Calling In Sick

This week on Calling in Sick, Coop and I are sitting down for one of the most vulnerable conversations we’ve had yet. We’re talking about the reality of trying to have a baby while living with chronic illness: the planning, the fear, the logistics, the IVF part, and the emotional nuance that doesn’t always make it to Instagram.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why we chose IVF instead of trying to conceive naturally

We also revisit our embryo update and give more context to how we’re thinking about implantation, preparation, and what this season of life really looks like behind the scenes. So if you’ve ever wondered about becoming a parent while juggling chronic illness… put your headphones on and turn up the volume. 

🎧 And don’t forget!!! Our weekly Ask Alex episode drops Wednesday at 9 AM CST, where we answer your submitted questions (including IVF costs, tapering meds, and filming during flares).

xx,

Alex

💬 Comment: What’s the biggest fear or question you have about parenthood and chronic illness?

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:01:37 Life Updates & Yapping

00:09:14 Alex’s (& Coop’s) Picks of the Week (Hatch, Lola, AG1 and Uni)

Chronic Illness & Trying to Become Parents:

00:16:22 Why we are doing IVF & what our experience has been like so far

00:23:24 Why we will only name ONE embryo & how we picked July as the implantation date

00:26:24 How being a caregiver & husband has given Cooper a different emotional experiencing around trying-to-conceive (TTC)

00:33:01 What sharing my chronic illness fertility journey online has been like 

00:37:55 The fears and worries we are carrying around having a baby with a chronic illness 

00:43:18 Why we’ve decided it’s time to go to Couples Therapy!!

00:44:44 How Cooper and I are diving up the logistics of planing for parenthood & the one thing that made us have a FIGHT

00:54:02 What’s next for our TTC journey

Conclusion:

00:57:05 One Brain Cell Show: The Burbs (Peacock)

00:59:20 Thank you for listening!

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• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

Since we’re talking about all things baby this week… these are two things we already own that I *think* will come in handy with baby!!!

✨Hatch (alarm clock) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-32414449

— ALEXWILD gives you 55% off at checkout!

✨Lola (blanket) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-37229531

— ALEXWILD gives you 55% off at checkout!

And Saint Cooper was SO excited, so here are some of his most recent faves!!!

✨AG1 (greens mix) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-40888857

— pro tip, mix with Pineapple and coconut water!!

✨ Uni (lotion) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-43912973

— ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off at checkout!

#TryingToConceive #IVFJourney #ChronicIllnessPregnancy #AutoimmuneDisease #HighRiskPregnancy #EmbryoTransfer #FertilityJourney #MotherhoodWithChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #ChronicPain #IVFSupport #CaregivingSpouse #MedicalGaslighting #HealthJourney #ChronicIllnessCommunity #DisabilityAwareness #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson 

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In this Calling in Sick x Ask Alex, I’m answering your real-life questions about navigating international travel with chronic illness… after just getting back from a very impromptu trip to London myself!

We cover:

✈️ The best food I had while abroad

So if you’ve ever wondered, “do I have to be ‘better’ to travel?” Make sure you tune in to this week’s episode!!

This week, our Substack subscribers also get a bonus Q&A and an allergy friendly print-out you’ll want to pack with you ALWAYS!!

xx,

💬 Comment: What’s your biggest travel non-negotiable when you’re flaring?

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• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Product Shout-Outs!!!

This week I shared some of my must-haves for traveling, especially for long-haul flights. Shop them below!

✨Elastique (compression-wear) — https://tidd.ly/3KsvVcM

— Use code “ALEX15” for 15% off at checkout (and be sure to use your HSA // FSA)

✨Comrad (medical grade compression socks) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-41669795

— Use code “ALEXANDRA20” for 20% off at checkout

I also mention some of the wellness tools I relied on before traveling… shop them here!

✨HigherDose (PEMF Mat) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-42483902

-- Use "ALEXANDRA" for 15% off at checkout (and be sure to use your HSA // FSA)

✨HigherDose (Infrared Sauna Bag) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-33644795

-- Use "ALEXANDRA" for 15% off at checkout (and be sure to use your HSA // FSA)

✨The 5 Supplements I ALWAYS travel with — https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3899228

✨Sleep Crown (the ULTIMATE pillow) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-43127906

✨Sweet Bee (magnesium butter) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-43127842

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, we’re debriefing my very impromptu trip to London… which happened one week after I was hospitalized. Yes. That hospitalization. The one with the worst IVIG hangover I’ve had in a long time. And somehow… we still made it to London. So in this episode, I’m sharing exactly how we made that possible, and what I learned along the way.

