Made Visible
170 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 104 ratingsMade Visible is a podcast that gives a voice to people with invisible illnesses. This podcast aims to change the conversation around invisible illnesses, helping those who experience them —whether as patients, caregivers, or friends or family members — feel more seen and heard.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
128. The Quiet Epidemic with Special Guest, Ally Hilfiger
July 25, 2023 04:00 - 33 minutes - 45.6 MBI moderated a panel discussion at ReelAbilities Film Festival on The Quiet Epidemic, an eye-opening film about Lyme disease that highlights the emotional toll of patients’ journeys with the illness and the scientific facts of the disease. During the panel I spoke with the film’s Emmy-winning producer Chris Hegedus, who helped the directors bring this topic to light, 19-year-old Julia Bruzzese, a patient with Lyme disease featured in the film who bravely shared her story because she knew i...
127. Ilana Jacqueline, Fighting the War Against Medical Gaslighting
July 18, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 45 MBAuthor and patient advocate Ilana Jacqueline experienced medical gaslighting from a young age. At age 19 she was diagnosed with Hypogammaglobulinemia, a rare immunodeficiency. While navigating young adulthood with an invisible illness, Ilana also faced lots of medical gaslighting, encountering doctors who shamed her out of seeking care. Ilana has devoted her career to patient advocacy. Through her work, as well as public speaking, social media, and writing books (Surviving and Thriving ...
126. Melissa Coulier, Finding a Holistic Approach to Lupus and Life
July 11, 2023 04:00 - 36 minutes - 50 MBMelissa is a functional fitness instructor, photographer, and Lupus warrior. After living her whole life in pain, Melissa was finally diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. She began a variety of treatments that helped combat her symptoms, but the physical and mental toll of pain and treatment left Melissa in a place of exhaustion, depression and self-pity. A few years later, Melissa shifted gears and adopted an approach to managing her pain that included nutrition and lifestyle changes, as well as...
125. Akiva Zablocki, Helping Families with Hyper IgM Find Community and Care
July 04, 2023 04:00 - 38 minutes - 52.3 MBAkiva Zablocki is a former healthcare consultant and the founder of the Hyper IgM foundation. When Akiva’s son Idan was just eight months old, he was diagnosed with Hyper IgM, an incredibly rare genetic mutation that severely compromises the immune system. After three years of diligent research and advocacy, Akiva and his wife were able to obtain a life-saving bone marrow transplant for Idan. Through this experience, Akiva connected with other Hyper IgM patients and their families all arou...
124. Melissa Aives and Danielle Scaramellino, Navigating Invisible Illness With My Best Friends
June 27, 2023 01:00 - 41 minutes - 56.8 MBJoin me for a very special episode where I sit down with my best friends, Melissa Aives and Danielle Scaramellino, as we reflect on a life-changing moment eleven years ago when I underwent a life-threatening surgery, introducing my friends to a world of uncertainty about my health. Despite our close bond, they had never witnessed this side of me, leading to an adjustment and redefinition of our friendship. Discover the power of vulnerability, the importance of asking for support, and the ...
123. Jamie Nicole, Creating Support for the BIPOC Community Living with Autoimmune Diseases
June 20, 2023 21:57 - 54 minutes - 75.4 MBJamie Nicole is a highly regarded certified health coach dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health through complementary medicine and holistic health lifestyle changes. Her passion for health and wellness was sparked when she witnessed the transformative power of holistic health in her own life. After being diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and later fighting for a narcolepsy diagnosis, Jamie became aware of the lack of representation and access to support for BIPOC ind...
122. Kate Milligan, The Power of Determination, Community, and Asking Questions
June 13, 2023 01:00 - 49 minutes - 68.1 MBKate Milligan is an Emmy-nominated producer, writer, speaker, storyteller, and founder of 1 Girl Revolution: a multimedia platform dedicated to highlighting the authentic stories of everyday women and girls who are changing the world through their lives. Diagnosed with Job’s Syndrome at a young age, Kate faced years of uncomfortable symptoms that doctors couldn't identify or treat. However, with her mother's unwavering advocacy and self-directed research into dietary solutions, Kate found ...
