Chronically Living and how to make the most of it
94 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago -The goal of the show is to provide tangible ways to improve the well-being of chronic illness warriors.Do you have a chronic illness or chronic pain and you are open to trying new ways to improving your life? If you answered yes, then this show can help you explore new ways to do this. Kelsey Harris has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Canada. She is also a person with lived experience with diagnoses of UCTD, fibromyalgia, and gluacoma, who has and continues to explore ways to improve her own well-being, and that for the rest of the Spoonie community. There are many ways to heal, and to improve well-being and quality of life, and some of the ways guest healthcare professionals, guests with lived experience, and Kelsey as she presents mental health coping skills, may work well for you. We want your subjective well-being and quality of life to be better! The show has two formats: first is solo episodes, where Kelsey presents coping skills and psychoeducation for mental health as it relates to chronic illness and chronic pain. The second is guest interviews with healthcare professionals and fellow chronic illness warriors who give alternative models to well-being. Episodes are released weekly.
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Multiple Sclerosis Warrior with special guest Jenna Green
March 22, 2021 07:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBThis week I have the lovely Jenna Green joining me to discuss her experience in dealing with M.S. and her advocacy work with the M.S. Society. In this episode we talk about: what multiple sclerosis is what it's like to live with M.S. M.S. advocacy coping Guest Bio Jenna Green is an outspoken Multiple Sclerosis advocate, diagnosed in early 2016, a dog mom, and a fun auntie from Boston, Massachusetts. She's a social media marketing consultant and she shares about her health and life on so...
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Parenting, and Fashion with special guest Madeline Cary Davidson
March 15, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBMy guest this episode is Madeline Cary Davidson who shares her experiences not only with rheumatoid arthritis but also what it's like to go through pregnancy and be a parent while having a chronic illness. In this episode we talk about: Madeline's rheumatoid arthritis journey pregnancy and parenting with chronic illness finding a career that fits for you with your illness Guest Bio: (As written by Madeline): Hi everyone! My name is Madeline Cary Davidson, a young mother of two baby boys ...
Anxiety & Chronic Illness
March 08, 2021 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBIn this episode we deep dive into mental health, and specifically look at the overlap between anxiety and chronic physical health problems, as well as some ways to deal with anxiety. In this episode we talk about: my experiences with anxiety and chronic illness difference between fear and anxiety overlap between anxiety disorders and chronic physical health conditions psychotherapy for treating anxiety about your health body scan I would love to hear from you on Instagram! Tag me @jane...
Cultivating Self-Compassion
March 01, 2021 05:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBThe process begins with self-love and from there we can start to develop self-compassion. Let's face it, most of us aren't as compassionate with ourselves as we are with others, and it is extremely necessary to be when it comes to chronic illness. In this episode we talk about: how to engage in self-love what self-compassion is research about self-compassion and chronic illness loving-kindness meditation If you like this episode, make sure you tag me on Instagram @janeversuspain or Twit...
Having Hope with Lupus with special guest Trachele Shields
February 22, 2021 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBThis week my guest Trachele Shields shares her journey with lupus and how chronic illness has not stopped her in her pursuit for happiness and purpose. Some amazing themes are evident this week, including: finding purpose and meaning is possible with chronic illness staying present and taking care of your health however you can maintaining hope Trachele Shields is is a licensed Florida realtor and business coach who promotes health and wellness by sharing her own journey through her blo...
Lupus with special guest Trachele Shields
February 22, 2021 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBThis week my guest Trachele Shields shares her journey with lupus and how chronic illness has not stopped her in her pursuit for happiness and purpose. Some amazing themes are evident this week, including: finding purpose and meaning is possible with chronic illness staying present and taking care of your health however you can maintaining hope Trachele Shields is is a licensed Florida realtor and business coach who promotes health and wellness by sharing her own journey through her blo...
How Our Perceptions Influence Us
February 15, 2021 05:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBThere are two ways you can interpret the title of the show, one that feels positive and hopeful, and the other that feels negative, and hopeless. This week we talk about both viewpoints and impacts on our mental health, as well as why I wanted to call the show Chronically Living and making the most of it. In this episode we talk about: definitions of "making the most of it" two interpretations of "making the most it" impacts on mental health "making the most of it" with chronic illness ...