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear all about:

✈️ Why I said yes to international travel during a flare (how it connects to my “year of yes” and baby prep!!)

🇬🇧 My favorite, hardest, and funniest moments in London

🤪 The #1 mistake I made while traveling with a chronic illness

And bonus!!! I’m answering all your travel questions in this week’s Ask Alex episode, including: food in London, my top allergy recommendations for eating while traveling, if I think compression-wear actually makes a difference for traveling, and how I approach long-haul flights. If you want those answers, be sure to tune in on Wednesday, Feb 18 at 9 AM CST. And of course, our Substack subscribers get an exclusive bonus Q&A this week!!

If you’re like me and have ever felt like travel is reserved for when you’re “better”… this episode might gently challenge that belief. Because what I realized from this trip shifted how I see travel, and honestly, how I see doing more things.

xx,

💬 Comment: What’s your biggest worry about traveling with a chronic illness?

TIMESTAMPS

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:02:01 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Sleep Crown & Sweet Bee)

Traveling with a Chronic Illness Flare-Up:

00:04:46 How I went from a hospitalization to London (IVIG hangover, the lifestyle & wellness bandaids I used, 

00:07:03 Why I’m saying “YES!” to way more things this year, and how I applied that to this international trip

00:07:48 How I broke my mindset of “traveling is only for when I’m ‘healthy’”

00:09:40 How we prepared for this trip differently & my question for y’all

00:11:01 What we actually did in London, my favorite parts & the biggest chronic illness hack for travel!!!

00:14:25 The BIGGEST mistake I made during our trip & the FUNNIEST story from our trip

00:17:58 My TOP 5 TIPS for traveling (how to handle jet lag, change your itinerary like THIS, do it all or duvet it up?, making sight-seeing accessible, 80/20 rule for traveling)

00:23:01 Why is the US approving “natural food dyes” actually problematic?!

Conclusion:

00:24:20 One Brain Cell Show: Wild London (BBC… Apple TV?!)

00:27:22 Thank you for listening!

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

This week I share about how I had the HARDEST time trying to sleep while traveling... and probably would have gotten 0 shut eye if it weren't for these 2 products!!

✨Sleep Crown (the only pillow you'll ever need) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-43127906

✨Sweet Bee (magnesium butter) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-43127842

I also mention some of the wellness tools I relied on before traveling… shop them here!

✨HigherDose (PEMF Mat) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-42483902

✨HigherDose (Infrared Sauna Bag) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-33644795

-- Use code "ALEXANDRA" for 15% off at checkout for both products!!

✨The 5 Supplements I traveled With — https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3899228

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s finally happening... Calling in Sick is officially launching a SECOND episode every week!!!!!!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by Caroline Cray, a content creator and healthcare recruiter living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), dysautonomia, and multiple severe allergies, to talk about what life looks like when food isn’t safe.

In this episode, we cover:

We also answer your Ask Alex questions... which will be released in our new Ask Alex weekly episode, this Wednesday at 9 am CST!!! Tune in to hear our thoughts from successful self-advocacy, dating with MCAS, navigating work with chronic illness, explaining chronic illness to new people, and coping with anxiety on high-symptom days!

We laughed our way through this episode… so come sit and hangout with us for a bit! 

xx,

💬 Comment: What’s one thing people misunderstand most about eating, food fear, or nutrition with chronic illness?

TIMESTAMPS

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:03:11 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Modern Picnic & Kroma Bone Broth)

Caroline's Life with MCAS:

00:04:01 Intro to Caroline Cray (growing up with food allergies)

00:11:17 Navigating college with food allergies & MCAS (and our first BIG reactions)

00:19:10 How Caroline’s food allergies morphed into MCAS

00:29:24 MCAS 101 & Caroline’s diagnosis story (MCAS & Small Fiber Neuropathy)

00:38:55 How life threatening events change our perspective on chronic illness 

00:40:18 What happened when we started sharing our journeys online  

00:43:24 Navigating nutrition with intense food restrictions

00:47:37 Fighting food fear, anxiety and “the bubble” with nervous system work and the “woo-woo” stuff

00:57:51 How finding community improved our happiness and quality of life

01:03:10 Is there a place for GLP-1s in chronic illness management?

