Made Visible

By Harper Spero

What's Made Visible about?

Made Visible is a podcast that gives a voice to people with invisible illnesses. This podcast aims to change the conversation around invisible illnesses, helping those who experience them —whether as patients, caregivers, or friends or family members — feel more seen and heard.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Made Visible episodes:

07.25.2023
128. The Quiet Epidemic with Special Guest, Ally Hilfiger
I moderated a panel discussion at ReelAbilities Film Festival on The Quiet Epidemic, an eye-opening film about Lyme disease that highlights the emotional toll of patients’ journeys with the illness and the scientific facts of the disease. During the panel...
07.18.2023
127. Ilana Jacqueline, Fighting the War Against Medical Gaslighting
Author and patient advocate Ilana Jacqueline experienced medical gaslighting from a young age. At age 19 she was diagnosed with Hypogammaglobulinemia, a rare immunodeficiency. While navigating young adulthood with an invisible illness, Ilana also faced lots of medical gaslighting, encountering...
07.11.2023
126. Melissa Coulier, Finding a Holistic Approach to Lupus and Life
Melissa is a functional fitness instructor, photographer, and Lupus warrior. After living her whole life in pain, Melissa was finally diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. She began a variety of treatments that helped combat her symptoms, but the physical and...
07.04.2023
125. Akiva Zablocki, Helping Families with Hyper IgM Find Community and Care
Akiva Zablocki is a former healthcare consultant and the founder of the Hyper IgM foundation. When Akiva’s son Idan was just eight months old, he was diagnosed with Hyper IgM, an incredibly rare genetic mutation that severely compromises the immune...
06.27.2023
124. Melissa Aives and Danielle Scaramellino, Navigating Invisible Illness With My Best Friends
Join me for a very special episode where I sit down with my best friends, Melissa Aives and Danielle Scaramellino, as we reflect on a life-changing moment eleven years ago when I underwent a life-threatening surgery, introducing my friends to...
06.20.2023
123. Jamie Nicole, Creating Support for the BIPOC Community Living with Autoimmune Diseases
Jamie Nicole is a highly regarded certified health coach dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health through complementary medicine and holistic health lifestyle changes. Her passion for health and wellness was sparked when she witnessed the transformative power of holistic...
06.13.2023
122. Kate Milligan, The Power of Determination, Community, and Asking Questions
Kate Milligan is an Emmy-nominated producer, writer, speaker, storyteller, and founder of 1 Girl Revolution: a multimedia platform dedicated to highlighting the authentic stories of everyday women and girls who are changing the world through their lives. Diagnosed with Job’s...
06.06.2023
121. Dr Alex Truong, Highlighting the Unaddressed Long-COVID Symptoms and Trauma
Dr. Truong is a pulmonary and critical care trained physician with 12 years of experience as assistant professor at Emory Midtown Hospital. Since August of 2020, he and Dr. Adviteeya Dixit have been running the Emory Post-COVID clinic where they...
05.27.2023
120. Marina Khidekel, Designing an Anxiety-Soothing Product that Hugs Back
Marina Khidekel created Hugimals World, a TIME Best Inventions- winning line of weighted stuffed animals that "hug you back" to ease anxiety and bring calm. Prior to becoming a founder, Marina was a health & wellness journalist. She previously worked...
05.22.2023
119. Erica Domesek, DIY expert opens up about hidden mental health struggles
Erica Domesek, founder of P.S. - I Made This and ELD Creative discusses mental health struggles, creative inspiration, and the support systems needed to navigate tough times. Erica reflects on her eating disorder in college and her experience with postpartum...
05.15.2023
118. Melissa Bernstein, Utilizing Verses and Creativity to Make Meaning of Existential Depression
Melissa Bernstein, co-founder of Melissa & Doug, discusses her struggles with existential depression and how she uses writing and creating to cope. She also talks about the importance of embracing all emotions, utilizing daily practices for resilience, and creating her...
