The Care Partner Cipher: We Take the Mic

Every patient has a story—but every care partner has one too.

On this episode of Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, host Oya Gilbert passes the mic to three care partners from the multiple myeloma community: Michelle Ware Ivy, Diane Kennedy, and Chad Moore.

Together, they share what happened when multiple myeloma entered their families and how they suddenly found themselves becoming advocates, researchers, appointment partners, emotional anchors, and voices for the people they love.

The conversation explores the difficult moments that often happen outside the spotlight—from telling children and parents about a cancer diagnosis to questioning treatment decisions, managing fear, navigating grief, learning to be present, and finding ways to care for yourself while caring for someone else.

Michelle also shares how her promise to her late husband, Malcolm, continues through her advocacy and the Malcolm Orlando Ivy Foundation. Diane discusses becoming the “truth serum” during medical appointments and learning when to trust her instincts. Chad opens up about the “messy” reality of caregiving and realizing that care partners don't always have to know the answer or fix every problem.

Their message to other care partners is simple but powerful:

Be flexible. Lead with love. You don’t have to have all the answers.

In this cipher, the care partner’s light doesn’t dim when the patient enters the room.

This time, they take the mic.

▶️ Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QYr2COcD41g

🎧 Listen to Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health on Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Clinical trials have transformed the treatment of multiple myeloma—but myths, fear, and misinformation continue to keep many patients from considering them.

In this episode of Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin' Health, Oya Gilbert welcomes board-certified hematologist and multiple myeloma specialist Dr. Craig Cole for one of the most important conversations we've had on the podcast.

Dr. Cole shares the personal experience that led him into medicine, explains why patient empowerment is central to his work, and tackles some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding clinical trials.

During this episode, you'll learn:

• Why patients are never denied the standard of care in modern cancer clinical trials.
• Why the myth of being a "guinea pig" no longer reflects today's research process.
• Why clinical trials aren't just for patients who have exhausted every treatment option.
• How participants often receive additional monitoring, support, and access to their healthcare team.
• Why healthy skepticism is important—but fear shouldn't prevent patients from asking questions.
• How unconscious bias can influence who is offered a clinical trial.
• Why Black and Brown representation in research is critical to improving treatments for everyone.

Dr. Cole also explains why many barriers people assume exist—transportation, financial concerns, lodging, and support—often already have solutions built into clinical trial programs. The biggest barrier, he says, is that too many eligible patients are simply never asked.

This conversation is educational, honest, and empowering. Whether you're newly diagnosed, living with multiple myeloma, supporting a loved one, or working in healthcare, you'll leave with a better understanding of why clinical trials matter—not just for today's patients, but for future generations.

As Dr. Cole reminds us:

"There is no cure until everybody is cured."

Thank you for listening to Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin' Health, where we bridge the gap between healthcare and culture through real conversations that educate, inspire, and empower.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Johnson & Johnson/Legend Biotech, and to Pfizer for their continued support of the Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin' Health Podcast.

In this episode of Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, Oya Gilbert sits down with hip-hop legend Master Ace for an honest conversation about living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Ace shares:

• His early symptoms and diagnosis journey
• The emotional toll of living with a chronic illness
• Why he kept his diagnosis private for over 10 years
• How MS inspired him to create some of his most meaningful work
• The role of diet, fitness, and mindset in managing his health

This episode is a powerful reminder that your condition doesn’t define you—your response does.

🎧 Tap in and be inspired.

#HealthHopeHipHop #HipHopeHoorayPodcast #MasterAce #MultipleSclerosis #MSAwareness

What do you do when the doctor says cancer? For Mark Harris and Robert Ginyard, the answer was simple — survive, then serve.

In this episode of Hip. Hope. Hooray! Men Talkin' Health, host Oya Gilbert goes on location at the Healthevoices Conference in Jersey for a raw, unfiltered conversation with two prostate cancer survivors who turned their diagnoses into a lifelong mission to save other men's lives.

