Phoenix Society Podcast Library

Girls with Grafts is a podcast hosted by Amber Wilcox and Rachel Anderson, Burn Survivors, and Marketing Duo at the nonprofit, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. The Girls with Grafts podcast is for burn survivors, caregivers, hospital staff, and corporate partners in the burn community. Hear in-depth conversations about burn survivor stories, gain resources for managing a burn injury, hear up-to-date information about Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors community news, and listen in on burn prevention and advocacy information.

About Amber Wilcox

Amber Wilcox is a burn survivor, yoga instructor, and marketing professional from Ormond Beach, Florida. After her kitchen accident in 2020, Amber faced burns on 20% of her body from a hot caramel spill. After two skin graft surgeries from Orlando Regional Burn Center, Amber experienced hypertrophic scarring and underwent a series of laser burn surgeries at Tampa General Hospital. As the Marketing Lead for Phoenix Society, Amber oversees our organizational and service marketing, manages our PR and media efforts, develops strategies to grow and continually engage with our community, and so much more. When not marketing, Amber enjoys volunteering for Phoenix Society as a Peer Supporter, teaching yoga for Kula for Karma supporting youth in Florida detention centers, or providing free yoga for peers on her website, yogaamber.com.

About Rachel Anderson

Rachel Anderson is a burn survivor and marketing professional residing in Charleston, South Carolina. As the Marketing Content Manager, Rachel manages and leads Phoenix Society’s marketing and digital strategies. She develops online marketing tactics, creates dynamic content, and maintains consistent engagement across online platforms. Before joining Phoenix Society’s team, Rachel served as the Marketing and Communications Phoenix Fellow and worked in the SEO/ORM industry. When not working, Rachel enjoys going on walks with her dog Remy, trying a new recipe, or binge-watching reality tv.

NY Times #1 best-selling author Mark Nepo is a poet, philosopher and cancer survivor who has spoken at two Phoenix World Burn Congresses. He inspires listeners with a thought-provoking message about the journey we all face in finding inner courage.

The original notion of the word courage means to stand by one’s core. Mark explored how we can find our way to our core, stand by our core, and sustain the practice of living from our core—to live out of our courage. To encourage means to impart strength and confidence, to inspire and hearten. 

Mark Nepo moved and inspired readers and seekers all over the world with his #1 New York Times bestseller The Book of Awakening. Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, Mark has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time,” “a consummate storyteller,” and “an eloquent spiritual teacher.” His work is widely accessible and used by many and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A bestselling author, he has published fifteen books and recorded nine audio projects. Mark devotes his writing and teaching to the journey of inner transformation and the life of relationship. He continues to offer readings, lectures, and retreats. Please visit Mark at: http://www.MarkNepo.com, http://threeintentions.com and info@wmespeakers.com.

FLASHBACK GIRL: LESSONS ON RESILIENCE FROM A BURN SURVIVOR

At the age of four, Dr. Lise Deguire suffered third-degree burns on 65% of her body as the result of both maternal and corporate negligence. Against the odds, she lived through the trauma, beginning decades of treatment as a burn survivor. Dr. Deguire tells the tragic story of her family, which includes artistic genius, stark neglect, and four suicides. Most importantly, she explains her long but ultimately triumphant path towards love, health, and life satisfaction.

INCREASING YOUR CAPACITY FOR CONNECTION: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. LISE DEGUIRE

In this special podcast, we interviewed burn survivor and clinical psychologist Dr. Lise DeGuire. Lise shares the healing value of connection and offers tips for overcoming the barriers burn survivors face when building relationships..

This podcast appeared in the fall 2020 issue of Burn Support Magazine. Subscribe now to receive free issues of Burn Support Magazine three times a year.

I’m delighted to be back with another podcast for this issue of Burn Support Magazine. Last time, we talked about ways to increase your capacity for resilience. If you missed it, you can listen to the podcast here.

This time, I want to talk about connection with others, because we know that part of resilient recovery is having meaningful, committed and loving relationships.

There is no way I could have survived my burn injury without the support of friends. For me, my best support came from my friends, my brother, and my surgeon. My parents were very limited people, and they didn’t have much to offer me. But my best friends cared for me and kept me going. They loved me as I was.

It is so important to build meaningful relationships with other people, but it isn’t always easy. When you’re a burn survivor, you know there can be barriers to connection.

There is an inevitable moment when you meet someone new when you must manage the impact your appearance has on another person. If you have hidden burns, you don’t have to handle that moment right away. However, you still know that there is something different about you that the new acquaintance doesn’t know yet. What will they think about you when they find out? The moment lingers out there, waiting to happen.

