Mogil's Mobcast-A Scleroderma Chat

If you’ve been following along, you know gut health and digestive issues are some of my favorite topics. That’s why I was especially excited to sit down with today’s guest, Allison Samon, a functional nutritionist who takes a holistic approach to health—right up my alley. In this episode, we focused on a major issue so many of us deal with: fatigue. Allison brought such great energy to the convers...

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz, a rheumatologist who takes a holistic approach to treating scleroderma—something that deeply resonates with me. Even after living with this disease for 25 years, I walked away from this conversation with new insights, and I know you will too. Tune in and discover valuable perspectives on managing scleroderma!

I had an engaging and insightful conversation with rheumatologist, Dr. Michael York, a highly knowledgeable expert with a great sense of humor, on my latest podcast episode. We explored the key challenges affecting the hands, including Raynaud’s, digital ulcers, and calcinosis, and their impact on patients. Dr. York also provided a fascinating explanation of why scleroderma research presents such...

The gut microbiome has become one of my favorite topics, especially since, like many of my fellow scleroderma warriors, I experience stomach issues. Today, we dive deep into the intestinal challenges that come with our diagnosis with Dr. Joy Liu. She provides an in-depth and insightful discussion, breaking down these complex issues with great clarity.

Today’s guest is Rashmi Bhasin, a true scleroderma warrior. Like many women seeking a proper diagnosis, she was repeatedly told her symptoms were due to hormones or stress. As a result, it took four years to finally get the correct diagnosis. But rather than letting that struggle define her, she turned it into a force for good. Today, she leads Scleroderma India, advocating for others facing simil...

Today’s guest is scleroderma warrior Emily Radican. Over the years, Emily has been diagnosed with a range of autoimmune diseases, and five years ago, Limited Scleroderma became part of her journey. Many of her health challenges have revolved around her gut, which inspired her to pursue a degree in nutrition. Now, she’s working toward her Ph. D. in Nutritional Science and Food Chemistry. Join us as...

Get ready for a fascinating deep dive into one of my favorite topics—sleep! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sabra Abbott, an expert in all things sleep-related. Together, we explore the three critical stages of sleep, the unique challenges scleroderma patients face when it comes to getting quality rest, and practical strategies to improve your sleep. By the end of our conversation, you’ll...

Today, we have an incredible guest joining us—rheumatologist Dr. David Collier. With 28 years as a Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado Medical School and 25 years leading the scleroderma clinic, Dr. Collier is a true expert in the field. Currently, he’s consulting with Kyverna Therapeutics, working on groundbreaking (CAR) T-cell therapy. We’ve all been hearing the buzz about this i...

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce Dr. Cristina Padilla, a remarkable physician I had the pleasure of meeting at a recent conference. In this episode, we delve into the work being done at the Pittsburgh Scleroderma Center, where Dr. Padilla focuses on translational research into interstitial lung disease. Through our conversation, you’ll not only learn about her invaluable contributions to the field...

Today’s guest is Melissa Marquis, who shares her incredible journey of perseverance and advocacy. It took 10 years for Melissa to receive a diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease—a condition where the immune system attacks connective tissues, but the symptoms and lab results don’t fully align with any specific connective tissue disease. Three years later, she was diagnosed with li...

What an inspiring guest we have today! Allison Zhang’s story is a testament to resilience and determination. Living 24 years with scleroderma is no small feat, and founding the first national scleroderma NGO in China shows her incredible dedication to helping others in similar situations. Through this conversation, we’ll not only get a glimpse into her personal journey of managing scleroderma sinc...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Danielle Rice, a clinical and health psychologist whose PhD research zeroed in on a unique perspective: how to support caregivers of scleroderma patients. Believe it or not, before Danielle’s work, there had only been one small study on this crucial topic! We often overlook how scleroderma affects not only the patients but also their loved ones. Danielle has done...

Today, I’m thrilled to chat with Dr. Deanna Baker Frost—whom I had the privilege of meeting at the National Scleroderma Conference. When I asked her to join me on the podcast, she agreed enthusiastically, requesting a topic that would be impactful for patients. I suggested osteoporosis, given that 80% of scleroderma patients are women, and 80% of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosi...

Today, I talk with Dr. Sean Fortier, a specialist in pulmonary medicine. Since more than 40% of scleroderma patients show evidence of interstitial lung disease, I thought it was important to discuss pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Fortier and I also discuss his research, which I found very encouraging—and I believe you will, too.

 In the last episode, you heard Dr. Shah discuss autologous stem cell transplants. In today’s episode, you’ll meet Kim Rodning, the first non-trial recipient of an autologous stem cell transplant at Duke University. Like many scleroderma warriors, Kim remains positive and upbeat, even in the face of adversity. Her story is truly heartwarming.

Today's guest is Dr. Ankoor Shah. He is the Director of the Duke Scleroderma Clinic. In our episode today, we discuss his clinic and what it has to offer to scleroderma patients. We then dive into the main topic of our talk, stem cell transplant. I learned so much about what stem cell transplant involves and how it has helped the scleroderma community. 

Today's guest is Terri Pilawa. Terri started feeling ill in 2008 and was finally diagnosed correctly after 4 years of not knowing what was wrong in 2012 with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was told she needed a lung transplant. In 2015, she had a successful double lung transplant. As a part of her journey she became involved with the One Breath Foundation and is now the CEO. Let's he...

Today's podcast is with Ezra Halsted who was diagnosed with scleroderma at the age of 16. It was very interesting to hear the perspective of someone who was diagnosed young  and how that changed her youth. 

Today's guest is Jeremy Quinby. Jeremy is an integrative health practitioner and educator, Certified Craniosacral Therapist, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, and Certified Movement and Post-rehab Specialist.  In today's episode, we discuss what craniosacral therapy is and how it can help scleroderma patients as well as others with pain. 

Today's guest is Yen Chen. Yen is a health behavioral researcher in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Rheumatology Division at the University of Michigan. Yen is doing a study called Brain Boost program which deals with cognitive dysfunction or brain fog. Today we talk about the definition of brain fog, general causes of brain fog, and how it pertains to scleroderma p...

Today's guest is Ilaria Galetti, a scleroderma warrior for over 27 years and currently awaiting a lung transplant. Like many scleroderma warriors she is an advocate for the disease. Ilaria is the Vice President of the Federation of European Scleroderma Associations FESCA. Listen to hear about her journey and her advocacy work.

Today’s topic is on the evolution of scleroderma. Dr. Medgser joins us in this discussion as he is a rheumatologist who practiced for 46 years and is currently retired. He started his interest in rheumatology at the University of Pittsburgh, which was the first institution to have a scleroderma center. It was here that Dr. Medgser met and worked with Dr. Rodnan, who is considered the "father...

Today’s guest is Jim Stempel. Jim has been a scleroderma warrior for almost 2 decades. For him scleroderma attacked his lungs, resulting in a lung transplant in 2018. He then decided to retire which led him to volunteer. Jim is doing wonderful advocacy for the scleroderma community. Listen to hear his journey and how is giving back.

 Today's guest is Tami Yap. She is an oral medicine specialist. Tami deals with everything in the mouth except the teeth and gums. She is the connection between dentistry and medicine. Today we talk about 3 major concerns for scleroderma patients: the changing of the mouth's elasticity, changes in saliva, and whether the teeth will be affected by these changes.

Today's guest is Dr. Afton Hassett. She is an Associate Professor and the Director of Pain and Opioid Research in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. She recently published a book called Chronic Pain Reset, 30 Days of Activities, and Skills to Help You Thrive . In our discussion, she explains the different types of pain, the different domains within the 30 activiti...