EpiPod

From clueless Great Aunt Karen at Christmas dinner to countless treats passed out at the class holiday party, Sarah & Danielle chat all things holiday season and allergies. Danielle shares her hack for shutting down an uncomfortable conversation and the mindset she uses to get through the tougher moments. And Sarah details how she travels to multiple family members' homes and attends parties w...

In part two of our interview with board-certified allergist, Dr. Inderpal Randhawa, Danielle & Sarah ask the TIP (Tolerence Induction Program) founder about everything from why his clinic conducts food challenges a little different than most practices to the people who may or may not be good candidates for the program. Dr. Randhawa also addresses the naysayers out there and provides a reason f...

In this EpiSode, Sarah & Danielle interview board-certified allergist and founder of the ⁠Tolerance Induction Program⁠ at the Food Allergy Institute, ⁠Dr. Inderpal Randhawa⁠ . In this no-holds-back interview, the ladies ask about things like expansion plans, the high cost, the potential for FDA approval, age limits and so much more. We address the burning questions from both happy patients and...

It is one of the most asked questions Sarah gets: Why did you choose TIP? And the follow up questions: Why are you not doing TIP for your other child? Are you considering OIT? This EpiSode answers all of those questions and more. Sarah breaks down her reasons and has some advice to other allergy parents who are contemplating this decision. And Danielle shares her take on all of it as someone who w...

This EpiSode was an emotional one for Danielle. After a year and a half of busting her butt (physically and emotionally) in an OIT program for her peanut allergy, she recently decided to pause treatment, maybe indefinitely. She and Sarah talk through her decision and what led to it. Plus, what she learned about OIT and herself through the process... and her message for others considering allergy t...

Why does it always feel like some else's kid is eating your child's allergen at the park or playground? Allergy parents can zero in on the allergen quick, but then we have to plan our next steps. Do we leave? Do we ask the child or parent to stop eating it? Do we ignore it and hope for the best? Sarah & Danielle talk through the nuances of allergies in a public setting like a playground and th...

Danielle has attended dozens of weddings, bachelorette parties, bridal showers and more -- all while managing life-threatening food allergies. In this EpiSode, she shares her do's and don't for adults with allergies. Plus, she and Sarah talk through best tips for the brides themselves & party hosts. Oh, there's an important Q&A in this EpiSode too! CONNECT WITH US: Follow EpiPod on ⁠⁠ Inst...

In this EpiSode, Danielle & Sarah breakdown their top tips for safely carrying epinephrine auto-injectors. They discuss everything from how they remember to refill their prescriptions on time to how they keep them in that ever-so-small temperature range & what to do with those expired epis. Plus -- learn from the mistakes they've made! (You'll never believe where Danielle used to keep her...

Ghosts, goblins & allergy-laden candy EVERYWHERE -- oh my! Halloween may be spookiest of all for food allergy families. In this EpiSode, Sarah & Danielle talk through all of the Halloween landmines out there. Sarah shares her top tips for going door to door, talks about what to do when you get home with unsafe candy, and she explains how her Halloween rules for her family have changed as h...

For decades, food allergy families have wished for research and medicine to catch up and make something to help people whose bodies recognize everyday food as foe. When the FDA approved Xolair to be used in the food allergy space and it began popping up in allergist offices nationwide (including our own!), we wanted to sit down with someone from the source. Dr. Larry Tsai is a physician, food alle...

Pets bring a lot of joy to a family, but they can also bring stress. Particularly if a family member is allergic to that animal. Sarah talks through the painful process of determining she had to re-home her fur baby when it was causing major health issues for her human baby. And trust us — it was not done quickly or taken lightly. Plus, we discuss how families can manage pet ownership during aller...

Accepting an invitation to visit a friend and stay in their home is easier said than done for people managing severe food allergies. From new body wash to family-style meals to pets to even the sheets, saying "I'd love to!" opens a Pandora's Box that can sometimes feel more exhausting than it's worth! In this EpiSode, Sarah and Danielle are both fresh off visiting friends and...