121. Dr Alex Truong, Highlighting the Unaddressed Long-COVID Symptoms and Trauma
June 06, 2023 01:00 - 38 minutes - 53.4 MBDr. Truong is a pulmonary and critical care trained physician with 12 years of experience as assistant professor at Emory Midtown Hospital. Since August of 2020, he and Dr. Adviteeya Dixit have been running the Emory Post-COVID clinic where they care for patients with lingering symptoms from their COVID infection. Dr. Truong’s passion for helping people get the care they deserve and recover from post-COVID physical and mental symptoms is undeniably inspiring. To provide a comprehensive u...
120. Marina Khidekel, Designing an Anxiety-Soothing Product that Hugs Back
May 27, 2023 21:38 - 47 minutes - 65.2 MBMarina Khidekel created Hugimals World, a TIME Best Inventions- winning line of weighted stuffed animals that "hug you back" to ease anxiety and bring calm. Prior to becoming a founder, Marina was a health & wellness journalist. She previously worked at Arianna Huffington’s workplace well-being enterprise SAAS startup Thrive and held senior editorial roles at Women’s Health, Glamour and Cosmopolitan. She openly discusses the strategies she employed to manage her mental wellness while launc...
119. Erica Domesek, DIY expert opens up about hidden mental health struggles
May 22, 2023 20:26 - 46 minutes - 64 MBErica Domesek, founder of P.S. - I Made This and ELD Creative discusses mental health struggles, creative inspiration, and the support systems needed to navigate tough times. Erica reflects on her eating disorder in college and her experience with postpartum depression, ADHD and anxiety, emphasizing that recovery and support may look different for everyone. She talks about her journey from the fashion industry to creating her DIY lifestyle brand and appearing on The Today Show, Rachael Ray,...
Melissa Bernstein, Utilizing Verses and Creativity to Make Meaning of Existential Depression
May 15, 2023 22:39 - 49 minutes - 67.9 MBMelissa Bernstein, co-founder of Melissa & Doug, discusses her struggles with existential depression and how she uses writing and creating to cope. She also talks about the importance of embracing all emotions, utilizing daily practices for resilience, and creating her latest company, Lifelines, to help people be more present and get more in touch with their senses and emotions. For more information about Melissa Bernstein and Lifelines, visit our website at madevisiblestories.com...
118. Melissa Bernstein, Utilizing Verses and Creativity to Make Meaning of Existential Depression
May 15, 2023 22:39 - 49 minutes - 67.9 MBMelissa Bernstein, co-founder of Melissa & Doug, discusses her struggles with existential depression and how she uses writing and creating to cope. She also talks about the importance of embracing all emotions, utilizing daily practices for resilience, and creating her latest company, Lifelines, to help people be more present and get more in touch with their senses and emotions. For more information about Melissa Bernstein and Lifelines, visit our website at madevisiblestories.com...
Mental Health Awareness Month Tribute
May 15, 2023 15:39 - 3 minutes - 2.93 MBA brief reminder about Mental Health Awareness Month and the tribute to my friend, Phil Kohn. Join the monthly Made Visible Writing Session on May 24th here.
Dr. Michelle Chung, Acknowledging and Healing Our Pandemic Trauma
May 09, 2023 04:00 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBWe’re 3+ years into the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s impossible to deny that life still doesn't feel quite the same as pre-pandemic. We’re all saddled with the trauma of a life-threatening illness, the isolation and fear we experienced. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Chung helps us navigate this new world in a healthier way. In this episode, Dr. Chung discusses the many hidden traumas people incurred during the pandemic, including losing relations...
117. Dr. Michelle Chung, Acknowledging and Healing Our Pandemic Trauma
May 09, 2023 04:00 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBWe’re 3+ years into the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s impossible to deny that life still doesn't feel quite the same as pre-pandemic. We’re all saddled with the trauma of a life-threatening illness, the isolation and fear we experienced. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Chung helps us navigate this new world in a healthier way. In this episode, Dr. Chung discusses the many hidden traumas people incurred during the pandemic, including losing relations...
116. Allison Raskin, Debunking Common Misconceptions about OCD
May 02, 2023 05:00 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBSurely we’ve all heard someone say, “Oh, I’m so OCD!” at least once in our lives. But what is it really like to live with this clinical diagnosis? How is everyday life managed, and how often does it affect people and their ability to live an uninterrupted, fulfilled life? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Allison Raskin, noted podcaster, writer, and mental health advocate, joins the podcast this week to shed light on these questions. As a content creator, Allison has been able to sh...
