The tiny creatures lurking in your backyard could change your life forever. Shira Haid knows this reality all too well, having battled severe tick-borne illnesses that left her unable to walk or speak. Today, she's turning that painful experience into purpose through her educational platform, Lemon or Lime. What began as a website has blossomed into a YouTube channel and growing social media presence dedicated to demystifying tick-borne diseases like Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella. Shira's missio...
Jun 16, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 44
Chronic illness steals more than your health—it can rob you of your identity and everything you once loved. For Shira Haid, a classically trained musician and clinical massage therapist, the onset of multiple tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, marked the beginning of a devastating transformation. What began as extreme fatigue in 2014 quickly spiraled into debilitating pain, cognitive dysfunction, and the loss of her independence. The road to diagnosis proved maddening. Despite having ...
Jun 09, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 43
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be both the healer and the one in need of healing? Meet Mallory Carlson, an acupuncturist of nearly 12 years who has simultaneously navigated her own 16-year journey with debilitating migraines and women's health issues. Mallory takes us deep into the raw reality of chronic pain, sharing how she's learned to read her body's signals and transform what once required days of recovery into hours. Her story illuminates the profound mental health challenges tha...
Jun 02, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 42
What happens when doctors dismiss your symptoms for years, even as you're coughing up blood? For Amy, this medical gaslighting journey finally ended with a diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension in March 2023, followed by immediate hospitalization and life-altering treatments. Amy's story isn't just about receiving difficult diagnoses – including a rare heart defect, genetic mutation, and eventually breast cancer. It's about her revolutionary decision to reject the limitations others tried...
May 26, 2025•42 min•Season 4Ep. 41
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media, seeing others with your same diagnosis seemingly thriving while you struggle to get out of bed? That gnawing feeling of "why them and not me?" isn't something we talk about enough in the chronic illness community. The Spoonie Sisters dive deep into the complicated emotions of competition and comparison that silently impact many people with chronic conditions. Hosts Jen Weaver, Andi Byers, Linnea Knisley, and Angelic Ingram share their ...
May 19, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 40
Steve Lovelace's journey with arachnoiditis demonstrates the remarkable strength of the human spirit when faced with seemingly insurmountable pain. When his neurologist delivered the devastating diagnosis in 2014 with a solemn "I'm sorry," Steve realized his life would never be the same. This rare disease, ranking at the top of the pain scale, forced him to abandon his career as a traveling salesman and reimagine his entire existence. The roots of Steve's condition trace back to 1982, when a hor...
May 12, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 39
Andrea's inspiring journey from interior design to public health is a testament to the power of personal experience in shaping professional paths. Prompted by her son's asthma diagnosis and the challenges they faced navigating the healthcare system, Andrea became a Certified Health Education Specialist and Asthma Educator. Through her story, we uncover the emotional resilience required to manage a child's chronic illness and the unwavering trust in parental instincts that guided her towards advo...
May 05, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 38
How do you pursue your dreams when your body seems to have other plans? For slow travel nomad and empowerment coach Caitlin, the answer lies in adaptation rather than abandonment. With a background in environmental engineering and a life shaped by fibromyalgia and complex mental health challenges, she's crafted a unique approach to entrepreneurship that prioritizes well-being alongside achievement. "I got very, very sick because I was trying to keep up with everybody else," Caitlin reflects, des...
Apr 28, 2025•40 min•Season 4Ep. 37
What happens when you combine the expertise of a trailblazing dentist with an unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy? Dr. Amee shares her powerful story of living with epilepsy since age eight and how it catalyzed her mission to challenge societal stigma and embrace vulnerability. Her journey from patient to advocate is a beacon of hope for those newly diagnosed, offering insights into balancing a thriving career and personal life while managing an invisible illness. Join us as we uncov...
Apr 21, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 36
Join us for a deeply moving conversation with Ashley Spalla, as she recounts her extraordinary journey living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and hip dysplasia. From a seemingly benign basketball injury in college, Ashley quickly found herself facing a challenging medical path that culminated in 49 surgeries over a decade. Her story, filled with determination, resilience, and hope, offers valuable insights not just into the challenges of navigating chronic illness, but also the importance of advocac...
