Jennifer Gordon was diagnosed at 44 with Stage II breast cancer. She is a writer, artist, coach, advocate, dragon boater and sexual wellness coach. In this episode, Jennifer reads her essay “A Mother’s Work is Never Done ” from the 2024 “Mothers & Daughters” issue of Wildfire Journal.

In this episode you are going to hear a collection of short pieces we are dubbing “Flash Memoir” from our archives. These are little gems we’ve published in Wildfire Magazine, read for you by April Stearns. We have nine years of published stories in our archives that are just too good not to share. This collection of dense and sparkling flash memoir pieces comes from our 2017 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal. The writing prompt was “what were your surgery experiences?” with pieces written by Vicky Finch, Maegan Molnar, Libby Riley and Laurie.

Erika Giovanniello was diagnosed at 32 with breast cancer. Erika reads her essay “Decision Fatigue” from the 2024 “Body” issue of Wildfire Journal. Her piece is about wanting to be a part of the life milestones her friends are experiencing, but she has to do cancer instead.