Marriage & parenting can feel tricky when there is an added stressor like food allergies to manage. Dividing the extra food allergy tasks and responsibilities, communicating with family, friends or school about special accommodations, deciding when to take calculated risks -- it is a lot! This EpiSode may be a good one to listen to with your significant other! Sarah & Danielle welcome a sp...

Levi Jung-Ruivivar has had two life-long constants – 1.) her dream to be an Olympian and 2.) her anaphylactic tree nut allergy. At 18-years old, the California native made her way to Paris to represent the Philippines as a part of their first female gymnastics team since 1964. However days before she was set to compete, she experienced an anaphylactic reaction while biking around the Olympic Villa...

In this EpiSode, Danielle & Sarah discuss how Hollywood and ‘the media’ often get it SO wrong when it comes to food allergies. Making a life-threatening condition into a joke is not ok, and Danielle & Sarah are fired up about it. Comedians, late night talk show hosts, social media personalities — many have taken jabs at the allergy community… which can change the public discourse and attit...

Danielle & Sarah are back with more on the intricacies of sending your allergy kiddo to school. Sarah shares how she manages substitute teachers in her child's classroom and tips for maintaining a good relationship with her child's teacher. Plus, how she uses expired epinephrine to better train her son's teacher and school nurse. The duo also answer a series of rapid-fire school re...

Sending your child with food allergies to school can feel beyond scary. Sarah talks through everything she does to ensure that her now 1st grader is safe in the classroom and beyond. Confused about what a 504 plan is or what to put in it? We've got you! She also shares mistakes that were made in kindergarten so you don't make the same ones. Plus, Danielle shares what school was like for he...

In this EpiSode, Danielle & Sarah talk about their own personal boundaries when it comes to food allergy life! Everything from stopping someone from sharing a triggering allergy story to putting your foot down with family or friends who just don't get it. Plus - they share scripts they use in real life that really work! Thank you to our presenting sponsor, ⁠ Lorissa's Kitchen ⁠ ! Big s...

Imagine this - You or your child is diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies. Along with an allergy action plan, you are given a plan for navigating the mental health hurdles that go hand-and-hand with living with food allergies. Maybe even encouraged to see a therapist who specializes in food allergy grief or trauma. Alyssa Bauder , a licensed professional counselor pursuing her Doctoral De...

In this EpiSode, Danielle and Sarah talk about how they get through the big, scary moments they face in the allergy world. Everything from heading to a major milestone appointment for OIT or TIP... to trying a new restaurant or accepting an invite to do something they usually wouldn't. Saying 'Yes' is not easy when you have food allergies or care for someone with them. Danielle and Sar...

EpiSode 11 is all about a phrase Sarah uses regularly, 'calculated risks.' Doing things that are very likely safe (or can be made safe with precautions), but seem scary and new. Danielle and Sarah go through what that means for them and give examples of real-life calculated risks they've taken. Plus, what each of their 'no-zones' are. CONNECT WITH US: Follow EpiPod on Instagram...

You’re invited!! To EpiSode 10 — all about parties and food allergies. In this EpiSode, we discuss how Danielle manages her allergens in a public setting as an adult now and what she ran into growing up. Plus, Sarah talks through what she says/asks/does when her child is invited to a birthday party or get together. Some of the conversations bring up old wounds and some tears — but it is all a heal...

In EpiSode 9, Sarah & Danielle talk all things siblings and allergies. It is a very personal EpiSode for Sarah, as she has been grappling with the idea that she and her husband may be done having children after 2 when 3 kids was always in the plan. From there, the two discuss everything from how it seems like pregnant and/or new moms just CAN'T win to how Sarah introduced her older child&#...

Oral food challenges in an allergist's office are now considered the 'gold standard' for determining, diagnosing and understanding someone's food allergy. BUT -- deciding to do one for yourself or your child can be incredibly difficult and anxiety inducing. Only compounded by the fact that it seems every allergist gives different advice these days. In EpiSode 8, Sarah & Daniell...

Trusting someone else to prepare your meal when you or your kiddo has food allergies is NOT easy. In this EpiSode, Danielle and Sarah run through their tips and scripts they use when dining out. Plus the red flags and green flags they look for when they talk to restaurant staff. In the EpiSode, they provide a short-list of restaurants (both in Austin and beyond) that they have personally had good...