Mogil's Mobcast-A Scleroderma Chat

Today’s guest is another incredible scleroderma warrior, Natalie Puccio. As many of you know, no two scleroderma journeys look exactly alike. Natalie and I discovered we had so much in common—both personally and in our symptoms—which made our conversation especially meaningful. One big difference, though, is that Natalie was diagnosed at just 24 years old and went on to have three children while living with scleroderma. She’s an amazing resource for anyone navigating questions or concerns about pregnancy and parenting with this condition. If that’s something you’d like support with, let me know and I’ll be happy to connect you with her. 

Today’s guest is rheumatologist Dr. Jessica Gordon. Together, we explore two topics that every scleroderma patient is familiar with skin and Raynaud’s.Dr. Gordon explains the three stages of skin progression in scleroderma, the challenges patients often face, and the treatments available. We also touch on Raynaud’s our discussion may be shorter, but it’s filled with helpful insights.I truly enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Gordon, and I know you will too.

Today’s guest is another incredible scleroderma warrior. Kristina Hamilton was diagnosed in 2022 at just 32 years old, while raising three young children. Like so many women, she was initially told her symptoms were simply due to stress. Not long after, she found herself hospitalized, her weight dropping from 120 to 68 pounds. Her life changed almost overnight. Yet Christina’s story is one of resilience, rising above her diagnosis to share her journey and inspire others. Join us as we hear how she faced her toughest battles, found her voice, and even landed in the pages of People magazine.

Today’s guest is Dr. Ebru, a dynamic force in the world of skincare. With a background in molecular medicine, immunology, and cosmetic chemistry, she created her skincare line, AveSeena, from the ground up. She was one of the first to connect inflammation, “inflammaging,” the immune system, and the skin microbiome in the development of her products. Beyond her scientific expertise, Dr. Ebru brings an upbeat energy and a wealth of valuable insights that you won’t want to miss.

Today’s guest is Shubhda Chaube. Shubhda is a scleroderma warrior who was diagnosed just a year ago on her 47th birthday, no less. Despite being early in her journey, she’s jumped in with both feet: attending multiple support groups, including one based in India, and starting a thoughtful blog called Calm Core Cozy Layer. She’s also working on a powerful project called From Patient to Pattern Seeker. Let’s learn more about her journey and the projects she is working on.

Shubhda's blog, Calm, Core & Cozy Layers

As many of you know, I love to move and I’m always eager to share that energy. But I also understand that for some, especially those living with scleroderma, exercising can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m thrilled to be joined by Will Gregory, a physiotherapist with over 20 years of experience working with the scleroderma community. Will shares powerful insights on why fatigue, not pain, is often the biggest barrier to physical activity. In this episode, he offers practical, doable strategies to stay active, including exercises for the hands and mouth. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for new ideas, you’ll find something valuable here.

Today, we have an inspiring story of resilience, purpose, and advocacy. Our guest is Perry Bray, he was diagnosed in 2018 with diffuse systemic sclerosis, Perry faced life-altering changes, including stepping away from his beloved football and ministry work. But rather than let the diagnosis define him, Perry chose to redefine what it means to live with this rare disease. He became a powerful voice in the scleroderma community, joining the Renew Program and the Peer Mentor Program through the University of Michigan. He also shares his experiences and insights through his personal blog, creating a space of hope and connection for others. Perry’s journey is one of courage, adaptation, and impact and today, we get to hear it in his own words.

When you hear the term palliative care, what comes to mind? I’ll admit I used to think it meant something very different. But today’s guest, Dr. Shannon Herndon, helped reshape my understanding. Dr. Herndon joins us to talk about how palliative care can support scleroderma warriors not just at the end of life, but throughout the journey of living with this disease.You may remember a recent survey circulating in our community Dr. Herndon was behind it. The goal? To better understand how palliative care can be woven into the fabric of scleroderma care. We had a thoughtful conversation, and I’m excited to share it with you.

Today’s guest is Carolyn Haeler, the founder of a delicious gluten-free cookie brand, called MIGHTYLICIOUS and someone with an inspiring story to tell.Carolyn lives with celiac disease, and in this episode, she shares her journey: from navigating the challenges of her diagnosis to the surprising lessons she learned along the way. Her desire for a truly good gluten-free cookie led her to create her own and eventually, her own line of cookies and now even gluten-free flour. I learned so much not just about celiac disease, but also about what it takes to go from baking in your kitchen to running a commercial bakery. Spoiler: it’s more complicated than you think.And yes, the cookies are fantastic.

Enjoy the episode!

What an incredible milestone! What began as a simple idea during the pandemic, something to keep me busy in retirement and a way to give back to the scleroderma community has grown into something truly meaningful. I’ve been deeply moved by how warmly this podcast has been received. In this special episode, I want to honor that spirit by reconnecting with the incredible scleroderma warriors who generously shared their stories. Let’s check in and see how they’re doing. Let’s begin.