Walking the Genetic Line
Conversations about navigating hereditary cancer risk. Join us to talk about life between the scans, and how finding out you have a genetic mutation can be a portal to emotional, relational and intergenerational healing.
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Beth Martinetti: Family, Fertility, and Identity after Hereditary Cancer Diagnosis
12/11/2025
Beth Martinetti: Family, Fertility, and Identity after Hereditary Cancer Diagnosis
Episode Summary When Beth Martinetti—Pilates instructor, mother of three, and lifelong student of her own body—discovered multiple genetic mutations at 45, it was the latest chapter in a lifetime shaped by both visible and invisible challenges. Beth shares her journey from adolescent injury and Ehlers-Danlos diagnosis, through complicated pregnancies, to a midlife cascade: mysterious symptoms, pivotal encounters with validating doctors, and ultimately, the discovery that she carries BRCA1, CHEK2, and a variant in BARD1. Still in the thick of surgical recovery, Beth invites us into her real-time experience of risk, loss, uncertainty, and the incremental reclaiming of agency and meaning. We Cover Medical and developmental trauma: How early diagnoses and pain shaped Beth’s body awareness, resilience, and vigilance Pregnancy, miscarriage, and marginalization: What it meant to be repeatedly dismissed or minimized, and the life-changing impact of a single attuned provider Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and the way hypermobility, hormonal issues, and reproductive challenges intersected over decades Self-advocacy in the medical system: Learning to read her own imaging, question dismissive providers, and push for genetic testing Receiving her results: The shock and surreal rupture when Beth learned she carried BRCA1 and CHEK2, and the weight of sharing that with her family—while standing in the woods at Yosemite Supporting adolescent and younger children through the ripple effects of maternal illness, body changes, and genetic risk The embodied experience of surgery—from hysterectomy to gallbladder removal, oophorectomy, and mastectomy—and the real-time challenges of surgical complications, infection, and body image shifts Grief, agency, and legacy: Parenting through vulnerability, modeling emotional honesty, and holding fear, gratitude, and fatigue at once The role of partners and community: How a supportive spouse, trusted friends, and peer connections make survival—and joy—possible Highlights & Takeaways Finding just one attuned, validating provider (sometimes for a single appointment) can be a turning point—emotionally and medically. Self-advocacy is a moving target: sometimes it’s reading your own reports, sometimes it’s knowing when a care team isn’t right, and sometimes it’s asking for help again and again. Living through “the middle” means holding both gratitude and disappointment, joy and exhaustion; honoring the whole experience matters. Parenting with genetic risk is about more than “staying positive”—it’s also about being honest, modeling emotional self-care, and letting children see resilience as well as struggle. Surgical recovery is seldom linear, and body image is an ongoing conversation—one best held with authenticity and support. Content Note This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and pregnancy loss, surgical details, body image, medical trauma, and the emotional experience of hereditary cancer risk. Resources Mentioned Genetic Testing and Support FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered): Bright Pink (educational/support community for hereditary cancer): Penn Medicine Basser Center for BRCA: Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes Pelvic Floor Health & Menopause Support Body Image after Surgery (support community for young women affected by breast and gynecologic cancers) Podcast host: Connect If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share. Find Sara on IG/TikTok and get free tools + support group info via the link in bio. You’re not alone—this is a line we walk together. Want to tell your story, share feedback, or learn about future groups? DM or email Sara via .
