The Chronic Truth

What happens when caregivers never put themselves first?
 

This week, Kim welcomes Jenny Lytle, a hospice and end-of-life care nurse with over 30 years of experience, who learned the cost of neglecting self-care through devastating loss. After burning out so badly she left her job and went through an identity crisis, Jenny's mother died from a ruptured brain aneurysm—an aneurysm she knew about but planned to fix "after getting all these other things taken care of."   

  In this deeply personal episode, Jenny reveals:

• ​🔴 Tragic catalyst: Mother died from a ruptured brain aneurysm she knew about but delayed fixing for "other things." 
• ​🟢 Praise addiction: Hospice families' validation became more fulfilling than family at home, who didn't say she was great  
• ​🟣 One to five minutes: Self-care doesn't need beach vacations—bathroom breathing exercises prevent burnout 
  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Chronic Truth Podcast
01:14 The Journey of Caregiving and Burnout
04:51 Understanding Self-Care for Caregivers
08:18 The Becoming Method: A Path to Self-Care
12:47 Recognizing Signs of Burnout
18:28 Practical Strategies for Stress Relief
24:26 Connecting with Resources and Community

Connect with Jenny:

💻 Website
🎙️ "The Nurses Break Room" podcast
📚 Free book + stress guide 

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

 What if everything mothers tell daughters about period pain is wrong?
 

This week, Kim welcomes back Michele Forsberg, pelvic physical therapist and endometriosis expert, to address the flood of listener questions from their first conversation. Michele delivers a powerful message that will change how mothers respond to their daughters: debilitating period cramps are NOT normal, even if you had them too.   

 In this critical follow-up episode, Michele reveals:

• ​🔴 95% correlation: Debilitating period pain almost always means endometriosis, should be ruled in/out FIRST, not last resort 
• ​🟢 Organ damage reality: Untreated endo can infiltrate bowels, cover ureters, cause kidney loss, not "just" reproductive disease  
• ​🟣 Sisterhood paradox: Two sisters, both with endo, one severe symptoms/minimal disease, the other deep infiltrating/NO symptoms 
  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Illness and Community Support
01:14 Understanding Endometriosis: A Deeper Dive
02:57 Symptoms and Diagnosis of Endometriosis
11:33 Treatment Options and Surgical Interventions
17:07 Finding the Right Healthcare Provider
21:08 Pelvic Physical Therapy and Holistic Approaches
23:15 Medications and Emerging Treatments
25:46 Advocacy and Awareness for Endometriosis
26:08 Empowering Patients: Trusting Your Body

Connect with Michele:

💻 Website

🔗 Linktree

📱 Instagram

📘 Facebook

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

What happens when surgery or GLP-1 medications work, then stop working?   
 

This week, Kim welcomes Dr. Pavi Kundhal, a general surgeon and diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, who spent 16 of his 17 years in practice watching a devastating pattern. After performing high-volume bariatric surgeries, Dr. Kundhal noticed the patients with lasting success weren't the ones who followed the strictest diets; they were the ones who did "the deep work" to change their relationship with eating.  

In this transformative episode, Dr. Kundhal reveals:

• ​🔴 Devastating pattern: Patients losing 50-60 pounds, then gaining more than half back with no strategy 
• ​🟢 Physical vs emotional: Hunger builds slowly over 4-6 hours; emotional craving hits rapidly with comfort food and guilt  
• ​🟣 Environment beats willpower: Clear counters, pre-cut vegetables at eye level, remove TV distraction while eating 
  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Chronic Truth Podcast
01:14 Meet Dr. Pavi Kundal: A New Perspective on Weight Loss
02:13 The Importance of Mindset in Weight Management
05:33 Understanding Emotional vs. Physical Hunger
10:14 Mindfulness and Eating Habits
12:10 The Role of GLP-1 Medications in Weight Loss
15:24 Navigating Weight Gain and Health Challenges
16:45 Dr. Kundal's Book: Shift Your Mind to Shift Your Weight
18:55 Sustainable Changes for Long-Term Success

Connect with Dr. Kundhal:

💻 Peel Weight Loss Clinic
📱 Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
📚  "Shift Your Mind to Shift Your Weight" on Amazon

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

 What happens when a healthcare professional doesn't recognize her own brain injury?  
 

This week, Kim welcomes  Kelly Tuttle, a neurology nurse practitioner who became a traumatic brain injury survivor after a car accident—and whose brain injury was so hidden that even she didn't recognize the danger signs. After being cleared to return to work in two weeks, Kelly pushed through headaches, dizziness, memory lapses, and horrific whiplash until she fell asleep driving home and nearly hit a tree.  

