Made Visible

"Unremarkable." That's the word doctors have used to describe Beth Schrock's test results, and it signals that her tests are coming back normal. For Beth, who has been living with nerve pain and mobility issues since 2017, this means she still doesn't have a diagnosis for her symptoms. On today's episode, Beth and I talk about how she's learned to deal with pain so that it doesn't control her life...

In 2007, Menna Olvera was introduced to Urban Zen Integrative Therapy, a healing modality founded by Donna Karan after her husband passed away. Now, as a UZIT practitioner, Menna supports patients and clients through five different healing modalities. On today's episode, Menna and I talk about her journey to become a UZIT practitioner, and what patients and clients can gain from integrating UZIT p...

As Jaime Walden explains, navigating Crohn's disease is a little different than navigating other illnesses. Long story short: you might spend a lot of time being trapped in the bathroom. On today's episode, we talk about Jaime's long journey to a diagnosis, how she manages the often painful symptoms of a Crohn's flare, the emotional component of this invisible illness. This episode is the first ti...

Corinne Gray was diagnosed with depression during university, but for most of her 20s, she didn't deal with her diagnosis head on. On today's episode, Corinne and I talk about her decision to start managing her symptoms, and what living with depression has been like for her (including her experience as a caregiver for her husband, who has leukemia). We also talk about neurodiversity and inclusion,...

For Erica Matluck, part of her job as a naturopathic doctor is to be a teacher. By providing education to her patients, she aims to make them feel empowered about their health. On today's episode, Erica and I talk about what drove her to explore naturopathic medicine, and why she looks at the big picture of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. We also chat about the philosophies of n...

When Ashley Weiss was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, it changed everything in her life. On today's episode, Ashley and I talk about the realities of living with POTS, the difficult diagnostic testing she went through, and the decision to postpone her wedding. We also talk about adjusting to life with chronic illness (including grieving for her old self), how chr...

Adrienne Nolan-Smith isn't interested in healthcare approaches that slap a band-aid on the problem. For her, it's about getting to the root cause. On today's episode, Adrienne and I talk about her diagnosis with Lyme disease at age 9, and how her mom's pursuit to find her treatment options led to some unconventional scenarios, but also helped her find remission. We also talk about the importance o...

Growing up, Russell Markus didn't understand his mom's chronic pain, but severe knee pain as an adult made him realize the reality of what she had been dealing with for decades. On today's episode, Russell and I talk about his shift in awareness about his mom's experience, and how he chose to start Lily CBD before CBD was the trend it is today. We also talk about the complexities of the cannabis w...

After undergoing a preventative double mastectomy in 2014, Erika Stallings told a therapist that she felt her life now had to have a lot of meaning. After all, she had just done this radical thing to save her own life. On today's episode, Erika and I talk about why she didn't immediately pursue BRCA testing after learning her mom has a mutation, the racial disparities in genetic testing that impac...

About five years ago, Martel Catalano realized she couldn't ignore her chronic condition (retinitis pigmentosa) any longer. On today's episode, Martel and I talk about why she decided to lean into her diagnosis and address her stress about her condition, and how she hopes Beyond My Battle will help other people with illnesses and disabilities do the same. We also talk about what it's like to live...

Interior design star Genevieve Gorder wants to live in the light, not in her illness. What does that mean, exactly? For Genevieve, who has both Lyme disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it means refusing to stake her identity in her health challenges. On today's episode, Genevieve talks to me about the role that learning plays in her journey with Lyme and Hashimoto's, how a home can be healing, an...

When Rachel Trobman was diagnosed with non-specific connective tissue disease, the rheumatologist who diagnosed her showed her that healthcare could go beyond personalized: it could be humanized. Today, that principle plays out on Ouchie, an app for pain management created by Upside Health, the company she co-founded. On today's episode, Rachel and I talk about treating the symptoms versus the dis...

