It’s a solo episode! 🎙️ Today, we’re taking a trip back in time to January 2023, when I first shared my chronic illness story. So much has changed—my symptoms, my knowledge, even my podcasting style. But one thing remains the same: almost everyone with chronic illness starts in the Land of the Undiagnosed, not feeling well and searching for answers.

In this episode, I’m revisiting my early experiences navigating doctor after doctor, seeking validation, and learning to advocate for myself. Whether you’re newly ill or years into your journey, I hope this story resonates. Let’s dive in!

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

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"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of That Chronic Thing, I sit down with Kim to discuss her experiences navigating life with Cerebral Palsy, Celiac Disease, and Lupus. From the exhausting hoops disabled people have to jump through—like prioritizing health while risking financial aid—to the long and winding road of diagnosing chronic illness, Kim shares her journey with honesty and humor.

But it’s not all medical talk! We also chat about her college experience at Disney, her adventures in live streaming, and the ways she finds joy in the midst of it all.

Stay in Touch with Kim

→ Kim's Instagram

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Introducing Chronically Yours, a new segment on That Chronic Thing podcast! This episode explores the power of sharing personal stories from the chronic illness community, ✨because every experience matters.✨

Our first story comes from Carrie Ferguson, (fairycerguson on Instagram), who shares her journey of accepting an ME/CFS diagnosis and discovering the power of self-compassion. 

f you’d like to contribute your own real, raw, or even funny moments of life with chronic illness, DM me on Instagram or email me! Here is the contact info ⬇️

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of That Chronic Thing, I talk with Jayne Mattingly about body grief—the losses we experience when our bodies change due to illness, disability, aging, or anything else life throws at us. Jayne shares how her own health journey led her to this work, how she chose the stories for her book, and why grief and hope aren’t opposites—they actually go hand in hand. We get personal, we get emotional, and we keep it real.

→ Buy Jayne's Book, This is Body Grief (bookshop.org link)

→ Stay in touch with Jayne on Instagram

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Managing chronic illness is already a full-time job, and keeping track of symptoms, medications, and doctor’s appointments can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I chat with Isabel from Guava Health about how their platform helps simplify the chaos. We talk about why symptom tracking actually matters, how to make medical records work foryou, and the importance of advocating for your own care. Isabel also shares how Guava was designed with chronic illness in mind—because we deserve tools that actually make life easier.

Huge thanks to Isabel for such a thoughtful conversation! I loved getting into the real-life impact of symptom tracking and how small changes can make a big difference.

Get Guava 

→ Google Play Store

→ Apple App Store

→ guavahealth.com

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of That Chronic Thing, I chat with Clark from Chronically the Sickest Podcast, and we dive into her "big three" and "little three" diagnoses (yep, there’s a Percy Jackson connection). We talk about managing chronic pain, sorting through overlapping symptoms, and the joys of willow bark tea when you're sick of popping pills. Clark shares how she juggles her conditions, finds support, and makes her social media a sensory delight. There’s humor, there’s validation, and a little yoga chat (don’t worry, not that yoga). It’s a cozy, relatable conversation with a side of advice for anyone on their chronic illness journey.

Stay in touch with Clark

→  Chronically the Sickest Podcast

→ Clark on Instagram, Rednote, TikTok, Patreon

→ Check out Clark's Willow Bark tea & fave stuff on Amazon

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This short and sweet solo episode features a few stories from Cathy's Instagram community! 

I asked, tell me about a time that someone showed up for you unexpectedly and made a difference. Enjoy these stories and remind yourself: there are good, wonderful people in this world, and you are deserving of excellent care and support. 

Featuring submissions from Instagram friends:

→ Misty @plantspetsandpics

→ Liv @chronicpaininyour20s

→ JD @613jedi

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of That Chronic Thing, host Cathy chats with Dr. Talia, an inspiring digital creator who shares her journey of coping with multiple chronic illnesses. Dr. Talia discusses her experiences with perfectionism, the impact of chronic illness on mental health, and the importance of self-acceptance. Recently achieving her Ph.D. in clinical psychology, Dr. Talia offers insights into how to balance striving for health and finding joy in the present. She also delves into her creative process for Instagram and Substack, how writing has become a therapeutic outlet, and the value of patience and kindness in battling chronic illness. 

Tune in for an enlightening conversation filled with wisdom, vulnerability, and practical advice for anyone navigating the challenges of chronic illness.

➡️ Stay in touch with Dr. Talia on her Instagram and Substack.

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of That Chronic Thing, we welcome Jessica Graham, a trauma resolution guide, meditation teacher, author, and filmmaker. Celebrating the release of their latest book, Being (Sick) Enough, Jessica explores themes of invisible illness, chronic pain, childhood trauma, and resilience. They share their personal experiences with chronic illnesses and how it has influenced their life and work. 

➡️ Get Being (Sick) Enough 📚

Episode topics include:
→ the impact of COVID and chronic illness on relationships of all kinds
→ the challenges of managing day-to-day activities with limited energy, using Spoon Theory as a guide

Jessica's Substack
Jessica's Instagram
Jessica's book Being (Sick) Enough 

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, we feature Lexy from the Chronic Chronicles podcast! 🎧 We chat about-- 

• Lexy's personal journey with endometriosis and the challenges she faced in getting diagnosed and treated. 
• The difficulties of managing chronic illness while pursuing a demanding career path 
• The moment Lexy eventually accepting her condition.
• Experiences that led Lexy to start her podcast, focusing on community and valuable info for others in similar situations. 
• Lexy's work in science, her small business, and the importance of following your passion despite chronic illness.
  
  

Find Lexy at
@chronicchroniclespod on Instagram
The Chronic Chronicles Podcast
coastlinechicdesigns on Instagram

💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email [email protected] to enter.

Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/