When the map doesn’t match the terrain, sometimes you just make your own path. Natalia Bartlomowicz was born with a rare congenital condition so unique it doesn’t even have a name—just a stack of medical files and a body doctors still can’t quite predict. In this episode, she opens up about navigating childhood surgeries, a 16-hour operation in Boston, and the emotional toll of being called a “medical mystery.” From discovering she has two uteri to building a safe space for youth with chronic illness, Natalia’s story is one of resilience, radical self-advocacy, and finding strength in the unexpected. She talks dating, dignity, and how the healthcare system can better treat patients as people. It’s a heartfelt ride through one woman’s no-name diagnosis—and the superpower she’s made of it.

Links:

together-we-thrive.ca

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You can’t outgrow puberty—but maybe we can outlearn how we teach it. This week, Jer and Tay explore a topic often overlooked: puberty education for youth with disabilities. Social worker and doctoral student Jennalyn Suda breaks down how trauma-informed frameworks can radically reshape how we approach this formative stage, especially for students who face additional barriers. From the sensory challenges of menstruation to the cultural and cognitive complexities that shape understanding, Jennalyn sheds light on the gaps in traditional education. The boys dive into awkward memories, laugh about the lessons they never learned, and highlight how shifting the conversation from shame to empowerment might just be the change we need.

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When you go in for testicular cancer surgery, do they offer you a scrotal facelift while they're down there? We ask the important questions. This week is a wild ride through Taaha's diagnosis in grade 12. Taha talks about the pressure to be strong for his family, how the other testicle "kicks up into overdrive" to pick up the slack, and the incredible nurses who inspired him to change his life's path. Now a registered nurse and a fierce advocate for the Canadian Cancer Society, Taaha is using his experience to help others and expose the staggering out-of-pocket costs that come with our "free" healthcare system.

You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube.

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When the cost of survival outweighs the cost of death, something has gone deeply wrong. In this sobering and eye-opening episode, Mitch, living with cerebral palsy and chronic pain, shares his harrowing journey through a Canadian healthcare and social system that he argues is failing its disabled citizens. From the challenges of inadequate education and inaccessible post-secondary programs, to the emotional toll of societal stigma and the bureaucratic obstacles in pursuing intimacy, Mitch exposes the gaps that leave many disabled individuals isolated, under-resourced, and overlooked. He bravely discusses everything from systemic failures and addiction to sex work and survival strategies — reminding us how much dignity and independence are shaped by equity, not charity.

You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube.

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Some people get nine lives. Others get nine surgeries and still walk taller. This week, Ray shares a gripping story that starts with a motorcycle crash at 19 and unfolds into a series of life-altering events: a traumatic brain injury, a delayed cancer diagnosis, and the unexpected grief of infertility. Through it all, Ray finds his way—first back to school, then into the world of horseshoeing and prosthetics, and eventually into the complex terrain of emotional healing. Buckle up folks. This is a raw and thoughtful conversation about masculinity, resilience, and what it means to keep showing up, even when life keeps changing the map.

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American men are in a friendship recession. Compared to a few decades ago, five times as many men have no close friends. So what’s going on? In this episode of Embodied, host Anita Rao talks with Mark Pagán, creator and host of the podcast “Other Men Need Help,” about what makes close friendships among men so fraught — and what we can do about it. They talk about everything from why Mark loves secret handshakes to his ongoing journey of making himself say the hard stuff out loud.

Meet the guest: Mark Pagán is the creator and host of the podcast "Other Men Need Help" and writes the substack "Other Men" Read the transcript. More episodes of Embodied are available here: https://www.wunc.org/show/embodied

This week, meet Corinne, a teen who makes "Final Destination" look like a chill day out. After a car packed like a clown car met a tree at high speed, she was launched out the window (note to self: wear your seatbelt, kids ), broke a laundry list of bones, and then casually had a stroke in the ambulance for an encore. The paramedic? Looked "terrified". Corinne spills on surviving the unsurvivable, relearning to talk (with a little help from Taylor Swift ) at the amazing IWK Health Centre, and why graduating high school is her biggest flex – mostly because she’s "done with science and math". It's a story of insane resilience and why you should support the IWK Telethon.

For more info on the IWK Telethon.

You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube.

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Feeling like 'self-care' is just another word for avoiding your problems? Psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt joins the boys to unpack the concept of Emotional Fitness — a proactive approach to mental health that involves leaning into discomfort, not away from it. Discover the 7 traits of emotionally fit people (including mindfulness, resilience, and playfulness!) and learn practical 'emotional push-ups' you can do daily to build strength, even when it sucks. Dr. Anhalt breaks down why waiting until 'shit hits the fan' isn't the best strategy, how to reframe negative self-talk by talking to your 'inner five-year-old', and why true growth comes from embracing the uncomfortable. Get ready to flex your feelings and ditch the B.S. self-care trends.  

Be sure to check out Dr. Ahalt's new book: https://www.dremilyanhalt.com/book

You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!

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What happens when your brain betrays you with seizures that arrive without warning and leave you depressed for days? Meet Landis, a writer and podcaster who developed epilepsy after brain tumor surgery at age 32. In this illuminating conversation, she breaks down the reality of living with seizures that arrive without warning, including the four-day depression cycle that follows each episode. From creating a post-seizure self-care system complete with personal reminders, to experiencing fascinating "auras" where her brain conjures fictional characters like "Mrs. Bit Binder," Landis shares it all with remarkable honesty and humor. She also discusses how epilepsy affected her dating life (including having a seizure during some hanky panky sexy times!), the service dog who detects her seizures before they happen, and how this condition has simultaneously limited her independence while deepening her appreciation for life's small moments. A powerful reminder of resilience in the face of chronic illness.

You can watch this entire episode over on YouTube!

Check out Landis' podcast "What The Ef"

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What if the thing that saved your life ended up making you feel like a stranger in your own body? Whose Hand Is It Anyway? This week, Jer goes full Frankenstein as he walks the guys through the psychological minefield of visible transplants—hands, faces, and all the weird, uncomfortable identity baggage that comes with them. From the guy who returned his donor hand, to another who says he’d rather go back to prosthetics, to a woman who looked in the mirror and saw a stranger’s mouth — this episode dives into the surreal world where medicine meets identity crisis. 

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