GUEST: Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, renowned neurosurgeon, chair of neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic

Long before he was a world-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa was a 5-year-old boy selling food at gas stations in his native Mexico. But at 19, he left his native Mexico in hopes of a better future. In the decades since, Dr. Quiñones earned a medical degree from Harvard Medical School; worked as a cancer neurosurgeon at two of the most prestigious medical institutions; and received a Conquer Cancer grant to help advance research for patients. In this episode, Dr. Quiñones reflects on the challenges he faced on the road to becoming a cancer neurosurgeon and the inspiration he derives from providing care for his patients.

The Woman Whose Cells Lived On

GUEST: Dr. Clyde Yancy, member, Board of Directors of the Henrietta Lacks Foundation; professor of medicine at Northwestern University

Until just 10 years ago, few people knew of the late Henrietta Lacks, let alone the lasting impact her cells would have on medicine and healthcare—including cancer research. Before Lacks passed away from cervical cancer at age 31, her biological materials were harvested without her knowledge or consent—a historically common practice, but one that Black patients were often particularly vulnerable to. For decades since, Lacks' cells have continued to fuel a wealth of groundbreaking advancements in modern medicine and cancer care. In this episode, Dr. Clyde Yancy—a member of the Board of Directors of the Henrietta Lacks Foundation—shares insight into Henrietta Lacks’ life and far-reaching impact.

Why Hasn’t Cancer Been Cured?

GUEST: Dr. Otis Brawley, professor of oncology and epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University; member, Conquer Cancer Board of Directors

It's easy to confuse the idea of curing a disease with that of eradicating it. But there's an important difference—one that can change your perspective on what conquering cancer truly means. In this episode, Dr. Otis Brawley, a Conquer Cancer Board Member and former chief medical and scientific officer of the American Cancer Society, explains the realities of what it means to conquer cancer and the misconceptions many people still have about the disease. He unpacks why some cancers have seen successful cures compared to others and discusses how the evolution of research shows promise for a world where every patient and survivor is healthy.

Three Months at a Time

GUEST: Dr. Justin Grunewald, member, Board of Directors of the Brave Like Gabe Foundation; husband of the late Gabe Grunewald

For ultra-marathon runner Dr. Justin Grunewald, advocating for better rare cancer treatments is personal. In 2019, his wife—Gabe Grunewald, a professional distance runner—passed away from a rare type of cancer. Over nearly a decade, Gabe endured multiple cancer diagnoses and challenging treatment regimens. But no matter how many hurdles she faced, Gabe persisted, winning numerous track and field accolades and launching the Brave Like Gabe Foundation, an organization dedicated to rare cancer advocacy. In this episode, Dr. Grunewald reflects on the lasting impact of Gabe’s legacy and the importance of inspiring optimism for people with rare cancers.

Big Time Adulting: Kids, Cancer, and a Lesson in Laughter

GUEST: Caitlin Murray, parent of a pediatric cancer survivor; internet comedian and creator of the popular blog Big Time Adulting

In 2016, Caitlin and her family’s lives were quickly upended with doctor visits and endless uncertainty in the wake of her 3-year-old son Calum’s leukemia diagnosis. Facing a long and challenging treatment regimen, Caitlin needed to make sense of Calum’s cancer journey and to keep her family informed. And so, she created her blog, Big Time Adulting. But her unique style of humor quickly amassed an audience of more than 1.5 million followers, and her blog grew into a globally recognized multimedia platform. In this episode, Caitlin shares a renewed appreciation for the power of humor and the lifesaving impact of cancer research.