The Healing Pen & A Mic™: A Journaling and Podcast Workshop for the Cancer Community
Come exhale with us. For one afternoon, you don't have to hold it all together. The Healing Pen & A Mic™ is part healing, part storytelling, and all heart, bringing together journaling and podcasting as tools for working through the cancer experience. Whether you're a survivor, a current patient, a caregiver, or someone who has lost a loved one to the disease, this is a chance to be in community with people who truly get it.
Journaling is not a writing assignment. Think of it as a form of self-care, a dedicated and intentional space to slow down, work through what you're feeling, and release some of the mental clutter you've been carrying.
No writing or podcasting experience is needed, just a willingness to show up and put your thoughts into words. Whether you came to write quietly in a journal or grab the mic and share out loud, there's space for you here. Healing doesn't only happen on the page. Some of it happens in conversation, with people who understand what you're carrying.
Guided by Talaya Dendy, this free workshop is a chance to reflect, breathe, and connect with others who understand. Come ready to write, talk, and maybe even discover a new outlet for telling your story and a new support buddy.
What to expect:
A full afternoon, just for you: 4 free, self-care hours at Vera Fitness in St. Paul, no pressure, just space to breathe.
A journaling kit worth keeping, yours to fill with whatever you need to say
Real food, real rest: lunch and refreshments so you can just show up
A small circle, not a crowd: intimate group setting built for honest conversation
Your voice, if you want to share it: a fully optional chance to record a short podcast interview, plus a special thank-you gift for your willingness to help others by sharing your story
Zero pressure: write quietly, speak up, or listen. All of it counts
A few things people usually ask:
Do I have to share anything out loud if I don't want to?
No. Sharing is completely voluntary; you can journal the whole time privately.
Will my private journal entries be shared?
No. If you choose to do a podcast interview, it's about your story and experience, not your private entries.
Got more questions? Read our full FAQ here or reach out to info@ontheotherside.life.
Who's guiding you:
Talaya Dendy, BCPA, NBC-HWC, is a cancer thriver, doula, and advocate known for her warm, human-centered approach to cancer support. A 2025 Bush Fellow, she hosts the top-rated Navigating Cancer TOGETHER podcast, where she creates space for the honest stories and quiet victories that don't get talked about enough.
TOGETHER
You don't have to carry your story alone. Come write it down, or say it out loud, with people who understand. Space is limited to 10 participants, so save your seat.
This workshop is offered at no cost, thanks to venue sponsor Vera Fitness and funding from members of the 2025 Bush Fellows class. We're grateful for their support in bringing this experience to St. Paul.