The YMyHealth Podcast
A podcast by millennials, for millennials, covering health challenges unique to Gen Y. Get expert insights, practical patient advice, and inspiring survivor stories to help you make informed healthcare choices. Empower your journey with YMyHealth!
Episode 91 - How to Read Health Headlines Without Panicking
What does it really mean to “eat healthy” in a world full of conflicting advice? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast—recorded LIVE at Fight CRC’s 2026 Call-on Congress in Washington, DC—co-host Julie Woon sits down with Bill Thach, a rectal cancer survivor first diagnosed at just 33, who continues treatment for a rare subtype called neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Bill shares how his experience as both a patient, who has had nine different lines of treatment, and a research advocate reshaped the way he thinks about food, health, and the information we consume every day. From breaking down what 'ultra-processed foods' actually are to questioning how nutrition advice and research findings are often presented, this conversation challenges listeners to look beyond headlines and think more critically about their choices and interpretations.
Together, they explore how to evaluate scientific studies, spot misleading health claims, and better understand the lifestyle patterns that can impact long-term health. It’s an honest, empowering conversation that encourages you to stay curious, ask questions, and take a more informed approach to your well-being.
Episode 90 - How a Family’s Fight Against Colorectal Cancer Inspired a Community
What happens when the person you've always seen as unstoppable suddenly isn't? When Antonio Dionizio's father — a Portuguese immigrant, army veteran, former police officer in Portugal, and construction worker who'd never slowed down a day in his life — was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer at 63, Antonio, who was in his twenties at the time, was completely unprepared for the journey that was about to unfold.
In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast recorded LIVE at Fight CRC's 2026 Call on Congress in Washington, DC, co-host Julie Woon talks with Antonio Dionizio, Co-Founder and Vice President of Champions for Colorectal Cancer. He opens up about the guilt of not doing more as a caregiver and being the youngest child in his family, the silence that surrounded his family's fear, how his caregiving journey changed his own approach to health, and how a conversation with a former colleague during COVID sparked his co-founding of the nonprofit organization, Champions for Colorectal Cancer that has since helped catch colorectal cancer early in people under age 50 who might never have thought to get checked out and screened.
His father, who is now a 20+ year colorectal cancer survivor, drives Antonio's advocacy efforts to spread colorectal cancer awareness (especially to millennials and Gen Z) and to destigmatize talking about our bodies and bathroom habits.
If you've ever been a caregiver, loved one, or simply someone who keeps putting off that screening — this one's for you!
🎧Tune in now and share this episode with your friends and family members!!
Episode 89 - Navigating Colorectal Cancer: Insights from a Survivor
IIn this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Melissa Schenkman talks with Jeremy Echols, a tech expert, stage 4 colon cancer survivor and Fight CRC ambassador. Jeremy shares his journey from initial symptoms that surprised him at first to getting his diagnosis, the challenges he faced within the healthcare system, and the impact of his diagnosis on his mental health. They discuss the importance of advocacy and awareness for colorectal cancer, especially among individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. He emphasizes the need for having open conversations about your health and advocating for yourself at the doctor's office. Jeremy's story is one of resilience, empowerment, and the importance of supporting others in their health journeys.
🎧Tune in now to learn the symptoms that can disguise themselves and key pieces of advice for navigating the healthcare system when you are not getting answers. Share this episode with the millennials friends and family in your life!
Episode 88 - Molly Roberts on the Fight Against Colorectal Cancer
Did you know colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death for people under 50 in the U.S.? It's true. While it can be a tough fact to wrap our generation's minds around, thanks to Fight CRC all of us have access to the tools we need to educate, advocate, and save lives. In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Melissa Schenkman talks with Molly Roberts, Vice President of Advocacy from Fight CRC about the critical issue of colorectal cancer awareness.
They explore the importance of colorectal cancer advocacy at all levels of government, personal stories that drive her mission, and the current landscape of colorectal cancer in the United States, especially among people in under the age of 50.
The conversation highlights Fight CRC's innovative tools and 2026 initiatives aimed at empowering patients and advocates alike. It also features the upcoming Call-on Congress event in Washington, DC, where advocates come from around the country do advocacy training and to talk with their state representatives to advocate for funding for research, colorectal cancer screenings and more.
Molly shares great resources for on colorectal cancer prevention, advocacy work, and research (*see in the show notes below). The episode emphasizes the need for continuous engagement in advocacy efforts and the role of data in shaping policy changes.
🎧 Tune in now to hear the latest on the many colorectal cancer resources, programs, and opportunities to get involved with Fight CRC! Share this episode with your friends (especially those under age 50) and your family!
Episode 87 - Embracing a Vegetarian Life: A Journey to Wellness
Do you want to bring more plant-based eating into your life but do not know where to start? Or maybe, you or a friend are trying to go completely vegetarian or vegan and need some help getting started and sticking with it. Then, this is the episode for you!
In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, Co-Host Julie Woon talks with Sri founder of the blog Vegetarian Wellness - Delicious Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes. They discuss Sri's journey into vegetarianism, exploring practical tips for incorporating vegetarian meals into daily life. Sri shares her personal experiences, challenges, and the importance of balancing flavor and nutrition in vegetarian cooking.
The conversation covers common misconceptions, budget-friendly options, how to shop at the grocery store, and essential recipes for beginners, making vegetarianism accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Episode 86 - 2025 Milestones and Future YMyHealth Plans
It's been an AWESOME 2025 at YMyHealth!! In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-hosts Melissa and Julie reflect on the milestones achieved in their first year of the podcast, discuss the trending health topics relevant to millennials in the United States and around the globe, and preview exciting new YMyHealth content planned for 2026. They emphasize the importance of health advocacy, talking about life in cancer survivorship, and the unique challenges faced by younger generations dealing with a variety of health issues, including living with invisible illnesses.