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Dr. Corinne Menn: The Truth About Hormone Replacement for BRCA Carriers and Previvers
11/27/2025
Dr. Corinne Menn: The Truth About Hormone Replacement for BRCA Carriers and Previvers
Guest: Dr. Corinne Menn Theme: Claiming agency in hereditary cancer risk, surgical menopause, and a new era of HRT care Episode summary When Dr. Corinne Menn—board certified OB/GYN, Menopause Society certified practitioner, 23+ year breast cancer survivor, and BRCA2 carrier—joins us, she brings unparalleled lived and clinical expertise to walking the genetic line. In this conversation, Dr. Corinne Menn shares her deeply personal journey: breast cancer at 28, the loss of her mother to ovarian cancer, and the years navigating her own genetic risk and premature menopause. Together, we explore why BRCA (and other mutation) “previvors” often land in a black hole of care, how miscommunication and provider fear still undermine evidence-based treatment, and the hopeful shift as new guidelines and cultural change begin to reshape what’s possible for those living at hereditary risk. We cover Dr. Corinne Menn ’s origin story: the collision of residency, a breast cancer diagnosis in her 20s, and her mother’s ovarian cancer and loss How outdated genetic testing, medical gaslighting, and trauma shaped her assertiveness as both patient and physician The “CEO of your health” mindset: building self-trust and voice inside overwhelming medical realities The giant gap in menopause and HRT education across the entire medical field (~20 years of misinformation and fear after the WHI study) What most doctors STILL get wrong about HRT for BRCA carriers—and how new FDA changes and Menopause Society guidelines support safer, more nuanced use Proactive care: why pre-surgery counseling and immediate access to HRT matter for quality of life, bone, heart, and brain health “Female castration”—naming the reality and impact of surgical menopause and how it’s minimized systemically How trauma-informed therapy and a more holistic approach are essential for hereditary cancer communities and all patients in medical systems Highlights & takeaways “All BRCA previvors must demand pre-op counseling and a pre-op management plan on how their doctor is going to manage their abrupt surgical menopause. This is not optional.” The harm of not providing HRT after surgical menopause is severe: double the risk of heart disease, dementia, osteoporosis, mood disorders—especially for those under 45. New FDA changes (Spring 2024): the black box warning on estrogen is being removed/updated, allowing for clearer, less fear-based counseling about HRT’s risks and benefits. For BRCA (and other mutation) carriers, HRT up to natural menopause is standard of care. The fear of HRT, especially after risk-reducing surgeries, is both outdated and damaging. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause deserves more attention and treatment—local vaginal estrogen is safe, effective, and newly destigmatized. “If you wouldn't tell a man at 31 who lost his testicles to just try coconut oil—don't do that to female patients after oophorectomy.” Content note Includes discussion of parental death, breast/ovarian cancer, early menopause, medical trauma, sexual health, and systemic gaps in care. Resources mentioned & organizations NCCN Guidelines on Risk Reduction & HRT: The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS): A New Era of Hormone Therapy: FDA Update on Estrogen Labeling: See FDA press releases and Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in BRCA+: Dr. Menn’s Instagram: Dr. Menn’s Substack + education for previvors: MyAllo.com — telehealth menopause & cancer survivorship platform with expert providers in all 50 states: Support & therapy for hereditary cancer risk: , Connect If this episode resonated, please follow, rate, and share. Find Sara on IG/TikTok and get free tools, group support, and offerings at the link in bio. You’re not alone—we can walk this line together.
