Gut Matters: Discoveries & Innovations

On this episode of Gut Matters, host Johannah Ruddy sits down with Ardelyx CEO Mike Raab and Chief Patient Officer Dr. Laura Williams to explore what patient centricity truly means in practice, not as a corporate buzzword, but as a guiding principle that shapes company culture, strategy, and decision-making. Mike shares how formative experiences in rare disease at Genzyme inspired his commitment t...

On this special episode of Gut Matters, host Johannah Ruddy is joined on stage at the Ardelyx National Meeting by Chief Patient Officer Dr. Laura Williams and two patients: Erica, who lives with IBS-C and celiac disease, and Chrissy, a kidney transplant patient, for a candid conversation about the power of patient storytelling. They discuss the importance of finding the right healthcare partner, s...

This episode of Gut Matters features Johanna Ruddy and Dr. Andrea Shin interviewing Ruthie and Jessica, the founders of Belly Bestie Club, a community-driven supper club for people with IBS, celiac disease, and other digestive health conditions. They discuss how the club creates a safe, stigma-free space where attendees can openly discuss taboo topics while enjoying delicious, restriction-friendly...

In this episode of Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations, Johannah Ruddy, DHSc, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy at Ardelyx and Dr. Andrea Shin, practicing Gastroenterologist at UCLA are joined by patient advocate Katherine, who shares her deeply personal journey living telling her story of IBS with constipation alongside multiple autoimmune and autonomic conditions. Katherine reflects on ye...

On this episode of Gut Matters, we welcome Dr. Laura Williams, Chief Patient Officer at Ardelyx, to discuss the importance of patient advocacy in healthcare and drug development. Dr. Williams shares her journey from clinical practice to the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting how her experiences as a physician, advocate, and patient have shaped her approach to patient-centric care. The conversat...

On this episode of Gut Matters, host Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy at Ardelyx and Dr. Andrea Shin, interview Rebecca Kaplan, an IBS-C patient who has lived with the condition for over 15 years. Rebecca shares her personal journey, the challenges she has faced, and how she manages her symptoms. The conversation highlights the importance of patient advocacy and suppor...

On this episode, Dr. Andrea Shin and Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd welcome Dr. Megan Riehl, a leading health psychologist, to discuss the powerful connection between the gut and the brain in IBS with constipation. They explore the emotional impact of IBS, the importance of empathy and validation in patient care, and practical tools like gut-directed hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Tune i...

In this episode of Gut Matters: Discoveries & Innovations, hosts Andrea Shin, MD and Johannah Ruddy, DHSc. MEd discuss the importance of resilience in managing IBS with constipation (IBS-C) with GI psychologist Dr. Lori Keefer. They explore practical strategies, including Dr. Keefer's GRITT method, and delve into how patients can cultivate resilience to improve their quality of life. The conversat...

On this  episode, Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy at Ardelyx and gastroenterologist Dr. Andrea Shin interview Susan Edelstein, Senior VP of Clinical Research at Ardelyx. They discuss the critical role of patient diversity in clinical trials, emphasizing the impact of demographic factors on drug efficacy and the importance of including varied populations to ensure more...

On this Pride Month special episode, Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy at Ardelyx and gastroenterologist Dr. Andrea Shin speak to gastroenterologist Dr. Alex Goldowsky about digestive health issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. The discussion covers minority stress, specialized GI care, and the unique health considerations for transgender individuals, including hormo...

On this episode of, gastroenterologist Dr. Andrea Shin and Senior Director of Patient Advocacy at Ardelyx, Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, host Jeff Roberts and Erica Dermer to discuss their journey and impact in the IBS patient advocacy space. They cover the importance of evidence-based information, the psychosocial aspect of IBS, and the efforts to improve patient-provider communication. Insights from...

On this episode, Dr. Andrea Shin and Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, discuss the importance of cultural competence in managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome with guest Dr. Rosie Frazier from Mayo Clinic. They explore how cultural backgrounds influence symptom communication, dietary practices, and shared decision-making in patient care.   At Ardelyx®, we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients by dis...

On this episode of Gut Matters, we're in conversation with Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist at Mass General and Harvard Medical School. They delve into the impact of hormones, chronic stress, and trauma on IBS symptoms, particularly in female patients. The conversation also addresses the role of stigma in healthcare and the importance of effective communication and patient education in manag...

On this episode of Gut Matters, Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, and Dr. Andrea Shin kick off the New Year by discussing New Year's resolutions, dietary strategies for managing IBS-C, and featuring special guest Kate Scarlata, a Boston-based GI dietitian. The conversation covers the low FODMAP diet, the importance of dietary diversity, the role of fiber, and tips for maintaining gut health   At Ardelyx®,...

On this episode of the Gut Matters podcast, we discuss the impact of the brain-gut axis on IBS symptoms, particularly during the holiday season. The conversation includes practical advice on managing stress-induced gut issues, dietary challenges, and social pressures, with techniques like mindfulness and diaphragmatic breathing. Emphasis is placed on understanding psychological factors and integra...

On this episode of Gut Matters, hosts Dr. Andrea Shin and Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, Director of Patient Advocacy at Ardelyx are joined by Karen Salem, an IBS patient advocate, who shares her journey with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Karen talks about the challenges and misdiagnoses she faced over a 10-year period before finding the right medical support, which involved pharmaceuticals and cognitive b...

On this first episode of Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations, hosts Johanna Ruddy, DHSc. MEd, and Dr. Andrea Shin dive deep into the complexities of IBS-C (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation). Together, they dispel myths, discuss common symptoms, and break down what it means to live with this often misunderstood condition. Whether you've been diagnosed with IBS-C or are experiencing m...

Welcome to Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations, a podcast dedicated to helping IBS patients take back control of their symptoms and lives. Hosted by Johannah Ruddy, M.Ed., IBS patient advocate and researcher, and Dr. Andrea Shin, a gastroenterologist and IBS expert, this show dives deep into digestive health. Join us as we share inspiring patient stories, chat with guest experts, and deliver...