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Chemical engineer and MoldCo founder Ariana Thacker discusses mold-related illness, including chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), as a major blind spot in conventional care for chronic, multi-system symptoms. Thacker recounts developing rapid-onset brain fog, slurred speech, GI issues, hair loss, weight gain, and shortness of breath after six and a half months in a moldy Miami apartment, seeing over a dozen specialists who attributed symptoms to stress or anxiety. They discuss exposures beyond allergy (mycotoxins, VOCs, microbial fragments), genetic susceptibility (HLA haplotypes), and prevalence estimates tied to water-damaged homes. The episode covers home detection (sensory/visual checks, humidity, dust PCR/ERMI testing, certified inspectors) and diagnostics/treatment via Shoemaker-related biomarkers and protocols, including low-starch diet guidance and VIP peptide therapy, plus MoldCo's testing and virtual care services.
Hey Heal Squad! Today is one of those conversations that will stay with you long after it's over. Actress, director, New York Times bestselling author of Jennifer's Way, writer-director-star of the award-winning film Fresh Kills, and the true CEO of her own health, Jennifer Esposito joins Maria to share how she took control of her well-being after decades of debilitating symptoms, panic attacks, and medical gaslighting…which all resulted into one of the most severe cases of celiac disease any doctor has ever seen! Jennifer also gets into the brutal post-diagnosis detox nobody warned her about, how IV vitamin therapy became the game changer that finally turned things around, why the AIP diet is the reset she recommends to everyone dealing with autoimmune issues, and how healing her gut eliminated her severe panic disorders. If you've ever been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told your symptoms are all in your head, this conversation is going to make you feel seen, furious, and fired up to start asking better questions. Because the biggest breakthrough of Jennifer's life didn't come from a doctor. It came from refusing to stop until someone finally listened. HEALERS & HEAL LINERS Your body is always communicating, don't ignore it. Jennifer had symptoms from childhood that every doctor dismissed as anxiety, hormones, or hypochondria. The root cause was celiac disease so severe her liver was failing and her nervous system was in collapse. Her healing began the moment she stopped accepting "it's all in your head" and started treating her physical symptoms as real, because they were. Healing your gut can change everything, including your mental health. Jennifer went from four Klonopin a day and a full-blown panic disorder to living in Paris with zero anxiety and a calm nervous system. The difference was identifying and eliminating what was destroying her gut, rebuilding her nutrient levels through IV therapy, and giving her body what it had been starving for. The sign you need to keep going might not look like what you expect. When Jennifer gave herself an ultimatum …get a diagnosis or accept that she was crazy… a log crashed through her windshield and she took it as a message from the universe to keep fighting. Whatever that sign looks like in your life, this is a reminder that giving up one day too early is always the biggest risk. Join us at our Canyon Ranch 2026 Retreat: https://www.canyonranch.com/lenox/retreats/heal-retreat-maria-menounos HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website:https://www.healsquad.com/ Heal Squad x Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HealSquad/membership Maria Menounos Website: https://www.mariamenounos.com My Curated Macy's Page: https://stylecrew.macys.com/@mariamenounos EMR-Tek Red Light: https://emr-tek.com/discount/Maria30 for 30% off Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/host GUEST RESOURCES: Follow & DM Jennifer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesposito/ Watch Fresh Kills On Amazon & Hulu: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F1R6WV33?ref_=atv_dp_share_cu_r https://www.hulu.com/movie/fresh-kills-6dc67f61-efc6-4cf2-8000-06144ef58e9f Check out Jennifer's Way: My Journey with Celiac Disease--What Doctors Don t Tell You and How You Can Learn to Live Again: https://a.co/d/01EQTdB1 Check out Jennifer's Way Kitchen: Easy Allergen-Free, Anti-Inflammatory Recipes for a Delicious Life: https://a.co/d/00PHXToq More About The AIP Diet: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/aip-diet-autoimmune-protocol-diet ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos' passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company's Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.
What happens when you stop outsourcing your health and start learning how to think for yourself? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Stephanie Rimka challenges the way we've been taught to approach health, healing, and even our own bodies. We dive into medical gaslighting, health sovereignty, nervous system regulation, autism spectrum, biohacking, and why the right intervention at the wrong time can sometimes do more harm than good. We also explore the deeper biology of safety, femininity, intimacy, relationships, and what it takes to reconnect with yourself after years of overriding your own signals. Dr. Rimka offers a radically different perspective on health: one that asks us to stop blindly following protocols, understand our own physiology, and learn how to think rather than simply being told what to do. If you've ever felt dismissed by the medical system, disconnected from your body, stuck in survival mode, or overwhelmed by conflicting health advice, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what it really means to take your health back.Dr. Stephanie Rimka is a clinician, educator, and speaker specializing in mitochondrial function, nervous system regulation, and the biological foundations of brain health, mental health, and human performance. With nearly three decades of clinical experience working with conditions such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and complex neurodevelopmental challenges, her work focuses on helping practitioners and audiences understand why conventional protocols often fail and how to think in systems rather than isolated interventions.She is a founding faculty member of Peptide University, where she teaches clinicians worldwide how to apply advanced therapies through the lens of mitochondrial physiology, signaling, and clinical sequencing. Her approach integrates bioenergetics, trauma physiology, and metabolic health to create a more precise and effective model for restoring energy, cognitive function, and emotional resilience.Dr. Rimka is also the author of Receive: The Dance of Feminine Power, and the creator of multiple educational programs exploring the intersection of biology, identity, and human potential. Her work challenges reductionist approaches to health and emphasizes the importance of sequence, structure, and system-wide coherence, particularly in the treatment of chronic mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.SHOW NOTES:0:38 Welcome to the show!2:33 About Dr. Stephanie Rimka3:21 Welcome to the podcast!4:01 How she defines health5:28 How we lose our sovereignty10:26 Medical gaslighting12:45 Renee's story16:20 Learning how to think18:35 Nervous system & decision-making20:53 The problem with biohacking25:30 Burning man28:13 Parenting children with autism spectrum disorder33:14 Restoring intimacy & sex37:56 Balancing masculine & feminine in relationships39:58 Strategies to decrease dissociation & increase creativity46:45 Bioenergetics & nature somatics51:49 Permission to be lazy56:47 Brain wave support1:00:49 When to use biohacking tech1:06:30 Creating a healthier home1:11:15 Beauty is safety1:13:05 Botox issues1:20:20 How she learned to think1:22:43 How to find her1:31:30 Thanks for tuning in!RESOURCES:Website: www.drrimka.comIG: @dr_rimkaLinkedIn: @drstephanierimkaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/biohacker-babes-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Gina (47) war immer in Bewegung: Skitouren, Berge, Dufourspitze. Dann kamen Schmerzen, Erschöpfung und Chronic Fatigue. Im Podcast erzählt sie, wie sie im medizinischen System nicht ernst genommen wurde, und wie sie lernte, sich selbst wieder zu glauben.
The Nurses Report on America Out Loud with Kimberly Overton, BSN, RN, BC-FMP – Former emergency room nurse Melinda Schwartzentruber recounts her struggle with medical gaslighting, worsening chronic illness, and unanswered symptoms. After conventional care fails to identify the cause, she pursues alternative treatment, receives a Lyme disease diagnosis, regains her health, and champions compassionate patient advocacy...
The Nurses Report on America Out Loud with Kimberly Overton, BSN, RN, BC-FMP – Former emergency room nurse Melinda Schwartzentruber recounts her struggle with medical gaslighting, worsening chronic illness, and unanswered symptoms. After conventional care fails to identify the cause, she pursues alternative treatment, receives a Lyme disease diagnosis, regains her health, and champions compassionate patient advocacy...
Welcome to Season 5—and welcome to Giving Pain Purpose!!In this deeply personal episode, Lyndsay Soprano shares the story of the podcast's evolution, why The Pain Game Podcast became Giving Pain Purpose, and the mission that now drives every conversation.After nearly a decade of living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and navigating the realities of chronic pain, trauma, medical gaslighting, and emotional exhaustion, Lyndsay opens up about what she's learned through her own healing journey. She reflects on the moments that nearly broke her, the people who helped her keep going, and why purpose—not pain—is the story she wants to tell moving forward.This episode is an invitation to anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or dismissed by the healthcare system, by loved ones, or even by themselves. It's a reminder that your diagnosis does not define you, your story deserves to be heard, and you don't have to carry your pain alone.Whether you're living with chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or searching for hope after trauma, welcome. You're exactly where you're meant to be.Episode Highlights:(00:00) Introduction to Giving Pain Purpose and Lyndsay's Mission(00:29) The Heart of the Show: Chronic Pain and Healing(01:15) Lyndsay's Diagnosis: CRPS and Its Impact(03:06) Understanding CRPS and Its Pain Scale(04:33) Medical Gaslighting and Challenges in Healthcare(06:01) Living on the Edge: The Emotional Cycle of Pain(07:01) Empowerment and Community Support(08:28) New Initiatives: Merch and The Pain Hub Community(09:24) Invitation to Join the Pain Hub and Final ThoughtsFind Giving Pain Purpose Online Here:Website: givingpainpurpose.comInstagram: @givingpainpurposeFacebook: The Giving Pain Purpose PodcastLinkedIn: Lyndsay SopranoYouTube: @givingpainpurposeShop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.comSubscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now!Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing. This is where pain meets purpose — and you're not doing it alone.++Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here: Be a Guest on The Show
Is a patient's concern being overlooked, or is it simply a case of diagnostic uncertainty? In this episode of Within Normal Limits, Dr. Eric Zacharias is joined by Dr. Susan Sgambati, Senior Risk Manager at Copic, to explore the growing concern of medical gaslighting and its impact on patient safety, trust, and outcomes. The conversation examines how clinicians can unintentionally dismiss or minimize a patient's symptoms through cognitive biases, diagnostic shortcuts, communication missteps, and systemic pressures. Dr. Sgambati explains why medical gaslighting is often not intentional, identifies patient populations most vulnerable to experiencing it, and shares practical strategies for recognizing and addressing these behaviors in clinical practice. Feedback or episode ideas email the show at wnlpodcast@copic.comDisclaimer: Information provided in this podcast should not be relied upon for personal, medical, legal, or financial decisions and you should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice that pertains to your situation. Health care providers should exercise their professional judgment in connection with the provision of healthcare services. The information contained in this podcast is not intended to be, nor is it, a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, advice, or judgment relative to a patient's specific condition.
The Brain–Body Connection, Gut Health, Stress, and Medical Gaslighting: board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Susan Trachman, author of “It's Not Just In Your Head,” about psychosomatic medicine and the two-way brain–body connection. Trachman explains how patients with complex symptoms are often dismissed as having “medically unexplained symptoms” and discusses medical gaslighting, especially affecting women and people of color, with examples of missed diagnoses. She describes how inflammation, the gut microbiome, leaky gut, diet, probiotics, fermented foods, and even fecal transplants can influence mood and health, and reviews vagus nerve stimulation research. The conversation covers stress effects, including Takotsubo “broken heart” cardiomyopathy, CBT for anxiety, IBS, and pain, the role of sleep and the brain's glymphatic system, pandemic-related mental health and long COVID symptoms, concerns about GLP-1 drugs causing emotional flatness, and careful SSRI tapering to avoid withdrawal.