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Martha Kaiser: From Melanoma Diagnosis to Genetic Discovery – A Journey of Agency and Ancestry
11/13/2025
Martha Kaiser: From Melanoma Diagnosis to Genetic Discovery – A Journey of Agency and Ancestry
Guest: Martha Kaiser Theme: Walking with CDKN2A, Ancestral Discovery, and Agency in Rare Genetic Mutations Episode Summary When Martha Kaiser discovered she carries the rare CDKN2A gene mutation—known for elevating risks of melanoma and pancreatic cancer—her journey shifted from uncertainty, loss, and family trauma to active agency and deep exploration. In this conversation, she shares not only the medical dimensions of living with a lesser-known mutation, but how intergenerational silence, gut intuition, and the drive to protect her children led her to become both a patient advocate and a creative genealogist, tracing the roots and ripple effects of her family’s cancer history. Her story explores how knowledge, connection, and community can bring both practical peace and a kind of healing across generations. We Cover The emotional backdrop: losing her mother young to multiple cancers, and carrying a sense of unspoken family trauma How shifting cancer narratives across generations inspired Martha’s vow for transparency and openness with her own children The surprise and shock of receiving a positive CDKN2A result after full-panel genetic testing (having initially been tested for BRCA) Navigating surveillance for pancreatic, brain, and breast cancers with annual MRIs, endoscopies, and proactive self-advocacy Turning to genealogy—and partnering with Connect My Variant and BYU researchers—to untangle the ancestral origins of her “typo” and connect with long-lost relatives Processing the identity shift and agency that comes with rare mutation status: from isolation to making new friends and finding meaning as an advocate Reframing medical anxiety: how regular imaging, informed conversations, and community lessen the burden of living with ongoing risk The evolving relationship with guilt, responsibility, and legacy after learning she passed her mutation on to two of her three children Claiming the power of knowledge—and the importance of finding your people Highlights & Takeaways “It finally kind of put some validity to this… thought that I was growing melanoma for no reason.” Intergenerational silence around illness can be shifted—with honesty, consent, and honoring each child’s readiness to know. Agency in rare mutations includes not just self-care, but reaching out to others—family, friends, and online communities—for knowledge, relief, and the possibility of healing old wounds. Surveillance isn’t just clinical; it can be emotionally stabilizing, creating peace in uncertain bodies and family systems. There can be empowerment, relief, and even beauty in hunting down the “typo” in the family tree—and meeting kin who share it. Community, data, and emotional support aren’t separate—a rare mutation journey is richer with all three. Content Note This episode includes discussion of parental illness and death, intergenerational trauma, genetic guilt, and medical anxiety. Resources Mentioned – a project for connecting families who share rare genetic variants (Kathy Baker’s resource for hereditary cancer support) Connect If this episode resonated, please follow, rate, and share. Find Sara on IG @FaceTheRiskTogether and get free tools + 1:1/group offerings via the link in bio. You’re not alone—we can walk this line together.
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Solo Episode: What “Evidence-Based Care” Really Means: Bridging Science, Trauma, and Healing Hereditary Cancer
11/06/2025
Solo Episode: What “Evidence-Based Care” Really Means: Bridging Science, Trauma, and Healing Hereditary Cancer
🧬 Episode Summary In this solo episode, host Sara Champie, LCSW, explores one of the most common phrases in medicine and psychology—evidence-based care—and what it really means when we apply it to lived human experience. Sara walks us through the two definitions that often get conflated: evidence-based research, which measures outcomes in controlled studies, and evidence-based practice, which integrates science, clinical wisdom, and a client’s unique values and culture. She then bridges these frameworks through the lens of hereditary cancer risk, showing how the most profound healing often happens in the spaces that data cannot measure—connection, attunement, grief, and identity. Through stories of life after surgery and survivorship, Sara invites us to consider that “the connection is the treatment.” Science can guide us, but relationships are what truly heal. 💬 Key Themes What evidence-based care really means in medicine vs. psychology The therapeutic alliance as the strongest predictor of healing outcomes Why relational safety can’t be randomized or quantified The emotional aftermath of “successful” medical interventions Bridging the gap between surgical recovery and emotional integration How research funding, politics, and systems of oppression shape what gets labeled “evidence-based” Integrating science and relationship for whole-person healing 🩺 Featured Quote “Even when data says you’re fine, the surgery was perfect, the treatment worked — the heart may still need time to catch up.” 🕊️ Takeaway Evidence-based care gives us structure and safety, but healing happens when we bring our full selves into relationship—when the nervous system learns that safety is possible again. True integration happens not only through survival, but through reconnection with our bodies, our loved ones, and our sense of belonging in the world. 🧠 Resources Mentioned “10 Questions to Ask Yourself After a Genetic Mutation Diagnosis” — free download at 🌿 Connect with Sara Follow along on Instagram and TikTok Learn more about individual and group support at 🔖 Hashtags #WalkingTheGeneticLine #EvidenceBasedCare #TraumaInformedTherapy #CancerSurvivorship #HereditaryCancer #BRCA #DepthPsychotherapy #WholePersonHealing #TherapeuticAlliance #IntergenerationalHealing #BetweenTheScans
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Katherine Lewandowski: Reclaiming Self After Preventative Surgery
10/20/2025
Katherine Lewandowski: Reclaiming Self After Preventative Surgery
Guest: Katherine Lewandowski Theme: Choosing care, surviving change, and finding a stronger self after prophylactic surgery Episode summary When Katherine learned at 43 that she carried BRCA2—shortly after her father’s metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis—she moved from shock and shame to decisive action. In this conversation, she shares how grief, meticulous research, and a values-aligned care team led her through prophylactic bilateral mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction and surgical menopause—and why she now feels more like herself: stronger, clearer, and more alive. We cover How her father’s illness (and death) shaped her relationship to risk, agency, and end-of-life values The early emotional landscape: secrecy, shame, and reframing the diagnosis into a “project” she could act on Building the right team: what to look for in surgeons, communication that lowers anxiety, and advocating for humane care Fears of post-mastectomy pain syndrome and why she chose DIEP flap (autologous) reconstruction Navigating surgical menopause with BRCA2 (and why hormones were a central part of her decision-making) Healing as a practice: listening to the body, pacing recovery, and the surprising joy of getting strong again Reclaiming the body after surgery: strength training, learning tennis at midlife, and modeling embodied confidence for her daughter Living with ongoing risk and the medical “machine” without letting it eclipse quality of life Highlights & takeaways “I wanted to feel like myself after surgery—and I do. But I also feel changed, in ways that are better.” The relationship with your surgeon matters: expertise and responsiveness can transform recovery. Healing well isn’t about pushing; it’s about listening, pacing, and letting others help. It’s okay if gratitude isn’t instant—grief, fear, and shame can be part of the path to agency. You’re shopping for a care team. You deserve excellent, human-centered care. Content note This episode includes discussion of parental death, grief, surgical details, and menopause. Resources mentioned DIEP flap (autologous) breast reconstruction Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) Surgical menopause considerations for BRCA2 carriers Connect If this episode resonated, please follow, rate, and share. Find Sara on IG/TikTok @FaceTheRiskTogether and get free tools + 1:1/group offerings via the link in bio. You’re not alone—we can walk this line together.
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Lisa Sharpstone: Choosing on Her Own Terms
10/16/2025
Lisa Sharpstone: Choosing on Her Own Terms
Episode Summary In this deeply moving conversation, we meet Lisa, a 50-year-old woman from the UK navigating her BRCA2 genetic mutation. After undergoing an oophorectomy and preparing for a double mastectomy, Lisa shares candidly about her journey through testing, family reactions, and the intimate decisions around reconstruction, femininity, and sexuality. Together, we explore how genetic testing within the Jewish community intersects with intergenerational trauma, cultural history, and personal agency. Lisa’s story highlights the ripple effects of genetic information across families, the surprising variety of responses from loved ones, and the empowerment that can come from moving from helplessness into choice. Key Takeaways How NHS screening in the Jewish community brought Lisa’s mutation to light The impact of Holocaust history and intergenerational trauma on genetic inheritance Different family reactions to testing—ranging from avoidance to pragmatism Lisa’s perspective on prophylactic surgeries, including her oophorectomy and upcoming mastectomy Honest reflections on reconstruction, body image, intimacy, and navigating choices with her partner The role of agency and information in transforming fear into proactive health decisions About the Guest Lisa is based in the UK and carries the BRCA2 mutation. She has already undergone an oophorectomy and is planning a double mastectomy later this year. Her openness in discussing cultural history, family dynamics, and the very personal aspects of surgery offers a rare and valuable perspective for anyone facing hereditary cancer risk. Resources & Links Connect with Us Subscribe to Walking the Genetic Line wherever you listen to podcasts Follow on Instagram: Visit: FaceTheRiskTogether.com Download the free resource:
