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.