This conversation with Shannon Ivey, MFA, centers on her experience as a cancer survivor, solo parent, and storyteller—focusing on how humor, narrative, and self-advocacy shaped her medical journey.
Shannon Ivey, MFA—storyteller, solo parent, and cancer survivor—shares her powerful journey of using humor, writing, and narrative advocacy to navigate the healthcare system.
In this episode of Mindworks in Conversation, Shannon explores:
-
How humor and writing became tools for survival during cancer treatment
-
Her concept of the “choreography of care” to set boundaries and protect energy during illness
-
The subtle power dynamics and biases patients face in medical spaces
-
Her advocacy for early colorectal cancer screening and honest conversations around stigmatized illnesses
Through candid storytelling, Shannon shows how personal narrative can empower patients, challenge medical norms, and spark systemic change.
