The Chronically Positive Podcast

You can watch this episode on youtube

In this episode, Anna Snapp joins me to share how she transformed years of medical trauma, mental health struggles, and invisible illness into powerful creative expression. From hospital stays and misdiagnoses to performing her story on stage for med students and Fringe Festival audiences alike, Anna’s journey is a reminder of the strength it takes to reclaim your narrative — and the healing that can come from being seen.🔗 Show Notes:Follow Anna on Instagram/TikTok: @theannasnappFollow the Chronically Positive Podcast: IG/TT @chronicallypositivepodJoin the Chronic4U Circle – Ila’s creative support group for people with chronic illness: https://chronic4u.com/pages/c4u-circle

You can watch this episode on youtube

In this episode, I sit down with Olivia aka @chronicallyillandhot to discuss our experiences with chronic illness, focusing on the importance of community support, humor, and the emotional toll of living with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and mast cell activation syndrome. We share personal stories about navigating chemical sensitivities, the impact chronic illness has on relationships, and the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. We dive into the challenges and triumphs of living with these conditions, highlighting the need for understanding and support from loved ones.Olivia and I also discuss the complexities of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), including managing allergic reactions, dealing with dietary restrictions, and the emotional challenges that come with it. Throughout the conversation, we touch on how stress affects our health and the importance of finding positivity and support within the chronic illness community.00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Liv00:31 Liv's Journey with Chronic Illness02:44 Connecting Over Shared Experiences04:49 Challenges with Chemical Sensitivities09:29 High School Health Struggles12:08 Supportive Relationships25:48 Struggles with Misdiagnosis and Early Symptoms26:41 Weight Gain and Medication28:12 Living with POTS and Fainting Episodes29:54 Impact of MCAS on Daily Life31:45 Navigating Food-Related Challenges36:29 Coping Strategies and Stress Management44:56 Finding Positivity and Community Support49:49 Concluding Thoughts and Future HopesOlivia's socials:Instagram: @chronicallyillandhotTikTok: @chronicallyillandhot

This week on The Chronically Positive Podcast, I’m joined by a very special guest, my brother Elias. Elias is a rare disease researcher and we’re talking about something that impacts all of us: science funding. Recent cuts to research funding may feel distant, but they directly affect people living with chronic illness and rare disease.

In this conversation, Elias explains how science funding actually works, what’s currently at risk, and why it matters for patients, clinicians, and the future of healthcare.

We talk about how genetic research moves from the lab to treatment, and what could happen if we lose the next generation of scientists. Whether you live with chronic illness, care about innovation, or just want to understand what’s going on, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Disclaimer: Elias's views are his own and do not represent any institution or employer. Nothing in this episode is intended as medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical guidance.

In this episode, I sit down with my boyfriend, Matthew, to talk about the realities of love, support, and navigating life together with a chronic illness.

We’re answering your questions, sharing personal stories, and tackling the tough topics—like feeling like a burden, managing household responsibilities, and maintaining intimacy. Whether you’re in a similar situation or just curious about how relationships evolve through health challenges, this episode is packed with real talk and honest insights.

Don’t forget to follow and leave a review—it helps more people find these conversations!

⏳ Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to Season Two!

00:16 Meet My Boyfriend, Matthew

01:03 Our Relationship Journey

03:01 First Date Stories

05:35 Living with Chronic Illness

09:28 Navigating Daily Challenges

17:24 Answering Your Questions

32:05 Navigating Feelings of Burden in Relationships

32:52 Communicating Needs and Emotions

34:59 Intimacy and Chronic Illness

38:29 Sharing Household Responsibilities

46:06 Managing Dates and Social Activities

49:41 Dealing with Pampering and Pity

51:28 Overcoming Anxiety and Fear

59:13 Conclusion and Reflections

Welcome to season two of the Chronically Positive podcast! This season, we're diving deep into the complexities of love, dating, and intimacy for those living with chronic illnesses. Today, we are joined by Danni Hertel, who shares her powerful story of navigating relationships while dealing with chronic illness. She discusses the impact of toxic relationships on her health, the importance of supportive partners, and the challenges of intimacy. From battling toxic relationships to finding her 'Goldilocks' partner, Danni's journey is both inspiring and eye-opening. Whether you're single, dating, or in a long-term relationship, there's something in this episode for you. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and follow the podcast to help more people hear these essential stories. Tune in to hear Danni's incredible experiences and learn how to cultivate healthier, more supportive relationships.

Danni's Instagram

Danni's Bakery

00:00 Welcome to Season 2!

00:25 Introducing Danny's Story

01:36 Danny's Baking Journey

04:55 The Impact of Chronic Illness

06:38 Toxic Relationships and Health

12:44 Finding the Right Partner

17:18 Navigating Online Dating

19:17 When to Share About Your Illness

20:55 Navigating Social Interactions with Chronic Illness

24:01 Challenges of Alcohol and Chronic Illness

26:00 Family Connections and Health

33:24 Intimacy and Chronic Illness

40:31 Self-Acceptance and Relationships

44:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this gripping episode, the 'Miracle Man' Jake Haendel shares his extraordinary journey of surviving stage four acute toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy, a rare brain disease that left him fully conscious but unable to move or speak for ten months. Jake opens up about his descent into addiction, the horrifying misdiagnosis of being brain dead, and his incredible recovery journey. We delve into his current endeavors, including his advocacy work, his new accessibility-focused app 'Ahoi,' and his tell-all podcast 'Blink.' Despite the sound issues, Jake's story is a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and making meaningful change.

watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWW4IPFwy3M

On this episode of The Chronically Positive Podcast, I sit down with Tyler Scheviak, the creator of the Fig app—a game-changing tool for anyone with chronic illnesses or food sensitivities trying to navigate their dietary restrictions. Tyler opens up about his journey, the challenges faced by those managing food allergies, and the surprising impact of mold toxicity on health. We also dive into the app’s incredible features and upcoming features, like restaurant recommendations and fostering community engagement, as well as the bigger mission to improve food safety and ingredient transparency.

You can support Tyler's work and the Fig community by:

Whether you’re living with dietary restrictions or just curious about how technology can make life easier, this episode is packed with inspiration and insights you won’t want to miss!

In this episode of the Chronically Positive Podcast, I sit down with Sami Leyde, a chronic illness advocate and dance teacher. We dive into her journey with chronic pain, her experiences with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS, and how she’s adapted her teaching methods to accommodate her health challenges. Together, we explore the importance of community, resilience, and finding a balance between mental and physical health.

If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to rate and follow the show—it really helps get it out to more people who might benefit from these stories. Thank you for your support!

Sami's Instagram

Episode Breakdown: