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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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