In this episode, Susie talks about how she has navigated life living with a chronic illness since the age of nine. She touches on many of the other health issues that she has lived through along the way and why the cliches like, "it could be worse" or “look on the bright side”, don’t sit well with her and how to reframe them.  Susie talks about how living with chronic illness is hard, but how she has found a way to see the beauty in each day. Susie also shares how she's taken her health journey and used it to pour into a book she’s written called “ Help the doctor help you- 31 secrets and tips for self- advocacy to get the best from your appointments.

Susie is a Canadian author, public speaker and singer-songwriter currently living in the UK with her husband Don and Chihuahua Carlos. She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 9 almost dying, and has been collecting illness ever since  (including temporary blindness - saved by a good surgeon with an eyeball vacuum!) and even a brain tumour she had removed in her early twenties!) With a regular newspaper column called, 'Expert Patient Here to Help!' Susie is passionate about helping people go from being a patient (just a number), to a person at the doctor's office. She has just finished a manuscript called, She has a book called, 'Help the Doctor Help You! 31 secrets and tips for self-advocacy to get the BEST at your appointments' and is working on a memoir about her chronic illness life. She also regularly releases music under her two artist names: Susie Bird and Suschwa.

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Candace Dunaway is the host of The Spiritual Cupcake Podcast, a heart-centered space for healing, growth, and high-vibe living. She’s also a teacher, a nature lover, and a creative soul who finds deep joy in life’s simplest moments.

Candace sees the world through rainbow-colored glasses—always searching for the silver linings, even in life’s stormy skies. For her, happiness isn’t a far-off destination, but something woven into the everyday magic of life.

Her love for the outdoors inspired The Mild Side of Wild, a video series that encourages others to step outside and reconnect with nature’s wisdom—a free gift that’s always available.

Whether she’s wandering through the woods, recording a podcast episode, or laughing with a stranger-turned-friend, Candace thrives on meaningful connection. She treasures hearing people’s stories and perspectives, especially when they come from unexpected paths.

Forever dreaming, always creating, she’s endlessly exploring new ideas and projects. Guided by wonder, curiosity, and the belief that beauty is everywhere, She’s here to connect, to let go, and to expand—one inspired moment at a time.