Share

Mermaid Musings: Diving Deep with Tara Coyote
The Healing Power of Friendship: Tara Coyote & Michelle Russi on Caregiving Through Stage 4 Cancer Together (Part 1)
In this emotional and deeply personal episode of Mermaid Musings, Tara Coyote opens up about one of the most defining periods of her life - her stage 4 cancer diagnosis - alongside her beloved best friend of 30+ years, Michelle Russi. Originally recorded in February 2020 and released for the first time in June 2024, this raw, unfiltered conversation captures the unwavering bond of friendship, resilience, and love in the face of life-threatening illness.
Michelle was by Tara’s side through her darkest moments: from hospice referrals and painful chemotherapy to the miraculous recovery that followed. With deep gratitude, Tara reflects on Michelle’s six trips to Kaua’i in one year, her presence during the most grueling parts of treatment, and their decades-long journey as friends who met dancing to the Grateful Dead in Santa Cruz, with their young sons by their sides.
This is more than a story of healing - it’s a tribute to the kind of friendship that carries you through your most difficult seasons.
Learn more about Tara’s journey healing from Stage 4 cancer in ‘Grace, Grit & Gratitude: A Cancer Thriver's Journey from Hospice to Full Recovery with the Healing Power of Horses’ - a portion of the sale of each book will be donated to The Wild Beauty Foundation, an organization that works to raise awareness for the wild horses of North America (*I make a small commission when you order from this link!).
Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/_vjTsyY2YvY
Listen now and be sure to subscribe to Mermaid Musings and join Tara’s email list to be the first to hear new episodes and soulful stories of resilience and transformation.
Sign Up For The Newsletter:
FOLLOW MICHELLE RUSSI:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle.russi.75/
Instagram (Her Beautiful Candle Business): https://www.instagram.com/laughingcandles/
FOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote
Instagram: https://instagram.com/taracoyote
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcoyote
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taracoyote
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/TaraCoyote
Browse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyote (*I make a small commission when you order from these links!)
More episodes
View all episodes

Thriving With Stage 4 Cancer: Integrative Healing, Hope & Radical Acceptance with Bethany Adair (My Guru Cancer) | Mermaid Musings with Tara Coyote
51:36|In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode, Tara sits down with longtime friend and author Bethany Adair, whose book “My Guru Cancer” chronicles her transformational journey living with Stage 4 breast cancer for the past decade. Bethany brings raw honesty, humor, and wisdom as she shares how cancer became her greatest teacher - one that pushed her to face fear, choose love, and “live the f*ck out of life.”Together, Tara and Bethany dive into:What it means to thrive with Stage 4 cancerHow to face fear, mortality, and life-altering diagnosis with courageThe emotional and spiritual journey of chronic illnessWhy cancer became a “call to life,” not a death sentenceThe powerful role of integrative medicine and mindsetWhether you’re a cancer patient, caregiver, or simply seeking inspiration, Bethany’s story is a reminder that healing is not linear - and life can be deeply meaningful, even through the hardest chapters.Learn more about Tara’s journey healing from Stage 4 cancer in ‘Grace, Grit & Gratitude: A Cancer Thriver's Journey from Hospice to Full Recovery with the Healing Power of Horses’ - a portion of the sale of each book will be donated to The Wild Beauty Foundation, an organization that works to raise awareness for the wild horses of North America.Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/iqpkNkPsxb8?si=YrG8SNnnE__wHc_U Listen now and be sure to subscribe to Mermaid Musings and join Tara’s email list to be the first to hear new episodes and soulful stories of resilience and transformation.Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://www.taracoyote.com FOLLOW BETHANY ADAIR:https://bethanywebb.com/ My Guru Cancer book: https://amzn.to/48cvjSa InstagramFacebookTikTokNewsweek Article MentionedFOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote InstagramFacebookTikTokYouTubeBrowse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyote (*I make a small commission when you order from the links in this description!)When you buy through links in this description, I may earn a small affiliate commission, at no cost to you.
