Made Visible

Author Bob Martin writes books for children that bring more understanding to the chronic diseases and disorders that kids face. Bob lost a granddaughter to a highly terminal brain tumor and has a grandson who manages ADHD, so he writes from the heart on these issues. On today’s episode, Bob and I talk about his lifelong dedication to advocating for children, the unique role that grandparents can play, and how his grandson’s experience has helped him make sense of challenges from his own childhood.

Ally Hilfiger was bitten by a tick at age seven and battled severe physical and neurological symptoms throughout her childhood, but she wasn't diagnosed with Lyme until after a hospitalization at age 18. On today's episode, Ally and I talk about why she wrote a book chronicling her experience, the shift that occurred when she chose homeopathic treatments and lifestyle changes over antibiotics, and how harnessing the power of changing her subconscious perspective has helped her heal.

Learn more about Ally and check out the show notes here.

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For most of her life, Melissa Marans didn't have an invisible illness. That all changed in 2015, when she began showing signs of rapidly worsening muscle weakness and fatigue. She went to see her doctor, and in a week, had a diagnosis: a rare autoimmune disease called dermatomyositis. On today's episode, Melissa and I talk about the challenges she has faced, why she went silent on social media for a period of time, and how she prioritizes her own ongoing health needs while also being a mom to her newborn.

Learn more about Melissa and check out the show notes here.

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Before discovering bee products, Carly Stein was the person who was always sick. That all changed when she discovered magical natural products like propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, and honey. On today's episode, Carly and I talk about what led her to found Beekeeper's Naturals, why education about bees is such an important part of her company's mission, and how her own health has improved since she began integrating bee products into her everyday routine.

Learn more about Carly and check out the show notes here.

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About ten years ago, Letty Cottin Pogrebin (a founding editor of Ms. Magazine) was sitting in the waiting room at Memorial Sloan Kettering when she had the idea for a book. On today's episode, Letty and I talk about her experience with breast cancer, and why it inspired her to write How to Be a Friend to a Friend Who's Sick. We talk about the difficulty of finding the right words when you learn someone is sick, her tips for giving gifts, and why honesty should be the core of your efforts to be supportive.

Learn more about Letty and check out the show notes here.

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Interior design star Genevieve Gorder wants to live in the light, not in her illness. What does that mean, exactly? For Genevieve, who has both Lyme disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it means refusing to stake her identity in her health challenges. On today's episode, Genevieve talks to me about the role that learning plays in her journey with Lyme and Hashimoto's, how a home can be healing, and how she maintains her sense of positivity and remains mightier than her illness.

Learn more about Genevieve and check out the show notes here.

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Monique Gore-Massy is a lupus survivor living purposefully. At the beginning of her journey, her debilitating symptoms diminished her sense of hope, tested her faith, and challenged her identity. On today's episode, Monique and I talk the incredible support system that helped lift her out of the darkest period of her condition, her advice for navigating relationships and chronic illness, and why--especially as a woman of color--she feels driven to use her voice to advocate for others with lupus.

Learn more about Monique and check out the show notes here.

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This week, I'm so thrilled to present a very special guest: my mom, Norine Spero, who has been a caregiver for me since I was born. My mom and I are very close, so I found it really incredible that there were parts of her story--and my story--that I had never heard before. On this episode, we talk about the long journey to obtain my Job's syndrome diagnosis, the doctors who listened to me (and those who had less-than-great bedside manner) and why, above all, she follows my lead when it comes to my health.

Learn more about my mom, Norine and check out the show notes here.

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Nitika Chopra was diagnosed with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, at age 10. At 19, she was also diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. On today's episode, Nitika and I talk about the emotional and physical challenges of growing up with a chronic illness, and how she came to embrace little acts of self-love--even if she didn't call it that at the time. We also discuss her faith in God, her shift to pivot her business to serve the chronic illness community, and how her heart plays a role in all of it.

Learn more about Nitika and check out the show notes here.

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Gunnar Esiason believes cystic fibrosis drug development is in its golden age, and that's good news for people like him. Gunnar was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at age two, and since then, he's relied on an intensive treatment regimen to manage his symptoms. On today's episode, Gunnar and I talk about why he feels a sense of promise around CF research, how he copes with his condition using humor and transparency, and his two jobs, both of which he loves: CF advocacy and coaching ice hockey.

Learn more about Gunnar and check out the show notes here.

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Provide us with feedback on the podcast here.