The Game On Glio Podcast

We are all guilty of it; something overwhelming happens or a trauma and we try to bury our grief, our stress, our feelings over what's happened. But, we can't outrun our grief or trauma. Eventually it manifests in other ways, sometimes physically. In today's episode, I talk with Grief Coach Kelci Jager of Rise with Grief, & author of A Millions Miracles and the One That Didn't Come.  Kelci's journey through her own grief started with a car accident with her boys that led to a discovery they didn't expect. While trying to navigate that health crisis, her husband then became diagnosed with cancer. This interview is a poignant account of how significant trauma can truly make us feel lost unless we face it head on. Listen now and visit our website for the directions to the recipe talked about in this episode!  For a "how to" on the recipe, visit our YouTube channel. At the end of this episode is a special video of Shannon's homemade Mac & Cheese!   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: Plus Therapeutics

There is a Chinese proverb- "The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed." We never know what we are on the cusp of until we finish the journey. And, while failing teaches us many things, we don't have to be scared of failing. We should only be scared of walking away. In today's episode, our 50th episode of The Game On Glio Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Sheri Dewan, a board certified Neurosurgeon with expertise in neurological and spine surgery. Dr. Dewan is also a best selling author, having recently published her book- Cutting A Path: The Power of Purpose, Discipline, and Determination. She performs neurosurgery at Ascension Health Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI, and treats patients with brain and spine issues, brain tumors, degenerative disc disease and SI joint dysfunction. Dr. Dewan specializes in minimally invasive robotic spine surgery.  She and I sit down, during this brain cancer awareness month, to talk about her life in neurosurgery, her book, where she sees the area of brain tumor advancements, and her hopes for the neuro-medicine and surgery in the coming years.   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsors: Highmark Bluecross Blueshield Plus Therapeutics Carthera Inc.

Compassion and creativity are vitally important these days in cancer care. The old rule of thumb, especially in brain cancer, of standard of care just isn't enough anymore. Patients and families need a voice, and need to know that they are heard when asking questions about clinical trials, supplements, holistic options, and cross-collaboration across neuro-oncology care. Enter Dr.'s Soma Sengupta and Dominique Higgins of UNC School of Medicine in North Carolina. On today's episode (in total the 49th episode for Game On Glio), kicking off brain cancer awareness month, I sit down with them to discuss the crucial need for elevating patient voices, the importance of clinical trials like IGV-001, out of the box treatments (like GammaTile), and the novel way the doctors at UNC are helping patients reach new heights in their care.   Listen now or watch the full video episode on YouTube. Thank you so much for making Game On Glio a top 10 podcast nationally! Welcome to Season 5.   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: Plus Therapeutics

Grief is a reflection of love. It's a natural part of life, and the more we love, the more profound our grief will be when that love is lost. If we think about the fact that grief is grounded in love, it does help us move through the journey. This is part of the work that grief coaches like Emily Bingham do. She helps people navigate significant life traumas. But this isn't just Emily's profession. She has personally walked through the flames of grief herself, having lost her 32 year old husband Ian to a rare cancer. Hear her story and her thoughts on navigating the dating scene as a widow and young mother.   From all of us at Game On Glio Podcast (produced through Write Life Media LLC), have a peaceful holiday season. Game On Glio is ranked in the top 10% of all podcasts globally, and that's because of you! Thank you. Follow us on Apple Podcasts or give us a review!   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: Alliance Advisory Group

Dr. Horbinski sits down with me to discuss the complexities of brain tumors and how his work in the Feinberg School of Medicine lab is looking into mutIDH1 and how it dramatically alters the glioma's micro-environmental landscape by preventing the thrombosis-necrosis phenomenon that is characteristic of IDH1 wild-type gliomas. Furthermore, mutIDH1 increases the risk of seizures in patients. He explains why his team's work may improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. For methylation profiling patient care and information, please send samples to: Northwestern Department of Pathology. Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsors: Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of WNY Mimivax Inc.