Supplements I Used During Chemotherapy & Lessons from My Stage 4 Integrative Cancer Healing Journey | Mermaid Musings with Tara Coyote
31:41|In this deeply personal episode, host Tara Coyote shares her journey through stage 3 - and later stage 4 - hormone-driven breast cancer, reflecting on how she combined natural and conventional treatments to support her healing. After years of pursuing a fully natural path, Tara faced a life-or-death decision in 2019 when the cancer spread to her lung, liver, spine, bones throughout her body, and adrenal gland. Choosing life, she began nine months of chemotherapy while continuing to incorporate integrative healing practices, including key supplements, nutrition support, and acupuncture that helped her body recover and thrive.Please note: This video was recorded in April 2020. Against all odds, Tara was told she was NED (No Evidence of Disease) in the fall of 2022, which was an impossible feat considering it was all over her body. She continues to thrive to this day! Disclaimer: Tara is not a doctor and is sharing her personal experience only. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any medical or supplement decisions.Links To Products/Services Mentioned: Life PlusCymbiotika: https://cymbiotika.com/TARACOYOTE (Use this link for 15% off!)Bethany Adair & 'The Work' of Byron KatieBreast Cancer Conqueror - Doctor V's siteE3 LiveGene Wei The book Radical RemissionTara's Book: ‘Grace, Grit & Gratitude: A Cancer Thriver's Journey from Hospice to Full Recovery with the Healing Power of Horses’ - a portion of the sale of each book will be donated to The Wild Beauty Foundation, an organization that works to raise awareness for the wild horses of North America.Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/qQWmq3gCKM8?si=Lspz89nDkLFZBaEz Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://www.taracoyote.com FOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote Instagram: https://instagram.com/taracoyote Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcoyoteTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taracoyote YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/TaraCoyote Browse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyoteWhen you buy through links in this description, I may earn a small affiliate commission, at no cost to you.
Grief, Gratitude & Healing: Reflecting on the 10-Year Death Anniversary of Deb Hubsmith | Mermaid Musings with Tara Coyote
12:55|In this deeply personal solo episode of Mermaid Musings, host Tara Coyote reflects on the 10-year death anniversary of her beloved best friend, Deb Hubsmith, a visionary bicycle and pedestrian activist who passed away at just 46 years old from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.Tara shares raw and heartfelt reflections on grief, loss, and the strange passage of time - how Deb remains forever 45 in her memory. She opens up about the importance of naming and expressing grief in a culture that often avoids it, and how grief can coexist with gratitude and healing.Drawing from her own experiences of losing friends to cancer, facing her own Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, and grieving her parents while also embracing new gifts of life, Tara offers hope, honesty, and comfort to anyone navigating loss.This episode is a reminder that grief is not something to suppress - it’s something to honor, express, and transform.To learn more about Deb Hubsmith’s inspiring life, check out the book written by her husband Andy Peri and friend Amity Hotchkiss: “The Wind at Her Back: The Life of Transportation Visionary Deb A. Hubsmith”Learn more about Tara’s journey healing from Stage 4 cancer in ‘Grace, Grit & Gratitude: A Cancer Thriver's Journey from Hospice to Full Recovery with the Healing Power of Horses’ - a portion of the sale of each book will be donated to The Wild Beauty Foundation, an organization that works to raise awareness for the wild horses of North America.Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/rGxJrywdezg Listen now and be sure to subscribe to Mermaid Musings and join Tara’s email list to be the first to hear new episodes and soulful stories of resilience and transformation.Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://www.taracoyote.com FOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote Instagram: https://instagram.com/taracoyote Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcoyoteTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taracoyote YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/TaraCoyote Browse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyote (*I make a small commission when you order from the links in this description!)
