The Chronically Courageous with Bonni Howard

How incredible would it be to find chronic pain relief that didn’t involve addictive narcotics or surgery?  This week Bonni sits down with board certified neurologist and founder of the The Center for Complex Neurology, EDS, and POTS, Dr. David Saperstein to discuss a state of the art solution for chronic pain. 

Listen to find out how Calmare uses scrambler therapy to provide long lasting and highly effective pain relief for cancer pain, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic neuropathic pain.  

Some things that you’ll learn:

• About Dr. David Saperstein (1:15)
• What Calmare Therapy is and how it works to relieve pain (13:51)

Some questions Bonni asks Dr. Saperstein:

• What was the impetus for starting the Center for Complex Neurology, EDS, and POTS? (2:52)
• What made you want to get into the field of complex conditions? (5:42)
• Can you explain what neuroplasticity is? (24:10)
• Are there any contraindications or people that Calmare wouldn’t be advised for? (30:05)
• Can it be used for gastrointestinal pain? (32:37)
• If someone wants to pursue this therapy what would be the first step? (38:11)
• Are there any side effects? (40:40) 
• What gave you the courage to step outside of the security of your group practice and start the Center for Complex Neurology, EDS, and POTS (42:17)

Connect with Dr Saperstein:

• Website:  https://complexneurology.com/
• Instagram:  www.instagram.com/centerforcomplexneurology
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/CenterForComplexNeurology

Show Resources: 

• Calmare Therapy: http://calmarett.com
• Calmare Treatment Facilities: http://calmarett.com/facilities/index.html

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born with multiple disabilities, Vera-Lee Curnow always knew she was different.  Through sheer determination, she became an elite athlete excelling in tennis, but always wondered why she had to work much harder than her peers.  

Diagnosed with Osgood Schlatters, eosinophilic asthma, and vocal cord dysfunction, Vera-Lee was told at the age of 30 that she would not have much longer to live.  Once again she took matters into her own hands and was determined not to accept that as her fate.  

Today, Vera-Lee is using the voice that she both physically and proverbially lost to lead the Why Me Movement, a place that allows others to experience the healing power of sharing their stories.  

Some things that you’ll learn:

• About Vera-Lee (1:13)
• About vocal cord dysfunction (6:00) 
• What is was like when she lost her voice (8:53)
• The relationship between outside stress and exacerbation of illness (31:45)
• The procedure that put Vera-Lee into a coma (35:28)

Some questions Bonni asks Vera-Lee:

• When did you first realize that something was different about you? (3:18)
• Did you see a connection between the trauma and the illness? (14:00)
• What drives you to get up and keep going through so much adversity? (24:17)
• Looking back, if you could change anything would you? (39:27)
• Can you tell people about your podcast and your movement and how they can find you? (46:18)

Connect with Vera-Lee:

• Website:  https://www.whymemovement.com/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/veraleeoriginal/
• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whyme-with-vera-lee

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Bonni has an inspiring and heartwarming conversation with international best selling author, Cathleen Elle.  Cathleen vulnerably shares the tragic story of losing her teenage son to suicide and how she managed find a greater sense of purpose through this tragedy. This is a story that will simultaneously break and warm your heart. 

Although the cause of Cathleen’s trauma may be different than that of chronic illness survivors, she shares a universal wisdom for trauma and grief healing.  Please listen through to the end of the episode to find out how you can become eligible to receive a signed copy of Cathleen’s newly released best selling book, “Shattered Together”. 

Some things that you’ll learn:

• About Cathleen (1:24)
• One of the healing modalities that was very helpful to Cathleen (7:47)
• Cathleen’s story of how she arrived where she is today (8:54)
• The “grief prescription” (14:07)
• The connection between physical and emotional pain (18:07)
• Cathleen’s experience with Ayahuasca (34:34)
• Jack Canfield’s success formula that puts you in control of your own destiny (53:09)

Some questions Bonni asks Cathleen:

• Can you share the statistic we discussed about illness? (3:58) 
• How did you get from being shattered to where you are today? (13:09)
• Can you talk about how you feel Logan around you? (19:26)
• How would you advise people who are dealing with shame to heal it? (28:35)
• If people in the chronic illness community are thinking of buying your book, what would they get out of it? (33:01)
• Can you talk about some of your daily practices to cultivate self love and empowerment? (40:16)
• For you, what does courage mean? (58:36)

Connect with Cathleen:

• Website:  https://cathleenelle.com/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/cathleenelleinspires/
• Shattered Together Book: https://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Together-Mothers-Journey-Belief/dp/1952725186

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, meet Bonni’s personal health coach, Mollie Lowery.  Mollie has been and continues to be instrumental in Bonni’s healing journey.  Combining modalities such as breathwork, brain rewiring, energy healing, nutrition, and more Mollie’s approach to healing is holistic and multidimensional.

