Dr. Brad Miller and Leslie Sousa talk about facing breast cancer with faith, humor, and an openness to moments of joy. Leslie shares how a routine mammogram in February 2020 led to a diagnosis just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting treatment early felt like a blessing, though chemotherapy, anxiety, hair loss, and the prospect of a double mastectomy brought fear and uncertainty.

Through it all, Leslie tried to take one day at a time and look for small signs of grace. She shares how she placed her fallen curls in a tree for birds to use in their nests, and how bright yellow socks paired with Bible verses encouraged fellow patients at the infusion center. She and Brad also reflect on faith, surrender, and how humor can lighten a difficult moment without covering up the pain.

Brad and Leslie explore:

• How Leslie felt spiritually prepared for her diagnosis
• Finding a sense of blessing in the timing of her mammogram and treatment
• Coping with chemotherapy, anxiety, hair loss, and surgery during COVID
• The emotional impact of losing hair and Leslie’s creative way of letting it go
• How yellow socks and Bible verses brought encouragement to other patients
• The difference between humor that offers relief and humor used to hide difficult feelings
• Letting go of control and noticing small moments of joy, such as hummingbirds

This conversation offers:

• Encouragement to lean on faith and take difficult experiences one day at a time
• A reminder that joy and hardship can exist alongside each other
• Ideas for finding small, personal ways to bring comfort to others
• Leslie’s perspective on looking at the whole view rather than focusing only on what’s wrong

Leslie’s upcoming book, A Broken Wing, Unbroken Spirit, is about twenty unexpected glimpses of grace, told through the image of a bluebird. Her story is a reminder that humor and hope can offer comfort and connection during a cancer journey, even while the challenges remain real.

C.J. Grace and Deb Krier discussed how humor, community, self-care, and mindfulness can help people cope with cancer and other adversity. Grace shared her experience surviving breast cancer twice while also navigating her husband’s infidelity and the end of her marriage. The conversation emphasized that comedy can be a useful coping tool when it respects the patient’s circumstances and preferences. It also stressed that support is stronger when it comes from a wider network rather than a single partner.

The speakers described a practical coping framework built around confidants, mentors, friends, healthy habits, rest, laughter, meaningful activity, and present-focused thinking. They also discussed body image, mastectomy scars, prosthetics, and the importance of checking research carefully instead of relying on unsupported claims. Grace pointed listeners to her books, website, YouTube presence, and mindfulness exercise as additional resources. The discussion closed by focusing on community, resilience, and staying focused on what can be controlled today.

Takeaways:

• Cancer and Comedy was presented as a source of hope, humor, and community for people facing cancer and other adversity.
• C.J. Grace described surviving two breast cancer diagnoses while also coping with major personal upheaval.
• Humor can help, but it should match the patient’s situation and boundaries.
• A strong support network should include confidants, mentors, and friends, not just one partner.
• The conversation framed mindfulness, rest, exercise, laughter, and purpose as practical ways to protect well-being.
• The conversation cautioned against unsupported health claims and urged listeners to evaluate research carefully.

Quotes:

1. Deb Krier, 0:29:21 — "Check out C.J. Grace’s chocolate mindfulness exercise on YouTube."
2. C.J. Grace, 0:42:04 — "Add links to C.J. Grace’s website, books, and other resources on the Cancer and Comedy website."
3. C.J. Grace, 0:29:21 — "Cancer and Comedy supports people facing cancer and other adversity through hope, humor, and community."

Overall, the meeting centered on resilience through humor, community, and grounded self-care. Grace’s story and recommendations highlighted both the emotional realities of cancer and the value of practical coping tools.

links

Connect with C.J. Grace:

• https://cjauthor.com
• https://twitter.com/cjgraceauthor
• https://www.instagram.com/cjgraceauthor/
• https://www.facebook.com/cjgraceauthor/
• https://www.youtube.com/@cjgraceauthor
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjgraceauthor/

• cancerandcomedy.com/follow

Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Creer explore how laughter can help people cope with cancer and other adversity. Drawing on a CNN article by Don Riddell, they discuss how humor may ease stress, lift spirits, and bring people closer—even in the middle of difficult medical experiences.

Brad shares a story from his granddaughter Collette’s sixth birthday, where she gave him a makeover complete with hair accessories, makeup, and plenty of sprinkles. The family laughter gave him a joyful distraction before surgery and reminded him how meaningful small, playful moments can be. Deb shares her own stories of joking with surgeons about her incisions, and how humor helped make uncomfortable experiences easier to face.

Together, Brad and Deb reflect on laughter as a way to reconnect with others, shift perspective, and make room for joy without denying the seriousness of illness. They also discuss laughter yoga and “laugh baths,” the role of humor in care settings, and Deb’s mother’s decision to limit her exposure to negative news—and how that changed her disposition.

Brad and Deb explore:

• How hope and humor can help people face cancer and other adversity
• Brad’s “sprinkly grandpa” makeover and finding joy with family before surgery
• Deb’s humorous moments with surgeons and the realities of living with scars
• The idea that laughter can reduce stress and support emotional well-being
• Laughter yoga, “laugh baths,” and making laughter part of everyday life
• Michael Goldberg’s use of comedy after a brain cancer diagnosis, as described in the article
• How humor can ease tension and help people connect across differences
• Deb’s mother’s experience limiting negative news and noticing a change in her mood
• Why a cheerful disposition can make difficult moments more bearable
• Balancing humor with serious medical care and conversations with healthcare providers

This episode offers:

• A warm, candid conversation about finding humor during cancer and recovery
• Personal stories that make difficult or uncomfortable experiences easier to talk about
• Encouragement to seek out joyful moments and supportive connections
• A reminder that laughter can be part of coping, alongside medical care
• Inspiration to approach life with hope, even when circumstances are hard

Cancer and adversity can bring fear, stress, and uncertainty, but they don’t have to define every moment. Brad and Deb share how laughter—whether it comes from a family memory, a joke with a care-team member, or simply choosing to notice something funny—can help people feel more connected, uplifted, and present in their lives.