Most of us learn to manage these moments. We smile and act extra friendly. Perhaps we crack a joke or two. Sometimes we pretend we don’t care. Sometimes we cover ourselves with hats, hoods, and extra makeup.

There are lots of ways to cope, but there is almost always a social moment for us to manage.

As a burn survivor, I find that I’m often expected to be the most socially skilled person in the room. It becomes my job to put others at ease and manage that inevitable moment of uncertainty or discomfort. Is it fair? No. But it’s my reality. It’s that way for a lot of other burn survivors, too.

As far as I’m concerned, we have two ways to deal with this expectation. We can focus on our resentment of that burden and wallow in the pain it causes – OR we can arm ourselves with tools and information to take control of that inevitable moment and walk away feeling empowered.

In my own life, I choose Option Two. It’s not always the easiest path, but in the end, I feel more fulfilled and connected. In this podcast, I’ll share some ways to increase your own capacity for connection by improving your social skills and recharging through self-care.

I've Got Scars, Baby! explores "scars" of all sorts. We discuss the impact physical, mental and emotional "scars" have had on our guests while traversing the pitfalls and examining the life lessons they have gained due to their experience with their scars.

Our topics range from “Embracing Your Body Type” as discussed with a woman who has scoliosis and is 4’5”, “Embracing Your Health” as discussed with a 3x kidney transplant recipient, “Embracing Your Limitations” as discussed with a 2020 Olympic hopeful with CMT (a disease which causes motor and sensory neuropathy creating paralysis of the limbs) who is now a decorated Paralympic athlete.

The purpose of this show is to present possibilities for overcoming trauma and turning your scars into your superpower.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

• YouTube

• Spotify

• iTunes

• Audioboom

In our latest Let’s TAWK Leadership podcast, Amy Acton, CEO shares how her experience as a sailor and a critical care nurse have informed her leadership style. Learn why she believes leadership is all about compassionate truth telling.

Karen Colligan is a recognized expert in leadership and team development. Karen founded PeopleThink in 2000, based on the core belief that “an investment in your people is an investment in your future.” Since then, her broad experience and progressive approach to dealing with the human capital issues across a wide range of business situations has suited her well in consulting in organizations in multiple industries, including Genentech, Oncopeptides, SAP Labs, Dell Technologies, AppFolio, San Francisco Ballet, and Havas.

Burned Ambition is a State of Mind!

Once we survive, we must decide, “What’s next?”. How do we overcome this? I survived with my burned ambitions.

Tonya Meisenbach, also known as Burned Beauty 2018, hosts Burned Ambition! Each week she talks with another survivor of different types of trauma, or she simply discusses survivor issues.

MEET TONYA MEISENBACH

Tonya Meisenbach, better known as Burned Beauty 2018, is a wife, mother of two adult children, luminary, and humanitarian currently living in Atlanta, GA.

Formerly a Paralegal and Realtor, Tonya has always enjoyed helping and elevating others. After being burned over 35% of her upper body and almost losing the battle, nothing has changed, Tonya turned her pain into purpose, and although Tonya's methodology is different, the end goal remains the same, elevating others.

"My face and upper body all skin grafts, and my determination and spirirt all God." - Tonya

Tonya now uses hair, makeup, tutorials, and social media to help inspire other burn survivors in their recovery. She wants all survivors to understand that their wounds will heal, and that with the right mindset, they can and accomplish anything and overcome any obstacle thrown in their path.

Follow @BurnedBeauty2018 on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to never miss a clip.

BURNIVERSARIES ARE A CHANCE TO REFLECT

on how far we’ve come, to appreciate our efforts and progress, and sometimes make new meaning about all that’s happened since that date. Each burn survivor has a different relationship with that meaningful day. 

In honor of her 40th burniversary, Amy Acton sat down with former board member and burn survivor, Karen Colligan, to reflect on the past, chat about the present, and take a look at the future.  

MEET AMY AND KAREN

Amy Acton, RN, BSN is the CEO of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. Her career started as a burn nurse at the Spectrum Health Regional Burn Center, where she herself was treated at the age of 18 for an electrical burn injury. Since joining Phoenix Society, Amy has developed and expanded several national programs that have greatly increased accessibility to long-term recovery resources for those in the burn community.

Karen Colligan is a burn survivor and former board Vice President of Phoenix Society. She is the founder and principal of PeopleThink and is a recognized expert in leadership, team effectiveness, and organizational development. Karen partners with organizations in various industries to develop and retain their most precious asset – their people.