Choosing to Overcome PTSD and Chronic Pain with A Smile with Lynn “Elikqitie” Smargis

Choosing to Overcome PTSD and Chronic Pain with A Smile with Lynn “Elikqitie” Smargis

Author: Dr. Brad Miller March 26, 2025 Duration: 51:57

In this episode of Cancer and Comedy, Dr. Brad Miller and Deb Krier welcome Lynn “Elikqitie” Smargis to discuss overcoming chronic pain and PTSD while building a career in writing and publishing. Lynn shares her deeply personal journey of surviving childhood abuse, living with PTSD, and using writing as a tool for healing. She introduces her “box metaphor,” explaining how her mind stored traumatic memories and how she gradually worked through them.

Dr. Miller and Deb engage in a robust discussion on trauma, resilience, and the importance of acknowledging pain instead of suppressing it. Lynn emphasizes that healing is a process that takes time and requires the right tools and support. She also highlights the impact of mindfulness and Buddhist principles in managing PTSD and chronic pain.

Beyond her personal story, Lynn shares insights into her work as a book coach and ghostwriter, confidently helping others share their stories. She discusses the emotional aspects of writing memoirs and the importance of guiding authors through the process with purpose and intention.

The conversation also touches on caregiving, as Lynn reflects on her role in taking care of both of her parents when they battled cancer despite her complicated past with them. She shares how this experience shaped her compassion, forgiveness, and resilience.

Throughout the episode, humor remains a central theme, reinforcing the idea that even in the darkest moments, laughter and positivity can play a crucial role in healing.

Lynn Smargis’ Links:

Website: https://writeforyou.me

Brad Miller’s Links:

Website: https://cancerandcomedy.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP2JvmMDeBzbj3mziVGJUw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbradleymiller/


There's a particular kind of alchemy that happens when serious things meet sincere laughter, and that's the space where you'll find Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor. Hosted by Dr. Brad Miller, this podcast emerged from a deeply personal place. Fresh into retirement after 43 years as a pastor, Brad received a prostate cancer diagnosis during the Christmas season of 2022. His instinctive reaction-to laugh as a way to keep from crying-sparked a mission. Each episode is built on the belief that those touched by cancer are not done living, and that facing the grim with a grin is a powerful form of resilience. You'll hear conversations that blend candid stories from the cancer journey with a genuine, often surprising, sense of humor. It’s not about dismissing the difficulty, but about discovering pockets of light and levity within it. Brad brings his unique perspective as both a longtime spiritual guide and a current patient, creating dialogues that are as educational about mental and physical wellness as they are uplifting. This isn't a lecture; it's a companionable audio experience for anyone seeking to fortify their spirit with hope and an honest, sometimes healing, laugh. Tune in for a podcast that redefines strength, proving that coping can be a creative, and even comedic, act of self-improvement.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor
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