About IBD

For people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the path to pursuing our dreams can look different from that of our peers. Stand-up comedian Dave Piontkowski, lives with not only ulcerative colitis, but also chronic kidney disease. He developed a one-man show called "Three Kidneys, No Colon," which describes his journey with both of these conditions. Dave talks about how and why his comedy actually improved while he was fighting for his life with kidney disease. He also tells us how his comedy is connecting the chronic illness community, but there are some audience members who find it can be too much.

Find Dave Piontkowski at:

• YouTube: @dpcomedy
• Instagram (check his bio for show tickets): @davepcomedy
• Get tickets to 3 Kidneys No Colon in Tampa, FL on December 7 at 8:00 p.m (The Commodore, 811 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33602)

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell Health: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD
• https://www.threads.net/@about_ibd

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD163

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Alicia and Robin, co-hosts of the "Bowel Moments" podcast, join Amber for a discussion about podcasting in the IBD community. Robin shares her IBD journey, including her diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, the complications that led to an ileal anal anastomosis, the later diagnosis of Crohn's disease, and evebtyak J-pouch surgery. They also talk about the challenges of producing the podcast, the importance of therapy, and keeping up a social media presence. The conversation highlights the emotional and logistical aspects of creating a podcast about IBD. Select episodes of Bowel Moments:

• Bowel Moments Episode 1: Get to know your co-host Robin and Alicia!
• Bowel Moments Episode 6: A Tale of 2 Surgeries
• Bowel Moments Episode 20: Meet Robin's Daughters - Logan & Baylee!

Find Robin and Alicia on Bowel Moments at:

• Web: BowelMomentsPod.com
• Facebook: @thebmpodcast
• Twitter: @bowelmomentspod
• Instagram: @bowelmomentspod
• LinkedIn: Bowel Moments Pod

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD
• Threads: @about_IBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD162 These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Stephanie Gish, host of the Crohn's Fitness Food podcast, gives the details of her journey with Crohn's disease and IGA nephropathy. Stephanie's Crohn's symptoms began in 2003, but she was initially misdiagnosed with an anal fissure. After being discharged from the Army for medical reasons unrelated to IBD, she went through years of fragmented care, and finally received a Crohn's diagnosis in 2009. Stephanie brought her knowledge of health and fitness to bear in managing Crohn's, but the diagnosis of IGA nephropathy had her changing course and rethinking her approach.

Buy "Crohn's, Fitness, Food and My Rock Road to Health" at Amazon:

• Paperback
• Ebook
• Audiobook

Find Stephanie Gish at:

• Web: Crohn's Fitness Food
• Facebook: @crohnsfitnessfood
• Podcast: Crohn's Fitness Food
• LinkedIn: @stephlivsey
• Instagram: @crohnsfitnessfood

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell Health: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD
• https://www.threads.net/@about_ibd

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD161

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Amber interviews Alison McGauley, a teacher and author of "Kenzie's Little Tree," a children's book about a girl whose mother lives with chronic illness. Alison shares her journey with ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and ankylosing spondylitis, and how her hospitalization impacted her two daughters. She emphasizes the importance of talking about illness with children to help them process their emotions. Alison's book, set to release in March 2025, aims to provide a narrative for families dealing with chronic illness. Pre-orders are available, with proceeds donated to Crohn's and Colitis Canada and the Arthritis Society.

Buy Alison's book: https://www.alisonmcgauley.com/books/my-books

Find Alison McGauley at:

• Web: https://www.alisonmcgauley.com
• Facebook: @author.alison.mcgauley
• Twitter: @AlisonMcgauley
• YouTube: @AlisonMcGauleyAuthor
• Instagram: @alisonmcgauley

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell Health: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD
• https://www.threads.net/@about_ibd

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD160

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Is it surprising to learn that some people living with IBD choose to have ostomy surgery? Hannah, a 24-year-old woman, shares her journey through the initial symptoms of IBD at the age of 15, to getting a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. She describes how her symptoms worsened after diagnosis, including bleeding, bowel urgency, and fatigue, which led to multiple hospitalizations. Hannah advocated for surgery to treat her pancolitis, despite an initial difference of opinion with her medical team. After surgery, Hannah's symptoms were significantly improved and she regained a sense of normalcy in her life. Hannah discusses the pros and cons of choosing an ostomy over a J-pouch, the importance of quality of life, and how surgery could impact her future fertility.

