CROC Podcast | For Cancer Survivors

CROC Nation It's Your Turn

Hello everyone and welcome to the CROC Podcast — Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer.
Today, we’re doing something a little different… because today is all about YOU — our CROC Nation family.
Over the years, we’ve shared stories of hope, strength, survival, healing, laughter, heartbreak, and inspiration. We’ve talked about cancer, family, mental health, survivorship, and what it truly means to keep moving forward even during life’s hardest moments.
And now… we want to hear from YOU.
We’re inviting all of our listeners to go back, pick an episode of the CROC Podcast, and tell us what it meant to you. Maybe an episode inspired you. Maybe one helped you through a difficult season. Maybe one made you feel seen, understood, or simply reminded you that you are not alone.
Whatever it is — we’d love to hear your story.
And as our way of saying thank you for all the love and support you continue to give us, if you send us a picture on any of our social media pages showing that you are following the podcast or downloaded one of our episodes, we’ll send you one of our brand-new CROC VIP Bracelets absolutely free.
This is simply our way of showing our gratitude… because truthfully, we couldn’t do this without you.
Your support, your encouragement, your messages, your stories — they mean more to us than words can express.
And remember… if you have a personal story you’d like to share, or even an idea for a future episode, we want to hear from you.
Visit us today at www.crocvip.com and send us an email.
Because here at the CROC Podcast, we’re more than a podcast…
We’re a community.We’re a family.And together… we thrive.
Now let’s get into today’s episode.

How Does a Cancer Survivor Celebrate Their Birthday?

How Does a Cancer Survivor Celebrate Their Birthday?
In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode of the CROC Podcast, Dr. E and Angel Santana explore a question many people never stop to consider:
How does a cancer survivor celebrate their birthday?
What begins as a conversation about birthday traditions quickly becomes something far more meaningful. Through the story of a survivor named “Mary Ann,” Dr. E reflects on how cancer changes a person’s relationship with time, milestones, and the meaning behind another year of life.
For many survivors, birthdays are no longer just about cake, candles, gifts, or parties. They become checkpoints — moments of reflection, gratitude, uncertainty, healing, and hope.
Together, Angel and Dr. E discuss the emotional weight birthdays can carry after diagnosis, the pressure survivors sometimes feel to “celebrate,” and why it’s okay for that day to look different than it once did.
Most importantly, this episode reminds us that after cancer, it’s no longer about presents…
It’s about presence.
Presence with loved ones.Presence in another sunrise.Presence in moments once feared lost forever.
This powerful conversation is a reminder that every extra candle tells a story of courage, resilience, and life itself.
 
#CROCPodcast#CancerSurvivor#SurvivorThrivers#BirthdayAfterCancer#ItsAboutPresence#CancerAwareness#LifeAfterCancer#HopeAndHealing#MotivationalPodcast#CancerSupport#StrongerTogether#StillHere#GratefulHeart#OneMoreYear#PresenceOverPresents#Survivorship#InspirationDaily#MentalHealthMatters#KeepFighting#CrocNation

Rewind Episode: Part 2: Confronting Our Past

In Search of the Person You Want to Be – Part 2: Confronting Our Past
In this powerful rewind episode of the CROC Podcast, Angel and Dr. E continue their journey of self-discovery by taking a deeper look at one of the most challenging steps toward growth, confronting our past.
Because the truth is, who we are today is often shaped by where we’ve been.
From childhood experiences to life-altering moments, this episode encourages listeners to reflect on the events, environments, and relationships that have influenced their identity. With honesty and compassion, Angel and Dr. E explore how unresolved experiences can shape our thoughts, behaviors, and self-worth and how facing those truths can open the door to healing and transformation.
This conversation isn’t about blame, it’s about awareness. It’s about allowing yourself to understand your story so you can begin writing the next chapter with intention.
Because it’s never too late to discover who you are… and become who you’re meant to be.
 
#CROCPodcast#CancerSurvivor#SurvivorThrivers#MentalHealthMatters#SelfAwareness#PersonalGrowth#HealingJourney#ConfrontYourPast#MotivationDaily#PodcastLife#Inspiration#GrowthMindset#YouAreNotAlone#FaithAndStrength#KeepFighting#StrongerTogether#CrocNation#MindsetShift#EmotionalHealing#LifeAfterCancer

A Mother's Love with Special guest: Actor Michael John Benzaia

🎙️ Primetime Edition Opening – A Mother’s Love (Rewind)
"Hello everyone, and welcome to a very special primetime edition of the CROC Podcast — Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer.
As we get closer to Mother’s Day, we wanted to take a moment to reflect, honor, and celebrate something incredibly powerful… a mother’s love.
So today, we’re bringing you a special rewind episode —Season 1, Episode 10: A Mother’s Love.
In this episode, we begin a new and meaningful module centered around the strength, sacrifice, and unwavering support that mothers provide… especially in the face of cancer.
We are also honored to feature a very special guest, Michael John Benzaia, from the Hudson Valley, New York — an actor with roots from Sicily, Spain, and Jordan, who has appeared alongside some of the industry’s biggest names.
This is a story about love, resilience, and the kind of strength that only a mother can give.
Let’s take a step back… and experience A Mother’s Love."

