The Cracking Cancer Podcast

Does Ivermectin Target Cancer with Dr. Rob Swanda and Samantha Murrell. Episode 52.

Touching the Hot Stove: The Truth About Ivermectin and Cancer
In this high-stakes episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by patient advocate Samantha Morrell and biochemist Rob, PhD, to dissect the data behind the Ivermectin "miracle cure" narrative. Samantha candidly shares her personal experience with the drug, including the social pressure that led her to try it and the subsequent disease progression she experienced while on it.
The conversation moves from social media anecdotes to the hard science of the petri dish. Rob explains the actual mechanism of Ivermectin as an antiparasitic and why the "cancer is a parasite" theory is biologically incorrect. They deconstruct the preclinical studies often cited by proponents, revealing a massive dosing gap: the concentrations required to kill cancer cells in a lab are 10 to 100 times higher than what the human body can safely tolerate. From the dangers of DMSO as a solvent to the ICU-level risks of high-dose toxicity, this episode provides a grounded, peer-reviewed reality check for patients navigating the "what if" pressure of alternative therapies.
 
Key Takeaways:
The Dosing Disconnect
Cancer is Not a Parasite
The Danger of "False Hope" Time-Loss
The "Immune Cold to Hot" Myth
Repurposing vs. Folklore
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Want to learn more about Ivermectin? Watch Rob's quick explainer video in the link below!
https://youtu.be/gpaowjmeiLc
 
Chapters:
00:00 Why Ivermectin Now02:35 Samantha Tried It04:55 Pressure and Regret06:28 What Ivermectin Is12:32 Why Trials Matter20:31 Doses and Toxicity29:47 Does It Kill Cells34:31 DMSO As Alternative Therapy38:26 Toxicity And Neuro Risks43:18 Glutamate Cancer Metabolism46:41 Why Petri Dish Misleads51:29 If It Worked Pharma Would Pivot53:36 Anecdotes And Missing Case Reports55:41 Self Dosing And False Hope57:44 Wrap Up And Key Takeaways
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

Attending the American Association for Cancer Research National Meeting with Max Doppelt. Episode 51.

Inside the "Scientific City": Navigating the AACR Conference with Max Doppelt
In this episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon and patient advocate Max Doppelt pull back the curtain on one of the world's largest oncology events: the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting. While clinical conferences focus on what drugs work now, AACR is a massive "scientific city" dedicated to the deep biology and technological breakthroughs that will define cancer care three to five years from now.
From navigating the half-mile-long San Diego Convention Center to decoding posters filled with PhD-level jargon, Kyle and Max share the "sneakers-on-the-ground" reality of attending a conference where patients make up less than 1% of the audience. They discuss the striking knowledge gap between basic scientists and clinicians, the overwhelming pharmaceutical presence, and why the most valuable moments often happen over eclectic dinners rather than in lecture halls. Whether you are a researcher looking for a similarity-search algorithm for posters or a patient searching for a "seed of hope," this conversation offers a roadmap for making sense of pure scientific chaos.
 
Key Takeaways:
AACR is Preclinical, Not Clinical
The "Half-Mile" Planning Rule
Scientists Are Accessible
The "Similarity Index" Need
Networking is the Real Dividend
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Chapters:
(00:00) Why AACR Matters
(01:37) Conference Scale Tour
(05:20) Planning and Navigating
(08:41) Making Research Accessible
(15:04) Patient Tracks and Lunch
(16:10) Exon 20 and Relevance Gap
(21:18) Basic Biology vs Clinic
(27:57) Hope and Collaboration
(30:51) AI for Smarter Networking
(35:58) Best Moments and People
(42:40) Booths and Home Base
(44:11) Wrap Up and Next Year
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

What is Small Cell Cancer with Misty Shields and Matt Baker. Episode 50.