When Madelaine DeRose was very young, her mom realized that she saw things differently than other kids, and Madelaine was ultimately diagnosed with dyslexia. On today's episode, Madelaine and I discuss how people with dyslexia experience the world, and how being bilingual impacts her dyslexia. We also chat about the link between creativity and dyslexia, how she manages dyslexia in her professional...

When talking about her experience with eczema, Sarah Harris is not just thoughtful; she's also laugh-out-loud funny. For instance, she calls her experience with eczema herpeticum "the best clickbait ever," but also acknowledges that it was shocking to be told that her eczema had re-manifested as a dermatological emergency. On today's episode, Sarah and I talk about what it's like to have a conditi...

In 2017, after four years of misdiagnoses by 30 practitioners, Evan Golub was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease. Since then, he's dedicated his life to educating himself on Lyme while supporting others who are also managing the condition. On today's episode, Evan and I discuss why he gravitates towards functional medicine and is always up for exploring the latest in natural treatments. We also c...

Living in Israel, Allie Kashkash faces unique challenges when it comes to managing her son's allergies. Not only is the most popular snack in Israel made of peanuts, she also discovered a lack of allergy resources in Hebrew. On today's episode, Allie and I talk about the difference between how Americans and Israelis view allergies, how she protects her son while ensuring he can still experience ma...

Christopher Hooton was diagnosed with depression almost a decade ago, and he's discovered that his symptoms are somewhat treatment-resistant. He's had to find other ways to manage his mental health, and creativity plays a big role in that. On today's episode, Christopher and I talk about why he recently transitioned from arts critic to arts creator, and how the evocative nature of The National's m...

*Listener Favorite* Gunnar Esiason believes cystic fibrosis drug development is in its golden age, and that's good news for people like him. Gunnar was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at age two, and since then, he's relied on an intensive treatment regimen to manage his symptoms. On today's episode, Gunnar and I talk about why he feels a sense of promise around CF research, how he copes with...

When Sophia Saad was younger, learning wasn't especially fun for her. Years later, as a teacher and art therapist, Sophia had the chance to provide students with learning opportunities that she didn't have. Working with special education students, Sophia found her calling in the classroom. On today's episode, we talk about her experience as a teacher and her transition to a private art therapy pra...

Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age nine didn't stop Amanda Goldberg from pursuing a competitive tennis career. Due to sports injuries, however, Amanda ultimately left tennis and joined the family business, Goldberg's Famous Bagels. On today's episode, Amanda and I talk about how tennis helped her develop the ability to really listen to her body, the value of having doctors that you trust,...

Yali Szulanski has navigated eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self harm, and trauma. Around ten years ago, she realized that if she didn't seek recovery, she would continue to lose relationships in her life. On today's episode, Yali and I talk about the role her husband has played in her recovery (and how she tried to convince him not to date her), the importance of learning compassion for h...

When journalist Susannah Meadows learned that her three-year-old son, Shepherd, had juvenile idiopathic arthritis, she was told there was no cure. Shepherd started medication, but not only was it ineffective, it made him feel sick. On today's episode, Susannah and I talk about how experimentally changing Shepherd's diet helped him completely recover, why she felt compelled to write a book that dug...

At age 29, CC Webster Marrone was an advertising executive specializing in pharmaceutical healthcare advertising. When she got her "cancer call" from the doctor who had performed her biopsy, she almost didn't pick it up because she was in an important meeting. Now, as a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor who is in remission, CC's parameters for success have dramatically changed. On today's episode, CC an...

Emily Fletcher found out she was having a miscarriage on her way to teach a meditation retreat. Or so she thought. As it turned out, when she had an ultrasound, the baby had a heartbeat. But at the three-month mark, she was told--again--that she had miscarried. This time, it was true. On today's episode, Emily and I share a lot of laughs as we talk about how she broke the news of her second pregna...

Author Bob Martin writes books for children that bring more understanding to the chronic diseases and disorders that kids face. Bob lost a granddaughter to a highly terminal brain tumor and has a grandson who manages ADHD, so he writes from the heart on these issues. On today's episode, Bob and I talk about his lifelong dedication to advocating for children, the unique role that grandparents can p...