For all of Scott Hamilton's successes, there has also been sacrifice, fear, and loss. He has battled health issues that truly put death in front of him and has made him confront very hard truths. And, it was through his wife that he learned and felt the power of faith in God's word. Scott doesn't see his life as lucky-he sees his life as a road map. All of his experiences teach him and have helped him navigate 4 pillars that are at the foundation of everything he does in life: emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual living. He calls it "getting strong".  Staying rooted in his spiritual life has allowed Scott to stay humble, kind, patient, and has driven him to give back. Because of his own cancer battle, and the brain tumor he lives with, Scott founded Scott CARES Foundation, revolutionizing cancer care by funding cutting-edge research that focuses on treating the cancer while sparing the patient from harsh side effects associated with conventional cancer treatments. He also helped develop ChemoCare.com- a way for patient's to take back control of their chemo treatments and feel empowered. Watch or hear (an extended version) of his story now! The video is on YouTube. The audio is available here on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are played!   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode sponsors: Stang Life Insurance Alliance Advisory Group

Robert and Melanie Ham were young, with two young children when Melanie was diagnosed with an incurable rare form of Sarcoma in 2020. Robert, an award winning film maker and military veteran, decided he wanted to document her journey, their love, to help others. The documentary aired in 2022 after Melanie's death and has been viewed more than 1 million times on YouTube. Robert knew that a part of his grief journey included finding a way forward for himself and his children. That mean, not giving up on love and the lessons it teaches us. Enter Brooke. Brooke had been battling her own hard grief journey after her marriage ended in divorce. With two children of her own, Brooke had to find a way to balance single motherhood while also redefining what life was to look like for her. Brooke knew that she never wanted to give up on love, because a life without love is only half a life. This is a story of love, of hope, of longing, of enduring memory. Listen now! Or watch the video episode on our YouTube channel.   Premier Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode sponsors: Mimivax Inc. Alliance Advisory Group

Having glioblastoma doesn't mean life is over. In fact, it can be viewed as an opportunity! Tara McCaughan from Northern Ireland has been living with gbm for nearly five years. Her story shows us how human resilience and internal cognitive reshuffling can be our biggest weapon in battling such a formidable disease. But she doesn't do it alone, her partner Stephen is her rock. We need stories like hers! I sit down with Tara and Stephen to learn how she realigned her life after her diagnosis, and what motivates her today to see the beauty in her disease.   Season Premier Sponsors: Imvax Inc. GammaTile Therapy   Episode Sponsors: Alliance Advisory Group Mimivax Inc.

There are so many facets of the grief and loss journey. One that many don't think of is financial understanding. Whether it's starting a non-profit organization after a loss or trying to navigate investing from money left to you after a death, it's vital to know how to advocate for your own best interests. Self advocating is important in in all areas of life, not just in caregiving or physical health. Today, I sit down with Frank Randall and Dan Schlein of Alliance Advisory Group to discuss the who, what, where, when, and why of financial advising and important questions people should be asking when meeting with a financial advisor.   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: Mimivax Inc.

Grief is something that crashes into us. It takes a toll on us emotionally and physically. But when it does, it also teaches us. We grow from our journeys in life--the good and the bad. Emily Peterson, CEO of Saranoni Luxury Blankets, knows this journey all to well. Emily's husband Nathan was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer just 3 months after launching their Saranoni Cares initiative for cancer patients, including brain cancer. Nathan, just in his early 50's, only had two months before the cancer took his life. With six kids to care for, Emily hardly had any time to grieve. Hear her story only on Game ON Glio! Listen now.   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: Highmark BCBS of WNY

Love is infinite. You don't run out of love. You don't stop loving your late spouse just because a "new and different love" introduces itself. Your heart grows around what was to make room for what is. Annie and Matt teach us just that. In this episode, we sit down with the two to talk about finding love again after loss, and what it truly looks like to live life in the transitions. Annie and Matt both have children and lost their late spouses early in life. Yet the universe found a way to bring these two together to create a second chapter in life. Listen to their inspiring story. Listen now!   Season Sponsors GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor Highmark Bluecross Blueshield of WNY

Big Tree Memorial Fund, a 501c3 was started in honor of Erik Knapp who died from glioblastoma in his early 30's.  The fund is unique in that it doesn't just focus on brain cancer, but any family suffering from hardship due to a cancer diagnosis. The fund helps supports families and caregivers through resource and financial assistance. Erik was Lauren's best friend, and to honor his memory and the man he was, she could think of nothing better than finding a way to help others! Lauren sits down with me in this wonderful friendly interview between two women who have such respect for each other, lifting and elevating each other, to discuss how brain cancer impacted her life through her best friend Erik Knapp and how the Big Tree Memorial Fund was started.   Listen now!! Please share with others.