Concepts discussed on this episode:

• Yang X, He M, Tang Q, et al. Assessment of anti-inflammatory efficacy of acupuncture in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2023;74:102946. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102946.
• Bao C, Wu L, Wang D, et al. Acupuncture improves the symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and inflammation of patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease: A randomized controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2022;45:101300. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101300.
• Bae JH, Kang SY, You SE, Jeong HI, Jang S, Kim KH. The Effects of Acupuncture on Crohn's Disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pharmacopuncture. 2023;26(3):211-226. doi:10.3831/KPI.2023.26.3.211.

Find Hannah Martin-Spencer on:

• Instagram: @hans_colitisjourney

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell Health: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD
• https://www.threads.net/@about_ibd

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD159

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Christina King shares her journey with being diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2021. She was misdiagnosed with gastritis and hemorrhoids, until her severe symptoms of rectal bleeding and weight loss, plus multiple trips to the emergency department led to a hospitalization. An in-patient colonoscopy finally led to a diagnosis of Crohn's, and she was finally able to get treatment and improve. She was unable to go to school with her high school graduating class, and is now ready to start pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. Christina tells Amber where she went for information in the early days after diagnosis and how she's approaching accommodations for IBD as she begins school.

Find Christina King at:

• Twitter: @cking5498
• Instagram: @christina_king227
• SnapChat: @christinaking16

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell Health: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD
• Threads: @about_IBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD158

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

The relationship between patient and physician in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) is so critical to the success of the management of the disease. Both the patient and the physician have roles to play in developing and maintaining a good working relationship. One such example of a truly special and inspirational patient-physician relationship is illustrated here between Dr Julie Spivack, a gastroenterologist with Connecticut GI, and Rosa, her patient. Rosa and Dr Spivack discuss their close bond and how the listening, empathy, honesty, and open-mindedness work to build trust and achieve successful outcomes in patient-physician relationships

Find Julie Spivack, MD at:

• Web: Connecticut GI

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD157

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Amber Tresca and Katie Connelly discuss the challenges and importance of workplace accommodations for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Katie has been through the process of asking for accommodations with different employers and shares her personal experience, emphasizing the need for understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She relates her experience and gives advice to both employers and employees on how to manage the accommodation journey. Plus, she gives the resources that she found most helpful to help her learn about her rights as an employee.

Find Katie Connelly at:

• Spotify: Katie Connelly
• Web: Badass With a Bad Ass
• LinkedIn: Katie Connelly
• Instagram: @badass.w.a.bad.ass

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD156

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Amber is joined by Stacy Dylan, co-founder and executive director of Connecting to Cure Crohn's and Colitis (CtoC). CtoC is a patient advocacy group focused on addressing unmet needs in the IBD community. Stacy founded CtoC to help other families after her son was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. CtoC offers support groups, mentorship programs, and gut-friendly workouts. Stacy offers advice to parents of children with IBD, encouraging them to take things one step at a time and not be overwhelmed by information from the internet.

Follow Connecting to Cure:

• Web: https://www.connectingtocure.org
• Twitter: @connecttocure
• Instagram: @connectingtocure
• Facebook: @ConnectingToCure

Follow Stacy's Medium page at: https://stacyjdylan.medium.com.

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD155

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

There tend to be more women than men who share their journey with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis). The reasons are challenging to uncover, but what's clear is that more can be done to raise the visibility of men living with an IBD, ostomy, or other digestive condition. My guest is Jordan William Henry Aggen, also known as Crohn's Trooper. Jordan emphasizes the importance of open communication, pre-planning, and finding support from friends, family, and social media to cope with the disease.

Concepts discussed on this episode:

• Which is Nerdier: Star Wars or Star Trek?

Find Jordan William Henry Aggen at:

• Facebook: @JWHA2011
• Instagram: @crohnstrooper

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD
• YouTube: @AboutIBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD154

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.