What does it mean to raise children while facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis?
In this episode of Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino sits down with Marisa Peters—mother of three, cancer survivor, and founder of Be Seen. Peters opens up about how her health crisis reshaped her perspective on parenting, emotional wellness, and the power of inner strength.
Through honest reflection, she shares how she navigated fear, uncertainty, and mental health challenges—all while remaining present and purposeful for her children. Her story is a testament to the resilience of both parents and kids when faced with life’s hardest moments.
Key takeaways:
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How to parent with intention during a personal health crisis
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The connection between emotional intelligence, discipline, and building resilience in kids
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Why understanding hormonal and emotional changes matters—especially during illness and motherhood
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How social media influences youth perceptions of consent, independence, and identity
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Ways adversity can deepen family bonds and lead to empowered health advocacy
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Strategies for creating emotionally safe, open conversations at home
MARISA PETERS
Entrepreneur
Podcast host
Former Chief People Officer
Former Broadway Performer
Rectal Cancer Survivor
Founder of Be Seen
Mother of 3
“The day that I met my cancer, June 7, 2021, in the groggy moments after completing a colonoscopy, I couldn’t have told you that it was over five years, that not only had I experienced my first symptom, but that I vocalized that very symptom to my primary care physician, and then subsequently every medical professional in my life thereafter. I thought it had been a much shorter time period.”