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Efrat Lemandre, a nurse practitioner and medical disruptor, to explore the challenges and myths surrounding the medical system. Together, we discuss why medical gaslighting persists, the impact of professional indoctrination, and how even well-intentioned doctors may not always have all the answers. Dr. Lamandre shares her personal journey from conventional medicine to functional and integrative practices, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and humility in healthcare.We debate the roles and responsibilities of both patients and practitioners, tackling big questions like when to trust medical advice and how to advocate for your health. Our conversation touches on the limits of the current system, the need for patients to assemble their own healthcare teams, and the importance of education and self-advocacy more than ever. If you enjoyed our spirited exchange on medical gaslighting and how to play a proactive role in your health journey, please share this episode with friends and colleagues, especially anyone ready to challenge the status quo or advocate for change in healthcare. Your voice and curiosity matter! Dr. Navaz HabibEmail: podcast@healthupgraded.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabibJP ErricoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevnsguy/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-errico-097629aaDr. Efrat LemandreWebsite: https://www.drefratlamandre.com/
"Ihre Werte sind alle in Ordnung." – Und du fährst nach Hause und zweifelst an dir selbst. Wenn du das kennst, ist diese Folge für dich.Ich spreche über Medical Gaslighting: was es ist, warum es passiert und – am wichtigsten – wie du wieder aus der Ohnmacht herauskommst. Ich erkläre die strukturellen Gründe dahinter, von Zeitdruck in Arztpraxen über Normenbereiche bis zum Gender Gap in der medizinischen Forschung. Und ich gebe dir konkrete Tipps, wie du dich auf Arztgespräche vorbereitest, für dich einstehst und deine Werte selbst besser einordnen kannst.———————————————————Im Podcast erwähnt:Ursachen-Check inkl. Laborwerte-Guidekostenloser Health Check-inMinikurs: Decode Your LabsHealth Code Coaching———————————————————Du möchtest keine Folge verpassen und zusätzliche Tipps direkt in dein Email Postfach bekommen? Dann melde Dich für meinen Newsletter an und erhalte meine 5 Tipps für ein gesünderes Leben in einem kleinem eBook.Newsletter & FreebieDeine Gedanken zu meinem Podcastfolge kannst Du mir diese gerne auf Instagram @ernaehrungscoach.hannah mitteilen.
Kim Rogers is a former medical insider turned medical rebel—known to millions online as the "Worm Queen." After two decades in Western medicine, Kim nearly died from chronic illness that the system couldn't explain: stage 4 endometriosis, Lyme disease, parasites, mold toxicity, and contaminated water exposure. With nowhere left to turn, she became her own patient advocate and eventually found the answers that saved her life. Today, Kim is the founder of RogersHood Apothecary, creator of the viral ParaFy Parasite Cleanse Kit, and host of the What's Eating U?! podcast. She has built a community of more than one million followers by sharing information about toxins, healing, and what she describes as the epidemic of medical gaslighting. Timestamps may vary by 2-4 minutes based on your podcast platform. 02:42 Introduction to Kim Rogers and Her Journey 05:49 The Importance of Self-Advocacy in Health 08:49 Identifying Symptoms of Parasites and Mold 11:34 Cleansing Protocols and Maintenance Strategies 14:37 The Role of Social Media in Health Awareness 17:50 Crowdsourcing Health Solutions and Product Development 30:20 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 32:51 Uncovering Health Mysteries 35:16 Navigating Chronic Illness and Business 40:25 The Importance of Self-Advocacy 42:44 The Drive for Medical Reform 50:43 Building a Transparent Business 55:11 Lessons Learned from the Past Code: briank10 - 10% all products (Website) RogersHood | Heal Naturally with Kim Rogers, The Worm Queen (Instagram) www.instagram.com/mrsrogers.hood/ (Youtube) www.youtube.com/@mrsrogershood
Have you ever gone to the doctor with some symptoms and had them not find anything wrong with you? We've all run into medical staff who don't know we were autistic or what that even meant, never suspected EDS, POTS, ME, endometriosis or autoimmune conditions. They either dismissed us right off or ran a battery of tests on us. But in the end, the conclusion was the same: There doesn't seem to be anything medically wrong with you. For this episode I am joined by Simo_tier (pronouns: it/they), so we can rant about some of these frustrating stories that literally take years off our lives. Simo_tier is a multi-media artist and activist, influenced by its lived reality as a disabled, Indigenous, agender, white, gay, AuDHD femme. It is deeply passionate about lifting up and supporting QTBIPoC voices and projects, as well as breaking down barriers to create a community based on Disability Justice and reformative change. If you want to read about Simo_tier's activism (in German), check out its website https://vamky.de/ where you can also find a podcast (also in German) about disabilities and exclusion by society and inside the community. If you want to keep up to date with events it organizes, check out Instagram @simo_tier You can support Aut2Aut on Betterplace and Gofundme, or buy our #ActuallyAutistic designs in our print-on-demand shop. This will help prepped.to go on providing a platform for autistic folks to share locations' sensory info and service instructions. Mentioned in this episode:Aut2Aut, the nonprofit I founded, providing free platforms and content by and for autistic peopleprepped.to is the website I created where autistic folks can upload and consult sensory info and service instructions about places, so folks can prep and script before going thereHow to support prepped.toTheme music composed and produced by Lir Lutau Shahar (pronouns: he/fae/sea): YouTube, Soundcloud. For collaborations: lutaoshzh@]gmail.com Follow Dr. Gal Schkolnik on LinkedIn, Mastodon or Tumblr
Welcome to the second edition of This Week on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network.Each week, we'll guide you through what's new across the network, highlight upcoming episodes, and help you discover new autistic-led podcasts and creators.This week we're celebrating an incredible first week of the network, reflecting on our launch party, and looking ahead to a packed schedule of new episodes covering theatre, education, addiction, football, healthcare, fishkeeping, neurodivergent life, and more.
Is the skepticism around breast implant illness driven by science or the cosmetic surgery industry? What protocols (for keeping & removing) are working for patients? Robert Whitfield, MD is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a board-certified breast explant specialist who has performed over 2,000 explant procedures, published 15 peer reviewed publications & testified at the 2019 FDA hearing. He is a leading Breast Implant Illness expert who takes a functional approach to patient recovery. In this episode, he says what your surgeon won't, you'll hear real symptoms from a listener, why removing them isn't enough & implant alternatives. If you liked this episode, you'll also like episode 290: ALLERGIES OR AEROSOLS? THE IGNORED REASON YOU'RE TIRED & SICK Guest:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-robert-whitfield-show/id1678143554https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/https://drrobscircle.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD-Jlr_K8yi5GPV938Ddn9ghttps://www.instagram.com/dr.robertwhitfield/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/DrRobertWhitfield/https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-whitfield-md-50775b10/ Sponsors: https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/ https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/ 0:00 - Introduction1:09 - BII Symptoms Explained3:14 - BII vs. Perimenopause6:20 - Why "Toxic" Lost Its Meaning7:51 - A Listener's Symptom Story8:20 - Textured Implants and Lymphoma14:16 - The Case for Your Own Tissue18:18 - The Total Tox Burden Test22:24 - Can You Heal Without Explanting?28:37 - Botox and Filler as Alternatives29:59 - Foreign Body Reaction Explained32:12 - Medical Gaslighting or Industry Pressure?33:42 - Dr. Whitfield Responds to Makary37:09 - When Medicine Dismisses Women38:14 - How to Vet an Explant Surgeon40:03 - Pre and Post-Op Protocol49:29 - What Surgeons Should Be Telling You52:10 - Still Sick After Explant?53:52 - Mammograms and Rupture Risk55:09 - Saunas and Implant Leaching58:49 - How Urgent Is BII?1:00:36 - Censored by the Algorithm1:02:18 - Why Women Must Spread This MessageRequest to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/Follow me in all the places:https://www.meredithforreal.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_curiousintrovert/ meredith@meredithforreal.comhttps://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal https://www.facebook.com/curiousintrovert
The Nurses Report on America Out Loud with Ashley Caputo, RN, FMP – Autism and the dramatic rise in chronic childhood illness, and the growing frustration among parents who feel their concerns are often minimized or ignored. Ashley and Amy discuss the importance of listening to parents, acknowledging patterns that families are observing, and creating space for open conversation without...
The Nurses Report on America Out Loud with Ashley Caputo, RN, FMP – Autism and the dramatic rise in chronic childhood illness, and the growing frustration among parents who feel their concerns are often minimized or ignored. Ashley and Amy discuss the importance of listening to parents, acknowledging patterns that families are observing, and creating space for open conversation without...
Sandy spent years misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and battling medical gaslighting. Discover how the RADIANT study and AI uncovered her true diagnosis: Maternally Inherited Diabetes and Deafness. ABLEnow save for today's needs or invest for tomorrow Eversense CGM Medtronic Diabetes Tandem Mobi ** Use code JUICEBOX to save 20% at Cozy Earth CONTOUR NextGen smart meter and CONTOUR DIABETES app Dexcom G7 Go tubeless with Omnipod 5 or Omnipod DASH * Get your supplies from US MED or call 888-721-1514 Touched By Type 1 Take the T1DExchange survey Apple Podcasts> Subscribe to the podcast today! The podcast is available on Spotify, Google Play, iHeartRadio, Radio Public, Amazon Music and all Android devices The Juicebox Podcast is a free show, but if you'd like to support the podcast directly, you can make a gift here or buy me a coffee. Thank you! *The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Omnipod 5 Controller is not waterproof. ** t:slim X2 or Tandem Mobi w/ Control-IQ+ technology (7.9 or newer). RX ONLY. Indicated for patients with type 1 diabetes, 2 years and older. BOXED WARNING:Control-IQ+ technology should not be used by people under age 2, or who use less than 5 units of insulin/day, or who weigh less than 20 lbs. Safety info: tandemdiabetes.com/safetyinfo Disclaimer - Nothing you hear on the Juicebox Podcast or read on Arden's Day is intended as medical advice. You should always consult a physician before making changes to your health plan. If the podcast has helped you to live better with type 1 please tell someone else how to find it!
In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman sits down with Dr. Efrat LaMandre ("Dr. E"), nurse practitioner, author, and healthcare advocate, to discuss the growing issue of medical gaslighting and why so many patients feel dismissed by the healthcare system. Dr. E explores how medical training, system incentives, and communication gaps can contribute to these experiences, while offering practical strategies to help patients advocate for themselves, build the right care team, and navigate healthcare more effectively. The conversation also highlights the role benefit advisors can play in helping consumers find answers and achieve better health outcomes.
