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In Episode 6 of Season 5 of Hidradenitis SuppuraDivas, hosts Brindley and Cydney get real about what it means to live—and work—with HS. From navigating painful flare-ups on the job to the emotional toll of hiding a chronic illness in professional spaces, this episode dives into the realities so many HS warriors face every day.

Cydney shares her personal experience stepping away from traditional work, while Brindley opens up about spending over two decades in the workforce while silently battling HS. Together, they unpack the pressure to “push through,” the burnout that comes with it, and the truth many of us learn the hard way—you don’t get rewarded for suffering in silence.

This episode also breaks down practical tools like FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), workplace accommodations, and how to advocate for yourself without guilt. Whether you’re working a physically demanding job, sitting at a desk all day, or trying to figure out how HS fits into your career path—this conversation is for you.

Most importantly, Brindley and Cydney remind you: your health matters more than any job. Taking time to care for yourself isn’t a setback—it’s part of your survival and your strength.

✨ If you’ve ever struggled with calling off work, explaining your condition, or feeling like you have to hide your HS—this episode will hit home.

Resources & Community

Find support groups, teen resources, advocacy tools, and educational materials at:
👉 HSConnect.org

Follow the conversation:
📲 Instagram: @hsconnectorg
📲 Instagram: @socialcydd

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another HS Warrior and help us continue amplifying patient voices. You are not alone — and your story matters. 💜

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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In Episode 5 of SuppuraDivas, Brin and Cyd are joined by a special guest, family nurse practitioner Rachel Masters, for an honest and empowering conversation about hormones, birth control, and how they impact life with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

This episode dives into a topic many in the HS community experience—but don’t always feel comfortable talking about. From hormonal flares and painful cycles to the role of birth control in stabilizing symptoms, the conversation breaks down the why behind common treatments and what patients should actually understand about their bodies. 

They also explore the emotional side of care—how shame and stigma often prevent patients from even mentioning HS during appointments, and why having providers who ask the right questions can change everything. The discussion highlights the importance of education, patient empowerment, and finding providers who truly listen. 

Brin, Cyd, and Rachel tackle real-life concerns, including:

·       The connection between hormones and HS flares

·       How birth control can help regulate inflammation and symptoms

·       Navigating teen and parent concerns around hormonal treatment

·       What to consider when planning for pregnancy

·       Non-hormonal options and what to do if birth control isn’t the right fit

They also emphasize the power of tracking symptoms, advocating for your needs, and making informed decisions—because no one knows your body better than you do.

Whether you’re exploring treatment options, managing hormonal triggers, or just trying to better understand your HS, this episode is packed with practical insight and reassurance: there is no one-size-fits-all approach—and that’s okay.

Resources & Community

Find support groups, teen resources, advocacy tools, and educational materials at:
👉 HSConnect.org

Follow the conversation:
📲 Instagram: @hsconnectorg
📲 Instagram: @socialcydd

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another HS Warrior and help us continue amplifying patient voices. You are not alone — and your story matters. 💜

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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In Episode 4 of SuppuraDivas, Brin and Cyd sit down for a real, unfiltered Q&A straight from the HS community—tackling the questions that don’t always get talked about, but absolutely should.

From navigating the daily reality of HS pain and the challenges of finding effective relief, to understanding when it’s time to seek a diagnosis, this episode dives into the lived experience behind the condition. The conversation explores the balance between managing symptoms, advocating for yourself in medical spaces, and confronting the emotional weight that often comes with HS. 

They also break down what to look for if you think you may have HS, how to approach providers (and when to get a second opinion), and the truth about where things stand today—yes, there’s still no cure, but there are evolving options for management, support, and hope. 

This episode also opens up an important conversation around trust in healthcare, representation, and why showing up—especially in clinical trials and research—matters for the future of the HS community.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, still searching for answers, or supporting someone on their journey, this episode is a reminder: your pain is real, your voice matters, and you deserve care that meets you where you are.

Resources & Community

Find support groups, teen resources, advocacy tools, and educational materials at:
👉 HSConnect.org

Follow the conversation:
📲 Instagram: @hsconnectorg
📲 Instagram: @socialcydd

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another HS Warrior and help us continue amplifying patient voices. You are not alone — and your story matters. 💜

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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In this heartfelt episode of Hidradenitis SuppuraDivas, Brin and Cyd are joined by the incredible Cassandra (@h.s.bites) — teen advocate, HS Warrior, jazz musician, and leader of the HS Connect Teen Group.