Apr 14, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 35
Struggling with the challenges of invisible disabilities? Join us as Maggie Cavanaugh, a National Certified Counselor living with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), reveals her transformative journey from an advertising career to becoming a counselor. Diagnosed at just 14, Maggie navigates the complexities of mental health and chronic illness with empathy, sharing her insights on overcoming disparities in income and workplace stigma. Her story unfolds with a heartening look at how...
Apr 07, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Chronic illness impacts every aspect of our lives, including the bedroom. In this refreshingly candid conversation, we break down the walls of shame and silence surrounding sexuality when living with chronic conditions. Ali returns from her mountain cabin retreat to share how her diagnosis completely changed her relationship with intimacy—once a proudly sexual person who even won a Thunder Down Under fake orgasm contest (with her mother cheering her on!), years of severe symptoms and medication ...
Apr 05, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 33
Ever wondered how fitness can be more inclusive and empowering for everyone? Join us as we dive into a transformative conversation with Keira, the innovative founder of Chaotic Good Fitness, who has redefined personal training for neurodivergent and queer individuals. Keira's journey, marked by personal battles with ADHD and depression, has fueled their empathetic and personalized approach to fitness. Discover how Kira crafts unique fitness plans for those with chronic conditions like RA, fibrom...
Apr 01, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 32
What happens when ordinary deja vu becomes something far more complex? In honor of Epilepsy Awareness Day, join us as we uncover Emma's extraordinary journey with epilepsy, a condition she was unexpectedly diagnosed with at the age of 23. Her story is a testament to resilience as she navigates through the labyrinth of symptoms and misdiagnoses, revealing the often-overlooked intricacies of living with epilepsy. Emma's candid recount of a pivotal episode in Sri Lanka and her subsequent advocacy w...
Mar 24, 2025•52 min•Season 4Ep. 31
Uncover the power of advocacy and community in rheumatology as we welcome our empowering guests, Jennifer Weaver and Cheryl Crow. Jennifer, a dedicated patient leader, and Cheryl, an occupational therapist and founder of Arthritis Life, open up about their journeys as Rheum Champions at the ACR Convergence 2024. With a promise of insight and inspiration, we navigate the intricacies of large conferences, including the importance of patient voices at the table and the small yet significant moments...
Mar 17, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Have you ever felt unheard or dismissed in a doctor's office? Join us as we navigate through the deeply personal health journeys of Isabel and Emily, part of the founding team of Guava Health, who share their compelling stories of battling complex medical challenges and the frustrating experience of not being believed by healthcare professionals. These stories aren't just about struggle—they're the catalyst for innovation at Guava Health, a personal health app designed to change the way we manag...
Mar 10, 2025•42 min•Season 4Ep. 29
Join us for a heartfelt and enlightening conversation tackling one of women's health's often-overlooked issues: endometriosis. Through the eyes of three women who bravely share their personal narratives, we uncover the complexities around the experiences of living with this painful condition. From the onset of their first menstrual cycles, fraught with discomfort and uncertainties, to the ongoing struggle to have their pain validated by medical professionals, their journeys are filled with resil...
Mar 03, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Kim, a passionate advocate and mother, shares her incredible journey of adopting two daughters, one of whom faces the challenges of an ultra-rare brain condition known as Linspad syndrome. Through personal trials and triumphs, Kim has emerged as a formidable voice in the advocacy space, particularly with her work at the Child Neurology Foundation. Explore how Kim has become a beacon of hope, leveraging her unique experiences to connect families with crucial resources and create a supportive comm...
Feb 28, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 27
What happens when a determined spirit meets a daunting diagnosis? Join us as we hear from Jewel Dukes, who courageously shares her battle with Cushing's disease. Discover the emotional rollercoaster she faced, from the challenges of weight gain, depression, and anxiety to the life-changing brain surgery to remove a tumor from her pituitary gland. Jewel's story is not just about enduring a rare disease; it's about the powerful connection and hope she found within a community that supports and upl...
Feb 23, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Discover how former Harlem Globetrotters athletic trainer turned business coach, Michael Dickey, unravels his personal journey with ADHD—a revelation sparked by his son's experiences. Despite initial pushbacks from healthcare professionals, Michael sought a diagnosis that ultimately shed light on the struggles he faced throughout his career and life. His story is both enlightening and empowering as we uncover how recognizing and embracing ADHD can transform not just personal lives but also entre...
