insights from a professional comedian about how humor works by breaking tension, offering unexpected responses, and helping people process difficult emotions. Deb shares how comedy provides a safe way to discuss a taboo topic and can act as an icebreaker to open up deeper discussions. Dr. Brad Miller highlighted the physiological benefits of laughter, including ...

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 share...

In this episode, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier discussed the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy and routine when coping with cancer. Deb Krier and Dr. Brad Miller share personal stories of how unexpected events like cancer can disrupt normal routines. They emphasize that normalcy is more about having consistent routines rather than absolute normalcy. Dr. Brad Miller highlights the value of building community and relationships to help cope with the changes brought on by cancer. He al...