Honoring all Incredible Survivors/Thrivers who continue to work through Mental & Physical Challenges of Cancer treatment

"Hello everyone, and welcome to the CROC Podcast — Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer.
Today, we’re taking a much-needed day off. Dr. E needs one… and as you can probably hear in my voice, I’m a little under the weather myself.
So instead of going silent, we wanted to do something special for you.
We’re bringing you a bonus double episode week.
Today, we’re airing a rewind — our Special Labor Day episode, honoring all of our incredible Survivor/Thrivers who continue to work through the mental and physical challenges of cancer treatment.
And that’s not all… we’ve got a brand-new bonus episode dropping this Wednesday — and trust me, you don’t want to miss it.
Let’s get into today’s episode."

How to Confront a Colleague who is not doing the right thing for your Patient

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of the CROC Podcast, Dr. E tackles one of the most difficult and rarely discussed realities in healthcare — what happens when a doctor doesn’t show up for their patient.
Through a real-life case, we meet Robert, a patient facing advanced cancer whose care became fragmented at a critical moment. As uncertainty grows and leadership disappears, Dr. E is forced into an uncomfortable position: step beyond his role or allow the system to fail.
This episode dives deep into the ethical, emotional, and professional challenges of confronting a colleague who is not doing the right thing — and what it truly means to advocate for a patient when it matters most.
From navigating broken systems to redefining responsibility, this conversation is a wake-up call for medical professionals and a powerful reminder for patients and families: your care depends on more than knowledge — it depends on presence.
Because at the end of the day, patients aren’t asking who’s in charge…they’re asking one simple question:“Is someone here for me?”

When The Visits End Life After Cancer Care: Featuring Talaya Dendy

When The Visits End Life After Cancer Care: Featuring Talaya Dendy 
What happens when the visits finally end?
In this powerful and deeply emotional episode of The CROC Podcast: Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer, we explore a milestone that every cancer survivor hopes to reach—but few are truly prepared for: graduation from oncology care.
Featuring cancer thriver, advocate, and cancer doula Talaya Dendy, this conversation goes beyond celebration. Together, we unpack the complex emotions that come with transitioning from patient to survivor—the joy, the uncertainty, the fear of recurrence, and the quiet strength it takes to move forward without the regular reassurance of an oncology team.
Dr. Eanelli shares the physician’s perspective on this unique and deeply personal relationship, while Talaya opens up about her 14-year journey, the decision to step away from her oncologist, and the tools—like a survivorship care plan—that helped her confidently step into this next chapter.
This episode is a reminder that survivorship is not just about finishing treatment—it’s about rediscovering life, identity, and purpose beyond cancer.
Whether you are a survivor, caregiver, or someone walking alongside a loved one, this conversation will leave you encouraged, informed, and inspired.
Because sometimes, the hardest part isn’t surviving cancer…It’s learning how to live after it.
This link will take you to the ASCO Survivorship Care Plan template and some other resources.
 
https://canceradvocacy.org/resources/care-planning-for-cancer-survivors/
 
https://www.asco.org/news-initiatives/current-initiatives/cancer-care-initiatives/prevention-survivorship/survivorship-compendium/care
 
If you’d like to follow Talaya and learn more about her work, we’ve included links in the description page so you can connect with Navigating Cancer Together.
https://www.ontheotherside.life/@NCTpodcastfan Navigating Cancer TOGETHERhttps://www.ontheotherside.life/navigating-cancer-together-podcastIf you would like to contribute or help https://www.ontheotherside.life/services
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ontheothersidecancerdoula
#CROCPodcast#CancerSurvivorship#LifeAfterCancer#CancerSupport#CancerJourney#CancerAwareness
#WhenTheVisitsEnd#SurvivorStory#HopeAfterCancer#StrongerThanCancer#HealingJourney#FaithOverFear
#TalayaDendy#CancerDoula#SurvivorAdvocate#PatientToSurvivor#CancerGraduation#SurvivorshipMatters
#PodcastLife#PodcastClip#InspirationDaily#MotivationMonday (or use based on day)#ShareThisStory#YouAreNotAlone

Special Rewind Episode: What Is a Cancer Doula?

What Is a Cancer Doula?Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Talaya Dendy, Cancer Thriver, pioneer and trailblazing Doula, and
certified in patient advocacy and health and wellness coaching. 
Survivor Advocate. If you are not uplifted and inspired by the end of this podcast, then you are not paying attention!https://www.ontheotherside.life/@NCTpodcastfan Navigating Cancer TOGETHERhttps://www.ontheotherside.life/navigating-cancer-together-podcastIf you would like to contribute or help https://www.ontheotherside.life/services
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ontheothersidecancerdoula

S6Ep:225 The Whisper Before the Scream

The Whisper Before the Scream S6 episode 225
A survivor’s story becomes a lesson in humility when Dr. E reflects on a patient who challenged his assumptions and changed the way he practices medicine. In The Whisper Before the Scream, the CROC Podcast explores bias, compassion fatigue, and the quiet strength of a survivor whose voice was heard just in time.
 
 

REWIND: Season 3, Episode 146 — Making Your Own Decisions: A Tricky Business for Survivor-Thrivers.

"Hey everyone, this is Angel from the CROC Podcast — Citizens Reunited to Overcome Cancer.
This week we’re being preempted… but we didn’t want to leave you without something meaningful.
So today we’re taking you back to a powerful conversation from Season 3, Episode 146 — Making Your Own Decisions: A Tricky Business for Survivor-Thrivers.
Because the moment the word cancer is spoken… suddenly everyone becomes an expert.
Everyone has advice. Everyone has opinions.
But how do you keep your voice, your autonomy, and your peace without starting a civil war with the people trying to support you?
Join Dr. E and me as we talk about finding that balance.
That’s today’s CROC Podcast Throwback, and we’ll see you Wednesday with a brand-new episode."