I just got back from a two-week whirlwind across Lisbon, Morocco, and the Azores, and this episode is the no-filter, full-body download you asked for. From hiking steep Lisbon hills in secondhand Dr. Scholl's to surviving a GI bug (plus a mini bladder flare) in a twin bed with one bathroom—this is the good, the bad, and the WTF moments of international travel with a history of pelvic floor and bladder symptoms. Inside, I unpack: How I handled walking 10k+ steps/day with zero bladder drama The tr...
Jul 01, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 96
In this solo episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how I’m prepping for a two-week trip to Portugal and Morocco — not just what I’m packing, but how I’m preparing my mind and body to feel good while traveling. I share the essentials that keep me comfortable on long flights, how I manage travel anxiety (especially as someone with a history of chronic symptoms), and what I do in the days leading up to a big trip to stay regulated and grounded. From hydration habits to mental rehearsa...
Jun 24, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 95
If you’ve been dealing with urgency, frequency, dryness, or recurring UTIs, vaginal estrogen might be the missing piece. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Sarah Boyles, a board-certified urogynecologist, about how estrogen impacts bladder and pelvic floor health—especially during perimenopause and menopause. We cover: – Why vaginal estrogen is different from hormone therapy– The safest and most effective ways to use it– How it supports pelvic floor physical therapy progress– Common myths and what...
Jun 17, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 94
For the first time, I’m walking you through my full journey with interstitial cystitis (IC) and overactive bladder (OAB). From painful peeing in childhood to my first UTI during high school soccer, to years of restrictive diets, unhelpful doctors, anxiety, surgery complications, and the constant feeling that I was missing something. Spoiler: I was. In this episode, I share what finally helped after 29 years of living with chronic bladder symptoms. We cover the nervous system, the pelvic floor, a...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 4Ep. 93
This week, I’m joined by Dr. Logan Lynch, a pelvic floor physical therapist, to unpack one of the most overlooked tools in your healing toolbox: your breath . But don’t worry, we’re not talking woo-woo “just breathe and manifest” fluff. We’re digging into the real mechanics of breath and how it affects your pelvic floor, nervous system, pain, and daily symptoms. We cover: Why “normal” breathing might be making symptoms worse What 360 breathing is—and why it’s a game-changer How breath impacts pa...
Jun 03, 2025•53 min•Season 4Ep. 92
This week, I’m joined again by the brilliant Vanessa Blackstone and Olivia Sinaiko, co-authors of the Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook . We’re digging into something that’s both foundational and wildly misunderstood in the healing space: safety. We talk about what it actually means to feel safe (spoiler: it’s not just doing deep breaths and saying “om”), why so many people struggle to access that sense of safety, and how our bodies carry the weight of fear even when our brains know better. Van...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 91
In this episode of IC You , I sit down with Vanessa Ballentine, an IC Warrior and my Road To Remission client who opens up about her raw and powerful journey with interstitial cystitis. Vanessa shares what it was like to be misdiagnosed and dismissed by doctors, the anxiety that came with feeling like a medical mystery, and the spiral of food fear that took over her life. Like so many others, she was told to figure it out on her own — and nearly gave up hope. But everything changed when she join...
May 20, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 90
What if your pelvic pain, urgency, or bladder flares aren’t just random—or even “just hormonal”? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Meagan Schwarzrock, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and founder of Pelvic Confidence, to unpack the complex connection between hormone fluctuations, pelvic floor dysfunction, and bladder symptoms. From your first period to pregnancy to menopause, hormones shape so much of what’s happening in your pelvic health—but they’re only one part of the picture. We explore how...
May 13, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 89
Pelvic pain is complex—and far too often, patients are given incomplete answers that lead to frustration, ineffective treatments, and ongoing discomfort. In this episode, Dr. Sonia Bahlani, a pelvic and sexual health specialist, joins Callie to unpack what pelvic pain really is, why it's so often misdiagnosed as interstitial cystitis (IC), and how a more thorough, personalized approach to care can lead to better outcomes. They discuss the nuanced relationship between bladder symptoms, pelvic flo...
May 06, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 88
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Courtney, a pelvic floor physical therapist who specializes in the connection between physical activity, pelvic health, and bladder symptoms. We get into her path to pelvic floor PT, why so many women are left in the dark about their bodies, and what needs to change. We talk about the fear a lot of people carry around exercise when they’re dealing with overactive bladder or pelvic floor issues, and why cookie-cutter advice usually makes it worse. We also cove...
