In this special episode, Girls with Grafts joins forces with the H.E.A.L. Changed by Fire Podcast for an important conversation about connection, healing, and the resources that help burn survivors after they leave the hospital. 🏥 Rachel, Lori, and Jen talk about how groups like Phoenix Society and Change by Fire are helping to close the gap between medical recovery and long-term healing. Their goal is to make sure survivors and their families can find support wherever they are in their journey.

They talk about how peer support programs like Phoenix SOAR can make a big difference, and how digital spaces and podcasts help more people find community. Sharing survivor stories is also shown to be an important part of healing. The conversation points out that when organizations in the burn community work together, more survivors can get the support, resources, and care they need. ❤️

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Lori Janik is a holistic trauma therapist and mother of three who serves as Secretary and Community Outreach Director on the Board of Directors for Changed by Fire. She discovered her “why” for supporting the burn community years ago while working with burn survivors in an inpatient setting. There, she witnessed the deep emotional and social struggles survivors and families face long after physical injuries begin to heal. Lori brings clinical expertise, compassion, and advocacy to Changed by Fire. She is committed to helping survivors reconnect with their bodies, rebuild their lives, and find community. Lori is proud to lead these conversations on the H.E.A.L. Podcast, highlighting the voices of survivors, families, and burn care professionals.

In 2017, Jen Severance experienced a life‑changing burn injury after collapsing while cooking at home. She spent a month in the burn unit undergoing multiple surgeries and a long, challenging recovery. Jen documented her journey through photos and explored countless healing modalities, from scar massage to physical therapy, compression garments, and cupping. Today, Jen’s life is richer because of the love and inspiration she found in the burn survivor community. As guest host of the H.E.A.L. Podcast, Jen brings empathy, courage, and authenticity to each episode, helping others feel understood and supported as they navigate life after burn injury.

• Listen to the H.E.A.L Podcast: https://www.changedbyfire.org/podcast
• Visit Changed by Fire’s website: https://www.changedbyfire.org/
• Learn more about Phoenix World Burn Congress: https://www.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-wbc
• Explore our STEPS tools: https://resources.phoenix-society.org/getting-back-out-there-tools-for-social-empowerment

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with Chris Akin, a burn survivor, entrepreneur, and media personality. Together, they discuss resilience, determination, and how to make the most of each day.

Chris tells the story of the industrial explosion that caused his burn injury and describes his early days recovering in the hospital and how his determination shaped his recovery. 💪 Rachel and Chris also chat about the mindset that helped him move forward. Chris shares that he had to be selfish during recovery, focusing on whatever he needed to heal and return to life, even after being told he had little chance of survival.

They also talk about Chris’s book and his journey as a writer, including what inspired him to share his story and how the experience changed his life. Chris doesn't necessarily see the accident itself as positive, but he explains that the lessons he learned from surviving it led his life in a positive direction. 💛

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Chris Akin is a burn survivor, author, and media personality whose life changed dramatically after a catastrophic industrial explosion in 1994 left him with burns over 69% of his body. Given little chance of survival and facing predictions of amputation and lifelong disability, Chris defied the odds and fought his way through an intense and painful recovery. In his memoir, Call Me Chris: A Tale of Healing, Recovery, Selfishness and Resolve, he shares a brutally honest account of surviving severe burns, navigating the emotional and physical realities of recovery, and rebuilding his life after trauma. Known for his candid storytelling and dark humor, Chris offers a powerful perspective on resilience, identity, and the determination it takes to move forward after a life-altering injury.

• Read “Call Me Chris: A Tale Of Healing, Recovery, Selfishness and Resolve:” https://www.amazon.com/Call-Me-Chris-Recovery-Selfishness/dp/152398838X
• Learn more about Akin IT Services: https://www.akinitservices.com/
• Learn more about Chris’s pinball arcade: https://www.pinballpa.com/
• Visit Chris’s substack: https://cmspn.substack.com/
• Listen to “Liming Out of the Fire:” https://cmspn.substack.com/s/limping-out-of-the-fire

Today’s podcast is powered by the Donor Alliance Foundation & the Brookby Foundation! Both of these foundations play a critical role in supporting Phoenix Society and our programs. Their partnerships help us continue to create spaces for healing, connection, and advocacy—and we couldn’t do it without them!

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

This week on Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel sit down with Ashley Nelson for an honest conversation about identity, confidence, and dating after a burn injury.