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Solo Episode: Internal Security Vs. External Safety
10/09/2025
Solo Episode: Internal Security Vs. External Safety
Episode Summary: In this solo episode of Walking the Genetic Line, therapist and host Sara Champie invites listeners to explore a subtle but powerful distinction: the difference between external safety and internal security. Through a trauma-informed lens, Sara reflects on how our nervous systems constantly scan for safety—and how our earliest relationships shape the way we respond to uncertainty and risk throughout life. Drawing from Polyvagal Theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and her own clinical practice, Sara offers an honest look at what it means to live in an unpredictable world—especially when faced with hereditary cancer risk. She reminds us that while we can’t guarantee safety, we can cultivate security: a grounded, loving relationship with ourselves that helps us meet life’s unknowns with compassion and trust. This episode is a guided reflection for anyone learning to hold both helplessness and agency, fear and courage, loss and love—all at once. Key Themes: The difference between external safety and internal security How early attachment shapes our felt sense of safety Polyvagal Theory and the body’s constant search for cues of safety Reframing helplessness as an entry point to personal agency Building internal trust through compassion and self-connection What “healing” really means when safety can’t be guaranteed Reflection Invitation: As you listen, take a moment to notice where you feel helpless—and where, alongside that helplessness, you might also find a small act of agency or self-kindness. Healing begins not in control, but in relationship—with ourselves. Connect & Resources: If this episode resonates, subscribe and share it with someone navigating their own genetic risk. You can connect with Sara on Instagram or TikTok or visit to explore 1:1 or group support. Download the free guide: “10 Questions to Ask Yourself After a Genetic Mutation Diagnosis.”
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Dr. LaDeana Jeane: Integrative Oncology and the Personal Side of Hereditary Cancer Risk
10/02/2025
Dr. LaDeana Jeane: Integrative Oncology and the Personal Side of Hereditary Cancer Risk
Episode Summary In this powerful conversation, Dr. LaDeana Jeane—naturopathic doctor and integrative oncology specialist—shares her expertise and personal story. LaDeana blends medical training with lived experience, offering a unique perspective on how hereditary cancer risk intersects with hormonal health, prophylactic surgeries, and long-term survivorship. She opens up about undergoing a bilateral mastectomy at just 19 years old following her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, the decades-long journey of recovery and reconstruction, and the courage it has taken to bring her story into her clinical work today. Together, we explore integrative approaches to cancer risk management, the role of hormones in early surgical menopause, and the often-overlooked impact of body changes on intimacy, identity, and healing. Key Takeaways What integrative oncology means and how naturopathic and conventional medicine can work together Why early surgical menopause requires specialized support and how HRT may be protective in certain cases LaDeana’s personal journey: losing her mother, undergoing major surgery at 19, and reclaiming her story decades later The importance of counseling, preparation, and choice when facing risk-reducing surgeries Honest reflections on intimacy, sexuality, and body image after mastectomy and reconstruction How personal lived experience can deepen the doctor–patient relationship and provide a new level of care About the Guest Dr. LaDeana Jeane, ND, FABNO, founded Nolia Naturopathic Medicine with the vision of creating a place where women feel seen, supported, and empowered in every stage of their health journey. A recognized expert in naturopathic oncology and menopause care, she helps women confidently navigate the changes that can accompany both life transitions and oncologic treatments—redefining what thriving looks like in these pivotal moments. She was recently honored as 2025 Physician of the Year by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians for her groundbreaking leadership with the Integrative Healers Action Network (IHAN). Through her work, Dr. Jeane continues to inspire a new standard of care—one rooted in compassion, resilience, and lasting impact. Resources & Links Learn more about Dr. Ladina Jean’s work: Connect with Us Subscribe to Walking the Genetic Line wherever you listen to podcasts Follow on Instagram: Visit: Download the free resource: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself After a Genetic Mutation Diagnosis
