- 11
- Episodes
- 12
- Ratings
- Bi-weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Big C Energy
Laugh along with host @alisonhaislip and her notable guest as they vent about life after a Big C diagnosis. New episodes every other week!
- Publisher
- Community Health Media
- Category
- health & fitness
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 16 Jun 2026
- Latest episode
- 20 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
11 episodes in the feed.
20 Oct 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 10 | Cara Jade Myers: My First Mammogram Found Cancer in Both Breasts
Cara Jade Myers went in for her very first mammogram at 40. What followed was the last thing she expected: cancer was found in both breasts. In Episode 10 of Big C Energy, actress and writer Cara Jade Myers joins Alison Haislip for a uniquely personal conversation during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cara is the first guest on the show who was diagnosed after Alison, and the two actually met because a mutual friend connected newly diagnosed Cara with Alison for support. Now, only months into her own cancer journey, Cara is sharing what that experience has really been like. Cara opens up about being diagnosed with stage one, hormone-positive breast cancer, undergoing a double mastectomy just weeks later, reconstruction, and beginning years of hormone therapy. She and Alison compare everything from post-mastectomy drains, implants and numbness to brain fog, body changes, fertility decisions, work, and the emotional whiplash of suddenly going from constant doctor appointments to being told, “See you in six months.” Cara also shares why she initially kept her diagnosis private, why she ultimately decided to speak publicly about it, and her hope of bringing greater access to mammograms to Indigenous communities, particularly rural reservations where screening and healthcare resources can be difficult to access. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month highlights the importance of early detection, regular screenings, and patient advocacy, Cara's experience is a powerful reminder of why knowing your body and prioritizing your health matters. And because this is Big C Energy, there’s also weed-shopping confusion, boobs that throw off your balance, “jobbers,” unsolicited advice about going bigger, and the unexpected freedom of eventually saying goodbye to bras. Topics discussed: • Cara Jade Myers’ breast cancer diagnosis at 40 • Finding cancer in both breasts during her first mammogram • Dense breast tissue, ultrasound and biopsies • The importance of early detection and breast cancer awareness • Undergoing a double mastectomy just weeks after diagnosis • Breast reconstruction, implants and post-mastectomy recovery • Choosing between reconstruction options and getting a second opinion • Tamoxifen and long-term hormone therapy • Brain fog, hormones and processing a cancer diagnosis • Fertility decisions after breast cancer • Losing work opportunities after a cancer diagnosis • Why Cara initially kept her diagnosis private • The importance of finding a cancer community and asking for help • Cara’s goal of improving mammogram access for Indigenous communities • Learning to live in a changed body after breast cancer ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QKfoul__xC4 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/ Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #CaraJadeMyers #BreastCancer #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #CancerSurvivor #AlisonHaislip #CancerPodcast
6 Oct 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 9 | Toks Olagundoye on Breast Cancer, Advocacy & Knowing Your Body
Toks Olagundoye didn’t just survive breast cancer. She became one of the people helping others figure out how the hell to survive the experience, too. In Episode 9 of Big C Energy, actress Toks Olagundoye joins Alison Haislip for an especially personal conversation. A year before this episode, Toks was one of the first breast cancer survivors Alison spoke with after her own diagnosis, becoming an early mentor and showing her what life on the other side could look like. Toks opens up about being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after finally scheduling a mammogram she had planned to postpone. In just the two weeks surrounding her diagnosis, her cancer progressed from stage zero to stage one, reinforcing a lesson she now shares whenever she can: the earlier you know, the better. She also discusses multiple lumpectomies, chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and reconstruction, fertility, menopause, ADHD, mental health, and continuing to work through treatment. Together, Toks and Alison get candid about everything from choosing doctors who actually listen to you and navigating breast reconstruction to losing nipple sensation, the healthcare system, insurance, and the very different realities patients face depending on the support and resources available to them. And because this is Big C Energy, somehow there is also a breast surgeon, a poodle, a Rottweiler, and a medical metaphor neither of them will ever forget. Topics discussed: • Toks Olagundoye’s triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis • Why early detection matters • Lumpectomies, chemotherapy and double mastectomy • Fertility decisions during cancer treatment • Menopause, ADHD and women’s health • Mental health during and after cancer treatment • Finding doctors who listen and make you feel seen • Racial disparities and representation in healthcare • Breast reconstruction and life after mastectomy • The financial realities of cancer care • Working on Fatal Attraction and Frasier during treatment • Why Toks became a cancer advocate and mentor • The importance of community and support during treatment 🏆 Big C Energy is a Signal Awards finalist! Vote at vote.signalaward.com Voting ends October 15! ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/nCGFzvdhjR0 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/ Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #ToksOlagundoye #BreastCancer #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #CancerSurvivor #AlisonHaislip #CancerPodcast