How to Get a Better Sleep
February 08, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBSleep is difficult for most people, and if you have a chronic illness there can be even more that gets in the way, such as symptoms and side effects from medication. There are some ways, called good sleep hygiene practices, that can help improve your sleep quality that we explore in this episode. In this episode we talk about: what sleep hygiene is why it's beneficial for you mental health why it's beneficial for your physical health five steps to good sleep hygiene Don't forget to foll...
Stomping on Cerebral Palsy with special guest Tylia Flores
February 01, 2021 05:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBMy guest this week is disability advocate Tylia Flores who shares her story of living with cerebral palsy and why advocacy is so important to her. In this episode we talk about: what cerebral palsy is ableism and stigma what businesses need to do better for people with disability how to turn negatives into positives Guest Bio: Tylia Flores is a 25-year old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination to make...
Mindfulness and Health
January 25, 2021 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBThis week we take a dive into mindfulness! While we've touched on it in previous episodes, I am passionate about mindfulness and wanted to share why it's beneficial for chronic illness, mental health, and quality of life for everyone. In this episode we discuss: different types of mindfulness activities excuses to not practice mindfulness reasons you should practice mindfulness mindfulness and chronic pain and chronic illness Follow me on Instagram @janeversuspain and on Twitter @janev...
Disability Rights with special guest Ashley Jacobson
January 18, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBThis week I'm joined by chronic illness warrior and disability rights lawyer and advocate Ashley Jacobson, who shares her own journey with chronic illness, as well as discusses what rights and laws everyone with a disability (including chronic illness) should be aware of. In this episode we discuss: why chronic illness is included in under the disability umbrella what a disability rights attorney is and does prominent disability rights and laws we should be aware of what we should do if ...
Improving Our Self-Care Game with special guest Calum McGuigan
January 11, 2021 05:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBThis episode is a topical discussion about self-care. "Absence of mental illness does not equate mental wellness." I'm joined by Calum McGuigan, the founder of the self-care and personal development app, Shape and Foster, to talk about self-care and how this app can help. In this episode we talk about: 6 pillars of self-care why self-care is important what Shape and Foster is all about and how it can help you As of today (January 11, 2021) the annual membership of Shape and Foster was ch...
Getting Support From Family & Friends
January 04, 2021 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.73 MBIt's not easy to ask for help, especially when you value your independence, but as Warrior Spoonies, we need to do just that every once in awhile. In this episode we discuss: asking for physical support asking for emotional support the interplay between independence and dependence Follow me on Instagram @janeversuspain and Twitter @janevspain.
Stress and the Holidays
December 21, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.76 MBThis might be a more stressful holiday season than normal, or maybe not, it really depends on you. We can control some of our stress though and it's important to do that so our physical symptoms of chronic illness don't get out of control! In this episode we talk about: what can cause us stress ways we can utilize self-care to combat stress
Making New Life Meanings
December 14, 2020 05:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBChronic illness can derail us and what we originally thought we were going to do with our lives. That leaves us with a choice - sit in existential anxiety or take it as an opportunity to figure out what to do with our lives now. It's not an easy decision or journey, but something we need to open ourselves to the possibility of. In this episode we talk about: existential philosophy overview how Spoonies can have their life meanings derailed a phenomenological-existential perspective on chr...
Holistic Approaches to Chronic Pain with special guest Tanya Walker
December 07, 2020 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MBThis week Tanya Walker tells us how an accident led to living with chronic pain. She shares how her own chronic pain journey took her down a path to helping others as a practitioners for emotional healing and certified pilates instructor with experience in rehabilitation and pain. In this episode we talk about: the traumatic effects of chronic pain holistic approaches to healing the mind-body connection using tools such as breath work self-love and the will to keep going Guest Bio: Ta...
Lupus and Cannabis, with special guest Sarah Eni
November 30, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBMy guest this week is Sarah Eni, a lupus warrior who shares her experiences living with lupus for the past 15 years, and what she has found to be helpful for her including diet changes, self-care, and cannabis. In this episode we talk about: lupus kidney failure holistic approaches to health benefits of diet self-care strategies for mental health medicinal uses of cannabis and cannabis legalization Guest Bio: Sarah Eni is a lupus warrior of 15 years from London. She's tried a lot of ...