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Bonus Episode: Fear and HRT
09/22/2025
Bonus Episode: Fear and HRT
Episode Summary: In this solo episode, I explore one of the most debated areas of care for BRCA mutation carriers: hormone replacement therapy (HRT). While evidence—including the 2016 North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Practice Pearl—supports the use of systemic HRT for many BRCA carriers after risk-reducing surgery, fear and cultural stigma around hormones continue to shape medical recommendations. I discuss why some doctors may still discourage HRT for BRCA2 carriers, not because of strong scientific evidence, but because of lingering emotional and cultural fears around breast cancer risk. We look at how those fears are absorbed by patients, and how that shapes the lived experience of navigating hereditary cancer risk. This episode is not about giving medical advice. Instead, it’s about naming the emotional and psychological dynamics at play—because when we can name them, we reclaim some agency in how we meet uncertainty. You can read the NAMS Practice Pearl “Use of Systemic Hormone Therapy in BRCA Mutation Carriers” here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27504919/ What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The scope of my practice as a therapist and why this podcast is not medical advice A summary of the NAMS Practice Pearl on HRT and BRCA mutations (2016) Why cultural and emotional fear still drives hesitation around HRT recommendations How patients absorb the weight of provider fear and avoidance A depth perspective on agency, uncertainty, and cultivating internal security Disclaimer: This podcast comes from the perspective of a licensed therapist and focuses on emotional, relational, and psychological aspects of hereditary cancer risk. It is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare providers for medical guidance.
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Danielle Service: The Patriarchy Wants My T*ts
09/16/2025
Danielle Service: The Patriarchy Wants My T*ts
This podcast, Walking the Genetic Line, was made to create a container in which there are no right or wrongs about how to relate with genetic testing results. This space was made to explore how we are impacted hereditary cancer, what influences our experience, what we wrestle with— and FEEL—about this information. Danielle Service brought her raw, unfiltered truth to this interview: how genetic testing felt like an unnecessary burden for the first chapter, how that changed over time, and the questions and concerns she still has about the social and cultural context of the risk management agenda. In this episode, Danielle and I also explore the complex decisions BRCA mutation carriers face when it comes to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Our conversation touches on the fears, uncertainties, and lived experiences that shape medical decision-making—especially around BRCA2. Before you listen, I want to note an important correction: during this conversation, we spoke about HRT as if it were more dangerous for BRCA2 carriers. That statement was inaccurate. Current evidence, including guidance from the North American Menopause Society, does not support higher risk specifically for BRCA2. The conversation remains here as a reflection of the very real emotional landscape that many of us encounter, but I encourage you to review the science directly and to discuss your options with your healthcare team. You can read the NAMS Practice Pearl “Use of Systemic Hormone Therapy in BRCA Mutation Carriers” here: This podcast is created from the perspective of a licensed therapist and focuses on the psychological, emotional, and relational aspects of living with hereditary cancer risk. It is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team when making medical decisions.
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Ananda Millard: in Every Moment We Have a Choice
08/28/2025
Ananda Millard: in Every Moment We Have a Choice
Guest: Ananda Millard Theme: Agency, humor, and identity after breast cancer and BRCA2 diagnosis Episode summary After a sudden breast cancer diagnosis at age 50—and learning she carries the BRCA2 mutation—Ananda Millard found herself unexpectedly navigating complex medical and emotional terrain. In her conversation with Sara, Ananda shares how the loss of her mother to pancreatic cancer and reflections on family history shaped her proactive relationship to risk, choice, and self-advocacy. She discusses why cancer and genetic mutation became pathways for learning, how humor has been her lifeline, and why she refuses the stigma surrounding mastectomy, implants, and menopause. Ananda’s story offers a refreshingly honest, agency-focused, and deeply human approach to living through