What if changing the way you see yourself could change the way you move through one of the hardest seasons of your life? In this episode of Leading Visionaries, host Anjel B. Hartwell sits down with Amanda Goodwin, founder of Cancer Sharks, a storytelling and advocacy platform inspired by her experience with stage four melanoma. A longtime communications and leadership professional, Amanda has led nonprofit initiatives, fundraising campaigns, childcare organizations, and a technology startup.
Amanda shares how Cancer Sharks is evolving through storytelling events, merchandise, publishing, and speaking, while staying rooted in its larger purpose: creating connection when people need it most.
This conversation is about far more than cancer. It is about trusting your knowing, advocating for yourself, and having the courage to let a vision grow before you know exactly where it will lead.
What You Will Learn:
How self-leadership can become a powerful form of advocacy when navigating difficult circumstances.
Why advocating for yourself sometimes requires researching decision-makers and understanding what matters to them.
How years of leadership experience can become unexpectedly valuable during a personal crisis.
Why vision isn't always visual and can instead emerge through intuition, awareness, feeling, or a deep sense of knowing.
Why changing the language we use around difficult experiences can change how we relate to them.
How storytelling can create connection and vulnerability in places where people often feel isolated.
Why a vision does not have to be perfectly formed before you begin bringing it into the world.
How Amanda is building Cancer Sharks through storytelling, events, publishing, merchandise, and speaking.
Why entrepreneurs and visionaries need to be willing to experiment, learn, and allow their original vision to evolve.
How the words used by leaders, healthcare professionals, and caregivers can profoundly affect people during critical moments.
Why no one should have to swim alone when navigating a difficult season.
FAQ:
What is Cancer Sharks?
Cancer Sharks is a storytelling and advocacy platform founded by Amanda Goodwin following her experience with stage four melanoma. The platform uses storytelling, community, merchandise, events, and speaking to create a more empowering way for people to connect around cancer.
How can storytelling help people going through difficult experiences?
Storytelling can help people feel less isolated by creating opportunities for shared vulnerability and connection. Amanda found that sharing Cancer Sharks stickers and cards in medical settings often encouraged people to open up and share their own stories.
Why is the language used during critical care important?
Words can significantly affect how people experience vulnerable and frightening situations. Amanda's keynote, The Weight of Words in Critical Care, explores how communication can either increase fear or provide reassurance, connection, and empowerment.
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