EpiPod

In this episode of EpiPod , Danielle and Sarah dive into what it really means to be a food allergy advocate. From everyday conversations that spread awareness to joining national organizations that drive change, they explore both the small and big ways to make an impact. They share personal stories of how they’ve shown up for the food allergy community, plus practical tips for channeling anxiety a...

Why do so many healthcare professionals—nurses, ER doctors, even hospital teams—still miss key facts about food allergies and anaphylaxis? In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle sit down with Dr. Maya Gharfeh to explore why gaps in clinical allergy knowledge persist and what’s being done to close them. Sarah shares a personal story about an ER doctor’s surprising misunderstanding of allerg...

Think you know the truth about food allergies? In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle break down the most common allergy myths they’ve heard—and set the record straight. From misconceptions about allergy testing to debates over which allergen is the “worst,” they cover it all with facts, real-life stories, and a dash of humor. You’ll hear how they’ve handled moments when people confidently...

In this powerful and practical episode, Sarah and Danielle sit down with Tamara Hubbard, LCPC—better known online as The Food Allergy Counselor —to explore one of the trickiest parts of food allergy parenting: the gray areas . From navigating anxiety and uncertainty to figuring out how to live a full, joyful life while staying safe, Tamara shares strategies that every allergy parent needs. She wal...

Sending your food-allergic child to daycare for the first time can feel terrifying—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah opens up about how she navigated that exact moment as an allergy mom, sharing the practical steps she took to prepare, communicate with caregivers, and advocate confidently for her child’s safety. From crafting action plans and choosing the right daycare,...

In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle dive deep into the world of cross contact —the often misunderstood and overlooked danger in managing food allergies. They share real-life stories of close calls that still make their hearts race, and open up about where they’ve learned to ease up over time… and where they never let their guard down. From well-meaning friends who don’t quite “get it,”...

In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle dig into listener-submitted questions and real-life sticky situations—many involving extended family who still don’t quite get what living with food allergies really means. From awkward family dinners to boundary-pushing relatives, they share their honest takes, get a little fired up, and even offer up their personal scripts for navigating tough conve...

In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle dive into a topic many in the food allergy community know all too well: hypervigilance and burnout . Whether you're a food allergy parent like Sarah or someone living with allergies like Danielle, the constant awareness and responsibility can be exhausting . They share real-life stories that highlight why food allergy life demands a heightened lev...

In this episode of EpiPod, we're diving into everything you'd want to know about neffy with Dr. Nicole Chase. She is an MD out of Minneapolis who is board-certified in Allergy, Immunology and Pediatrics. It's so exciting to finally have new research and tools rolling out in the allergy world, but changing up your family's emergency allergy action plan with a new medication naturall...

In this lively episode of EpiPod , Danielle and Sarah dive into the wild world of summer adventures with food allergies in tow. From navigating the hurdles of summer day camps and sleepaway camps to managing road trips and rising temps, they’re covering it all. Danielle shares personal stories from camp mishaps & self-advocacy wins, while Sarah dishes out practical tips on prepping for road tr...

In this episode of EpiPod , we’re diving into the ever-evolving journey of raising kids with food allergies—from toddlers to teens. How do we empower allergy kiddos with the right knowledge at the right time, without overwhelming them with fear? It’s all about striking the balance between education and anxiety. Sarah walks us through how to introduce allergy concepts to little ones—building awaren...

In this insightful episode of EpiPod, hosts Sarah and Danielle talk to board-certified allergist Dr. Maya Gharfeh of @allergistmama to explore the complex connection between eczema and food allergies. Whether you're a new parent seeking to prevent allergies in your little one or someone managing eczema yourself, this episode is packed with valuable advice. Discover how early interventions, skincar...

In this episode of EpiPod , Danielle gets real about what it was like heading to college with severe food allergies—her biggest mistakes, biggest wins, and what her parents did best before sending her off. From navigating dining halls to dealing with roommates, she shares it all. Meanwhile, Sarah opens up about the emotional side of letting her allergy kids "fly the coop" and her fears about sendi...