hereditary cancer risk. We cover The emotional impact of a surprise cancer diagnosis—and why “being healthy” doesn’t mean you’re exempt Exploring generational risk: reconciling family losses to pancreatic and prostate cancer, and understanding lineage through genetic testing The power of agency: how Ananda chose her own response, treatment, and attitude—starting with thanking her geneticist for clear information Navigating the medical system in Switzerland: coordinated “cancer centers,” supportive care teams, and lessons from international experience Humor as medicine: watching stand-up comedy religiously, naming surgical drains, and making laughter a deliberate practice Reclaiming identity after mastectomy: body image, resisting societal horror, and celebrating her “life-saving boobs” Coping with surgical menopause: living without HRT, navigating temperature swings and challenging norms around the aging female body Stigma and normalization: breaking silence about mastectomies and menopause, addressing trauma from social expectations Reframing ongoing risk: yearly pancreatic scans as “wearing a seatbelt”—active prevention without obsession The teacher in trauma: how cancer and BRCA2 have reoriented Ananda’s life philosophy toward learning, joy, and evolving agency Holding space for complexity: grief, humor, and a fuller emotional range after her mother’s death and her own cancer journey Highlights & takeaways “Cancer took my boobs, not my sense of humor.” “You don’t get to choose what happens to you, but you choose how you use it, what you learn from it, and how it shapes your future.” “Humor is not a defense for me—it’s a somatic process, like a good cry, a way to move things through and keep living.” “Our diagnosis is only a small part of who we are. Agency means deciding what defines you—and not letting one experience dictate everything.” “We need to normalize mastectomy, menopause, and the social realities around cancer—they aren’t rare or shameful.” “Screenings and scans are my seatbelt. I still go on the road trip, I just sing in the car along the way.” Content note This episode includes discussion of cancer diagnosis, mastectomy, surgical menopause, familial death from cancer, stigma, medical experiences, and somatic therapy. Resources mentioned BRCA1/BRCA2 Hereditary Cancer Risk – Stand-up comedy as emotional medicine – Surgical menopause – Post-mastectomy body image – Swiss Cancer Centers – Somatic therapy & trauma – Connect If this episode resonated, please follow, rate, and share. Find Sara on IG/TikTok @FaceTheRiskTogether and get free tools + 1:1/group offerings via the link in bio. You’re not alone—come walk the genetic line together.
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Violet Page: The Privilege of Knowing
07/19/2025
Violet Page: The Privilege of Knowing
Episode Summary At just 19, Violet Page tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation after witnessing breast cancer run through generations of her family. Having lived with her aunt during her treatment and eventual passing, Violet faced her own genetic risk with clarity, courage, and deep grief. In this episode, she shares how she chose preventive surgeries in her early twenties, the privilege of knowing her risk before diagnosis, and what it means to carry both empowerment and loss. With honesty and strength, Violet reflects on the messy middle of living with genetic risk: the relief of reduced uncertainty, the grief of choices made young, and the ongoing work of integrating those decisions into adulthood. Her story honors the complexity of prevention, the importance of self-advocacy, and the possibility of living fully even in the shadow of cancer. Key Takeaways Growing up surrounded by hereditary breast cancer and losing her aunt to metastatic disease Testing positive for BRCA1 at 19 and grappling with risk at such a young age The emotional toll of early screenings and why she chose prophylactic surgery Finding a surgeon who validated her decisions and pioneered nerve-sparing mastectomy techniques The privilege—and weight—of knowing one’s genetic risk before diagnosis Holding space for both gratitude and grief in prevention choices About the Guest Violet Page (known as “Shug” to family and friends) is a BRCA1 carrier, advocate, and foster care worker who brings clarity and compassion to conversations about hereditary cancer risk. Her journey reflects both the burden and the privilege of knowing—and the strength it takes to act on that knowledge. Resources & Links Free guide: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself After a Genetic Mutation Diagnosis at Connect with Us Instagram/TikTok: Subscribe to Walking the Genetic Line wherever you listen to podcasts Share this episode with someone who may need courage and community
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Marisa Kimmel (Part One): Claiming My Genes
07/15/2025
Marisa Kimmel (Part One): Claiming My Genes