You are Courageous
November 23, 2020 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.57 MBI think most people don't recognize how courageous people with a chronic illness are. To make so many daily decisions, including just getting up in the morning, can involve so much courage when you're ill. In this episode we discuss: what courage is the relationship between courage, coping, and hope the theory of spirit of life/life courage most people get sick at some point! decisions that test our courage
How Stress and Anxiety Manifest in the Body with special guest Dr. Alex Triendl
November 16, 2020 05:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBThis week we're talking about how stress and anxiety manifest in the body because it can take a toll on our physical and mental health. Naturopath Dr. Alex Triendl joins me to explain how this happens, what effects it causes, and how holistic medicine can be helpful. In this episode we talk about: the 5 modalities of naturopathic medicine physical health problems that stress and anxiety create natural ways to treat these conditions how to take care of your mind and body at home Guest Bi...
Massage Therapy for Chronic Pain with special guest Danielle Potvin
November 09, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBMy guest this week is registered massage therapist, Danielle Potvin, who takes us through the benefits of getting consistent massages (not necessarily frequent) for managing chronic pain and mental health. In this episode we discuss: the benefits of touch different types of massages how massages help chronic pain how often we should be getting a massage what we can do to help our bodies when we can't go for a massage the importance of authenticity and life balance Guest Bio: Danielle...
Locating Our Inner Strength
November 02, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 6.58 MBResilience and inner strength are so important when you're a chronic illness warrior, but it can also be difficult to find them with so much going on. Locating that strength within yourself can help with your health and mental health as you continue your battle. In this episode we discuss: what is inner strength? how inner strength relates to chronic illness self-management skills for chronic illness mind-body connections as they relate to inner strength psychological health Follow me ...
The Pains of Endometriosis with special guest Renee Dzandzo-Caesar
October 26, 2020 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBThis week I'm joined by chronic pain warrior, Renee, who shares her story of being diagnosed with endometriosis and the effect its had on her life. In this episode we discuss: the diagnosis of endometriosis and its physical and emotional tolls medical gaslighting body positivity spoonie sexual health Guest Bio (in her own words): My name is Renee and I've been suffering with endometriosis since I was 16. I only found out when I was 19. I started my chronic illness page when I was 21, l...
Endometriosis with special guest Renee Dzandzo-Caesar
October 26, 2020 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBThis week I'm joined by chronic pain warrior, Renee, who shares her story of being diagnosed with endometriosis and the effect its had on her life. In this episode we discuss: the diagnosis of endometriosis and its physical and emotional tolls medical gaslighting body positivity spoonie sexual health Guest Bio (in her own words): My name is Renee and I've been suffering with endometriosis since I was 16. I only found out when I was 19. I started my chronic illness page when I was 21, l...
Healing Journeys with special guest Ryan Phillips
October 19, 2020 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBThis week we are diving into mental health in a much more personal way than we have before. My guest, Ryan Phillips, has dealt with complex post traumatic stress disorder for many years. He shares his story with us, which while inspirational, reminds us that we are all human and all have the power to do good in the world despite our own struggles. In this episode we discuss: Hockey! the impacts of post-traumatic stress disorder run-ins with the law mental health advocacy Guest Bio: Rya...
Can We Cure or Can't We Cure? That is the Question.
October 12, 2020 04:00 - 11 minutes - 7.99 MBThere have been a lot of complaints on social media recently about how things like diet and exercise can't cure chronic illness, and it's annoying that people say they can. However, I think we might be misinterpreting the messages. What these things can do is help treat symptoms. In this episode we talk about: William Shakespeare What a cure means versus what treating symptoms means Trying out different alternatives to just Western medicine doing what you can to help yourself so you can ...
Music & Chronic Illness with special guest Marisa Bozarth
October 05, 2020 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBThis week I have the amazing Marisa Bozarth, who has struggled with multiple chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases. She is also an incredible musician who serenades us with a beautiful cover of a Norah Jones song. In this episode we discuss: the effects of multiple illness on physical and mental health the healing power of music how to stay positive when life isn't easy Guest bio: Marisa describes herself as a collector of diseases and pyjamas. She is a music teacher and total chron...