Diagnosed at 13 after years of painful symptoms, Cassandra opens up about navigating HS while in foster care, finally being taken seriously by a dermatologist, and what it meant to see “hidradenitis suppurativa” written in her chart for the first time.

This conversation dives deep into:

✨ Growing up with HS as a teen
 ✨ The emotional toll of delayed care and being dismissed
 ✨ Stress as a trigger and protecting your mental health
 ✨ Pivoting when something isn’t working (including changing colleges)
 ✨ Dorm accommodations, medication storage, and practical teen tips
 ✨ Why community is life-changing for young people with HS
 ✨ The power of storytelling in advocacy

Cassandra shares how leading the HS Connect Teen Group has helped her feel less alone — and how teens are supporting each other through real-life challenges like relationships, school accommodations, biologic storage, and flare triggers.

One of the most powerful takeaways?
 You are not failing if you choose what’s healthiest for you.

Advocacy starts with knowing you deserve care — mentally, physically, and emotionally.

💜 Resources & Community

Find support groups, teen resources, advocacy tools, and educational materials at:
👉 HSConnect.org

Follow the conversation:
📲 Instagram: @hsconnectorg
📲 Instagram: @socialcydd
📲 Special Guest: @h.s.bites

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another HS Warrior and help us continue amplifying patient voices. You are not alone — and your story matters. 💜

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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In this powerful episode of Hidradenitis SuppuraDivas, Brin and Cyd are joined by special guest Ashley Dalton (@callmedalton2) — HS Warrior, advocate, and founder of the very first HS 5K “Move or Mingle” event.

Ashley shares her journey of living with hidradenitis suppurativa since age 13, navigating a delayed diagnosis, undergoing multiple surgeries, and learning how to advocate for herself when doctors initially dismissed her concerns.

This episode covers:

✨ The emotional impact of delayed diagnosis
 ✨ What it feels like to finally see “HS” on your medical chart
 ✨ Surgical treatment options, including secondary intention healing and CO2 laser surgery
 ✨ Recurrence, remission, and realistic expectations
 ✨ The power of community and finding your HS family
 ✨ How sharing your story helps heal you and others
 ✨ Why it’s okay to switch dermatologists
 ✨ Educating your providers when they don’t know HS

Ashley’s honesty about surgery, healing, fear, and hope reminds us that there is no single path in HS treatment — and that community changes everything.

One of the most powerful moments? The validation that comes from hearing, “You’re not crazy. You’re not alone.”

Resources & Support

Find educational tools, support groups, advocacy resources, and more at:
👉 HSConnect.org

Follow the conversation and stay connected:
📲 Instagram: @hsconnectorg
📲 Instagram: @socialcydd
📲 Special Guest: @callmedalton2

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another HS Warrior and continue amplifying patient voices. You are not alone in this. 💜

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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Welcome back to Season 5 of The Hidradenitis SuppuraDivas! 💜

In this episode, Brin and Cyd dive into one of the most overwhelming parts of living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS): navigating the healthcare system.

From building your medical team to maximizing those 7-minute dermatology appointments, this conversation is all about reclaiming your voice as a patient. If you've ever felt dismissed, rushed, unsure how to ask for what you need, or overwhelmed by insurance barriers — this episode is for you.

We talk about:

✨ Finding a dermatologist who truly sees and validates you
 ✨ Why it’s okay (and necessary) to switch providers
 ✨ How to prepare for appointments so you make the most of your time
 ✨ Prior authorizations and insurance hurdles
 ✨ Biologic access and pharmaceutical assistance programs
 ✨ The power of patient advocacy and storytelling
 ✨ Why your support group belongs on your medical team

The healthcare system may feel broken — but you are not powerless in it. Advocacy starts with preparation, confidence, and community.

If you’re navigating HS care right now, know this:
 You deserve to feel heard.
 You deserve proper treatment.
 And you deserve a team that works for you.

🔗 Resources & Support

Find tools, prior authorization templates, advocacy resources, and community support at:
👉 HSConnect.org

Follow for education, updates, and community:
📲 Instagram: @hsconnectorg
📲 Instagram: @socialcydd

If this episode helped you, share it with another HS warrior.  See you next episode 💜

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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In the final episode of Season 4, the Hidradenitis SuppuraDivas sit down for an honest, unfiltered conversation shaped entirely by your questions.