Episode Summary At just 25, Marisa Kimmel learned she carried a BRCA mutation that put her at dramatically increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer. With a newborn baby at home, she chose a preventative double mastectomy with flat closure, documenting her journey online and building a vibrant community around honesty, humor, and radical self-acceptance. Marisa also lives with alopecia, a condition that began when she was nine years old and taught her early lessons in identity, resilience, and shedding societal expectations. In this conversation, she shares what it means to navigate uncontrollable shifts in appearance, body, and risk—and how rebellion and celebration have become central to her healing. Key Takeaways Receiving a BRCA diagnosis while six months postpartum and choosing preventive surgery Why flat closure, for Marisa, was the most empowering choice The intersections of alopecia and hereditary cancer: navigating uncontrollable identity shifts How documenting her journey online created both personal catharsis and communal healing The importance of rebellion, humor, and celebration in claiming one’s body and story Why self-referencing and agency are vital in the face of societal stigma About the Guest Marisa Kimmel is a creative, mother, and online community-builder who shares her journey with alopecia and BRCA mutation through radical authenticity and celebration. Her work centers on dismantling stigma, normalizing diverse bodies, and helping others find freedom in self-acceptance. Find Marisa Online Instagram & TikTok: Resources & Links Free guide: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself After a Genetic Mutation Diagnosis at Connect with Us Follow on Instagram/TikTok: Subscribe to Walking the Genetic Line wherever you listen to podcasts Share this episode with someone who may need courage and community
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Episode One: My Story
07/10/2025
Episode One: My Story
Episode Summary In this opening episode, host Sara Champie, LCSW shares the deeply personal story behind Walking the Genetic Line. From losing her mother to ovarian cancer at age 10, to receiving her own BRCA1 diagnosis at 30, Sara reflects on how genetic testing shapes not only medical decisions but also grief, identity, relationships, and intergenerational healing. This episode sets the foundation for the conversations to come: not just about surgeries and scans, but about the emotional and relational realities of living with hereditary cancer risk. Sara shares why she is committed to creating a space that honors each person’s agency and decision-making process, while weaving in her perspective as a therapist specializing in trauma and family systems. Key Takeaways How Sara’s childhood loss shaped her career as a therapist and her work with genetic risk What it felt like to receive a BRCA1 result in her 30s—and the isolation that came with it Why uncertainty and difficult medical choices are central to this community’s experience The commitment this podcast makes: honoring each person’s agency and choices without judgment How intergenerational healing and self-trust can emerge from genetic testing and risk awareness About the Host Sara Champie is a therapist, coach, and BRCA1 carrier who specializes in trauma, grief, and intergenerational healing. Through her personal story and professional lens, she brings depth, compassion, and curiosity to conversations about hereditary cancer risk. Resources & Links Free guide: Learn more about Sara’s individual therapy, coaching, and support groups at Connect with Us Follow on Instagram/TikTok: Subscribe to Walking the Genetic Line wherever you listen to podcasts Share this episode with someone who might be navigating genetic risk
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TRAILER: Welcome to Walking the Genetic Line
06/27/2025
TRAILER: Welcome to Walking the Genetic Line
Welcome to Walking the Genetic Line, a podcast about the emotional, relational, and deeply human side of living with hereditary cancer risk. I'm Sara Champie, a therapist, coach, and BRCA1 carrier. I am a fellow traveler in this space, a space that's usually defined by the medical community, statistics, and risk management strategies. On this podcast, we are doing it a little differently. Here, we are bringing a trauma-informed lens and a depth perspective to the conversation. Genetic risk doesn't exist in a vacuum. It touches our histories, our bodies, our families, and at the core, our relationship to agency. In each episode, I'll be sitting down with someone who's walking this genetic line in their own way. These are real, raw conversations in which we wrestle with the impact of genetic testing results and how this information changes the shape of our lives. Together, we are doing the deep dive into what happens between the scans. You'll hear real stories from real people living with BRCA, Lynch syndrome, ATM, BARD1. The list goes on. And you will hear reflections in psychoeducation from me as we navigate uncertainty, risk, identity, and grief. I'm so glad you're here. Hit subscribe and join me. Let's walk this line together.
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