About this episode

Mallori DeSalle shares her journey of coping with breast cancer through humor and authenticity.

Mallori DeSalle is a licensed mental health counselor, certified humor professional, professor at Indiana University’s School of Public Health, and a trainer of motivational interviewing. She is also an Oreo connoisseur who has tasted more than 150 flavors from around the world — and a recent breast cancer patient who uses humor as her most powerful coping tool. In this episode, Mallori shares how she faced the fears, uncertainty, and emotional strain of her cancer diagnosis with authenticity, honesty, and laughter. She talks openly about going from a routine mammogram to a callback, to a biopsy, and then to the life-changing news of ductal carcinoma. Even through surgery, reconstruction decisions, and difficult conversations with doctors, Mallori found ways to stay grounded through human connection and humor — including joking with nurses, bonding with strangers in hospital gowns, and even turning awkward family moments into healing laughter. Mallori also dives into more profound adversity she was navigating during the same season, including the pain of a divorce and the challenge of being believed when dealing with something as simple — and stressful — as a flea infestation…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Brad Miller

Guest: Mallori DeSalle

Topics covered

• cancer
• humor
• mental health
• adversity
• coping mechanisms
• family
• personal stories

Keywords

• cancer
• humor
• mental health
• adversity
• coping
• breast cancer
• family
• Oreo connoisseur

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Indiana University’s School of Public Health

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