Project Purple's vision is a world without pancreatic cancer. We have two initiatives: to help pancreatic cancer patients and fund research. With a variety of partners in the health and fitness world, our podcast will deliver an exciting look into our own background as well as the worlds of medical treatment, marathon running, crossfit, nutrition, stories of survival, inspiration, hope, and much more.
Project Purple Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Project Purple Podcast
5.0(9 reviews)
329 episodes
Updated Bi-weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Project Purple's vision is a world without pancreatic cancer. We have two initiatives: to help pancreatic cancer patients and fund research. With a variety of partners in the health and fitness world, our podcast will deliver an exciting look into our own background as well as the worlds of medical treatment, marathon running, crossfit, nutrition, stories of survival, inspiration, hope, and much more.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/23/2018
2 verified contact emails on file for Project Purple Podcast
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Recent Episodes
June 17, 2026
Project Purple Podcast Episode 330 - Andrew Waters, PhD on KRAS Breakthroughs and Future Treatments
Host Dino Verrelli interviews Andrew Waters, PhD, about KRAS mutation breakthroughs and future pancreatic cancer treatments, offering insights into overcoming resistance mechanisms.
May 13, 2026
Episode 329 - Surviving Pancreatic Cancer with Beth Benedix
Joining the Project Purple Podcast from Indiana, pancreatic cancer survivor Beth Benedix has a deeply reflective and powerful conversation with host Dino Verrelli. A professor emerita of world literature, religious studies, and community engagement at DePauw University, Beth is also the founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy and creativity back into classrooms: an effort that reflects her lifelong passion for education and human connection. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2020, Beth recounts her sudden diagnosis in the emergency room after experiencing severe back pain. What followed was an intense journey that included complications from testing, weeks in the hospital with pancreatitis, chemotherapy, and the Whipple procedure. Despite being declared in remission, Beth shares the emotional and physical toll of a recent recurrence, including the frustration of not being heard by medical professionals when new symptoms arose years later. Beth speaks candidly about advocating for herself within a healthcare system that can often feel dismissive, drawing parallels to the education system and the broader challenge of creating spaces where people truly feel seen and heard. Beyond her medical journey, she also reflects on identity, creativity, and the process of making meaning in the face of illness—through music, relationships, and the ways she stays grounded in connection. Rejecting the traditional “fight” narrative often associated with cancer, Beth advocates instead for individuality in how people navigate their diagnoses. Grounded in an existentialist perspective and inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s idea to “become who you are,” Beth describes pancreatic cancer not only as a hardship, but as a vehicle for deeper self-understanding, connection, and even moments of unexpected beauty. From confronting fear and uncertainty to embracing joy, humor, and intentional relationships, Beth’s story offers a profound meditation on what it means to live fully in the face of the unknown. Beth welcomes connection via email at bbenedix@depauw.edu. Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more stories from the pancreatic cancer community. To learn more or donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, visit projectpurple.org.
April 21, 2026
Despina Siolas, M.D., Ph.D., on Project Purple's Pancreatic Cancer Research Recovery Grant - Project Purple Podcast Episode 328
In this in-depth episode of the Project Purple Podcast, CEO & Founder Dino Verrelli welcomes Dr. Despina Siolas, a physician-scientist at Cornell University whose work spans both the clinic and the research lab. With an M.D. from Stony Brook School of Medicine, a Ph.D. in genetics from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and medical oncology training at NYU, Dr. Siolas brings a unique perspective to the fight against pancreatic cancer. Dr. Siolas shares her personal journey into medicine, inspired by her mother’s colon cancer diagnosis when she was just 16, and explains how her dual role as a clinician and researcher allows her to translate what she sees in the clinic directly into groundbreaking studies. She dives into the challenges and intricacies of studying KRAS mutations, found in 93% of pancreatic tumors, and how new insights and emerging therapies are finally offering hope for patients. Listeners will hear about the importance of genetic testing, the collaboration of diverse teams in her lab, and the role of patient advocacy in shaping research priorities. Dr. Siolas also discusses her experience as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, the necessity of systemic change in research, and how Project Purple’s Recovery Grant helped her continue critical work after unexpected funding challenges. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, advocate, or science enthusiast, this episode provides a powerful look at the intersection of patient care, genetic research, and innovative treatments, highlighting how progress in the lab can directly impact lives in the clinic. Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more stories from the pancreatic cancer community. Read our press release to learn more about how Project Purple’s Pancreatic Cancer Research Recovery Grant is helping Dr. Siolas sustain her important work: https://www.projectpurple.org/project-purple-awards-weill-cornell-medicine-375k-to-advance-pancreatic-cancer-research/ You can follow Dr. Siolas for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/despina-siolas-md-phd-7249a982
329 total episodes available with 1 transcripts
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Project Purple Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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