214 episodes
Invisible Not Broken - Chronic Illness Podcast Network Hosts: Monica and Eva
-
- Health & Fitness
-
-
4.5 • 91 Ratings
-
The podcast network that speaks to people with chronic illness, invisible illness, disability, and chronic pain.
"Explicitly Sick Podcast" with Monica Michelle + "[Human]care Podcast" with Eva Minkoff
Be Kind. Be Gentle. Be A Bad Ass.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Vulnerability, Resiliency, and Advocacy with Tim Reitsma
Monica Michelle is joined by consultant and podcast host Tim Reitma.
Tim lives with Crohn's Disease.
In this episode, Monica and Tim discuss:
Tim’s resiliency through managing his Crohn’sThe importance of self-advocacy, especially in the workplace Tim’s podcast why he shares stories of those with invisible illness
TIMESTAMPS00:47 - Tim's diagnosis
06:31 - How and why Tim applies self advocacy
15:41 - Why Tim started his podcast
22:42 - Invisible condition etiquette
31:00 - What HR can do better for employees with invisible illness
39:31 - Tools Tim uses to care for his Crohn’s outside the home
The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Tech and Disability: What VR Offers the Disabled Community with Sunny Ammerman
Monica Michelle is joined by artist and disability advocate Sunny Ammerman
Sunny lives with Septo-optic dysplasia, panhypopituitarism, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, and is missing a membrane in the brain called the "septum pellucidum".
In this episode, Monica and Sunny discuss:
Sunny’s complex disorders and how she copes with themEverything VR provides from accessible gaming, social platforms and the potential for better online education.Various VR/AR games and their gameplay Sunny’s VR support group
TIMESTAMPS00:45 - What VR/AR offers for chronically ill and disabled folks
11:57 - Sunny’s conditions and how she copes with them
17:55 - Features that make VR games accessible or inaccessible as well as different games and their play experiences
37:13 - The social aspects of virtual gaming
51:32 - What opportunities VR has for the future
1:04:49 - Sunny’s VR support group
The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Reporting on Chronic Illness and Disability with Journalist Julia Metraux
Monica Michelle is joined by Journalist Julia Metraux.
Julia lives with vasculitis, mild to moderate hearing loss, and has experienced long COVID.
In this episode, Monica and Julia discuss:
Julia's diagnosis with vasculitis and how it influences her journalistic lensHow community impacts the mental health of those with chronic illnessHow Julia and Monica find positives and negatives in the internet spaces for chronically ill and disabled folksThe politics of how government, businesses, and celebrities influence the chronic illness community
TIMESTAMPS00:32 - Julia's diagnostic journey
07:02 - Julia’s work reporting on the online community of chronic illness
16:32 - The effect of Internet communities on chronically ill and disabled folks
26:46 - How Julia’s illness impacts her work, both in what she writes about and how she manages her lifestyle
The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Author of “Pain: The Ultimate Mentor,” Physiotherapist Kevin Hunt
Monica Michelle is joined by author & physiotherapist Kevin Hunt.
Kevin lives with chronic pain.
In this episode, Monica and Kevin discuss:
Kevin’s philosophy of pain management as a physiotherapist who experiences chronic pain. The Hexagon Model, a life-management tool for focusing on what’s important to you.Kevin’s idea behind his new book.Using pain as a guide.
TIMESTAMPS00:34 - Kevin’s work as a physiotherapist specializing in the experience of pain
06:44 - The Hexagon Model for managing your life’s needs
14:00 - Putting aside the idea of a “quick fix”
19:45 - Kevin’s personal experience with pain and how he uses it with patients
28:44 - Kevin’s book, “Pain: The Ultimate Mentor”
The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
Author of “Through the Pain: The Silent Suffering & Triumph of a Personal Trainer”: John K. Frazier
Monica Michelle is joined by author & personal trainer John K. Frazier.
John lives with ankylosing spondylitis.
In this episode, Monica and John discuss:
John’s work as a physical trainer and authorChronic pain comparisonsPersonal triumph
TIMESTAMPS00:50 - John’s business & diagnosis
07:19 - Chronic pain olympics
09:31 - Talking about & hiding a diagnosis
15:09 - Personal triumph
18:24 - Staying in the present
23:29 - The superman complex
The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. -
The Creative Process, Self Worth, and Dating with Disability: Laura Mustard
Monica Michelle is joined by musician Laura Mustard.
Laura lives with VATER syndrome.
In this episode, Monica and Laura discuss:
Laura’s inspiration for her upcoming musical EP.How Laura’s illness impacted her recent relationship & self-image.Laura’s creative process, new music, and social media pressure.
TIMESTAMPS00:30 - Laura’s new EP / Monica’s recent COVID experience
05:32 - Relationships with chronic illness
11:20 - Image and self acceptance with disability
15:32 - Laura’s creative process and current projects
20:05 - Pursuing creativity despite social media attention
The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Customer Reviews
Love the podcast
This podcast has helped me a lot. The sound quality isn’t always the best but the content is so important it more than makes up for that. I’m not much of a fan of the new co-host but I’m glad the podcast is still going. Monica’s and Kyros’s episodes are my favorites. I definitely miss their presence on the show 💛
Informal & Informative
As a chronically sick person still working through the Nightmare of Multiple Diagnoses Stage, I appreciate this podcast a great deal.
Living w chronic pain & illness is isolating as it is, & my knee-jerk response when my physical & mental health tank is isolating myself, which doesn’t tend to help matters at all. I’m not great at finding or fitting in w various online disability/chronic illness communities, which only adds to that sense of isolation. This podcast helps a lot w that feeling - I may not be the one talking or hosting, but it makes me feel seen & heard, regardless.
So many days anymore I wake up thinking I can’t tolerate the agony w of pushing forward toward accurate diagnoses & need to just quit trying. Hearing the stories of others on their health journeys lends me strength on my lowest days.
I am weirded out at the amount of reviews & comments asking the hosts to basically just change their entire personalities, voices, & neurodivergent “quirks” to suit the personal preferences of various individual listeners. *insert slow blinks* That is called ableism & is frowned upon in most disability-informed communities. Just FYI - when you do that, it sounds incredibly privileged, like this,
“I don’t like his/her/their voice. Tell them to change it to one that I like better.”
“I don’t like his/her/their ADHD. Tell them to mask that so I can be more comfortable.”
“I don’t like the way they come off when they’re in pain. Tell them to hide that so I don’t find it irritating.”
FWIW, the topics most complained about in other reviews are the very things that drew me to this podcast & keep me listening. I like the informal nature, the lack of pressure to mask neurodivergent behaviors (which btw is exhausting), & real, honest conversations about the struggles of living w chronic pain & illness.
I wasn’t looking for a chronic illness podcast bc I wanted something perfect & pretty w fake sprinkles on top. I was looking for a podcast that would resonate, draw me in, & make me feel less alone.
And that’s exactly what this podcast does. Thank you, for that.
Super Helpful Disability podcast
Thank you for having this episode. It was very helpful in understanding the long process we are currently going through. Off to buy the book!