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Hope Unscripted

Hope Unscripted

By: Jamie Dietrich and Brittnee Harmon
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Hope Unscripted is a podcast from Hope Cancer Resources that brings real conversations to the forefront of health, prevention, and community care. Through honest discussions, expert insights, and personal stories, we explore what it means to live well, before, during, and beyond cancer. Each episode dives into topics like cancer prevention and education, survivorship, wellness, and the realities people face every day. You’ll hear from survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community voices, all sharing perspectives that inform, empower, and inspire. Whether you’re looking to learn, support someone you love, or simply take better care of your health, Hope Unscripted creates space for meaningful conversations that meet people where they are — unscripted, supportive, and rooted in hope.

© 2026 Hope Unscripted
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Episodes
  • Ep . 9 - Living Life Fully After Cancer with Nicole Foote
    Jun 3 2026

    Procrastination is a health risk we can never afford to take. During National Cancer Survivor Month, it is critical to talk about the real impact of delaying routine screenings and the difference taking action makes in an unexpected battle. In this conversation, we sit down with Nicole Foote, a breast cancer survivor and dedicated board member of Hope Cancer Resources, to unpack her personal fight and ongoing advocacy.

    We get into the specifics of navigating a HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosis while maintaining a high-level corporate career. The discussion covers the critical role of physical fitness communities, the process of estrogen suppression therapies, and the mental toll of six-hour chemotherapy sessions during a pandemic. Nicole shares a pivotal realization that finding purpose and looking out for others while in the chemo chair completely alters how you approach the fight.

    The recovery process involves physical tolls and isolation that are rarely discussed openly. We talk about the profound impact of losing your hair, the physical exhaustion of a spiked heart rate during simple workouts, and the struggle of an extrovert learning to accept quiet support from friends. You will walk away with a better understanding of how to genuinely support a loved one in treatment and the clear reminder that prioritizing your health is always worth the time investment.

    If you care about proactive health decisions, finding reliable community in hardship, and navigating the complex transition into true survivorship, you will get a lot from this. Please subscribe to the channel and share this conversation with anyone who might need a reminder to take care of themselves. What is the one health appointment you need to stop putting off and schedule today?

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    30 mins
  • Ep. 8 - Working While Healing: Navigating Cancer, Career & Survivorship
    May 20 2026

    A cancer diagnosis changes everything instantly, but the reality for many patients is that professional responsibilities do not simply disappear. Navigating the logistics of intensive medical treatments while maintaining an identity and standing in the workplace creates an immense dual burden. In this episode, we tackle the complex intersection of employment, active treatment, and long-term survivorship. We sit down with Brittney Duke, a retail marketing professional and multi-time cancer survivor, to discuss how professionals can manage their careers while facing life-altering health crises.

    We get into the specific corporate frameworks and personal choices that allow an employee to stay engaged without burning out. Brittney Duke shares her journey through a bone marrow disorder, leukemia, breast cancer, and colon cancer, offering a rare perspective on what it means to be the CEO of your own health. We break down the impact of formalized corporate programs like the Working with Cancer pledge, the necessity of open communication lines between managers and associates, and the value of small, highly personalized team gestures like peer support groups. Our discussion highlights how a workplace can shift from a source of stress to a pillar of stability and normalcy during extended medical leaves and subsequent returns to the office.

    The unglamorous truth is that returning to work after treatment is rarely a seamless transition because the person coming back is physically and emotionally changed. Employees often struggle with ongoing fatigue, the pressure to look normal when they do not feel normal, and the exhausting task of constantly fighting health insurance companies for pre-authorizations. Viewers will walk away with a clear understanding of why strict corporate schedules fail during a crisis, how to effectively advocate for your own physical limitations, and how employers can provide genuine flexibility instead of rigid, transactional policies.

    If you care about workplace culture, healthcare advocacy, and supporting colleagues through crisis, you will get a lot from this conversation. Please remember to subscribe to the channel and share this episode with anyone navigating a major health transition at work. What is the most impactful way a manager or colleague has supported you during a personal or medical crisis? Let us know in the comments below.

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    30 mins
  • Ep. 7 - Sun Safety Matters: Know the Skin Cancer Risks
    May 6 2026

    Neglecting your skin isn't just about wrinkles—it’s about managing your body’s largest organ and its primary defense against the world. Many people treat sun protection as an afterthought or rely on "base tans" that offer zero real protection, but the reality is that cumulative UV radiation is a silent profit leak for your long-term health. We sit down with Dr. Courtney Book from True Dermatology and wellness manager Hannah Qualls to dismantle the myths surrounding skin cancer and provide a tactical guide for prevention.

    We get into the specific mechanics of UV damage and why certain populations, including childhood cancer survivors and outdoor workers, face significantly elevated stakes. The conversation covers the tactical use of "missing-middle" protection like UV sleeves and wide-brimmed hats, the chemical differences between mineral and synthetic sunscreens, and the clinical reality of Mohs micrographic surgery. Dr. Book shares her "secret sauce" for early detection: the Ugly Duckling sign, a simple mental framework for identifying high-risk lesions before they require extensive surgical repair.

    The unglamorous truth is that skin cancer can be a quiet, slow-moving threat that many ignore until the surgical margins required for a cure become invasive and life-altering. You will walk away with a clear understanding of how to conduct a monthly "inventory" of your own skin and why a 10-minute daily habit is the most effective hedge against future complications. This isn't about fear; it's about shifting your mindset from reactive treatment to proactive maintenance.

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    41 mins
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