After healing her multiple sclerosis naturally over 20 years, Christine Ruch discovered the missing piece that no diet, supplement, or lifestyle change could address: nervous system dysregulation. Her journey from Boulder holistic chef to transformation guide reveals why emotional capacity matters as much as nutrition, how unconscious patterns keep us sick, and the radical difference between forcing healing through rules versus trusting your body's innate wisdom. For anyone managing MS, autoimmune disease, or compounding chronic conditions, this conversation offers hope beyond the pill bottle.  

CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS

00:00 The Journey of Self-Healing
03:11 Awakening to Deeper Healing
10:50 Understanding the Nervous System's Role
15:05 Transforming Emotional Landscapes
20:17 Building Trust with Your Body
25:07 The Non-Linear Path of Healing
30:04 Creating a Safe Space for Healing

CONNECT & RESOURCES

Connect with Christine Ruch:
🌐 Website: ChristineRuch.com
📝 Substack: Writing on the healing path and holistic transformation (linked from website)
📱 Instagram: @christineruch.ms (podcast links, articles, and select content)
📞 Book a Call: Free discovery calls available at ChristineRuch.com
💬 WhatsApp Mentorship: 3, 6, and 9-month immersions with 24/7 nervous system support 

Resources Mentioned:

• McDonald's Criteria for MS: Diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (referenced by host Kim Nash)
• Costa Rica Healing Experience: Transformational nervous system work with two healers (2022)
• Holistic Nutrition & Celiac Disease: Christine's entry point to natural healing (2006)
• Nervous System Regulation: Vagus nerve work and dysregulation patterns in autoimmune conditions

The Chronic Truth Podcast:
 🌐 Website: chronictruthpodcast.com
📱 Instagram: @ChronicTruthPodcast
📘 TikTok: @chronictruthpodcast
💬 Share Your Story: Testimonials
📋 Community Survey: Survey

The day Maye Jepson's son called from a psychiatric hospital in California with a schizophrenia diagnosis, everything changed. Over 20 years later, she's transformed that fear into fierce advocacy—co-presenting Crisis Intervention Team training with Jason, founding Parenting Through Mental Illness, and giving parents the hope and practical tools they desperately need. From becoming a "trust partner" to knowing when to call the police, Maye shares what actually works when serious mental illness enters your family. 

CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Navigating Mental Health Challenges
06:28 The Journey Begins: Diagnosis and Initial Reactions
12:41 Building a Support System
18:38 Crisis Intervention and Law Enforcement Training
20:10 Managing Schizophrenia: Treatment and Recovery
26:15 The Importance of Community and Education
32:00 Finding Hope and Moving Forward

CONNECT & RESOURCES

Connect with Maye Jepson:
Maye Jepson - Licensed Counselor (Master's Degree in Counseling), National Mental Health Advocate, NAMI Co-Presenter
📘 Facebook: Parenting Thru Mental Illness
📝 Jason Jepson's Writing: Amazon

Resources Mentioned:

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI.org - Parent support groups, educational programs, family-to-family courses, CIT training for law enforcement 
• Mental Health America: mhanational.org - National organization providing mental health resources, screening tools, and advocacy 
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training: Week-long specialized training for police officers on de-escalating mental health crises and working with individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies 
• NAMI South Carolina: namisc.org - State affiliate offering local programs and police department training
  
  

The Chronic Truth Podcast:
 🌐 Website: chronictruthpodcast.com
📱 Instagram: @ChronicTruthPodcast
📘 TikTok: @chronictruthpodcast
💬 Share Your Story: Testimonials

What if the "healthy" grains you're eating are actually fueling inflammation and disrupting your sleep? 

Board-certified clinical nutritionist Beverly Meyer pioneered the Paleo diet decades before it had a name, and her ancestral approach to healing reveals why chronic conditions improve when we stop fighting our biology. From batch cooking strategies to the hidden truth about olive oil fraud, discover practical nutrition that actually works for chronic illness.

CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast
01:28 Beverly Meyer's Journey to Health
02:13 Understanding the Paleo Diet
06:23 The Impact of Diet on Chronic Health Conditions
09:01 The Shift in Cooking and Eating Habits
12:10 Practical Cooking Tips for a Healthy Diet
16:00 The Importance of Healthy Fats
26:54 Improving Sleep for Chronic Health Sufferers
33:48 Final Thoughts and Resources

CONNECT & RESOURCES

Connect with Beverly Meyer:
Beverly Meyer - Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Paleo Diet Pioneer
🌐 Website: OnDietAndHealth.com
🎙️ Podcast: Primal Diet Modern Health
📌 Pinterest: Beverly Meyer Nutrition
📚 Free 16-Page Batch Cooking eBook: Available at the bottom of any article on OnDietAndHealth.com (requires newsletter signup)
🛒 Online Clinic Store: Pharma GABA and practitioner-grade supplements available through website

Resources Mentioned:

• Pure Indian Foods: PureIndianFoods.com - Fifth-generation ghee makers, highest quality pastured butter ghee
• US Wellness Meats: GrasslandBeef.com - Pastured heritage pork and 100% grass-fed, grass-finished meats
• Chosen Foods: ChosenFoods.com - Pure avocado oil (not cut with canola)
• Pharma GABA: Fermented, chewable GABA supplement for sleep and anxiety support (available through Beverly's online store)
• Functional Medicine Resources: Referenced for trusted alternative health information

The Chronic Truth Podcast:
 🌐 Website: chronictruthpodcast.com
📱 Instagram: @ChronicTruthPodcast
📘 TikTok: @chronictruthpodcast
💬 Share Your Story: Testimonials

Is type 2 diabetes truly reversible, or are we being told the wrong story?

Kim welcomes professional chef and diabetes advocate Jeff Grundy for an honest conversation about the confusion, fear, and misinformation surrounding type 2 diabetes.

After spending years relying on medication alone, Jeff experienced a wake-up call that changed everything. Today, he helps others understand that real change doesn’t come from extreme diets or quick fixes but from mindset shifts, identity change, and small, consistent habits.

Kim and Jeff discuss:

🔴 Why diabetes is often the foundation of many chronic diseases
🟢 How to start reversing diabetes with simple, sustainable steps
🟣 Why medication alone is not the solution for type 2 diabetes

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Illness and Diabetes Awareness
01:28 Chef Jeff's Journey with Diabetes
03:44 Understanding the Impact of Diabetes
08:09 Diet and Lifestyle Changes for Diabetes Management
10:06 Building a Supportive Community for Diabetes
11:12 The Importance of Identity in Health Management
12:12 Advice for Newly Diagnosed Individuals
14:09 Myths and Realities of Diabetes
15:44 Recognizing Symptoms and Risks of Diabetes
16:48 Resources and Final Thoughts on Diabetes Reversal

Connect with Jeff:

🌐 yourdiabetesroadmap.com/chronic
📘 Free Book: Your Diabetes Reversal Roadmap

Support the show and share your experience:

Visit chronictruthpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC
Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash
Podcast Creative Director & Co-Producer: Jay Wilson

Is it normal forgetfulness or an Alzheimer’s warning sign? How do you talk to a defensive parent about their declining memory?

Gerontology expert Janice Goldmintz, who cared for both parents with Alzheimer’s, provides a compassionate, step-by-step guide for overwhelmed families.   

In this episode, Kim and Janice discuss:

🔴 The “Fruit & Orange” Analogy: Simply understand dementia vs. Alzheimer’s
🟢 The Family Visit Checklist: Spot red flags like unopened mail and keys in the freezer 
🟣 The #1 Legal Mistake: Why waiting for a diagnosis to get a Power of Attorney is dangerous
🟡 The 4 Criteria for “Home vs. Facility”: Finance, community, health, and future-proofing

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Chronic Truth Podcast
01:25 Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
02:26 Navigating Caregiver Challenges
05:51 Recognizing Signs of Cognitive Decline
08:37 Family Involvement in Care Decisions
10:10 Making Care Decisions for Aging Parents
12:08 Importance of Legal Preparations
14:12 Advocating for Loved Ones with Alzheimer's
15:52 Finding Support for Isolated Individuals
17:59 Resources and Support for Caregivers

Connect with Janice:

📱 @agingparentjourney on Instagram
 

To support the show or share your experience, visit our website at chronictruthpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

Podcast Creative Director  &  Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Mechanic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What if everything we think about boys and emotions is backwards? 

Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, a pioneering psychologist with 50 years of experience, will pull back the curtain on the emotional suppression of men in our culture.   

  In this enlightening and thought-provoking episode, Gloria reveals:

• ​🔴 The Shocking Research: Boys enter the world with a wider emotional range than girls. Dr. Vanderhorst explains how we systematically train them to suppress it from infancy, and the lifelong cost of that narrowing. 
• ​🟢 The Relational Fallout: Why the phrase "boys don't cry" is a direct contributor to failed relationships and emotional disconnect in partnerships. Discover why men often can't express fear or sadness, and how that "emotional robot" persona breaks down marriages.  
• ​🟣 The Path to Healing: From groundbreaking men's groups to a unique journal that uses drawing to unlock non-verbal trauma, Dr. Vanderhorst provides the tools for men to reclaim their emotional birthright and for all of us to raise a healthier generation. 
  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Emotional Expression in Men
03:09 Understanding Boys' Emotional Range
08:01 The Impact of Emotional Suppression
10:59 Tools for Raising Emotionally Healthy Boys
13:33 The Importance of Mental Health
17:39 Creating Safe Spaces for Emotional Expression
19:29 Exploring Emotions Through Creative Outlets
22:44 Resources for Emotional Growth

Connect with Dr. Vanderhorst:

💻 Website
📘 EVRYMAN: Men's Support Group
 

To support the show, visit our website at chronictruthpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

Podcast Creative Director  &  Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Mechanic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What if a circular saw blade could revolutionize kitchen safety for millions?

After learning knife smithing but being unable to use traditional knives during a severe flare-up, Doug created the Nulu: a groundbreaking adaptive kitchen knife that aligns with your musculoskeletal structure, eliminates grip strain, and puts the blade exactly where your hand knows it is. But this episode goes far beyond a product story. 

This week, Kim sits down with our featured guest, West Point graduate and disabled Army veteran Doug Katz, who turned his own upper extremity disabilities—arthritis, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow—into innovation.

In this episode, we cover:

🔴 The Universal Design Reality: Everyone is one second from needing adaptive tools—disability isn't an identity, it's a curve we all move through (broken arm? You're disabled for six weeks) 

🟢 Hidden Entrepreneurial Gold: Every state by law has adaptive lending libraries nobody knows about + financial resources that remove price barriers from the disabled market

🟣 The 114 Million Person Market: Elderly, children, temporarily injured, permanently disabled—when you think in "functional disability" and tasks, massive opportunities emerge

🟡 Military Task Framework: Change the conditions and standards of tasks to unlock employability, independence, and innovation

⚪ Why the Nulu Works: Eliminates grip strain, aligns with musculoskeletal structure, blade is exactly where your hand knows it is—vision-impaired Paralympian partnership proves it

00:00 Introduction to the Chronic Truth Podcast
01:25 Meet Doug Katz: A Journey of Resilience
02:41 The Invention of Nulu: A Game-Changer for Mobility Challenges
06:20 Understanding the Kinetic Chain and Its Importance
12:25 Universal Design: A Solution for All
17:51 The Ability Curve: Redefining Disability
21:26 Empowering Independence Through Adaptive Tools
24:33 Encouraging Entrepreneurship in the Disabled Community

Get the Nulu Knife:
💻 nuluknives.com | 🛒 Amazon | 📱 TikTok: @the_nulu_guru
Connect with Doug Katz:
🎤 DouglasMKatz.com | 💼 LinkedIn | 📸 @douglasmkatz

To support the show, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chronictruthpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

Podcast Creative Director  &  Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podcast Mechanic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

As 2025 comes to a close, this brief but powerful message reminds us why The Chronic Truth exists: to ensure no one fighting a serious health condition feels alone.

In this heartfelt bonus episode, Kim pauses to reflect on an incredible year of storytelling, connection, and community building.

As we enter the new year, share one Chronic Truth episode with someone who needs to hear they're not fighting alone. Whether it's a friend with a new diagnosis, a family member struggling with chronic pain, or a colleague navigating midlife health challenges, your share could be the connection that changes their perspective.