Apr 29, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 87
In this episode, I’m joined by Brad Yates, a tapping (EFT) expert who helps people release stress, shift their mindset, and reconnect with their bodies—something so many of us with bladder symptoms really need. Brad shares how he went from acting to becoming one of the most well-known voices in the tapping space, and we talk about how this simple practice can help regulate your nervous system, ease both emotional and physical pain, and support your healing. We dive into why tapping works, what t...
Apr 22, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 86
In this episode, I’m joined by Lance Frank, a pelvic floor physical therapist based in Atlanta who works mostly with male clients. We dive into a topic that’s so overlooked: pelvic floor dysfunction in men. Lance breaks down what the male pelvic floor actually is, how it differs from the female anatomy, and why so many men struggle to get answers when dealing with symptoms like bladder urgency, pain, or even sexual dysfunction. We talk about the stigma around men’s pelvic health, the confusion b...
Apr 15, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 83
If pelvic pain or low libido has made intimacy feel more frustrating than fun, you’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Sara, my sex therapist , to talk about the realities of sex when you’re dealing with chronic pain, neurodivergence, and the mental load that often comes with it. We dive into: Why pelvic pain can mess with your libido (and what you can do about it) How societal norms shape our ideas about desire and intimacy The emotional labor women often take on in relationships (an...
Apr 08, 2025•53 min•Season 4Ep. 84
In this episode, Callie interviews Rachel Gofman, a doctor of physical therapy and pelvic pain coach, who shares her personal journey with chronic pelvic pain and the mind-body approach to healing. They discuss the challenges of navigating the medical system, the importance of understanding the connection between emotional trauma and physical symptoms, and the resources that helped them on their healing journeys. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-assessment, empowerment, and t...
Apr 01, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 83
In this episode, Callie and guest Dr. Nabila Noor delve into the complexities of bladder pain, particularly focusing on bladder pain syndrome and its differentiation from urinary tract infections (UTIs). They explore the role of pelvic floor dysfunction, the impact of stress on bladder health, and the significance of vaginal atrophy in women, especially post-menopausal. The discussion emphasizes the importance of education and awareness in managing these conditions, as well as the potential bene...
Mar 25, 2025•56 min•Season 4Ep. 82
In this episode, Callie shares her personal journey with interstitial cystitis (IC) and offers insights on what she would do if diagnosed today. She emphasizes the importance of trusting your diagnosis, seeking pelvic floor therapy, maintaining a positive mindset, educating oneself about IC, investigating root causes, and understanding dietary impacts. Callie also discusses the significance of hydration and support systems, and introduces a special program designed to help people find relief fro...
Mar 18, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 81
In this episode, Callie speaks with Vanessa Blackstone, MSW, and Olivia Sinaiko, LPC, authors of The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook —a book that has quickly become one of her favorites and the focus of Callie's Book Club inside her Road To Remission program. Together, they explore the principles of Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and how it can help people with chronic symptoms, including interstitial cystitis (IC) and overactive bladder (OAB). Vanessa and Olivia share their experiences with...
Mar 10, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 78
On this episode, Callie interviews Madelaine Golec, a pelvic health physiotherapist, about the specific challenges of overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis (IC). They discuss the differences between OAB and IC, the underlying causes of OAB symptoms, and the significant role of the nervous system in managing these conditions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of long-term strategies and holistic approaches to treatment. In this conversation, Callie and Madelaine discuss the ...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 79
In this episode, Callie shares updates on her mental health journey, recent diagnoses, and insights from support groups. She highlights the importance of addressing root causes of IC and OAB, emphasizing nervous system regulation and pelvic floor dysfunction over quick fixes. Callie also discusses the role of pelvic floor therapy, the rising popularity of the low oxalate diet, and the need for self-advocacy in healthcare. Through personal experiences and professional insights, she encourages lis...
Feb 25, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 78
In the final episode of Season 3, Callie takes you on a deep dive into her health journey the past 6 months. Topics discussed in this episode include: A general update on how Callie’s IC is doing How often she’s going to pelvic floor PT and using her pelvic wand How Callie travels frequently without IC flares Her experience getting Botox in her masseter muscles (jaw) How going off birth control after a decade is going Her experience in therapy right now (she’s seeing 3 different therapists) How ...