The episode concludes with holiday wishes and a big shout-out to our 2025 podcast sponsors, Dr. Sarah Diekman and Dr. Alexandria Yarborough!!
Episode 85 - Navigating Grief During the Holidays
Do you have the 'holiday blues'? If so, you are not alone in your loss. In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Julie Woon and therapist Rebecca Lipsky discuss the complexities of navigating grief during the holiday season. They explore how the holidays can amplify feelings of loss, different types of grief beyond death (and including it), and effective coping strategies. The conversation emphasizes the nonlinear nature of grief, the importance of honoring memories, and how to support others who are grieving this holiday season. Listeners are encouraged to practice self-compassion and find hope and resilience in their journey through grief.
Episode 84 - Living Life Fully with an Ostomy
In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Julie Woon talks with Amy Hart, a Stage 3 colon cancer survivor and advocate living with an ostomy bag (a collection pouch used to collect stool or urine). Amy shares her journey of resilience from being diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer to the challenges of adjusting to a busy on-the-go life with an ostomy. She emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and community support for all people living with an ostomy.
Episode 83 - Finding Support Systems for Young Caregivers ft. Carrie Aalberts - @dementiadarling
What defines a "young caregiver" and where can they find support? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, co-host Melissa Schenkman talks with fellow millennial Carrie Aalberts, MS, who is a Gerontologist, Dementia Educator, and Caregiver Cheerleader. The two discuss the unique challenges people under age 50 face when they are also caregivers to their parents or other older adults and provide a list of helpful resources to use for daily support for caregivers.
Episode 82 - The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Understanding Your Rights
Did you know there is a new law to protect your job during your pregnancy, fertility treatments, and beyond? In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Melissa Schenkman talks with Law Clerk Noelle Murray and Attorney Paige Sparks of Sparks Legal about the critical topic of women's health in relation to employment law, particularly focusing on the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Noelle and Paige provide insights into the new legal protections available for pregnant workers
Episode 81 - November Preview
What's happening on the YMyHealth Podcast in November? Co-host Melissa Schenkman, MPH, MSJ, shares our lineup in this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast. Our November lineup features episodes focused on new laws that protect women's health and their jobs, how to find support systems for young caregivers of parents and older adult relatives, and the personal journey of one millennial from being diagnosed with colon cancer to living life to the fullest with an ostomy and with body positivity.
Episode 80 - Answering Listener's Question: A YMyHealth Fall Q&A
Have questions about YMyHealth podcast episodes? We have answers! In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Hosts Julie Woon and Melissa Schenkman answer listeners' questions for episode guests from the past few months.
Episode 79 - The Role of Physical Therapy in POTS Care
Can physical therapy improve symptoms for patients living with POTS? In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Julie Woon and physical therapist and founder of The POTS Life, Dr. Kelsey Botti.
Dr. Botti shares her personal journey with POTS, detailing her long path to diagnosis and the impact it has had on her life and career as a physical therapist. She tells us how her experience has informed her knowledge of how physical therapy can play a role in improving symptoms of POTS.
Episode 78 - From Pain to Prevention: The Chiropractic Journey ft. Dr. Holden Stanfill
Do you experience back pain or neck pain? If the answer is "yes", chiropractic adjustments may be right for you!
In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Melissa Schenkman, MPH, and chiropractor, Dr. Holden Stanfill, explore the importance of chiropractic care, particularly for millennials. Dr. Holden Stanfill shares his personal story that led him to become a chiropractor and insights into the benefits of chiropractic treatment.
Episode 77 - The Importance of a Dental Home
In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Julie Woon and Arnelle Wright, DMD, MS, discuss the importance of taking care of your oral health, particularly for millennials.
Episode 76 - The Fall Vaccine Guide: What You Need to Know
In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Melissa Schenkman, Dr. Alexandria Yarbrough, a Community Pharmacist and Pharmacist in Charge, and Dr. Lindsay Morrison, a board-certified infectious disease and internal medicine physician, discuss the importance of vaccines as the fall season approaches. They address common misconceptions about vaccines, the impact of political leadership on vaccine recommendations, and the challenges of vaccine access.
Episode 75 - October Preview
Our October lineup features personal stories and valuable health information from experts in mainstream medicine and complementary healthcare from five U.S. States. This month's episode topics include fall vaccines, dental health, chiropractic care, and POTS awareness.
Episode 74 - Global Perspectives on Early Onset Colorectal Cancer
In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, co-host Melissa Schenkman takes the podcast global, as she is joined by Fight CRC's lead research advisor and leader of the Global Think Tank for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer, Andrea "Andi" Dwyer, MPH, and Fight CRC's Director of Research Advocacy the initiative's co-leader, Kiran Ilagan, DrPH, CHES. The Global Think Tank initiative is aimed at addressing early-onset colorectal cancer. During the conversation Kiran and Andi share the story of how the initiative got started and their insights on the Global Think Tank's first in-person meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
Episode 73 - Empowering Women's Health Advocacy
One of women's greatest challenges: putting themselves and their health first. Three-time cervical cancer survivor and women's health advocate, Samantha Gonzales-Russell, is on a mission to help us change that. In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, Sam talks with co-host Melissa Schenkman about the importance of women's health advocacy, the challenges of cancer survivorship, and the need for community support.
Episode 72 - Advancing Colorectal Cancer Prevention through RNA-Based Screening Innovation
Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths — yet it is also among the most preventable. In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, co-host Melissa Schenkman speaks with Dr. Erica Barnell, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Genoscopy, about how innovative diagnostics are transforming early detection and prevention.