292: Living Bravely Through Diagnosis, Healing, and Community with Darlene Cordero

The Brave Table with Dr. Neeta Bhushan

Hey, loves! This episode is a soul-stirring, deeply inspiring conversation with my dear friend and powerhouse, Darlene Cordero. Darlene is the epitome of resilience and grace, navigating life with stage 4 cancer while building community, writing her heart out, and living her “living list” to the fullest.

We dive into her healing journey, the grief of letting go of past versions of ourselves, and the art of receiving love and support. Her story is one of triumph, connection, and purpose — and a powerful reminder to embrace every moment and show up for our lives, unapologetically. Let’s dive in, Brave Table fam!

What you'll get out of this episode…

Healing is a co-creation,integrating diagnosis with spirituality, medication, and self-reflection.

Support systems are transformational.

Grief is Part of Healing

Vulnerability in asking for and accepting help is not weakness — it’s strength.

Living Fully Through Challenges

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00: Opening & Affirmation of the Day

• 01:05: Introducing Darlene Cordero

• 02:35: Darlene’s Initial Cancer Diagnosis and Healing Journey

• 04:21: Receiving a Stage 4 Diagnosis

• 05:50: Grief, Transformation, and Self-Reflection

• 09:00: The Power of Community in Healing

• 13:30: Navigating Cultural Stigma and the Art of Receiving

• 17:00: Practical Healing Practices and the Power of Gratitude

• 24:20: The Birth of "The Healer’s Playbook"

• 32:00: Lessons in Living Fully and the “Living List”

• 38:00: Spill the Chai: Morning Rituals and Braving the Future

To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to [e-mail] 😘

Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!

IG / @neetabhushan

IG / @thebravetable

TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan

WEB / https://neetabhushan.com

YOUTUBE / @NeetaBhushanOfficial

Connect with today’s guest, Darlene

IG / @meetdarlene

IG /@wellnessculture.co

LINKEDIN / https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlenecordero/

The Healer’s Playbook → Amazon link

Want more?

Visit the website and order your copy of “That Sucked, Now What?” → https://thatsuckednowwhat.com/

Take just 2 minutes and find what YOUR emotional type is by taking my FREE quiz here → theemotionalreset.com/quiz

For a weekly dose of my hacks, tools, & tips to emotionally reset, join my newsletter here → yourweeklyreset.com

If you loved this episode, check out…

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Ep.# 286: Are Your Lifestyle Habits Slowly Killing You? Ayurveda Has Answers with Dimple Jangda (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)

Ep.# 265: Healing the Mind, Body, and Spirit with Dr. Christian Gonzalez (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)

Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x Award Winning Author & world-renowned emotional health advocate & human connection expert. She’s written multiple best-selling books including her most recent book, That Sucked, Now What endorsed by Jay Shetty, Host of the Top 50 Mental Health Podcast The Brave Table, & CEO of Highest Self Institute, a coaching organization training coaches to become the highest versions of themselves. She’s been featured on Forbes, LA Weekly, ABC, NBC, CBS, Grazia, Ok! Magazine, Verve Magazine & Tatler.

After realizing how trapped she felt running the million-dollar dental practice she built, Neeta embarked on a journey that led her across 45 countries as she researched blending the intersection of human behavior, ancient wisdom, Eastern philosophy, and therapeutic psychology. That knowledge, along with other life experiences overcoming multiple adversities, which include being orphaned at a young age, surviving an abusive marriage, and extensive loss, contributed to the powerful message of resilience & connection she shares in her work. Neeta is a mother of two young children, wellness junkie & lover of chai.