Content warning: This episode discusses grief, loss of a loved one to overdose, trauma, alcohol use, and body disconnection. Take care of yourself and skip this one if you need to. I'll be here when you're ready! <3

In this episode, I'm getting real about the connection between grief, major surgery, and learning to live inside my body again. Three years before my spinal fusion, I lost my best friend Jake to an overdose. I'm sharing how The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is helping me finally understand why I felt like a ghost in my own body, why towels became my enemy, and why alcohol was my off-switch for years. From interoception to hypervigilance to the power of body-based healing, this one's equal parts science and soul. If you've ever felt disconnected from yourself after surgery, loss, or just life being a lot, this episode is for you. <3

If this resonates with you, I'd love your help building this twisted community.

Subscribe, leave a review, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Every like, every review, every share helps more beautiful people find us. We're stronger together. LetsGoliosis! 💚

In this episode of Unaligned and Unfiltered, I discusses scoliosis representation in the media and why careless portrayals can be harmful. Inspired by a painful sign seen at Pride and examples from shows like Running Point and The Burroughs, the episode explores how jokes, myths, and one-dimensional depictions reinforce stigma and misunderstanding.

I also reflect on the emotional impact of these messages, the importance of self-advocacy, and why people with scoliosis need to tell their own stories. The episode closes with a call for better research, more authentic representation, and more community-led visibility <3

As always thank you so much for the support- if you like this episode and the pod please leave a comment, review or subscribe to the pod all of this helps build our beautiful twisted community ! <3

Resources in this Episode:

Question/Be on the pod: [email protected]

The Burroughs, Season 1 Episode 1

(fusion) this first episode was good talking about this and pretty cool one of main characters showed their scar!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27568972/?ref_=ls_t_7

https://www.tangledinthecurves.com/ - Caroline Bells book website

The Scoliosis Watch List by Caroline Bell- https://www.imdb.com/list/ls4172870582/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

What's up you beautiful people!?

Happy Disability Pride Awareness Month!

In this Episode I share some podcast updates , and talk about Disability awareness and why it is so important to share our stories. i also open up about being epileptic as a kid and talk about how my 3 disabilities affect me and how I move through the world and how I'm breaking down my own internal Ableism while I'm on my journey.

I also talk about the Disability flag, the ADA Act and more !

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you wanna share your journey on the pod please reach out to: [email protected]

Resources from this Episode:

Unaligned & Unfiltered Episode w/ Jill -

Jills Insta: https://www.instagram.com/jillcabernel/

(I will add Jills podcast episode here once I find the link!)

Ali's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/seated.perspectives

I always knew I was different. I just didn't have the words for it...

This episode is my first time talking openly about my bisexuality — the sleepover in seventh grade, seeing Tila Tequila on "A Shot at Love" and finally having a word for what I felt, my Aunt Patti Ann outing me to my grandfather , and the long road from shame to pride.

Growing up, we weren't taught queer history. We weren't given vocabulary. We weren't shown that bisexuality is fluid and beautiful and AND — not or. So I internalized a lot. I thought there was only one way to "be bi." It took years, therapy, and learning about the people who came before me to understand that my identity isn't a box to fit into. It's a way of seeing the world.

This episode is for baby bis who are just starting out. For anyone who's ever felt "too late" to their own identity. And for anyone who needs to hear: you're not behind. You're right on time. <3

In this episode:

• My first experience with a woman (yes, at a sleepover)
• The power and danger of having only ONE representation
• Getting outed before I was ready — and why that matters
• Why Stonewall, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera changed everything for me
• What it means to decenter whiteness within the queer community
• The speech that every queer person should hear: "Y'all Better Quiet Down"

Resources mentioned:

• The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/80189623
• Sylvia Rivera's "Y'all Better Quiet Down" : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb-JIOWUw1o
• Brenda Howard - The Mother of PRIDE: https://www.them.us/story/brenda-howard
• The Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/
• The Good BI Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thegoodbipodcast/
• Smarter in Seconds : https://www.instagram.com/blairimani/?hl=en

Happy Pride! 🩷💜💙

What's up you Beautiful people !?

Welcome Back to another Scoli Sunday - this Sunday Im joined by Meg - fellow Fusioneer and Spinal fusion Baddie <3 Meg has an amazing way of storytelling her journey and I'm excited for you all to hear about it. Thank you so much Meg for joining me and sharing more about your journey. So grateful we have broken isolation and are able to have these important conversations.

