From Carpools To Chemo with Marisa Peters

Cancer changes more than the body. It reshapes routines, relationships, and how we see the time we have. In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, Marisa Peters sits down with Taline Khoukaz, an oncology nurse practitioner with 26 years of experience who is being honored at the Be Seen Alive Awards. Taline shares why compassionate cancer care starts with listening, how she helps patients pursue what matters to them during treatment, and why patients and families should feel empowered to speak up and advocate for their needs.
Taline also opens up about the often overlooked weight caregivers carry, the emotional toll of losing patients, and why healthcare professionals need support, too. She reflects on how oncology has shaped her parenting and how music, dancing, and small moments of joy help her keep going. Her message is simple: being seen means recognizing the humanity of everyone touched by cancer, including those providing the care.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[00:35] Introducing Taline Khoukaz and the Be Seen Alive Awards
[04:21] From candy striper to oncology nurse practitioner
[08:36] Why oncology chose Taline, and 26 years later, why she stayed
[11:05] Crying on the way home, swimming, and finding relief through music
[11:45] Taline's feel-good music and her love of dancing
[13:05] What it means to be seen as a cancer patient
[26:45] What's changing in colorectal cancer treatment
[29:03] Helping patients move through the fear of their first chemotherapy cycle
[35:46] The lessons Taline's children are learning from her work
[39:01] Celebrating life, music, and the Be Seen community
[40:07] What it means to Taline to be seen
[41:18] The emotional weight healthcare providers carry home
Our Guest
Taline Khoukaz is an oncology nurse practitioner with 26 years of experience caring for cancer patients. Working alongside a leading gastrointestinal oncology team, she combines clinical expertise with compassionate, individualized care. She helps patients navigate treatment, manage uncertainty, and maintain the quality of life that matters to them.
Resources and Links
Taline Khoukaz
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center: https://uscnorris.com/
Marisa Peters
Marisa Peters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
Be Seen Substack: https://gobeseen.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo
Mentioned
Be Seen Alive Awards: https://beseen.care/alive-awards
Disclaimer
This podcast shares personal experiences and perspectives on cancer care. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance about diagnosis, treatment, and individual medical needs.

A stage IV colorectal cancer diagnosis at age 43, just months after having her first child, could have defined Julie Clauer's life by fear. Instead, it led to a life more full of gratitude, connection, and purpose.
In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, host Marisa Peters sits down with patient advocate and survivor Julie Clauer. Diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer at age 43, just months after having her first child, Julie shares her raw and remarkable journey. It began with a shocking ER diagnosis, where she was told she had lesions throughout her liver and did not even know where her liver was. She Googled it, despite knowing not to Google medical information. From there, she built a life defined not by cancer, but by connection, purpose, and joy.
Julie opens up about the "tour of oncologists" she undertook, interviewing seven specialists before finding the one who saw her as an individual, not a diagnosis. She explains her "Thank You Cancer" list, a running inventory of over 50 gifts, both big and small, that have come from her illness. She reflects on the lessons she's learned about self-advocacy, the importance of a primary care doctor, and why she loves that her treatment is often invisible. She also honors the three extraordinary members of her care team: Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, nurse practitioner Taline Lucas, and volunteer Judy Stark, who are being recognized with Be Seen Alive Awards.
In This Episode
[00:00] Introduction
[02:21] Life before cancer: a new mom in Chicago
[02:55] Symptoms, no primary care doctor, and a weekend of severe pain
[07:27] The resident, the chart, and the 50 pounds she "lost"
[09:46] Advice for listeners: have a primary care doctor
[12:11] What made Julie feel seen: touring seven oncologists
[14:36] Moving to LA and the gifts that came with cancer
[16:58] Honoring her care team at the Be Seen Alive Awards
[17:39] Why the Alive Awards matter to Julie
[19:12] Nearly 200 infusions and the Century Club
[20:11] What cancer looks like vs. the reality
[22:01] "How healthy are you?" A patient's dichotomy
[28:47] Julie's hype song: "Girl on Fire"
[30:21] The elephant herd and the Thank You, Cancer list
[32:51] Gratitude, and joining "the Cancer Club"
[34:37] What it means to Julie to be seen
Our Guest
Julie Clauer is a patient advocate and survivor living with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Diagnosed at age 43, she has been in treatment for over eight years and is a dedicated advocate for research and innovation. She is a member of the "Long Hauler Hollow" at Colon Town and is honoring her care team at the second annual Be Seen Alive Awards.
Resources and Links
Julie Clauer
https://colontown.org/staff/
Mentioned
Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards
ColonTown: https://colontown.org/
Long Hauler Hollow by ColonTown
Disclaimer
This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

Dr. Raldow shares her philosophy of empowering patients through transparent communication, even when it means having difficult conversations about fertility and sexual health. She opens up about the technological revolution in her field, from AI-assisted planning to adaptive radiation therapy that spares healthy tissue and reduces side effects. She reflects on the courage of her patients, explains why she wishes more people understood the reality of radiation treatment, and shares the song that gets her through hard times. This conversation is a powerful reminder that in the fight against cancer, seeing the patient for who they are is just as critical as the technology used to treat them.

