What happens when diagnosis, diapers, and deep love collide?

Haley Pollack, Executive Director at Bright Spot Network, and a mom who faced stage III colon cancer with a six-month-old and a preschooler, shares how she navigated weaning before chemo, naming “the scary thing” with young kids, and building a national community so no parent has to do this alone. Amri and Haley talk about gaslighting (from self and systems), the reality of survivorship, and the small, loving actions that carry families through.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to talk to very young children about cancer: naming it, previewing changes, and using books, routines, and “the team” to create safety.
• Why tiny acts matter on impossible days: The “one foot in front of the other” mindset that helps parents keep moving.
• The support parents can access right now: Bright Spot’s free groups (including survivorship), kids’ circles, book program, teddy bear clinics, financial grants, and navigation help.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:16) A journey through cancer

(02:38) Haley's diagnosis and early challenges

(04:26) Navigating motherhood and cancer

(07:16) The emotional toll and family conversations

(19:59) Introducing Bright Spot Network

(22:19) Support programs for parents and kids

(26:20) Survivorship and ongoing challenges

(33:24) Haley’s advice to parents navigating cancer

Resources:

• Check out Bright Spot Network: https://www.brightspotnetwork.org/
• Check out Bright Club and Bright Circle: https://www.brightspotnetwork.org/bright-club-and-bright-circle
• Connect with Bright Spot Network on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightspotnetwork
• Connect with Haley Pollack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-pollack-78355410a/
• Connect with Amri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amri-kibbler-71333b15/
• Connect with The Space Between on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespacebetween_cancer.family
• Connect with Amri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amrikibbler/
• Amri’s official website: https://www.amrikibbler.com/
• Check out S.E.A. Waves of Support Healing Selenite Bracelets: https://seawavesofsupport.com

What happens when grace, grief, and womanhood intersect?

Dr. Jessica Zucker, PhD, a Los Angeles–based psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health, the author of I Had a Miscarriage and Normalize It, shares her journey of navigating breast cancer while raising her children, building her career, and redefining what it means to show up with vulnerability and truth. She reflects on surrendering perfection, rejecting toxic positivity, and embracing her body through tenderness rather than battle.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Jessica talks to her kids about illness: From openness to honesty, she shares the importance of helping children process hard things without fear.
• Why she rejected the “warrior” narrative: Discover how she chose compassion over combat and what it means to honor your body’s limits.
• What it means to find self-compassion through pain: Jessica explores how embracing imperfection, rest, and emotional truth leads to deeper healing.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:10) Meet Dr. Jessica Zucker

(02:07) Dr. Zucker's cancer journey

(06:45) Navigating family conversations

(11:53) The emotional toll and coping mechanisms

(14:07) Shame and illness

(30:52) The pressure of perfection

(36:09) Self-compassion and healing

Resources:

• Visit Dr. Jessica Zucker’ site: https://www.drjessicazucker.com/
• Connect with Dr. Jessica Zucker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-zucker-ph-d-2397812
• Connect with Dr. Jessica Zucker on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage/?hl=en
• Connect with Amri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amri-kibbler-71333b15/
• Connect with The Space Between on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespacebetween_cancer.family
• Connect with Amri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amrikibbler/
• Amri’s official website: https://www.amrikibbler.com/
• Check out S.E.A. Waves of Support Healing Selenite Bracelets: https://seawavesofsupport.com

What happens when faith, motherhood, and a stage four diagnosis collide?

Mercedes Wilson, TV host, author, entrepreneur, and founder of For Our Daughters, shares her journey of living with metastatic breast cancer while raising four kids, running a nonprofit, and redefining what it means to truly live. First diagnosed at 28 and now facing cancer’s return years later, Mercedes opens up about surrendering control, embracing her faith, and creating a “living plan” rooted in intentionality, connection, and purpose.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Mercedes talks to her kids about cancer: From toddlers to young adults, Mercedes shares how she approaches hard conversations with her children—and why openness, honesty, and family unity guide their journey.
• Why surrender isn’t giving up—it’s letting go: Hear how Mercedes reframed her mindset from survival mode to spiritual surrender, and why that shift brought her peace, clarity, and deeper purpose.
• What it means to build a living plan: Mercedes walks us through her holistic approach to healing, including therapy, faith, nutrition, support networks, and the power of simply being present.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:02) Meet Mercedes Wilson

(01:47) First diagnosis and treatment

(04:15) Parenting through cancer

(05:53) Open communication with children

(10:01) Living plan and support system

(16:00) Spiritual journey and surrender

(19:58) Family connection and rituals

(22:08) Empowering young women

(24:00) Message to other moms

Resources:

• Visit Mercedes’ site: https://mercedesewilson.com/
• Connect with Mercedes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-wilson-777a9666/
• Connect with Mercedes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mercedesewilson/?hl=en
• Connect with Amri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amri-kibbler-71333b15/
• Connect with The Space Between on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespacebetween_cancer.family
• Connect with Amri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amrikibbler/
• Amri’s official website: https://www.amrikibbler.com/
• Check out S.E.A. Waves of Support Healing Selenite Bracelets: https://seawavesofsupport.com