Defender Energy: Drew Flugstad-Clarke

Defender Energy: Drew Flugstad-Clarke

From Out of Patients with Matthew Zachary by Matthew Zachary Worldwide

April 28, 2026 · 40 min · Episode 441

About this episode

Drew Flugstad-Clarke shares her journey through her father's glioblastoma diagnosis and the impact on her life and community involvement.

Drew Flugstad-Clarke never planned to work in brain cancer. She planned to play Division I soccer at Georgetown. She planned to paint. She even tried investment banking, answering emails at 4am in a cubicle that never slept. Then in June 2022 her father, Jim, was diagnosed with glioblastoma at 57. He died 1 day shy of 7 months later, just before his 58th birthday. His symptoms began with emotion, not seizures. A steady HR executive suddenly cried. His golf game slipped. By the time he entered the hospital for a scan, he did not leave without surgery. A subway poster for a 5K became a lifeline. Drew showed up. She found a community. She later joined the American Brain Tumor Association as Community Manager for the Eastern Region. This conversation walks through anticipatory grief, caregiving in real time, strategic numbness, and what it costs to curate hope when the median survival clock is already ticking. RELATED LINKS Drew Clark Flukestad on LinkedIn Topor Studios American Brain Tumor Association Georgetown University Women’s Soccer FEEDBACK Like this episode? Rate and review Out of Patients on your favorite podcast platform. For guest suggestions or sponsorship email…

People in this episode

Host: Matthew Zachary

Guest: Drew Flugstad-Clarke

Topics covered

  • brain cancer
  • grief
  • caregiving
  • community
  • hope
  • survival

Keywords

  • glioblastoma
  • anticipatory grief
  • caregiving
  • American Brain Tumor Association
  • community support
  • survival

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Brain Tumor Association, Georgetown University, Topor Studios

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