It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast

What happens when life as a young mother is suddenly interrupted by a cancer diagnosis most people associate with older adults?

In this episode of It Happened To Me, Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman are joined by Corinne Torney, a mother of two, elementary school teacher, cancer advocate, and multiple myeloma survivor.

Corinne was diagnosed at just 34 years old with an aggressive form of multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer that changed nearly every part of her life. Her diagnosis came with a serious prognosis and treatment that required her to receive care away from home, separating her from her young daughters during an already overwhelming time.

Now in remission, Corinne shares what it was like to navigate cancer as a young parent, how she stayed connected to her family during treatment, and how survivorship has changed her relationship with uncertainty. She also reflects on why she chose to share her story publicly and how advocacy has become an important part of her life.

Corinne is an ambassador for Bristol Myers Squibb’s Survivorship Today initiative, where she helps raise awareness and support others navigating life during and after cancer.

Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me.

It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer.

For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

At 47 years old, Jack Clifford was hospitalized with severe coronary artery disease and told that he needed emergency triple bypass surgery. As he reviewed the consent forms and confronted the possibility of not waking up from the procedure, memories of his mother’s difficult experience following bypass surgery weighed heavily on him.

Facing intense pressure to act quickly, Jack made the unexpected decision to leave the hospital against medical advice and investigate whether another option existed.

In this episode of It Happened To Me, Jack joins hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman to share how he discovered enhanced external counterpulsation, commonly known as EECP. He describes the extraordinary lengths he went to access the therapy, what treatment was like, and how the experience changed his understanding of circulation, informed consent, and patient autonomy.

Jack also reflects on why patients may not hear about every potential treatment option, what he learned while researching the healthcare system, and how his personal journey eventually became a book and a mission to help others become more informed and empowered participants in their medical care.

This episode shares one person’s experience and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice or recommend that anyone delay, decline, or discontinue cardiac care. Treatment decisions, including decisions involving surgery or EECP, should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals who understand your individual medical history and circumstances.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a possible heart attack or another medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.

Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me.

It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer.

For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

What began as one handmade bed in a garage has grown into a global movement that has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

In this episode of It Happened To Me, hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman speak with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit guided by the mission: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”

Luke shares the personal journey behind the organization, from his upbringing in small-town Idaho to building what has become the largest bed-building charity in the world. He explains what inspired him to build that first bed, what families have taught him about need and resilience, and why a safe place to sleep can profoundly affect a child’s dignity, emotional well-being, physical health, and ability to thrive.

The conversation also explores the ripple effects of service, the challenges of leading a rapidly growing nonprofit, and how ordinary people can create extraordinary change by responding to the needs directly in front of them.

This episode briefly mentions a story involving a shooting and murder. Please listen with care.

Luke Mickelson is the powerhouse founder behind Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a global nonprofit dedicated to the mission that “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”

What started as a single handmade bunk bed in a garage has grown into a movement with more than 400 chapters across 47 states and four countries, and at the end of the summer, they will reach the milestone of 500,000 beds built and delivered to children in need.

A former “farm kid” from Kimberly, Idaho, Luke combines his background in competitive athletics and business leadership with his “Humans Helping Humans” philosophy. His journey from corporate professional to CNN Hero and American Ninja Warrior competitor has been featured on NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America, and Today.

Luke now travels the country inspiring audiences to recognize the extraordinary potential within “tiny moments” and rediscover the profound joy of serving others.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

The Leadership Evolution Podcast

Luke Mickelson

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World

Beth references Admiral McRaven’s book, which grew out of the commencement address he delivered to the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on May 17, 2014. The book explores how small, disciplined actions—beginning with making your bed—can help people face challenges, support others, and create meaningful change.

Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me.

It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer.

For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

For most people, stepping into the sunshine is an ordinary part of life. For Craig Leppert, even a few minutes of sun exposure can cause severe pain and swelling.

Craig lives with erythropoietic protoporphyria, or EPP, a rare genetic condition that causes extreme sensitivity to light. Born in Hawaii, raised on the Jersey Shore, and now working in the television industry in Los Angeles, Craig has spent much of his life planning around the sun.

In this episode, Craig joins hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman to share what growing up with EPP was really like, how the condition affected his relationships and everyday choices, and why its often-invisible pain can be so difficult for others to understand.

Craig also discusses founding Shadow Jumpers in 2017. The nonprofit supports individuals and families with photosensitive conditions through sun-safe vacations, home renovations, protective clothing, medical assistance, transportation, and community programs.