22 Sept 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 8 | Shannon Miller Learned You Can’t Outwork Cancer
Shannon Miller knew how to push through pain, pressure, and impossible odds. Then cancer taught the seven-time Olympic medalist that some things simply can’t be outworked. In Episode 8 of Big C Energy, Olympic gymnastics legend Shannon Miller joins Alison Haislip for an honest conversation about being diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in her 30s, undergoing surgery and nine weeks of chemotherapy, and discovering that the mindset that made her an Olympic champion didn’t always translate to being a cancer patient. Shannon opens up about the symptoms she initially overlooked, the moment she realized asking for help was a strength rather than a failure, and the long road back after chemotherapy. She and Alison also compare chemo brain, hair and eyebrow adventures, nausea, and all the other things cancer does that are, quite frankly, just rude. Now 15 years cancer-free, Shannon shares how the experience reshaped her approach to health, gratitude, community, and helping other patients through Salto Health (https://www.saltohealth.com/). Topics discussed: • Shannon Miller’s rare ovarian cancer diagnosis • The ovarian cancer symptoms she initially overlooked • Why there is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer • Going from Olympic athlete to cancer patient • Why Shannon says you can’t “outwork” cancer or chemotherapy • Surgery and nine weeks of BEP chemotherapy • Learning to ask for and accept help • Nausea, neuropathy, hair loss, and chemo brain • Returning to Olympic commentary after treatment • Life 15 years cancer-free • Creating Salto Health to support people during cancer treatment • Prioritizing health and appreciating everyday milestones ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/o_SBROPattg 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/ Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #ShannonMiller #OvarianCancer #CancerSurvivor #CancerPodcast #Gymnastics #Olympics #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer
8 Sept 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 7 | Marissa Jaret Winokur Beat Cancer, Then Won a Tony
Marissa Jaret Winokur was 27, newly diagnosed with cervical cancer, and fighting for doctors to listen to her. At the same time, she was fighting for the role that would change her career. In Episode 7 of Big C Energy, Tony Award-winning actress Marissa Jaret Winokur joins Alison Haislip for a hilarious and deeply honest conversation about being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer, advocating to have the cancer removed from her body, and secretly navigating treatment while pursuing the role of Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. Marissa shares why she kept her diagnosis private for years, how cancer changed her relationship with ambition, and why winning the Tony was ultimately just a bonus compared to making it to Broadway. She and Alison also talk about fertility, surrogacy, motherhood, the people who unexpectedly show up when you’re sick, and the importance of being proactive about your own health. And more than 20 years later, Marissa explains why she finally decided to make her cancer story part of her platform. Topics discussed: • Marissa Jaret Winokur’s cervical cancer diagnosis at 27 • Fighting to have doctors listen to her treatment wishes • Pursuing Hairspray while secretly dealing with cancer • Why Marissa kept her cancer diagnosis private • Winning a Tony Award after cancer • Fertility, hysterectomy, surrogacy, and motherhood • How friends and family show up during cancer • The importance of Pap smears and proactive health care • Getting second opinions and advocating for yourself • Processing cancer after active treatment ends • Finding purpose in sharing your cancer story • Life more than 20 years after diagnosis 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/ Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #MarissaJaretWinokur #Hairspray #CancerSurvivor #CervicalCancer #CancerPodcast #Broadway #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer #CancerAwareness
25 Aug 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 6 | Rob Paulsen Found His Voice Again After Throat Cancer
Rob Paulsen has spent his career giving a voice to some of animation’s most beloved characters. Then throat cancer threatened the very thing that made his career possible. In Episode 6 of Big C Energy, legendary voice actor Rob Paulsen joins Alison Haislip for a hilarious, heartfelt conversation about his stage III throat cancer diagnosis, undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, and finding humor when things were at their hardest. Rob reflects on being told that his doctors could cure him, but would “almost have to kill” him first, and how his ability to laugh became part of the medicine that carried him through treatment. He and Alison also discuss second opinions, trusting your gut when choosing doctors, the unexpected kindness of strangers, and why surviving cancer gave Rob an even deeper appreciation for the characters and fans who have shaped