April 15, 2026
Kelly MacFarland and Smiling Through the Fear
<p><strong>Season 3 Episode 8</strong></p><p>Life changes in ways you rarely expect and in the wake of these changes we try our best to take it all in and breath it all out. On the forever elusive path we find ourselves, even when the light is the furthest away, we can still find a spark of joy and laughter and know that no matter what’s to come, we can experience this moment, joyously. </p><p>In this episode of Taking a Breath, Comedian Kelly MacFarland shares her experience as a blood clot survivor and how a simple request in an improv class could very well have been the thing that saved her life. Alongside NBCA President Leslie Lake and NBCA Patient Liaison Todd Robertson, this conversation explores not just survival, but what it means to chart a path that will save countless lives to follow. Listeners will hear practical insights on recognizing warning signs, advocating for yourself in medical settings, and finding community on the journey to shaping the future of blood clot awareness.</p><p> <strong>Meet Our Guests<br></strong><br></p><ul><li><strong>Kelly MacFarland </strong></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.kellymacfarland.com/">Kelly MacFarland</a> is a stand-up comedian, writer and actress. She delivers a performance with best-friend energy, leaving you with the urge to invite her to dinner. The comedy is bold, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Kelly has appeared on Comedy Central, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, the Today Show, AXS Gotham Comedy LIVE, Up Early Tonight on Hulu, Dry Bar Comedy, Don’t Tell Comedy and Denis Leary’s Comics Come Home at the Boston TD Garden. <br><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>About NBCA<br></strong><br></p><p>The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. NBCA works on behalf of people who may be susceptible to blood clots, including, but not limited to, people with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation, cancer, traumatic injury, and risks related to surgery, lengthy immobility, child birth and birth control. NBCA accomplishes its mission through programs that build public awareness, educate patients and healthcare professionals, and promote supportive public and private sector policy.</p><p><strong>Our Hosts <br></strong><br></p><p><strong>Leslie Lake<br></strong><br></p><p>In 2018, Leslie suffered a bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE). Her quest to learn more about venous thromboembolism (VTE) lead her to the National Blood Clot Alliance Despite living in New York City, Leslie was shocked by the lack of information available to her after her PE. As Board President, Leslie is committed to raising public awareness so no person affected by blood clots is without the necessary information they need to prevent or successfully treat VTE, and that they also have the information they need to navigate the spectrum of lifestyle issues that can follow a blood clot diagnosis. Leslie holds a BS in Economics from Simmons College, where she is also a Trustee, member of the Finance and Investment Committees, and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. She is also Board member of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Society of North America (THSNA) and External Advisory Board member of CanVECTOR.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Todd Robertson<br></strong><br></p><p>Todd is the Patient Engagement Liaison for The National Blood Alliance. In 2011, Todd suffered the first of seven blood clots and in 2017 experienced a close call with his first pulmonary embolism. He is a carrier of the inherited clotting disorder, factor V Leiden, and is homozygous, making him aggressive in the abnormal clotting department. He is a motivational speaker for blood clot trauma recovery and is a local patient advocate for new patients. He is working on his first book, “Blood Clots: A Road Map to Recovery.” Todd runs several Facebook support groups and has developed a level of trust and friendship with thousands of patients over the years. He loves to road and mountain bike, white water canoe, and stays active all year round.</p><p><strong>Links<br></strong><br></p><p>https://www.stoptheclot.org/year-end-donation-page-2025/?c_src=podcast </p><p>YouTube: youtube.com/stoptheclot</p><p>Facebook: facebook.com/stoptheclot</p><p>Instagram: instagram.com/stoptheclot</p><p>X: x.com/StopTheClot</p><p>LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/national-blood-clot-alliance</p><p>BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/stoptheclot.bsky.social</p><p>TikTok: tiktok.com/@stoptheclot</p><p>#podcast #health</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