Prepare to hear some raw, deeply vulnerable moments that come up for Bonni as she shares some of the revelations she’s had about her illness. Learn about the healing techniques and mindset shifts that have enabled Bonni to make dramatic strides in her healing.  

Some things that you’ll learn:

• About Mollie (1:09)
• Mollie’s perspective on “fighting” illness (10:15) 
• A revelation that Bonni had while working with Mollie (16:28)
• The importance of self love (29:14)

Some questions Bonni asks Mollie:

• What do we need to look at from a root cause perspective to heal? (13:20)
• Can you talk about breathwork and its benefits? (23:08)
• Can you share some tips and tools on how we can love ourselves? (32:21)
• How can people find you? (44:08)
• What do you consider to be courage? (45:55)

Connect with Mollie:

• Website:  https://www.mollielowery.com/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mollielowery/

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month. Dysautonomia is mild for some people and completely disabling for others.  Imagine having to think about all of the bodily functions you take for granted….breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and more.  Dysautonomia causes a dysregulation of all of the functions that so many of us take for granted.  The result can be debilitating.  

Join me as I have conversations with Marina Lombardi, Valerie Rose, and Samantha Brechner, who each live with dysautonomia.  Hear how it has impacted each of them and how they have found ways to manage their symptoms. 

Some things that you’ll learn:

• What dysautonomia is and the effects it can have on people diagnosed with it
• How dysautonomia has impacted Bonni
• Why one of the scheduled guests was unable to be included in this episode

Some questions Bonni asks Marina, Valerie, and Sam:

• How would you describe dysautonomia to people who don’t know what it is? 
• What led to your diagnosis ?
• What type of dysautonomia do you have?
• If you were to try to get someone to understand what it feels like to live with dysautonomia how would you describe what it feels like to have dysautonomia? 
• What symptoms affect you most? 
• What have been the most effective ways of managing your symptoms? 

Show Resources: 

Learn more about dysautonomia:  http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I had the honor of speaking with Lara Bloom, President and CEO of The Ehlers-Danlos Society. This year she was also appointed Academic Affiliate Professor of Practice in Patient Engagement and Global Collaboration at Penn State College of Medicine.  Lara is an expert in patient engagement and advocacy for rare, chronic, and invisible conditions as well as an international public speaker and campaigner. 

Lara is all of the aforementioned things, but also a patient who lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, dysautonomia, and other comorbid conditions.  Lara’s story is both inspiring and impressive, as she has managed to accomplish so much despite her health challenges.  

Some things that you’ll learn:

• About Lara (1:20)
• Recent challenges that Lara has faced separating her personal vs professional life (9:30)
• Lara’s personal experience with Covid-19 (11:04)
• About the Breaking Down Barriers initiative (19:08) 
• One of the hardest things that Lara deals with as a public figure. (36:02)

Some questions Bonni asks Lara:

• How do you manage all that you do? (6:08)
• What led to your diagnosis? (23:20)
• What would you tell people who are in the beginning of their process and don’t have a firm diagnosis? (26:26)
• Why Lara rarely sees doctors these days (29:14)
• What drove you to do a marathon and how did you have the stamina to complete it? (31:43)
• Looking back at your journey would you change anything? (34:50)
• What is next for you and the Society? (41:50) 
• What would your My Intent bracelet say? (44:35)
• What’s lighting you up right now? (47:11)
• What advice can you give other people on how to best advocate for themselves? (48:25)
• What does courage mean to you? (50:17)

Connect with Lara:

• Website:  https://www.larabloom.com/
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lara.bloom/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/larabloom?lang=en

Show Resources: 

• Issues With My Tissues Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd6EojcCMDA
• The Ehlers Danlos Society Website:  https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
• Breaking Down Barriers Coalition: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/breaking-down-barriers/#:~:text=Breaking%20Down%20Barriers%20Coalition&text=We%20do%20not%20accept%20inequality,affected%20by%20EDS%20and%20HSD.&text=The%20Coalition%20will%20address%20inequalities,Society%20programming%20and%20advocacy%20efforts

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are so many things that I’ve learned on my healing journey. I have uncovered things that I never considered might be contributing to my ailing health. Because I am on a mission to help all of you heal and live your best lives, I share some lesser known things that may be contributing to your illness and how you can avoid them. 