There are people you meet in life, whether through words, groups, from a community or work that redefine how you interact with and see life. For me, it started with words; a little book I found one rainy Sunday morning at the bookstore-- Be Like Water. I flipped through this tiny paperback, it's first sentence reading, "More than 70% of the Earth's surface is water. Every living thing is composed of water." I was intrigued so I bought it. Little did I know that book would help me through some difficult times in my life. Whether finding my center, conquering fear, channeling my energy or freeing my mind of anger and guilt. So back to the store I went and purchased his other book that I relied on heavily, Bow to Life. Dr. Cardillo is a best-selling author in the fields of health, mind-body-spirit, and psychology. His books, which include The 12 Rules of Attention: How to Avoid Screw-ups, Free Up Headspace, Do More and Be More at Work; Body Intelligence - Harness Your Body's Energies for Your Best Life; The Five Seasons; Your Playlist Can Change Your Life; Can I Have Your Attention? How to Think Fast, Find Your Focus and Sharpen Your Concentration; Bow to Life; and the body-energy classic, Be Like Water  have inspired people of all ages and backgrounds worldwide. Foreign language editions of his work have appeared in German, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Arabic, Turkish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Malaysian, and Indian. He co-writes books for Harvard Health Publications. Joseph teaches workshops in Health and Wellness at various colleges and institutions. He is a Research Associate at the Mind-Body Science Institute and writes a health column for Live Happy Magazine. He is a black belt martial arts specialist and a master teacher of Chinese and Filipino martial systems and philosophy.   Podcast: Available Now!

How can you comprehend become a widower at 35 years old after 16 years with the one you love? How do you make sense of losing that spouse (only 33) 11 months after giving birth to your first child? This is exactly what Alan Johnstone faced when his young 33 year-old healthy wife Anneka was diagnosed with glioblastoma five months after giving birth to their daughter Sienna. Six months after diagnosis, Anneka was gone. Sienna not even one year old.  Game On Glio traveled to Boston Massachusetts to spend some time with Alan, his daughter, Anneka's mother as well as Alan's mother (both of whom are absolutely lovely and a joy to be with) and dive into his story. And we were there to cheer him on! Hear this amazing story and how brain cancer brought a man from Scotland here to the States to run the Boston marathon for brain cancer.  (Read more of this story on our website thegameongliopodcast.com)   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: Roon.com

To kick off brain cancer awareness month 2024, I sit down with Roon app creators Rohan Ramakrishna & Vikram Bhaskaran in episode 1 of Season 4 of The Game On Glio Podcast. We dive into the importance of real time information and the need for advocacy when it comes to serious diseases like Glioblastoma. My guests also explain why they felt the need to create an app like Roon. The Roon app offers people an opportunity to get extensive information from actual clinicians and doctors, to search for questions they didn't get to ask with their own personal doctors, and to hear from mental health experts, patients, caregivers, and holistic practitioners.    Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: Roon.com        

When Eric Wood sat in a delivery room supporting his wife as she gave birth to their child, he didn't expect to find out that his NFL career was over. It was 2018 and the middle of the football season; Wood had played his entire career for the Buffalo Bills football team, but his path there was narrow and included a bit of destiny. Wood knew full well how fortunate he had been, especially since he had already seen loss and challenges in his life. So, when another challenge knocked at his door, Wood rose to the challenge and overcame it. In this episode, Wood sits down with me to talk about tips to help overcome challenges, gain confidence and what it really means to "win" (hint: it's not what you think). We also discuss the importance of being grounded in life and in relationships and how his faith carries him through life. This is a powerful holiday episode you won't want to miss. **extended audio version. For video, visit our YouTube Channel.   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: UBNS (UB Neurosurgery)

In this episode, Kate sits down with me to discuss the power of hope, faith, family, and never giving up--even when you think all hope is lost. Her foundation, Hope Rises, shares hope-filled news every single day, as well as hosting powerful giveback projects. To date, they have raised over $300,000+ and change countless lives through charitable efforts of love which include the Shine Gold fundraiser for pediatric cancer and fundraising for veterans at WNY Heroes. Learn more and find out how you can donate to Hope Rises by visiting our website thegameongliopodcast.com You can listen to this episode or watch it over at our YouTube channel (Game On Glio Podcast).   This season is sponsored by GammaTile Therapy and Imvax Inc.   Episode 11 is sponsored by UBNS 

