This week Jess sits down with Gillian Lichota, author and founder of the iRise Above Foundation, to explore the power of writing as a healing process. Together, they discuss the practice of sacred truthtelling—how sharing one’s story can transform pain into purpose—and invite listeners to join a collective conversation about breast cancer, honoring the experiences of both patients and caregivers.
Gillian's new book is available tomorrow, October 23rd.
RISING ABOVE: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer is a sacred gathering of voices from young women who faced breast cancer at a time when life was just beginning to unfold-when they were falling in love, building careers, becoming mothers, and discovering their truths. The diagnosis didn't wait. It struck early, shattering timelines and rewriting dreams. But within that breaking open, something deeper awakened.
This anthology arises from that awakening.
About iRise Above: Founded by Gillian Lichota in 2017 following her own experience as a young, pregnant woman with breast cancer, the foundation empowers young women to seize control of their well-being during and after treatments and surgeries, with targeted, age-appropriate and integrative resources. Through wellness programs, webinars, retreats, and adventure trips designed by wellness and medical experts, these women are equipped with the latest research to improve their health through nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness practices. They are inspired to see their journey as a transformational one.
Most importantly, iRise connects young women with breast cancer to a community of like-minded thrivers with the same goals: the desire to live full, vibrant lives aligned with their passion and purpose, and to move the needle on their prognoses.
Connect with Gillian on Instagram or Facebook
This podcast is hosted by Jessica Buchanan, a NYT Bestselling author, speaker, survivor and founder of Soul Speak Press. Soul Speak Press is a boutique non-traditional publishing company focused on publishing stories from women who have been through something, now they know something, and can teach us something.
Learn more about Jessica's first book: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six
Learn more about the Deserts to Mountaintops Anthologies. If you're interested in hearing interviews with our Soul Speak Press authors, check out the Deserts to Mountaintops Podcast.