In 2024, Shadow Jumpers launched Sun Escape, a free annual weekend camp where photosensitive families can enjoy activities including horseback riding, archery, zip lining, and water park access in a carefully sun-safe environment.

Craig also reflects on participating in a clinical trial of bitopertin, an investigational treatment for EPP, and what it felt like to spend hours outside without the severe pain that had shaped his life.

Craig Leppert is the founder of Shadow Jumpers, a nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by EPP and other photosensitive conditions through programs including Sun Escape, family assistance, protective clothing, and sun-safe experiences.

Craig’s diagnostic journey was featured on Discovery Channel’s Mystery Diagnosis in the episode “The Boy Who Kept Swelling,” and he later appeared with his family on The Dr. Oz Show. His life with EPP and advocacy through Shadow Jumpers were also recently featured in People.

Bitopertin was previously studied as a potential treatment for schizophrenia but was never approved for that condition. It remains investigational and is not currently approved for EPP.

Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me.

It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer.

For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

Infertility can affect nearly every part of a person’s life, from their emotional well-being and relationships to their finances, identity, and sense of control over the future.

After spending six years trying to conceive, navigating complex fertility treatments, and paying more than $100,000 out of pocket, Jessica Chalk understood firsthand how exhausting and isolating the fertility journey can become. Along with the physical demands of treatment, patients are often expected to coordinate appointments, track medical information, make complicated decisions, and advocate for themselves while coping with grief and uncertainty.

In this episode of It Happened To Me, Jessica joins hosts Beth Glassman and Cathy Gildenhorn for an honest conversation about the realities of infertility that are often hidden from view. She shares the emotional and financial weight of her experience, the impact it had on her identity and relationships, and what helped her continue through six difficult years.

Jessica also explains how feeling unsupported within the healthcare system ultimately inspired her to found myStoria and advocate for a more coordinated, compassionate approach to patient care.

Jessica Chalk is the founder and CEO of myStoria, a patient-support platform created to help people organize medical information, prepare for appointments, coordinate care, and navigate complex reproductive health journeys.

Jessica’s work was inspired by her own six-year fertility journey, during which she experienced the emotional, financial, and logistical burden frequently placed on patients. She founded myStoria with the goal of ensuring that people facing complicated medical situations do not have to manage every aspect of their care alone.

Terminology update: During this episode, we use the term polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Since the episode was recorded, the condition has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The updated name is intended to better represent the condition’s wide-ranging hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive effects rather than suggesting that it is defined primarily by ovarian cysts.

Infertility can involve grief, pregnancy loss, financial hardship, medical trauma, and difficult decisions about family building. Please take care of yourself while engaging with this episode and seek support from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional when needed.

The experiences discussed in this episode reflect Jessica’s personal journey and are not intended as individualized medical advice. Treatment options, outcomes, costs, and insurance coverage vary considerably. Speak with your healthcare team about questions related to your own fertility or reproductive health.

Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me.

It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer.

For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

In this episode of It Happened To Me, hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman are joined by Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts, two women living with congenital muscular dystrophy and the co-hosts of the podcast Wheel Talk.

Congenital muscular dystrophy, or CMD, is a rare group of genetic conditions that affect muscle strength and mobility from birth or early childhood. For Kelly and Avery, living with CMD has shaped their experiences with independence, accessibility, mobility, advocacy, and identity. But as they make clear in this conversation, disability is not something to be hidden, minimized, or “fixed.” It is part of who they are.

Kelly and Avery share how they met, what life with CMD looks like for each of them, and how their relationship with disability identity has evolved over time. They also discuss what respectful support from others can look like, why unsolicited assumptions can be harmful, and how people can better understand wheelchair users as whole people living full, ordinary, meaningful lives.

The conversation explores Kelly and Avery’s advocacy work, including their meetings with state and federal legislators around rare disease, disability rights, Medicaid, and 504 protections. They discuss the importance of bringing lived experience into policy conversations, as well as their role in helping spearhead the U.S. portion of the inaugural World Collagen 6 Awareness Day (June 6th). Collagen 6-related muscular dystrophy is the ultra-rare form of CMD that both Kelly and Avery live with, making awareness and community-building especially meaningful.

Kelly and Avery also reflect on launching Wheel Talk podcast in 2025, why they felt a podcast was needed, and how they balance visibility with vulnerability when sharing their lives publicly. Through their platform, they are breaking down stereotypes, challenging misconceptions, and creating space for more honest conversations about disability, rare disease, and identity.

Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts are two women living with congenital muscular dystrophy and the co-hosts of the podcast Wheel Talk. Through their advocacy, public speaking, media work, mentorship, and legislative engagement, they use their lived experiences to challenge stereotypes, advance disability rights, and build community for people living with rare disease and physical disabilities.

The Capitol Crawl in March 1990 

Wheel Talk Podcast Website

Wheel Talk Podcast’s Instagram 

Wheel Talk Podcast via Apple

Wheel Talk Podcast via Spotify

Avery’s Instagram 

Kelly’s Instagram

World Col6 Myopathy Day

MedlinePlus’ Collagen VI-related dystrophy 

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”. 

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

For most of her life, Sadie Dingfelder thought she was simply quirky: bad with directions, unusually clumsy, unable to recognize faces, and disconnected from many of her own memories. Then, a startling encounter in a grocery store led her to question whether her experiences reflected something deeper.

In this episode of It Happened To Me, Cathy and Beth speak with Sadie about discovering that her brain processes faces, memories, images, and depth differently from most people’s. Her search for answers took her inside leading neuroscience laboratories, where she participated in brain-imaging studies and learned more about faceblindness, severely deficient autobiographical memory, stereoblindness, and aphantasia.

Sadie shares what it is like to attend a party where everyone recognizes her, but she cannot identify anyone else, and how the fear of offending people can create anxiety in social and professional settings. She also explains the strategies she developed during her journalism career, from recognizing people through their voices and mannerisms to navigating conversations without revealing that she did not know who she was speaking with.

The conversation also explores what it means to discover that other people can mentally replay scenes from their lives, visualize images in their minds, and perceive a level of three-dimensional depth that Sadie has never experienced. She reflects on the complicated mix of grief, relief, and self-understanding that accompanied these discoveries.

Sadie’s story reminds us that there is no single “normal” way to perceive, remember, or experience the world, and that many cognitive and visual differences remain invisible to the people around us.

Sadie Dingfelder is a freelance science journalist whose writing has appeared in The New Yorker, National Geographic, and The Washington Post. She previously worked as a staff reporter for The Washington Post Express and as a senior science writer for the American Psychological Association’s Monitor on Psychology, where she covered neuroscience, cognitive science, and animal behavior.

She is the author of Do I Know You?: A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory, and Imagination, which combines memoir, investigative journalism, and neuroscience to explore the many ways human beings experience the world differently.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”. 

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

In this episode of It Happened To Me, we continue our conversation with Dr. David Traster, a clinical neurologist and educator who works with patients experiencing complex neurological conditions.

In Part 1, Dr. Traster introduced clinical neurology, shared his personal experience with chronic illness and delayed diagnosis, and explained how neuroplasticity can help the brain adapt and recover. In Part 2, the conversation expands into how the nervous system affects far more than movement, including pain, digestion, heart rate, fatigue, balance, vision, and everyday functioning.

Dr. Traster explains how different areas of the brain and nervous system influence the body, and why neurological symptoms do not always appear clearly on imaging or lab results. He discusses how patients can feel dismissed when their symptoms are real but difficult to measure, and offers practical insight into how people can advocate for themselves while seeking a diagnosis and appropriate care.

Cathy and Dr. Traster also explore the connection between balance, vision, the inner ear, and spatial orientation. Using clear examples, Dr. Traster explains how the brain integrates information from the eyes, body, and vestibular system, and how dizziness, vertigo, motion sensitivity, or imbalance can occur when those systems are not communicating properly.

The episode also looks at neurological recovery across the lifespan. Dr. Traster emphasizes that people are never “too old” or “too sick” to improve brain function, although each person’s recovery depends on their condition, limitations, and consistency. He explains the importance of repetition and targeted exercise in strengthening brain pathways, and why practice can help make functional improvements more lasting.

This conversation closes with a hopeful look at the future of neurological recovery, including the role of technology, AI, advanced imaging, and new tools that may help us better understand and support the brain.

Dr. David Traster is a clinical neurologist and educator with nearly two decades of experience working with patients experiencing complex neurological conditions. His background as an athlete and personal trainer, along with his own experience navigating injury and chronic health challenges, shaped his approach to neurological recovery and rehabilitation.

Dr. Traster has advanced training in concussion, dizziness and vertigo, movement disorders, autonomic nervous system conditions, and childhood developmental disorders. His work focuses on helping patients improve function through neurorehabilitation, targeted exercises, and individualized care.