When Amber Jackson met her husband Tim, she describes it, "He came across my sky and lit it up, and now he's gone just as quickly." Amber and Tim were both nurses at the same hospital, and very quickly realized they were soulmates and meant to be together. Within five years they got married and had two beautiful kids. Then it all came crashing down when Tim was diagnosed with brain cancer. Amber shares her story of resilience, caring for 4 small children, one of whom has special needs, and navigating being single while carrying space as a young widow. Listen now!   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy, Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: UBNS

At the time of his diagnosis, Chris Baccash had a full time analytics job and spent his weekends racing and training with the Doylestown Bike Works elite cycling team. His accomplishments included the hardest event of the season — the 50-mile Bucks County Classic, in his hometown of Doylestown, PA, with a personal-best time. Of cycling at the time, Chris says, “When else do you get to ride through a beautiful countryside, side by side with a good friend, and have an uninterrupted conversation for five hours?” After being diagnosed with brain cancer, his perspective on what was important in life changed, “I knew that my situation was going to take a while to get corrected and I would have a chance to reprioritize,” he said. “It's rare that we get these opportunities to pause and stop the show. I thought, ‘This is an opportunity to change my life.'" And that is what he did. Hear Chris's remarkable story and what he is doing today.   Listen now!   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy, Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: UBNS

It's hard enough to imagine a young adult getting glioblastoma. But to hear of a baby having it truly tugs at the heart strings. Kelly Barnhart shares her incredible story with us of her 5 year old son Carson's GBM story. A mother of three, a wife, and an educator in the Buffalo school system as well as through Buffalo Hearing and Speech, Kelly has made it her mission to share Carson's pediatric cancer story to highlight congenital glioblastoma.   Listen now! Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: UBNS

  It's an old phrase, one that has actually been around since the 11th century when Saint George slayed his first "dragon." The more recent old English proverb is "Some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you." Basically we win some, we lose some--BUT we always keep going, and we slay one dragon at a time. That is life; life throws us curve balls and all we can do is wait for the next pitch and hope we connect in a positive and meaningful way. And, that's exactly what our guest today has done. Laura Dill is the founder of the Slay Society Inc., a charity that promotes a healthy experience for caregivers and those living with Glioblastoma by providing funding to families, and access to counseling, information, and group programs to individuals with Glioblastoma, their families. Listen now!   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: UB Neurosurgery

StacheStrong is a 501(c)3 non-profit devoted to raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research in memory of the late GJ Gerner--Co Founder Colin Gerner's brother. The organization has become a beacon of hope for countless individuals and families afflicted by brain cancer. In this episode, Colin recalls, “It all started with a seizure. My 29 year old brother had a seizure. We figured, well we hoped, that it was just dehydration--you know something minor. I followed the doctor into the hallway and it was no longer a question – he told me they had found a large brain tumor. ” Listen to Colin's powerful story.   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: MimiVax LLC

Mike was diagnosed with glioblastoma in April of 2022. 13 months in, he is doing well and stronger than ever--but it comes at a price. “I know the statistics,” he said. “The statistics for glioblastoma are a median survival of 14 months; half the people are dead by 14 months. The five-year survival is four or five percent.” Mike found the tumor after a seizure while driving home led to a car crash. He woke up in the hospital with a broken back, but it was his brain scans that would change his life. Ironically, Mike works in neurological medical device sales, and his wife is a clinical research analyst. So, when he saw his scans, he knew it was cancer but never would have thought it was GBM. Hear his remarkable story. You can watch a special video of our guest singing an acoustic version of "My Little Girl" with country singing legend Tim McGraw.   **Book referenced can be found on our website thegameongliopodcast.com Season Sponsors: GammaTile Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: MimiVax

In this episode, we talk to Wade Lewis who was diagnosed with glioblastoma at the age of 43. Faith, fortitude, and fight all describe what this episode is about.  Wade shares his brain cancer journey, the intriguing friendship he developed with Dr. Fonkem and how it led to their work in Africa together, and how ministry and his belief in God has given him a new outlook on the path that has been handed to him. We also discuss some interesting drug news that isn't on everyone's radar.    Listen now! Please review or rate us anywhere podcasts are played. We love to hear from you! Also visit our website for updated clinical trials that are recruiting and updated brain cancer news. Visit our YouTube channel for the latest special videos and a documentary trailer on Wade Lewis's journey so far.   Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy, Imvax Inc.   Episode sponsor: Highmark BlueCross BlueShield

