Chronic Boss Unfiltered

Ten days before my wedding, I sat down with the two women who are going to be there capturing every moment of it. Mariah Gale and Andrea Schwanbeck aren't just my wedding photographers. They've been part of the Chronic Boss community since the very beginning. Mariah shot our first brand shoot before we even launched. Andrea was there at our launch party (yes, including the moment her hair caught f...

What does it look like to build a company while your body is working against you? In this episode, host Lilly Stairs sits down with two Chronic Boss Scholarship recipients who are doing exactly that — and doing it brilliantly. Jolie Wyatt, founder of If the Shoe Fits and newly minted Babson grad, is revolutionizing the footwear industry with custom-fit heels built from 3D foot scanning technology....

What if your mental health struggles weren’t holding you back, but actually shaping you into a stronger, more intentional leader? In this episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, Lilly sits down with Lauren Perna, founder, multi-entrepreneur, storyteller, and Chief Community Officer of Chronic Boss. Together, they unpack what it really looks like to build a business while living with anxiety, depressio...

What if your chronic illness wasn’t a liability—but one of your greatest leadership advantages? In this episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, Lilly sits down with Jess March, pharmaceutical executive, patient advocate, mom, and longtime leader in the rare disease space. Together, they unpack what it really looks like to build a meaningful, high-impact career while living with multiple chronic condit...

What if chronic illness wasn’t a burden—but the foundation of a whole new economy? In this episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, Lilly sits down with Michelle Irving, chronic founder, career visionary, and the mind behind the term “the chronic economy.” Together, they unpack how millions of people living with chronic conditions are reshaping work, leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of busi...

In this episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, our host Lilly Stairs opens up about her journey from chronic illness patient to powerhouse advocate and entrepreneur. With colleague and friend Lauren Perna stepping in as interviewer, listeners get a raw, honest look at the experiences that shaped Lilly’s mission-driven career. Lilly’s story begins with early diagnoses—psoriasis at age seven and OCD du...

In this episode of the Chronic Boss Unfiltered Podcast, Our host Lilly Stairs sits down with Meg Block, the incredible powerhouse behind Boston Moms. Meg gets real about what it was like to build and scale a business in the middle of a global pandemic while battling the debilitating pain of trigeminal neuralgia. We dive into the messy middle — the sleepless nights, the pressure of motherhood, and...

This episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered brings a deeply resonant conversation between host Lilly Stairs and Amanda Goetz, a two-time founder and author of Toxic Grit. Together, they explore the collision of high ambition, chronic stress, and the wake-up calls that force leaders — especially women — to rethink how they’re operating. Amanda shares her transformational health journey, including the m...

This solo episode digs into the transformative power of giving—especially for women navigating career growth, advocacy, and the realities of living with autoimmune conditions. Through personal stories and lived experience, the conversation explores how authentic, aligned giving can open doors, build community, and spark meaningful change. It also highlights the importance of protecting mental heal...

In this conversation of the Chronic Boss Unfiltered Podcast Tiffany Yu shares her inspiring journey as the founder of Diversability, a disability-owned community business. She discusses her personal experiences with disability, the evolution of her identity, and the importance of community in fostering disability pride. Tiffany reflects on the key moments that shaped Diversability from a student c...

In this insightful and empowering episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, host Lilly Stairs sits down with Dr. Kara Wada — quadruple board-certified physician, autoimmune warrior, and founder of the Immune Confident Institute. As both doctor and patient, Kara bridges two worlds with empathy, expertise, and authenticity. Diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome after years of symptoms and normal lab results,...

“I make fun of it on stage. I call it the “Betes”. The pump doesn’t wear me—I wear the pump.” In this hilarious and heartfelt episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, host Lilly Stairs sits down with Ivana Bonetti, Italian-American stand-up comedian, storyteller, and proud Type 1 diabetic. A Boston native from the North End, Ivana brings her sharp wit and resilience to the stage—transforming her chroni...

“When people meet me they always go you are so organized, you are like systems oriented, youve got frameworks for everything and im like  Ive literally trained myself to have these skills because of my chronic illness” In this inspiring episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, host Lilly Stairs sits down with Justine Beauregard, powerhouse sales strategist, entrepreneur, and Chronic Boss Collective mem...

I didnt want to let me chronic illness take that away from me so during my medical leave I decided to launch three businesses Episode Overview In this candid and energizing episode of Chronic Boss Unfiltered, host Lilly Stairs sits down with Alex Wildson—venture capitalist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and fierce chronic illness advocate. Alex’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. From her ear...

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 15, Ali thought her athletic career was over. Instead, she built a global following by embracing authenticity, humor, and resilience. Episode Overview Ali DiGiacomo—known as Another Day with RA—shares how she went from teenage athlete to patient advocate, trainer, and creator of the “Fuck It, Let’s Slay” fitness app. She opens up about building a 160K+ social...

30% of women are experiencing a vaginal infection at any given time—yet most are more likely to be misdiagnosed than correctly diagnosed. Priyanka Jain is on a mission to change that. Episode Overview Evvy co-founder & CEO Priyanka Jain shares her personal journey with chronic conditions and why she’s determined to close the gender health gap. She explains how Evvy is building the largest data...

“I was told I had six months to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Instead, that day became the beginning of my life’s purpose.” Episode Overview Indie Lee shares her extraordinary journey from multiple chronic illness diagnoses—including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, and a brain tumor—to founding one of the pioneering clean beauty brands. She opens up about entrepreneurship with illn...

Welcome! Chronic Boss Unfiltered is the podcast where ambition meets women’s health. Hosted by Lilly Stairs—two-time founder and three-time autoimmune patient—this show dives deep into what it really takes to build a business or climb the career ladder while living with chronic illness. Each week, Lilly sits down with powerhouse women who are chasing big dreams while navigating flare-ups, fatigue,...