Gut Matters: Discoveries & Innovations

In this episode of Gut Matters, Johannah Ruddy and Dr. Andrea Shin tackle some of the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding IBS-C treatment. They discuss why different treatments work for different people, what to expect when starting a new medication, and why side effects don't necessarily mean a treatment has failed. They also explore the importance of consistency, patient-provider communication, and finding a treatment approach that works for your individual symptoms.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

In this episode of Gut Matters, Johanna speaks with Paul Pereira, Senior Vice President of Patient Advocacy, Government Affairs, and Public Policy at Ardelyx, about how the different functions of his job intersect to shape patient care. Paul shares the personal story of how his father's journey with dialysis led him to Ardelyx. He also shares how his son's diagnosis with various G.I. conditions, and the insurance battles that ensued, led him to become a patient advocate. Together, Paul and Johanna discuss how patient advocacy becomes public policy, navigating government, and why simply making the introduction to your elected official can open new doors for patients.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

On this episode of the Gut Matters podcast, co-hosts Johannah Ruddy and Dr. Andrea Shin are joined by Dr. Tiffany Duffing, a licensed clinical psychologist and US Army veteran, and Mike Wynn, director of the Quell Foundation's First Responder Resilience Project, to explore the gut-brain connection in veterans and first responders. The conversation covers how chronic stress, PTSD, and hypervigilance can drive IBS symptoms, particularly constipation, through top-down and bottom-up nervous system dysregulation. The guests share evidence-based interventions like diaphragmatic breathing, gut-directed CBT, and clinical hypnosis, while Mike offers a candid look at the cultural barriers to seeking care in law enforcement and the Quell Foundation's video-based mental health training programs now rolling out to agencies nationwide.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

On this episode of Gut Matters, host Johannah Ruddy sits down with Ardelyx CEO Mike Raab and Chief Patient Officer Dr. Laura Williams to explore what patient centricity truly means in practice, not as a corporate buzzword, but as a guiding principle that shapes company culture, strategy, and decision-making. Mike shares how formative experiences in rare disease at Genzyme inspired his commitment to putting patients first, while Laura recounts how her own health scare and career journey from treating HIV patients to leading advocacy deepened her understanding of the patient experience. Together, they discuss how embedding the patient voice across every function, from clinical trial design to policy advocacy, creates a ripple effect that transforms not just outcomes, but the soul of a company.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

On this special episode of Gut Matters, host Johannah Ruddy is joined on stage at the Ardelyx National Meeting by Chief Patient Officer Dr. Laura Williams and two patients: Erica, who lives with IBS-C and celiac disease, and Chrissy, a kidney transplant patient, for a candid conversation about the power of patient storytelling. They discuss the importance of finding the right healthcare partner, shared decision making, and breaking the stigma around chronic illness and mental health. A bonus backstage conversation with Erica dives deeper into the daily realities of living with IBS, the mental load of managing chronic conditions, and why patient voices must be at the center of advancing care.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

This episode of Gut Matters features Johanna Ruddy and Dr. Andrea Shin interviewing Ruthie and Jessica, the founders of Belly Bestie Club, a community-driven supper club for people with IBS, celiac disease, and other digestive health conditions. They discuss how the club creates a safe, stigma-free space where attendees can openly discuss taboo topics while enjoying delicious, restriction-friendly meals together. Ruthie also shares details about Tuut, her upcoming symptom-tracking app designed to help IBS patients turn their daily experiences into actionable data for healthcare providers, emphasizing a holistic approach that captures diet, stress, sleep, exercise, and bowel movements in a user-friendly format.

To learn more about the Belly Bestie Club and the tuut app, click here.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

In this episode of Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations, Johannah Ruddy, DHSc, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy at Ardelyx and Dr. Andrea Shin, practicing Gastroenterologist at UCLA are joined by patient advocate Katherine, who shares her deeply personal journey living telling her story of IBS with constipation alongside multiple autoimmune and autonomic conditions. Katherine reflects on years of misdiagnosis, fragmented care, and the emotional toll of not being believed, while offering practical insight into how honest communication and self-advocacy can change the course of care. Dr. Shin discusses the realities of managing complex IBS-C cases and why coordinated, whole-person care is critical for improving outcomes. Together, the conversation highlights resilience, partnership with clinicians, and hope for patients navigating complicated digestive health journeys.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

On this episode of Gut Matters, we welcome Dr. Laura Williams, Chief Patient Officer at Ardelyx, to discuss the importance of patient advocacy in healthcare and drug development. Dr. Williams shares her journey from clinical practice to the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting how her experiences as a physician, advocate, and patient have shaped her approach to patient-centric care. The conversation explores the impact of patient insights on clinical trials, drug development, and building trust within patient communities.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

On this episode of Gut Matters, host Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy at Ardelyx and Dr. Andrea Shin, interview Rebecca Kaplan, an IBS-C patient who has lived with the condition for over 15 years. Rebecca shares her personal journey, the challenges she has faced, and how she manages her symptoms. The conversation highlights the importance of patient advocacy and support for those living with chronic digestive conditions. Tune in for an insightful discussion on living with IBS-C and the resources available for patients.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.

Gut Matters is produced by BloodStream Media and made possible by Ardelyx.

Content Producer: Mishu Nitulescu.

On this episode, Dr. Andrea Shin and Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd welcome Dr. Megan Riehl, a leading health psychologist, to discuss the powerful connection between the gut and the brain in IBS with constipation. They explore the emotional impact of IBS, the importance of empathy and validation in patient care, and practical tools like gut-directed hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Tune in for expert insights, de-stigmatizing conversations, and actionable strategies to improve quality of life for those living with IBS.

At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class medicines that advance care to patients with unmet medical need. Learn more about us at Ardelyx.com

Transparency Statement: Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations is produced by Believe Limited and made possible by Ardelyx®.

The following Ardelyx®-supported program is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.