01:08:24 What success with MCAS and chronic illness looks like for Caroline

Conclusion:

01:13:15 One Brain Cell Show: Wednesday (Heated Rivalry!!!!! and what we are reading (Off-Campus Series & ACOTAR)

01:17:28 Thank you for listening!

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

Connect with our Guest: Caroline Cray

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolinecray2/?hl=en

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@carolinecray2

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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.comalexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

This week we talk all things food, so these are my two biggest snacking picks!!!

✨Modern Picnic (insulated purse) — https://modernpicnic.com/discount/awildeson

—> Use code “AWILDESON” for 15% off at checkout!

✨Kroma (bone broth on the go) — https://go.shopmy.us/p-37230756

—> Use code “ALEXANDRA20” for 20% off at checkout!

#MCAS #MastCellActivationSyndrome #ChronicIllness #FoodFear #SevereAllergies #InvisibleIllness #SpoonieLife #Dysautonomia #ChronicIllnessCommunity #ChronicIllnessPodcast #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #CarolineCray #HealthJourney #MedicalGaslighting #DisabilityAwareness 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m sharing a very real life update. I talk through my chronic illness thoughts on:

I also answer your Ask Alex questions: from medicine questions, fears around passing on chronic illnesses, and avoiding future-tripping about motherhood… which you can find exclusively on our Substack!! Link below!

This episode isn’t about doing everything perfectly, but about doing life honestly, adapting as we go, and letting things be both exciting and hard at the same time. If you’re living with chronic illness and trying to build a full life anyway, this one’s for you.

xx,

💬 Comment: What’s something that you WANT to do, but are SCARED to do, because of chronic illness?

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:04:27 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Arrae & Comrad)

Alex Update:

00:06:15 My rundown on botox and chronic illness

00:11:27 Our family update (doctors appointments & how we are handling this era differently)

00:15:50 Changing insurances and continuation of care (ahem IVIG) and a solo hospitalization

00:21:00 IVIG going SO WRONG (and what to do to feel better!!)

00:25:54 Two bright spots from my hospitalization (the podcast and med students & changing my hospital trauma response)

00:31:20 Will AI make insurance better or worse?!?

00:32:51 Traveling abroad in a flare up (what I’m bringing and planning to do to make this trip a success!)

Conclusion:

00:34:43 One Brain Cell Show: SNL (Hulu)

00:37:29 Thank you for listening!

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

International travel while flaring? These are my top 2 MUST HAVES to make my flight a little bit easier…

✨Arrae Supplements (constipation) — go.shopmy.us/p-40962893

✨Comrad Compression Socks — go.shopmy.us/p-28908081

— ALEXANDRA20 for 20% off

#ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #IVIG #IVFJourney #LifeWithChronicIllness #MedicalGaslighting #HealthJourney #DisabilityAwareness #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by Dr. Sula Windgassen, a health psychologist, researcher, author of It’s All in Your Body, and fellow chronic illness patient.

Dr. Windgassen brings a rare and deeply validating perspective to chronic illness care, one that explains why symptoms often worsen when we feel dismissed, blamed, or unsafe, and how psychology can biologically influence pain and illness without implying that it’s “all in your head.” Together, we explore:

This is a grounding, science-backed, and deeply de-shaming conversation for anyone who’s been told, explicitly or subtly, that their illness is psychological, exaggerated, or something they should be able to “think their way out of.” You are not broken. Your symptoms make sense. And safety is not a reward… it’s a biological need.

xx,

💬 Comment: What’s one thing you wish people understood about how words affect chronic illness?