Jul 16, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 77
Dr. Rena Malik is a board-certified urologist specializing in female pelvic medicine, among many other things. She is dedicated to dispelling medical misinformation and talking about the topics many shy away from through her podcast and social media platforms. She provides individualized care for bladder health, sexual dysfunction, hormone management, and pelvic pain. In today’s episode, we talk about how to approach getting an interstitial cystitis diagnosis, the types of tests you should be as...
Jul 02, 2024•55 min•Season 3Ep. 76
Krystal Thomas-White is a senior scientist at Evvy working at the intersection of women’s health and the microbiome. Evvy is an at-home test kit that gives women a better understanding of their vaginal microbiome. In the episode, we discuss the symptoms and treatments of bacterial vaginosis and how it can relate to bladder symptoms. Krystal explains just how interconnected the microbiomes throughout our bodies are and how that can affect patients’ diagnosis and treatment. We cover everything fro...
Jun 18, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 75
After seeing the intense struggles her mom went through after being diagnosed with interstitial cystitis over 20 years ago, Andrea was terrified to be diagnosed with IC last year. When going through a stressful time at the beginning of last year, she got a UTI out of nowhere and the symptoms never went away. After seeing a urologist and eventually a specialist, she was diagnosed and immediately began trying to find relief through medication, physical therapy, and bladder instillations. Now, just...
Jun 04, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 74
Show Notes: Kassie Dewitt, OT, shares her journey of going from smoking cigarettes, drinking vodka, and eating Taco Bell and struggling with incontience when she was younger to being completely continent as she is about to have her 4th child! With summer travel coming up, Callie and Kassie dive into how to prevent flares when traveling with IC and other bladder conditions.They provide plenty of tips and hacks for traveling via car and airplane and how to minimize symptoms once you’re at your fin...
May 21, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 73
Many people with interstitial cystitis think they have a bladder problem and place a lot of the blame on the food they eat, but today Nicole Cozean debunks these common myths. As a pelvic floor therapist with almost 20 years of experience in the field, she takes an orthopedic approach to treating the pelvic floor. The most effective treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction is physical therapy, which has been proven time and time again. We also dive into the misconception that the IC diet is the wa...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 72
Women’s stress management and mindset coach, Lindsay Dorka, joins Callie this week to share her expertise on how stress affects the body, ways to deal with perfectionism, and how stress is related to interstitial cystitis. With a background in healthcare as as an occupational therapist, she found that the root of many of the issues patients were coming in with could be traced back to one thing: stress. While stress is normal to a certain extent and helps us survive, chronic stress is not and can...
Apr 23, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 71
This week, Callie talks to Laura Santurri, a board chair of the Interstitial Cystitis Association. Laura is an IC warrior of 25 years with a background in public health, and is passionate about patient education on managing chronic diseases, like interstitial cystitis. Laura discusses the importance of making decisions about our health care including taking into account your preferences and needs, the expertise of your interdisciplinary healthcare team, and the best evidenced-based data or resea...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 70
Today Callie is joined by Kiah Paetz, an eating disorder Dietitian from Australia. With personal experience with disordered eating and food fears, Kiah understands the physical and mental toll that having a negative relationship with food can have on our bodies. Now, she’s dedicated to promoting health at every size and breaking away from diet culture to build a healthy, balanced relationship with food. In this episode, Callie and Kiah discuss the struggle that many people with interstitial cyst...
Mar 26, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 69
This week, Callie sits down with Dr. Robert Moldwin, a urologist who has worked in the field for over 30 years and specializes in interstitial cystitis and pelvic pain. Dr. Moldwin has witnessed an increase in awareness of interstitial cystitis over that time as more and more people have become aware of it and discusses what can be done to treat it. Dr. Moldwin believes that every person is so different and there isn’t just one solution for people who are experiencing pelvic pain. His treatment ...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 68
On this week’s episode, Callie talks to pelvic floor therapist Dr. Zarina Vitebsky. Zarina shares her knowledge and expertise on everything from TMJ, to what to expect when you see a pelvic floor therapist, to how you can handle the changes that come from menopause. Zarina’s educational background and studies have helped her develop pelvic floor therapy practices that get to the root of the issues by evaluating the entire body, instead of just one area. She has successfully helped patients find ...
Feb 27, 2024•55 min•Season 3Ep. 67
