Who We Become — Amanda Lentz
For the part of the story that comes after the storm.
When life changes everything — a diagnosis, a loss, a career that no longer fits — the hardest part isn't the event. It's figuring out who you are on the other side.
If this is where you are
You've been through something that changed you.
You're still figuring out what comes next.
"I survived. So why don't I feel okay?"
Because surviving is only half the work. The harder part is understanding who you are now — and no one prepared you for that part.
"Everyone says I should be grateful. I also feel lost."
You can be grateful and grieving at the same time. Both are true. This is the space for all of it — not just the parts that fit the recovery narrative.
"I don't recognize who I am anymore."
Identity shifts after crisis are real, valid, and rarely talked about honestly. That changes here.
This is what Who We Become is for. Start with Episode 1 — it's a good place to begin.
Why this conversation exists
The space I couldn't find — so I built it.
After my diagnosis, I had extraordinary doctors. What I didn't have was anyone who could help me make sense of what came next — the identity shift, the disorientation, the strange grief of rebuilding a self I barely recognized.
That's not a medical problem. It's a human one. And it's almost never talked about honestly.
Who We Become exists because I needed it and it didn't exist. My background in organizational psychology and leadership development shapes how I hold these conversations — with research, structure, and deep respect for how complicated becoming actually is.
Meet Amanda →"Telling family — and particularly children — about a cancer diagnosis is terribly hard. So many unknowns for both the patient and their families. Kimberly's experience can be very helpful for others going through something similar. Keep up the wonderful work, Amanda."Apple Podcasts listener · 5★
Latest episodes
Browse all →Where do you want to go from here?
There's a place for you here.
For listeners
I'm a survivor, caregiver, or someone in the after
You've been through something that changed you. The podcast is for you — real stories, no clean recovery arc, honest conversation about what it actually feels like.
Listen to the podcast →For event planners
I'm booking a keynote or conference speaker
Amanda speaks to healthcare conferences, survivorship organizations, and leadership teams. Four signature talks, multiple formats, in person or virtual.
Explore speaking topics →For media
I'm a journalist, podcast host, or PR professional
Amanda is available for podcast interviews, media features, and expert commentary on survivorship, identity after crisis, and the psychology of becoming.
Speaking & events
Bring this conversation into the room.
Amanda speaks to healthcare conferences, survivorship organizations, and leadership teams on the one thing most keynotes skip: what actually happens to people after the hardest thing — the identity shift, the disorientation, the work of becoming someone new.
Her talks combine survivor narrative with organizational psychology research. Audiences leave having named something they've been carrying without language for.
Stay in the conversation
One honest email, every week.
You're not alone in the after.
No clean recovery arcs. No toxic positivity. One short, honest reflection on who we're becoming — delivered to your inbox every week by Amanda.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe any time.
Stay in the conversation
One honest email, every week. You're not alone in the after.
No clean recovery arcs. No toxic positivity. Just one short, honest reflection on who we're becoming — delivered to your inbox every week by Amanda.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe any time.