Some Things You Will Learn:

• Unexpected things that may be making you sick
• How to be a wiser consumer of products so that you can avoid toxic chemicals
• A special announcement about Season # 2 of The Chronically Courageous 

Show Resources:

• The Medical Medium Podcast:  Killing You Smelly https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/004-killing-you-smelly-air-fresheners-scented-candles/id1133835109?i=1000492671782&itsct=podcast_box&itscg=30200
• Think Dirty app - https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com/
• EWG's Healthy Living App - https://www.ewg.org/apps/
• Environmental Working Group - https://www.ewg.org/
• Madesafe.org - a not for profit that screens products for toxicity 
• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - http://www.safecosmetics.org/

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode is a little different from the norm.  My friend of 24 years, Judy Venezia, is navigating some new and existing diagnoses so I took the opportunity to answer some questions for her in hopes of providing her some additional tools to make her journey a little less challenging. 

Before being forced into retirement due to her health, Judy spent 25 years juggling caring for her three children and her many patients as a pediatric and emergency room registered nurse. Now the tables are turned and it’s time for Judy to let others care for her.  I hope you enjoy this informal girl talk between Judy and I. 

Some Questions Judy Asks Bonni: 

1. How do you keep such a positive attitude? (3:21)
2. What things have you done to deal with your pain and chronic illnesses? (7:15)
3. What things do you do to help yourself feel your best each day? (9:30)
4. How do you stay so self disciplined? (17:05)
5. When you’re not feeling well where does your drive come from? (20:10)
6. How do you find the courage to deal with illness each day? (21:25)
7. What do you recommend for dealing with chronic illness when a health coach is not in the budget? (25:25)

Show Resources:

• Insight Timer Meditation App  https://insighttimer.com/
• Dr Joe Dispenza - https://drjoedispenza.com/
• Electrolyte drink - https://www.traceminerals.com/category/hydration
• CytoDetox - https://cytodetox.com/
• The Celery Juice Movement - https://www.medicalmedium.com/medical-medium-celery-juice-movement.htm
• Blue light blocking glasses - https://www.blublox.com/ - use code WELLNESS for 15% off
• Ecosque - https://www.egoscue.com/
• The Medical Medium on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/medicalmedium

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we are dealing with a chronic illness or disability, it can be easy to slip into the pattern of focusing on what we can’t do. Please stop doing this!  

This week’s episode is all about shifting that focus and learning how to recognize yourself for even the smallest wins. If you’re feeling down or defeated, my hope is that you will walk away from this episode feeling more empowered and uplifted.

Please follow and tag me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/ and let me know at least one win that you’ve had recently and how you intend to celebrate that win. Let’s celebrate together!  

Some Things You Will Learn:

1. What Bonni is celebrating right now (2:17)
2. A meaningful project that Bonni is looking for participants to collaborate on (5:36)
3. The benefits of celebrating each win (7:16)
4. Various ways to celebrate (7:56)

Show Resources:

Out of Milk app: https://www.outofmilk.com/

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christina Rice is a living example of overcoming all odds. Having mystery illnesses all of her life, she feverishly searched for answers as her organs began to shut down and her weight dropped to a frail 73 pounds. 

Fighting for her life, she took matters into her own hands and explored healing modalities such as brain rewiring, energy healing, and tapping into her intuition. Today, she is stable and healthy and has a thriving high six figure coaching business helping others to break through their limiting beliefs and heal physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.   

Some things that you’ll learn:

• About Christina (1:20)
• Christina’s chronic illness story (2:35)
• The difference between masculine and feminine energy. (22:00)

Some questions Bonni asks Christina:

• What do you feel was the big turning point in your healing? (10:08)
• Can you explain what brain rewiring is and how it works? (11:10)
• What do you think was at the root cause of a lot of your chronic health issues? (18:32)
• Can you talk about your spirituality and intuitive abilities? (31:58)
• What three things can people start doing right now to heal? (44:18) 
• Why do you think all of the crazy things that have happened in 2020 are happening? (45:22)
• What’s lighting you up these days? (50:41)

Connect with Christina:

• Website: https://christinaricewellness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaricewellness/
• Wellness Realness Podcast: https://christinaricewellness.com/wellness-realness/

Connect with Bonni:

https://www.instagram.com/thechronicallycourageous/

https://www.facebook.com/bonni.howard

[email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.