his life. And yes, the voice behind Yakko, Pinky, Raphael, and Donatello brings a few familiar voices along for the ride. Topics discussed: • Rob Paulsen’s stage III throat cancer diagnosis • Chemotherapy and radiation treatment • How cancer threatened his career as a voice actor • Finding humor during cancer treatment • Why second opinions matter • Trusting your gut when choosing your medical team • Life after throat cancer and treatment side effects • The impact of Animaniacs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles • Connecting with fans and children facing serious illness • Using kindness and humor to help others • Head and neck cancer awareness and resources ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/pcfHrwEb7Ao 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/ Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: “Lived to Tell the Story” by Coby Brown Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #RobPaulsen #CancerSurvivor #ThroatCancer #CancerPodcast #Animaniacs #NinjaTurtles #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer
11 Aug 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 5 | Barry Watson on Beating Cancer at 28 and Learning to Truly Live
Barry Watson was just 28 years old and starring on 7th Heaven when he was diagnosed with Stage 2B Hodgkin lymphoma. In Episode 5 of Big C Energy, Barry joins Alison Haislip for a heartfelt conversation about navigating cancer in the public eye, enduring chemotherapy while at the peak of his career, and how surviving cancer gave him an entirely new appreciation for life. Barry shares the shocking moment he received his diagnosis, the challenges of treatment, the people who unexpectedly showed up for him, and how cancer ultimately changed the way he approaches family, gratitude, and everyday life. Together, he and Alison reflect on the mental side of chemotherapy, the importance of accepting help, advocating for yourself, and why listening to your body can make all the difference. Topics discussed: • Barry Watson's Stage 2B Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis at age 28 • Going through chemotherapy while starring on 7th Heaven • How cancer changed his outlook on life • The people who showed up and those who disappeared • The emotional and mental challenges of chemotherapy • Becoming a father after cancer • Learning to accept help during treatment • Recognizing symptoms and advocating for yourself • Why listening to your body matters ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/cvhHnbBj4e8 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio – https://linkin.bio/bigcenerg Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: "Lived to Tell the Story" by Coby Brown Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #BarryWatson #7thHeaven #CancerSurvivor #HodgkinLymphoma #CancerPodcast #CancerAwareness #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer
28 Jul 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 4 | Scott Hamilton: Cancer Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me
Scott Hamilton has beaten cancer more than once. But he'd tell you that's only part of the story. In Episode 4 of Big C Energy, Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton joins Alison Haislip for a heartfelt conversation about surviving cancer, finding purpose through adversity, and why he believes cancer was one of the greatest teachers of his life. Scott reflects on his battle with testicular cancer, multiple brain tumors, the importance of becoming your own advocate, and how those experiences inspired him to launch groundbreaking cancer support and research initiatives, including the Fourth Angel mentoring program and ChemoCare. Along the way, he shares why he prefers "period of vigilance" over remission, why he believes in getting seventh opinions, and what it truly means to move beyond survivorship into "thrivership." Topics discussed: • Scott Hamilton's testicular cancer diagnosis • Living with multiple brain tumors • The power of the Fourth Angel mentoring program • Why Scott says "get seventh opinions" • Thrivership vs. survivorship • Building resilience through adversity • Finding purpose after cancer • Cancer research and immunotherapy • Supporting children through a parent's diagnosis ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/SJ8OspigpjA 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio - https://linkin.bio/bigcenergy/ Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: "Lived to Tell the Story" by Coby Brown Purchase the song here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #ScottHamilton #CancerSurvivor #Thrivership #CancerPodcast #Olympics #CancerAwareness #AlisonHaislip #BreastCancer
14 Jul 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 3 | Hank Green on Lymphoma, Chemo & Finding the Funny
What happens when one of the internet's favorite science communicators becomes the patient? In Episode 3 of Big C Energy, Alison Haislip sits down with author, educator, YouTuber, and Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor Hank Green for an honest, funny, and surprisingly hopeful conversation about navigating a cancer diagnosis. Together, they compare treatment experiences, chemo side effects, brain fog, survivorship, and the strange reality that cancer forces you to become an expert in your own body. Along the way, Hank explains why every cancer is different, why early detection matters, how humor helped him through treatment, and why he turned his experience into a comedy special. Topics discussed: • Hank Green's Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis • Recognizing the early warning signs • Chemo brain, fatigue, and treatment side effects • Radiation vs. chemotherapy • Becoming an "informed patient" • The science behind cancer treatments • Turning cancer into comedy • Journaling through treatments • Finding the little wins ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Jsg9UzEqv9k 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: "Lived to Tell the Story" by Coby Brown. Support the artist here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #HankGreen #CancerPodcast #Lymphoma #Cancer #AlisonHaislip #Breastcancer