  In this eye-opening episode, Kelly reveals:

• ​🔴 Dangerous denial: Cleared to work in 2 weeks, fell asleep at the wheel, planned roadside naps as "solution" 
• ​🟢 Seven-year secret: Hid invisible disability from employer while napping at lunch, sleeping 2 hours after work daily
• ​🟣 Neuro fatigue reality: Brain takes "side streets" instead of highways—wake with 25% battery, no recharging 
  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast
02:32 Kelly Tuttle's Journey and Insights
07:24 Understanding TBI and the Importance of Care
10:49 The Five Foundational Pillars of TBI Recovery
15:49 Navigating Financial Wellness After TBI
18:53 Mental Health Challenges and Personal Growth
25:08 Understanding Neuro Fatigue
27:30 Resources and Conclusion

Connect with Kelly Tuttle:

💻 ⁠⁠Brain Loving Advocate
📚 "After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury" on Amazon

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

What happens when compassionate doctors are crushed by corporate medicine?  
 

This week, Kim welcomes Dr. Joe Sherman, a pediatrician who experienced something that would shock his colleagues: complete burnout requiring him to quit medicine altogether. After 35 years practicing across the US, Uganda, and Bolivia, Dr. Sherman went from a vibrant community-engaged physician to someone suffering acute anxiety, headaches, numbness, and back pain—all from the stress of "cranking up patients" and losing connection to why he became a doctor.  

 In this powerful bridge-building episode, Dr. Sherman reveals:

• ​🔴 Personal breaking point: Acute anxiety, numbness, back pain—doctors ordered a brain MRI before considering stress as a cause 
• ​🟢 Epidemic reality: 50-60% of physicians are currently burnt out—disconnected, distracted, just trying to get through the day
• ​🟣 Two-way compassion: Hand over heart self-kindness practice that helps doctors metabolize patient trauma without drowning 
  
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast
01:33 Meet Dr. Joe Sherman: A Journey in Medicine
05:00 Burnout in Healthcare: A Personal Story
09:36 Understanding Physician Burnout
12:33 Addressing Burnout: Strategies for Physicians
18:09 The Importance of Self-Compassion
21:20 The Center for Courage and Renewal
24:42 Impact of Burnout on Patient Care
26:25 Creating Supportive Healthcare Teams
28:22 Final Thoughts on Overcoming Burnout

Connect with Dr. Sherman:

💻 ⁠⁠Joe Sherman, MD (free consultation scheduling, blogs, articles, podcasts)
📧 [email protected]
🎯 Services: Individual physician coaching, medical team workshops 

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

What happens when you're diagnosed with guaranteed cancer at eight years old?  
 

This week, Kim welcomes Jenny Jones, author and advocate living with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)—a hereditary colon cancer syndrome that guarantees colon removal at some point in life. Diagnosed at eight years old and having her colon removed at nine when polyps started turning cancerous, Jenny spent five years angry at everyone, developing medical PTSD from surgical complications that led to short bowel syndrome.  

 In this raw and educational episode, Jenny reveals:

• ​🔴 Brutal honesty: Genetic reality: 50-50 chance of inheriting FAP if parent has it. Colon removal is inevitable when polyps turn cancerous 
• ​🟢 Five years of anger: Medical PTSD and surgical complications led to hating everyone, parents, doctors, and herself, until therapy 
• ​🟣 Advocacy mission: Written children's book with mutant characters, pushing for earlier screening than current age 10-15 guidelines 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast
01:33 Understanding Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
04:57 Growing Up with FAP: Personal Experiences
07:36 Daily Challenges of Living with Rare Diseases
10:59 Diet and Its Impact on Health
11:44 Advocacy Through Writing: Children's Books on FAP
15:04 Genetics and Inheritance of FAP
19:45 Future of Research and Advocacy for FAP
22:58 Diagnosis and Symptoms of FAP
28:09 Advice for Young Patients with FAP

Connect with Jenny:

💻 ⁠⁠Life's A Polyp
📚  Amazon: "Life's A Polyp"

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

What happens when you find a lump at 37 with an 18-month-old and 11 year old sons? 
 

This week, Kim welcomes her cousin Stephanie Adler for a raw, personal conversation about surviving stage 3 breast cancer at just 37 years old with an 18-month-old and 11 year old sons.  When a simple shower discovery led to finding cancer in her lymph nodes, Stephanie made the controversial decision to demand a double mastectomy against her surgeon's recommendation—telling her doctor point-blank: "I don't ever want to go through this again. This is about living, not my breast."  

 In this deeply emotional episode, Stephanie reveals:

• ​🔴 Brutal honesty: Demanded a double mastectomy against the doctor's advice: "This is about living, not my breast." 
• ​🟢 Eight surgeries, three years: Radiation ripped skin apart during reconstruction, forcing back muscle transfer to create an implant pocket
• ​🟣 Twenty years later: Never said "cancer-free" out loud, admits skipping follow-ups, celebrates life day by day 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast
01:33 Stephanie's Inspiring Journey with Breast Cancer
12:50 Facing the Reality of Diagnosis
20:48 The Reconstruction Journey
24:11 Reflections on Survival and Support

To support the show, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

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

 What if most dementia aggression isn't the disease, it's us? 