Lance Kawaguchi's motto is "working with heart" and it shows in all he does for the brain cancer community. The CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Australia, Lance is also an internationally recognized executive leader with over 25 years of global finance and banking experience, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Asian Fund for Cancer Research (www.AFCR.org). Lance was featured on the cover of CEO Magazine and awarded the 2022 CEO Magazine Global Not-for-Profit Executive of the Year and the 2022. In this exciting episode, we talk about Lance's foundation's move to the U.S., his hope to grow the work of his foundation, and his South Pole Trek to bring awareness and funds to brain cancer research. You can learn more by visiting southpoletrek4cancer    Season Sponsors: GammaTile Therapy Imvax Inc.   Episode Sponsor: Highmark BCBS of WNY

"It's hard when someone puts an expiration date on you," said Nick Adamski, glioblastoma thriver and one of our guests for episode 2 of Season 3. Nick, with the support of his wife Diane (ABC7 Chicago News Journalist), has been beating the odds against glioblastoma since December 2020. Walking through this rare cancer is not pretty, nor is it for the faint of heart. When Nick and Diane sat down with us, he didn't hold back; painting a picture of just how hard this journey has been and the obstacles he's had to overcome. A previous firefighter, it's an indication of the kind of man Nick is--a fighter! But, it's not just his own inner strength that is helping him win against glioblastoma (GBM), it's the love he and his wife Diane share that transcends this disease. And, that's what this episode is all about--LOVE! Diane and Nick also share education on Methylation Profiling and how it has saved Nick's life.    *Our theme this season is "Advocate and Navigate" and this episode does just that! Listen to episode 2 now!   Season Sponsor  GT Medical Technologies & GammaTile Therapy   episode sponsors Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of WNY MimiVax LLC

In this first episode of Season 3, we sit down with Dr.'s Elad Levy and Ken Snyder of UB Neurosurgery/Buffalo General Hospital and Gates Vascular Institute/Jacobs School of Medicine. They give us rare insight into the work they do, the cutting edge technology being used (including GammaTile Therapy now being offered) and even the emotional toll this field can take. This season we are going to learn--together. "Navigate and Advocate" is a theme you will hear a lot during season 3 of The Game On Glio Podcast. And, it starts with episode 1. We all have moments we feel outnumbered. But we are not alone, and if this show gives you anything--it's that!   Season 3 Premier Sponsor: GammaTile Therapy   Episode sponsor: Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of WNY

Our guest today, Marie Alessi, is a celebrated author of the book "Loving Life After Loss" and podcast host of Upspiral Grief. Marie unexpectedly lost her husband and father to their two boys in 2018 to a sudden brain aneurysm. Using her own tools and strong intuition, she created a path back happiness and now shares that with others across the globe. In our last episode of Season 2, Marie and I tackle the myths and peel back the many layers of grief and loss, and how to ignite happiness again. Don't miss out on this stirring episode!  Subscribe to our podbean channel, to our website at thegameongliopodcast.com, and to our Instagram channel @gameongliopodcast to get the latest news, stories you won't hear on the show, AND a sneak peak into Season 3!!!   Season 2 Sponsor: GammaTile Therapy

"I (insert name here) take you (insert name here) to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death parts us." Sound familiar? When we say those vows, we say them theoretically. As if we know that this is what we truly vow, it's what we mean, but we never expect to have to uphold some of them so soon. Being a spousal caregiver is so nuanced, so delicate. It's a tightrope that no one else can understand. For those who are blessed enough to have that dream marriage; a love that redefines what soulmate truly means, the task of being a caregiver is the most heart-wrenching and difficult task you will ever be given in this life. Our guest today, Andrea Tom, knows this kind of caregiving as well. Like me, she became a caregiver to her husband in her 40's when he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma five years ago. She shares her experience; she reflects on what it honestly means to be a spousal caregiver and how she has "soldiered" on. She finds new meaning and has redefined what being a widow and a woman in her 50's looks like.   Season Sponsor GammaTile Therapy