If you enjoy the pod and this episode please share, subscribe and Review to help build our Twisted community ! <3

Resources from the Episode :

Megs Insta: https://www.instagram.com/genxspinalfusion/

My e-mail : [email protected]

Happy Scoliosis Awareness & PRIDE Month you Beautiful people !!! <3

This week on Scoli Sunday I'm joined by Author, Fusioneer, Patient Advocate, Public Speaker - Caroline Bell! Caroline shares her Scoliosis journey, her knowledge, hopes for future Scoliosis patients and their families; and so much more in this episode. I'm so thankful to Caroline for coming on the podcast. I hope you all enjoy this episode ! :)

Take care of brain, take of your of spine ! <3

Resources:

https://www.tangledinthecurves.com/about-the-book

Caroline's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescoliosisbook/

Purchase tangles in the curves , https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000334031859/Caroline-Bell-Tangled-in-the-Curves

Chapters

• 00:00 Journey to Diagnosis
• 05:36 Post-Surgery Recovery and Rehabilitation
• 16:21 Empowering the Scoliosis Community
• 22:00 BioniCon and Community Connection
• 27:10 Living with Scoliosis
• 33:25 The Visual Representation
• 45:07 Global Awareness and Momentum
• 52:08 Support and Education for Scoliosis
• 58:36 Advocacy and Community Engagement
• 01:05:01 The Future of Scoliosis Support

What's up you beautiful people ! Happy PRIDE MONTH!

In this episode I open more about my journey with being Bi and the importance of learning LGBTQIA2S+ History.

In this episode I share the importance of representation and the impact of growing up without Bi representation. It delves into the journey of self-discovery, the significance of queer history, and the need for diverse representation in all aspects of life. This is just a little slice of what we'll be talking about in future episodes as I share more of my experience's , history and more. HAPPY PRIDE !!<3

Resources mentioned:

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ - Help support LGBTQIA+ Youth

Scoliosis Resource:

https://www.instagram.com/thescoliosisbook/

LGBTQIA+ Creators:

https://www.instagram.com/thegoodbipodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/jordan_rand/

Chapters

• 00:00 Pride Thursdays: The Journey of Self-Discovery
• 05:50 The Power of Representation: Tila Tequila and Bisexuality
• 11:52 The Importance of Queer History and Representation
• 20:02 Looking Ahead: The Twisted Collective.

This episode delves into my journey with scoliosis, from diagnosis as a teenager to the lack of personalized treatment and resources. It highlights the frustration and anger experienced, the need for a 3D approach to scoliosis, and the importance of reflection, coping mechanisms, and decision-making.

I hope you enjoy the episode- please, comment, share and subscribe to build our Twisted Community ! <3

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Apology
• 07:18 Lack of Information and Resources
• 13:55 Reflection and Coping Mechanisms
• 20:34 Decision-Making and Acceptance
• 26:16 Upcoming Events and Conclusion

Resources from the Episode:

https://www.tangledinthecurves.com/about-the-book

What's up you Beautiful people !?

I wanted to start the conversation around Mental Health and Scoliosis and make it more of a consistent topic we dive into more over time :) In this episode I share my personal experiences lately with having anxiety around aging with a Spinal fusion and having new symptoms.

I hope this insight from my journey can help you all on yours. I also share resources of how we can help our brains and body as we navigate this, resources below.

Thank you for creating this safe space with me, if you like the episode please comment share and subscribe to the pod.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Scoliosis and Mental Health
• 07:13 Mental Health Challenges and Depression
• 21:18 Somatic Movement and Self-Trust

Resources in the episode:

My email: [email protected]

Claudia, the Scoli Coach- https://www.thescolicoach.com/

Dr. Beth - https://strengthandspine.com/

Dr. Laura- https://www.drlauraglazebrook.com/

Fanny, Fused not Fragile Fitness - https://fusednotfragile.co.uk/

Ali - Havenwell Pilates - https://havenwellpilates.com/

Trigger Warning for this Episode: Loss, Grief and Suicide *

What's up you Beautiful people?! Welcome back to another Twisted Thursday this week I'm joined by Sara Rian, a Therapist, poet, Mom and Author. Sara shares her journey of grief and loss, and the evolution of her poetry as a means of expression after traumatic loss.

The conversation delves into the societal attitudes towards grief and the taboo surrounding the expression of deep, raw emotions. It also explores the complexities of traumatic loss and the impact of grief on individuals. The conversation delves into the themes of grief, writing as a form of therapy, and the importance of direct communication with children about death and grief.

Sara Rian shares her personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the need for authentic expression and the impact of loss on her life. The conversation delves into the topic of discussing death with children and the balance between gratitude and grief. Sara Rian shares her personal experiences and insights on these themes, providing valuable perspectives on navigating these complex emotions.

I'm so grateful to Sara for her kindness, vulnerability , and writing. I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Thank you Sara for the conversation it was such a pleasure meeting you. <3

Takeaways

• Evolution of Grief Poetry
• Societal Attitudes Towards Grief Authentic expression in writing as a form of therapy
• The importance of direct communication with children about death and grief Death talk with children
• Balancing gratitude and grief

Resources from this Episode:

Sara's insta: https://www.instagram.com/sara_rian_books/

Saras Website: https://www.sararianbooks.com/

Suicide support line: https://988lifeline.org/

My e-mail : [email protected]