05.15.2023
Mental Health Awareness Month Tribute
A brief reminder about Mental Health Awareness Month and the tribute to my friend, Phil Kohn. Join the monthly Made Visible Writing Session on May 24th here.
05.09.2023
117. Dr. Michelle Chung, Acknowledging and Healing Our Pandemic Trauma
We’re 3+ years into the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s impossible to deny that life still doesn't feel quite the same as pre-pandemic. We’re all saddled with the trauma of a life-threatening illness, the isolation and fear we experienced. In honor...
05.02.2023
116. Allison Raskin, Debunking Common Misconceptions about OCD
Surely we’ve all heard someone say, “Oh, I’m so OCD!” at least once in our lives. But what is it really like to live with this clinical diagnosis? How is everyday life managed, and how often does it affect people...
04.25.2023
115. Harper Spero, Sharing My Own Invisible Illness Story
This episode provides an in-depth look into my life navigating a rare primary immunodeficiency, Hyper IgE Syndrome after ten years of not being diagnosed and almost three decades of hiding my condition. I share all the bumps along the way...
04.18.2023
114. Jacqueline & Alexa Child, Dating with a Disability and Invisible Illness
Dating on an app is challenging. But have you experienced dating on mainstream apps while also living with a disability, chronic, or invisible illness? After disclosing that she was disabled on mainstream dating apps, Jacqueline Child would often be ghosted...
04.11.2023
113. Kate Washington, Caring For Yourself While Caregiving For Your Loved One
Almost all of us will assume a caregiving role for a close loved one at some point in our lives. When is the correct time to start mentally preparing? Do you think you'd feel comfortable administering treatments that deeply affect...
04.04.2023
112. Dr. Christiane Wolf, Managing Pain With Meditation
Have you ever tried meditation to help manage chronic pain? After realizing that meditation, mindfulness, and compassion practices are transformational in how we relate to what is happening to us, Dr. Christiane Wolf found a passion in teaching it to...
03.28.2023
111. Dr. Stella Safo, Debunking Stigmas about HIV and Advocating Equitable Healthcare for All
In this episode, Dr. Stella Safo, a board-certified HIV primary care physician and the founder of Just Equity For Health, talks about healthcare redesign and equity. She discusses her personal journey into healthcare and how her commitment to social justice...
03.21.2023
110. Isaac Zablocki, Coping with Dysgraphia and Advocating for Change Through Film
Step into the life of Isaac Zablocki as he shares his personal journey of living with dysgraphia - a neurological condition that affects one’s ability to write. Isaac opens up about how his experience with dysgraphia has helped shape his...
03.16.2023
Bonus: Exclusive Essay Readings from Laura Frégeau & Lindsay Ellis
This bonus episode of the Made Visible podcast features the exclusive readings of two powerful essays written by students of the Made Visible Writing Class. Laura Frégeau's "Seeking Care" takes a humorous tongue-in-cheek approach to the task of finding a...
03.14.2023
109. The Power of Processing Through Writing
Before I could learn how to live with my invisible illness, I needed a way to process what I was going through. So I created what I wished had existed for me, the Made Visible Writing Class. A safe place...
03.07.2023
108. Serena Wolf and Katie Dalebout, Approaching Anxiety with Vulnerability and Laughter
Join Serena, Katie, and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on March 10th at 12:00 PM EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Serena Wolf and Katie Dalebout have embraced vulnerability when it comes to living...
02.28.2023
107. Lara Bloom, Supporting People with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome While Elevating Global Awareness
Join Lara Bloom and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on March 1st at 11:00AM EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Before being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at 24 years old, Lara Bloom endured...
02.21.2023