Listen to Part 1 of this conversation on Episode 85 of It Happened To Me to hear Dr. Traster explain clinical neurology, his own experience with delayed diagnosis and Lyme disease, concussion recovery, targeted brain rehabilitation, and neuroplasticity.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”. 

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

In this episode of It Happened To Me, we explore clinical neurology, how the brain and nervous system function, what happens when things go wrong, and how recovery and adaptation are possible even after injury or chronic neurological challenges.

Our guest is Dr. David Traster, a clinical neurologist and educator who has spent nearly two decades working with patients experiencing complex neurological conditions. His background as an athlete and personal trainer, combined with his own experiences navigating injury and chronic health issues, shaped his interest in helping people improve function through neurological recovery.

Dr. Traster has advanced training in concussion, dizziness and vertigo, movement disorders, autonomic nervous system conditions, and childhood developmental disorders. His work focuses on helping patients improve function through neurorehabilitation and targeted exercises, without relying solely on drugs or surgery.

In Part 1 of this conversation, Dr. Traster explains what clinical neurology really means and how it differs from the traditional view of neurology as diagnosis, medication, or surgery alone. He shares his own experience as a high-level basketball player whose life changed after a surgery led to years of unexplained symptoms, eventually resulting in a Lyme disease diagnosis. That personal journey shaped how he listens to patients whose symptoms do not fit neatly into a diagnosis.

The conversation also explores how the brain responds to injury, including concussion and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Traster explains why recovery often requires more than rest and time, and how targeted exercises involving vision, balance, eye movement, vestibular rehabilitation, and cognitive therapy can help retrain specific brain pathways.

Cathy and Dr. Traster also discuss how this approach may apply to patients living with rare or genetic conditions. While neurorehabilitation may not cure an underlying condition, Dr. Traster explains that improving function, balance, movement, and quality of life can still be meaningful and powerful for patients.

Dr. Traster also provides a clear explanation of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change, strengthen, and reorganize through repeated activity. Dr. Traster breaks down why “brain cells that fire together wire together,” and how learning, movement, repetition, and targeted practice can support healing and adaptation.

Dr. David Traster is a clinical neurologist and educator with nearly two decades of experience working with patients experiencing complex neurological conditions. His background as an athlete and personal trainer, along with his own experience navigating injury and chronic health challenges, shaped his approach to neurological recovery and rehabilitation.

Dr. Traster has advanced training in concussion, dizziness and vertigo, movement disorders, autonomic nervous system conditions, and childhood developmental disorders. His work focuses on helping patients improve function through neurorehabilitation, targeted exercises, and individualized care.

"Sidney Crosby’s concussion 10 years later and the NHL’s progress since: Yohe" via NY Times 

Dr. David Traster’s Neurologic Wellness Institute Profile

Listen to Part 2 for the continuation of this conversation, where Dr. Traster discusses how the nervous system affects pain, digestion, heart rate, fatigue, balance, vision, the inner ear, patient advocacy, and neurological recovery across the lifespan.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”. 

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

A sensitive content warning: this episode includes discussion of substance addiction, mental health struggles, suicide attempts, and recovery.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 in the U.S., call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor, or use the online chat through the 988 Lifeline. It supports people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental health crises, and substance use concerns.

To honor May being Mental Health Awareness month we invited Drew Motiv to share his story of transformation through addiction, mental health struggles, and surviving suicide attempts, in this episode. Now a motivational speaker and founder of the Divine Family Movement, Drew opens up about the darkest chapters of his life and how he found his way toward healing, self-belief, and purpose.

We explore what it truly means to hit rock bottom, the isolation that can come with addiction and recovery, and the difficult work of rebuilding your identity after trauma. Drew reflects on the internal battles he faced, the moments that changed his path, and how he now uses his lived experience to help others feel less alone.

Beth and Cathy also talk with Drew about the emotional complexity of recovery, learning to trust yourself again, coping with lingering anxiety and darkness, and turning personal pain into public advocacy. His story is both deeply personal and broadly resonant for anyone navigating mental health challenges, addiction, or the long road back to themselves.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please use the resources below. 

Follow Drew Motiv on Instagram @Drew_Motiv

divinefamilymovement.com

Need support? If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7. For substance use or mental health treatment referrals, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For text-based crisis support, text HOME to 741741. Veterans and service members can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1 or texting 838255. For non-crisis support and local mental health resources, contact NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text NAMI to 62640. 

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”. 

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].