The Autoimmune Hour

Did you know that you are probably being misunderstood by 84% of the people you encounter... including your healthcare professionals... Maybe you’ve said more than once, “I just wished I could get them to understand, get them to listen...”

This episode’s guests ask us to consider that, most likely, they are listening; it’s a mismatch of perception styles that keeps you from being understood. Understanding the six perception styles and how perception works can ease miscommunication and help you recognize your and their innate strengths.

Our guests, Clinical Psychologist Gary Jordan and Coach Lynda-Ross Vega, authors of the new book ‘Unlock the Power of Your Perception: Claim Your Natural Strengths, Reframe Your Weaknesses, Reshape Your Most Important Relationships’ share with us loads of easy communication and relationship 'hacks.'

Just some of the great 'hacks' and questions answered by Lynda-Ross and Gary answered are
• What are the common misconceptions about perception styles?
• Is there a link between perception style and well-being?
• How knowing your perception style can improve communication with your healthcare professionals.
• The impact different perception styles play in your relationships.
• And if perception style changes over time or is fixed?
Plus much more…

About Our Guests:
Lynda-Ross Vega, with over 35 years of experience in senior management and as a business owner/entrepreneur, Lynda-Ross is an expert at harnessing the power of perception to help individuals and organizations implement change, empower collaboration, and develop talent. Lynda-Ross began researching and applying styles theory tools early in her career. Her passion for identifying and focusing the right talent on the right task led to her collaboration with Dr. Gary Jordan, beginning in 1983, and their development of Perceptual Styles Theory™.

Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 40 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology-Berkeley in 1980. Always fascinated by theories about types and styles, Gary found none of the theories he studied integrated internal experience with observable behavior. Beginning with his doctoral dissertation and continuing through his years in private practice, he worked to create a practical, usable style theory based on perception.

In 1983 he joined forces with Lynda-Ross Vega, and together they created Perceptual Style Theory™. This revolutionary psychological assessment system provides the answers for people to tap into their natural strengths and find more meaning and satisfaction in life. Gary is an expert at helping people understand themselves and using that awareness to align their actions with their natural potential. Check out their website @ https://www.yourtalentadvantage.com/

#autoimmune #wellness #perceptionstyles #greatcommunication #gettingalong #advantage

The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. The host and guest(s) are not medical professionals and are not diagnosing specific conditions during the show. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own medical, legal, or other professional advice and care.

All materials on YouTube@UnderstandingAutoimmne, The Autoimmune Hour (Show) and UnderstandingAutoimmune.com are the copyright of Competitive Edge Communications. For more videos and podcasts, visit https://www.UnderstandingAutoimmune.com.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

Pursuing your dreams when dealing with a diagnosis can be challenging, yet you're so much more than your illness. Get ready to discover the power of dreaming as we welcome back Intuitive Coach Bev Martin. Bev shares her insights on living your fullest life despite obstacles.

As a gifted intuitive, and skilled professional coach, Bev's remarkable gift for accessing divine wisdom and communicating it in a clear, practical way guides us to harness the power of dreaming for our emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.

We also chat about --

• Why getting your dreams often 'takes a village.'

• What is a 'pain pit,' and why dreaming isn't always easy yet always worth it.

• Simple ways to reframe our past and current situation for better outcomes.

• How to utilize your dreams for creativity, self-reflection, and self-knowledge.

• The steps to clarifying your dreams through self-talk, deep listening, and much more…

About our Guest: Bev Martin is a natural and trained intuitive, a certified Professional Coach (PCC) Member of ICF International Coaches, a Master Practitioner of NLP (MNLP) and NLP and Health (HNLP), a Certified Facilitator of Clean Language and Symbolic Modeling, Certified Hypnotherapist. Learn more about Bev and her fantastic work at www.BevMartin.com

Share this link with family and friends:
www.UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/Bev_2023

This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other illnesses. The information presented within cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained healthcare professionals. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour are for educational purposes only.

All materials on YouTube@UnderstandingAutoimmne, The Autoimmune Hour (Show), and UnderstandingAutoimmune.com are the copyright of Competitive Edge Communications. For more videos and podcasts, visit https://www.UnderstandingAutoimmune.com.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

So my attention was piqued when I was asked recently, “We brush our teeth and moisturize our skin daily, but what do we do for our eyes?” I had to be honest and say I hadn’t really thought about it...


I do know that Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus are just two autoimmune diseases that can affect your eyesight and lead to vision loss if left unchecked... so I asked my thought-provoking questioner to sit down with us and chat about eye care and autoimmune—'that questioner’ being the co-founder of MyCorneaCare.com and ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Jovi Bopari.


