The If You Are My Brothers Podcast

Transparent. Honest. Necessary: Talking Prostate Cancer Out Loud With A Special Guest

In this episode of If You Are My Brothers, host Reggie Hicks steps into the guest chair for a candid conversation with producer Dani about his own prostate cancer journey. Reggie breaks the silence around men’s health, reminding us that silence can be deadly. Together, they tackle every part of the experience — from difficult treatment decisions to the realities of side effects like fatigue, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. Nothing is sugar-coated. The discussion also highlights the impact on mental health, relationships, and self-esteem, while emphasizing the importance of resilience and compassion in the healing process. Reggie reflects on the long road back to “normal life,” sharing both hopeful moments of recovery and the ongoing challenges of adjustment. Along the way, myths about prostate cancer are dismantled, showing that vulnerability is not weakness, but a strength that builds connection and empowerment.
 
Key takeaway: Talking openly about prostate cancer isn’t just healing — it’s lifesaving. These stories matter for brothers, fathers, uncles, and friends who need to hear them.
 
This episode is sponsored by The Creator’s Nature Blend — pure and natural herbal serums, tinctures, oils, and tonics handcrafted with homegrown and wildcrafted ingredients. Learn more at https://www.thecreatorsnatureblend.com/.
 
All episodes are archived on your favorite podcast platforms and on our website at https://ifyouaremybrothers.org/podcast. To learn more about the If You Are My Brothers, Prostate Cancer Documentary and Community Engagement Project, visit https://ifyouaremybrothers.org/ If
 
You Are My Brothers is a project of Straight Street Media https://straightstreetmedia.org/, a nonprofit media organization that creates thought-provoking projects to inspire positive change. More than just entertainment, our documentaries, podcasts, films, and other digital media offerings are designed to connect and engage the audience. We are committed to "opening Eyes to a New Vision."

The Science of Prostate Cancer: Breakthroughs on the Horizon

On this episode, The Science of Prostate Cancer: Breakthroughs on the Horizon," Host Reggie Hicks and Dr. Robert Gatenby break down how evolution-informed adaptive therapy can outsmart resistance in metastatic prostate cancer—extending control, reducing toxicity, and pointing toward a future where prostate cancer is managed like a chronic condition. Tune in for practical questions to ask your oncologist, real trial insights, and a hopeful path forward.
Guest Contact
Dr. Gatenby welcomes contact via email, Robert.Gatenby@moffitt.org. He encourages patients to involve their treating oncologist in any discussion about adaptive strategies.
If You Are My Brothers — Ep. “The Science of Prostate Cancer: Breakthroughs on the Horizon” Host: Reggie Hicks Guest: Dr. Robert “Bob” Gatenby — Department Chair & Program Leader of Diagnostic Imaging & Interventional Radiology; Co-Director, Center for Excellence for Evolutionary Therapy (Tampa, FL) Series: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Special Recorded Live: Multistream (YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook) Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for education only and is not to be used as a substitute for medical care. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Episode Summary
Reggie sits down with Dr. Robert “Bob” Gatenby to explore where prostate cancer care is headed right now—and how evolution-informed, adaptive therapy is changing the goal from an all-out “kill every cell” approach to long-term control with better quality of life. They unpack why metastatic disease remains deadly despite new drugs, how treatment itself can select for resistance, and why math and ecology (yes, goats on the Galápagos!) can guide smarter therapy sequencing. Dr. Gatenby shares eye-opening results from adaptive-therapy trials, practical guidance for patients and oncologists, and a bold prediction: in the near future, prostate cancer could be managed as a chronic condition rather than a cause of death.
Key Takeaways
Cure vs. Control: Localized prostate cancer is often curable; metastatic disease remains fatal largely due to the evolution of drug resistance.
•Why “maximum dose” can backfire: Hitting tumors with continuous, high-dose therapy kills sensitive cells and selects for resistant ones that drive relapse.
•Adaptive therapy in practice: Treat to reduce tumor burden, then pause to let drug-sensitive cells keep resistant cells in check; re-treat as needed.
•Trial signals: In castrate-sensitive and castrate-resistant settings, adaptive approaches have shown longer time to progression and overall survival while using less drug and reducing side effects.
•Math matters: Cancer is a complex adaptive system. Mathematical modeling helps predict nonlinear dynamics and design smarter therapy sequences.
•Patient playbook: If a cure is plausible, pursue it. If metastatic/incurable, prioritize long-term control + quality of life and discuss adaptive strategies with your oncologist.
•Hopeful horizon: With directed evolution strategies, prostate cancer could be managed like a chronic disease in the coming years.
Resources & Links
•Project & Podcast: If You Are My Brothers — website: https://ifyouaremybrothers.org/
•Learn more about adaptive/evolutionary therapy: Ask your oncologist about intermittent/adaptive strategies and whether a clinical trial is appropriate in your case.
•Screening: Talk to your clinician about PSA testing and individualized screening plans, especially if you’re high-risk.
For Patients & Caregivers
•If your disease is localized, discuss curative options.
•If metastatic, ask about goals (control vs. cure), treatment breaks, biomarkers (e.g., PSA trends), side-effect management, and quality of life.
•Consider a second opinion at centers familiar with adaptive/evolutionary therapy; ensure your treating oncologist stays “captain of the ship.”
Mentioned
•Sponsor: The Creators Nature Blend — herbal serums, oils, and tonics online at https://www.thecreatorsnatureblend.com/
•Community Event (Atlanta): National Black Arts Festival — “Thriving Together,” Saturday, Sept 28 at Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park online at https://nbaf.org/thriving-together-atlanta-community-arts-and-wellness-festival
Credits
• Host & Producer: Reggie Hicks
• Technical Producer: Daniel “Danny” Garcia Poso
• Theme: Zach Reynolds, Borkhouse Productions, https://www.borkhouse.com/ • A Straight Street Media project, www.straightstreetmedia.org
Next Episode
“Transparent, Honest, Necessary: Talking Prostate Cancer Out Loud” — Live next Thursday at 7:00 PM ET. Please bring your questions; nothing is off-limits.
 