Collecting Chronic Illnesses with special guest Marisa Bozarth + musical performance!
October 05, 2020 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBThis week I have the amazing Marisa Bozarth, who has struggled with multiple chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases. She is also an incredible musician who serenades us with a beautiful cover of a Norah Jones song. In this episode we discuss: the effects of multiple illness on physical and mental health the healing power of music how to stay positive when life isn't easy Guest bio: Marisa describes herself as a collector of diseases and pyjamas. She is a music teacher and total chro...
Why You Need a Chiropractor with special guest Dr. Stephan Bohemier
September 28, 2020 04:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBDr. Steph is back for part 2 of my interview with him. This week we focus on the benefits of having a chiropractor as a member of your healthcare team, and some of the cool things chiropractors do! In this episode we talk about: what chiropractors do the spine stories from Dr. Steph's experience: chiari malformation, chronic headaches, autoimmune disease, Raynaud's syndrome, discoid lupus, constipation, and more well-rounded healthcare Guest Bio: Dr. Steph grew up in chiropractic. He i...
The Essentials of Health with special guest Dr. Stephan Bohemier
September 21, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBMy friend and doctor of chiropractic, Dr. Steph stops by for Part 1 of this 2 part interview to tell us about the essentials of health. In this episode we talk about: Dr. Steph's background and entry into chiropractics The 5 Essentials to Health The health care systems in the U.S. and Canada Guest Bio: Dr. Steph grew up in chiropractic. He is one of over 40 chiropractors in his family and knows first hand the benefits of living the five essentials for a lifetime. He has been adjusted si...
Illness Grief
September 14, 2020 12:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBGrief comes in all forms, including grief about illness and the loss of abilities that comes with a chronic illness and diagnosis. It's important to grieve, and it's important to accept. In this episode we discuss: what is grief? loss of loved ones loss of friendships loss of health the "Stages of Grief" and why they aren't accurate body-mind connections when it comes to grief and health If you're not already following me on Instagram its @janeversuspain and on Twitter @janevspain!
Living with Severe Asthma with special guest Adil Lalani
September 07, 2020 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBMy co-worker Adil Lalani hops on for a chat about his diagnosis with asthma 5 years ago and how it has affected his life since. In this episode we discuss: what an asthma attack physically feels like the emotional experience of an asthma attack puffers versus air chambers having a respiratory illness during the Covid-19 pandemic the amazing things you can still do when you have a respiratory illness Guest Bio: Adil Lalani was born in Canada and raised in Tanzania. He works at Best Buy...
Talking About Your Illness
August 31, 2020 12:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBSince it's literally impossible to not talk about your illness when you have a chronic one, this episode focuses on how, why and with whom we should be doing so. In this episode we discuss: why we should talk about our illness who needs to know what celebrities who have talked about their illnesses getting real vs. giving facts remembering that we are more than just our illness
Self-Acceptance & Illness Acceptance
August 24, 2020 13:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBSelf-acceptance and illness acceptance are so important in order to lead a fulfilling life, yet they can be extremely difficult to accomplish when living with a chronic illness. In this episode we discuss: what self-acceptance is why self-acceptance is important for our mental health why self-acceptance is important for our physical health and how it ties into illness acceptance Maslow's hierarchy of needs where self-acceptance and illness acceptance fit into the hierarchy ways to impr...
Exercise for Chronic Pain with special guest Dr. Frank Nhan
August 17, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBThis week's episode has a special guest, chiropractor Dr. Frank Nhan, who lends some insight on chiropractic treatments for chronic pain and chronic health conditions, as well as the benefits exercise can have on chronic pain management! In this episode we discuss: which health conditions can benefit from chiropractic care why exercise is helpful for chronic pain management what kinds of exercise chronic pain warriors should be doing at home tips from a chiropractor's perspective the b...