Dr. Jovi shares simple changes that relieved him from his struggle with eye problems. And we cover a lot of eye care tips in our time together, including Dry Eye Disease and the importance of eye care even as we sleep—especially when you have an autoimmune condition. He also gives us the answers to...


• When it’s just’ seasonal’ dry eye, Dry Eye Disease, or autoimmune-driven dry eyes?


• Do the blue-light-blocker glasses work, and how about sunglasses?


• How body inflammation, familiar to those with autoimmune, can lead to eye dryness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and other eye ailments,


• And the surprising sleep habits we all need to protect our eyes while we sleep and much more...

More About Our Guest: Ophthalmologist and Ophthalmic Surgeon Dr. Jovi Boparai is passionate about educating patients and the world about the importance of personal eye care and Dry Eye Disease.


The daily habits of increased screen time for work and personal use, seasonal allergies, contact lens use, and notable side effects of several oral medications have led to a rise in Dry Eye Disease. It’s estimated that between 16 million and 49 million Americans have dry eyes. Now that’s not all autoimmune related, but that 16-49 million is about 5-15% of the US population.

Learn more about Dr. Boparai and CorneaCare, the company he co-founded to make eye health more accessible, at https://mycorneacare.com/

Please share with family and friends: https://UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/DrJovi-2023

* Your host is not a doctor or medical professional. All professionals presenting on the show only share opinions and do not give medical or other advice. Seek your own professional care and guidance if you have questions or concerns. The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own medical, legal, or other professional advice and care.

All materials on YouTube@UnderstandingAutoimmne, The Autoimmune Hour (Show), and UnderstandingAutoimmune.com are the copyright of Competitive Edge Communications. For more videos and podcasts, visit https://www.UnderstandingAutoimmune.com.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

In this episode, we welcome Laura Jack, the founder of the Compassion Code Academy and author of the international bestseller The Compassion Code: How To Say The Right Thing When The Wrong Thing Happens.

I know I used to ruminate on how I could've done better all the time... It's hard to heal if you are always beating yourself up... Studies have shown that practicing self-compassion can lead to improved health, increased happiness, and stronger relationships.

In our time together, Laura shares techniques for treating ourselves with the same kindness and support we would show a dear friend. She also shares great ways to recover from years of negative self-talk, including
• How to create healthy boundaries using our own internal 'mental bouncer'
• Ways to cultivate soothing self-talk instead of critical talk
• The importance of personal expression and play
• Why it's important to quiet the constant mental chatter and more...

More About Our Guest: Laura Jack, the founder of the Compassion Code Academy, is a leading authority in self-compassion and compassionate communication. With her unique expertise in reparenting and compassionate leadership, Laura empowers service-driven leaders in healthcare, education, and non-profits to navigate pivotal moments, cultivate self-compassion, and build a legacy of authentic impact, creating a meaningful path forward for themselves and those they serve." Be sure and get Laura's Self-Wellth Assessment at TheCompassionCodeAcademy.com/self-wellth/ and learn more about Laura and her work at LauraJack.com

Please share with family and friends: https://UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/Laura-2023


* Your host and guest are neither doctors nor medical professionals. The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. Host(s) and guest(s) are not diagnosing specific conditions during the show. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own medical, legal, or other professional advice and care.



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

It’s no secret that a healthy heart is essential. Yet, maybe because it’s always been there, I didn’t think much about my heart. I know, my bad... Did you know it may also be a key player in preventing other health issues?

In this fascinating chat with Michael Garko, Ph.D., a credentialed practicing nutritionist and the host-producer of Let’s Talk Nutrition, I realized how little I had thought about my heart and vascular system. I found myself saying, “Wow, I didn’t know that” a lot as he shared his insights and tips on how to keep our hearts healthy, including
• Ways to reduce your risk of chronic disease through having a healthy heart
• How to naturally lower your cholesterol levels
• What researchers say is a possible link between autoimmune disorders and heart disease
• Why even small steps like eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress, can significantly reduce your risk, plus much more…

More About Our Guest: Dr. Michael Garko, Ph.D., is a credentialed and practicing nutritionist with an accredited Master’s degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. Dr. Garko produced and hosted the popular health talk radio show Let’s Talk Nutrition, which aired for two hours a day, five days a week in over 500 cities coast-to-coast and was globally streamed worldwide. He believes nutrition is the driving force by which health is created, sustained, and reclaimed. He passionately believes that “your health is your wealth, and your health is the wealth of those who care about and love you.”