✨ Substack EXCLUSIVES! ✨

✨Subscribe to our Substack for our answers! https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod ✨

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:04:48 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Divi, Jupiter)

Mind-Body-Flare Up:

00:07:36 Intro to Dr. Sula Wingassen (how getting sick pushed her into studying and developing the psycho-biology framework)

00:21:55 The impact of hopelessness on chronic illness

00:28:20 Why the mind-body connection isn’t always effective (and how to effectively use it)

00:31:30 How internalized self-blame keeps the body stuck in threat-mode

00:37:12 Why searching for the silver bullet derails healing in the long-term

00:40:00 The 5 key measures of safety that prove how social experiences can put our bodies in survival response

00:48:00 It’s all in our body… how trauma and cortisol can be the last straw (little T and big T, trauma)

00:50:23 Why we hate to hear “have you tried…” and how to NOT let it activate the body’s stress response 

01:03:15 How chronic illness changes how we view “a good day”

01:11:08 Dr. Sula’s top tips to find a sense of safety in the body 

Conclusion:

01:26:32 One Brain Cell Show: Wednesday (Music: Bellemt; TV: The Office)

01:30:32 Thank you for listening!

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Connect with our Guest, Dr. Sula Wingassen:

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_health_psychologist_/?hl=en

• Her website - https://www.healthpsychologist.co.uk/

Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

In honor of me getting ready to learn how to do all the girly things before (hopefully) becoming a girl mom… we’re talking hair health!!

✨DIVI (hair growth serum, dry shampoo, air dry cream)  — https://go.shopmy.us/p-38925489

ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off at checkout

✨Jupiter Detox Shampoo — https://go.shopmy.us/p-38925648

ALEXANDRA20 for 20% off at checkout

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by Dr. Tracy Shevell — a physician, high-risk OBGYN, women’s health advocate, and chronic illness patient. Dr. Shevell brings a rare dual perspective: what it’s like to move through the medical system as both the provider and the patient. In this episode, we explore:

✨ How to navigate Western medicine with a chronic illness and why becoming your own “health quarterback” matters

✨How to explore non-Western healing modalities without losing your money, your nervous system, or your sense of self

✨ Why medical social media and doom-scrolling symptoms can make us feel worse

✨ The difference between intuition and anxiety, and how to use that nuance to advocate for yourself more effectively

Tune into this episode for a grounding, myth-busting conversation about taking care of yourself when Western medicine alone isn’t cutting it, without spiraling, self-blaming, or burning out.

xx,

💬 Comment: How do you utilize social media to navigate your healing journey?

✨ Substack EXCLUSIVES! ✨

✨Subscribe to our Substack here: https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:03:22 My life and health update

00:04:04 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Tilt, Comrad & CBDLiving… discount codes below!)

Dr. Tracy Shevell, the doctor:

00:06:03 Dr. Tracy Shevell: becoming a provider and patient

00:15:30 On becoming our own health quarterbacks

00:17:30 How we pursued alternative non-western healing modalities

00:21:50 Why western medicine pays more attention to women’s health and chronic illnesses suddenly

00:26:00 Dr. Shevell’s top 4 tips for navigating the western medical world with a chronic illness

Dr. Tracy Shevell, the patient:

00:34:15 What being a patient and provider is really like

00:41:24 Navigating the wild world of medical social media & the pressure to try everything that could help us feel better

00:51:02 The difference between being an expert on our own bodies, and a medical expert

00:54:11 The difference between a gut feeling and anxiety, and how to use this nuance to your advantage

00:57:50 How to rebuild trust after medical gaslighting and medical trauma

Conclusion:

01:06:45 One Brain Cell Show: Gossip Girl (Netflix)

01:11:41 Thank you for listening!

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Connect with our Guest, Dr. Tracy Shevell:

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tracyshevellmd/

• Her website - https://www.tracyshevellmd.com/

Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Powered by: Just Media House - https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson - https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

The other week on social media, I posted my top 5 products that I keep reordering, chronic illness edition, obviously. And y’all loved it!! The top 3 most requested links were…

✨Tilt Lip Treatment — https://go.shopmy.us/p-38126280

- CODE: AWILD15 for 15% off

✨Comrad Compression Socks — https://go.shopmy.us/p-38067114

- CODE: ALEXANDRA20 for 20% off

✨CBDLiving Pain Stick — https://go.shopmy.us/p-32444450

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by actor, content creator, and disability rights advocate Tara Rule for an honest, existential conversation about what happens when you come face-to-face with your own mortality… and decide to stop waiting for permission to live.

Tara and I talk about how chronic illness forces so many of us to grow up early, reckon with uncertainty, and hit emotional rock bottom. And that from those experiences and downward spirals, you can come to realize that we have nothing to lose by finally chasing the lives and creative careers we want. From content creation to acting, we explore why so many chronically ill people end up in creative spaces, and how “rock bottom” often becomes a strange kind of launch point.