Allergies & Food Restrictions, with special guest Nikki Filippelli
August 10, 2020 12:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBMy friend Nikki, who works as a script supervisor in the film industry, joins me this episode to discuss her severe allergies to dairy and gluten, as well as the other allergies she's had. We discuss: how and when she realized she had these allergies what it's like to live with food restrictions what lifestyle modifications she's had to make travelling with allergies and much more! The bread Nikki mentions that is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and soy-free is: The cookbooks she ta...
The "I Suck" Feeling
August 03, 2020 13:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBIt's so easy to think we suck when we have a chronic illness. But the truth is, we don't suck, our illness does. In this episode we discuss: The differences between thoughts and feelings. Why we get these thoughts and what feelings they lead to. Alternative thoughts for ourselves. How to get ourselves out of this feeling.
Mental Health & Chronic Illness
July 27, 2020 12:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBThis episode focuses on mental health and it's connection to physical health and chronic illness. We talk about: common mental health problems for certain chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, arthritis, MS and more symptoms of depression and anxiety body-mind connections how to reduce risk of developing a mental health problem what to do if you have a mental health problem If you are in Crisis, please always contact a Crisis/Suicide Hotline: Crisis Canada - 1-833-456-45...
Pelvic Floor Physio with Special Guest Queenie Wu
July 20, 2020 13:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBThis week's guest, Queenie Wu, discusses how she works with the pelvic floor to help with issues from endometriosis to severe menstural camps to pregnancy to prostate cancer. There are so many reasons that chronic illness warriors should be budgeting physio into their lives, and Queenie shares her immense knowledge with us! Definitely an episode worth checking out! We discuss: What the pelvic floor is and what pelvic floor physio is what illnesses and health problems benefit from pelvic f...
Finding Positivity in Your Illness
July 13, 2020 13:00 - 14 minutes - 9.84 MBIt's totally fair to not have great days when you have a chronic illness. And sitting in those emotions that comes along with that is completely normal. But what can we learn from our illness. Hippocrates has a quote about illness that can make you think deeply about illness and what good can come from it. So, what good can you find in your situation? All this is explored in this week's episode!
Finding Positivity in Your Illness
July 13, 2020 13:00 - 14 minutes - 9.84 MBIt's totally fair to not have great days when you have a chronic illness. And sitting in those emotions that comes along with that is completely normal. But what can we learn from our illness. Hippocrates has a quote about illness that can make you think deeply about illness and what good can come from it. So, what good can you find in your situation? All this is explored in this week's episode!
Psoriatic Arthritis with special guest Katie James
July 06, 2020 13:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MBMy good friend Katie James discusses her diagnosis and life with psoriatic arthritis, a condition which affects approximately 1% of the population. Always the optimist, Katie shares her struggles with her physical and mental health, and all the ways that she continues to live an a great life despite her condition. In this episode we talk about: What led up to her diagnosis. Her initial reactions to her diagnosis. How it affects her life now. What she has learned that is helpful. Guest ...
Psoriatic Arthritis, with special guest: Katie James
July 06, 2020 13:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MBMy good friend Katie James discusses her diagnosis and life with psoriatic arthritis, a condition which affects approximately 1% of the population. Always the optimist, Katie shares her struggles with her physical and mental health, and all the ways that she continues to live an a great life despite her condition. Follow her art on instagram: @iamkatiejames What led up to her diagnosis. Her initial reactions to her diagnosis. How it affects her life now. What she has learned that is helpfu...
Warriors and Spoonies Unite
June 29, 2020 17:00 - 12 minutes - 8.54 MBWhether you prefer to go by Chronic Illness Warrior or Spoonie (or maybe let's combine them into Spoonie Warrior) your experience in dealing with chronic illness is real. Finding other spoonie warriors to look up to, whether that's in your own life, online, or in the media, can be a helpful part of the process.
Pilot
June 22, 2020 16:00 - 14 minutes - 9.83 MBWelcome to the chronically living podcast! Chronic illnesses have become increasingly common and different perspectives on dealing with them are much needed for our growing community. This episode highlights who I am, why I started this podcast, and what you can expect to get from it. This podcast will be bringing you three perspectives on chronic illness: My perspectives, based on my experiences. Community perspectives, from friends, colleagues, and others who have a chronic illness. P...