The Survival Project

What actually goes into creating the stoma products we rely on every single day? In this episode of The Survival Project, I sit down with Jayant Joshi from Hollister to go behind the bag and explore the science, engineering and innovation behind modern stoma care. With a background in polymer science and product development, Jay explains how an idea goes from identifying an unmet need to testing,...

What does good stoma care actually look like, and why does it still matter whether you’ve had your stoma for three weeks or thirty years? In Episode 53 of The Survival Project, I’m joined by experienced stoma care nurse Anna Bergin for a conversation about the journey from life-changing surgery to life-changing independence. Anna takes us inside the role of a stoma nurse, from those overwhelming f...

At just 17 years old, Sophia Haden was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Only a few months later, she underwent life-changing surgery and found herself learning to live with a stoma. In Episode 52 of The Survival Project , Sophia joins me for an incredibly honest conversation about illness, body image, mental health and what happens when your life changes before you've really had the chance t...

For almost 40 years, Ross Davidson lived with an overwhelming fear of cancer. When symptoms eventually appeared, that fear became so debilitating that Ross needed six months of counselling before he could bring himself to see a doctor. He was eventually diagnosed with stage three locally advanced rectal cancer and underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and an eight-hour total pelvic exenteration inv...

50 episodes. One year. And eight words that could change a life. For the one-year anniversary of The Survival Project, I wanted to reflect on one of the most important lessons this podcast has taught me. Over the past 50 episodes, I’ve spoken with people who have faced chronic illness, disability, trauma, grief, mental health struggles and circumstances that completely changed the direction of the...

In Episode 49 of The Survival Project , Jonathan is joined by Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts , hosts of the Wheel Talk Podcast , for an honest, funny and thought-provoking conversation about living with an ultra-rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) . Kelly and Avery have lived with progressive disabilities from childhood, but their experiences have unfolded very differently. Together,...

What happens when your tests say everything looks fine, but you’re still in pain? In Episode 48 of The Survival Project , I’m joined by Rebecca Lane, PhD student at University of Galway (funded by Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland) , to take a deep dive into something that affects so many people living with IBD and IBS: pain . Rebecca takes us inside the science of how pain actually works and exp...

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) affects thousands of people, yet most of us have never heard of it. In this episode of  The Survival Project , Jonathan sits down with  Natasha Flynn  to explore what it's really like living with Functional Neurological Disorder, an invisible neurological condition that can cause seizures, paralysis, chronic pain, memory difficulties, fatigue, and a host...

Living with an autoimmune disease affects far more than the body. In this episode of  The Survival Project , Jonathan sits down with  Kate Middleton , founder of  The Wren Project , to explore the often-overlooked mental health challenges of chronic illness. After her lupus diagnosis, Kate experienced the isolation, uncertainty and emotional burden that so many people face after diagnosis. Rather...

What happens when one family's experience with Crohn's disease leads to a product that changes the lives of thousands of people around the world? In this episode of The Survival Project , I sit down with Lorraine from Comfizz to tell the remarkable story behind one of the most trusted names in ostomy support wear. This conversation is particularly special to me because I've personally...

What being dead taught me about living. Former pharmaceutical CEO Shay thought success meant working harder, achieving more and constantly chasing the next milestone. Then, at just 47 years old, he suffered a massive heart attack that stopped him in his tracks and forced him to ask one life-changing question: What actually matters? In this powerful episode of  The Survival Project , Shay shares ho...

Sharan Singh's life changed forever when she was diagnosed with lupus at a young age. Years of autoimmune disease, powerful medications, chronic pain, and major complications eventually led to both of her hips being replaced in her early twenties. But her story is about far more than illness. In this episode of  The Survival Project , Sharan shares how she navigated the emotional and physical...

What does it mean to live with a body that never stops changing? This week on  The Survival Project , I'm joined by  Cerys Davage , host of the  Unbalanced Podcast  and a passionate disability advocate living with  limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) . Diagnosed as a child, Cerys shares her experience of growing up with a progressive muscle condition, navigating invisible disability, learnin...

