Surviving out of Spite

Can patients trust AI with their healthcare decisions? And who should be responsible when technology becomes part of the diagnostic process? In Part 2 of this conversation, Sam and Erika from IncitefulMed dive deeper into the complex relationship between artificial intelligence, healthcare, trust, and patient advocacy. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into medicine, patients are faced with im...

What happens when culture, bias, trauma, and chronic illness intersect? In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite , Sam sits down with patient advocate and non profit leader Tina Aswani-Omprakash to chat about her journey living with Crohn’s disease, gastroparesis, and other GI conditions. Tina shares how cultural expectations, healthcare biases, and how unfortunate medical trauma shaped her exper...

How can patients use artificial intelligence to better understand their health, and should they trust it? In Part 1 of this conversation, Sam chats with Erika Warren, founder of InsightfulMed, to discuss AI literacy in healthcare and how technology can help patients become more informed advocates for their own care. Many patients struggle to understand medical records, test results, research studi...

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam chats with Amber Tresca of AboutIBD to discuss the realities of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroparesis, and other chronic health challenges. Amber shares her personal journey with J-pouch surgery, navigating life after major medical interventions, and learning how to balance work, health, and personal growth. Sam and Amber talk ab...

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite , Sam sits down with Dr. Sarah Cohen Solomon for a deeply honest conversation about chronic illness, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and what it really takes to build a more humane healthcare system. Dr. Solomon brings a unique dual perspective as both a physician and a patient, offering insight into the lived reality of navigating chronic illness while prac...

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite , Sam sits down with Maddie, the voice behind Eosinophilic Chick , to talk about what it’s really like living with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE). Maddie shares her personal journey; from early symptoms and diagnosis to navigating strict dietary restrictions and the reality of starting medication injections. This conversation dives into the physical challe...

In this episode, Sam sat down with Ruth O’Driscoll to have the kind of conversation most people avoid, but absolutely shouldn’t. They dive into the reality of living with digestive issues, why we need to normalize talking about gut health (yes, even the awkward parts), and how self-tracking can be a powerful tool for understanding your body. Ruthie shares her personal journey with digestive health...

In this episode, Casey shares her personal journey living with celiac disease, from diagnosis to the ongoing realities of managing a strict gluten-free diet. She opens up about the challenges of navigating hidden gluten in unexpected foods, the learning curve that comes with dietary restrictions, and the emotional impact that can follow a life-changing diagnosis. Together, Sam and Casey explore wh...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Sam and Sarah dive deeper into Sarah’s story and how she refused to let gastroparesis define her life. From the challenges of diagnosis to the daily realities of living with a chronic digestive condition, she opens up about what it truly means to navigate life with gastroparesis. This is not just a story about illness, it’s about resilience, identity,...

Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is more than just managing symptoms, it’s navigating a healthcare system that often doesn’t understand you. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Lara Bloom of the EDS Society to talk about what it really takes to live with and advocate for EDS. From the long road to diagnosis to the validation that comes with finally being heard, La...

Ty Gipson has been through more than most; juvenile diabetes, multiple organ transplants, and years of fighting just to stay alive. In this episode, Sam and Ty talk about what it actually looks like to keep going when your body keeps throwing the worst at you. This isn’t a sugarcoated story. It’s about resilience on the hard days, the mental battles no one sees, and the moments where giving up fee...

Living with a chronic GI condition like gastroparesis isn’t just physical; it’s mental, emotional, and deeply personal. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite , Sam chats with Dr. Ali Navidi to break down the powerful (and often overlooked) role of GI psychology in chronic illness care. Together, they dive into the gut-brain connection and why treating digestive conditions requires more than ju...

Navigating the healthcare system with a chronic illness can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and, at times, isolating. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite , Sam sits down with Meredith Mangold for a real and honest conversation about what it truly means to advocate for yourself as a patient. Meredith shares her journey living with ulcerative colitis and the many challenges she’s faced along t...

One year ago, Surviving Out of Spite launched to share stories, insights, and real-life experiences living with gastroparesis. In this special episode, Sam reflects on the journey of building the podcast, the lessons learned, and the incredible community that has grown along the way. Join us as we celebrate one year of connection, resilience, and storytelling.

Gut health is complicated, especially when you’re living with gastroparesis. In this episode, Sam sits down with Liz Roman to unpack the complex systems involved in digestive health and how they impact people with chronic gastrointestinal conditions. Together they explore the differences between conventional medicine and functional medicine, and how each approach looks at gut health, digestion, an...

What does a panic attack actually feel like, especially when you're already living with gastroparesis and chronic illness? In this raw and unplanned episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam shares a deeply vulnerable moment after experiencing an intense anxiety and panic attack at home. From suddenly struggling to breathe to using grounding techniques to calm her nervous system, Sam walks throug...

Living with a chronic illness is often framed as a limitation—but what if it could also be a strength? In this episode, Lilly Stairs joins us to share the concept of your “secret sauce”: the powerful combination of your natural skills, lived experiences, and the unique strengths developed through navigating chronic health conditions. Lilly explains how the resilience, problem-solving, adaptability...

What does it look like to grow up managing central lines and still build a life full of strength, independence, and purpose? In this inspiring episode, Vincent shares his journey of growing up with complex chronic illnesses, central lines, and learning line care and medical independence at a young age. He reflects on how his parents supported him in navigating healthcare while still encouraging hi...

Chronic pain isn’t just physical; it affects your mental health, emotions, and daily life. In this powerful conversation, Sam and Alec break down what chronic pain management really looks like when empathy, trust, and communication are at the center of care. Alec, a primary care provider, shares the personal experience that led him into medicine and shaped his approach to patient-centered care. Sa...

In this powerful conversation, Donna and Sam explore what it really means to live with chronic illness while navigating a complex and often broken medical system. Through personal stories and lived experience, they discuss patient advocacy, the emotional toll of being dismissed or misunderstood, and why awareness and systemic change in healthcare are so urgently needed. The episode also reflects o...

What does it mean to be diagnosed with a serious heart condition at a young age, and then have to fight to be believed? In this powerful conversation, Hannah shares her journey as a heart patient diagnosed with HCM and the realities of navigating a healthcare system that often overlooks young patients. She opens up about misdiagnosis, self-advocacy, and the emotional toll of living with a heart co...

#ChronicIllness #GutHealth #DigestiveHealth #gastroparesis In this week’s episode, Sam sits down with Dahlia and James Marin, co-founders of Married to Health, where they unpack the gut-immune connection and why food is so much more than fuel when you live with chronic digestive illness. Together, they explore the concept of “gut debt,” the emotional and psychological weight we carry around eating...

Dating is hard. Dating with chronic illness or disability? That’s a whole different battlefield. In this episode, Sam sits down with the founders of Dateability, the first dating app built specifically for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Together, they unpack the emotional reality of navigating dating in bodies that don’t always cooperate, the isolation so many experience on mainst...

Gastroparesis isn’t just about digestion — it’s about identity, grief, resilience, and learning how to fight for yourself. In this episode, Sam and Dr. Eva Alsheik unpack the science behind gastroparesis, the mental health piece that’s often ignored, and what real treatment looks like beyond a prescription pad. They explore options like G-POEM, gastric stimulators from Enterra therapy, and emergin...

In this final episode of the year, Sam pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to grow a chronic illness community. From the early days of G-PACT to the powerful network it’s become today, she reflects on the wins, the setbacks, and the moments that nearly broke her, and the people who helped her keep going. This episode is a love letter to every person who has ever felt isolated by illness...