This week on the You Are Dope Podcast, Kennedy shares her deeply personal journey of knowing something wasn't right with her health and the frustration of repeatedly being told that nothing was wrong.What followed was years of unanswered questions, self-doubt, and the challenge of advocating for herself when the people she trusted weren't listening.Joining the conversation is Dr. Brandi Sinkfield, a board-certified anesthesiologist, healthcare leader, and founder of Women's Digital Health. She is passionate about helping patients navigate the healthcare system, advocate for themselves, and improve communication with their medical providers—especially when concerns are dismissed or overlooked. Her work focuses on women's health, patient advocacy, and creating better healthcare experiences for all. Together, we discuss: trusting yourself when something feels off advocating for your health navigating difficult healthcare experiences the importance of being heard practical ways to speak up for yourself lessons for patients, families, and healthcare providers This is a conversation about courage, persistence, and the power of trusting your own voice.Because sometimes advocating for yourself isn't optional—it's necessary.
What happens when your body starts to heal, but your mind is still trapped in survival mode? In this episode of hol+, Dr. Taz sits down with Amy Kurtz, certified health coach, patient advocate, speaker, and author "But You Look Fine", for a powerful conversation about chronic illness, Lyme disease, medical gaslighting, nervous system trauma, and what it really means to heal.Together, they explore Amy's 20+ year journey through unexplained pain, chronic symptoms, misdiagnosis, and the search for answers that finally led to a diagnosis of late-stage neurological Lyme disease and co-infections. Amy shares what it was like to be told her labs were normal while knowing something was deeply wrong in her body, and how years of invalidation shaped her relationship with her health, her identity, and her trust in herself.Dr. Taz and Amy also discuss why so many people live in the “gray zone” between sick and well, especially when symptoms are invisible, complex, or hard to explain. They unpack why normal labs do not always mean optimal health, why Lyme disease can be missed for years, and how chronic illness can impact relationships, career, emotional safety, and the nervous system.This conversation offers a grounded and hopeful look at what happens after illness, when the body may be improving but the mind and nervous system are still bracing for the next crash. Amy introduces her concept of Medical Trauma Brain, or MTB, which describes the anxiety, hypervigilance, fear, and survival patterns that can remain after chronic illness, cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or any major health crisis.If you're listening to this and thinking, “I know something is off in my body, but I don't know where to start,” join the Circle here:
If you've ever left a doctor's appointment thinking, "That answered exactly none of my questions," this episode is for you. This week, I'm joined by fellow physician assistant and functional medicine practitioner Shelly Satizabal for a candid conversation about perimenopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), birth control, statins, medical gaslighting, and women's health. We discuss why so many women are told they're "too young" for perimenopause, why symptoms get dismissed despite "normal" labs, and how women continue to fall through the cracks of a healthcare system that historically wasn't designed around female physiology. We also dive into hormones, cholesterol, statins, women's health research, and why asking questions shouldn't make you a difficult patient. If you've ever felt unheard, brushed off, or like nobody is interested in finding the root cause of your symptoms, this conversation is for you. Learn more about working with me Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG Learn More About Shelly here Follow Shelly on IG
What happens when you know something is wrong with your body, but no one seems to be listening? In this episode, Stephanie Mitton sits down with award-winning journalist and host of TVO's Mistreated, Nam Kiwanuka, for a powerful conversation about women's health, medical dismissal, and the gaps in research that continue to impact women across Canada and beyond. Nam shares her personal experience navigating fibroids, chronic anemia, lengthy surgical wait times, and the frustration of advocating for care while trying to show up for her family and career. Together, they explore why women's health has been historically under-researched, how lived experience and evidence can work together, and what women can do to advocate for themselves in a complex health care system. This Episode Covers: Nam's personal health journey and the diagnosis that changed everything Why women are often dismissed or misdiagnosed in health care settings The impact of research gaps on conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, ADHD, migraines, and autoimmune diseases How social media can both help and hinder women searching for health information The importance of self-advocacy and knowing your medical history What femtech is and how innovation is helping address women's health challenges Practical ways women can support change in research, policy, and health care Women's health affects every aspect of our lives, from our careers and families to our confidence and wellbeing. This conversation is a reminder that your symptoms matter, your experiences matter, and your voice matters. Whether you're navigating your own health journey or supporting someone you love, you'll leave this episode with greater understanding and practical ways to advocate for better care. https://www.patreon.com/womendontdothat Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/womendontdothat/ TikTok- http://www.tiktok.com/@womendontdothat Blog- https://www.womendontdothat.com/blog Podcast- https://www.womendontdothat.com/podcast Newsletter- https://www.beaconnorthstrategies.com/contactwww.womendontdothat.com YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@WOMENdontDOthat How to find Stephanie Mitton: Twitter/X- https://twitter.com/StephanieMitton LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemitton/ beaconnorthstrategies.com TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@stephmitton Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemitton/ Interested in sponsorship? Contact us at hello@womendontdothat.com Produced by Duke & Castle Our Latest Blog: https://www.womendontdothat.com/post/i-don-t-do-resolutions-i-do-this-perfect-for-busy-women Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode of How to Deal When the Shit Gets Real, I sit down with Danielle Kepics to talk about childhood loss, family estrangement, and why so many women feel dismissed when seeking medical care.Danielle shares what it was like losing her mother at a young age and being left to navigate life with a narcissistic father. We discuss the difficult decision to create distance from family, why estrangement is sometimes the healthiest option, and the guilt that often comes with it.We also dive into her decision to leave conventional medicine and open her own practice, her passion for advocating for women, and the ongoing conversations surrounding hormone replacement therapy and women's health.In this episode, we discuss:• Losing her mother at a young age• Growing up with a narcissistic father• Family estrangement and setting boundaries• Leaving conventional medicine• Opening her own practice• Why women are often dismissed in healthcare• Advocating for yourself as a patient• The evolving conversation around HRT and breast cancer riskThis conversation is honest, empowering, and a reminder that sometimes healing requires questioning everything you've been taught.
Wie sieht erfolgreiches Event-Netzwerken aus, das sich nicht künstlich oder anstrengend anfühlt? Und warum müssen wir im Jahr 2026 immer noch darum kämpfen, dass Frauenkörper in der Medizin ernst genommen werden?In dieser persönlichen Check-Out-Folge zum Monatsende reflektieren Vera Strauch und Cordelia Röders-Arnold ihren Mai. Es geht von Event-Learnings über Frauengesundheit bis zum Flohmarktstand:Netzwerk-Tipps: Warum alleine auf Events zu gehen ein Karriere-Superpower ist.Radikale Intuition: Wie du filterst, welche Kontakte dir wirklich Energie geben. Frauengesundheit: Veras persönliche Hormone Journey und Medical Gaslighting. Gender Health Gap: Warum Endometriose und Perimenopause endlich mehr Forschung brauchen.Eine ehrliche Folge über Sichtbarkeit, Selbstrespekt und den Mut, den Finger in die Wunde zu legen.
The donor egg recommendation rarely comes after a complete workup. It comes after AMH, FSH, and an antral follicle count. That is usually where the investigation stops. In this episode, Sarah Clark walks through what is missing from the workup before women are told donor eggs are their only path: the full thyroid panel, not just TSH. Stool DNA testing for H. pylori, parasites, and food sensitivities. The vaginal microbiome. The male partner's blood work, which most clinics do not run. The nervous system patterns most REIs do not connect to fertility. Sarah shares Rebecca's case as a proof point. Rebecca was 27. Her AMH was 0.04 ng/mL. POI diagnosis. Told donor eggs were her only option. Her stool DNA testing revealed H. pylori and a parasite. Her food sensitivity testing showed gluten, dairy, and egg intolerance. She had adrenal insufficiency, thyroid imbalance, mineral depletion, and toxic load on her workup. Her eczema, migraines, and asthma were not separate issues. After targeted work, she conceived naturally in month five. Outcomes vary. Rebecca's case is one of many we use to illustrate what completing the workup can look like. This episode is for the woman sitting with a donor egg recommendation who is not ready to agree before she understands what was actually evaluated. The goal is clarity. Not opposition to your clinic. Not a guarantee of any outcome. Clarity on what your workup did not include, so that whatever you decide next gets made on the full picture. What this episode covers: The diagnosis is real. The investigation is incomplete. Why TSH alone is not a thyroid panel. H. pylori, hidden food sensitivities, and the gut inflammation driver. Eczema, migraines, and asthma as fertility signals. The male partner's workup should include beyond a semen analysis. Nervous system patterns most REIs do not connect to fertility. Next steps: Access the free guide: What Your Clinic Missed. The guide walks through the markers that the Fab Fertile team reviews before a donor egg recommendation. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED. Book a Functional Fertility Second Opinion. We'll review your labs, your history, your full picture, and your partner's picture together, so you know what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision should be informed by. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE, or book here. About the Host I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Subscribe to Get Pregnant Naturally for weekly episodes on fertility optimization, IVF preparation, and the lab work your doctor probably isn't running. Timestamps [00:00] The Donor Egg Recommendation and the Investigation Underneath It [01:00] The Diagnosis Is Real. The Investigation Is Incomplete. [02:00] Sarah's POI Story and Why Fab Fertile Exists [03:00] Rebecca's Case: POI at 27, AMH 0.04, ng/mL Told Donor Eggs Were Her Only Option [04:00] Functional Lab Testing Before a Donor Egg Decision [05:00] What We Found: H. pylori, Parasites, Food Sensitivities, Adrenal Insufficiency, Thyroid [06:00] Eczema, Migraines, Asthma: Not Separate Issues From Fertility [07:00] Rebecca Conceived Naturally in Month Five [08:00] What Your Clinic Missed: The Markers Before a Donor Egg Recommendation [09:00] Why a Standard REI Workup Cannot Answer Why Your Numbers Are What They Are [10:00] Medical Gaslighting and the Permission to Investigate Further [11:00] The Functional Fertility Second Opinion: How It Works
Have you've ever been told your labs are normal, but you still feel like garbage…or you've walked out of a doctor's office feeling dismissed, confused, or totally unheard…then this episode is for you. We cover: Why medical gaslighting happens more often in menopause The hidden limitation in conventional medical training What "normal labs" actually mean (and don't mean) How to build the right healthcare team for complex symptoms How to get the menopause care you need and finally be heard…guaranteed Dr. Efrat LaMandre, known as Dr. E, is a nationally recognized nurse practitioner who calls out a problem most patients recognize instantly but few clinicians are trained to name: medical gaslighting. Her work examines why patients are dismissed when tests are normal, and why "you're fine" so often becomes the end of the conversation. She is also the host of the Medical Disruptor podcast, where she brings clinicians, researchers, and public health leaders into honest conversations about trust, power, and the limits of what medicine currently measures. 5 Red Flags You're Being Gaslit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1exhPF8mgsiI8xXpwFRYEBqBqoYbDeBfV/view?usp=sharing Contact Efrat LaMandre: Podcast: www.drefratlamandre.com/e-podcasts TikTok: @drefratlamandre Instagram: drefratlamandre Facebook: drefratlamandre YouTube: @DrEfratLaMandre Website: drefratlamandre.com LinkedIn: efratlamandre Give thanks to our sponsors: Try Vitali skincare. 20% off with code ZORA here - https://vitaliskincare.com Get Primeadine spermidine by Oxford Healthspan. 15% discount with code ZORA here - https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/ZORA Get Mitopure Urolithin A by Timeline. 20% discount with code ZORA at https://timeline.com/zora Try MitoQ for optimal mitochondrial health. Code ZORA for 20% off https://mitoq.com/zora Join the Hack My Age community on: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hackmyage Facebook Page: @Hack My Age Facebook Group: @Biohacking Menopause Biohacking Menopause Private Women's Only Support Group: https://hackmyage.com/biohacking-menopause-membership/ Instagram: @HackMyAge Website: HackMyAge.com For partnership inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Some episodes of Hack My Age are supported by partners whose products or services may be discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation or earn a minor commission if you purchase through affiliate links at no extra cost to you. All opinions shared are those of the host and guests, based on personal experience and research, and do not necessarily represent the views of any sponsor. Sponsorships do not imply medical endorsement or approval by any healthcare provider featured on this podcast.