 
 

Rethinking Prostate Cancer: Equity, Innovation, and Hope

This is the second episode in our four-part series during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Today’s conversation is titled “Rethinking Prostate Cancer: Equity, Innovation, and Hope” with Dr. Shaun Owens. Together, we’ll explore the challenges and opportunities in advancing prostate cancer equity, the role of technology in decision-making, and what the future holds for prevention and education.
Dr. Shaun Owens, associate professor at the University of South Carolina’s College of Social Work and director of the Healthy Aging Research and Technology Lab. His work spans prostate cancer, health equity, and smart-home technologies that help older adults age with independence. Dr. Owens has published widely on prostate cancer, including strategies for recruiting African-American men to research, developing a computer-based decision aid, and advancing shared decision-making in screening and treatment. He earned his Master of Public Health from Emory University and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina.
 
This episode is sponsored by The Creator’s Nature Blend — pure and natural herbal serums, tinctures, oils, and tonics handcrafted with homegrown and wildcrafted ingredients. Learn more at https://www.thecreatorsnatureblend.com/.
 
Finally, if you’re in Atlanta, join us at the National Black Arts Festival’s Thriving Together event on Saturday, September 27, at the Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park. It’s a free day of art, wellness, and community focused on racial health equity.
Visit https://nbaf.org/thriving-together-atlanta-community-arts-and-wellness-festival/ for details.
All episodes are archived on your favorite podcast platforms.  Remember, you can always listen and engage with us at our website, www.ifyouaremybrothers.org/podcast
 
To learn more about the If You Are My Brothers, Prostate Cancer Documentary and Community Engagement Project, visit  https://ifyouaremybrothers.org/
 
If You Are My Brothers is a project of Straight Street Media, a nonprofit media organization that creates thought-provoking projects to inspire positive change. More than just entertainment, our documentaries, podcasts, films, and other digital media offerings are designed to connect and engage the audience. We are committed to "opening Eyes to a New Vision."

Every Stage, Every Challenge, Every Triumph: Men Talking Prostate Cancer

In this special episode of If You Are My Brothers, host Reggie Hicks launches a month-long series in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Since 2003, when President George W. Bush officially proclaimed September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the importance of early detection, screening, and understanding risk factors has remained critical.
This episode, titled “Every Stage, Every Challenge, Every Triumph: Men Talking Prostate Cancer”, brings together a panel of men who openly share their prostate cancer journeys—from active surveillance to radiation therapy and surgery. With candid conversations, clear insights, and heartfelt experiences, this program sheds light on the realities of prostate cancer, offering hope, awareness, and encouragement to all who listen.
Tune in for a powerful discussion that underscores the value of knowledge, community, and resilience in the face of prostate cancer.
All episodes are archived on your favorite podcast platforms.  Remember, you can always listen and engage with us at our website, www.ifyouaremybrotherspodcast.com.
To learn more about the If You Are My Brothers, Prostate Cancer Documentary and Community Engagement Project, visit www.ifyouaremybrothers.org.  
If You Are My Brothers is a project of Straight Street Media, a nonprofit media organization that creates thought-provoking projects to inspire positive change. More than just entertainment, our documentaries, podcasts, films, and other digital media offerings are designed to connect and engage the audience. We are committed to "opening Eyes to a New Vision."

