Made Visible

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 her then-undiagnosed invisible illness. We also discuss her eventual diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and how she managed her condition while working as a touring sound engineer. Finally, we talk about why "should" isn't in her vocab, and why she wants to remind us to claim our joy.

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

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Support for this episode comes from Betterhelp. Betterhelp is an online counseling service that matches you with a licensed professional therapist. No matter where you are in the world, Betterhelp lets you schedule video and phone sessions with your therapist, or even text them. Plus, they'll work with you to find a counselor you love. It's not self help, it's better help. Take 10% off your first month of Betterhelp by visiting https://betterhelp.com/madevisible

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 parent to a child with this condition. We also talk about how difficult moments have given Pamela the conviction to stick with her gut, and how Ransom's story also led Pamela to found Sheltered.Co --a company selling handwoven weighted blankets made from deadstock.

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

Follow Made Visible on Instagram.

We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

Support for this episode comes from Betterhelp. Betterhelp is an online counseling service that matches you with a licensed professional therapist. No matter where you are in the world, Betterhelp lets you schedule video and phone sessions with your therapist, or even text them. Plus, they'll work with you to find a counselor you love. It's not self help, it's better help. Take 10% off your first month of Betterhelp by visiting https://betterhelp.com/madevisible

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 in high school. On today's episode, Este talks about how having a supportive family has meant that diabetes and music can always coexist in her life. We also talk about how Este manages her physical and mental health (especially while touring), and HAIM's latest album, Women In Music Pt. III.

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

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We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

Support for this episode comes from Lily CBD. Lily CBD's hemp-based CBD oil offers an alternative way to nurture yourself, and can be especially beneficial for relieving anxiety and inflammation. Because Lily CBD focuses on small, single-farm harvests, more nutrients are able to make their way into each bottle. Think of it like a glass of beautiful natural wine from a small family vineyard. Click here to try Lily CBD for yourself and use code madevisible at checkout for 15% off your first purchase.

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. On today's episode, Jen and I talk about the specific challenges that come with tinnitus and hearing loss, the assumptions people make if they don't know that she's hard of hearing, and how a sense of courageousness helped her carve out a space to truly be herself.

This episode previously aired on October 23, 2018.

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

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We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

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, but she found a health journey in India instead. She now lives in Mumbai, and is writing a memoir about this experience. On today's episode, Sonali and I talk about what that trip with her dad was like, how being aware of her needs gives her independence, and her identity as a writer.

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

Follow Made Visible on Instagram.

We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

Support for this episode comes from Lily CBD. Lily CBD's hemp-based CBD oil offers an alternative way to nurture yourself, and can be especially beneficial for relieving anxiety and inflammation. Because Lily CBD focuses on small, single-farm harvests, more nutrients are able to make their way into each bottle. Think of it like a glass of beautiful natural wine from a small family vineyard. Click here to try Lily CBD for yourself and use code madevisible for 15% off your first purchase.

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 "disabled," that sense of herself shifted once she had amputation surgery and got a prosthetic leg. On today's episode, I talk with Mira about fashion's role in her life, the invisible challenges that amputees face, her career as a tattoo artist, and leaning in to joy.

Learn more about Mira Mariah and check out the show notes here.

Follow Made Visible on Instagram.

We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

Support for this episode comes from Lily CBD. Lily CBD's hemp-based CBD oil offers an alternative way to nurture yourself, and can be especially beneficial for relieving anxiety and inflammation. Because Lily CBD focuses on small, single-farm harvests, more nutrients are able to make their way into each bottle. Think of it like a glass of beautiful natural wine from a small family vineyard. Click here to try Lily CBD for yourself and use code madevisible for 15% off your first purchase.

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, had to contend with racism and prejudice, and lived in communities with limited resources. On today's episode, I talk with Quentin about his decision to fight to live, why gardening is his "secret weapon" for his mental health, and how vulnerability helps remind him of his purpose.

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

Follow Made Visible on Instagram.

We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

Support for this episode comes from Betterhelp. Betterhelp is an online counseling service that matches you with a licensed professional therapist. No matter where you are in the world, Betterhelp lets you schedule video and phone sessions with your therapist, or even text them. Plus, they'll work with you to find a counselor you love. It's not self help, it's better help. Take 10% off your first month of Betterhelp by visiting https://betterhelp.com/madevisible

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 her diagnosis, and what it was like to hear such a scary prognosis when she was first diagnosed. We also talk about why, today, managing her physical stress and setting boundaries is so important, and how owning her identity is so central to the advocacy work she does.

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

Follow Made Visible on Instagram.

We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

Support for this episode comes from Betterhelp. Betterhelp is an online counseling service that matches you with a licensed professional therapist. No matter where you are in the world, Betterhelp lets you schedule video and phone sessions with your therapist, or even text them. Plus, they'll work with you to find a counselor you love. It's not self help, it's better help. Take 10% off your first month of Betterhelp by visiting https://betterhelp.com/madevisible

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 Molly created to tell Molly's story of navigating terminal cancer while also embracing sexual adventures. We also dig into the complicated and layered nature of caregiving, and talk about the profound ripple effect of Molly's story and how it has helped Nikki keep Molly close.

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

Follow Made Visible on Instagram.

We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

Support for this episode comes from Betterhelp. Betterhelp is an online counseling service that matches you with a licensed professional therapist. No matter where you are in the world, Betterhelp lets you schedule video and phone sessions with your therapist, or even text them. Plus, they'll work with you to find a counselor you love. It's not self help, it's better help. Take 10% off your first month of Betterhelp by visiting https://betterhelp.com/madevisible

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 health while also coping with the loss of their daughter, who passed away at one week old. We also talk about what the role of caregiving means to Jenn, and how she and her husband support their teenage son and the invisible challenges he faces due to complications from birth.

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

Follow Made Visible on Instagram.

We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.

Support for this episode comes from Betterhelp. Betterhelp is an online counseling service that matches you with a licensed professional therapist. No matter where you are in the world, Betterhelp lets you schedule video and phone sessions with your therapist, or even text them. Plus, they'll work with you to find a counselor you love. It's not self help, it's better help. Take 10% off your first month of Betterhelp by visiting https://betterhelp.com/madevisible