This week, Kim welcomes Kathi Miracle, a dementia expert with over 30 years of experience who learned everything the hard way by being thrown into a wall, having her ribs broken, and getting kicked, punched, and scratched as a 22-year-old CNA with zero proper training. From those brutal early days in the 1990s, Kathi built a career transforming memory care facilities where families specifically sought her out, not just her buildings. 

 In this deeply emotional episode, Kathi reveals:

• ​🔴 Caregiver mistakes: 80% of behaviors are triggered by approach, communication, and environment, only 20% by actual dementia 
• ​🟢 Prevention power: 60-90% of people could avoid diagnosis with six lifestyle components backed by the CDC and the National Institute on Aging 
• ​🟣 Not just aging: Youngest dementia patient was 2 years old; 700,000 under-18 kids worldwide live with a diagnosis 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast
01:33 Kathy Miracle: A Journey into Dementia Care
03:15 The Importance of Proactive Care in Dementia
05:22 Understanding Dementia: Hereditary Factors and Statistics
07:35 Lifestyle Changes for Cognitive Health
10:20 The Role of Nutrition and Hydration
11:58 The Significance of Sleep for Brain Health
15:36 Oxygenation and Physical Activity for Cognitive Function
19:19 Socialization: A Key to Cognitive Health
23:06 Cognitive Exercises: Strengthening the Brain
28:46 Cognitive Exercises for Brain Health
31:19 Understanding Dementia Triggers
36:59 Effective Communication Strategies
40:54 Navigating the Dementia Journey
47:58 The Importance of Caregiver Support

Connect with Kathi:

💻 ⁠⁠The Silver Tsunami 
📚 Pre-order "Your Ticket to Compassion" 
💬 Free one-hour consultation available 

To support the show, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

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

What if trying to sit up straight is making your back pain worse?

This week, Kim welcomes Ben O'Loghlin, who spent his early twenties battling chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain that nothing could fix, not doctors, chiropractors, massage, or medication. After waking up 30 minutes early just to stretch enough to face college exams, Ben discovered the Alexander Technique, a 100-year-old cognitive approach developed by an Australian actor who was constantly losing his voice. 

In this transformative episode, Ben reveals:

• ​🔴 Brain autopilot problem: 85% of chronic back pain comes from muscle tension your brain creates without you knowing. Imaging shows nothing wrong
• ​🟢 Posture paradox: Forcing "good posture" uses the wrong muscles and creates more tension. The secret is reawakening automatic reflexes
• ​🟣 Seven-month results: Students reduced pain from 24 days per month to just 4 days without surgery, drugs, or endless physical therapy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast

01:33 Ben O'Loughlin's Journey with Chronic Pain

05:57 Understanding the Alexander Technique

10:53 Teaching the Alexander Technique Online

14:00 Holistic Healing Approaches

20:14 Cognitive Techniques for Pain Relief

25:58 Investing in Long-Term Wellbeing

27:38 Connecting with Ben O'Loughlin

Connect with Ben:

💻 ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠: (90-minute workshop available)

📘 ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

To support the show, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

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

What happens when routine surgery becomes a cancer diagnosis mid-operation?

This week, Kim sits down with Phantom from Phantom Electric Ghost Podcast, a musician, software engineer, and podcasting veteran with nearly 1,300 episodes under his belt. What started as a routine cyst removal at 27 became a terrifying discovery when Phantom could hear his surgeons realize mid-operation that he had stage 3 sarcoma spreading toward his spine.

In this episode, Phantom reveals:

• ​🔴 Shocking discovery: Stage 3 sarcoma spreading toward spine discovered during "cyst removal"—patient could hear surgeons' realization
• ​🟢 Recovery resilience: Spent months at mother's house planning comeback with custom mountain bike parts bought with disability payments
• ​🟣 Creative advocacy: Nearly 1,300 podcast episodes later, it now supports a worldwide organization for the disabled.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast

01:33 Guest Introduction and Background

02:46 Facing Cancer: A Personal Journey

06:09 Navigating Treatment and Recovery

10:10 Empathy and Caregiving

12:16 Holistic Approaches to Health

16:01 The Power of Creativity and Expression

17:33 Advice for the Newly Diagnosed

18:42 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Connect with Phantom:

💻 ⁠Website⁠

🔗 ⁠Podcast

📱 ⁠Instagram⁠

📘 ⁠Facebook⁠

📺 YouTube

🎨 Sista Creative Rising

To support the show, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is brought to you by:

The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLC

Host/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash

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