Today on the podcast, Lauren Huffmaster welcomes her guest Lauren Burke!

In 2022, Lauren Burke’s life took an unexpected turn when a suspected "bruise" from her dogs turned out to be a lump the size of a ping-pong ball. What followed was a complex journey through the medical system—from initial misdiagnosis and reassurances that "it was nothing to worry about," to a life-altering diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) in October 2022.

A dedicated educator, Lauren B. balanced the demands of teaching her 5th-grade students with a bilateral mastectomy and six weeks of radiation. Her story is one of incredible resilience, navigating the "survivor’s guilt" of leaving her classroom for treatment while fighting to regain her health.

Following a move to Houston for her husband’s residency at MD Anderson, she underwent successful reconstructive surgery in 2023. Today, Lauren B. is in a new season of life: she has chosen a path without hormonal therapy to pursue her dream of starting a family. Guided by deep faith and a commitment to trusting God’s timing, she joins us to share her journey of self-advocacy, the emotional hurdles of treatment, and the hope she carries for the future.

Lauren is excited to bring April Johnson Stearns, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Wildfire Magazine & Writing Community to the podcast.

April Stearns was diagnosed at 35 years old with Stage 3 breast cancer that she found while breastfeeding her daughter. Four years later, while struggling to “go back to normal” and find other young(er) people in similar circumstances, April launched Wildfire Magazine. Now she enjoys not only publishing the stories of those “too young for breast cancer,” she also finds pleasure in helping others heal through learning to write and share their stories. April lives with her family on the coast of central California. http://wildfirecommunity.org/

Lauren welcomes today's guest Becky Johnson. Becky is a breast cancer survivor, real estate broker, and the co-founder of FlatWear Clothing, a fashion brand created for women who have chosen to remain flat after mastectomy. A Maine native, Becky was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s and made the deeply personal decision to go flat rather than undergo reconstruction. Like so many women, she quickly discovered how difficult it was to find clothing that fit and flattered her new body shape — and that experience sparked an idea that would grow into a movement.

With the help of her business partner, designer Tracy Friden, Becky launched FlatWear Clothing to give flat women beautiful, confidence-boosting styles that celebrate their bodies exactly as they are. The brand’s mission goes beyond fashion — it’s about visibility, empowerment, and belonging in a community that is often overlooked by the fashion industry.

When she’s not running her business or selling homes in her beloved Midcoast Maine community, Becky enjoys life on 50 acres with her husband, surrounded by the woods and ocean she grew up loving. She finds joy in simple Maine pleasures — sailing in the summer, cross-country skiing in the winter, and spending time outdoors year-round. She’s passionate about raising awareness for body acceptance after mastectomy and helping other women feel seen, strong, and beautiful — with or without reconstruction. https://www.flatwearclothing.com/