In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle open up about the essential "house rules" they've put in place to keep themselves & their families safe from allergic reactions. From banned foods and cross-contact precautions to no shoes allowed, they share the non-negotiables that have become second nature—and explain the reasoning behind them. But what happens when guests or extended family pu...

In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle dive into the challenges of managing food allergies in a professional setting. They're joined by the inspiring Sally Phelps , Associate Director of Influencer & Celebrity Marketing at Free People. Sally oversees the brand’s creator strategy including paid partnerships, brand trips, organic gifting & affiliate relationships all while managing 7...

This EpiSode is a must-listen! Sarah and Danielle dive deep into how therapy has played a crucial role in their food allergy journeys. Together, they explore the lessons they've learned, the stigma they've overcome, and the personal growth they've experienced along the way. From navigating the challenges of finding therapists who accept insurance or specialize in food allergies, to ref...

In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah dives into the challenges and strategies of finding trustworthy childcare for kids with food allergies, so parents can finally take that much-needed break. She shares her step-by-step process for vetting babysitters and nannies, including the hurdles she's faced along the way. Danielle and Sarah also discuss the importance of trusting your gut when it comes to mak...

In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle get hands-on with expired epinephrine auto-injectors, using them to practice on pieces of fruit. They discuss the surprising differences between using expired injectors and the trainers. Plus— how training with these tools can help build crucial muscle memory and boost confidence when it counts the most. They also dive deep into the lesser-known but e...

In this EpiSode of EpiPod , Sarah reflects on her son’s anaphylactic reaction and the emotional impact it had on their family. Danielle and Sarah talk about the emotional rollercoaster of anaphylaxis, from the initial fear to the long road of healing. Sarah shares details of how she is processing the trauma, the tools she is using to cope, and what has helped her move forward with her son's tr...

In this episode of EpiPod , Danielle and Sarah dive deep into the often overlooked emotional side of living with food allergies: grief. They explore what food allergy grief is, why it's such a valid and real feeling, and how it can impact our daily lives. Through personal stories, they open up about the things they've grieved—the foods they miss, experiences they can't have, and the se...

In this episode of EpiPod , Sarah and Danielle sit down with Meghan McMillin, a certified lactation consultant, dietitian, and allergy mom, to get into the nitty gritty about breastfeeding & allergies. Meghan, who runs the Instagram page @the.lactation.dietitian, shares her expert knowledge on the latest research, how moms can support babies struggling with allergy symptoms, and whether there...

In the season 2 premiere of EpiPod , Danielle & Sarah are back and ready to catch you up on everything that's been happening in their allergy journeys. From life after quitting Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) to prepping for a new treatment for one of Sarah's kids, they’re sharing the behind-the-scenes decision-making process and what led them to this next step. Plus, Danielle reveals a new h...

Season 2 of EpiPod is here! Join us as we dive deeper into all things food allergies—no topic is off the table. Whether it's new treatments or burning questions you've always wanted answered, we've got you covered. We will ask experts to break it down in a way that actually makes sense, helping you navigate life with allergies. Plus, listening to Danielle & Sarah's candid back...

Our listeners mean the world to us! Thank you for being here and for supporting this work. It is a labor of love and we can't wait for season 2. Thank you to season 1 sponsors: Lorissa's Kitchen – Shop ⁠⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠ with code: EPIPOD for 15% off InchBug – Shop ⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠ with code: EPIPOD25 TelyRx – Order ⁠ ⁠HERE⁠ ⁠ with code: EPIPOD for 20% off Abe's Muffins ⁠Pulse Power⁠ Follow EpiPod on ⁠ ⁠⁠ Insta...

Sometimes it feels like food allergies take over the motherboard of our brains and tend to not leave a lot of wiggle room for, well, anything else. Sarah and Danielle talk through the specific shifts that have helped each of them get off the all-consuming food allergy roller coaster *while still prioritizing safety and inclusion. From re-routing conversations that have been highjacked by allergy t...