    It's hard enough being a parent (at least from everything I witness and see). So, what do you do when you suddenly become a widow, grieving the loss of your spouse while also trying to help your grieving child? Whether the loss is a caregiver, a parent, or even a sibling, a child that experiences loss is going to experience grief differently than we as adults do. Young children may not even understand what death means, or that people who have died won't be coming back. So, how do we wrap our arms around these tender souls while also still trying to cope with our own grief? In this episode we speak to Sara Deren, Founder and CEO of Experience Camps. Experience Camps is a national non-profit that gives grieving children experiences that change their lives forever.   Season Sponsor:   GammaTile  

    The themes around Episode 9 will have us all reflecting a bit more this holiday season. You wouldn't know it from the title, but we talk a lot about the act of forgiveness–what it takes to forgive. Not just in forgiving others, but forgiving ourselves. The title, “Cancer isn't a sniper shot, it's a grenade,” is a loaded title. In my conversation with our guest, Dr. Randy D'Amico, he expresses how cancer isn't a single shot, it isn't a sniper that has one bullseye–it's a grenade that scatters everywhere and impacts everyone around you. And I thought that was very powerful, because cancer doesn't just impact the patient, it impacts all those connected to the patient. It has a ripple effect, and everyone is forced to find a way to deal with the aftermath of the diagnosis of their loved one or friend. This is where forgiveness plays its part. This episode is full of insight, clarity, forgiveness, love, and fight.    From all of us at The Game On Glio Podcast, have a wonderful, gratitude filled Thanksgiving.   Season Sponsor: GammaTile Therapy   Episode Sponsor: MimiVax LLC

When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience. Trying to be mindful while in the midst of grief can be challenging. However, learning to lean into it while also leaning into love, loss, and moving forward are part of being mindful in grief. Finding a way to embrace grief while also finding a way to survive in a mindful way is precisely what our guest, Dave Stevenson, has done. In this episode, Dave opens up about being a widower, the challenges he's faced as a male grieving his spouse, and what it means to embrace grief while also finding a way to mindfully move forward. Seasonal Sponsor: GammaTile Therapy   Episode Sponsor: MimiVax LLC

  I've been thinking a lot lately about my path, specifically, how I got here. All the pieces on the chess board had to move just so in order for me to arrive to exactly where I am today. The Universe has a funny and ironically dark way of pushing us in a direction; priming us for a duty, action, or journey that will require certain skills. Before Mike was diagnosed, I was doing part time radio hosting work outside of my "then" full time job as an associate publisher. Before that, I published a novel, worked in trauma as a social worker (many of you may not know I have a Master's degree in SW), and was accepted and attended Yale University to become certified in Storytelling in Modern Media. All of these steps primed me for the path I am now on since Mike's death (a death for which I would give all of these skills back if it meant he were here with me). Our guest today, Dr. Anne-Marie Carbonell, co-founder at OncoSynergy Inc, has had to take a very similar journey. In this episode, we explore her journey into neurosurgery and the "actions" the Universe put in her path to lead her away from saving people's lives in surgery to saving people's lives by finding better treatments. Think of the premise for "Doctor Strange" (the Marvels Universe movie and comics). Season Sponsor: Gamma Tile Therapy   Episode Sponsor: MimiVax LLC

In episode 6 we sit down with Dr. John Ruge, a pediatric neurooncologist in Chicago, IL. His passion for finding better treatment options has led to his developing the app Medeligo Oncology.  Dr. Ruge has worked with both adult and pediatric brain cancer patients and families. His philosophy these days is-- "When I walk in the hospital to meet with a new family that has just received the devastating news, I want the latest information or treatment options at my fingertips that could help their loved one go the distance." These are the revolutionary doctors that we feature on The Game On Glio Podcast. They fight alongside us and they won't give up! Listen to this insightful episode and learn more about Medeligo. This episode is brought to you by: Gamma Tile Therapy & Mimivax LLC

I think it's interesting that a protein in our bodies, that we develop when we are young and shuts off as we get older, that's labeled "Survivin" can actually be used to fight Glioblastoma and potentially other rare cancers. A protein called Survivin has the word "survive" in it. Isn't that thought provoking! It's like the Universe is giving us what we need to fight this deadly cancer. Our guest today, Dr. Mike Ciesielski, is a co-inventor of the survivin vaccine (SurVaxM) technology on which the company MimiVax was founded. He sits down with us to talk about how this little protein is being manipulated to "vaccinate" our bodies, including the brain, again further GBM growth and cell proliferation. It's a fascinating episode you won't want to miss!   Season Sponsor: Gamma Tile   Episode Sponsors: Mimivax & OncoSynergy Inc.

