Share
![cover art for 3 Updates!](https://res.cloudinary.com/pippa/image/fetch/h_750,w_750,f_auto/https://assets.pippa.io/shows/5b6ba27ab39d904e57d877bb/1585349011828-33b072d96523c97b3d11896925f08b7b.jpeg)
Invisible Not Broken - Chronic Illness Podcast Network
3 Updates!
Hey everyone – Spoonies, Wellness Seekers, practitioners – all ya'll – Eva here.
It’s a beautiful blue day up here in Rochester NY.
I’ve been inside for 5 days straight and miraculously I'm not going crazy just yet.
Ok…so 3 quick things:
#1. For the next few weeks, Monica and I plan to publish episodes that focus on the “How to’s” when it comes to COVID19.
Why? Well, it’s kind of tough to ignore right now for anyone let alone people like us with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Monica and I – like you and the rest of the world – are going through this together, and just like So many organizations around the world doing their part to support their communities, the least we can do is help ours by giving some tips and tricks to make the best of not-ideal situation.
Some current topics on the docket for upcoming episodes:
· How to navigate care during COVID19
· How to Survive Relationships during COVID19
· How to Support your mental health during COVID19
· How to use telemedicine during COVID19
FUN TOPICS? Not so much. But knowing Monica and me, we’ll be sure to get a few giggles in there too.
Now we want to hear from you: what else would you like to learn? What would help you through these uncertain times? Do you have a guest or resource in mind? Always love suggestions. If you have any, send an email to: chronicillnesspodcast@gmail.com
#2. Invisible not broken is expanding! We’re not only a podcast but soon to be a podcast network. Basically that means a bunch of other different but equally or even MORE awesome podcast shows related to chronic illnesses will be joining our invisible not broken family. If you haven’t noticed, Monica and I have already split ours into two different names as well. monica’s is the Explicitly Sick podcast and mine is the Wellacopia podcast (although between you and me, im probably changing that name soon). All this to say, stay tuned for updates but most importantly right now, this expansion is going to require some lovin from you guys.
The best way to show us your love is by becoming a Patron! For just $5 or even $1 you can make a big difference in helping us get off the ground. We’ve always been entirely self-funded, so if you appreciate the content that Monica and I have been producing – whether youre brand new or a long time fan – we’d greatly appreciate your generous gift of the equivalent of 1 starbucks coffee a month.
As another gift in return, we’re giving our patrons access to private live group chats and Q/A’s plus some “Snarky Saturday” poster art made by the talented miss Monica.
Lastly #3 Going back to the topic of Telemedicine, Wellacopia is upping the ante on telehealth care right now in support of the coronavirus pandemic and the whole “stay safe stay home” agenda.
If you are looking for mental health therapists, functional medicine doctors, immune-specialist nutritionists, physical therapy, – we have these practitioners and more all over the country available for care via video chat. If you want to get matched, visit Wellacopia.com or text me directly and ill match you myself.
Text “I seek care” to the number 646 883-3022, again that’s 646 883-3022.
We can also just chat. Always love connecting with my fellow wellness seekers and Spoonies.
Ok that’s it for now.
As always be kind. Be gentle. Be badass everyone!
More episodes
View all episodes
Using Self-Portraits to Represent Chronic Pain
01:00:29|Monica Michelle is joined by artist Kyrianna Bolles.Kyrianna lives with chronic pain.In this episode, Monica and Kyrianna discuss: Kyrianna’s struggle to be accommodated for her pain throughout school yearsHow Kyrianna uses her portraits to help represent other’s chronic conditionsThe communities Kyrianna has built, from a college support group to an artist collectiveKyrianna’s favorite tools for art and chronic painTIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro to Kyrianna 10:45 Kyrianna’s self portraits 24:42 Kyrianna’s Support group 33:40 Animus45:57 Kyriannas favorite support tools The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comDory’s Corner: New Podcast intro with Host Nick Clemmons
01:00:25|Monica Michelle is interviewed by consultant and content creator Nick Clemmons. Nick recently started the blog Dory’s Corner with Invisible Not Broken. A companion podcast hosted by Nick will be released soon.Nick lives with Sickle Cell Disease. Monica lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, MCAS, and Fibromyalgia.In this episode, Nick and Monica discuss:Monica’s diagnostic history and her relationship with her disabilitiesHow Monica learned to advocate for herselfLack of media representation influencing abled people’s perspectives of disabled folksHow Monica’s family functions around disabilityTIMESTAMPS00:42 - Monica’s history and relationship with her disabilities13:06 - How Monica found her voice *Trigger Warning: Mention of SA* 31:40 - Media representation45:09 - Monica’s familyThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comDisability Access in the Education System and How to Support Disabled Folks’ Needs with Nick Clemmons
