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Welcome to The Chronically Positive Podcast! This podcast delves into the complexities of living with chronic illness. It’s not about forcing positivity or suggesting that a positive mindset is the solution—because we all know it’s not that simple. Instead, we focus on resilience, creativity, and finding meaning in our challenges. Each episode features inspiring stories from individuals who have turned their diagnoses into opportunities for growth and advocacy. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have lived with chronic illness for years, this podcast reminds you that your journey matters.

The Chronically Positive Podcast

Mental Health

16 episodes

S2 Ep6: Crohn’s, Comedy, and Creating Your Own Spotlight with Anna Snapp S2 EP6

You can watch this episode on youtube (https://youtu.be/XNVDIKCkhJI) In this episode, Anna Snapp joins me to share how she transformed years of medical trauma, mental health struggles, and invisible illness into powerful creative expression. From hospital stays and misdiagnoses to performing her story on stage for med students and Fringe Festival audiences alike, Anna’s journey is a reminder o...

54m • Jul 08

54m

S2 Ep5: My First Trip Abroad with a Chronic Illness: How I Survived Italy S2 EP5

You can watch the episode on YouTube here (https://youtu.be/b1auUSo6_FY) In this episode of The Chronically Positive Podcast, I’m sharing my first experience traveling abroad with a chronic illness. I recently went to Italy, and while it was an incredible adventure, it came with its own set of challenges. From managing my health on the flight to navigating food, accessibility, and flare-ups, I...

29m • May 14

29m

S2 Ep4: Building Resilience Together: The Impact of Chronic Illness on Relationships | Ft. Olivia Haning

You can watch this episode on youtube (https://youtu.be/kgUxHghvcsQ) In this episode, I sit down with Olivia aka @chronicallyillandhot to discuss our experiences with chronic illness, focusing on the importance of community support, humor, and the emotional toll of living with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and mast cell activation syndrome. We share personal stories about navigating c...

53m • May 08

53m

S2 Ep3: What Happens When We Stop Funding Science: How Chronic Illness and Rare Disease Communities Could Be Left Behind

This week on The Chronically Positive Podcast, I’m joined by a very special guest, my brother Elias. Elias is a rare disease researcher and we’re talking about something that impacts all of us: science funding. Recent cuts to research funding may feel distant, but they directly affect people living with chronic illness and rare disease. In this conversation, Elias explains how science funding ...

38m • Mar 25

38m

S2 Ep2: Dating with Chronic Illness | Featuring my Boyfriend

In this episode, I sit down with my boyfriend, Matthew, to talk about the realities of love, support, and navigating life together with a chronic illness. We’re answering your questions, sharing personal stories, and tackling the tough topics—like feeling like a burden, managing household responsibilities, and maintaining intimacy. Whether you’re in a similar situation or just curious about ho...

1hr • Mar 11

1hr

S2 Ep1: Navigating Relationships and Intimacy with Chronic Illness | Featuring Danni Hertel

Welcome to season two of the Chronically Positive podcast! This season, we're diving deep into the complexities of love, dating, and intimacy for those living with chronic illnesses. Today, we are joined by Danni Hertel, who shares her powerful story of navigating relationships while dealing with chronic illness. She discusses the impact of toxic relationships on her health, the importance of s...

46m • Mar 04

46m

S1 Ep10: Trapped in His Own Body: Jake Haendel’s Unbelievable Survival Story Ep. 10

In this gripping episode, the 'Miracle Man' Jake Haendel shares his extraordinary journey of surviving stage four acute toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy, a rare brain disease that left him fully conscious but unable to move or speak for ten months. Jake opens up about his descent into addiction, the horrifying misdiagnosis of being brain dead, and his incredible recovery journey. We delve ...

1hr 10m • Feb 02

1hr 10m

S1 Ep9: Tyler Scheviak on Creating Fig: A Game-Changer for Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities

On this episode of The Chronically Positive Podcast, I sit down with Tyler Scheviak, the creator of the Fig app—a game-changing tool for anyone with chronic illnesses or food sensitivities trying to navigate their dietary restrictions. Tyler opens up about his journey, the challenges faced by those managing food allergies, and the surprising impact of mold toxicity on health. We also dive into ...

46m • Jan 23

46m

S1 Ep7: Teaching Dance with EDS: An Inspiring Journey of Adaptation and Resilience with Sami Leyde

In this episode of the Chronically Positive Podcast, I sit down with Sami Leyde, a chronic illness advocate and dance teacher. We dive into her journey with chronic pain, her experiences with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS, and how she’s adapted her teaching methods to accommodate her health challenges. Together, we explore the importance of community, resilience, and finding a balance between...

29m • Jan 07

29m

S1 Ep6: Empowering Chronic Illness Management: Emily Von Weis on Guava and the Power of Community Support

In this episode of The Chronically Positive Podcast, I talk with Emily von Weise, Head of Marketing at Guava. Emily shares her personal journey with chronic illnesses such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and MCAS, and discusses how her experiences influenced her role at Guava. We dive into how the Guava app empowers users to manage their health more effectively, featuring tools like symptom tr...

49m • Dec 31, 2024

49m

S1 Ep1: Disability Has No Dress Code: Samantha Jade Durán's Journey to Becoming @adisabledicon

In this episode of The Chronically Positive Podcast, I’m joined by Samantha Jade Durán, a powerhouse designer, activist, and influencer known online as @adisabledicon. Samantha opens up about her journey as a Latina navigating life with complex disabilities and chronic illnesses while breaking barriers in the worlds of fashion and beauty. We dive into Samantha’s groundbreaking work in adaptive...

39m • Nov 26, 2024

39m

S1 Ep1: Chronically Positive: Redefining Life with Chronic Illness

Welcome to the very first episode of The Chronically Positive Podcast! I’m your host, Ila, and I’m excited to share my journey with you. In this episode, I’ll dive into my personal story of living with chronic illnesses, including POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and how I’ve turned my experiences into advocacy and community-building. This podcast isn’t about forcing positivity or suggesting t...

10m • Oct 13, 2024

10m