Please share with family and friends: https://UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/HeartHealth


* Your host is neither a doctor nor a medical professional. The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. Host(s) and guest(s) are not diagnosing specific conditions during the show. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own medical, legal, or other professional advice and care.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

Please share this link to our chat with family and friends: https://UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/Jaya-2023

We welcome Jaya Sarada, master energy healer, educator, and co-founder of Luminous Soul Center, a Gleneden Beach, Oregon yoga and energy wellness center. In this episode, Jaya shares her insights and meditations on our energy fields and effective ways to feel more balanced and grounded. She also reads from a ‘legacy’ book she helped finish (after 70 years) and bring to the world, “Transformation The Light of Krishnamurti” by Dr. Hugh Keller, her stepfather. He originally wrote ‘Transformation’ in the 1940s when he worked with Jiddu Krishnamurti.

Jaya shares that we are “multi-dimensional, energy bodies.” Too often, we only identify with our first three, physical and emotional, mental...Together, we explore energy, healing, and wellness, including:
• What are ‘parts’ identifications, and how to avoid victim consciousness
• How to tap into the Miracle Zone
• Why releasing resistance and self-identification into stillness
• Ways to use positive self-talk to help support wellness
• How to listen to your body intuition and soul-reconnection
Plus so much more...

More About Our Guest: Jaya Sarada is an ordained minister, a student of Pathways of Light, and a practitioner of Sacred Energy Healing, an authentic healing work rooted in ancient medicine. Jaya guides others to open doorways to their deepest hearts yearning to uncover the root causes of imbalance in the Body, Mind, and Spirit trinity and create a unique path of restoration and healing. Jaya shared, “I am working in this world to serve and bring a little more light, peace, and well-being to humanity.” To learn more about ‘Transformation’ https://www.thebooktransformation.com/ And learn more about Jaya and her work, visit www.luminoussoulcenter.com/

* Your host is neither a doctor nor a medical professional. She is someone who is living well with an autoimmune diagnosis. This show is for educational purposes only. The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. Host(s) and guest(s) are not diagnosing specific conditions during the show. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own medical, legal, or other professional advice and care.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

We uncover (pun intended) simple tips and easy hacks to improve our sleep with this week’s guest, Seth Davis, a Certified Adult Sleep Coach and the founder of Sleepably.

Sleepably is a Denver-based team of sleep coaches who help adults and children sleep better. After chatting with Seth, I was surprised to hear how extensively disrupted sleep, even moderately interrupted sleep, can affect our health. Seth shares with us how getting enough sleep and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can improve our mood, boost our immune system, and even help with weight loss.

He also shares:
• How to create a sleep sanctuary, a relaxing sleep environment,
• The new way(s) to have a sleep study and what sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are,
• Why we need sunlight every morning and what to do if you have shift work,
• How poor sleep habits can increase the risk of autoimmune issues, depression, anxiety, heart disease, and more…

More About Our Guest
Seth Davis, a recovered insomniac, Certified Adult Sleep Coach, and the founder of Sleepably, a company dedicated to their client’s best sleep. Seth and his team of certified coaches work with adults and children worldwide to explore how their clients’ behaviors, thoughts, and lifestyles potentially affect their sleep. Through personalized plans for optimizing their rest and overcoming their sleep issues, they help clients get the rest every body needs. Learn more at Sleepably.com

Please share this link to our chat with family and friends: https://UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/Seth-2023

* Your host is neither a doctor nor a medical professional. She is someone who is living well with an autoimmune diagnosis. This show is for educational purposes only. The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. Host(s) and guest(s) are not diagnosing specific conditions during the show. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own medical, legal, or other professional advice and care.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

We welcome Ruth Littler, an accredited counselor, certified health coach, and Heart Math Trainer. She is the author of the new Amazon bestseller ‘Live from the Inside Out.’

On this episode of The Autoimmune Hour, Ruth shares her journey of discovering her true self. She shares how she realized the importance of advocating for herself and how it led to her reclaiming her health after ten years of being chronically ill; even as a long-time Registered Nurse, she was surprised by what she uncovered that was stopping her from recovering.

As Ruth studied, she was surprised at how much ‘stuff she’d been holding on to,’ including resentment, grief, and shame she had been holding on to… with her newfound insight, she decided to share what she had learned with others, she shares with us:
• How courage, resilience, and bravery get stronger with use,
• How taking the first step was the hardest in releasing accumulated emotions that no longer served her,
• How changing how you think will change both your inner and outer world, plus so much more...

More About Our Guest:
In 2021, Ruth Littler founded 360 Wellbeing, a Coaching Consulting Service focusing on Resilience, Stress Transformation, and Reclaiming Health. Today, Ruth helps empower others to get the life they want and is on a mission to support others to transform from the inside to enjoy a fulfilling life outside. Learn more at http://www.ruthlittler.com.au/

Please share this link to our chat with family and friends: https://UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/Ruth-2023.