Endometriosis is often talked about as a pelvic disease, but it's actually a systemic inflammatory condition that affects the entire body. And the way we diagnose and treat it is still failing too many patients.In this episode, I sit down with Jandra Mueller, a pelvic floor physical therapist in San Diego and the incoming educational chair for the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. Jandra specializes in treating patients with endometriosis and has a unique perspective both as a clinician and as someone who went through the diagnostic odyssey herself.Her own experience getting diagnosed drove her to focus on this work. She spent years dealing with symptoms that kept getting dismissed and saw multiple specialists who couldn't figure out what was wrong. Even as a pelvic floor PT working in a hospital-based women's health center with access to specialists, it took years to get the right diagnosis.We discuss why the new guidelines for diagnosing endometriosis are a step forward but still fall short. We talk about the pelvic pentad the association between endometriosis, hypermobility, mast cell activation syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, and vestibulodynia. And we get into why fibrotic endometriosis is often overlooked during surgery and what that means for patients who continue to have symptoms after excision.HighlightsDoctors can now start treating endometriosis based on your symptoms without requiring surgery first.Scar tissue from endometriosis is often missed during surgery because it doesn't always show up on the biopsy.Endometriosis often shows up alongside other conditions like hypermobility, mast cell issues, and pelvic pain with sex.Not all surgeons who say they specialize in endometriosis actually have the advanced training needed.If you still have symptoms after surgery, keep pushing for answers—it doesn't mean the pain is in your head.Treating endometriosis with pelvic floor PT means looking at your whole body, not just your pelvis.Pain before bowel movements is a classic endometriosis symptom that often gets overlooked.If you're experiencing symptoms that aren't improving with treatment, don't stop advocating. Finding the right endometriosis specialist matters not all surgeons have the same level of training.Consider working with a pelvic floor physical therapist who understands endometriosis and can look at your whole body, not just your pelvis.Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss upcoming episodes.Get in Touch with Dr. Mueller:WebsiteInstagramGet in Touch with Me:WebsiteInstagramYoutubeSubstack
Send us Fan Mail Content note: This episode discusses chronic illness, medical gaslighting, isolation, and existential distress. Please listen with care. What happens when your body stops cooperating with the life you carefully built? In this conversation, guest-host Sana sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Bone, a clinical psychologist who has spent over two decades helping people navigate chronic illness and now lives inside that experience himself. Together, they unpack the quiet grief no one prepares you for: the slow, disorienting question of "who am I now?" when your story shatters. This is a tender, honest exploration of medical uncertainty, the cultural trap of equating worth with productivity, why people pull away from those who are ill, and how creative expression — poetry, journaling, even coloring — can become a doorway back to yourself. It's a reminder that even when the body is uncertain, identity can still be rebuilt, slowly and with intention. About the Guest: Dr. Jeffrey Bone is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Newport Beach, California, with over two decades of experience specializing in chronic pain and chronic illness. He is the host of To The Bone: Conversations on Pain, Illness, and Meaning, the author of two poetry collections (Broken Bone and Carved Out of Bone), the chronic illness journal Breath Between Battles, and reflective coloring books including Healing Horizons. He lives with Common Variable Immune Deficiency, and his work bridges psychology, art, and lived experience. Key Takeaways: Worth is not the same as productivity. Culture conditions us to confuse the two. When chronic illness disrupts output, the rules of society quietly try to lower your value. They are wrong. Other people's silence often isn't about you. When someone pulls away from a person who is ill, they're usually defending an illusion of their own invincibility, not making a judgement on the sick person. Medicine sees the symptom, not the story. Healing accelerates when you find clinicians who are curious about the whole of you, not just curious about the lab values. Self-advocacy is part of care. When the system can't give you a navigator, you sometimes have to become your own. Persistence is medicine too. Reassemble the dream in three pieces. Find something you love, that you can control, that lets someone else benefit. That's where identity quietly rebuilds itself. Pain can be present without being the storyteller. You can acknowledge what your body is doing today and still choose intention as the through-line of your day. Connect With the Guest: Website: https://www.drbone.live/ Podcast — To The Bone: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ttbonepodcast?si=wPx58df9tbxuks0E SubStack Books on Amazon: Search "Dr. Jeffrey Bone" for Broken Bone, Carved Out of Bone, Breath Between Battles, and Healing Horizons Episode Chapters: [00:00] When Life Doesn't Just Challenge You, It Changes You — the quiet grief of identity loss [03:00] The Existential Crisis of a Body That Won't Cooperate — when your story shatters [06:00] Productivity Culture and the Worth Trap — how society conditions us to measure value [10:00] Why People Disappear When You Get Sick — the illusions others can't let go of [15:00] Medical Gaslighting and the Search for Answers — the day Jeffrey realised the system didn't have a story for him [22:00] Becoming the Zebra — finding the right doctor, and learning self-advocacy [27:00] The Curiosity Test — what to look for in a clinician [31:00] Poetry as a Way Back to Self — the moment Jeffrey began to reassemble the dream [36:00] Three Pieces of a Rebuilt Identity — love, control, and service [40:00] Living With Intention When the Body Hurts — closing reflections from Jeffrey Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements. If you have concerns about any content, please contact us here. By listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer in full. Read detailed disclaimer here. Healthy Mind By Avik™ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6500+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, a Support the show Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?
What happens when you're both a doctor… and the patient who isn't being listened to?In this episode of ADHD Women's Wellbeing, I'm joined by Dr Liz Murray, a doctor, activist, artist, and founder of Mortal + Strong. After 15 years navigating chronic illness, including lupus, endometriosis, and miscarriage, Liz shares what it's like to experience the healthcare system from both sides.This conversation is about what often gets missed, female health symptoms that are normalised, the moments of dismissal that stay with you, and why for many neurodivergent women, why navigating healthcare can feel overwhelming, invalidating, and exhausting.In this episode, we explore:Liz's journey of living with lupus, endometriosis, and miscarriageLiz's experience of navigating the healthcare system as both doctor and patientThe impact of normalising heavy and painful periods on delayed endometriosis and fibroids diagnosesThe gaps in menstrual health education and what doctors aren't taught to look forThe reality of medical gatekeeping and the “micro-traumas” of feeling dismissedWhy GPs are under pressure to know everything, and how that impacts patient careThe challenge for women with ADHD may experience in communicating symptoms in short appointmentsHow ADHD can make women more sensitive to hormonal changesPractical advice for appointments to communicate more effectivelyThe importance of self-advocacy in medical settingsWhy a holistic approach to women's health matters (including diet, emotional wellbeing and lifestyle)How we can better support the next generation to advocate for their healthThis episode is both validating and practical, offering insight, language, and tools to help you feel more confident advocating for your health.Timestamps:00:01 - Introduction to ADHD Women's Wellbeing07:41 - Navigating the Challenges of Endometriosis14:11 - Understanding Women's Health: The Overlap of Hormones and Neurodiversity23:21 - Navigating Hormonal Health: The Patient's Perspective37:47 - Addressing the Rift in Doctor-Patient Relationships40:03 - Understanding Endometriosis and Women's Health49:17 - Managing Health Holistically: The Interconnection of ConditionsSupport and information on topics raised in today's episode: The Miscarriage Association Website The Miscarriage Association helpline and support servicesEndometriosis UK Support NetworkThis week's episode is sponsored by Understood.org, the leading nonprofit dedicated to empowering the millions of people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. Their podcast, AHA Aha! Shared candid stories about ADHD realisations, including the unexpected, emotional and even funny ways ADHD symptoms can surface!The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Live Event Recording is here!My first-ever ADHD Women's Wellbeing Live event sold out, and now the full experience is available to you wherever you are, whenever it feels right.Alongside three neuro-affirming experts, we spent four hours exploring the questions that matter most to late-diagnosed women. Get lifetime access here!Inside the ADHD Women's Wellbeing Live Recording, you'll find:Kate Moryoussef on post-diagnosis growth and her gentle framework for what comes nextDr Hannah Cullen on the neuroscience of ADHD and why your brain works the way it doesHannah Miller on reconnecting with purpose through a neurodivergent lensAdele Wimsett myth-busting on hormones, HRT, progesterone and perimenopauseUnderstand yourself more deeply, feel less alone, and finally access the expert knowledge you deserve. Because every woman with ADHD deserves access to the knowledge, expertise and understanding that for too long simply hasn't been available to us.To get lifetime access for £44, click here.Join the More Yourself Community - the doors are now open!More Yourself is a compassionate space for late-diagnosed ADHD women to connect, reflect, learn and come home to who they really are. Sign up here!Inside the More Yourself Membership, you'll be able to:Connect with like-minded women who understand youLearn from guest experts and practical toolsReceive compassionate prompts & gentle remindersEnjoy voice-note encouragement from KateJoin flexible meet-ups and mentoring sessionsAccess on-demand workshops and quarterly guest expert sessionsTo join for £26 a month, click here. To join for £286 for a year (a whole month free!), click here.Links and Resources:Find my popular ADHD workshops and resources on my website [here].Follow the podcast on Instagram: @adhd_womenswellbeing_podYou can connect with Liz via her website (www.drlizmurray.com) or Instagram (@drlizmurray)Kate Moryoussef is a women's ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity and clarity.