106. Akilah Cadet Advocating for Herself As She Searches for a Primary Diagnosis
Join Akilah Cadet and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 22nd at 12:30pm EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Akilah has been diagnosed with pericarditis, coronary artery spasms, and orthostatic hypotension, but...
02.14.2023
105. Devri Velazquez, Living with Takayasu's Arteritis and Embracing Advocacy Through Owning Her Identity
Join Devri Velazquez and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 15th at 11:00am EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. When Devri Velazquez was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis at 20 years old, the...
02.07.2023
104. Hannah Olson, Showing Employers (and Beyond) the Value of Hiring People with Chronic Illness and Disability
Join Hannah Olson and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 8th at 12:00pm EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. When employers come to Hannah Olson and ask her why they should hire...
01.31.2023
103. Genevieve Gorder, Designing a Life with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Lyme Disease
Join Genevieve Gorder and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 1st at 11:30am EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Interior design star Genevieve Gorder wants to live in the light, not in...
01.24.2023
102. Ally Hilfiger, Changing the Lenses on Her Experience with Lyme Disease
Join Ally Hilfiger and host, Harper Spero for a special IG Live event on January 25th at ***2pm EST!*** (Rescheduled from 12:30pm EST) Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in. Ally Hilfiger was bitten by a tick at age seven...
12.20.2022
Announcing exciting news about Made Visible
Tune in to hear more about the latest happenings with Made Visible. Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram Check out our services, writing classes and offerings at www.madevisiblestories.com
04.15.2021
101. Rita Maureen Thompson, Living with POTS and Connecting to the “Why” Behind Her Writing
In Fall 2020, when I launched the Made Visible Writing Class, the editors at Health Magazine held a contest for my class participants. At the end of class, they selected one essay to publish on their website. Today's episode features...
03.03.2021
Made Visible Writing Prompts & Class Announcement
Subscribe to receive Made Visible writing prompts directly to your inbox every Sunday. Click here to subscribe. Want to be the first to be notified when we launch a new Made Visible Writing Class? Click here. Email [email protected]...
01.19.2021
Made Visible Writing Class Announcement
Click here to learn more and apply for the Made Visible Writing Class. Sign up for the Made Visible newsletter here. I promise we won't spam you! Follow Harper on Instagram and Twitter.
10.27.2020
100. Harry Spero (My Dad), Speaking With Me About My Health Story as We Celebrate 100 Episodes
I’m excited to be talking with my dad, Harry Spero, for this final episode of the podcast. We talk about how Job’s syndrome has impacted my life from childhood to the present, how he and my mom have supported me...
10.20.2020
99. Trish Gauthier, A Breast Cancer Survivor Who Knows the Importance of Speaking Up
It was only a couple years after Trish Gauthier’s son had been diagnosed with leukemia that she received her own diagnosis: breast cancer. Even though she had just had her physical and everything had looked great, Trish knew that something...
10.13.2020
98. Larissa "Larz" May, Empowering Young People at the Intersection of Emotional Health and Technology
As founder of #HalftheStory, Larissa "Larz" May is focused on an invisible struggle we’re all facing: our relationship with technology. Larz became aware of her own unhealthy relationship with social media during college, when she was experiencing challenging symptoms of...
10.11.2020
Coming Soon: Made Visible Writing Class
Sign up for the Made Visible Writing Class here: https://harperspero.com/madevisiblewritingclass
10.06.2020
97. Felicia Stingone, Writing a Book about Being a Caring Sibling to Her Brother with Bipolar Disorder
When Felicia Stingone talks about her brother, who has bipolar disorder, it’s clear how important this relationship is to her. She sees her brother as a person, not as his illness. As she starts to write a book about her...
