HealtheVoices Radio

In episode 4, the HealtheVoices Radio co-hosts (Robert Breining, Brady Dale Etzkorn-Morris and Dawn Gibson) will take a look back at Season 3 of the show and reflect and learn from the challenging year since the start of the pandemic. The co-hosts will dive deeper into the topics discussed on this season episode-by-episode, allowing them to reflect on those moments and conversations, and share how their own 2020 experiences have shaped their outlooks on advocacy and life with chronic illness.

 

The views and opinions expressed by the podcast hosts are solely those of the respective speakers and do not imply and should not be understood to imply the endorsement or recommendation of Johnson & Johnson (or any of its affiliates) regarding any product, item or service.

In episode 3, the HealtheVoices Radio co-hosts (Robert Breining, Brady Dale Etzkorn-Morris and Dawn Gibson) and guests will discuss advice they have for health advocates, and how advocacy has changed over 2020. The hosts will discuss mastering your story, owning your successes, and understanding your audience. They will also dive into how the idea of advocacy has changed in 2020, from the perspective of both new and veteran advocates. Finally, they will talk about how to mentor new advocates, and how to find the next step on your advocacy journey based on the legacy you want to leave behind.

In health advocacy, there is so much that unites us - even as we advocate for different health conditions and across different life experiences. Co-hosts Robert, Brady and Dawn talk with guests Molly Schreiber (Diabetes, RA & POTS Advocate) and Alexis Newman (Diabetes Advocate) about shared experiences across health communities, what it means to be “healthy,” battling stigma, and finding allies, connections and support. 

Special thanks to Chelcie Rice (Diabetes Advocate) and the International Pain Foundation (iPain) for our intro.

In the Season 3 premiere of HealtheVoices Radio, guest Guy Anthony (HIV advocate) joins our hosts Dawn M. Gibson, Robert Breining and Brady Dale Etzkorn-Morris to chat about “Advocacy, COVID-19 & Isolation.” Our panel explores the ways in which online health advocates have been affected by the virus itself and the challenges of social distancing.

Special thanks to Chelcie Rice and iPain for our wonderful intro.

Teresa I. Wright-Johnson is a married Multiple Sclerosis Warrior and Congenital Heart Disease Survivor. She was born with a heart murmur and an Aortic Valve Defect. Teresa has endured multiple open heart surgeries and cardiac procedures. She was diagnosed with MS in November of 2014 and is under the care of an esteemed MS Specialist. Teresa knows there is a calling on her life and she fully embraces that. Teresa uses her illnesses as opportunities to further rely on her faith, walk in her truth, raise awareness and educate others. She believes that she is purposely on purpose. Teresa offers a solid background in Criminal Justice and Social Services. A graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ and a retired Sr. Parole Officer for the State of New Jersey.

Lee was born and raised in a small town in northern Alberta. From a young age they were heavily involved in athletics, student government, and other extracurriculars. However, during their teen years they began battling a mental illness. Feeling scared and alone, Lee struggled silently for many years. Their illness worsened throughout their high school years and continued into university, until Lee finally sought help and began the difficult process of recovery.

After Lee began the recovery process, they realized that there were still many people struggling with mental health issues in silence. To reduce the stigma around mental health issues on their campus, Lee founded the #MyDefinition poster campaign in 2014. Since then, Lee has been working as a motivational speaker and mental health trainer, speaking to groups of all ages and sizes about their own mental health experiences, the important of reducing stigma, and LGBTQ+ issues.

Michelle Nguyen is a Business Entrepreneur, Professional Model, Social Media Star, Keynote Public Speaker and Brain Injury Advocate who presents her bittersweet story of overcoming medical obstacles after suffering from a massive Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke at the age of 17 years old. 

She promotes disability awareness globally with her genuine enthusiastic personality but she’s not holding anything back after her traumatic injury. By educating, inspiring, and creating about this cause, she has made so many connections and have established herself well in disability (Brain Health) community.  About to launch a non profit, businesses and a book that means a lot to her, she’s thriving into spotlight despite her challenges meeting new beautiful people everyday. Shoot her an e-Mail: [email protected]

Danielle Gulden and Joe Teeters are IBD warriors and permanent ileostomates. They’re comedians, speakers, advocates and Two Best Friends without Buttholes!

Danielle has had Ulcerative Colitis for over twenty-six years. After going through about every IBD medication available, going to the bathroom twenty to twenty-five times per day, and having a toilet installed in her car, she finally kicked her diseased colon to the curb in 2007.  Her ostomy (and her stoma named Stella) saved her life and gave her back her life!

Joe has been living with Crohn’s Disease for over twenty-six years. Like Danielle, he has run the gamut of medical treatments and medications. He has had a total of four intestinal surgeries and two resections. In 2012, he underwent a total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy. That surgery landed him a spot alongside Danielle in the “Barbie Butt” Club! What’s that you ask? Two cheeks, no hole, that butt is just for show!

Danielle and Joe use their humor, wisdom, and stories to connect with and support other people living with ostomies and Inflammatory Bowel Disease!  They believe in the power of humor, advocacy and awareness!

Dave Bexfield is the founder of www.ActiveMSers.org, a website designed to help, motivate and inspire those with multiple sclerosis to stay as active as possible—physically, intellectually and socially—regardless of physical limitations. Established when Dave was diagnosed in 2006, ActiveMSers is today the largest and longest-running personal MS website, and has helped hundreds of thousands of people with MS from around the world through its encouraging website, blog, Twitter feed, Facebook page, Instagram pics, YouTube videos and discussion forum. His motto: Be active, stay fit and keep exploring!

Shenese Colwell is the owner/founder of labworksandfitness and a bariatric lifestyle coach & obesity advocate. Her passion for helping clients reach their fitness goals and offer support for thier lifelong journeys is evident in her continuous pursuit of knowledge and support in the field of nutrition, fitness, and motivation. Shenese has certifications with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine. She's also a member of the Obesity Action Coalition and Exercise is Medicine.