Join the dialogue - text your questions, insights, and feedback to The Dignity Lab podcast.In this conversation on The Dignity Lab, guest host and neonatologist Dr. Staci Olister brings together trauma-informed care expert Mary Coughlin and host Dr. Jennifer Griggs to explore how trauma and dignity are deeply intertwined in healthcare and beyond. They trace the evolution of trauma from a narrow focus on physical injury to a broader, lived experience that overwhelms a person's capacity to cope. They define dignity as our inherent, unearned worth—no more and no less than anyone else's—and extend this to organizations, non-human animals, and the Earth itself.Dignity violations—exclusion, humiliation, lack of safety, medical gaslighting, and structural injustice—are at the root of much of the trauma experienced by patients and clinicians. Mary describes how we can “build the buffering” for people in overwhelming situations, rather than only “summing up the suffering.” Jennifer offers a pathway for reclaiming dignity: naming a dignity violation, affirming a person's worth, seeking accountability and repair where possible, and shifting from “me” (the one to whom something happened) to “I” (the agent/creator) and ultimately to “Thou,” seeing the sacred dignity in others, including those who have harmed us.They also address shame as an emotion that thrives in silence and secrecy. They examine how dehumanizing language, hierarchical culture, business models of productivity, and electronic health records can undermine trauma-informed, dignity-centered care. The episode closes with an invitation to join Mary and Jennifer for an immersive, trauma-informed, dignity-centered retreat in Ireland, focused on embodied leadership, radical listening, reflective writing, and nervous system regulation.TakeawaysTrauma is a lived experience that touches body, mind, spirit, and communityDignity is our inherent, unearned worth, extending to humans, organizations, and the EarthTrauma and dignity violations are interwoven in healthcare and beyondTrauma-informed care principles are practical ways to enact dignity in everyday practiceShame and secrecy fuel systemic disconnection in healthcare culturesPatients, families, and clinicians are routinely exposed to everyday dignity violationsWe reclaim dignity by naming harm, affirming worth, and seeking accountability and repairHealing involves shifting from “me” to “I” to “Thou” in our stories and leadershipDehumanizing language, business models, and electronic recorExploring what it means to live and lead with dignity at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world. What is dignity? How can we honor the dignity of others? And how can we repair and reclaim our dignity after harm? Tune in to hear stories about violations of dignity and ways in which we heal, forgive, and make choices about how we show up in a chaotic and fractured world. Hosted by physician and coach Jennifer Griggs.For more information on the podcast, please visit www.thedignitylab.com.For more information on podcast host Dr. Jennifer Griggs, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/.For additional free resources, including the periodic table of dignity elements, please visit https://jennifergriggs.com/resources/.The Dignity Lab is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will receive 10% of the purchase price when you click through and make a purchase. This supports our production and hosting costs. Bookshop.org doesn't earn money off bookstore sales, all profits go to independent bookstores. We encourage our listeners to purchase books through Bookshop.org for this reason.
Send us Fan MailIn this powerful episode, Dr. Aaron Hartman unpacks the often-overlooked reality of medical gaslighting—when patients' symptoms are dismissed, minimized, or misunderstood within the healthcare system. With clarity and balance, he explores how this dynamic impacts trust, diagnosis, and long-term health outcomes, while offering practical insight for both patients and practitioners.In the Torah extro, Rabbi Shlomo Ben Zeev brings a deeper perspective, connecting the concept of truly “seeing” and validating another person to timeless Torah values. Together, this episode bridges modern medicine and ancient wisdom, highlighting the importance of listening, empathy, and truth in healing.- - - - - YouTube: https://youtu.be/TwtGlAK2qMQ- - - - - - Links:Dr. Aaron Hartman: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/Rabbi Shlomo Ben Zeev:https://drshtaygen.com/- - - - - Holy Health Podcast:Email: Holyhealthpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @holy_healthpodcastwwwwHolyhealthpodcast.comHoly Health Official Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/589555/9876240Holy Health YouTube Account:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrYPOvFawrjhH_2U7r61M2QMusach Haguf:Instagram: @darapt613@holy_healthpodcast- - - - -This podcast has been edited by Yakir Abelow of 'YA Joker productions'For more information contact:https://wa.me/c/972586918089Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yakir_abelow_photography/
The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating childhood illness, the impact of medical gaslighting during adolescence, and the importance of advocating for oneself in the medical system. It also explores the impact of disability on work and housing, the role of writing as a coping mechanism and productivity, and the value of disabled voices in healthcare. The conversation delves into the importance of authenticity and the challenges of empathy and compassion in society. It also explores the role of AI in creativity and ethics, as well as the concept of creativity as a practice.TakeawaysCreativity as a coping mechanismNavigating the challenges of being a sick childAdvocating for oneself in the medical system Authenticity ParadoxRadical ResilienceChapters00:00 Navigating Childhood Illness07:00 The Impact of Disability on Work and Housing15:36 Writing as a Coping Mechanism and Productivity29:27 The Value of Disabled Voices in Healthcare41:06 The Role of AI in Creativity and Ethics56:18 Creativity as a Practice
If you've ever been dismissed by a doctor, told your symptoms were stress or anxiety, or felt like the medical system wasn't built for people like you — this episode traces exactly how we got here. The history of "hysteria" didn't end; it evolved, and understanding that history might be one of the most validating things you do for yourself today.In this episode, you'll hear from Emily Mendenhall, medical anthropologist, Guggenheim Fellow, and author of Invisible Illness: A History from Hysteria to Long COVID. Her concept of structural silencing reframes medical dismissal not as individual doctors failing patients, but as a system operating exactly as it was designed.Connect with Destiny: Instagram / Facebook / Website______________________________
Send us Fan MailMany people are told their symptoms are “normal,” psychosomatic, or simply stress-related, even when they know something deeper is wrong.In this episode of Never Been Sicker, Michael Rubino sits down with Miriam Putnam, a board-certified health and wellness coach and freedom-from-stress counselor, to talk about the connection between body health, mental health, and environmental triggers.They discuss why so many people end up on prescription medication before finding the true root cause, how mold, Lyme, allergies, and other hidden stressors can affect both the body and mind, and why self-advocacy matters so much in today's healthcare system.Miriam also shares her own story of a traumatic accident, neurological Lyme symptoms, and the long path toward finding answers outside the standard medical box.Timestamps00:00 Intro: Meet Miriam Putnam00:41 What Miriam does: body health, stress counseling, and holistic support01:14 Have we “never been sicker”?02:04 Why so many people are on prescription medication03:40 What could really be underneath the symptoms05:16 How Miriam's journey began through her mother's struggles07:14 Medical gaslighting and being told symptoms are “all in your head”08:42 Insurance limitations and why testing often falls short09:51 Is healthcare designed to create wellness or profit from sickness?11:24 Why mental health care often masks symptoms instead of solving them15:56 Michael's story about nearly being medicated as a child16:55 Parenting, school systems, and how quickly kids can be labeled18:34 PANS, PANDAS, and environmental triggers behind behavioral symptoms20:30 Why real care is often only accessible to those who can afford it21:48 How Miriam helps people get to the root cause24:24 Informed consent and learning to advocate for yourself26:39 The biggest lies in mental health and medicine27:03 Miriam's family's experience spending nearly $1 million seeking answers30:10 Why fixing body health is foundational to mental health31:05 The need for more comprehensive blood testing32:57 Why the U.S. approach to wellness is falling behind34:06 Miriam shares her personal Lyme disease story35:33 The airboat accident that changed everything37:56 Hospitalization, worsening symptoms, and neurological Lyme39:07 Getting real answers through integrative testing40:12 The healing modalities Miriam explored42:38 Trauma, immunity, and what may activate deeper health issues45:05 How many doctors it took before she found answers47:17 Why personal advocacy matters for everyone48:41 How to connect with Miriam and get her wellness checklist50:09 Final thoughts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Fraser, Ph.D., explains medical gaslighting and why ADHD brains may be more susceptible; how to distinguish between gaslighting and honest provider error or lack of knowledge; how to minimize the risk of gaslighting; and what to do if you've been gaslit. Resources: Medical Gaslighting Free Download: How to Talk to Your Doctor About Medical Research Read: 9 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Deciding on ADHD Medication Read: "Medical Gaslighting Convinced Me That I Didn't Have ADHD" Read: "You Couldn't Possibly Have ADHD" Access the video and slides for podcast episode #597 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/medical-gaslighting-adhd-concerns/ Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.
Get Dr. Vonda's latest insights on strength, bone health, longevity, and aging with power delivered straight to your inbox. Join her free health & longevity newsletter here: https://www.drvondawright.com/resources/aging-longevity Have you ever woken up feeling like a stranger in your own skin, wondering why the body that used to be so predictable now feels like a puzzle you can't quite solve? In this episode, I sit down with PhD nutrition scientist Dr. Emily Prpa to pull back the curtain on the "female gut" and explore why, for far too long, we've been given health advice designed for men while our own unique biology was left in the dark. What we cover: - The Gender Data Gap: Why nutritional advice is often derived from men and how it affects you. - Hormonal Control: How estrogen and progesterone dictate your digestion and heart health. - The Microbiome Shift: What happens to your gut during the transition to menopause. - The Power of Perspective: Viewing menopause as a "renewal" rather than an "abyss." - Early Warning Signs: Identifying fatigue and sleep issues long before hot flashes start. - Body Literacy: Learning to trust your physical instincts over social conditioning. - Midlife Nutrition: Using your microbiome to manage erratic hormonal shifts. About the Dr. Emily Prpa: Dr. Emily Prpa is a PhD-prepared nutrition scientist and researcher dedicated to cutting through the noise of the wellness industry. She specializes in making complex science culturally relevant and practical, helping women understand the deep interplay between their gut health and their hormones. Connect with Dr. Emily Prpa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenutritionreporter/ Website: https://www.dremilyprpa.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrEmilyPrpa Timestamps (to be adjusted) 00:00 Dr. Emily Prpa on Decoding Science for Women 02:07 The Gender Gap: Why Your Nutrition Advice is Based on Men 03:55 Dealing with Sudden Bloating and Midlife Gut Changes 04:56 How Estrogen and Progesterone Control Your Digestion 06:37 Why Perimenopause Triggers New Digestive Symptoms 07:46 How Menopause Changes Your Gut's Biological Signature 09:40 Lessons from Japan's Empowering View of Menopause 10:36 Identifying Early Signs of Perimenopause You Might Miss 12:14 Overcoming the Medical Gaslighting of Women 13:14 Proactive Strategies to Prevent Midlife Bone Loss 15:12 How Your Gut Bacteria Recycles Estrogen 18:08 Fiber and Polyphenols for a Healthier Midlife Gut 32:15 Why Protein and Muscle Mass are Non-Negotiable Now 45:30 Small Lifestyle Shifts for Long-Term Vitality
Have you ever walked out of a doctor's office feeling judged instead of cared for?If you've ever chosen a healing path that didn't match what your doctor recommended, you may know exactly what doctor shaming looks like. Host Dr. Katie Deming names what so many patients feel but rarely talk about, and explains why it happens in the first place.Sometimes it's blunt, like a doctor implying you're a bad parent for skipping a certain treatment. Other times it's subtle, a colder tone, a sudden disconnection, or even conditional care when you're labeled “noncompliant.”Chapters:00:04:30 - When Your Doctor Changes Toward You00:07:00 - Shame Is a Fear Tactic00:08:00 - Why Doctors Are Wired This Way00:10:13 - The System Needs Predictability00:12:06 - Doctors Aren't the Enemy00:13:21 - What Shame Does to Your Nervous System00:18:30 - The Breath Technique That Calls Your Power Back00:21:21 - The System's Discomfort Is Not Your VerdictDoctors go through decades of conditioning that rewards certainty and compliance. And when you understand why the system reacts the way it does when you choose your own path, it becomes a lot easier to stop taking it personally.A dysregulated nervous system clouds your thinking, shrinks your decision-making, and erodes your voice in the room where your care is being decided. Dr. Katie connects this directly to healing, because fear and shame get in the way of recovery.Press Play and Learn how to reclaim your authority without abandoning the care you need.Access the FREE Water Fasting Masterclass Now: https://www.katiedeming.com/the-healing-power-of-fasting/ Transform your hydration with the system that delivers filtered, mineralized, and structured water all in one. Spring Aqua System: https://springaqua.info/drkatieDownload the FREE Healing Tools Guide: https://bit.ly/drkatie-giftguide MORE FROM KATIE DEMING M.D. Work with Dr. Katie: www.katiedeming.com 6 Pillars of Healing Cancer Workshop Series - Click Here to Enroll Follow Dr. Katie Deming on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiedemingmd/ Email: INFO@KATIEDEMING.COM Please Support the Show Share this episode with friends & family Give a Review on Spotify Give a Review on Apple Podcast Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5LplU70TE9i01tW_7Tozi8b6X6rGBKA2&si=ZXLy5PjM7daD6AV5 DISCLAIMER: The Born to Heal Podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for seeking professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual medical histories are unique; therefore, this episode should not ...