Ashley shares how she changed her mindset from seeing herself as a “burn victim” to a “burn survivor,” and how this new perspective changed how she views herself. She also talks about her dating experiences, including how she tells her story, the support she received, and the tough moments that helped her grow. ❤️

Ashley also describes small acts of courage, like getting a pedicure at a nail salon while people stare, and reminding herself that her scars do not define her worth. 💅 We also talk about Love Is Blind Season 10, Emma Betsinger, and how pop culture can start important conversations about vulnerability, being seen, and handling tough topics in relationships.

This episode is real, relatable, and reminds us that confidence isn’t about hiding your scars. It’s about owning your story. ✨

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Ashley Nelson is 33 years old and sustained burns over 35% of her body at the age of 24. She currently works as a Sales Account Manager and holds a degree in Psychology.

• Find fire blankets on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fire+blankets&crid=2LOKE71OU1MNK&sprefix=fire+blanket%2Caps%2C171&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
• Learn more about Phoenix World Burn Congress: https://www.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-wbc
• Explore Dateability: https://info.dateabilityapp.com/
• Watch “In Sickness and In Health: A Modern Dating App for Disabilities, Introducing Dateability:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32N8Lzp0yno
• Read “Love Is Blind’s Emma Admits She ‘Felt So Isolated’ Going into the Pods Due to Her 'Unique Story':” https://people.com/love-is-blind-emma-admits-she-felt-so-isolated-going-into-the-pods-due-to-a-unique-story-exclusive-11908197

Today’s podcast is powered by Gropper & Nejat, a personal injury firm dedicated to supporting burn survivors in New York and New Jersey. They understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with burn injuries and fight tirelessly to secure justice and compensation for their clients. Receive a free consultation today by visiting groppernejat.com.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In this episode of Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with burn surgeon and researcher Dr. Cliff Sheckter about how to give survivors better tools and information when they are thinking about reconstructive scar surgery. 🩺

We discuss the Decision Aid for Reconstructive Scar Surgery, a new resource to help survivors decide if surgery is right for them. Dr. Sheckter explains why this tool was made, what questions it helps answer, and how it helps survivors think about both practical results and quality of life. ❓ We discuss why some survivors may feel let down even after a successful procedure and look at how expectations, identity, and healing are all closely linked.

Rachel and Dr. Sheckter also look at the bigger picture, including gaps in research about scar outcomes, how “quality of life” is measured in burn recovery, and what future studies may focus on. This episode offers practical and encouraging advice to help you make choices that feel right for you.

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Dr. Cliff Sheckter is the Burn Center Director at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, which serves the San Francisco Bay Area in burn and trauma care. He is double board certified in plastic/reconstructive surgery and surgical critical care and dedicates his practice to burn patients and survivors. He completed his medical/surgical training at USC, Stanford, and the University of Washington. Dr. Sheckter is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Stanford University and teaches medical students and residents comprehensive burn care. He is also a health policy researcher and has published multiple articles related to burn survivor quality-of-life and health economics in burn care.

• Read Dr. Sheckter “Is Scar Surgery Right for Me? A New Tool Guides Decisions Around Reconstructive Scar Surgery for Burn Survivors:” https://www.phoenix-society.org/resources/is-scar-surgery-right-for-me-a-new-tool-guides-decisions-around
• Explore the American Burn Association's survivor support and aftercare resources: https://www.ameriburn.org/patients/burn-survivor-support-and-aftercare-resources
• Learn more about Phoenix Society’s Virtual Support Group: https://www.phoenix-society.org/what-we-do/virtual-support-group
• Join Phoenix Society’s Facebook Group for survivors and caregivers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/phoenixsocietypeersupport

Today’s podcast is powered by AlloSource! AlloSource is one of the largest human tissue providers, honoring tissue donors by creating innovative skin allografts to help burn surgeons heal patients. Learn more about AlloSource and their continuing education hours by visiting their Resource Marketplace Listing directly on Phoenix Society’s website.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

This week on Girls with Grafts, Rachel talks with Mikki Rothbauer, a psychotherapist who has spent over twenty years helping burn survivors and their families at Regions Hospital Burn Center.

Mikki talks about what she has learned from years of supporting burn survivors, from the first days after injury to long-term healing. 💛 She leads burn support groups and coordinates a hospital-based Phoenix SOAR program. Mikki often reminds patients, “support group needs you.” In this episode, she explains why letting survivors choose to join peer support can be an important part of recovery.