115. Harper Spero, Sharing My Own Invisible Illness Story
April 25, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBThis episode provides an in-depth look into my life navigating a rare primary immunodeficiency, Hyper IgE Syndrome after ten years of not being diagnosed and almost three decades of hiding my condition. I share all the bumps along the way to launching Made Visible, and the how and why behind the show. For more information about my journey, what I'm up to next, or to sign up for writing classes, visit our website at madevisiblestories.com/podcast. Please note: This podcast is int...
114. Jacqueline & Alexa Child, Dating with a Disability and Invisible Illness
April 18, 2023 04:00 - 40 minutes - 36.6 MBDating on an app is challenging. But have you experienced dating on mainstream apps while also living with a disability, chronic, or invisible illness? After disclosing that she was disabled on mainstream dating apps, Jacqueline Child would often be ghosted and disappointed in the dating experience. Jacqueline and her sister Alexa decided it was time to develop Dateability, an app that eliminates the worry of being misunderstood, ghosted, or berated with questions, focusing instead on a user...
113. Kate Washington, Caring For Yourself While Caregiving For Your Loved One
April 11, 2023 05:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBAlmost all of us will assume a caregiving role for a close loved one at some point in our lives. When is the correct time to start mentally preparing? Do you think you'd feel comfortable administering treatments that deeply affect your loved one's quality of life? How do these people balance caregiving and their careers? Kate Washington, author of Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America provides insight into the world of caregiving. Kate details her experience as a caregiver to her...
112. Dr. Christiane Wolf, Managing Pain With Meditation
April 04, 2023 04:00 - 46 minutes - 63.5 MBHave you ever tried meditation to help manage chronic pain? After realizing that meditation, mindfulness, and compassion practices are transformational in how we relate to what is happening to us, Dr. Christiane Wolf found a passion in teaching it to others. Internationally known as a Mindfulness and Insight Meditation teacher, she explains the connection between chronic pain and mindfulness and how it can help people who are silently struggling. Through her years of education and experience...
111. Dr. Stella Safo, Debunking Stigmas about HIV and Advocating Equitable Healthcare for All
March 28, 2023 04:00 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBIn this episode, Dr. Stella Safo, a board-certified HIV primary care physician and the founder of Just Equity For Health, talks about healthcare redesign and equity. She discusses her personal journey into healthcare and how her commitment to social justice led her to found her company. She also dives into the stigma surrounding HIV and chronic illnesses, and the work she's done to advocate for equitable care delivery across all sectors of medicine. Join us as we explore Dr. Safo's journey t...
110. Isaac Zablocki, Coping with Dysgraphia and Advocating for Change Through Film
March 21, 2023 04:00 - 42 minutes - 50.2 MBStep into the life of Isaac Zablocki as he shares his personal journey of living with dysgraphia - a neurological condition that affects one’s ability to write. Isaac opens up about how his experience with dysgraphia has helped shape his professional career as the co-founder of ReelAbilities, a groundbreaking film festival that celebrates the talents of people with disabilities and champions for their representation on screen. For more information about Isaac and ReelAbilities, visit o...
Bonus: Exclusive Essay Readings from Laura Frégeau & Lindsay Ellis
March 16, 2023 04:00 - 11 minutes - 15.7 MBThis bonus episode of the Made Visible podcast features the exclusive readings of two powerful essays written by students of the Made Visible Writing Class. Laura Frégeau's "Seeking Care" takes a humorous tongue-in-cheek approach to the task of finding a caregiver for her future needs, listing specific requirements for the ideal candidate. Lindsay Ellis's "Dis-ease done right" offers a raw and honest reflection on the challenges of living with an invisible illness, from navigating the heal...
109. The Power of Processing Through Writing
March 14, 2023 04:00 - 48 minutes - 55.7 MBBefore I could learn how to live with my invisible illness, I needed a way to process what I was going through. So I created what I wished had existed for me, the Made Visible Writing Class. A safe place where people living with invisible illnesses could write, share and connect with one another while confronting life’s challenges through writing. In this episode, four of my students from the Made Visible Writing Class, share their experiences and their reflections on how writing has ...