What happens when surviving Crohn's disease means fighting your own healthcare system? This week on  The Survival Project , I'm joined by  Ian , a Crohn's disease advocate, comedian and storyteller from New York. Diagnosed at just 16 years old, Ian shares his journey through bowel obstructions, multiple surgeries, intestinal strictures, internal bleeding, anxiety and the emotional impa...

At 22 years old, Liv Moore was told she would need a permanent stoma. After years of unexplained symptoms, severe constipation, and a body that seemed to be shutting down, Liv was diagnosed with  hypoganglionosis , a rare bowel disorder that left her rectum unable to function properly. In this episode of  The Survival Project , Liv shares her remarkable journey from diagnosis to surgery, the fear...

Arthur O'Connor appeared to have everything on track. A successful personal trainer, recently engaged, healthy, active, and building a future he was excited about. Then his body began to change. What started as digestive issues soon became overwhelming fatigue, chronic inflammation, hormonal dysfunction, skin problems, weight loss, heart palpitations, and a growing list of symptoms that no one...

From 60 toilet trips a day to fitness racing, Terri Brannigan's story is one of resilience, courage, and reclaiming life after Crohn's disease. In this episode of The Survival Project , Jonathan sits down with Crohn's disease advocate, ostomate, and fitness enthusiast Terri Brannigan to discuss her journey from being diagnosed with Crohn's at just 15 years old to making the life-changing decision...

What happens when years of being undertreated for Ulcerative Colitis leads to a permanent ostomy, a cancer diagnosis, multiple major surgeries, and repeated setbacks? In this powerful episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan Healy sits down with Jenn Moore , an ostomy advocate, fitness coach, health coach, and specialist in helping people rebuild strength after chronic illness and surgery. Jenn s...

For 13 years, Kate Ann was told her pain was normal. In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan Healy sits down with Kate for a deeply emotional and eye-opening conversation about living with Stage 4 Endometriosis and bowel endometriosis. Kate shares the reality of growing up in severe pain, being dismissed by doctors, told her symptoms were “just anxiety” or IBS, and spending years trying...

World IBD Day Special | The Female Experience of IBD, Chronic Illness & Identity In this episode of The Survival Project, Sarah O’Connor and Terri Brannigan join me for a powerful conversation on the female experience of living with Crohn’s disease, IBD, invisible illness, fatigue, body image, relationships, and resilience. We speak honestly about the realities women face while navigating chro...

In this World IBD Day special episode of The Survival Project, I’m joined by Owen and Oliver for a deeply honest conversation about the male experience of living with IBD. We talk about Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, stoma surgery, masculinity, identity, relationships, intimacy, body image, fear, shame, depression, and the pressure men feel to stay strong while living with chronic illness. T...

Episode 33 of The Survival Project with Levi. Levi is a photographer based in Las Vegas living with ulcerative colitis and, since recording this episode, Crohn’s disease. In this conversation, Levi shares the reality of years of symptoms, blood loss, misdiagnosis, colonoscopies, failed medications, chronic pain, and trying to navigate the American healthcare system while self-employed. We dive int...

Aoife Quinn is 23, from Galway, and living with a rare condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia . Right now, her symptoms are manageable. But she knows what’s coming. She knows there’s a drug that could slow the progression of her condition and protect her future. The problem? It has been deemed “not value for money.” In this episode, we talk about: Being diagnosed at 18 Living with uncertainty and fe...

Episode 31 of The Survival Project is a reflections episode titled: “Let Us Sit in the Fire Together.” This episode explores the reality of living with chronic illness, Crohn’s disease, IBD, ostomy life, chronic pain, and mental resilience , through lessons taken from the last 10 conversations on the podcast. From misdiagnosis and isolation to recovery, identity loss, breathwork, sleep, and rebuil...

In Episode 30 I sit down with Oliver for a powerful and honest conversation about chronic illness, identity, isolation, and purpose. Oliver shares his journey of first developing psoriasis as a teenager before later being diagnosed with IBD during the chaos of 2020 . He speaks openly about the long and frustrating road to diagnosis, the fear and trauma of hospitalisation, and the mental strain of...