Why 'Doing More' Is Backfiring With Your Toddler w/ Ashley VentriceFollow Ashley Ventrice:Instagram: @ashleyvetnricecoAshley on FacebookAshley Ventrice Show (podcast)Watch us Chat for the Podcast Interviews with YouTube Video HERE! In this episode of the Toddler Toolkit podcast, Heather talks with Ashley Ventrice, a parent, educator, and host of The Ashley Ventrice Show, about how nervous system safety and emotional regulation start with the adults. Ashley shares how she built a childcare center designed for both toddlers and parents, including structured play, sensory learning, predictable routines, soft separation for preschool transitions, and a space where parents could stay, connect, and even watch the classroom via live stream. They discuss simple ways to recreate a calmer play setup at home with a designated play area, toy rotation, and more open-ended play options versus closed-ended toys. Ashley also shares her health journey after years of over-functioning and people-pleasing, including being gaslit by doctors, pushing for brain and spine MRIs, learning she had a 9mm lesion on her brainstem, and how serious autoimmune illness forced her to slow down, advocate for herself, and set boundaries. The conversation covers why routine and predictability help both kids and adults, how over-scheduling can stress the whole family, how social media comparison can add pressure, and why parent community matters. Ashley emphasizes modeling emotional regulation for kids by naming feelings, noticing body signals like anxiety, taking deep breaths out loud, and teaching emotional intelligence early. She closes with a message for exhausted moms: rest is allowed, a regulated parent matters more than a perfectly structured day, and listening to your body before it has to scream helps you stay present for your children.00:00 The Over-Functioner Wake-Up Call: Slow Down Before Your Body Screams01:00 Welcome + Meet Ashley Ventres (Nervous System, Regulation & Boundaries)02:52 Inside Ashley's Childcare Center: Designing Nervous-System Safety for Kids & Parents06:43 Sensory Play & Space Setup: Montessori-Inspired Zones That Help Toddlers Regulate08:10 Recreate the Calm at Home: Toy Rotation + Open-Ended Play Tips11:15 Ashley's Health Journey: Autoimmune Illness, Medical Gaslighting & Self-Advocacy15:31 Learning to Rest + Set Boundaries (and Handling the Pushback)19:14 Modeling Regulation: Teaching Toddlers Emotional Literacy, Anxiety & Coping Skills23:47 Routines for Everyone: Predictability, Over-Scheduling & Slowing Family Life Down27:32 Comparison, Community & Mom Connection: You're Not Alone31:04 Final Message: A Regulated Mom Matters More Than a Perfect Day + Where to Find Ashley------------------------------------------------------"If you're struggling with toddler tantrums and behaviors like hitting & not listening... I have a free guide for you! It's called The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them Fast—It's HERE!Watch us Chat for the Podcast Interviews with YouTube Video HERE!Heather has her M.Ed, and a proud Twin Mama of busy toddlers. She's the Toddler Toolkit Podcast Host, a co-author of the #1 International Best Selling Book, The Perfectly Imperfect Family & the founder of the Calm Superpower Cohort. You might've tried advice tailored for one child, but that's not our journey, right? With a decade of teaching experience under her belt, she's seen it all – from toddlers to teenagers in the classroom. Now, as a parent to toddlers, she's experiencing the flip side of the coin. She's discovered a toolbox to help parents with everything toddler times two!Let's unlock the secrets to understanding toddler behavior, preventing meltdowns, and raising intuitive, resilient children.Grab The Tantrum and Behavior Guide: 7 Toddler Struggles and How to Solve Them FastCheck out the Transform Tantrums: A Listening Toddler In 7 Days mini-course!Join the Toddler Mom CommunityFollow me on Instagram @heatherschalkparentingWatch the YouTube channelCheck out the blog
Renowned motivational speaker and coach, Jess Wilson shares how she fought for years to get answers for her two severely unwell sons after being dismissed by doctors, until a Perth specialist ordered routine immune tests and diagnosed a rare genetic immune disease; the system later apologised and treatment began. She discusses medical gaslighting, intuition, forgiveness, and radical responsibility, and how the experience led her into nutrition, holistic health, and speaking focused on identity, discipline, micro-decisions, and higher standards for health, relationships, and generational wellbeing. Watch this empowering conversation on YouTube ✨Connect with Jess at www.jesswilson.com and connect with her on socials Instagram/LinkedIn/Other - Instagram @jesswilsonofficial ⏱️Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Jess Wilson: Energy, Health & Leading With Love 01:24 Jess's Roots in South Africa: A 'Hippie' Upbringing & Early Health Values 01:59 High Achiever to Burnout: The Cost of 'Go, Go, Go' 02:48 When Motherhood Turns Into a Medical Battle 05:44 Medical Gaslighting & the Breakthrough Diagnosis 07:22 What Was Wrong? The Symptoms No One Could Explain 09:45 Being Heard, Forgiving the System & Taking Responsibility 10:57 Radical Responsibility: Empowerment vs Blame 16:13 After the Diagnosis: Partnering Medicine + Holistic Support 20:41 A Second Chance at Life: Joy, Standards & Rebuilding Everything 22:47 Joy vs 'YOLO': Chocolate Cake, Cravings & Real Health Choices 24:10 Happiness vs Fulfillment: Dopamine, Serotonin & the Joy Hormone 27:18 Instant Gratification vs Long-Term Fulfillment (and Why It Compounds) 28:36 Micro Decisions & the Compounding Effect (Food, Energy, Standards) 30:08 The Alarm Clock Rule: Building Consistency with One Non‑Negotiable 31:00 Standards in Every Area: Laundry, Bills, and the Subconscious Worth Message 34:26 Routine as an Anchor + Boundaries That Support Relationships 35:53 Choosing Yourself: Leaving What's Not for You & Breaking Patterns 38:48 Believing in Bigger Love: Expanding What's Possible (and Ditching 'All Men Are Crap') 44:23 Pain, Shadow Work & Self‑Trust: Why You'll Walk Away When It's Wrong 46:20 Health Myths in Your 40s: Identity, Discipline, and 'I Just Don't Do That Anymore' 50:36 Raising Kids with Standards: Family Food Identity & Modeling Discipline 53:08 Generational Responsibility + Final Takeaways & Gratitude Wrap‑Up
Otolaryngologist Alan P. Feren discusses his article "How system strain contributes to medical gaslighting in health care." Alan explores why encounters that patients experience as dismissive or manipulative often stem from communication breakdowns driven by productivity pressures rather than clinician malice. He examines the cognitive reality of modern practice where heuristic shortcuts and a discomfort with uncertainty lead well-intentioned providers to offer premature reassurance that feels like invalidation. The conversation highlights critical inflection points like early interruptions and reliance on "normal" test results that erode trust and delay diagnosis. Alan argues that resolving this crisis requires moving beyond blame toward a partnership model where uncertainty is explicitly named and shared. Learn how shifting the focus from transactional care to collaborative sense-making can restore safety and humanity to the exam room. True team-based care starts with you. When you join ChenMed, you'll feel seen, heard, and valued. That's because ChenMed practices transformative, physician-led care, focusing on prevention and empowering providers to have a lasting impact on their patients and communities. So, whether you're applying for a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, cardiologist, or medical director position, you'll feel supported and fulfilled in every aspect of your career. Find a job that feels right. Visit ChenMed.com/Physicians to learn more. VISIT SPONSOR → https://chenmed.com/Physicians SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended
In this episode of The Art of Being Well, Dr. Will Cole sits down with Kim Rogers to explore overlooked root causes behind chronic gut issues, inflammation, and immune dysregulation. Kim shares her personal journey through years of unexplained symptoms, including mold exposure, Lyme disease, and persistent gut dysfunction. They discuss why parasites are far more common than most people realize and how they can impact digestion, mental health, and overall resilience. This conversation unpacks why many symptoms are dismissed as “normal” and what they may actually be signaling. Dr. Cole and Kim emphasize the importance of addressing terrain, not just chasing symptoms. For all links mentioned in this episode, visit www.drwillcole.com/podcast.20% off site-wide at RogersHood (including the ParaFy Parasite Cleanse). Use code DRWILLCOLE at rogershood.com. Valid 2/12–2/15, ends 11:59pm PST.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Sponsors:If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: http://learn.nocd.com/WILLCOLE.Text ABW to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. Go to AvocadoGreenMattress.com/ABW and check out their mattress and bedding sale!Go to DRINKAG1.com/WILLCOLE to get their best offer... get 3 FREE AG1 Travel Packs and 3 FREE AGZ Travel Packs, plus FREE Vitamin D3+K2 and AG1 Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order!Use code BEINGWELL at monarch.com for half off your first year. That's 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code BEINGWELL. Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Julia Bruzzese, a 22-year-old Lyme disease survivor, disability advocate, and future physician whose life was forever changed by an untreated tick bite in childhood. After developing a classic bull's-eye rash at age 9, Julia went undiagnosed for nearly two years, despite textbook symptoms of Lyme disease. By age 11, she experienced a catastrophic neurological decline that left her paraplegic and wheelchair-bound. Over the next decade, Julia saw more than 100 doctors, endured profound medical gaslighting, and navigated an exhausting journey through antibiotics, IVIG, IV antibiotics, plasmapheresis, stem cells, ozone therapy, and integrative care. Julia's story became internationally known after a moment with Pope Francis on the JFK airport tarmac went viral in 2015—an event that opened doors to care, advocacy, and awareness. She later became the emotional centerpiece of the award-winning documentary The Quiet Epidemic, appeared at New York Fashion Week as a Lyme disease advocate, and was profiled by renowned journalist Mary Beth Pfeiffer. Today, Julia is finishing her undergraduate degree and has been accepted into medical school, determined to become the kind of doctor she needed when the system failed her. This episode is a masterclass in: Pediatric Lyme disease Medical gaslighting vs. lack of education Clinical diagnosis vs. unreliable testing The patient-doctor relationship Chronic illness, disability, and purpose Why Lyme disease changes lives—and why early treatment matters Childhood Lyme Disease & Missed Diagnosis Tick bite and bull's-eye rash dismissed at age 9 Two years of worsening symptoms labeled as “growing pains,” viruses, or psychological Why early Lyme treatment saves lives Neurological Collapse & Hospital Trauma Sudden onset of paralysis, vision loss, fevers, hair loss, and weakness at age 11 Over 100 doctors and repeated hospitalizations Being accused of malingering and conversion disorder The devastating impact of medical disbelief on children The Quiet Epidemic Documentary How Julia became the heart of the film at age 12 Why she initially hesitated to share her story The emotional impact of seeing her illness reflected on screen How the documentary helps families explain Lyme disease to others Meeting Pope Francis & Global Awareness How a school principal secured last-minute tickets The Pope walks directly to Julia's wheelchair The moment that changed everything Media coverage that led to access to lifesaving care Treatment Journey Lyme-literate diagnosis by NP Somer DelSignore Oral and IV antibiotics IVIG (including under-dosing issues) Plasmapheresis POTS, Babesia, Bartonella, and autoimmune complications Stem cell therapy abroad Ozone and integrative protocols Why there is no single silver bullet for Lyme disease The Medical System & Lyme Denial Why doctors often say “it's all in your head” The difference between malice and lack of training How medical education fails chronic illness patients Fear of insurance companies, lawsuits, and “accepted guidelines” Why Lyme is a clinical diagnosis, not a test result Reframing “Medical Gaslighting” Why anger is understandable—but not always healing How patients and doctors can become better partners Understanding doctors' limitations without excusing harm Advocacy with clarity, not hostility Disability, Identity & Resilience Navigating life and education as a wheelchair user Accommodations, accessibility, and invisible illness “I have Lyme. I am not Lyme.” Learning when to rest, when to fight, and when to live Becoming the Doctor She Needed Working as a medical assistant and hospital volunteer in a wheelchair Applying to and being accepted into medical school Becoming the first wheelchair-using medical student at her institution Why lived experience belongs in medicine Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Lawsuit filed in NYC (March 2021) against multiple doctors and hospitals Failure to diagnose and treat Lyme disease despite clear evidence Why Lyme malpractice cases are rare—and necessary Seeking accountability, not revenge Purpose, Faith & Meaning From “Why me?” to “Why not me?” How suffering clarified her calling The role of faith, family, and community Why Julia wouldn't give this journey back—even now Memorable Quotes “I was criminalized as an eleven-year-old child for being sick.” “It actually was in my head—the bacteria was in my brain.” “I have Lyme disease. I am not Lyme disease.” “There is no silver bullet for Lyme. Healing is trial and error.” “I wouldn't be who I am—or know my purpose—without this journey.” Why This Episode Matters This episode is essential listening for: Parents of children with unexplained symptoms Lyme disease and chronic illness patients Medical professionals and students Advocates fighting for better diagnostics and care Anyone who has ever felt dismissed, unseen, or unheard in healthcare Julia Bruzzese's story is not just about Lyme disease—it's about truth, resilience, accountability, and hope.