* Your host is neither a doctor nor a medical professional. She is someone who is living well with an autoimmune diagnosis. This show is for educational purposes only. The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. Host(s) and guest(s) are not diagnosing specific conditions during the show. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own medical, legal, or other professional advice and care.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

After 25 years of suffering from multiple autoimmune conditions that affected your guest's energy, skin, hair, and joints, VJ Hamilton's finally found her answer(s) and her calling.

First diagnosed with alopecia areata in childhood, VJ endured many years of very visible autoimmune conditions, including alopecia, psoriasis, and eczema. After decades of enduring various symptoms and ill health, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue—another 'problem' to add to the growing list. Determined not to let the ongoing multiple health problems become her 'fate' in life, VJ did an intense study into immunology and trained as a Nutritionist.

She finally uncovered the root cause of her issues and transformed her health — now living free of symptoms. She shares with us more of her own survivor-to-thriver story, plus she explains:

• How we have to think beyond food groups and look at the nutrients we need,

• Why and how food can trigger symptoms, including multiple skin issues,

• Why (in most cases) we don't need to throw out whole food groups such as 'no diary,' 'no nightshades,' etc.,

• The importance of individualized analysis and care and so much more...

More About Our Guest: VJ Hamilton VJ has a BSc in Biochemistry & Immunology, is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, and is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine.

VJ now uses these same principles in her nutritional therapy clinic, The Autoimmunity Nutritionist, to help strong-willed women with autoimmune disease regain their strength and live a whole, symptom-free life. VJ is a perceptive health writer featured in Cosmopolitan, The Telegraph, Glamour magazine, and many health magazines. VJ has also co-authored a book with other well-being therapists called 'Empowerment in Health & Wellness,' which provides practical wellness tips to thrive after a life challenge. In her free time, VJ seeks culinary experiences at home and away and loves to recreate dishes at home with her friends and family. VJ is dedicated to her two twin pups and enjoys long walks in the country, Pilates practice, and attending music and theatre shows. d enjoys long walks in the country, Pilates practice, and attending music and theatre shows. Learn more at: https://theautoimmunitynutritionist.com/


Please share this link to our chat with family and friends: https://UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/VJ-2023.


Your host is neither a doctor nor a medical professional. She is someone who is living well with an autoimmune diagnosis. This show is for educational purposes only. The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. Host(s) and guest(s) are not diagnosing any specific conditions during the show. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for your own medical, legal, or other professional advice and care.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.

I love to travel, thank goodness, because I have to travel for work... And after about three years off the travel treadmill, the world of going out and about, both for vaca and business, is open again. I was surprised at how every plane, bus, or train I was on recently was packed! And, even as a seasoned traveler, my recent trip was one surprise after another.

This week, I’m doing something a bit different… My friend Liberty Forrest and I are chatting about our recent experiences traveling with long-term conditions. Now, we can’t cover all the folly and foibles of traveling while ‘disabled.’ (I hate the term ‘disabled,’ yet that’s the label the travel industry seems to like to use.) But Liberty and I are giving it a go!

Listen in to our travel adventures and misadventures and the lessons we’ve learned, and I invite you to share your learnings and lessons of travel with an invisible illness with us in the comments section. 


In our time together, Liberty and I share about why my cane is now “not a cane” and how my cane became 'headless' plus

• Our stories of travel disasters that we can now laugh about,

• Considerations for documentation on medications, medical devices, and symptoms,

• Ways to evaluate your medications, vaccinations, etc., and what might be legal or not at your destination,

• Thoughts on keeping ‘Murphys Law’ at bay, including the importance of pre-planning worst-case scenarios’… and so much more…

More about our Guest: Our guest, Liberty Forrest, is an award-winning author, speaker, and contributor to numerous informational publications, including Huffington Post. She is also a senior contributor at SportsEdTV. And, a lover of really dumb jokes and the creator of the “Witchy” cartoons.

Check out her articles over at Medium (https://medium.com/@libertyforrestauthor). And she has written numerous fiction and nonfiction books covering various topics. She loves sharing what she’s learned throughout her healing journey, personal development, and spiritual study. It has been an essential part of her education and training as a Master Teacher, allowing her to fulfill her purpose of helping others achieve their highest potential. Learn more about Liberty at www.LibertyForrest.com.

Please share this link to our chat with family and friends: https://UnderstandingAutoimmune.com/travel-2023.


* Your host is neither a doctor nor a medical professional. She is someone who is living well with an autoimmune diagnosis. This show is for educational purposes only. The information presented in this interview cannot substitute for the advice of your physician or other trained medical, healthcare, or other professionals. Host(s) and guest(s) are not diagnosing any specific conditions during the show. This show is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat autoimmune diseases or other conditions or illnesses. The information provided on UnderstandingAutoimmune.com, Life Interrupted Radio.com, and The Autoimmune Hour are for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for your own medical, legal or other professional advice and care.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-autoimmune-hour--2935987/support.