Just Talking Podcast

Patient advocate Joan Mueller joins me this week for a conversation about her life with arthritis, its impact on her work as an Assistant Hospital Director, the challenges that come with physical therapy and relearning motor functions, and how to create more empathy in health care.

Run Time - 38:44

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This week I'm joined by Kristal Kent for a conversation about fibromyalgia, the widespread pain index, challenges that come with an invisible illness, and the positivity and empathy that an online patient community can generate.

Learn more about Kristal's advocacy efforts at @KristalPainChronicles.

Run Time - 47:17

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Maria Thomas joins me this week to talk about her life with hyperhidrosis, share her perspective on defining chronic diseases as disabilities, empowerment and validation that is received from peers and providers, and navigating social cues most people take for granted. There's also a lot of my new puppy, Miles Davis, trying to participate in the interview. I did what I could to minimize his contribution. My apologies in advance.

Learn more about Maria's advocacy efforts at mylifeasapuddle.com.

Run Time - 35:08

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This week I'm joined by Justin Birckbichler for a conversation about his testicular cancer diagnosis, identifying an opportunity to educate through humor, really clever puns, and creative opportunities for testicular cancer advocacy.

Learn more about Justin's advocacy efforts at aballsysenseoftumor.com.

Run Time - 33:24

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Erin Smith joins me this week to talk about her life with celiac disease, traveling the world in search of great gluten free food, challenges that arise when your medical necessity becomes a culinary fad, and New York accents.

Learn more about Erin's advocacy efforts at glutenfreeglobetrotter.com and glutenfreefun.blogspot.com. Follow Erin on Twitter @gfglobetrotter.

Run Time - 32:55

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This week I'm joined by Frank Rivera for a conversation about his sarcoidosis diagnosis, the challenges and opportunities that come with living with a rare disease, living with multiple other chronic illnesses, and how patient advocacy efforts can create lasting relationships.

Learn more about Frank's advocacy efforts at lifeasararepatient.blog and sarcoidosisofli.org.

Run Time - 39:03

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Robert Joyce joins me this week to talk about his life with multiple sclerosis, life in a small Irish town, making the most of the good days, the value in online patient communities, and Robert takes a few minutes to explain the different types of multiple sclerosis.

Learn more about Robert's advocacy efforts at a30minutelife.com.

Run Time - 33:43

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This week, I'm joined by Derek Canas for a conversation about having open heart surgery at 3 months old, have five pacemakers installed over his life to date, using positivity and humor through his patient advocacy efforts, the ongoing stigma for people living with AIDS, and the art of a perfect pre-surgery playlist.

Learn more about Derek's advocacy efforts at derekcanas.com.

Run Time - 32:28

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Content warning: eating disorders.

Erin Akers, Founder and Executive Director of Diabulimia Helpline joins me this week to talk about her personal experience with diabulimia, building a community and growing resources for people with diabetes and eating disorders, the constant hustle of running a nonprofit organization, and the First International Conference on Diabetes and Eating Disorders.

Learn more about Diabulimia Helpline, including the upcoming International Conference at diabulimiahelpline.org.

Run Time - 33:03

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This week I'm joined by Rodney Miller for a conversation about his diabetes diagnosis, his passion for power lifting and Strongman competitions, unique opportunities for patient advocacy and community building, and his nonprofit organization, Bolus and Barbells.

Follow Rodney on Instagram, on Instagram, and bolusandbarbells.org.

Run Time - 32:18

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