The Autoimmune Campfire Podcast

Coaches Helen and Nona discuss redefining adventure while living with chronic illness, emphasizing choosing joy, courage, and “responsible discernment” rather than shrinking life through heightened risk awareness. Nona shares returning to indoor sport climbing with her daughter after an MS diagnosis—climbing less than before but finding community and accomplishment—and reflects on learning to surf...

Welcome, and Welcome Back to the Autoimmune Campfire! Coaches Helen and Nona discuss how to travel well with chronic illness without preemptively shrinking life, sharing lessons learned from Nona’s family trip to Namibia, where they didn’t check if they needed mosquito repellent or malaria prevention medication. Oh boy! Helen introduces her brilliant “three Ps” framework—Prep, Pack, Plan—highlight...

Nona and Helen are delighted to share a dear friend and colleague, Cath Duncan, with you on the Autoimmune Campfire podcast. They recorded a two-part conversation on Cath’s experience with chronic illness and her incredible resilience and creativity and how she has intentionally fueled her ability to thrive in the face of challenges. Cath Duncan is a mixed-media artist living in Utrecht, Netherlan...

Nona and Helen are delighted to share a dear friend and colleague, Cath Duncan, with you on the Autoimmune Campfire podcast. They recorded a two-part conversation on Cath’s experience with chronic illness and her incredible resilience and creativity and how she has intentionally fueled her ability to thrive in the face of challenges. Cath Duncan is a mixed-media artist living in Utrecht, Netherlan...

Hello there, Nona and I are sharing Bonus Episode 2 in our series of interviews we’ve been having around living well with a chronic condition including guests who have an autoimmune / chronic condition or work with those who have an autoimmune diagnosis. In this episode, Nona and Helen interview Elizabeth Cush. Elizabeth Cush is a licensed clinical professional counselor, a life coach for highly s...

Hi there, we’re releasing some interviews that Nona and I completed and we wanted to share them with you. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed these conversations and we’d love to hear what you think. In this 1st Bonus episode, Nona and Helen talk to Natalie Eslick about her story with chronic conditions and how creativity supports her in flourishing. Natalie Eslick is a wildlife arti...

In this emotional and insightful episode, hosts Helen and Nona of the Autoimmune Campfire podcast welcome their husbands, Rob and Erick, to share their perspectives on living with spouses who have chronic conditions. They discuss the impact on family life, the challenges of diagnosis, and the adjustments required post-diagnosis. Both couples reflect on the hidden gifts and lessons learned through...

In episode 13 of The Autoimmune Campfire, coaches Helen and Nona delve into the topic of resilience when faced with unexpected challenges related to chronic conditions. They share personal stories of recent medical issues, Helen's encounter with GI problems and Nona's discovery of a new lesion during an MS follow-up. The conversation highlights the importance of slowing down, recognizing one's hab...

Navigating Wellbeing with Autoimmune Conditions In this episode of the Autoimmune Campfire, hosts Helen and Nona engage in a heartfelt discussion about the complexities of maintaining well-being while living with a chronic condition. They delve into the PERMA model from positive psychology, exploring how Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment can contribute to flo...

Nurturing Connections: The Heartbeat of Wellbeing In this episode of the Autoimmune Campfire, hosts Helen and Nona explore the profound impact of connections on living well with a chronic condition. They share personal stories about the value of community and meaningful relationships, emphasize quality over quantity in friendships, and discuss the Harvard study on happiness, highlighting the impor...

Approaching Pain Differently In episode 10 of the Autoimmune Campfire, hosts Helen and Nona delve into managing chronic pain through mindfulness and breathwork. They discuss the latest pain science and the role of mindfulness in handling pain, especially for those with autoimmune conditions. They emphasize the importance of breathing techniques and practices like Yoga Nidra to support the nervous...

Embracing Movement with Autoimmune Conditions In episode nine of 'Autoimmune Campfire,' hosts Helen and Nona discuss the importance of incorporating joy-filled movement into the lives of those with autoimmune conditions. They share personal experiences, shedding light on the mental and physical health benefits of exercise and the unique challenges faced by individuals with chronic illnesses. The e...

Embracing Sleep for Better Health In Episode 8 of 'Autoimmune Campfire,' hosts Helen and Nona delve into the significance of sleep for individuals living with chronic conditions. They share personal stories, discuss the impact of sleep on health and well-being, and explore methods to achieve better sleep quality. The episode touches on factors that affect sleep, such as pain, anxiety, and lifestyl...

What the hell do I eat now? In this episode of the Autoimmune Campfire podcast, hosts Helen and Nona discuss the complexities of nourishing oneself while living with autoimmune conditions. They explore personal experiences, such as family visits and dietary adjustments, and delve into the varied, sometimes conflicting medical advice on nutrition. The conversation highlights the emotional and physi...

In episode six of the Autoimmune Campfire podcast, hosts Helen and Nona explore the theme of pleasure and its importance for individuals with chronic conditions. They discuss personal experiences and ways to integrate pleasurable moments into daily life to enhance well-being. The episode covers the concept of 'glimmers,' small moments of joy, and challenges the perception that pleasure is solely l...

In this episode of the Autoimmune Campfire, hosts Helen and Nona engage in an insightful conversation about pacing and managing energy for individuals living with chronic conditions. They share personal stories and experiences, highlighting the challenge of adjusting expectations and managing daily activities in the context of varying energy levels. The discussion introduces concepts like 'spoon t...

In this episode of Autoimmune Campfire, hosts Helen and Nona engage in a heartfelt discussion about self-advocacy for individuals living with chronic conditions. They share personal stories and insights on the challenges of advocating for oneself, especially as women, and the importance of clear communication with healthcare providers. The conversation explores the need for setting boundaries, bei...

Today’s show notes Stories matter. Stories heal. Stories inspire.  We welcome connecting with you in the comments.  In this episode of the Autoimmune Campfire, hosts Helen and Nona dive deep into Helen's journey with rheumatoid arthritis. Helen opens up about the challenges and triumphs she experienced from her initial diagnosis in 2017 through her daily life, caregiving, and various treatments. T...

Today’s show notes Navigating MS: Nona's Diagnosis Journey and Embracing Life's Synchronicities Stories matter. Stories heal. Stories inspire.  We welcome connecting with you in the comments.  In this episode of The Autoimmune Campfire, hosts Helen and Nona discuss Nona's journey of living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). They delve into Nona’s initial diagnosis, the stressors contributing to her 'pe...

Stories matter. Stories heal. Stories inspire.  As Patti Digh said, “The shortest distance between two people is a story."  We welcome you to The Autoimmune Campfire: Honest Conversations on Thriving with Chronic Conditions. In this inaugural episode of Autoimmune Campfire, coaches Nona Jordan and Helen Samson Mullen discuss their motivations for starting this podcast, sharing personal stories of...