Surviving out of Spite

In this episode, Casey shares her personal journey living with celiac disease, from diagnosis to the ongoing realities of managing a strict gluten-free diet. She opens up about the challenges of navigating hidden gluten in unexpected foods, the learning curve that comes with dietary restrictions, and the emotional impact that can follow a life-changing diagnosis.

Together, Sam and Casey explore what it really means to live with celiac disease in everyday life; highlighting coping strategies, symptom management, and the importance of self-compassion along the way. They also discuss the emotional weight of food-related guilt, the evolving landscape of gluten-free options, and how access to better products has helped improve quality of life for many in the gluten-free community.

This conversation also emphasizes the power of community support, strong relationships, and self-advocacy when navigating chronic dietary restrictions. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone with celiac disease, or simply wanting to better understand gluten-free living, this episode offers validation, education, and hope.

Instagram & TikTok: @collegeceliackc https://www.glutenfreewithcasey.com 

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Sam and Sarah dive deeper into Sarah’s story and how she refused to let gastroparesis define her life.

From the challenges of diagnosis to the daily realities of living with a chronic digestive condition, she opens up about what it truly means to navigate life with gastroparesis. This is not just a story about illness, it’s about resilience, identity, and choosing to keep going even when your body makes it incredibly hard.

We talk about the physical and emotional toll of chronic illness, the isolation that can come with invisible diseases, and how she found strength in the midst of it all. Her journey is a reminder that you are more than your diagnosis.

If you or someone you love is living with gastroparesis, chronic illness, or an invisible disease, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is more than just managing symptoms, it’s navigating a healthcare system that often doesn’t understand you.

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Lara Bloom of the EDS Society to talk about what it really takes to live with and advocate for EDS.

From the long road to diagnosis to the validation that comes with finally being heard, Lara shares her personal journey and the realities so many patients face.

This conversation is honest, unfiltered, and a reminder that patient voices are not just important, they’re necessary.

If you or someone you love is living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare disease, or navigating chronic illness, this episode will make you feel seen, and remind you that you’re not alone.

https://www.ehlers-danlos.com

Ty Gipson has been through more than most; juvenile diabetes, multiple organ transplants, and years of fighting just to stay alive. In this episode, Sam and Ty talk about what it actually looks like to keep going when your body keeps throwing the worst at you.

This isn’t a sugarcoated story. It’s about resilience on the hard days, the mental battles no one sees, and the moments where giving up feels easier, but you don’t. Ty shares how he’s learned to hold onto hope, lean on the people around him, and turn everything he’s been through into something that helps others.

They get into the real stuff: choosing growth when life falls apart, letting yourself feel everything, and why being honest about your story matters, especially in the chronic illness community.

If you’re dealing with chronic illness, transplant recovery, or just trying to survive something really heavy, this one is for you.

Living with a chronic GI condition like gastroparesis isn’t just physical; it’s mental, emotional, and deeply personal. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam chats with Dr. Ali Navidi to break down the powerful (and often overlooked) role of GI psychology in chronic illness care.

Together, they dive into the gut-brain connection and why treating digestive conditions requires more than just medication. From the challenges of accessing specialized care to the gaps in research around gastroparesis, this conversation highlights what’s missing, and what patients truly need.

Dr Navidi shares insights into how GI psychologists work alongside medical teams, why interdisciplinary care matters, and how therapy can be a critical tool in managing symptoms, stress, and quality of life. Sam and Dr. Navidi also explore the emotional weight of chronic illness, the importance of self-advocacy, and how patients can take back a sense of control in their healthcare journey.

This episode is for anyone navigating chronic illness, feeling dismissed in the healthcare system, or looking for a more holistic approach to healing.

Navigating the healthcare system with a chronic illness can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and, at times, isolating. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Meredith Mangold for a real and honest conversation about what it truly means to advocate for yourself as a patient.

Meredith shares her journey living with ulcerative colitis and the many challenges she’s faced along the way. Together, Sam and Meredith dive into the realities of chronic illness care; from difficult medical appointments and medical gaslighting to the emotional toll of constantly explaining your symptoms and fighting to be heard.

They explore the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, how to build stronger patient-provider relationships, and why open conversations about chronic illness, digestive health, and invisible illness matter. This episode also highlights the power of community support and storytelling in helping patients feel less alone, and more empowered in their healthcare journey.

Whether you’re living with a chronic illness like gastroparesis or ulcerative colitis, navigating misdiagnosis, or struggling to feel heard by doctors, this conversation is a reminder that your voice matters.

One year ago, Surviving Out of Spite launched to share stories, insights, and real-life experiences living with gastroparesis. In this special episode, Sam reflects on the journey of building the podcast, the lessons learned, and the incredible community that has grown along the way. Join us as we celebrate one year of connection, resilience, and storytelling.

Gut health is complicated, especially when you’re living with gastroparesis. In this episode, Sam sits down with Liz Roman to unpack the complex systems involved in digestive health and how they impact people with chronic gastrointestinal conditions.

Together they explore the differences between conventional medicine and functional medicine, and how each approach looks at gut health, digestion, and chronic illness. The conversation dives into the gut-brain connection, the role of the liver and bile flow in digestion, and how thyroid health can influence the way the digestive system functions.

They also discuss why self-advocacy in healthcare is so important, especially for patients navigating chronic digestive diseases like gastroparesis. From asking better questions in medical appointments to understanding how different body systems work together, this episode is all about helping patients feel more informed and empowered in their health journeys.

Whether you’re living with gastroparesis, another digestive disorder, or simply trying to better understand gut health, this conversation offers insight into how interconnected the body truly is.

Want to connect with Liz? Check out the info below!

The www.fitmomsociety.com community also has the labs decoded series for learning more about your bloodwork from an optimal lens. It is a 7 day free trial.

Website: fitmom.co

IG: @thepoopqueen

Podcast: The Health Revival Show - https://open.spotify.com/show/5HUm3k84HHsDNM9FgnBB8J?si=H9zlJYeKQe2NSQwxz3W6EQ

Research links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nwHHX0kW4yqj3aAAvcVXpEcSmR5Jb6zgrt54M_AScC4/edit?usp=sharing

What does a panic attack actually feel like, especially when you're already living with gastroparesis and chronic illness?

In this raw and unplanned episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam shares a deeply vulnerable moment after experiencing an intense anxiety and panic attack at home. From suddenly struggling to breathe to using grounding techniques to calm her nervous system, Sam walks through what the experience was like in real time.Living with chronic illness often means navigating more than just physical symptoms.

Anxiety, medical trauma, and nervous system dysregulation can become part of the journey too.

This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone if anxiety or panic attacks are part of your life with chronic illness.If you've ever experienced anxiety, panic attacks, or the emotional toll of chronic illness, this conversation is for you.

Join our gastroparesis support group: https://g-pact.org/programs/virtual-support/

Living with a chronic illness is often framed as a limitation—but what if it could also be a strength?In this episode, Lilly Stairs joins us to share the concept of your “secret sauce”: the powerful combination of your natural skills, lived experiences, and the unique strengths developed through navigating chronic health conditions.

Lilly explains how the resilience, problem-solving, adaptability, and empathy that come with chronic illness can become real professional advantages.We talk about how to reframe chronic illness and disability in the workplace, identify the strengths your experiences have built, and start seeing your health journey as part of your value, not something that holds you back.

If you live with a chronic condition and are navigating your career, advocacy work, or creative projects, this conversation offers a powerful mindset shift about turning lived experience into leadership and impact.

https://chronicboss.com/