108. Serena Wolf and Katie Dalebout, Approaching Anxiety with Vulnerability and Laughter
March 07, 2023 04:00 - 59 minutes - 73.1 MBJoin Serena, Katie, and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on March 10th at 12:00 PM EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Serena Wolf and Katie Dalebout have embraced vulnerability when it comes to living with anxiety. They’re the hosts of Spiraling, dubbed an “optimistic” anxiety podcast, and they talk openly with me about what it means for them to live with anxiety, how they cultivate awareness around their mental health, and what strategies they’ve devel...
107. Lara Bloom, Supporting People with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome While Elevating Global Awareness
February 28, 2023 04:00 - 35 minutes - 42.2 MBJoin Lara Bloom and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on March 1st at 11:00AM EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Before being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at 24 years old, Lara Bloom endured 12 years of undiagnosed pain and mysterious symptoms. According to Lara, who is now the president and CEO of The Ehlers-Danlos Society, this experience isn’t uncommon. On today’s episode, Lara and I talk about why she’s dedicated her career to EDS awaren...
106. Akilah Cadet Advocating for Herself As She Searches for a Primary Diagnosis
February 21, 2023 04:00 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MBJoin Akilah Cadet and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 22nd at 12:30pm EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Akilah has been diagnosed with pericarditis, coronary artery spasms, and orthostatic hypotension, but she’s still searching for a reason why she’s experiencing intense and chronic pain on the left side of her body. On today’s episode, we talk about how why she no longer thinks of her health journey as a temporary bump in the road, wh...
105. Devri Velazquez, Living with Takayasu's Arteritis and Embracing Advocacy Through Owning Her Identity
February 14, 2023 04:00 - 38 minutes - 52.5 MBJoin Devri Velazquez and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 15th at 11:00am EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. When Devri Velazquez was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis at 20 years old, the prognosis was devastating. Doctors didn’t think she would live to age 21. On today’s episode, we talk about what Devri’s life looks like now, ten years after her diagnosis, and what it was like to hear such a scary prognosis when she was first diagno...
104. Hannah Olson, Showing Employers (and Beyond) the Value of Hiring People with Chronic Illness and Disability
February 07, 2023 04:00 - 27 minutes - 61.8 MBJoin Hannah Olson and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 8th at 12:00pm EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. When employers come to Hannah Olson and ask her why they should hire people who have chronic illness, she has a lot to say. Hannah is the founder is Chronically Capable, a platform that connects people who are chronically ill or disabled with meaningful remote work. On today’s episode, Hannah and I talk about what it was like to balan...
103. Genevieve Gorder, Designing a Life with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Lyme Disease
January 31, 2023 04:00 - 53 minutes - 122 MBJoin Genevieve Gorder and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 1st at 11:30am EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Interior design star Genevieve Gorder wants to live in the light, not in her illness. What does that mean, exactly? For Genevieve, who has both Lyme disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it means refusing to stake her identity in her health challenges. On today’s episode, Genevieve talks to me about the role that learning plays in ...
102. Ally Hilfiger, Changing the Lenses on Her Experience with Lyme Disease
January 24, 2023 04:00 - 41 minutes - 57.2 MBJoin Ally Hilfiger and host, Harper Spero for a special IG Live event on January 25th at ***2pm EST!*** (Rescheduled from 12:30pm EST) Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Ally Hilfiger was bitten by a tick at age seven and battled severe physical and neurological symptoms throughout her childhood, but she wasn’t diagnosed with Lyme until after a hospitalization at age 18. On today’s episode, Ally and I talk about why she wrote a book chronicling her experience, the shift ...
Announcing exciting news about Made Visible
December 20, 2022 05:00 - 3 minutes - 2.81 MBTune in to hear more about the latest happenings with Made Visible. Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram Check out our services, writing classes and offerings at www.madevisiblestories.com
Rita Maureen Thompson, Living with POTS and Connecting to the “Why” Behind Her Writing
April 15, 2021 04:00 - 29 minutes - 26.3 MBIn Fall 2020, when I launched the Made Visible Writing Class, the editors at Health Magazine held a contest for my class participants. At the end of class, they selected one essay to publish on their website. Today's episode features the winner of the contest, Rita Maureen Thompson and her essay, “POTS Is an Illness Causing Fatigue, Rapid Heartbeat, and Nausea—Here's What It's Like to Live With It.” The next Made Visible Writing Class begins on May 4th. Space is limited to keep the group i...
