This program has been postponed. To register for the next offering, please email programs@smithcenter.org.

with Susan Oetgen

Holding Both: Facing Climate Crisis and Cancer in Community (5-Week Series)

A ‘Work That Reconnects’ Podcast Club

This virtual podcast club is an opportunity to experience the fullness of our feelings – fear, anger, grief, love, gratitude and hope – as we reflect on the reality of living with cancer at a time when our whole planet’s health is at risk. This work can only truly happen in community.

Strengthened by our shared purpose, we will listen to We Are the Great Turning, a new podcast featuring revered climate activist and Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy and her dear friend, mentee and fellow activist Jess Serrante in conversation about the Work That Reconnects.

Developed by Joanna Macy over decades of facilitating groups around the world, the Work That Reconnects is a process for navigating climate grief in community that allows us to ground into our gratitude for life, honor our pain for the world, see with new / ancient eyes and go forth with new purpose. In our weekly meetings, we will discuss podcast episodes, engage in practices from the Work That Reconnects, and – above all – reflect on what this courageous act of caring means in the context of a cancer experience.

This group will meet for 5 weeks on Thursdays from July 31 – August 28 from 11am-12:30pm EST on Zoom. Here are the meeting dates:

  • July 31
  • August 7, 14, 21 & 28

WEEK 1: Thursday, July 31

  • Please listen to Episode 1: Love and Loss (28 mins) in advance. 
  • We will engage with content from Bonus Episode 1 together during our meeting.

WEEK 2: Thursday, August 7

WEEK 3: Thursday, August 14
WEEK 4: Thursday, August 21
WEEK 5: Thursday, August 28

Suggested Donation: $25

This program is offered for free or at a low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis. Contributions are not required to attend, ensuring accessibility for everyone. If you’re able to donate, we deeply appreciate your support—every contribution directly funds our cancer support programs.


About Susan Oetgen

Susan Oetgen holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University and completed her clinical training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC, and in private practice at Friends in Transition in Bethesda, MD.  Susan is dedicated to the arts as a trauma-informed, culturally responsive pathway to healing for individuals and communities. Her current creative wellness inspirations include herbal medicine, hot yoga and slow fashion.