09.29.2020
96. Elizabeth Tikoyan, Telling Her Lyme Story and Founding a Patient Networking App
Elizabeth Tikoyan didn’t always share her health story the way she does now. Diagnosed with Lyme disease in high school, she was very aware of the stigma around having a health condition. On today’s episode, Elizabeth tells me about her...
09.22.2020
95. Stephanie Omens, Helping Children Understand Illness Through Story, Play, and Truth Telling
For creative arts therapist Stephanie Omens, it’s all about storytelling--even in the most challenging of circumstances. She works with children who have illnesses or who have parents or siblings who are ill, and it’s her job to help them understand...
09.15.2020
94. Tricia Huffman, An Expert on Joy Living with Fibromyalgia and Without the Word “Should”
When she was 15, Tricia Huffman made a big decision--she wanted to move through life in a different way. On today’s episode, Tricia and I talk about this choice, which was wrapped up in the emotional and physical pain of...
09.08.2020
93. Pamela Hunter, A Mother to a Daughter with Sensory Processing Disorder Who Gives Hugs with Blankets
Since Pamela Hunter’s daughter Ransom was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder at age two-and-a-half, Pamela has done everything she can to get her daughter the help she needs. On today’s episode, we talk about what it means to be a...
09.01.2020
92. Este Haim, A Rocker Who Didn’t Let Her Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis Cancel Out Her Dream
Fans know Este Haim for her ability to hold a killer baseline as part of HAIM, a band she formed with her two sisters, Danielle and Alana. Less well-known is the fact that Este was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes...
08.25.2020
91. Jen Pastiloff, Listening Fiercely with Profound Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Jen Pastiloff has built her identity and career around connecting with people. She also has profound hearing loss and tinnitus and is deaf without her hearing aids. As a result, she’s had to cultivate other ways of understanding and hearing....
08.18.2020
90. Sonali Gupta, A Writer Chronicling the Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosis that Brought Her to India
After Sonali Gupta was diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy in 2008, she went on a trip to India with her dad to explore options for healing. As an NYU grad, Sonali had been eyeing a career in the music industry,...
08.11.2020
89. Mira Mariah, A Tattoo Artist Who Thinks Tattoos and Disabled People Are Rock 'n' Roll
Mira Mariah thinks tattoos are rock 'n' roll, and so are disabled people. As she says, disabled people have to be really “innovative and creative”--and what’s more rock 'n' roll than that? Though Mira didn’t always associate with the word...
08.04.2020
88. Quentin Vennie, An Advocate for Humanity Managing His Anxiety with Gardening
For Quentin Vennie, despite having been diagnosed with acute anxiety and depression at 14, this wasn’t the focus as he grew up. The focus was on surviving, given that he lived in one of the most dangerous cities in America,...
07.28.2020
87. Devri Velazquez, Living with Takayasu's Arteritis and Embracing Advocacy Through Owning Her Identity
When Devri Velazquez was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis at 20 years old, the prognosis was devastating. Doctors didn’t think she would live to age 21. On today’s episode, we talk about what Devri’s life looks like now, ten years after...
07.21.2020
86. Nikki Boyer, Sharing Her Best Friend's Story of Navigating Terminal Cancer Alongside Sexual Adventures
Nikki Boyer put it best, when talking about her relationship with her best friend Molly: “We’re going to say the things that people don’t say.” On today’s episode, Nikki and I talk about “Dying for Sex,” the podcast she and...
07.14.2020
85. Jenn Donohue, Helping Her Son who Was Born Premature Approach His Invisible Challenges
Jenn Donohue and her husband’s twins were born at 24 weeks, making them four months premature. On today’s episode, Jenn and I talk about how she and her husband navigated the “start and stop” feeling as they navigated their son’s...