Smashing the Stigma: New Hope and Breakthroughs in Small Cell Lung Cancer
In this powerful episode, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by Matthew Baker, a never-smoker living with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and Dr. Misty Shields, a physician-scientist at Indiana University and founder of the "Small Cell Smashers." Together, they strip away the "Google-induced" terror of an SCLC diagnosis to reveal a rapidly changing clinical landscape.
The conversation covers the grueling reality of standard "classic" chemotherapies, the emotional weight of radiation, and the traumatic side effects like ototoxicity (hearing loss) that Matt has navigated. Dr. Shields explains why small cell is uniquely "addicted to growth," making it highly sensitive to treatment but also prone to rapid resistance. However, the focus is on the future: the trio discusses the "transformative" rise of T-cell engagers (BiTEs), Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), and the controversial shift away from prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). It’s an episode about finding your "tribe," advocating for second opinions, and reclaiming hope in a field that is finally seeing its first major breakthroughs in decades.
 
Key Takeaways:
The "Neuroendocrine" Factor
The Platinum Standard
The "Silent" Side Effect—Ototoxicity
The PCI Controversy
The New Era of BiTEs and ADCs
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Chapters:
(00:00) Meet the Guests(04:32) What Small Cell Is(06:03) Staging Confusion Explained(08:03) Chemo and Radiation Reality(14:00) Radiation Process and Support(18:48) Side Effects and Safety Tips(21:56) Hair Loss and Hearing Loss(25:05) Caregivers and Not Burdening(32:22) Extensive Stage Treatment Basics(37:57) Second Opinions Self Advocacy(39:55) PCI Controversy Explained(50:15) Transformative Trials New Drugs(52:03) Biomarkers Personalized Therapy
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

What is radiation? With Dr. Tim Waxweiler and Bill Thach

Demystifying Radiation: From "Adult Coloring" to Molecular Smart Drugs
In this enlightening episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by academic radiation oncologist Dr. Tim Waxweiler and stage IV neuroendocrine patient Bill Thach. They strip away the "sci-fi" mystery surrounding radiation therapy, addressing common patient fears—such as "Am I radioactive?"—and explaining the meticulous physics behind modern treatment.
The trio discusses the evolution of radiation from broad-beam "front-to-back" treatments to modern dose painting, where specialists use complex algorithms to steer energy toward tumors while sparing healthy organs. Bill shares his raw experience navigating 25 rounds of external radiation and the cutting-edge world of Radiopharmaceuticals (PRRT). Dr. Waxweiler breaks down the "Goldilocks" quest for the perfect dose, the nuances of Proton Therapy, and why staying physically active is the most powerful tool a patient has to combat radiation-induced fatigue. This episode is an essential guide for anyone facing a radiation referral, offering clarity on everything from simulation casts to the cumulative risks of diagnostic scans.
 
Key Takeaways:
Radiation is "Targeted Energy"
External Beam vs. Brachytherapy
The Rise of Radiopharmaceuticals (PRRT)
The Proton Therapy Debate
The Cumulative "Radiation Bucket"
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Chapters:
(00:00) Radiation Basics Explained
(07:47) Planning and Beam Shaping
(17:59) Why Not Radiate Everything
(29:10) Risks of Repeat Radiation
(33:18) Lutathera Side Effects
(41:39) How Targeted Particles Work
(52:05) Choosing Treatment Together
(58:35) Advice for New Patients
 
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

Cancer in Adolescence and Young Adults with Alison Silberman and JJ Singleton. Episode 48.

Young, Sick, and Isolated: Navigating the AYA Cancer Crisis with Stupid Cancer
In this vital episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by JJ Singleton, a colorectal cancer survivor diagnosed at age 27, and Alison Silberman, CEO of Stupid Cancer. They dive into the world of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer—defined as patients diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 39. While cancer rates in younger adults are rising, the medical system remains largely tailored to older populations, leaving AYAs in a "clinical gap" between pediatrics and geriatrics.
The trio discusses the profound isolation felt by young patients who don't see themselves reflected in oncology waiting rooms and the specific milestones—fertility, career building, and financial independence—that cancer abruptly derails. Alison highlights the work of Stupid Cancer in providing "hub and spoke" resources for this community, while JJ shares his journey from "stunted growth" and mental health struggles to finding a life-changing community. This episode is a call to action for providers to integrate psychosocial checklists into clinical care and a roadmap for young survivors to stop isolating and "say yes" to community.
 
