From Carpools to Chemo with Marisa Peters

About From Carpools to Chemo with Marisa Peters

From Carpools to Chemo is a poignant podcast series dedicated to amplifying the voices of cancer survivors, caregivers, healers, and advocates, hosted by Marisa Peters—former Broadway vocalist, Entertainment HR leader, mother of three, and young onset rectal cancer survivor. Marisa is the founder of BeSeen.care (http://BeSeen.care) and a leading advocate blazing a path to eradicate death by colon and rectal cancer forever. This feed is more than just a source of information; it’s a community and a beacon of inspiration. Through intimate conversations and personal stories, Marisa guides listeners on a journey of healing and hope. Featuring a diverse array of guests—from top medical professionals to motherhood influencers, acclaimed writers, and professional athletes—The BE SEEN NETWORK is a vital resource for the millions touched by cancer and those who care for them on their journey.

Publisher

BE SEEN Network

Category

business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Nov 2024

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

23 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   The Human Side of Cancer Care: Why Empathy Matters as Much as Expertise | Taline Khoukaz | ALIVE Honoree Series

   Cancer changes more than the body. It reshapes routines, relationships, and how we see the time we have. In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, Marisa Peters sits down with Taline Khoukaz, an oncology nurse practitioner with 26 years of experience who is being honored at the Be Seen Alive Awards. Taline shares why compassionate cancer care starts with listening, how she helps patients pursue what matters to them during treatment, and why patients and families should feel empowered to speak up and advocate for their needs. Taline also opens up about the often overlooked weight caregivers carry, the emotional toll of losing patients, and why healthcare professionals need support, too. She reflects on how oncology has shaped her parenting and how music, dancing, and small moments of joy help her keep going. Her message is simple: being seen means recognizing the humanity of everyone touched by cancer, including those providing the care. In This Episode [00:00] Introduction [00:35] Introducing Taline Khoukaz and the Be Seen Alive Awards [04:21] From candy striper to oncology nurse practitioner [08:36] Why oncology chose Taline, and 26 years later, why she stayed [11:05] Crying on the way home, swimming, and finding relief through music [11:45] Taline's feel-good music and her love of dancing [13:05] What it means to be seen as a cancer patient [26:45] What's changing in colorectal cancer treatment [29:03] Helping patients move through the fear of their first chemotherapy cycle [35:46] The lessons Taline's children are learning from her work [39:01] Celebrating life, music, and the Be Seen community [40:07] What it means to Taline to be seen [41:18] The emotional weight healthcare providers carry home Our Guest Taline Khoukaz is an oncology nurse practitioner with 26 years of experience caring for cancer patients. Working alongside a leading gastrointestinal oncology team, she combines clinical expertise with compassionate, individualized care. She helps patients navigate treatment, manage uncertainty, and maintain the quality of life that matters to them. Resources and Links Taline Khoukaz USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center: https://uscnorris.com/ (https://uscnorris.com/) Marisa Peters Marisa Peters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777) Be Seen Substack: (https://gobeseen.substack.com/)https://gobeseen.substack.com (https://gobeseen.substack.com) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care (https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo (https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo) Mentioned Be Seen Alive Awards: https://beseen.care/alive-awards (https://beseen.care/alive-awards) Disclaimer This podcast shares personal experiences and perspectives on cancer care. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance about diagnosis, treatment, and individual medical needs.

2. 

   30 Sept 2026

   "Thank You, Cancer": The List That Gets Julie Clauer Through Treatment | Julie Clauer | ALIVE Honoree Series