What's Made Visible about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Made Visible episodes:

128. The Quiet Epidemic with Special Guest, Ally Hilfiger

127. Ilana Jacqueline, Fighting the War Against Medical Gaslighting

126. Melissa Coulier, Finding a Holistic Approach to Lupus and Life

125. Akiva Zablocki, Helping Families with Hyper IgM Find Community and Care

124. Melissa Aives and Danielle Scaramellino, Navigating Invisible Illness With My Best Friends

123. Jamie Nicole, Creating Support for the BIPOC Community Living with Autoimmune Diseases

122. Kate Milligan, The Power of Determination, Community, and Asking Questions

121. Dr Alex Truong, Highlighting the Unaddressed Long-COVID Symptoms and Trauma

120. Marina Khidekel, Designing an Anxiety-Soothing Product that Hugs Back

119. Erica Domesek, DIY expert opens up about hidden mental health struggles

118. Melissa Bernstein, Utilizing Verses and Creativity to Make Meaning of Existential Depression

Mental Health Awareness Month Tribute

117. Dr. Michelle Chung, Acknowledging and Healing Our Pandemic Trauma

116. Allison Raskin, Debunking Common Misconceptions about OCD

115. Harper Spero, Sharing My Own Invisible Illness Story

114. Jacqueline & Alexa Child, Dating with a Disability and Invisible Illness

113. Kate Washington, Caring For Yourself While Caregiving For Your Loved One

112. Dr. Christiane Wolf, Managing Pain With Meditation

111. Dr. Stella Safo, Debunking Stigmas about HIV and Advocating Equitable Healthcare for All

110. Isaac Zablocki, Coping with Dysgraphia and Advocating for Change Through Film

Bonus: Exclusive Essay Readings from Laura Frégeau & Lindsay Ellis

109. The Power of Processing Through Writing

108. Serena Wolf and Katie Dalebout, Approaching Anxiety with Vulnerability and Laughter

107. Lara Bloom, Supporting People with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome While Elevating Global Awareness

106. Akilah Cadet Advocating for Herself As She Searches for a Primary Diagnosis

105. Devri Velazquez, Living with Takayasu's Arteritis and Embracing Advocacy Through Owning Her Identity

104. Hannah Olson, Showing Employers (and Beyond) the Value of Hiring People with Chronic Illness and Disability

103. Genevieve Gorder, Designing a Life with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Lyme Disease

102. Ally Hilfiger, Changing the Lenses on Her Experience with Lyme Disease

Announcing exciting news about Made Visible

101. Rita Maureen Thompson, Living with POTS and Connecting to the “Why” Behind Her Writing

Made Visible Writing Prompts & Class Announcement

Made Visible Writing Class Announcement

100. Harry Spero (My Dad), Speaking With Me About My Health Story as We Celebrate 100 Episodes

99. Trish Gauthier, A Breast Cancer Survivor Who Knows the Importance of Speaking Up

98. Larissa "Larz" May, Empowering Young People at the Intersection of Emotional Health and Technology

Coming Soon: Made Visible Writing Class

97. Felicia Stingone, Writing a Book about Being a Caring Sibling to Her Brother with Bipolar Disorder

96. Elizabeth Tikoyan, Telling Her Lyme Story and Founding a Patient Networking App

95. Stephanie Omens, Helping Children Understand Illness Through Story, Play, and Truth Telling

94. Tricia Huffman, An Expert on Joy Living with Fibromyalgia and Without the Word “Should”

93. Pamela Hunter, A Mother to a Daughter with Sensory Processing Disorder Who Gives Hugs with Blankets

92. Este Haim, A Rocker Who Didn’t Let Her Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis Cancel Out Her Dream

91. Jen Pastiloff, Listening Fiercely with Profound Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

90. Sonali Gupta, A Writer Chronicling the Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosis that Brought Her to India

89. Mira Mariah, A Tattoo Artist Who Thinks Tattoos and Disabled People Are Rock 'n' Roll

88. Quentin Vennie, An Advocate for Humanity Managing His Anxiety with Gardening

87. Devri Velazquez, Living with Takayasu's Arteritis and Embracing Advocacy Through Owning Her Identity

86. Nikki Boyer, Sharing Her Best Friend's Story of Navigating Terminal Cancer Alongside Sexual Adventures

85. Jenn Donohue, Helping Her Son who Was Born Premature Approach His Invisible Challenges

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