When we think of loss--of the grief we suffer from it, we don't typically see grief as a strength. Grief can either consume us or be used to shatter our fears and sadness and teach us a strength we never knew we had in us. In this episode we talk about the obstacles of moving through grief- the understanding and patience that is needed. Seeing the hope that floats up through our grief is a powerful tool, and our guest Dan Fischer talks about how he used his grief to find new hope and to honor his late father by giving him one last wave. That led to an amazing project that is now helping thousands of people across the globe move through their own grief to heal and find new hope in their own journeys.    **movie discussion (Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr.)   Season Sponsor- Gamma Tile Therapy Episode Sponsor- OncoSynergy Inc.

Being a front-line worker at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic is hard enough. What happens when you go from front-line work to patient? Episode 3 hears the story of Ian Youngblood, a 29 year-old nurse sent to NYC as COVID-19 started to ravage our country. He quickly went from treating others to being treated, but not for COVID, for a grade 3 Anaplastic oligodendroglioma--brain cancer. Three years later, Ian talks about that day, and how he sees the world now.   Season Sponsor: Gamma Tile Therapy (GT Medical Technologies)   Episode Sponsors: Highmark BCBS of WNY, OncoSynergy Inc. **Music credits to Ronald Lynn Dickison for their song "Mourning"  

We're taking a trip back to high school chemistry in this episode! The chemical compound H2S, better known as the gaseous chemical Hydrogen Sulfide--the one that puts off a "rotten eggs" smell, is found in many natural environment settings. However, did you know that Hydrogen Sulfide is produced in small amounts in our bodies? This over-looked compound has a variety of important physiological effects, especially as we age. Dr. Chris Hine has been studying these benefits and how H2S may actually help stave off Glioblastoma (GBM)! Both Dr.'s Hine and Lathia have been hard at work at the Lerner Research Institute at Cleveland Clinic finding out-of-the-box ways to better treat or help prevent brain cancers such as GBM. In this episode, we take a deeper look into their work. Season Presenting Sponsor: Gamma Tile (GT Medical Technologies)   Episode Sponsors: OncoSynergy, Inc. & Highmark BCBS of WNY

Harry Lorusso was diagnosed with GBM at just 33 years old. He said of his diagnosis, "No one changes when things are easy. The type of people my wife and I are today, we wouldn't have become without GBM." A week after his diagnosis, he and his fiancé got married. A year later they had a son. And now they've started the Outlier Fund. Three years in and Harry is not only in "no evidence" phase at 36 years old, but he just ran 26 miles in the Pittsburgh Marathon! Harry talks to me about the clinical trial that has given him three years thus far, the importance of attitude, gratitude, and viewing his diagnosis as a blessing. It's an episode you won't want to miss!! **Also, don't miss Game On Glio's documentary film shot on location with Harry as he ran the Pittsburgh Marathon. The full special video can be found on our YouTube page   Learn more about our sponsors on our website and in the podcast:  GT Medical Technologies-Gamma Tile Highmark BCBS of WNY

Full Episode Release on 5/26/2022   Watch the video version of this episode on Youtube Channel, The Game on Glio Podcast!   Visit TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com for more information about Harry Lorusso and other past guests

      It's hard to imagine that children can get the same cancers adults get. It's hard to imagine children get cancer at all. The unfortunate truth is, children do get brain cancer; between 200-500 children are diagnosed each year in the U.S. So, what is being done to help these beautiful little beings? A lot! Dr. Lindsey Hoffman, with Phoenix Children's Hospital, and Dr. Adam Green with Children's Hospital Colorado are both leading the charge in treatment of pediatric brain cancers. Listen now to hear how they are changing the game in pediatric brain cancers.   For more information about our Guests and the podcast please visit: TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com

Full Episode Release on 3/31/22   For more information please visit: TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com

Author Kristine Carlson is truly living her motto, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff." After the death of her famous husband Dr. Richard Carlson, co-author of the series Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Kristine plunged into finding a way to walk through grief. In doing so, she broke open her heart, allowing the grief to work it's way through and eventually releasing her to a higher purpose and a fuller life. In this video/audio episode, we get real about the struggles of being women walking through widowhood, grief, and the profound loss of our soulmates-our husbands. We laugh, we cry, and we share intimate details with you, our listeners. Kristine's journey is eye-opening and inspirational. So much so, Lifetime made her story into a Lifetime movie starring Heather Locklear. It's an exciting episode you won't want to miss.   **To watch the extended video version of this episode, visit our YouTube channel, The Game On Glio Podcast.   **You can find Kristine's books, Heartbroken Open & From Heartbroken to Wholeness: The Hero's Journey to Joy on Amazon books. 