Choose an episode that resonates with you and share it on your social media or text it directly to someone who needs it

MUCH LOVE AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

To support the show, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe on Spotify

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

Podcast Creative Director  &  Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podcast Mechanic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Men are dying of loneliness. The statistics on male suicide, isolation, and preventable chronic disease are staggering—yet most men wait until they're broken before seeking help. Stretch Rayner knows this firsthand. After climbing the corporate ladder, quitting to become a personal trainer, and building a thriving London gym, he hit complete burnout.

This week, Kim sits down with our featured guest: Stretch Rayner, Founder of Midlife Mavericks.

Former corporate professional turned fitness entrepreneur, Stretch rebuilt his life after burnout and now coaches men through midlife transitions. Based in remote Australia, he connects men globally through his online platform and signature "From Warrior to King" nine-week program.

In this episode, we cover:

🔴 The Masculinity Crisis: Why "toxic masculinity" debates leave men confused about how to show up—and the one question every man must answer for himself

🟢 Warrior to King Journey: How the armor that served you in your 20s-30s no longer fits at midlife—and the nine-week rite of passage to transform your approach

🟣 The Goal Framework That Works: 20,000-foot vision work, six-month milestones, 30-day experiments (not commitments)—consistency over intensity, failing fast without shame

🟡 Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish: The oxygen mask principle for entrepreneurs and fathers—how prioritizing your health exponentially improves everything else

Stretch Rayner's Links:

•  💻 Website: Midlife Mavericks
•  📱 Instagram: @stretch.rayner
  
  

To support the show, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

Podcast Creative Director  &  Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podcast Mechanic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

After breaking his neck at 12 and being told he'd be "fragile and crippled for life," Dr. Alan Weisser refused to accept that diagnosis. Today, he's a clinical psychologist with nearly 40 years of experience helping chronic pain patients move from suffering to mastery. In this powerful episode, Dr. Weisser reveals why chronic pain isn't just a medical problem—it's an existential challenge with up to 200 "collateral damages" that affect every aspect of your life. He introduces the Survival Triad, a revolutionary framework borrowed from martial arts that teaches patients to use anxiety and anger as tools rather than enemies, practice non-illusory thinking, and embrace conflict productively. This isn't about managing pain—it's about mastering it.

Featured Guest: Dr. Alan Weisser, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of New Options Incorporated

With nearly 40 years of clinical experience and over 50 years studying martial arts, Dr. Weisser developed a whole-person approach to chronic pain that addresses the physical, psychological, and existential impacts of living with persistent symptoms. Author of "Unraveling the Mystery: Mastering Chronic Pain."

In this episode, we cover:

00:00 Facing the Harsh Reality of Chronic Pain
02:59 The Journey from Injury to Empowerment
06:06 Understanding the Complexities of Chronic Pain
08:56 The Role of Emotions in Pain Management
11:49 Innovative Approaches to Chronic Pain Treatment
15:04 The Importance of Emotional and Mental Health
18:02 Transforming Pain into Personal Power
20:51 The Future of Chronic Pain Management

Actionable Takeaways

✔ For chronic pain patients: Start an Evening Journal today—during the day, list everything making you anxious, rate each 0-10, and strategize solutions so your brain isn't ruminating at bedtime

✔ For physical therapy patients: Tell your PT directly, "I'm scared—reassure me and I'll do it" to get the support you need to follow through with exercises safely

✔ For anyone feeling overwhelmed: Recognize you're likely facing 30+ collateral damages, not just 1-2 problems—understanding the full scope helps explain why it feels like a tsunami

✔ For those experiencing depression: Understand that depression is your attempt to shut down anxiety and anger—but these emotions are your survival toolkit, not your enemies

Dr. Alan Weisser's Links:

• 💻 Email: [email protected] (best way to reach him)
  
  

To support the show, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

Podcast Creative Director  &  Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podcast Mechanic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

About the Host: Kim Nash is a chronic illness advocate and podcast host who brings both personal experience living with chronic conditions and deep advocacy expertise to every conversation. Her mission is to amplify patient voices and bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers through honest, transformative discussions.