Unfixed Podcast

Dads are often likened to superheroes. Tireless providers and valiant protectors, they've rightfully earned the comparison. Some dads, however, are actual superheroes fighting battles every day. Single dad Anthony Sanchez visibly dons his cape, while dad Brian Langhans wears his costume underneath. Despite different journeys, both men uncovered their powers in a similar way – through a sudden, lif...

HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and activism. Three topics rooted in stigma that become more complex when they intersect with another taboo topic – women. Not many dare to step into these challenging arenas, but for two prolific activists, Dawn Averitt and Melody Moezzi , fighting for better care for women has been their life's work. In this episode, Dawn and Melody share their parallel journeys into ac...

Having a chronic illness as a young adult can be isolating. Healthy peers don't understand and the medical world feels designed for older people. Then one day, you find people like you online. These online communities weren't always there – a few brave pioneers paved the way for these safe spaces to take flight. In this episode, Stefanie Grant and Jenny McGibbon discuss how they started sharing th...

Most of us don't like to think about the end until we're forced to. In this episode, two men suddenly confronted with their own mortality talk about the grace they found on the other side of suffering. Dylan, a writer and Chinese medicine doctor, was diagnosed with ALS in 2017. Pierre, a Buddhist Chaplain specializing in end-of-life care, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Together, the two discus...

Sometimes our heroes aren't legendary figures, they're the ones right in our home. Bethany Cook's world shattered when she was diagnosed with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy on the brink of young adulthood. Her mother, Tamara Cook was there to catch her as she fell into grief. As Bethany faced loss of identity, Tamara dealt with the loss of loved ones.  Together the two have marched side-by-side in the b...

The number of illnesses that qualify as mysterious is staggering. They also predominantly affect women. In this episode, author Sarah   Ramey and Physician Assistant and professor Brianna Cardenas draw from a well of wisdom as patient advocates with mystery illnesses to explore the gender inequities, biases, and systemic barriers to getting proper care. They discuss how patients must stand their g...

Life is traumatic. But some of us get an extra whopping dose of it, especially before we've learned tools to help us navigate. In this episode, our guests explore the connection between the nervous system and chronic illness – how being stuck in fight, flight or freeze can lead to long-term physiological consequences. Former family physician and trauma specialist Veronique Mead and trauma survivor...

Tessa and Zoe don't just share the same last name. At only 9 years old, Zoe "pooped in a blender" to save her aunt Tessa's life via fecal transplant. Today, Zoe is a high school student with her sights set on medical school alongside managing her own disability of hearing loss, and Tessa just published her first book that offers solidarity and wisdom from her rollercoaster ride with Crohn's diseas...

Todd is a competitive rower who medaled at the US National Championships and is now training to qualify for the 2021 Paralympics. Susan is also a competitive rower, became an Olympic coach in 2004 and also a photographer and painter. Susan is also a competitive rower, became an Olympic coach in 2004 and also a photographer and painter. They currently share most days together in training.  They wer...

Dr. Annie Brewster is an internal medicine doctor, founder of Health Story Collaborative and professor at Harvard. Rachelle Alford is a former ER nurse, dancer and artist. Both live with chronic illnesses. Both strongly believe in the transformational power of sharing one's story. Story-telling heals. And by healing, we mean it empowers, connects and helps us find purpose and meaning through some...

After being diagnosed with transverse myelitis, CEO of the Argosy Foundation, Jeneye Abele, turned to comedy as a lifeline while adapting to the unpredictable and demanding nature of her medical condition. Like a magic pill, she finds laughter helps her transcend physical discomfort. In this episode, she talks with Dr. Joel Goodman, Founder and Director of the HUMOR Project, about how laughter can...

Webster dictionary defines sustenance as a "something that gives support, endurance, strength." In this episode, award-winning author and speaker Elissa Altman joins writer, speaker and disability advocate Elizabeth Jameson as they discuss the role of sustenance in their own lives. It is safe to say, this bedrock of support has been stripped from both of them in unique ways throughout their lives....

Receiving a diagnosis is equally as difficult for those who love us. In this episode, we speak with two caregivers who provide their perspectives on what it was like to get that diagnosis for their child, how they initially responded, and how they went on to find community and care for themselves so they could be the best caregiver possible. We also speak with a licensed mental health counselor wh...

What does it take to own our illness? Why are some people more able to transform a not-so-great situation into something inspiring? In this episode, we speak with three guests who have been able to take their diagnoses and make the most of them to help themselves and others. We also speak with a clinical psychologist who specializes in the characteristic all three guests share – resilience – and w...

Whether you're in a relationship or not, you know the unique challenges of finding and maintaining partnership when living with an illness or disability. From the way we see ourselves, to the way others see us, love is both a personal and interpersonal experience. Many find themselves unattractive, burdensome, or unworthy of this basic human need when seeking a companion. Others struggle to commun...

At some point, we've all experienced how art can transform our state of mind. Whether it is through painting, poetry, or pottery, art is one of the oldest tools for soothing our souls and communicating. In this episode, we share the stories of three artists who use art to cope with chronic illness and channel their feelings in a variety of ways. We later speak with an art therapist who discusses t...

We made this special episode in an effort to support our community through the many changes and challenging emotions the COVID-19 outbreak stirs up. Pre-existing health conditions, accessibility, and caring for others have been central themes of the coronavirus pandemic. Those most vulnerable (or caring for those most vulnerable) are taking great precaution, and are faced with great fear and frust...

Self-compassion has become a widely studied and embraced method of extending kindness not just toward our current circumstance, but toward ourselves while experiencing it. Self-compassion is an appealing practice for those living with illnesses and disabilities as it releases common criticisms, shame, and feelings of imperfection while building a sense of understanding and acceptance. For caregive...

Hundreds of studies prove that the millennium-old practice of mindfulness positively impacts one's health, specifically for those with illnesses or caregiving responsibilities. In this episode, three guests share stories of how they turned to mindfulness to find peace with chronic migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, and being a parent of a child with muscular dystrophy. Later you'll hear from a Mi...

Anxiety. Sadness. Anger. Fear. Receiving a life-altering diagnosis is often accompanied by overwhelming emotions. In our first episode, you'll hear the stories of three guests who received the news of multiple sclerosis, retinitis pigmentosa, and Lyme disease with chronic pain, respectively. Our guests touch on how their diagnosis impacted everything from self-worth and identity, to relationships...