In this inspiring episode of KidneyTalk, Dr. Bettye shares her personal journey with kidney disease, the choices that helped her feel more empowered, and why knowledge, persistence, and active participation in your care can make a difference. Join us for an honest and uplifting conversation about aging, kidney health, food choices, self-advocacy, and finding ways to live well with kidney disease.

Most people cannot imagine life on dialysis for even a year"Vanessa Evans has lived it for nearly three decades. Diagnosed at 12, she has seen it all: transplant, loss, in-center care, and home hemodialysis. But her story is not what you would expect. In this episode, she shares with Lori what really changed everything"and why she is now helping other people who have kidney failure choose a dialysis treament that works for them.

Eddie Z, is a talented musician and producer who has been the driving force behind some of Charlotte, North Carolinas most iconic music venues. But his conversation with Lori is more than just music talk. Eddie opens about his personal journey, sharing the challenges he has faced with kidney disease and the unexpected transformations that have reshaped his outlook on creativity and purpose. It is a story about hitting rock bottom and finding a new way to rise. Tune in to hear the pivotal moment that turned everything around for Eddie and what it took for him to come back stronger than ever.

In this two-part conversation, Lori Hartwell and nephrologist Jim McCabe, MD dig into one of the most challenging parts of hemodialysis: fluid management. Why is it still so difficult to get it right and what is missing that could make the patient experience better? As they explore the gaps patients face every treatment, a well-known but underused technology comes into focus raising a simple question: if better solutions exist, why arent we using them?

In this two-part conversation, Lori Hartwell and nephrologist Jim McCabe, MD dig into one of the most challenging parts of hemodialysis: fluid management. Why is it still so difficult to get it right and what is missing that could make the patient experience better? As they explore the gaps patients face every treatment, a well-known but underused technology comes into focus raising a simple question: if better solutions exist, why arent we using them?

Could your gut be quietly shaping the future of your kidney health? On this episode of Kidney Talk, host Lori Hartwell welcomes renowned kidney specialist Dr. Johnson and kidney disease survivor Bettye Mashack for a fascinating conversation about the overlooked link between gut health and kidney disease. From surprising science to real-life patient experiences, this conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers new hope for people at every stage of kidney disease. You may never think about probiotics, sugar, or good and bad bacteria the same way again.

Feeling tired and washed out? It could be more than fatigue. Lori Hartwell and Dr. Todd Minga, Vice-President of Clinical Research and Medical Affairs at Akebia Therapeutics uncover how anemia and kidney disease intertwine"and why understanding this hidden link could change how you manage your health.

On this episode of KidneyTalk, Lori Hartwell chats with Dr. Ken Sutha, a pediatric nephrologist who understands kidney disease in a way few doctors can"because he has lived it.

What if the key to freedom was not found in a cure, but in a choice? Ridishanae (Nae) Shaw shares how she redefined life, love, and independence in her kidney journey. Hear her story in the latest KidneyTalk® podcast episode.

On this episode of KidneyTalk, Lori Hartwell chats with Shelby McClure, whose kidney journey is anything but ordinary. Shelby has experienced nearly every form of dialysis"each with its own challenges, breakthroughs, and life lessons. From peritoneal dialysis in the quiet hours of the night to the self-discipline of home hemodialysis, Shelbys story is packed with unexpected turns, personal revelations, and a powerful transplant experience that changed everything "tune in to hear the full story.