An Expected Life with journalist and mother Marianne Banister turns a spotlight on what it’s like to be blindsided by an overlooked but dangerous epidemic; melanoma in teenagers and young adults. Through conversations with medical experts and stories of young survivors, Marianne delves into not only her daughter Claire’s melanoma journey and ultimate loss at 17 years, but offers inspirational insight and easy tips so you can take charge of your skin health and dodge this most preventable of cancers. Infused with the same positivity and contagious energy of The Claire Marie Foundation, this podcast will leave you feeling empowered to love your skin, enhance your wellness and live your best life - no matter what may come your way.For more information, head tohttps://www.instagram.com/clairemariefoundation/or: https://clairemariefoundation.org/
UV damage is sneaky! Even with daily sunscreen use, you could be exposing your skin to sun damage and increasing your risk of melanoma in ways you never imagined! For instance, did you know that your mode of travel, that refreshing margarita or even your over-the-counter painkiller can cause damage in the sun? How about the fact that you can burn through your clothes? Class is in session! Dropping today, our latest episode of An Unexpected Life Podcast. Claire Marie Foundati...
25 May 2026
Beyond AI / New Tech That Targets Melanoma with Guest Dr. Diane Orlinsky
When it comes to health, it seems everyone is looking for the next best thing! Some advances can save pain and money. Others may score high on the “hot tech” meter, but fall short in effectiveness. What works and what doesn’t, when it comes to tech in melanoma diagnosis? In this episode, Marianne Banister turned to Dermatologist and Medical Advisor to the Claire Marie Foundation, Dr. Diane Orlinsky, M.D., F.A.A.D to help us sort it all out! What You’ll Learn in This E...
19 May 2026
Kids Count Too! The Fight Against Children’s Cancer ( Guests Tasha Museles / Dr. Robyn Gartrell)
Hey everyone! In this week’s episode, we are worked up a bit. Nearly 400,000 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer globally this year. That means every three minutes, a parent is told their child has cancer. Still, only 4% of federal funding goes to research pediatric cancers; 96% are designated to save adult lives. And with ongoing cuts instigated by the Trump administration, it’s getting even worse. This week, we dive deep into the fight for children’s cancer fu...
11 May 2026
Your Child Has Cancer. Now What? A Parent’s Guide (Guest Cheryl Adams)
You never see it coming. It shatters your world, marking simply the before-and-after. Parenting a child through a cancer diagnosis or other life-threatening illness is an overwhelming journey. It will tax and test the entire family, creating the ultimate balancing act as you ride the rollercoaster of medical, emotional, and academic needs. At the forefront of it all is the never-ending worry that you may lose your treasured child. If you have found yourself in this situation, catch your...
2 May 2026
Yes, Babies Can Get Melanoma. A Survivor’s Story
"Don’t worry! Kids don’t get melanoma.” It is a common belief and yet nothing could be further from the truth. 21-year-old Marit Peterson is proof. The University of Texas Senior and future dermatologist was diagnosed with stage 3b melanoma as a tiny baby of 18 months. As she says, it was a quick lesson that life is not fair, and yet any life challenge can bring unexpected blessings. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✅ The risk of melanoma in children ✅ How Marit handles the shado...
24 Jul 2025
Healing Through the Power of Gratitude (Guest Linda Roszak Burton)
Executive Wellness Coach Linda Roszak Burton discusses the scientific benefits of gratitude with Marianne Banister, including its positive effects on the immune system, mental health, and relationships in this interview.
10 Jul 2025
The Long Game; Fertility Preservation and Cancer (Guests Megan Scherer & Kate Bendle)
Marianne Banister interviews Megan Scherer and Kate Bendle about fertility preservation for young cancer patients, highlighting the importance of considering long-term quality of life after treatment.
19 Jun 2025
Listen to THAT Voice; When You Know Best! (Guest Elea Vander Burgh)
Elea Vander Burgh recounts her experience advocating for her health as a teenager when she insisted on a biopsy that revealed melanoma, highlighting the importance of trusting your instincts in healthcare; this is an interview.
5 Jun 2025
My Anxiety Has Anxiety! (Guest April Moran)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapist April Moran joins Marianne Banister to explore practical tips for managing anxiety and enhancing the body-mind connection in this interview.
15 May 2025
Be Sensationally Sun Safe! (Guest Dr. Marguerite Germain)
SPF, UPF, Heliocare (trademark), dermascopy. What the ??? Sometimes it feels a PhD is needed just to prep for a day in the sun. There are so many myths, truths and little known facts about sun safety coming at us it can be overwhelming. Relax! We’ve got the skinny on your skin! In this episode of An Unexpected Life, Marianne Banister explores some surprisingly simple ways to be sensationally sun safe this summer - and every day of the year for that matter! Renown dermatologist Dr. Marguerite ...
1 May 2025
Melanoma Never Discriminates (Guest Jacqueline Smith)
There are a lot of mistaken notions about melanoma out there. Among the deadliest is the idea that people of color cannot develop melanoma and other skin cancers. Nothing is further from the truth. In this episode, Jacqueline Smith shares her story of surviving stage three melanoma twice – all before the age of 26 - and her transformative journey into an unexpected life. Today, Jacqueline is a D.C. based leader in melanoma patient advocacy as well as a wife and mother. Listen as ...
17 Apr 2025
She Was Expecting a Baby - Not Melanoma (Guest Jamie Martell)
Pregnancy. It’s one of the most thrilling and stressful times in a couple’s life. So many changes that lie ahead! So many things to worry about for both a healthy baby and mom. But did you know for some women, hormonal changes that bring a new life can also trigger melanoma? In this powerful conversation, Jamie Martell, a young mom from Maryland, opens up with Marianne Banister about how not one - but two melanoma diagnosis - left her fighting for her life during pregnancy. It’s a story...
27 Mar 2025
My Friends Got Zits. I Got Melanoma (Guest Dr. Morganna Vance)
In this first episode of An Unexpected Life, host Marianne Banister shares the story of her 14-year-old daughter, Claire’s, diagnosis of adolescent melanoma. It upturned not only Claire’s life, but that of her entire family. Everyone was blindsided by the fact that Claire’s cancer was triggered by hormonal changes rather than the “too much exposure to the sun.” Listen in to discover why Claire’s diagnosis was not rare, but in fact part of a newly noted epidemic of melanoma in adolescen...
Who has been a guest on An Unexpected Life
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Linda Roszak Burton
Megan Scherer
Kate Bendle
Elea Vander Burgh
April Moran
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
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Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
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