Sustainable Living, Wild Horses & Climate Solutions with Stina Herberg | Mermaid Musings with Tara Coyote
17:18|In this inspiring episode of Mermaid Musings, Tara Coyote sits down with Stina Herberg, one of the visionary leaders at the Richmond Vale Academy ecolodge in St. Vincent, Caribbean. Together, they explore how communities can create real solutions to global warming through renewable energy, organic farming, and healthy, sustainable living.Stina shares her journey of training a herd of wild horses, the healing power of equine therapy, and how reconnecting with nature can transform both people and the planet.This video was published in March 2018, and during this time period, Tara was healing cancer naturally. A lot occurred between the release of this video and the present moment in her particular health journey, and in the spring of 2019, Tara embraced conventional healing methods in order to save her life. It feels important to clarify this to avoid any confusion. What you’ll learn in this episode:Practical steps toward sustainability & resource conservationHow organic gardening and community living support a healthier planetThe role of horses in healing & personal growthStina’s mission to educate future leaders in environmental healthIf you’re passionate about climate change solutions, sustainable living, and the bond between humans and animals, this episode will leave you deeply inspired!Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/Z6GDULm3yaY Listen now and be sure to subscribe to Mermaid Musings and join Tara’s email list to be the first to hear new episodes and soulful stories of resilience and transformation.Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://www.taracoyote.com FOLLOW STINA HERBERG:https://www.gracefulhorses.com/ https://richmondvale.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stina_in_st.vincent/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GracefulHorsesPhotography/ LinkedIn: https://vc.linkedin.com/in/stina-herberg-b2525655 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/stinahumana FOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote Instagram: https://instagram.com/taracoyote Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcoyoteTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taracoyote YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/TaraCoyote Browse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyote (*I make a small commission when you order from these links!)
The Healing Power of Friendship: Tara Coyote & Michelle Russi on Caregiving Through Stage 4 Cancer Together (Part 2)
39:29|In this emotional and deeply personal episode of Mermaid Musings, Tara Coyote opens up about one of the most defining periods of her life - her stage 4 cancer diagnosis - alongside her beloved best friend of 30+ years, Michelle Russi. Originally recorded in February 2020 and released for the first time in June 2024, this raw, unfiltered conversation captures the unwavering bond of friendship, resilience, and love in the face of life-threatening illness.Michelle was by Tara’s side through her darkest moments: from hospice referrals and painful chemotherapy to the miraculous recovery that followed. With deep gratitude, Tara reflects on Michelle’s six trips to Kaua’i in one year, her presence during the most grueling parts of treatment, and their decades-long journey as friends who met dancing to the Grateful Dead in Santa Cruz, with their young sons by their sides.This is more than a story of healing - it’s a tribute to the kind of friendship that carries you through your most difficult seasons. Learn more about Tara’s journey healing from Stage 4 cancer in ‘Grace, Grit & Gratitude: A Cancer Thriver's Journey from Hospice to Full Recovery with the Healing Power of Horses’ - a portion of the sale of each book will be donated to The Wild Beauty Foundation, an organization that works to raise awareness for the wild horses of North America (*I make a small commission when you order from this link!).Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/_vjTsyY2YvY Listen now and be sure to subscribe to Mermaid Musings and join Tara’s email list to be the first to hear new episodes and soulful stories of resilience and transformation.Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://www.taracoyote.com FOLLOW MICHELLE RUSSI:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle.russi.75/ Instagram (Her Beautiful Candle Business): https://www.instagram.com/laughingcandles/ FOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote Instagram: https://instagram.com/taracoyote Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcoyoteTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taracoyote YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/TaraCoyote Browse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyote (*I make a small commission when you order from these links!)
Two Stage 4 Cancer Thrivers: Integrative Healing, Transformation, and Resilience with Willow Star (Part 2)
37:49|In this powerful episode of Mermaid Musings, host Tara Coyote reconnects with fellow Stage 4 cancer thriver and beloved friend Willow Star (formerly known as Keri Vaca). Recorded in May 2020 during the early days of the pandemic, this Zoom conversation was originally part of Tara’s vision for a documentary titled Cancer Thriver Film - spotlighting late-stage cancer patients who continue to defy the odds.Fast forward to today: both Tara and Willow are still here, thriving, and shining as living proof that miracles exist.In Part 2 of this two-part series, Tara and Willow explore:What inspired Willow to share her cancer journey so openly onlineThe emotional toll of losing friends and community members to cancerHow we can all benefit from listening to our fear and exploring what it’s asking us to heal… even if we aren’t facing illnessTheir raw and honest conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating illness, seeking alternative healing, or simply in need of hope. Hit play to witness the courage and compassion between two women redefining what it means to live with Stage 4 cancer.Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/nt6O9Hpqb8w Listen now and be sure to subscribe to Mermaid Musings and join Tara’s email list to be the first to hear new episodes and soulful stories of resilience and transformation.Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://www.taracoyote.com FOLLOW WILLOW STAR: https://www.meetwillowstar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetwillowstar/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meetwillowstar TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meetwillowstar FOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote Instagram: https://instagram.com/taracoyote Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcoyoteTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taracoyote YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/TaraCoyote Browse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyote (*I make a small commission when you order from these links!)