Full Episode Release on 2/24/2022   Watch the video version of this episode on Youtube Channel, The Game on Glio Podcast!   Visit TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com for more information about Kristine Carlson and other past guests

It's not every day you get a chance to speak to a neurologist who has some sliver of an idea of what we as caregivers/patients walk through. Indiana Jones once said, "If You Want To Be A Good Archeologist, You Gotta Get Out Of The Library!” My guest Dr. Sanai shares a similar view! A rare and unique experience led him down the path of neuro-oncology and ultimately to heading up the Ivy Brain Tumor Center.  Hear his story and what led him to the work he's doing now. Plus hear about some of Ivy's phase 0 clinical trials that patients can participate in now! For more information on Dr. Sanai and the work that Ivy Brain Tumor Center is doing visit: IvyBrainTumorCenter.org   For resources and guest information please visit: TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com

Dr. Sanai is the Chief of Neurosurgical Oncology, and the Director of the Ivy Brain Tumor Center which offers Phase 0 trials for those in the fight against brain cancer. Find more about Dr. Sanai's work at: IvyBrainTumorCenter.org TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com   The full episode will be available anywhere you find podcasts on January 27th 2022.

We all want to believe in magic this time of year; hope, inspiration, the possibility that something good can happen. In this episode, we get all that and more as guest Greg Link shares his GBM journey and why we should never give up! With a New Year upon us, this episode will infuse you with hope, love, and strength. Visit TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com where you can read a People Magazine article about Greg, and find more information.   Music credit:  --Hyson - Silent Night https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Hyson/Soundtrack_for_the_Weary_Vol_I/Hyson_-_Silent_Night   --Axletree - Drops of Melting Snow https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Axletree/music-from-a-hampshire-farm/drops-of-melting-snow-after-holst-abroad-as-i-was-walking

Episode 9 of The Game On Glio Podcast will feature CEO of Brandlink Communications Greg Link. Greg is a 7-year survivor of brain cancer. Listen to the full episode on 12/30/21

Being diagnosed with brain cancer is scary. It's overwhelming. It's diving into a future of unknowns. However, there are many in the scientific and neuroscience community that are working to help patients beat the odds, and to break that "blood brain barrier" for treatment success. One of those in our communities is GT Medical Technologies (GT Med Tech). President and CEO, Matthew Likens talks about the game changing product Gamma Tile, what it is, how it works, and why every hospital neurosurgeon should know about it. We also hear from patient Shannan Achens, who was diagnosed with brain cancer 16 years ago! She gives us a glimpse into her treatments before Gamma Tile and after use of Gamma Tile.   Plus I share a Thanksgiving story about a gift my late husband left me from the beyond. These are stories you won't want to miss! Find more information on the Gamma Tile device by GT Med Tech at: GammaTile.com or gtmedtech.com   Find guest information and further resources at: TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com BrainsForTheCure.org  

Listen to the full episode on 11/25/21   Please visit TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com for more information

As someone who loves the Marvel movies, hated the character Thanos--like most I assume, and rooted for the good guys to triumph, it never occurred to me the meaning behind Thanos; who he was, what he represented. It makes sense that since he's obsessed with Death (the literal embodiment of death, not just the concept) he calls himself Thanos, since it evokes the words Thanatology, the study of death. Why do I bring this up? Because our guest on this month's episode, Dr. Erica Sirrine, a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in the field of death, dying, and bereavement, not only earned a PhD in social work but was awarded the distinction of Fellow in Thanatology by the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Thanatology--the study of death. In this episode, we explore the journey of grief, grief and loss in their purest forms, why it's so hard to walk through, and the hope that lies beyond the hill. Join us on a very special journey in episode 7, as I also remember my husband who died a year ago--Oct. 29th. For resource information from this episode visit: TheGameOnGlioPodcast.com BrainsForTheCure.org