Jake Seliger On Cancer, Acceptance, And The Gift Of Life

Sep 23, 2023

Jake Seliger, a writer and cancer survivor, opens up about his transformative journey following a tongue cancer diagnosis. He discusses prioritizing relationships over work, embracing mortality, and making every moment count. Jake shares insights on creativity as a response to his struggles and the importance of authentic storytelling. The conversation touches on the bureaucratic challenges in cancer treatment and the societal implications of healthcare delays, urging a deeper connection to life's fleeting beauty.

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INSIGHT

Daily Actions & Long-Term Goals

Connect daily actions to long-term goals.
You are what you do every day.

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ANECDOTE

Early Goodbyes

Jake received a difficult diagnosis and said goodbyes, unsure of his remaining time.
He now prefers this problem to other problems, highlighting the strange balance of difficulty and appreciation.

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ADVICE

Moratorium on Banality

Implement a moratorium on banality in conversations, especially with loved ones.
Focus on meaningful discussions instead of superficial topics.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Embracing Mortality: Lessons in Acceptance and Wisdom

03:59 • 4min

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Confronting Mortality: Lessons and Support in Difficult Times

08:23 • 2min

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Connecting Through Mortality

10:26 • 19min

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Navigating Targeted Communication and Intentional Hiring

29:43 • 5min

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Navigating Mortality Through Writing

34:18 • 16min

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The Richness of Life Experiences and Modern Opportunities

49:58 • 4min

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Cherishing Life in the Face of Mortality

53:58 • 10min

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Confronting Cancer: Bureaucracy and Human Suffering

01:04:02 • 12min

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A Hopeful Conclusion and Insights into Corporate Rivalries

01:15:42 • 2min

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#4113

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Ryan speaks with Jake Seliger about how his cancer diagnosis and having his tongue removed have changed his perspective on life, why he is prioritizing people much more highly than work now, how he is making every single minute count, what he is trying to communicate with his recent outpouring of creativity, accepting death, and more.

Jake Seliger is a writer, editor, and researcher. He has written two novels: The Hook and Asking Anna, as well as many essays covering a wide range of social and scientific subjects. Jake is also the Principal of Seliger + Associates, a grant writing and grant source service for nonprofits, public agencies and selected businesses throughout the United States. In October of 2022, Jake was diagnosed with tongue cancer, which called for the complete removal of his tongue. Despite that surgery, a later diagnosis found that the cancer had spread more quickly than expected, and tumors were found in his neck and lungs. He and his family are now raising funds to undergo the next round of treatments. Jake’s own account of the surgeries and reflections on his experiences can be read here: jakeseliger.com/2023/09/09/life-swallowing-tasting-and-speaking-after-a-total-glossectomy-meaning-i-have-no-tongue. You can find Jake’s work on jakeseliger.com and on Twitter @seligerj, and please do visit his GoFundMe to help pay for his cancer treatment at www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-fight-against-cancer-with-jake-s.

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