We also unpack the full spectrum of chronic illness content… from crash-out creators to toxic positivity… and why all of it matters. Because the chronic illness journey isn’t linear, and neither is healing, ambition, or success.

This episode is about holding gratitude for simply being here today and allowing yourself to want more.

xx,

💬 Comment: What’s something you’re no longer waiting for permission to want?

Substack EXCLUSIVES!

Subscribe to our Substack here: https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:01:01 Alex Catch Up

00:04:17 Episode Sneak Peak Housekeeping, and Substack Info

00:06:17 Alex’s Picks (Sacheu Lip Liner & Thrive Causemetics)

Tara Rule is Calling in Sick:

00:08:27 Intro to Tara

00:15:45 Tara’s career shifts (mortuary school, content creating, acting)

00:17:27 How a near death experience changed EVERYTHING 

00:32:09 Why it’s important to have different voices that paint the full picture of chronic illness

00:37:45 How Tara handles masking (or not masking) chronic illness for her career

00:42:40 Why is there SUCH a pipeline for chronic illness fighters to the creative space

00: 45:35 The fear of flaring versus the fear of disappointing others

00:47:16 How powerful our brains are

00:50:07 Navigating redefining success with a chronic illness

Conclusion:

00:58:13 One Brain Cell Show (Stranger Things (Netflix), Telepathy Tapes (Spotify); Haunted Hotel (Netflix) and Heated Rivalry (Prime))

01:03:16 Thank you for listening!!

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

My go to passive wellness picks, in food form!!

✨Sacheu Lip Liner — https://go.shopmy.us/p-38126238

—> ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off

✨Thrive Causemetic’s Plumping Lip gloss — https://go.shopmy.us/p-38126276

Connect with Tara Rule

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tara_rule_/?hl=en\

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tara_rule

#ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #SpoonieLife #DisabilityAwareness #ChronicPain #RedefiningSuccess #LifeAfterDiagnosis #WorkingWithChronicIllness #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #SickGirlSoftLiving #SoftLiving #tararule #neardeathexperience #rockbottom #lifepivots

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year my lovies!!!

In honor of the new year, I’m officially launching a new podcast segment… Ask Alex! 

Every week (yes, even during guest episodes!), we’ll post the upcoming podcast topic (and guest) to our Substack and ask our subscribers to submit questions. I’ll answer a handful of these on the podcast each week, and the rest of the Q&A will live exclusively on Substack.

For this first Ask Alex episode, I’m tackling some of  most requested questions… like what are my actual routines like, how I make medication decisions, what to do about medical finances and debt, and how to communicate boundaries and symptoms to those that *just don’t get it*.

Substack EXCLUSIVES!

I’ve been so excited to bring this segment to life. It’s my little way of saying thank you… for your support, your vulnerability, your questions, and for trusting me with your stories this past year. This community means everything to me, and I can’t wait to keep building this space together in 2026.

xx,

💬 Comment: So have you subscribed to our Substack now!?

Subscribe to our Substack here: ⁠https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?⁠

TIMESTAMPS:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:02:58 My REALLY BIG life update!!!!

00:07:52 Alex’s Picks (AG1 and Ella’s Flats) 

Ask Alex Q&A:

00:09:09 Tips on being the best caregiver

00:11:52 Are we doing an IRL meet up?!

00:12:38 GLP-1s and peptides for inflammation 

00:13:21 How to stay on track with routines when you’re homebound

00:15:12 My low spoon, under 10-minute skincare, makeup and haircare routine

00:16:40 The things I grieved the most after my diagnosis

00:19:17 Finances & communicating budgets to our loved ones

00:21:18 Explaining boundaries and symptoms to those that do NOT understand

00:23:06 When to use disability aids (parking placard, cane, walker, etc.)

00:24:14 New Years guilt & feeling stuck in the same place as last year

00:26:30 How I *actually* motivate myself to physically get out of bed in the morning

00:28:24 How I decide to take (or not take) medications

00:29:41 My top tips for advocating at the ER (especially when we have trauma!!)

Conclusion:

00:31:27 One Brain Cell Show

00:33:18 Thank you for listening!!

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