The Living Well Pod

Hi there! We’re popping in with a special episode to share what’s been going on in our worlds, including personal health updates and new research that holds exciting possibilities for those living with gastroparesis and other functional GI disorders.

You’ll hear about Samantha’s work with her Thriving with Gastroparesis group, Crystal’s rewrite of Living Well with Gastroparesis, and the discoveries that have re-energized our passion for this work. We explore what the latest studies are saying about the gut-brain connection, perception, and symptom experience, and why it’s such an encouraging time for our community.

Free Webinar: Feeling Joy in Spite of Gastroparesis

Join Samantha for a free live webinar on August 14 (US) / August 15 (Australia) to explore how you can experience more joy and fulfillment while living with gastroparesis. We’ll talk about simple, practical ways to shift your focus from symptoms and daily management to what truly brings you joy and freedom — and you’ll have the chance to connect with others who understand the journey. Register now to save your spot. The recording will be sent to everyone who registers.

Episode Links:

* Samantha’s free webinar (Feeling Joy in Spite of Gastroparesis; August 14)

* Samantha’s Thriving With Gastroparesis Community

* Follow Crystal on Substack

* Subscribe to the Living Well Pod on Substack

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Welcome to the Season Two finale! In this episode, we talk about how easy it is to get caught up in doing things the “right way” when it comes to our health and well-being — and how much freedom there is in letting that go.

We reflect on the experiences and insights that kept bringing us back to this theme all season long, from hearing the many different paths our guests have taken to live well, to noticing how much lighter this podcast felt once we stopped trying to get it “right.”

We explore:

* Why chasing the “right way” often leads to more struggle, not less

* Trusting your own wisdom instead of searching for the perfect blueprint

* How curiosity opens the door to new possibilities

* What’s next for the show

As always, thank you so much for being here. Make sure you’re subscribed on Substack so you’ll know when new episodes drop—including a special between-seasons surprise coming this summer!

Episode Links:

* Samantha’s Thriving With Gastroparesis Community

* Subscribe on Substack

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In today’s episode, we sit down with coach Sarie Taylor, who is currently undergoing treatment for stage three breast cancer. Sarie tells us how she went from being hospitalized due to debilitating anxiety and panic to deeply seeing that worry is never useful — not even when it comes to serious diagnoses and health challenges.

Sarie speaks candidly about navigating cancer treatment without falling into hypervigilance, handling the ups and downs of her emotional experience, what she does when loved ones don’t understand, why she no longer sees her body as the enemy, and lots more.

This is one of our favorite conversations so far, and we’re excited to share Sarie’s incredible insights with you.

Episode Links:

* Sari’s Website & Instagram

* Samantha’s Thriving With Gastroparesis Community

* Subscribe on Substack

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In this minisode, we share the quotes that resonate most deeply with our journeys and the message of this podcast. Crystal reflects on a quote by Sydney Banks that speaks to the freedom that comes from not fearing our experience, while Samantha shares a reminder from Michael Neill that peace doesn't require fixing ourselves—it comes from seeing that we were never broken.

This discussion truly captures the essence of what we explore each week on the show. It left us feeling calm and grounded, and we hope it does the same for you.

When you're living with a chronic illness, it can feel like your whole world revolves around management plans, symptom tracking, and just getting through the day. In the midst of all that, it's easy to lose touch with the things that used to light you up—the simple joys, passions, and pieces of yourself that make life feel meaningful.

In this episode, we’re talking about Ikigai, the Japanese concept that loosely translates to "reason for being." We explore how reconnecting with what you love—even in small ways—can shift your experience and allow for more freedom, peace, and ease no matter what you’re dealing with.

What We Talk About in This Episode:

* What Ikigai means and how it relates to chronic illness

* The inward focus of managing chronic illness and how it can shift your energy away from what truly lights you up

* The shift from “my possibilities are limited” to “my possibilities are different”

* Why healing isn’t just about protocols—it’s also about curiosity, passion, and doing the things that matter to you

Episode Links:

* Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Healthy Life

* Samantha’s Thriving With Gastroparesis Community

* Subscribe on Substack

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In this episode, we’re joined by Living Well Pod listener, Vanessa. Vanessa discusses the winding road to her gastroparesis diagnosis, the biases she’s faced as someone navigating the medical system with a disability, and how she’s learned to keep showing up and moving forward, even when it feels difficult.

We talk about creating boundaries around illness, finding joy in everyday moments, and embracing rest without guilt. Vanessa also shares the story behind Girl With Guts — her platform for authentic advocacy and community — and reminds us that thriving doesn’t mean having it all figured out.

Whether you live with chronic illness, disability, or both, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, uplifted, and encouraged.

Episode Links:

* Girl with Guts

* Join Samantha’s Thriving With Gastroparesis Community

* Subscribe on Substack

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In this minisode, we respond to a question about navigating the financial stress that often comes with chronic illness. Rather than focus on the particulars, which vary so much from person to person, we explore the inner experience of financial strain—how our thoughts and state of mind shape how we feel about our circumstances.

We talk about how frantic thinking can narrow our perspective and make solutions feel out of reach, while a quieter mind often opens the door to clarity, creative problem-solving, and even unexpected sources of support.

If you’re feeling stressed about making ends meet, we hope this short discussion offers a bit of breathing room and maybe a fresh perspective. We’ll see you on Thursday for another full-length episode!

In this episode, Crystal discusses what finally brought clarity after two years of unexplained breathing symptoms. Not through more tests or treatments, but by stepping back and looking at the full picture — with help from an unexpected source.

We explore:

* How it feels when the answer isn’t as complex or dramatic as we expected

* The difference between anxious problem-solving and true insight

* What it looks like to trust your gut even when experts disagree — and how we can innocently get in the way of our own intuition

* How letting go of assumptions and “over-doing” can open the door to relief

This conversation is for anyone who’s been told one thing but sensed something different. It’s a reminder that our inner knowing is worth listening to—and that clarity often comes when we’re willing to see things in a new light.

Episode Links:

* Ep. 7: When There Are No Answers

* Join Samantha’s Thriving With Gastroparesis Community

* Subscribe on Substack

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In this episode, we’re joined by Living Well Pod listener Hannah as she shares her powerful story of navigating the ups and downs of gastroparesis, mental health struggles, and an eating disorder shaped by years of illness. Hannah reflects on what healing has meant for her, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually, as well.

Together, we explore:

* Why recovery from illness doesn’t always bring the relief we expect

* The impact of pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood on the healing journey

* The overlap of chronic illness, mental health, and disordered eating—especially in digestive disorders

* The daily practice of self-compassion, rest, and letting go of “shoulds”

* How discomfort can be a doorway to growth

This conversation invites us to rethink what healing really looks like and to make space for the messy but meaningful middle between “sick” and “not sick.”

Episode Links:

* Join Samantha’s Thriving With Gastroparesis Community

* Subscribe on Substack

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We’re back with another minisode, and this time we’re talking about what we do when our thoughts are swirling and the overwhelm sets in.

There’s nothing you have to do in those moments—your thinking will settle on its own. But sometimes, certain things do feel helpful or supportive. Whether it’s music, movement, or just taking a breath, these small acts can create space and help us stay grounded while the mental snow settles.

There’s no right or wrong way to move through overwhelm, but we hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not alone—and that it’s okay to simply do what occurs to you (even if it’s singing poorly at the top of your lungs 🙈).

We’ll see you on Thursday with a full-length episode!