   A stage IV colorectal cancer diagnosis at age 43, just months after having her first child, could have defined Julie Clauer's life by fear. Instead, it led to a life more full of gratitude, connection, and purpose. In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, host Marisa Peters sits down with patient advocate and survivor Julie Clauer. Diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer at age 43, just months after having her first child, Julie shares her raw and remarkable journey. It began with a shocking ER diagnosis, where she was told she had lesions throughout her liver and did not even know where her liver was. She Googled it, despite knowing not to Google medical information. From there, she built a life defined not by cancer, but by connection, purpose, and joy. Julie opens up about the "tour of oncologists" she undertook, interviewing seven specialists before finding the one who saw her as an individual, not a diagnosis. She explains her "Thank You Cancer" list, a running inventory of over 50 gifts, both big and small, that have come from her illness. She reflects on the lessons she's learned about self-advocacy, the importance of a primary care doctor, and why she loves that her treatment is often invisible. She also honors the three extraordinary members of her care team: Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, nurse practitioner Taline Lucas, and volunteer Judy Stark, who are being recognized with Be Seen Alive Awards. In This Episode [00:00] Introduction [02:21] Life before cancer: a new mom in Chicago [02:55] Symptoms, no primary care doctor, and a weekend of severe pain [07:27] The resident, the chart, and the 50 pounds she "lost" [09:46] Advice for listeners: have a primary care doctor [12:11] What made Julie feel seen: touring seven oncologists [14:36] Moving to LA and the gifts that came with cancer [16:58] Honoring her care team at the Be Seen Alive Awards [17:39] Why the Alive Awards matter to Julie [19:12] Nearly 200 infusions and the Century Club [20:11] What cancer looks like vs. the reality [22:01] "How healthy are you?" A patient's dichotomy [28:47] Julie's hype song: "Girl on Fire" [30:21] The elephant herd and the Thank You, Cancer list [32:51] Gratitude, and joining "the Cancer Club" [34:37] What it means to Julie to be seen Our Guest Julie Clauer is a patient advocate and survivor living with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Diagnosed at age 43, she has been in treatment for over eight years and is a dedicated advocate for research and innovation. She is a member of the "Long Hauler Hollow" at Colon Town and is honoring her care team at the second annual Be Seen Alive Awards. Resources and Links Julie Clauer https://colontown.org/staff/ (https://colontown.org/staff/) Mentioned Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards (https://beseen.care/alive-awards) ColonTown: https://colontown.org/ (https://colontown.org/) Long Hauler Hollow by ColonTown Disclaimer This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

3. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Inside the Radiation Tube: A Radiation Oncologist on Fear, Honesty, and Hope | Dr. Ann Raldow | ALIVE Honoree Series

   Dr. Raldow shares her philosophy of empowering patients through transparent communication, even when it means having difficult conversations about fertility and sexual health. She opens up about the technological revolution in her field, from AI-assisted planning to adaptive radiation therapy that spares healthy tissue and reduces side effects. She reflects on the courage of her patients, explains why she wishes more people understood the reality of radiation treatment, and shares the song that gets her through hard times. This conversation is a powerful reminder that in the fight against cancer, seeing the patient for who they are is just as critical as the technology used to treat them. Notable Quotes [05:16] "You have the potential to make the experience so much better for the patient, or you can also unfortunately make it so much worse." — Dr. Ann Raldow, on why every visit matters [13:28] "If you don't give them all of the information, you're making the choice for them." — Dr. Ann Raldow [15:22] "If you yourself aren't having those difficult conversations, then who is?" — Dr. Ann Raldow [22:04] "It's a non-invasive treatment, and it's like getting a very long, high-dose targeted X-ray." — Dr. Ann Raldow, on what radiation really is Our Guest Dr. Ann Raldow is a nationally respected radiation oncologist at UCLA Health, specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. She is known for her expertise in leading-edge radiation techniques and her deeply compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. She is an honoree at the second annual Be Seen Alive Awards. Resources and Links Dr. Ann Raldow linkedin.com/in/ann-raldow-a5328417 (http://linkedin.com/in/ann-raldow-a5328417) https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/ann-raldow (https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/ann-raldow) Marisa Peters https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777) https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/ (https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/) https://beseen.care/podcast (https://beseen.care/podcast) https://gobeseen.substack.com (https://gobeseen.substack.com) https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care (https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care) https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo (https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo) Mentioned Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards (https://beseen.care/alive-awards) Fight CRC: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/ (https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/) Disclaimer This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 15 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact From Carpools to Chemo with Marisa Peters

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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