Mark was diagnosed at 58 — and just six days later became a caregiver when his son received his own cancer diagnosis. Robert was diagnosed at 48 after years of diligent annual checkups and a wife who held him accountable. Now both men are on the front lines of prostate cancer advocacy, and they're bringing everything to this conversation.

In this episode: — What the prostate is, what it does, and why Black men need to pay attention — PSA testing explained and why Black men should start screening at 40 — Navigating treatment decisions — surgery, radiation, active surveillance — The truth about sex, intimacy, and quality of life after treatment — Why keeping your diagnosis a secret is a generational health curse — The spiritual and mental health elements of surviving cancer — Building generational health, not just generational wealth

This is the conversation your doctor wishes you were already having with the men in your life. Listen, share, and take action.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly — subscribe so you never miss a beat. 💊 Powered by Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer 📍 Recorded live at Healthevoices Conference

#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #ProstateCancer #BlackMensHealth #KnowYourPSA #Healthevoices

Welcome back to Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health with your host Oya Gilbert (Grand G). In this episode, Oya sits down with hip-hop media legend Dr. Greg “Grouchy” Watkins, co-founder of AllHipHop.com, for a real and necessary conversation about alcoholism, sobriety, identity, and mental health.

Dr. Greg shares how hip-hop became his home and his purpose, while also opening up about how addiction ran through his family and how substance use was normalized early in life. Together, they unpack how the entertainment industry can make heavy habits feel “normal,” why recovery takes honesty and mental toughness, and how staying sober is a moment-by-moment decision.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism or substance use, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through the SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #Sobriety #MentalHealthMatters #HipHopCulture

Host Oya Gilbert sits down with Richard Armstrong, a multiple myeloma patient, and Chad Moore, a long-time husband and care partner, for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about pain, perseverance, and partnership in the face of blood cancer. From months of unexplained back pain and collapsing spines to kidney failure, ER chaos during the height of COVID, and being dismissed or misdiagnosed, this episode shines a light on just how dangerous delayed diagnosis can be—especially for Black families.​

Richard shares how close he came to giving up when the pain felt unbearable, while Chad breaks down what it means to advocate fiercely for his wife when doctors don’t see the full picture and male caregivers are often overlooked. Together, they show the power of family, faith, and community when facing an “incurable but treatable” disease like multiple myeloma.​

You’ll hear about:

• Early symptoms and red flags of multiple myeloma

• Living with chronic pain and fearing the worst

• The unique role and burden of male care partners

• Why support systems and self-advocacy are critical for survival

Perfect for patients, care partners, clinicians, and anyone who cares about health equity and men’s health.

Stackin’ Moments with Myeloma: Trust the Process — Gary Lambert & Dr. Blue on CAR-T, Trials & Real Teamwork

In this powerful episode of Hip. Hope. Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, host Oya Gilbert is joined by Dr. Brandon Blue, a multiple myeloma specialist at Moffitt Cancer Center, and Gary A. Lambert, who has been living with multiple myeloma since 2014.

Gary shares his journey from an active life as a runner and cyclist in Philadelphia to a Stage III myeloma diagnosis at age 38 after months of worsening back and hip pain. Dr. Blue explains what multiple myeloma is in clear, everyday language and breaks down advanced treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, clinical trials, and why trust and timing matter in care decisions.

Together, they discuss:

• Why myeloma is often missed early, especially in Black men

• How to think critically about clinical trials

• The power of doctor–patient teamwork and care partner advocacy

• How CAR-T changed Gary’s life and allowed him to focus on family and purpose

• Why listening to your body and asking questions can save lives

This episode is a reminder that cancer doesn’t define the whole story — it’s just one chapter. The goal is to survive, thrive, and keep stacking moments.

#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #MenTalkinHealth #MultipleMyeloma #CART #ClinicalTrials #HealthEquity #PatientAdvocacy