Key Takeaways:
The AYA "Clinical Gap"
The rising Incidence is Real
The "Burden" of the Stoic Male
Psychosocial Checklists are Needed
Stop the Isolation
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
Chapters:
(00:00) Why AYA Cancer Matters
(02:41) Allison’s Advocacy Origin
(03:35) JJ’s Diagnosis Story
(13:43) Unique AYA Life Challenges
(17:32) Fixing Care Communication Gaps
(25:49) Family Planning After Cancer
(27:53) Stupid Cancer Programs
(37:21) AYA Biology and Trials
(41:58) Defining AYA Care Standards
(46:55) Finding Resources and Community
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

What is LMD / Leptomeningeal Disease with Laura Alder and Samantha Murrell. Episode 47.

In this crucial episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by patient advocate Samantha Murrell and world-renowned expert Dr. Laura Alder, a thoracic oncologist at Duke University. Together, they demystify Leptomeningeal Disease (LMD)—a condition where cancer cells spread to the thin layers of tissue (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
LMD is often considered "the scariest" diagnosis by patients because of its historic poor prognosis and the diagnostic difficulty it presents. The team explores why an MRI alone isn't always enough for a diagnosis, the "50/50" reality of lumbar punctures, and the revolutionary shift toward CSF genomic profiling. Dr. Alder highlights the "multi-disciplinary tumor board" approach to treatment, discussing everything from intrathecal chemotherapy via Ommaya reservoirs to the latest CNS-penetrant targeted therapies. This conversation moves past the fear to focus on the emerging tools and clinical trials that are offering new hope and extended quality of life for those facing LMD.
 
Key Takeaways:
LMD vs. Brain Metastases
The Diagnostic Challenge
Know the Neurological Red Flags
The "Blood-Brain Barrier" Hurdle
Advocating for Inclusion
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Chapters:
(00:00) What Is LMD
(06:51) Patient Fears And Misconceptions
(14:08) Diagnosing LMD MRI And Spinal Tap
(23:57) Timing Risk And Why It Happens
(31:47) Targeted Drugs for CNS
(37:43) CNS Patients Excluded
(48:06) Prognosis and Urgency
(53:05) CNS vs Spine Confusion
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
 

How to Support your Loved Ones: A Sister’s Journey Through Cancer. Episode 46.

In this poignant episode of Cracking Cancer, co-host Ashley Holt steps into a different role to interview Lauren Case, whose sister, Lexi, is living with Stage IV EGFR Exon 20 lung cancer. While the spotlight often remains on the patient, this conversation illuminates the emotional and logistical weight carried by sisters who become researchers, advocates, and "truth-tellers" in the face of terminal illness.
Lauren shares the raw reality of the "work zone" she entered following Lexi’s diagnosis—balancing her own family life while managing the complex logistics of her sister’s care, from coordinating cross-country flights for clinical trials to picking her up from chemotherapy infusions. The duo discusses the unique challenges of the sibling dynamic, the "delayed grief" that comes with staying strong for others, and the vital role a caregiver plays in ensuring oncologists hear the unvarnished truth about treatment side effects. This episode is a tribute to the "village" that supports a cancer patient and a roadmap for siblings navigating the ebbing and flowing stages of grief.
 
Key Takeaways:
The "Logistics Zone" as a Coping Mechanism
The Caregiver as "Truth-Teller"
Grief is a Family Diagnosis
The Power of the Village
Authenticity and Risk
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Chapters:
(00:00) Meet Lauren the Caregiver
(08:09) Hearing Lexi’s Diagnosis
(13:52) Busy Now Grieve Later
(22:06) Burden vs Love in Support
(29:31) Quality of Life vs Longevity
(37:03) How Support Networks Show Up
(44:14) Can You Ever Forget Cancer
(52:05) It Takes a Village
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

Should I Attend National Conferences with Max Doppelt. Episode 45.

In this episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon sits down with patient advocate and caregiver Max Doppelt to pull back the curtain on national cancer conferences. As we navigate the complex oncology landscape of 2026, this conversation explores whether these high-level medical meetings—like ASCO, AACR, and IASLC—are truly the best use of a patient’s most precious resource: time.
From the intimidating halls of Chicago’s McCormick Place to niche-targeted therapy meetings in California, Max shares his journey from "cornering trial coordinators" to finding a therapeutic community of peers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wondering if they should attend a major medical meeting or if their time is better spent elsewhere.
 