A Partners Perspective...No Man Is An Island

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains content of a mature nature. Please listen accordingly.
Welcome to the “If You Are My Brothers Podcast,” a space where we engage in meaningful conversations about prostate cancer. In this episode, host Reggie Hicks is joined by his wife and caregiver, Anita Stokes Hicks, to talk about how their relationship as a couple has evolved since his prostate cancer diagnosis.
Join us as we discuss openly the anxieties, doubts, and challenges with prostate cancer from a partner’s perspective. Anita shares her experiences supporting Reggie through his treatments, financial struggles for medical care, and the changing dynamic of their sexual relationship. In the end, as Anita says, it’s always better to choose “life over libido.”
Tune in to hear Anita’s side of the story, and see how she exemplifies the message of the “If You Are My Brothers Podcast: providing support, understanding, and hope for her loved one during his journey with prostate cancer.
The following resources were used to formulate questions for this episode. We have provided them below if you wish to explore them further:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7966139/
https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/features/partner-has-prostate-cancer
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-wifes-manual-for-her-husbands-prostate-cancer-support/
https://www.cancertodaymag.org/cancer-talk/living-with-your-loved-ones-prostate-cancer/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257603639_In_the_Middle_and_on_the_Sideline_The_Experience_of_Spouses_of_Men_With_Prostate_Cancer
All episodes are archived on your favorite podcast platforms.  Remember, you can always listen and engage with us at our website, www.ifyouaremybrotherspodcast.com.
To learn more about the If You Are My Brothers, Prostate Cancer Documentary and Community Engagement Project, visit www.ifyouaremybrothers.org.  
If You Are My Brothers is a project of Straight Street Media, a nonprofit media organization that creates thought-provoking projects to inspire positive change. More than just entertainment, our documentaries, podcasts, films, and other digital media offerings are designed to connect and engage the audience. We are committed to "opening Eyes to a New Vision."

You Have Prostate Cancer...Now What!

Welcome to the premiere episode of the *If You Are My Brothers Podcast*, a space where we engage in meaningful conversations about prostate cancer. In this episode, host Reggie Hicks, a prostate cancer survivor, is joined by his lifelong friend and fraternity brother, Eric Chaney, who has recently been diagnosed with the disease and is currently under active surveillance.
Join us as we delve into Eric's journey, exploring his anxiety, fear, and uncertainty that accompany his diagnosis. Eric shares his thoughts on this challenging “holding pattern” and how authentic conversations, like the ones that will be featured in this podcast series, have been instrumental in helping him navigate his prostate cancer journey. As Eric puts it, these talks have helped “talk me down from the edge.”
Tune in to hear Eric's story, which exemplifies the goal of the *If You Are My Brothers Podcast: to provide support, understanding, and hope for those affected by prostate cancer.
All episodes are archived on your favorite podcast platforms.  Remember, you can always listen and engage with us at our website, www.ifyouaremybrotherspodcast.com.
To learn more about the If You Are My Brothers, Prostate Cancer Documentary and Community Engagement Project, visit www.ifyouaremybrothers.org.  
If You Are My Brothers is a project of Straight Street Media, a nonprofit media organization that creates thought-provoking projects to inspire positive change. More than just entertainment, our documentaries, podcasts, films, and other digital media offerings are designed to connect and engage the audience. We are committed to "opening Eyes to a New Vision."

You Have Prostate Cancer...A Twilight Zone Moment

Welcome to the introduction episode to the " If You Are My Brothers Podcast, a companion piece to the documentary and media engagement project, If You Are My Brothers that follows the journey of two African-American men with prostate cancer. Ralph Franklin, the real estate lawyer with a PSA of 100 and a prognosis of death, meets a physician who helps prepare him to live and not die. While chronicling Ralph's story, Reggie Hicks, the producer of the documentary, is also diagnosed with the disease. Now, this one story evolves into two intricately intertwined stories: two men with their own challenges and two men with a common bond of brotherhood and hope.
To learn more about this life-saving project, please visit www.ifyouaremybrothers.org. 
This podcast is a production of Straight Street Media, a nonprofit media company that creates thought-provoking projects to inspire positive change. More than just entertainment, our documentaries, podcasts, films, and other digital media offerings are designed to connect and engage the audience. We are committed to "opening Eyes to a New Vision."