54:05|Monica Michelle is joined by consultant and podcast host Nick Clemmons.Nick lives with Sickle Cell Disease.In this episode, Monica and Nick discuss:The ways disabled folks are often forgotten in education infrastructureHow Nick navigates societal limitations to achieve his goalsDisability representation in the mediaKnowing how to realistically offer help to disabled folksTIMESTAMPS00:42 - ADA, Title IX, and disability access in schools20:08 - How Nick makes and achieves opportunities 28:40 - Media and disability40:42 - How to respectfully be concerned about someone else’s needsThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comVulnerability, Resiliency, and Advocacy with Tim Reitsma
47:06|Monica Michelle is joined by consultant and podcast host Tim Reitma.Tim lives with Crohn's Disease.In this episode, Monica and Tim discuss: Tim’s resiliency through managing his Crohn’sThe importance of self-advocacy, especially in the workplace Tim’s podcast why he shares stories of those with invisible illness TIMESTAMPS00:47 - Tim's diagnosis 06:31 - How and why Tim applies self advocacy15:41 - Why Tim started his podcast22:42 - Invisible condition etiquette31:00 - What HR can do better for employees with invisible illness39:31 - Tools Tim uses to care for his Crohn’s outside the homeThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comTech and Disability: What VR Offers the Disabled Community with Sunny Ammerman
01:10:27|Monica Michelle is joined by artist and disability advocate Sunny AmmermanSunny lives with Septo-optic dysplasia, panhypopituitarism, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, and is missing a membrane in the brain called the "septum pellucidum".In this episode, Monica and Sunny discuss: Sunny’s complex disorders and how she copes with themEverything VR provides from accessible gaming, social platforms and the potential for better online education.Various VR/AR games and their gameplay Sunny’s VR support groupTIMESTAMPS00:45 - What VR/AR offers for chronically ill and disabled folks11:57 - Sunny’s conditions and how she copes with them17:55 - Features that make VR games accessible or inaccessible as well as different games and their play experiences37:13 - The social aspects of virtual gaming51:32 - What opportunities VR has for the future1:04:49 - Sunny’s VR support group The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comReporting on Chronic Illness and Disability with Journalist Julia Metraux
39:16|Monica Michelle is joined by Journalist Julia Metraux.Julia lives with vasculitis, mild to moderate hearing loss, and has experienced long COVID.In this episode, Monica and Julia discuss: Julia's diagnosis with vasculitis and how it influences her journalistic lensHow community impacts the mental health of those with chronic illnessHow Julia and Monica find positives and negatives in the internet spaces for chronically ill and disabled folksThe politics of how government, businesses, and celebrities influence the chronic illness community TIMESTAMPS00:32 - Julia's diagnostic journey07:02 - Julia’s work reporting on the online community of chronic illness 16:32 - The effect of Internet communities on chronically ill and disabled folks26:46 - How Julia’s illness impacts her work, both in what she writes about and how she manages her lifestyleThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comAuthor of “Pain: The Ultimate Mentor,” Physiotherapist Kevin Hunt
31:29|Monica Michelle is joined by author & physiotherapist Kevin Hunt.Kevin lives with chronic pain.In this episode, Monica and Kevin discuss: Kevin’s philosophy of pain management as a physiotherapist who experiences chronic pain. The Hexagon Model, a life-management tool for focusing on what’s important to you.Kevin’s idea behind his new book.Using pain as a guide.TIMESTAMPS00:34 - Kevin’s work as a physiotherapist specializing in the experience of pain 06:44 - The Hexagon Model for managing your life’s needs14:00 - Putting aside the idea of a “quick fix”19:45 - Kevin’s personal experience with pain and how he uses it with patients28:44 - Kevin’s book, “Pain: The Ultimate Mentor”The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comAuthor of “Through the Pain: The Silent Suffering & Triumph of a Personal Trainer”: John K. Frazier
28:35|Monica Michelle is joined by author & personal trainer John K. Frazier.John lives with ankylosing spondylitis.In this episode, Monica and John discuss: John’s work as a physical trainer and authorChronic pain comparisonsPersonal triumphTIMESTAMPS00:50 - John’s business & diagnosis07:19 - Chronic pain olympics09:31 - Talking about & hiding a diagnosis15:09 - Personal triumph18:24 - Staying in the present23:29 - The superman complexThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comThe Creative Process, Self Worth, and Dating with Disability: Laura Mustard
31:08|Monica Michelle is joined by musician Laura Mustard.Laura lives with VATER syndrome.In this episode, Monica and Laura discuss: Laura’s inspiration for her upcoming musical EP.How Laura’s illness impacted her recent relationship & self-image.Laura’s creative process, new music, and social media pressure.TIMESTAMPS00:30 - Laura’s new EP / Monica’s recent COVID experience05:32 - Relationships with chronic illness11:20 - Image and self acceptance with disability15:32 - Laura’s creative process and current projects20:05 - Pursuing creativity despite social media attentionThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com