Feb 17, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 25
From the heart-wrenching journey of a mother's advocacy to the personal battles with chronic illness, Stacey Haynes's story promises to move and inspire you. We sat down with Stacey, a leading voice in the chronic illness community, to explore her transformative path—from her daughter Iris’s diagnosis of Crohn's disease at a young age to Stacey's own diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Stacey opens up about how these experiences led her to work with Rare Patient Voice, an organization that connects pat...
Feb 10, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Crafting the perfect elevator pitch isn't just for business moguls—it's a vital tool for anyone navigating life with a chronic illness. Imagine being able to communicate the essence of your health journey in just a few sentences. That's exactly what our latest episode explores, featuring remarkable insights from Jen, Ali, Andi, Linnea, and Megan. Ali inspires us with her journey as a personal trainer who did not let juvenile rheumatoid arthritis slow her down. Andi, who is both blind and deaf on...
Feb 07, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 23
*TRIGGER WARNING* violence, sexual abuse, and suicide Serena's journey is one of extraordinary resilience and transformation. As our guest, she opens up about surviving a traumatic childhood filled with unimaginable challenges, including abuse and life in witness protection. Her unwavering determination to reconnect with her mother amidst adversity is a powerful testament to the strength of familial bonds. Facing the trials of homelessness and addiction, Serena's story sheds light on the critica...
Feb 03, 2025•56 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Ever wondered how innovative tools like trainer chopsticks can transform your daily life with a chronic illness? Join us, your hosts Jen, Ali and Andi, as we share our personal experiences navigating these challenges and discuss the inspiring lifestyle of Okinawa, Japan. Discover the secrets behind their remarkable longevity, from embracing community to pursuing passions that spark joy in everyday life. We reflect on how finding fulfillment in work and fostering a supportive circle can significa...
Jan 31, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Imagine facing a medical system that dismisses your symptoms and undermines your experiences. Our guest and dedicated advocate for patient empowerment, Anneke, reveals how she tackled this daunting challenge. Her remarkable journey from misdiagnoses such as chronic fatigue syndrome to finally understanding her rare chronic conditions, including adrenal insufficiency, lupus, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, exemplifies resilience. Anneke’s story is not just about surviving but thriving, and it serves ...
Jan 27, 2025•48 min•Season 4Ep. 20
What gives you the ICK? Ever been trapped in an empty lobby, only to have someone sit right next to you? You're not alone! Join us as we laugh through the relatable quirks of public spaces that drive us all up the wall, from the orchestra of loud eaters to those who park just a smidge too close for comfort. We'll share some of our tried-and-true strategies for staying sane in these situations and laugh about how our childhood food aversions have hilariously done a 180 into our adult favorites. O...
Jan 24, 2025•37 min
Transform your approach to anxiety and personal growth with insights from Andi Byers, a decorated Air Force veteran turned holistic wellness practitioner. Andi & Jen dive in on the My Spoonie Sisters Podcast to share their incredible journeys, the hurdles faced in being recognized for achievements, and the vital role setting boundaries plays in managing anxiety. Andi's ventures, like Chronic and Iconic Coaching, are reshaping the chronic illness and wellness community, offering hope and stra...
Jan 19, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 19
*Trigger Warning* What if your lifelong pain was dismissed as mere imagination? Join us as we explore Riane's powerful narrative of self-advocacy and perseverance in the face of medical doubt. As a Hawaii native, Riane offers an intimate look into her life with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and chronic migraines, shedding light on how these experiences, along with her grandmother's wisdom, have shaped her path in health and advocacy. Her story is a testament to the resilience needed to overcome ...
Jan 13, 2025•57 min•Season 4Ep. 18
What happens when your life takes an unexpected turn, and you're faced with navigating the complexities of a chronic illness far from home? Meet Helen, a determined life coach whose journey through an ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis after battling COVID in her late 20s reshaped her world. Tune in as Helen shares her personal story of overcoming the intense physical challenges and emotional upheaval of losing her active lifestyle, all while finding solace in her family's support. Her inspiring n...
Jan 06, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 17
After years of enduring chronic pain, Rick Cram transformed his life by embracing resilience. His story of overcoming a high school football injury and multiple surgeries will inspire you to rethink how you approach life's challenges. We promise you'll gain valuable insights from his “Plan to Be Your Best” program, designed to build resilience and find purpose despite setbacks. Rick’s journey offers a deep dive into the complexities of chronic pain and the mental fortitude needed to navigate it....
Dec 30, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 16