Two Stage 4 Cancer Thrivers: Integrative Healing, Transformation, and Resilience with Willow Star (Part 1)
37:30|In this powerful episode of Mermaid Musings, host Tara Coyote reconnects with fellow Stage 4 cancer thriver and beloved friend Willow Star (formerly known as Keri Vaca). Recorded in May 2020 during the early days of the pandemic, this Zoom conversation was originally part of Tara’s vision for a documentary titled Cancer Thriver Film - spotlighting late-stage cancer patients who continue to defy the odds.Fast forward to today: both Tara and Willow are still here, thriving, and shining as living proof that miracles exist.In Part 1 of this two-part series, Tara and Willow explore:The power of integrative healingHow a cancer diagnosis became a transformational force in Willow’s lifeWhy it’s essential to acknowledge fear before letting it goWhat it really looks like to live fully with a serious diagnosisTheir raw and honest conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating illness, seeking alternative healing, or simply in need of hope. Hit play to witness the courage and compassion between two women redefining what it means to live with Stage 4 cancer.Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/nt6O9Hpqb8w Listen now and be sure to subscribe to Mermaid Musings and join Tara’s email list to be the first to hear new episodes and soulful stories of resilience and transformation.Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://www.taracoyote.com FOLLOW WILLOW STAR: https://www.meetwillowstar.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetwillowstar/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meetwillowstar TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meetwillowstar FOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote Instagram: https://instagram.com/taracoyote Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcoyoteTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taracoyote YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/TaraCoyote Browse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyote (*I make a small commission when you order from these links!)
Why Love Heals: A Candid Conversation with Dr. Dean Shrock on Mind-Body Medicine, Cancer Recovery, and the Power of Connection
40:57|In this heartfelt and spontaneous episode of Mermaid Musings, Tara Coyote shares an unexpected yet powerful conversation with renowned mind-body medicine expert, Dr. Dean Shrock. Originally not intended for public release, this vibrant exchange became too meaningful not to share. The result? A deeply authentic, informal, and inspiring talk that feels more like a soul-to-soul connection than a traditional interview.Dr. Dean Shrock served as the Director of Mind-Body Medicine for a physician group overseeing 40 cancer centers. His groundbreaking wellness programs demonstrated improved survival rates for cancer patients, anchored in the healing power of love, purpose, and inner peace. He is the bestselling author of “Doctor’s Orders: Go Fishing, Why Love Heals, and Living and Thriving.”In this episode, Dr. Shrock and Tara explore:How love and connection influence healing and longevityThe importance of purpose and emotional expression in cancer recoveryMind-body-spirit medicine and its growing role in integrative oncologyWhy living fully is one of the most powerful medicines we haveWhether you're navigating illness, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking deeper wellness, this conversation will leave you feeling uplifted and empowered.Want to watch the full video interview? Check it out at: https://youtu.be/BjFXmuW8z-Q Listen now and be sure to subscribe to Mermaid Musings and join Tara’s email list to be the first to hear new episodes and soulful stories of resilience and transformation.Sign Up For The Newsletter: https://www.taracoyote.com FOLLOW DR. DEAN SHROCK: https://deanshrock.com/ Why Love Heals book: https://amzn.to/47g4rx3 Doctor's Orders: Go Fishing: https://amzn.to/3srtj65 Integrative Oncology: https://amzn.to/3MP9CvJ The Power of the Heart: https://amzn.to/40BWe3X LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-shrock-0351b015 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeanShrockPhD FOLLOW TARA COYOTE @taracoyote Instagram: https://instagram.com/taracoyote Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcoyoteTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@taracoyote YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/TaraCoyote Browse my books at http://amazon.com/author/taracoyote (*I make a small commission when you order from these links!)