In this episode, I sit down with Suzannah Weiss to explore how eroticism and pleasure can be cultivated while living with chronic pain and illness. We unpack the cultural myths that normalize women's suffering, how pain and fatigue impact libido and orgasm, and what it means to stay connected to pleasure when the body isn't cooperating. An intimate, grounded conversation on listening to the body, redefining sex beyond performance, and reclaiming erotic agency in all seasons of health.In this episode you'll hear:00:00 Intro02:50 Chronic Pain, Libido, and Erotic Truth06:06 Eve's Curse and the Myth of Women's Pain08:13 PMS, Power, and Cultural Backlash16:08 Medical Gaslighting and the Cost of Not Being Believed31:50 The Myth of the Elusive Female OrgasmTHE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTSuzannah Weiss is a writer and psychotherapist focused on sexuality, relationships, and women's empowerment. She is the author of Subjectified, a memoir-manifesto on ending objectification, and Eve's Blessing, a personal, political, and spiritual exploration of reclaiming pleasure where women have been taught to accept pain. With over 8,800 published articles, her work has appeared in outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Through her writing and therapy practice, Suzannah challenges cultural myths about women's bodies and invites a more liberated, pleasure-affirming relationship with sexuality.LINKS FROM THE SHOWSuzannah Weiss – official website - https://suzannahweiss.com/Books by Suzannah Weiss:→ Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject - https://a.co/d/66E2aex→ Eve's Blessing: Uncovering the Lost Pleasure Behind Female Pain - https://a.co/d/blrgCBeTwitter / X: @SuzannahWeissInstagram: @SuzannaWise (W-I-S-E)WANT MORE?Join me for my monthly Un.done Classes: learn.sexloveyoga.com/come-undoneSensual Awakening: https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/sensual-awakeningErotically Undone: https://sexloveyoga.mykajabi.com/EroticallyUndone****Sensual Sundays Guide: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/sensual-sundaysBig Cat Energy: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/big-cat-energy
Dr. Deb 0:01When your body speaks but no one listens, when your pain is dismissed as all in your head, when you’re told it’s just stress for the fifth time while your health deteriorates, you’re not crazy. You’re being medically gaslit. Did you know women in America are up to 30% more likely to be misdiagnosed than men? Or that when experiencing a heart attack, women are seven times more likely to be sent home from the ER? This isn’t just about feeling heard, it’s about survival. Dr. Deb 0:56And what if I told you that mysterious symptoms you’ve been battling for years have real physical causes, and that you’ve been overlooked because of your gender? But I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most dangerous epidemics in healthcare, the systemic dismissal of women’s health concerns, and what you can do to finally be seen, supported, and strong. Welcome back to Let’s Talk Wellness Now, the show where we uncover the root causes of chronic illness, explore cutting-edge regenerative medicine, and empower you with the tools to heal. I’m Dr. Deb, and today I’m diving into medical gaslighting and the epidemic of misdiagnosis that affects millions of women. Dr. Deb 1:41If you or someone you have been diagnosed with that you love with a chronic condition or are struggling with unexplained neurological symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, numbness, or chronic pain, this episode is for you. So grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever helps you unwind and settle in. Let’s get started on your journey to deeper healing. Dr. Deb 2:03So today’s episode, Silence and Dismissed, Breaking Free from Medical Gaslighting in Women’s Healthcare. What if your symptoms aren’t your true diagnosis? Today, I’m exploring how women’s health concerns are systemically dismissed, misdiagnosed, or undertreated in our current healthcare system. I’ll reveal the shocking statistics and historical biases that have created a dangerous epidemic of medical gaslighting. Dr. Deb 2:36Many of you know, three years ago, I found myself on the other side of the exam table. After experiencing troubling neurological symptoms, I was diagnosed with MS. And for three years, I lived with that diagnosis, constantly wondering about my future. But recently, in June of 2024, a new MRI revealed something different. Dr. Deb 3:06My brain wasn’t showing the progressive lesions typically of MS. Instead, my neurologist now believes I experienced post-COVID peripheral neuropathy. Crazy ride, isn’t it? I have lesions in my brain. They’re not progressing like MS, but they created some damage in my brain. Dr. Deb 3:30In October of 2024, I did a brain MRI with a researcher, Dr. Goodenow, who you guys have heard me talk about before. And after being on a protocol that he and I developed together to help my condition, my brain lesions have not only not progressed, but I have increased or grown my gray matter of my brain by 1.4, 1.5. Sorry, I got to give that little extra point in there. This is amazing because as we age, we lose gray matter. Dr. Deb 4:01We know that. And up until now, there’s really been no way for us to show or even know if we’ve improved brain health or not. Well, this new MRI technology that he’s utilizing has been able to document the protocol that we’re doing is actually working and it is growing my brain instead of allowing my brain to shrink with age, which would typically happen. Dr. Deb 4:30We are stopping those lesions from progressing. MS or post-COVID peripheral neuropathy, it doesn’t really matter what the name of this problem is. The lesions are there. Dr. Deb 4:43They’re affecting my prefrontal lobe. And I am trying to prevent any consequences or any symptoms that could result of that. So what this journey has taught me is essentially the truth that I share with my patients. Dr. Deb 4:57True health lies not in chasing a diagnosis, but in pursuing wellness itself. You know, the statistics around women’s healthcare are truly alarming. When a woman enters an emergency room with severe abdominal pain, she’ll wait 33% longer than a man with identical symptoms. Dr. Deb 5:20Approximately 66% of women report receiving a misdiagnosis in the last two years. Think about that. Two thirds of women are being told that they have conditions they don’t actually have. Dr. Deb 5:35While their real health issues remain untreated, and the condition that they were told they had either isn’t treated at all, or they’re given the wrong medication because it’s the wrong diagnosis. This is not about incompetent doctors. It’s about a system built on incomplete science. Dr. Deb 5:57Did you know until the 1990s, women were routinely excluded from medical research and clinical trials? The assumption was that the male body was representative of the human species. So why study women separately? You know, women are not small men. Their bodies function differently at a cellular level. Dr. Deb 6:20And even today, this knowledge gap persists. Medical textbooks still primarily focus on how diseases present in men, while women often experience entirely different symptoms. Take heart attacks. Dr. Deb 6:34Men typically feel crushing chest pain, while women more commonly experience fatigue and shortness of breath, or pain in the jaw, the neck, the back. And when women feel symptoms that don’t match the classic male pattern, they’re dismissed, as you’ve guessed it, anxiety or stress. You’re just too overwhelmed with raising your children. Dr. Deb 6:56You’re burning the candle at both ends. And while some of that may be true, that is not the reason for your symptoms. This misdiagnosis epidemic isn’t just frustrating, it’s deadly. Dr. Deb 7:11It leads to delayed treatments, worsening conditions, unnecessary procedures, and preventable deaths. And for conditions like endometriosis, did you know the average delay in diagnosis is 7 to 10 years? Not months, years. For autoimmune diseases, which affect women at rates up to three times higher than men, that diagnostic journey can span a decade or more. Dr. Deb 7:42Now we’re going to take a break here and have a word from our sponsor, and we’re going to be right back to talk more about medical gaslighting and its roots. Welcome back, everybody. What is medical gaslighting anyway? Well, this happens when health care providers dismiss, minimize, or psychologize physical symptoms. Dr. Deb 8:09It’s when you’re told your debilitating fatigue is just depression, your crushing chest pain is just anxiety, or you’re disabling pain. It’s got to be all in your head. According to recent surveys, about 72% of the millennial women report experiencing medical gaslighting. Dr. Deb 8:35And for women of color, the statistics are even more alarming. While research showing they face compounded biases at every level of care. But why does this happen? The roots run deep, all the way back to ancient Greece, when Hippocrates first used hysteria as a formal diagnosis. Dr. Deb 8:58And throughout history, women’s bodies have been viewed as mysterious, unpredictable, and fundamentally flawed versions of the male body. What a crock. This bias isn’t always conscious. Dr. Deb 9:16Even well-meaning doctors operate within a system that has trained them to view women’s symptoms through a skeptical lens. And the problem is compounded by several factors. First, there’s the knowledge gap. Dr. Deb 9:30As Dr. Mark Gordon, a leading expert in neuroinflammation has demonstrated, male and female brains respond differently to identical triggers. The same is true for hormonal systems, immune responses, and even drug metabolism. Yet most medical protocols don’t account for these differences. Dr. Deb 9:53Second, there’s time pressure. The average primary care visit lasts a little longer than you probably think, but just 17 minutes. Barely enough time to address one concern, let alone a complex constellation of symptoms that don’t fit neatly into a diagnostic category. Dr. Deb 10:15When I see clients for the first time, we’re spending well over an hour just having a conversation, and another hour in doing diagnostics in my office, so that we can understand individually what’s happening with each client that we see, male or female. A far difference from the 17 minutes. Did you know that practitioners are taught that if someone complains of more than two symptoms, it must be depression or anxiety? That’s how our medical system is training these days. Dr. Deb 10:54When I was training, it was completely different, and I was blessed to be trained by a pioneer in medicine who was trained even differently than I was, and trained at a time where we didn’t have a lot of medications, we didn’t have a lot of testing options, so your conversation, your history, your exam had to tell you what was going on with that client. It makes a huge difference today. This is just, I don’t know, it’s craziness to me at this point. Dr. Deb 11:25Thirdly, there’s implicit biases. Studies show that healthcare providers of all genders consistently rate women’s pain as less severe than men’s, even when the reported pain levels are identical. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions when presenting with symptoms that suggest a physical cause. Dr. Deb 11:53This kind of gaslighting creates a vicious cycle. Women begin to doubt their own experiences, become hesitant to seek care, and lose trust in the medical system. They may stop advocating for themselves, or conversely become labeled as difficult patients when they push for answers, and oftentimes these women then are dismissed from the practice because they’re thought of as being non-compliant. Dr. Deb 12:23My own journey through the healthcare maze taught me lessons I now use to help thousands of women reclaim their health. When my brain scan first showed lesions, I was quickly diagnosed with MS, but unlike many women, I didn’t just accept that diagnosis and the treatment plan that came with it. As both a patient and a practitioner, I knew that healing requires looking at the whole picture, not just at a label. Dr. Deb 12:52I investigated every possibility that could explain my symptoms. Mold exposure, chronic infection, hormonal collapse, mitochondrial dysfunction, and I focused on healing while continuing to seek answers, and today my brain is actually reversing in age with improving gray matter and a clear sign that my approach is working. Take Maria, a 42-year-old executive who came to me after seeing eight different doctors for crushing fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain. Dr. Deb 13:26She’d been told she had depression, prescribed antidepressants, and when those didn’t work, she was told to reduce her stress level. By the time she found me, her thyroid was barely functioning. She had significant adrenal dysfunction, and testing revealed multiple chronic infections. Dr. Deb 13:46Stories like Maria’s and mine repeat themselves daily in my practice, and women struggling with the autoimmune conditions, inexplicable pain, and debilitating fatigue, or mysterious neurological symptoms who’ve been told repeatedly that their labs are quote-unquote normal, and they should just learn to live with it. But here’s what I’ve learned. When we truly listen to women, when we respect their intuitive knowledge of their own bodies, when we investigate deeply enough, we almost always find answers, and with those answers come solutions, healing, and hope. Dr. Deb 14:30So what’s the solution to this systemic problem? It requires change at multiple levels, but it begins with empowering women to advocate for themselves effectively. First, trust your body. Your symptoms are real, and you deserve care that acknowledges that reality. Dr. Deb 14:51As Dr. Daniel Amen has demonstrated through thousands of brain scans, your mental and physical symptoms have psychological origins that can be identified and treated when we look deeply enough. Second, become your own health advocate. Track your symptoms meticulously, noting patterns and triggers, and the specific impact on your daily functioning. Dr. Deb 15:17When you visit a healthcare practitioner, bring this data with you. It’s harder to dismiss documented patterns than general complaints. Third, don’t go alone if possible. Dr. Deb 15:30Studies show that having an advocate present during medical appointments significantly increases the likelihood of being taken seriously, and this person can take notes, ask follow-up questions, and provide confirmation of your experiences. Fourth, be prepared to be persistent. If you’re not getting answers, seek second, third, or even fourth opinions, and look for practitioners who specialize in functional medicine, integrative approaches, or women’s health specifically. Dr. Deb 16:05Fifth, know that you have options beyond conventional medicine. While I believe in working with traditional healthcare when appropriate, complementary approaches like functional medicine can offer solutions where conventional approaches have failed. At my practice, I see women daily who’ve been medically gaslit for years before finding us. Dr. Deb 16:22Our approach begins with comprehensive testing, not just the standard panels that only flag disease once it’s advanced, but functional testing that can identify patterns of dysfunction before they become pathological. I look at the whole picture, hormones, micronutrients, toxin exposure, gut health, inflammation markers, genetic predispositions, and more. My team and I understand the symptoms in one system often originate in another, and that healing requires addressing root causes rather than merely suppressing symptoms, and oftentimes it requires a team of experts to look at your case. Dr. Deb 17:09The future I envision is one where women don’t have to fight to be believed, where their symptoms are investigated with the same rigor as men’s, and where their intuitive knowledge about their own bodies is respected rather than dismissed. This isn’t just about fairness. It’s about saving lives. Dr. Deb 17:26It’s about preventing the needless suffering that occurs when diagnosis comes too late. It’s about creating a healthcare system that serves everyone equally. It’s about bringing women back to the bargaining table, about having a say in how they feel. Dr. Deb 17:43It’s about partnering with women to get the best out of their healthcare that they possibly can. It’s about providing a system of medicine that works for all of us, not for one of us. Thank you for joining me today on Let’s Talk Wellness Now. Dr. Deb 18:02If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who could benefit from learning about medically gaslighting and how to advocate for better healthcare. Remember, wellness isn’t just about feeling good. It’s about thriving in every area of your life. Dr. Deb 18:19If you’re ready to explore how functional medicine and root cause healing can help you overcome challenges of misdiagnosis, visit us at serenityhealthcarecenter.com or reach out to me through our social media channels. Until next time, I’m Dr. Deb reminding you to take care of your body, mind and spirit. Be well and I’ll see you on the next episode. Dr. Deb 18:44And do me one favor. If this episode resonates with you or you know somebody that’s being medically gaslit, please share it, like and subscribe to our channel. It really helps us grow and spread the word of integrative medicine and root cause medicine. Dr. Deb 19:04Thank you for sharing your time with me today. As always, we’ll see you and be well.The post Episode 249 – SILENCED & DISMISSED: Breaking Free from Medical Gaslighting in Women's Healthcare first appeared on Let's Talk Wellness Now.
Today, I am delighted to connect with Dr. Sameena Rahman, a board-certified OBGYN and certified menopause practitioner with over a decade of expertise in midlife sexual medicine and concierge gynecology. Dr. Rahman founded the GSM Collective in downtown Chicago to deliver a more personalized patient-first model of health care for women. In our conversation, we explore how cultural and racial factors influence care for women, particularly during the menopausal transition. We discuss the heart disease risk of women with a baseline of inflammation and insulin resistance, the effects of allostatic load on minority women, why cognitive health is crucial, the impact of alcohol, and why the current medical model is a systemic failure that gaslights women. We also examine the impact of pelvic floor therapy, appropriate pelvic examinations, specific autoimmune vulvar conditions, and how oral contraceptives affect sexual health, and Dr. Rahman shares her recommendations for preventing frailty and loss of independence. I am a big admirer of Dr. Rahman's work and look forward to having her join us again after her new book is published. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: Why Hormone Replacement Therapy alone might not solve all menopausal genital issues How pelvic floor issues can even affect women who have not given vaginal births What a routine Pap smear can miss, regarding vulvar and vestibular health What a simple Q-tip test can reveal about vulvar pain How untreated pain can create a cycle of pelvic floor problems How local hormone therapy can target vulvar and vestibular pain where systemic hormones may fall short The benefits of trauma-informed exams The value of integrating pelvic floor therapy with local hormone treatment How long-term birth control use might affect vulvar tissue What to consider for balancing contraception with sexual health Bio: Dr. Sameena Rahman Dr. Sameena Rahman is a board-certified OB/GYN, sex-med gynecologist, menopause specialist, and a clinical assistant professor of OB/GYN at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. She is the founder of the GYN & Sexual Medicine Collective, a successful concierge practice that emphasizes evidence-based medicine, and an affiliate of Ms. Medicine. Dr. Rahman is dedicated to evaluating and treating each patient with compassion, trauma-informed care, and an awareness of personal bias. Additionally, she hosts the podcast Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs & Hormones and will release her first book, Brown Girls Disease? A Guide To Sexual Health and Empowerment through a South Asian Lens in 2026. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community (The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow) Cynthia's Menopause Gut Book is on presale now! Cynthia's Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book The Midlife Pause supplement line Connect with Dr. Sameena Rahman The GSM Collective Dr. Sameena Rahman on Instagram (@gynogirl) Gyno Girl Presents Sex, Drugs and Hormones (Podcast) Resources Find a practitioner to assist with your sexual concerns The International Society for Vulvo Vaginal Diseases The National Vulvodynia Association Prosayla (Female Sexual Health Education)
Ever been told your labs are "normal," but you're still dealing with crushing fatigue, brain fog, weird digestive issues, or stubborn weight loss resistance—and secretly wondered if it's all in your head? In this episode, I unpack why that experience is heartbreakingly common for women and how a system built on male bodies has failed to truly understand female hormone balance, metabolism, and gut health. I share how, for most of medical history, women were treated as "small men" in research. Drug trials, diagnostic criteria, and lab ranges were based on male physiology, while our cycles, hormones, and unique digestive health patterns were labeled "too variable." That gap is still affecting you today—whether you're in perimenopause, struggling with IBS and bloating, or dragging yourself through the day with low energy and brain fog. Key Points in This Episode • How women were systematically excluded from research—and what that means for your labs, medications, and "normal" ranges when you don't feel normal at all. • The lingering legacy of "hysteria" and why women's symptoms—fatigue, pain, gut issues, anxiety—still get dismissed, minimized, or blamed on stress. • What actually happens in your brain, nervous system, hormones, and gut when you're not believed, and how that can worsen IBS, inflammation, and metabolic symptoms. • Seven practical practices to reclaim your voice in the medical system—how to document patterns, ask better questions, use stronger language, and keep going until you find someone who listens. This conversation is about giving you context for why you've felt dismissed—and tools so you stop doubting yourself. If you're tired of being told "everything looks fine" while your energy, hormone balance, gut health, and metabolism clearly say otherwise, this episode will help you see that your body isn't the problem. Hit play and let's start changing how you show up for your health. Stop wasting time (and money) on products that don't work. My Trusted Brands Guide is the exact list I share with my private clients — the skincare, supplements, food, and wellness tools that have been tested and proven to deliver results. No fluff. No guesswork. Just the brands you can finally feel good about using. ✨ Plus, I scored exclusive discounts from some of these companies just for my community.
Neurologist Carolyn Larkin Taylor discusses her article, "How medical gaslighting almost cost me my life." Carolyn shares her terrifying personal story of being dismissed by her long-time gynecologist, who labeled her cancer symptoms as "just stress." She details the frustrating journey of seeking a second opinion, the shocking discovery of her malignancy after a results mix-up, and the life-or-death stakes of the diagnostic delay. Carolyn explores the subtle, devastating impact of medical gaslighting, how it erodes a patient's reality (even when the patient is a physician), and why women's health issues are so often misdiagnosed. Learn how trusting your gut can save your life. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended