Episodes

  • Communicating with the Care Team During End-of-Life Care

    Communicating with the Care Team During End-of-Life Care
    Apr 16 2026
    When a child’s condition changes or they are nearing the end of life, caregivers face hard choices. It can help to focus on comfort, quality of life, and what matters most to the child.

    In this episode, Tekeima Townsend‑Billups talks with parents Tasha and Dean Ives about caring for their daughter, Sydney, in her final months of life. They describe how their advocacy changed as Sydney’s health declined. They share what “quality of life” meant for their family, how they talked honestly with their children, and how they made day‑to‑day decisions based on Sydney’s well-being and wishes.

    Mike McNeil shares guidance on communicating with the care team during this time. He explains shared decision‑making and how trust supports better end‑of‑life care. He encourages caregivers to name their hopes and worries and to ask for the help they need.

    A special thank you to our host Tekeima Townsend‑Billups, senior staff chaplain at St. Jude; our expert Mike McNeil, pediatric oncologist and palliative care physician at St. Jude; and our guests Tasha and Dean Ives.

    This episode was recorded on December 5, 2025.

    Learn more about palliative care on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.

    Listen to Tasha and Dean discuss communicating with the care team during treatment.

    St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
    Show more Show less
    47 mins
  • Episode 9: Communicating with the Care Team During Treatment

    Episode 9: Communicating with the Care Team During Treatment
    Mar 19 2026
    Communicating with the care team can feel overwhelming, especially when your child is going through a serious illness and you are facing big decisions. In this episode, Tekeima Townsend-Billups talks with caregivers Tasha and Dean Ives, as well as patient family-centered care expert Brittany Barnett, about how to ask questions and advocate for your child.

    Tekeima describes advocacy as a “sacred practice of love in action.” Advocacy moves caregivers to speak up during treatment. Tasha and Dean share how they learned how to advocate for their daughter, Sydney, during her treatment for astrocytoma.

    They explain what helped them find their voice, understand treatment options, and work with the medical team. They discuss balancing hope and reality, handling hard conversations, and trusting their instincts as parents. Brittany offers tips for joining in medical rounds, finding support, and making sure that your concerns are heard.

    A special thank you to our host, Tekeima Townsend-Billups, senior staff chaplain at St. Jude; our expert, Brittany Barnett, manager of the Patient Family-Centered Care Program at St. Jude; and to our guests, Tasha and Dean Ives.

    This episode was recorded on November 5, 2025.Learn more about Sydney’s diagnosis of astrocytoma on the Together by St. Jude™ online resource. Learn about brain and spine tumor treatment on St. Jude Care & Treatment.

    Learn more about patient family-centered care and shared decision-making on the Together Blog.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Episode 8: Relationships and Social Life During Treatment

    Episode 8: Relationships and Social Life During Treatment
    Feb 18 2026
    A healthy social life and relationships are important when going through cancer or another serious illness. In this episode, Clay Culp and Elyse Heidelberg talk with caregiver Polly Fulford and her college-aged son Taze about friendships and dating while you have cancer.

    Polly and Taze share how he balanced spending time with friends and his girlfriend while listening to his care team’s advice. Elyse explores ways to choose which social events to attend, how to ask the medical team questions, and what to share on social media. Clay guides the conversation with questions about friendships, hardships, and the importance of support.

    A special thank you to our host, Clay Culp, senior social worker at St. Jude; our expert, Elyse Heidelberg, clinical psychologist at St. Jude; and to our guests, Polly Fulford and Taze Fulford.

    This episode was recorded on January 8, 2026.

    Learn more about Taze’s diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.For information on nurturing your relationship with your partner as a child goes through treatment, listen to “How to Keep Your Relationship Strong.”

    St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
    Show more Show less
    48 mins
  • Episode 7: Self-Compassion and Seeking Support

    Episode 7: Self-Compassion and Seeking Support
    Jan 15 2026
    When a child is diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, caregivers focus so much on their child’s needs that they may forget to care for themselves. Practicing self-compassion and seeking support are essential parts of the journey.

    In this episode, host Erica Sirrine talks with parent Stacie Eirich and social worker Anna Shelley Johnson about the challenges caregivers face and the importance of showing kindness to oneself.
    Stacie shares her family’s story, reflecting on the small acts of self-care and creativity that helped her cope while supporting her daughter Sadie through brain tumor treatment. Anna offers insights and practical tips for caregivers to nurture their own wellbeing and build resilience. The episode closes with
    Stacie reading her original poem that celebrates hope, love, and courage.

    A special thank you to our host, Erica Sirrine, director of Social Work at St. Jude; our expert Anna Shelley Johnson, social worker at St. Jude; and our parent guest Stacie Eirich.

    This episode was recorded on September 12, 2025.Learn more about Sadie’s diagnosis of medulloblastoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.

    Listen to the Caregivers SHARE episode on Supporting Siblings for more insights into caring for the whole family while a child is in treatment.

    St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Episode 6: Glimpses of Light in the Darkness

    Episode 6: Glimpses of Light in the Darkness
    Dec 18 2025
    When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, families are faced with emotions, daily changes, and the challenge of finding light in the midst of darkness. In this episode, subject matter expert Erica Sirrine talks with Shane and Ashley Timmons about their daughter Ophie’s journey with a brain tumor and the realities of caregiving through uncertainty.

    Shane and Ashley share what it was like to navigate the early days of diagnosis, the ongoing medical complexities, and the daily process of holding both grief and hope. They discuss how their family learned to recognize and celebrate small victories, the importance of community support, and the intentional steps they take to seek out moments of joy—even on the hardest days. Erica offers insights into coping with loss, balancing family and sibling needs, and finding light through connection and vulnerability.

    A special thank you to our host and expert, Erica Sirrine, director of Social Work at St. Jude, and to our guests, parents Shane and Ashley Timmons.

    This episode was recorded September 23, 2025.

    Learn more about Ophie’s diagnosis of anaplastic PFA ependymoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.

    Learn more about Avastin®, feeding tubes, and radiation therapy on Together by St. Jude™.
    St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • Episode 5: Emotional Wellbeing

    Episode 5: Emotional Wellbeing
    Nov 20 2025
    Emotional wellbeing involves being present, having courage, and focusing on what’s important—even in tough times. But emotional health may look different when a child has a serious illness, especially if emotional health needs were there before diagnosis.

    In this episode, Clay Culp and Kendra Parris talk with caregiver Patricia LeBlanc and her daughter Sophie about emotional health while Sophie was going through treatment. Sophie was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at age 12. Kendra talks about the importance of taking care of yourself before you can take care of your child. Patricia discusses how her vision for Sophie’s life had to shift and explains how they embraced times to play and have fun together. Sophie talks about how her confidence grew and how she learned to manage her anxiety. The group explores the importance of sharing your burdens and getting support.

    A special thank you to our host, Clay Culp, senior social worker at St. Jude; our expert Kendra Parris, associate member of the St. Jude faculty in Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences; and Patricia and Sophie LeBlanc.

    This episode was recorded August 1, 2025.

    Learn more about Sophie’s diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.

    Learn more about Psychology and Mental Health Services and wound vac therapy on Together by St. Jude™.

    A halo brace (or halo vest), mentioned in this episode, is a brace used to keep the spine and neck from moving and protect them after surgery.

    If you’re feeling hopeless, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or chatting online for support. 

    St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Episode 4: Fertility Preservation Decisions

    Episode 4: Fertility Preservation Decisions
    Oct 16 2025
    Some treatments for serious illness can affect a patient’s ability to have biological children later in life, but there are ways to protect fertility. When a child is seriously ill, fertility preservation is a tough but important topic to address.

    In this episode, Mark Brown and Kari Bjornard talk with Evan Moore about fertility preservation when he was going through treatment. An elite NCAA track and cross-country athlete, Evan was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in his early 20s. Evan discusses the honest conversations he had with his mom and fiancée about preserving fertility. Kari offers insights into the timing, steps to take, talking to your care team, and other options for having a family. The group talks about staying positive and being with the people you love.

    A special thank you to our host, Mark Brown, director of Spiritual Care Services at St. Jude; our expert Kari Bjornard, director of the Fertility Program and assistant member of the Oncology faculty at St. Jude; and patient Evan Moore.

    This episode was recorded August 7, 2025. Stay tuned for a forthcoming episode on female fertility preservation decisions.

    Learn more about Evan’s diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.

    Learn more about male fertility and female fertility on Together by St. Jude™.

    St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • Episode 3: Understanding Sickle Cell Disease

    Episode 3: Understanding Sickle Cell Disease
    Sep 18 2025
    Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects patients physically, emotionally, and socially. Even though sickle cell research and treatment have improved over the last several years, many are still learning about how this condition impacts the body and daily life.

    In this episode, parents Audrey Davis and Quenton Mullins talk with Tekeima Townsend-Billups and Jerlym Porter about going through sickle cell disease with their daughters Courtney and Nia. They discuss the invisible and unpredictable nature of the disease, dealing with pain crises, the importance of therapy, and advocating for their children.

    A special thank you our host, Tekeima Townsend-Billups, senior staff chaplain at St. Jude; our expert, Jerlym Porter, associate member of the St. Jude faculty in Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences; and parents Audrey Davis and Quenton Mullins.

    Learn more about Courtney and Nia’s diagnosis of sickle cell disease and the transition to adult health care on Together by St. Jude™.

    The statistics that Quenton mentions on sickle cell disease in the U.S. can be found on the CDC’s website.

    Discover more insights into Nia’s journey on the Together blog.

    This episode was recorded May 15, 2025.

    St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
    Show more Show less
    45 mins