30 Jun 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 2 | Grace Helbig Gets It Off Her Chest
The worst club with the best members. In Episode 2 of Big C Energy, Alison Haislip sits down with comedian, creator, and breast cancer survivor Grace Helbig for an honest, hilarious, and deeply relatable conversation about navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. Although Alison and Grace shared the exact same diagnosis — triple-positive breast cancer — their experiences and treatment journeys were completely different. Together, they talk about mammograms, biopsies, chemo brain, surgery, fertility, menopause, asking for help, and the strange reality that some of the best advice comes from other patients. They also discuss the importance of advocating for yourself, finding humor during treatment, and why every newly diagnosed patient deserves a good blanket. Topics discussed: • Triple-positive breast cancer • Mammograms and early detection • Chemo brain and menopause • Surgery and reconstruction • Fertility preservation • Asking for help • Humor during treatment • Supporting other patients • Life after cancer ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Augrp_6Lk7k 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox & iHeartRadio Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. Featured music: "Lived to Tell the Story" by Coby Brown. Support the artist here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #GraceHelbig #BreastCancer #CancerSurvivor
16 Jun 2026
Big C Energy Ep. 1 | James Pickens Jr on Advocacy, Black Men's Health, and Compression Socks
What happens when one of television's most beloved doctors gets a cancer diagnosis of his own? In the premiere episode of Big C Energy, Alison Haislip sits down with actor James Pickens Jr. (Grey's Anatomy) to talk about joining what he calls "the club nobody wants to be in." James opens up about his prostate cancer diagnosis, the family history that made him vigilant about screenings, and the phone call that changed everything. Together, he and Alison swap stories about awkward medical procedures, scanxiety, compression socks, surgery, side effects, and the strange reality that sometimes cancer is less terrifying than your imagination makes it out to be. They also discuss how James used his own diagnosis to inspire a prostate cancer storyline on Grey's Anatomy, helping encourage thousands of people to get screened and take charge of their health. It's honest. It's emotional. It's surprisingly funny. And it's exactly the kind of conversation Big C Energy was created to have. Topics discussed: • James Pickens Jr.'s prostate cancer diagnosis • Why family history matters • PSA testing and early detection • Scanxiety and life after treatment • Surgery, recovery, and survivorship • Bringing prostate cancer awareness to Grey's Anatomy • Alison's breast cancer journey • The importance of advocating for your own health Subscribe for new episodes of Big C Energy, hosted by Alison Haislip, featuring candid conversations with patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and experts who understand what it's really like to hear the words: "You have cancer." ▶️ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/hNXPiUS9-4M Featured music: "Lived to Tell the Story" by Coby Brown. Support the artist and purchase the track here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #JamesPickensJr #ProstateCancer #CancerSurvivor #GreysAnatomy
16 Jun 2026
Big C Energy Trailer | C#ncer Can Be A Real D!ck
Stars! They're just like us... They get cancer too. Welcome to Big C Energy, the new podcast hosted by Alison Haislip. Actor, host, and very current breast cancer patient, Alison sits down with celebrities and notable guests to have the conversations most people don't hear about life after a cancer diagnosis. The good parts. The bad parts. The awkward parts. The emotional parts. And the downright rude parts. From navigating doctor appointments and treatment decisions to managing side effects, recovery, survivorship, and everything in between, Big C Energy explores the realities of cancer through the people living it. Think of it as a Reddit thread come to life. Honest, funny, emotional, and completely unfiltered. Because while cancer absolutely sucks, sometimes the best medicine is hearing from someone who's been there and finding a reason to laugh along the way. 🎙️ Episode 1 featuring James Pickens Jr. is OUT NOW! ▶️ https://youtu.be/hNXPiUS9-4M Big C Energy is part of the Community Health Media Podcast Network, where meaningful conversations help patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals learn from one another, one story at a time. ▶️ Subscribe for new episodes and bring your own Big C Energy. Featured music: "Lived to Tell the Story" by Coby Brown. Support the artist and purchase the track here: https://cobybrown.bandcamp.com/track/lived-to-tell-the-story #BigCEnergy #CancerPodcast #CancerAwareness #JamesPickensJr
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- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 11 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 1 ratings
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