Key Takeaways
The Knowledge Gap is Smaller Than You Think
Networking Over Data
The "Standing Ovation" Paradox
Pharma: Partner or Profit?
Patient Advocacy Groups as the "Bridge"
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Chapters:
(00:00) Max Conference Origin Story
(04:22) Expectations Versus Reality
(12:25) Small Versus Huge Meetings
(16:13) Asking Experts Respectfully
(20:36) Advocacy Groups As Filters
(32:31) Patient View On Pharma Limits
(45:16) Advocating at Posters
(55:18) Emotional Weight of Data
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
 

The Risk of Additional Testing Follow-Up with Ashley Holt. Episode 44.

In this highly personal follow-up episode of "Cracking Cancer," host Dr. Kyle Concannon and patient advocate Ashley Holt navigate the "mental hell" that can arise when advanced medical technology outpaces clinical certainty. Ashley, a Stage I lung cancer survivor, shares the harrowing story of her Signatera blood test (a tumor-informed ctDNA test) turning positive on her one-year diagnosis anniversary.
The episode pulls back the curtain on the months of uncertainty that followed: a clean PET scan and brain MRI, two follow-up blood redraws, and the agonizing wait for results during the holiday season. Dr. Kyle and Ashley dive deep into the catch-22 of "over-testing"—where the tools meant to provide peace of mind actually trigger profound scanxiety and unnecessary medical procedures. They challenge the misconception that "more is always better" and provide a rare look into the friction between medical science liaisons, oncologists, and the patients who must live with the fallout of a 1% false positive.
 
Key Takeaways:
The False Positive is Not Benign
The "Standard of Care" is Not "Sub-Par"
ctDNA Sensitivity vs. Actionability
Question the MSL and the Sale
The Right to a "Test Vacation"
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Chapters:
(00:00) The Positive Test Scare
(05:39) Redraws and Second Opinions
(10:57) Does Earlier Detection Help
(19:35) How Tumor DNA Blood Tests Work
(29:26) Standard Care Reality
(38:00) Uncharted Follow Up
(49:35) Malpractice Pressure
(51:39) Shared Decisions Balance
(56:48) Surveillance Moving Forward
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
 

Finding the Right Social Group with Bill Thach and JJ Singleton. Episode 43.

In this moving episode of "Cracking Cancer," host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by JJ Singleton and Bill Thach to discuss the "hidden" struggle of the cancer experience: social isolation, specifically among men. Both JJ and Bill share a striking commonality—it took each of them five years post-diagnosis to find a social support group that actually resonated with their needs.
The conversation dives deep into why traditional support groups often fail men, particularly Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) patients. Bill and JJ candidly discuss the "stoic male" stereotype, the fear of having vulnerability weaponized, and the frustration of groups that focus solely on medical jargon rather than real-life struggles. They highlight the transformative power of Man Up to Cancer, a community that prioritizes social-emotional support and "campfire-style" vulnerability over clinical agendas. From navigating terminal diagnoses to the "superpower" of asking for help, this episode is a roadmap for any man—or loved one of a man—looking to break the silence and find a community that truly understands the weight of the fight.
 
Key Takeaways
The "Five-Year Gap"
Vulnerability as a Superpower
The Problem with "Medical-Only" Groups
Unique Struggles of AYAs (Age 15–39)
The "Gathering of Wolves"
 
Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast)
Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer 
 
Chapters:
(00:00) Why Social Support Matters in Cancer
(05:08) Finding the Right Fit: Facebook Groups, AYA Meetups, and Time Barriers
(13:48) Safe Vulnerability: Trust, Brotherhood, and Men Supporting Men
(22:18) When Support Groups Hurt
(33:35) The real cost of “miracle cures.”
(42:00) Beyond disease type: building support around shared social struggle
(53:55) Bill’s postcard moment: joining, lurking, then going to Gathering of Wolves
(57:40) Taking the leap to an in-person retreat
 
To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org
 
Attributions
The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License
 
X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X
IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos