Leadership expert Donzel Leggett, Author of Make Your Destiny Happen, joins Spondycast to share practical approaches for building confidence and advancing both personally and professionally while managing a chronic illness.

Dr. Mohamad Bittar, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University — and SAA’s 2025 Early Career Investigator Award winner — discusses his research on pain mechanisms and brain connectivity in people living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Dr. Heidi Prather returns to Spondycast to explore the six pillars of lifestyle medicine and how each can support people living with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Dr. Sang Taek Kim, MD, PhD of Yale Medicine discusses the complex overlap between cancer, immunotherapy, and spondyloarthritis.

Dr. Norma Biln, Norma Biln, PhD, MBA, BSc, NACD.DC, one of the founders of Augurex, explains how new biomarkers, patient questionnaires, and tools like SPINEstat aim to shorten the long diagnostic delay in spondyloarthritis by improving early detection and referral accuracy, especially in primary care settings.

Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) Laurane Chemenda, RWP, AIP Coach returns to Spondycast to debunk common myths about functional nutrition—such as supplement overload and miracle diets—while explaining how integrative, evidence-based nutrition can complement conventional rheumatology care and empower people with spondyloarthritis to take charge of their health.

Rheumatologist Dr. Marina Magrey discusses her latest research on biologic DMARD dose tapering in axial spondyloarthritis, outlining when it may be appropriate, its risks and benefits, and key considerations for patients.

Dr. Michael Lucke discusses the important connection between inflammation and cardiovascular health as he breaks down why people with PsA face higher risks, what warning signs to look for, and how screenings, treatments, and lifestyle steps can protect the heart.

Dr. Heidi Prather, Founder of the HSS Lifestyle Medicine Program, shares how lifestyle medicine, through movement, sleep, stress management, and nutrition, can help people with spondyloarthritis reduce pain, improve function, and enhance their overall well-being.

Laurane Chemenda, Laurane Chemenda, RWP, AIP Coach, and a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), shares her personal and professional journey with ankylosing spondylitis and how nutrition, gut health, and sustainable lifestyle changes can support whole-body healing and complement conventional care.