In episode 294, I chat with Deb Davis, breast cancer thriver and author of "The Faces of Transparency: What We Reveal," about healing, transparency, and self-advocacy. Deb shares her journey through abuse, breast cancer recovery, and the power of breaking silence. Together they explore three game-changing self-care practices, why transparency matters more than perfection, and how to truly support someone facing cancer—and what NOT to do.

What You'll Learn:

• Three self-care practices that transform healing: saying no, listening to your body, and laughter as medicine
• Why transparency is the key to freedom and helping others
• How writing became Deb's breakthrough during breast cancer recovery
• The Goldilocks breast surgery procedure most women don't know exists
• Why unsolicited advice hurts and what to say instead
• How survivor's guilt shows up and how to navigate it
• What being your own medical advocate really means

This is a conversation about becoming whole after trauma and cancer try to break you.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

• The Faces of Transparency: What We Reveal (affiliate): https://amzn.to/42KXq7l
• Deb's Substack: https://substack.com/@empowermentthroughtransparency
• Connect with Deb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/detroitcityheadshots/
• Liberty by The Super Patch Co (reduces inflammation): https://grateful.superpatch.com
• Help Fund a New Microphone: https://kandasrodarte.com/support
• Full Show Notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/294

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 Introduction to Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• 02:47 Self-Care Practices for Thrivers
• 05:17 The Faces of Transparency: Deb's Book Journey
• 11:02 Overcoming Abuse: A Personal Story
• 16:34 Life After Trauma: Building a New Future
• 21:57 The Publishing Process: From Manuscript to Book
• 27:19 Navigating Substack as an Author 29:43
• The Power of Connection and Asking for Help
• 32:13 Living with Breast Cancer: A Daily Reality
• 35:55 Survivor's Guilt and Community Support
• 38:29 Navigating Advice and Misconceptions
• 43:12 Body Image and Choices After Mastectomy
• 49:31 Gratitude and Self-Identity Post-Cancer

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About Gratitude Geek: Gratitude Geek is the podcast for female solopreneurs over 40 building genuine, lasting connections with clients, colleagues, and community. Each episode features conversations with women who've faced adversity—cancer, divorce, loss—and transformed it into wisdom and business growth. Host Kandas Rodarte is a growth coach and metastatic breast cancer thriver with 30+ years of marketing expertise.

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At Gratitude Geek, we aim to spread gratitude, sow seeds of appreciation, and harvest a bounty of generosity and kindness. As a listener, reader, and subscriber, you are part of this mission, and we are honored to have your support. If possible, please help finance the show: http://kandasrodarte.com/support

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in the show notes may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show!

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