Rachel and Mikki discuss the emotional impacts of burn injuries, how to know when it may be time to get professional mental health help, and how resilience and confidence support healing. 💪 We also talk openly about topics that are often overlooked, like body image, sexuality, and intimacy after a burn injury, sharing both survivor and caregiver perspectives with honesty and care.

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Mikki Rothbauer, MSW, LICSW, is a pediatric and adult burn and trauma psychotherapist who has worked with burn survivors and their families in a Level 1 trauma center for more than 21 years. She is deeply passionate about supporting survivors of burn and trauma injuries and considers it a privilege to be part of each patient’s healing journey.

Recognizing that burn and trauma injuries impact the entire family, Mikki works closely with patients and their support systems from the onset of injury through the months and years that follow. She emphasizes cognitive behavioral strategies to help address acute stress and PTSD symptoms, and her clinical focus also includes grief and loss, cosmetic differences, hidden burns and injuries, survivor’s guilt, and work-related injuries.

Mikki enjoys working with patients of all ages and uses a collaborative, patient-centered approach to support individuals as they return to living full and meaningful lives. She facilitates burn support groups, coordinates her center’s SOAR peer support program, and has a special interest in addressing body image and sexuality concerns during recovery.

In addition to her clinical work, Mikki has contributed to the field through published articles and book chapters related to trauma and burn recovery. She considers it a true honor to walk alongside patients and their loved ones as they navigate recovery after traumatic injury.

• Learn more about Phoenix SOAR: https://resources.phoenix-society.org/phoenix-soar
• Request a peer support visit through Phoenix Society: https://resources.phoenix-society.org/peer-support-request
• Read “Understanding Intimacy and Sexuality After Burn Injury:” https://phoenix-society.org/resources/understanding-intimacy-and-sexuality-after-burn-injury

Today’s podcast is powered by the Bert Martin Foundation! The Bert Martin Foundation was established to assist those who help others and provide financial support for nonprofit organizations. We’re honored to have the Bert Martin Foundation as a long-standing Phoenix Society Partner.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In honor of National Burn Awareness Week, Rachel and Amber sit down with burn survivor Shaun Free to talk about survival, healing, and the powerful growth that can come after trauma. Shaun shares the story of the propane explosion that changed his life, his long road through recovery, and how he reframed PTSD into what he calls post-traumatic growth. 💪

From building a propane forge and crafting knives as part of his healing, to returning to teach motorcycle safety classes just weeks after leaving the hospital, Shaun opens up about finding purpose again through creativity, service, and community. He also reflects on the mental side of recovery, his experience as a counselor at Camp Eyabsut, and what it was like to tattoo over grafted skin.

With honesty, humor, and heart, Shaun’s story is a reminder that recovery isn’t just about surviving—it’s about discovering who you can become on the other side. 💛

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories #NBAW #Ameriburn

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

On March 13, 2018, Shaun Free survived a devastating industrial propane explosion. The 3,000-gallon delivery truck he was working beneath leaked 300 gallons of liquid propane, forming a thick, knee-high cloud that blanketed the ground. As Shaun tried to shut the main valve, something ignited the pool of gas he was lying in. In a blinding flash, his life changed forever. He crawled out from under the truck while on fire and saw widespread destruction—along with a life-saving snowbank Shaun ran to, using it to extinguish the flames.

He was airlifted from Montana to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Shaun sustained burns over 46% of his body, required multiple surgeries, coded, and experienced a near-death event. He remained intubated for 10 days while battling double pneumonia, MRSA in a burn graft on his left leg, and numerous other complications that kept him in the Burn ICU for weeks.

This experience revealed who he was and what he was capable of overcoming. Shaun learned how to make the most of a terrible situation, how to look beyond the chaos, and how to focus on anything that could help improve his circumstances. He now shares his journey—along with the experiences, successes, and failures that shaped his recovery—in the hope of guiding and inspiring others.

• Follow Shaun on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @Manonfiremoto
• Learn more about Camp Eyabsut: https://www.campeyabsut.org
• Watch our Girls with Grafts episode with Grace Flott: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQfyUTqTZ-k
• Learn more about National Burn Awareness Week: https://www.ameriburn.org/prevention/national-burn-awareness-week
• Learn more about Jocko Willink: https://jocko.com/
• Listen to “Turtles All the Way Down” by Sturgill Simpson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWx6csgGkg4
• Visit Dan Plexman’s website: https://www.danplexman.com/

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

Season 8 of Girls with Grafts opens with a powerful and timely conversation following the recent Crans-Montana bar fire tragedy. In this special episode, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors CEO Amy Acton steps into the moderator’s seat, guiding a discussion that centers both the human impact of fire and the need for prevention.

Amy is joined by Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy at National Fire Protection Association, along with Rob Feeney and Gina Russo, both survivors of The Station Nightclub Fire. Together, they reflect on the parallels between past and present tragedies, examine gaps in fire safety systems and accountability, and explore how complacency, policy decisions, and community action can mean the difference between life and loss. 💛

This episode goes beyond headlines—It’s a sobering but hopeful start to season 8, reminding us that prevention is possible, and that change begins when we choose to act. 🙏

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Lorraine Carli joined NFPA in 2006 and serves as Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy, overseeing media, public affairs, government affairs, advocacy, wildfire initiatives, and public education. She also leads NFPA’s U.S. and Canada regional operations and NFPA Journal®. Lorraine holds degrees from Northeastern University and the University of Massachusetts and serves in leadership roles with the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation, the Electric Safety Foundation International, and The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.

Rob Feeney is a survivor of The Station Nightclub Fire and a dedicated fire safety advocate. He is a trained Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter and Phoenix Advocate and received the Phoenix Society Advocacy Award in 2013 for his work on fire sprinkler legislation. Rob also serves as a firefighter and assistant fire prevention officer with the Onset Fire Department in Massachusetts and writes for the NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative.

Gina Russo is a survivor of The Station Nightclub Fire and a Phoenix SOAR Peer Supporter. After sustaining severe burns and losing her fiancé in the fire, she turned to storytelling and advocacy as part of her healing journey. Gina is the author of From the Ashes and is passionate about supporting new survivors as they navigate recovery and rebuild their lives.

• Learn more about NFPA’s “Safety Doesn’t Happen by Chance” campaign: https://www.dontchancesafety.org
• Read NFPA’s press release on the Switzerland bar fire: https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2026/01/02/new-years-day-fire-in-the-swiss-alps

Today’s podcast is powered by the National Fire Protection Association! NFPA is a nonprofit that seeks to save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, & passion. Learn more about fire safety and explore their educational resources by visiting www.nfpa.org.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

In the Season 7 finale of Girls with Grafts, Amber and Rachel sit down with physical therapist, burn survivor, and clinic owner Dr. Francisco Padilla for an inspiring full-circle conversation about healing, purpose, and the power of movement. 💛

Francisco begins by sharing the story of his accident and the long road through recovery, including the pivotal role physical therapy played in his healing. He opens up about the PT mentors who believed in him, encouraged him to return to school, and ultimately inspired him to earn his Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

The conversation then turns to his journey from patient to practitioner. Francisco reflects on opening his own practice, the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with clients, and what he’s learned about supporting people through some of the hardest chapters of their lives. 💪 He also offers practical tips for survivors who feel stuck in their healing journey and breaks down different PT strategies and modalities that can support mobility, confidence, and long-term recovery.

This episode wraps our season with a powerful reminder: healing isn’t linear, but with persistence, guidance, and community, transformation is possible! 🎉

#BurnSurvivor #GirlsWithGrafts #Podcast #SurvivorPodcast #BurnSurvivorStories

⭐️ Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Francisco Padilla, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, is the owner of Padilla Physical Therapy and Fitness Incorporated in Wasco, California. In 2012, Francisco survived a severe car accident that left him with burns covering 80% of his body, necessitating 30 surgeries and a 10-and-a-half-month hospitalization. His extensive recovery journey inspired him to return to school, ultimately leading to his career as a physical therapist. Francisco is dedicated to helping others regain full function and is passionate about educating people on the benefits of health and wellness.

👉Follow Francisco on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franciscopadillapt/?hl=en

👉Follow Francisco’s Practice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/padillaphysicaltherapy/?hl=en

👉Visit Padilla Physical Therapy and Fitness Incorporated’s website: https://padillaphysicaltherapy.com/

Today’s podcast is powered by the supporters who empower Phoenix World Burn Congress and Phoenix Society’s work all year long. Organizations like the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation, the Akron Children’s Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute and the Bakersfield Firefighters Burn Foundation play a vital role by helping survivors and families attend Phoenix WBC through travel and financial assistance. Their generosity ensures that more people can experience the connection, support, and community that help us all rise together.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.