50% with Marcylle Combs: Women in Leadership

In this powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month episode, Marcylle sits down with Megan-Claire Chase, also known as “Warrior Megsie,” a nationally recognized breast cancer survivor, advocate, speaker, writer, and storyteller. Megan-Claire was diagnosed with Stage IIA invasive lobular breast cancer at just 39 years old after spending years knowing something was wrong with her body and not feeling fully heard. Her experience became the beginning of a deeper mission: to help patients trust their voices, advocate for better care, and push for more equity in healthcare. Today, Megan-Claire uses her story to lead national conversations around survivorship, patient-centered research, health equity, and representation in clinical trials. She serves as the Breast Cancer Program Director for SHARE Cancer Support and hosts Our BC Life, a podcast that amplifies the voices of breast cancer survivors. In this episode, she and Marcylle talk about what it means to keep using your voice when life gets hard. They discuss the reality of being dismissed in the exam room, the emotional side of survivorship, the importance of asking for support, and why awareness must turn into action. This conversation is honest, moving, and deeply needed. It is a reminder that your story matters. Your instincts matter. And your voice may be the very thing that helps someone else feel less alone. Key Topics Megan-Claire Chase's personal cancer journey Importance of genetic testing and family history Advocacy for diverse representation in clinical trials Impact of healthcare disparities on minority communities The role of humor and positivity in coping with cancer Life on the cancer survivorship train The significance of early detection and listening to your body How storytelling and writing support healing and awareness The importance of community and support networks Strategies for healthcare professionals to improve patient trust Get In Touch With Megan-Claire: Instagram, Twitter (X), Bluesky, and TikTok – @warriormegise Facebook – Megsie Chase LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-claire-chase/

Christine G. Anastos spent decades protecting public health as an environmental engineer before becoming a patient herself. After months of advocating for answers, she was diagnosed with breast cancer—an experience that reshaped her purpose and led her to found Connect & Thrive, a public benefit corporation supporting people living with cancer.In this episode, Christine shares her journey from caregiver to patient to advocate. She opens up about self-advocacy, the emotional weight of survivorship, equitable access to care, and the hope that can be found in healing beyond diagnosis.Key Topics Christine's breast cancer journey and diagnosis Environmental factors and their impact on health Navigating the healthcare system effectively Lifestyle and dietary changes for prevention The role of mindset and mental health in healing Use of AI and data in health monitoring Importance of trust but verify in health choices Environmental toxins and regulation differences Small actionable health tips for everyone Get In Touch With Christine: Home - Connect & Thrive (CAT) Christine Anastos |LinkedIn Instagram Facebook

In this episode of 50% with Marcylle Combs, I sit down with Lisa Crites, a breast cancer survivor whose personal journey became the spark for an invention that has helped women all over the world. After her own surgery and recovery, Lisa saw a need that most people would have never noticed — because sometimes the most meaningful solutions are born in the middle of our hardest seasons. Out of that need, she created The Shower Shirt, a water-resistant post-surgical garment designed to help breast cancer patients shower safely and with dignity after surgery. Lisa’s story is one of grit, faith, creativity, and purpose. She reminds us that survivorship is not just about getting through the diagnosis — it is about what we do with the wisdom, compassion, and courage we gain on the other side. In our conversation, Lisa shares what it was like to face breast cancer, how she turned a deeply personal challenge into a practical solution for other women, and why advocacy matters so much for patients who are trying to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This episode is for every woman who has walked through something hard and wondered if anything good could possibly come from it. Lisa’s answer is a beautiful reminder: yes, it can. In this episode, we talk about: Lisa’s breast cancer journey and recovery experience The moment she realized women needed a better post-surgical showering solution How The Shower Shirt was created The emotional side of healing after breast cancer surgery Why dignity matters in recovery Turning pain into purpose Encouragement for women facing breast cancer today Resources Beautifully Unbroken: A Life-Changing Invention Shower Shirt - Patent and Product Info United States Patent and Trademark Office Patient Innovation Award - University of Portugal AI in Journalism - Cross-Referencing Tips Get In Touch With Lisa: Lisa FCrites - (4) Facebook BeautifullyUnbroken – FB (5) Facebook IG - (2) Instagram www.lisashowershirt.com – Lisa F. Crites |LinkedIn “BeautifullyUnbroken”: A Life-Changing Invention: Born of Loss, Cancer, Courage, andFaith.: CRITES, LISA F.: 9798198812697: Amazon.com: Books

In this episode, Marcylle sits down with Laura Carfang, founder of ⁠SurvivingBreastCancer.org to talk about leadership, survivorship, and what happens when a personal diagnosis becomes the beginning of a much larger mission. Laura was just 34 when she was diagnosed with Stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma after her early symptoms were initially dismissed. Living an active, health-conscious life, she never expected breast cancer to become part of her story. But that experience challenged what she thought she knew about risk, prevention, and the gaps that exist for people navigating life after diagnosis. What began as Laura’s personal search for trustworthy information and meaningful connection grew into SurvivingBreastCancer.org, a national nonprofit digital platform serving individuals diagnosed with breast cancer, their families, and a growing global community. Laura shares how SBC is redefining survivorship as an active, ongoing phase of care—not simply recovery. Through evidence-informed education, moderated community support, integrative oncology–inspired programming, and AI-powered navigation, SBC helps close the gap between clinical treatment and whole-person support. This conversation explores what it means to lead through uncertainty, build something meaningful from adversity, and create access to care, education, and connection beyond the clinic walls. In this episode, we talk about: Laura’s diagnosis at 34 and how it reshaped her understanding of health, leadership, and purpose The gap in survivorship support that led her to create SurvivingBreastCancer.org Why survivorshipis an ongoing phase of care, not a finish line How digital tools, education, and community can remove barriers and expand support What leaders can learn from navigating crisis, uncertainty, and mission-driven work About Laura Carfang: Laura Carfang is the founder of SurvivingBreastCancer.org, a U.S.-based national nonprofit building digital infrastructure for breast cancer survivorship. SBC serves all 50 states and a growing international community by offering credible information, meaningful connection, and whole-person support from diagnosis through long-term survivorship. Learn more: SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources Surviving Breast Cancer Organization San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Get In Touch With Laura: www.survivingbreastcancer.org IG: @survivingbreastcancerorg IG: @laura_carfang TikTok: @sbc_org FB: Survivingbreastcancerorg YouTube: @SurvivingBreastCancer For more information about Marcylle Combs Leadership Series, and how to register go to marcyllecombs.com

Every October, Marcylle and Deantha dedicate this month of episodes to Breast Cancer Awareness. As a survivor herself, Marcylle chooses to take this time to honor the professionals, the survivors and their families. Thank you for listening. Here is the link to the Marcylle Combs Leadership Series