101. Rita Maureen Thompson, Living with POTS and Connecting to the “Why” Behind Her Writing
April 15, 2021 04:00 - 29 minutes - 26.3 MBIn Fall 2020, when I launched the Made Visible Writing Class, the editors at Health Magazine held a contest for my class participants. At the end of class, they selected one essay to publish on their website. Today's episode features the winner of the contest, Rita Maureen Thompson and her essay, “POTS Is an Illness Causing Fatigue, Rapid Heartbeat, and Nausea—Here's What It's Like to Live With It.” The next Made Visible Writing Class begins on May 4th. Space is limited to keep the group i...
Made Visible Writing Prompts & Class Announcement
March 03, 2021 18:28 - 3 minutes - 1.5 MBSubscribe to receive Made Visible writing prompts directly to your inbox every Sunday. Click here to subscribe. Want to be the first to be notified when we launch a new Made Visible Writing Class? Click here. Email [email protected] with any questions. Follow @harper_spero on Twitter and Instagram for all updates in real time.
Made Visible Writing Class Announcement
January 19, 2021 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.99 MBClick here to learn more and apply for the Made Visible Writing Class. Sign up for the Made Visible newsletter here. I promise we won't spam you! Follow Harper on Instagram and Twitter.
Harry Spero (My Dad), Speaking With Me About My Health Story as We Celebrate 100 Episodes
October 27, 2020 04:00 - 55 minutes - 52.6 MBI’m excited to be talking with my dad, Harry Spero, for this final episode of the podcast. We talk about how Job’s syndrome has impacted my life from childhood to the present, how he and my mom have supported me in different ways throughout my life, and his impression of me as a person who is resilient and determined. My dad told me between Episode #30 and #40 that he wanted to interview me on Episode #100, and I’m so thrilled to be able to celebrate 100 episodes with him as my guest. Lear...
100. Harry Spero (My Dad), Speaking With Me About My Health Story as We Celebrate 100 Episodes
October 27, 2020 04:00 - 55 minutes - 52.6 MBI’m excited to be talking with my dad, Harry Spero, for this final episode of the podcast. We talk about how Job’s syndrome has impacted my life from childhood to the present, how he and my mom have supported me in different ways throughout my life, and his impression of me as a person who is resilient and determined. My dad told me between Episode #30 and #40 that he wanted to interview me on Episode #100, and I’m so thrilled to be able to celebrate 100 episodes with him as my guest. Lear...
99. Trish Gauthier, A Breast Cancer Survivor Who Knows the Importance of Speaking Up
October 20, 2020 04:00 - 35 minutes - 27.8 MBIt was only a couple years after Trish Gauthier’s son had been diagnosed with leukemia that she received her own diagnosis: breast cancer. Even though she had just had her physical and everything had looked great, Trish knew that something was off in her body. On today’s episode, Trish talks to me about how she’s advocated for herself and her son through their journeys with illness, her determination to find a community, and her advocacy for equity in the medical system (and how we can all d...
Trish Gauthier, A Breast Cancer Survivor Who Knows the Importance of Speaking Up
October 20, 2020 04:00 - 35 minutes - 27.8 MBIt was only a couple years after Trish Gauthier’s son had been diagnosed with leukemia that she received her own diagnosis: breast cancer. Even though she had just had her physical and everything had looked great, Trish knew that something was off in her body. On today’s episode, Trish talks to me about how she’s advocated for herself and her son through their journeys with illness, her determination to find a community, and her advocacy for equity in the medical system (and how we can all d...
98. Larissa "Larz" May, Empowering Young People at the Intersection of Emotional Health and Technology
October 13, 2020 11:40 - 41 minutes - 39.1 MBAs founder of #HalftheStory, Larissa "Larz" May is focused on an invisible struggle we’re all facing: our relationship with technology. Larz became aware of her own unhealthy relationship with social media during college, when she was experiencing challenging symptoms of depression and anxiety. On today’s episode, Larz and I talk about her mental health journey, why she’s passionate about digital wellbeing, and her work with #HalftheStory, which aims to empower the next generation’s relation...
