Beyond Pain and Fatigue

In this episode, Soph is joined by Anne Wilson, CEO of Emerge Australia, the leading patient organisation for people living with ME/CFS in Australia. Drawing on her extensive experience in health advocacy, policy, and systems leadership, Anne discusses the realities of living with ME/CFS, including the profound impact the condition can have on quality of life, the challenges many people face in ob...

In this episode, Soph is joined by Rob Nash, integrative Exercise Physiologist, for a discussion about the complexities of considering movement, exercise and physical activity for people living with ME/CFS. They will discuss the importance of first 'doing no harm' and highlighting the risks and recommendations against Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) for this group of patients in recent NICE guidelin...

In this episode, Soph is joined by Dr Marie-Claire Seeley, clinician-researcher and CEO of the Australian POTS Foundation, for a discussion about all things POTS. In this must-listen ep, Dr Seeley brings not just her clinical and research expertise but also her lived experience to give a comprehensive overview of what POTS is, how it can be assessed and diagnosed, and perhaps most importantly, wha...

In this episode, Soph is joined by GP Dr Jason Lam for a discussion about Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, along with a deeper chat about medical uncertainty when working with complex invisible illnesses. We discuss what MCAS is, challenges with diagnosis, and how we might take a pragmatic approach to clinical assessment and management for patients experiencing overlapping symptoms and conditions. C...

Soph shares a few reflections and behind-the-scenes updates for 2026, including an announcement that Ollie is stepping back as co-host, and what listeners can expect from the podcast schedule going forward.

In this episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue, Soph and Ollie are joined by Dr Oli Meredith (she/they), a public health academic from Charles Sturt University, for a discussion about neurodivergence. We chat about the experiences of Autistic and ADHD women and gender diverse folk captured within Dr Oli's research, the interplay between experiences of neurodivergence and chronic pain/fatigue symptoms,...

In this episode, Soph and Ollie offer a ‘crash’ course in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). They cover the key features and symptoms, including post-exertional malaise, diagnostic criteria, commonly co-occurring conditions, and current management approaches. The episode also explores the controversy surrounding the PACE trial, graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT),...

In this episode, Soph and Ollie are joined by Mitch from Hunter Healing to explore the concept of spirituality, and how it might be more important and relevant to mainstream pain management and health care than you might think. Join us as we discuss a few of the misunderstandings or misconceptions about what 'spirituality' is, and how we can start to integrate it within our own practice or managem...

In this episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue, Soph and Ollie are joined by Exercise Physiologist Jennifer Smallridge (Invisibly Brilliant & Connection Medicine Co) for a discussion about clinician wellbeing and burnout when working with complex invisible illnesses. We chat about the complexity and the multifactorial influences and challenges that might contribute to burnout, the role that employ...

In this episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue, Sophie and Ollie welcome their first guest, passionate Disability Advocate Kylee Black, who shares her experiences living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Kylee discusses the importance of finding hope, community and purpose when living with complex disability, and 'doing what you can with what's in your hands'.  Join us to...

In this episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue , Sophie and Ollie explore the world of Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE). They unpack its foundations, key concepts, and common misconceptions, while sharing real-world clinical insights.  Together, they tackle critical issues like reductionism (both biomedical and neurocentric), the nuances of explaining pain to patients, and the importance of embracing...

Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue ! In this introductory episode, your hosts, Sophie Shephard and Oliver Crossley, share the story behind the podcast and what inspired them to create a space for meaningful conversations about chronic pain, fatigue, and invisible illnesses. They'll share a bit about their own experiences and background, as well as what's on the horizon fo...