Notable Quotes
[05:16] "You have the potential to make the experience so much better for the patient, or you can also unfortunately make it so much worse." — Dr. Ann Raldow, on why every visit matters
[13:28] "If you don't give them all of the information, you're making the choice for them." — Dr. Ann Raldow
[15:22] "If you yourself aren't having those difficult conversations, then who is?" — Dr. Ann Raldow
[22:04] "It's a non-invasive treatment, and it's like getting a very long, high-dose targeted X-ray." — Dr. Ann Raldow, on what radiation really is
Our Guest
Dr. Ann Raldow is a nationally respected radiation oncologist at UCLA Health, specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. She is known for her expertise in leading-edge radiation techniques and her deeply compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. She is an honoree at the second annual Be Seen Alive Awards.
Resources and Links
Dr. Ann Raldow
linkedin.com/in/ann-raldow-a5328417
https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/ann-raldow
Marisa Peters
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/
https://beseen.care/podcast
https://gobeseen.substack.com
https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo
Mentioned
Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards
Fight CRC: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/
Disclaimer
This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

What if we could stop cancer before it ever starts?
In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, host Marisa Peters sits down with Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, Deputy Director for Research Programs at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of the world’s leading experts in gastrointestinal cancer.
With more than 30 years of experience in colorectal cancer research, Dr. Lenz has helped transform how we understand and treat cancer through his “clinic-to-bench” approach. His work on molecular subtypes like MSI-high and BRAF mutations has opened new possibilities for patients facing colorectal cancer.
Beyond science, Dr. Lenz reflects on mentorship, teamwork, patient advocacy, and the lessons he has learned from thousands of patients. Ahead of the second annual Be Seen Alive Awards, this conversation explores how trust, collaboration, and innovation are shaping the future of cancer treatment.
Key Takeaways
A father’s illness inspired Dr. Lenz’s path into medicine.
Patients are partners in their own care journey.
A negative trial can still create meaningful breakthroughs.
Molecular research is changing cancer treatment.
MSI-high discoveries have improved outcomes for many patients.
Cancer prevention may be the next frontier.
RNA, methylation, and epigenetics could unlock future advances.
Our Guest
Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz is a world-renowned oncologist and expert in gastrointestinal cancer. He serves as Deputy Director for Research Programs at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and is a professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. His research has helped redefine colorectal cancer treatment worldwide.

Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heinz-josef-lenz-5a6001178
https://norriscancer.usc.edu/
https://keck.usc.edu/
Marisa Peters
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
https://rss.com/podcasts/beseennetwork/
https://beseen.care/podcast
https://gobeseen.substack.com
https://www.instagram.com/beseen.care
https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo
Mentioned
Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards
Fight CRC: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/
Disclaimer
This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.

What happens after the last cancer treatment, when everyone assumes the patient is finally okay? In this episode of From Carpools to Chemo, Marisa Peters speaks with actress, advocate, stage IV colon cancer survivor, and Alive Awards honoree Elizabeth Wachsberg. Diagnosed at 38 after a colon blockage sent her to the ER, Elizabeth faced chemotherapy, surgery, panic attacks, and the struggle to keep her health insurance while fighting for her life, until a surgeon gave her hope with the words, “Let’s cure this thing.”
Elizabeth opens up about why “warrior” language can feel like a trap, and the grief of surviving when so many others do not. She also shares how humor helped her through the darkest moments and why support must continue after treatment ends. Her story is a powerful reminder that the last treatment does not mark the end of the journey or the need for care.
In This Episode
[00:00] Episode preview
[02:10] Meet Elizabeth Wachsberg
[04:22] The challenge of working during treatment to keep health insurance
[10:00] The "Black Cloud Days" and the emotional toll of treatment
[17:11] The moment of diagnosis and Dr. Sharma's first call
[20:23] The care team that offered hope: Dr. Agopian's "Let's cure this thing"
[29:13] The "after" of cancer: panic attacks, anxiety, and feeling abandoned
[36:06] What it means to be honored with an Alive Award
[43:53] Honoring the doctors who showed up: Dr. Sharma and Dr. Agopian
[47:51] Advice for the newly diagnosed and the need for post-treatment support
[57:30] What it means to Elizabeth to be seen
Notable Quotes
[57:39] “It’s a comfort to be seen. It’s an honor to be seen.” — Elizabeth Wachsberg
[58:35] “I see a future where we fund cancer research in a way that allows people to eradicate the disease.” — Elizabeth Wachsberg
Our Guest
Elizabeth Wachsberg is a stage IV colon cancer survivor, actress, and advocate. Diagnosed at 38, she has become a powerful voice in the colorectal cancer community, sharing her story with candor and humor to raise awareness and support others. A SAG member for over 20 years, she is dedicated to advocating for research funding and mental health support for cancer survivors.
Resources and Links
Elizabeth Wachsberg
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-wachsberg-22bb0913b/
https://www.instagram.com/elizabethwachsberg/
Marisa Peters
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisapeters777
https://gobeseen.substack.com
https://www.youtube.com/@FromCarpoolsToChemo
Alive Awards Information: https://beseen.care/alive-awards
Disclaimer
This podcast shares personal experiences and advocacy perspectives. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult your healthcare provider and request appropriate evaluation.