Larissa "Larz" May, Empowering Young People at the Intersection of Emotional Health and Technology
October 13, 2020 11:40 - 41 minutes - 39.1 MBAs founder of #HalftheStory, Larissa "Larz" May is focused on an invisible struggle we’re all facing: our relationship with technology. Larz became aware of her own unhealthy relationship with social media during college, when she was experiencing challenging symptoms of depression and anxiety. On today’s episode, Larz and I talk about her mental health journey, why she’s passionate about digital wellbeing, and her work with #HalftheStory, which aims to empower the next generation’s relation...
Coming Soon: Made Visible Writing Class
October 11, 2020 22:08 - 4 minutes - 4.27 MBSign up for the Made Visible Writing Class here: https://harperspero.com/madevisiblewritingclass
97. Felicia Stingone, Writing a Book about Being a Caring Sibling to Her Brother with Bipolar Disorder
October 06, 2020 04:00 - 45 minutes - 42.2 MBWhen Felicia Stingone talks about her brother, who has bipolar disorder, it’s clear how important this relationship is to her. She sees her brother as a person, not as his illness. As she starts to write a book about her experience as a “caring sibling” to her brother, she embraces that her story is both of their stories. On today’s episode, we talk about how Felicia is navigating the writing process, what she means by “caring sibling,” and her advice to people who have loved ones managing m...
Felicia Stingone, Writing a Book about Being a Caring Sibling to Her Brother with Bipolar Disorder
October 06, 2020 04:00 - 45 minutes - 42.2 MBWhen Felicia Stingone talks about her brother, who has bipolar disorder, it’s clear how important this relationship is to her. She sees her brother as a person, not as his illness. As she starts to write a book about her experience as a “caring sibling” to her brother, she embraces that her story is both of their stories. On today’s episode, we talk about how Felicia is navigating the writing process, what she means by “caring sibling,” and her advice to people who have loved ones managing m...
Elizabeth Tikoyan, Telling Her Lyme Story and Founding a Patient Networking App
September 29, 2020 04:00 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBElizabeth Tikoyan didn’t always share her health story the way she does now. Diagnosed with Lyme disease in high school, she was very aware of the stigma around having a health condition. On today’s episode, Elizabeth tells me about her journey to get diagnosed, and how misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis led to her symptoms reaching a chronic stage. We talk about how she navigated college, why she founded Riley App (a patient networking app) and her decision to start putting her story out in th...
96. Elizabeth Tikoyan, Telling Her Lyme Story and Founding a Patient Networking App
September 29, 2020 04:00 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBElizabeth Tikoyan didn’t always share her health story the way she does now. Diagnosed with Lyme disease in high school, she was very aware of the stigma around having a health condition. On today’s episode, Elizabeth tells me about her journey to get diagnosed, and how misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis led to her symptoms reaching a chronic stage. We talk about how she navigated college, why she founded Riley App (a patient networking app) and her decision to start putting her story out in th...
95. Stephanie Omens, Helping Children Understand Illness Through Story, Play, and Truth Telling
September 22, 2020 04:00 - 39 minutes - 35.5 MBFor creative arts therapist Stephanie Omens, it’s all about storytelling--even in the most challenging of circumstances. She works with children who have illnesses or who have parents or siblings who are ill, and it’s her job to help them understand what they’re experiencing. On today’s episode, Stephanie talks about why white lies don’t serve kids and why truth telling empowers them, how she uses story and play in her practice, and how she’s helping kids and parents understand life during t...
Stephanie Omens, Helping Children Understand Illness Through Story, Play, and Truth Telling
September 22, 2020 04:00 - 39 minutes - 35.5 MBFor creative arts therapist Stephanie Omens, it’s all about storytelling--even in the most challenging of circumstances. She works with children who have illnesses or who have parents or siblings who are ill, and it’s her job to help them understand what they’re experiencing. On today’s episode, Stephanie talks about why white lies don’t serve kids and why truth telling empowers them, how she uses story and play in her practice, and how she’s helping kids and parents understand life during t...
94. Tricia Huffman, An Expert on Joy Living with Fibromyalgia and Without the Word “Should”
September 15, 2020 04:00 - 43 minutes - 40.6 MBWhen she was 15, Tricia Huffman made a big decision--she wanted to move through life in a different way. On today’s episode, Tricia and I talk about this choice, which was wrapped up in the emotional and physical pain of her then-undiagnosed invisible illness. We also discuss her eventual diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and how she managed her condition while working as a touring sound engineer. Finally, we talk about why “should” isn’t in her vocab, and why she wants to remind us to claim our jo...