This finale explores what it really looks like to live with HS in everyday life—deciding when to show up and when to rest, how to respond to insensitive comments, and how to protect your mental health without shrinking yourself. The hosts talk candidly about boundaries, self-advocacy, grief, burnout, and the complicated emotions that come with visibility—especially in advocacy spaces.

They also pull back the curtain on what advocacy actually requires: the emotional labor, the physical toll, the exhaustion behind conferences and travel, and the reality that meaningful change is slow, intentional work rooted in consistency—not virality.

This episode is a reminder that:

• You don’t owe anyone access to your pain
• Letting people think what they want is sometimes the strongest choice
• Advocacy comes in many forms—and all of them matter
• Rest is not quitting
• And showing up imperfectly is still showing up

As Season 4 comes to a close, this conversation centers compassion, honesty, and permission—to take breaks, to speak up, to keep going, or to pause when you need to.

Thank you for walking with us this season.
We’ll see you in the next chapter.

For resources, advocacy opportunities, and ways to get involved, visit hsconnect.org.

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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In this candid and vulnerable episode of Hidradenitis Suppuradivas, hosts Brindley and Cydney are joined by Cara to dive into a conversation rarely discussed but incredibly important: what it’s really like to navigate postpartum life while living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Joined by Brindley in the studio (with her 18-day-old newborn making a few adorable guest appearances), the hosts share raw experiences about pregnancy with HS, changing flare patterns, breastfeeding challenges, postpartum depression, and the complicated feelings around body image, pain, and new motherhood.

Together, they open up about:

• How HS symptoms can shift during pregnancy and postpartum
• Making difficult decisions around breastfeeding and flares
• Asking for help—and the guilt that comes with it
• What it means to show up as a mom when your body is hurting
• Teaching kids empathy, compassion, and honesty
• Why postpartum care for HS patients must include emotional support
• How community makes all the difference

This episode is full of laughter, real talk, tender moments, and the kind of honesty that reminds every HS mom: you are not alone, you are not failing, and your kids already think you’re enough.

Listen in for a conversation that validates, empowers, and uplifts anyone navigating motherhood with HS.

For more HS resources, tools, and support, visit hsconnect.org.

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of Hidradenitis Suppuradivas, hosts Brin and Cyd sit down with Cristina Curp, Chief Operating Officer of HS Connect, for a conversation every HS warrior needs to hear. Together, they unpack why the word “diet” can feel so triggering, the emotional weight so many carry around food, and how shifting the language to nutrition can open the door to healing rather than shame.

Cristina shares her personal journey of putting her HS into remission, the truth about bio-individuality, why “what works for me” is not a prescription for everyone, and how she guides people toward sustainable, compassionate approaches to eating. From food journaling and mindset work to hormone insights and realistic goal-setting, her expertise brings clarity to an often confusing topic.

The conversation also dives into food guilt, frustration, cultural expectations, family influences, and the pressure patients feel to “get it right.” Cristina’s grounded, human-centered approach reminds listeners that healing is not linear, nutrition is not morality, and you are not failing if someone else’s path looks different from your own.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by advice, ashamed of your eating habits, or unsure how nutrition fits into your HS journey, this episode offers validation, direction, and the reminder that you are not alone.

Listen now and explore more HS resources at hsconnect.org.

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.

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Clothing is something we all need every single day — but when you’re living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), what you wear can affect far more than just your style. In this episode of Hidradenitis Suppuradivas, the hosts dive into the real, unfiltered relationship between HS, comfort, confidence, and clothing choices.

From sweat, drainage, friction, and flares to bras, underwear, fabrics, and the emotional weight of always “dressing to hide,” this conversation explores the constant calculations people with HS make before leaving the house. The Divas talk openly about trial-and-error fashion, why “wear loose clothing” isn’t helpful advice for everyone, and how comfort sometimes means redefining femininity, beauty standards, and expectations altogether.

This episode also touches on:

• Choosing comfort over appearance (and the freedom that can bring)
• Navigating underwear, bras, and fabrics with HS
• Why black feels like a safety net — and how to reclaim color on your own terms
• Letting go of shame around flares, scars, and drainage
• Dressing for your body, not other people’s comfort

Honest, funny, and deeply relatable, this episode is a reminder that you don’t owe anyone comfort but yourself — and that what you wear should support your body, not punish it.

Wear what feels good. Wear what feels like you.
 And if HS comes with you, that doesn’t mean you disappear.

This podcast was made possible by our sponsor Moonlake, and past sponsors UCB and Sanofi.