Shows
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune037 The End-of-Year Energy Check-In — Reflect, Release, and RealignThis year may not have gone to plan, but you grew through it. Here’s a gentle reflection to help you rest, release, and refocus before the new year.
What You’ll Learn
How to reflect on your year with honesty and grace
Ways to recognize growth that doesn’t look like achievement
Reflection prompts around energy, joy, and compassion
How to release guilt and carry peace into the new year
Memorable Quotes
“You don’t have to pretend this year was easy — you just have to acknowledge that you kept showing up.”
“Growth isn’t always visible. Sometimes it looks like resting...
2025-12-2304 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune036 Holiday Survival Mode: How to Set Boundaries and Still Feel LovedHoliday gatherings don’t have to drain you. Here’s how to protect your energy, say no with grace, and still feel connected.
What You’ll Learn
Why guilt creeps in when you set limits
How to communicate your boundaries clearly and kindly
Simple scripts for saying no or leaving early
How to let go of pressure and find joy in quieter moments
Memorable Quotes
“You don’t owe anyone a detailed medical update over mashed potatoes.”
“Guilt is often just grief in disguise.”
“You can love your people deeply and honor your limits at the same time.”
“You don’t have to earn...
2025-12-1605 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune035 When Gratitude Feels Forced: Finding Thanks in the MessWhen life feels heavy, gratitude can feel fake. Let’s talk about finding real, grounded thankfulness in the middle of the mess.
What You’ll Learn
Why “toxic gratitude” makes hard days harder
The difference between pretending and practicing gratitude
Gentle journal prompts for finding small joys
How faith helps you hold gratitude and pain at the same time
Memorable Quotes
“Gratitude doesn’t erase pain — it makes room for hope.”
“It’s not about being thankful for the pain. It’s about noticing what still holds.”
“You can be angry, tired, and grateful all at once.”
“Gratitude doesn’t have to be loud — sometimes it’s...
2025-12-0904 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune034 The Crash After the Feast — How to Rest Without GuiltAfter the holidays, your body crashes and your guilt kicks in. Here’s how to rest without apology — because recovery is sacred work.
What You’ll Learn
Why your post-holiday crash isn’t weakness
How to identify guilt-driven thoughts about rest
Real-life examples of what true rest looks like
Mindset shifts to help you rest without apology
Memorable Quotes
“Recovery isn’t laziness. It’s the part your body’s been waiting for.”
“Your body doesn’t keep score — it keeps memory.”
“Rest was never meant to be earned. It’s meant to be part of the rhythm.”
“You don’t have to bounce back. You...
2025-12-0205 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune033 Thank You From My Heart to YoursHey friend. This one’s simple — no lessons or bullet points today. I just wanted to take a breath with you and say thank you. For real. For showing up, for listening, for being part of this messy, beautiful space we’ve built together. When I started The Invisible Illness Club, I hoped it would help women feel seen. What’s happened has been so much more. Every message you’ve sent, every episode you’ve shared, every quiet moment you’ve listened while folding laundry or driving home — it all matters. You’ve turned this podcast into more than a project. It...
2025-11-2503 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune032 Why Asking for Help Feels So Dang HardAsking for help shouldn’t feel like failure — but for so many of us living with chronic illness, it does. In this episode, April gets real about the guilt, pride, and fear that make it so hard to ask for help, even when we desperately need it. From a moment of vulnerability in the shower to redefining what strength really means, this honest conversation invites you to see help not as weakness, but as connection.
🪞 What You’ll Hear
Why asking for help feels so heavy (and what’s really underneath it)
The difference between weakness and honesty
How guilt a...
2025-11-1806 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune031 Boundaries, MS & Building a Business on Your Terms (with Stephanie Boyle)Virtual assistant agency owner Stephanie Boyle shares how living with multiple sclerosis reshaped her work, motherhood, and mindset. We dig into boundaries without guilt, pacing work with alarms and self-check questions, co-parenting through flares, and starting a business small (on your body’s timeline). This one’s a masterclass in honoring limits without losing your ambition.
Key Topics
The schedule that listens: using alarms and self-check prompts to pace work with MS
Boundaries that stick (and why “no” often becomes a better “yes” later)
Recovering people-pleasing: serving well without self-abandonment
Parenting in a flare: resilience, honest language with kids, and as...
2025-11-1131 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune030 What I Wish Doctors Knew About People Like MeIn this heartfelt open letter, April shares what she wishes every doctor, nurse, and medical professional understood about life with chronic illness.
This isn’t a rant — it’s a reminder that compassion and curiosity are just as vital as prescriptions.
From the frustration of being dismissed to the healing power of the words “I believe you,” this episode invites providers — and patients — to reimagine what true care looks like.
🩵 In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
What patients with chronic illness wish their doctors truly understood
How years of being dismissed or doubted impact trust and mental health
What compassionate...
2025-11-0405 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune029 Supporting Your Spouse Through Chronic Illness with Matt and Latricia DavisThis episode dives into what it really looks like to support a spouse living with chronic illness. Matt shares the long, emotional journey to his MCTD diagnosis — from years of pain and self-doubt to finally finding answers. Latricia offers honest insight into the emotional weight of watching someone you love struggle and how she’s learned to listen, show up, and advocate without losing herself in the process. Together, they talk about the hard days, the moments of laughter that keep them grounded, and what love looks like when life doesn’t go as planned. Whether you’re the one who’...
2025-10-2835 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune028 Building a Business That Works With Your Body (Not Against It)Entrepreneurship is often painted as hustle, consistency, and 5 a.m. mornings. But when you live with chronic illness, that version of productivity just doesn’t fit. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on what it really looks like to run a business when your body has other plans. From working in bed with a laptop tray to building flexible schedules that honor your energy, I’ll share the practices and mindset shifts that keep me moving forward—slowly, but steadily. You’ll learn how to theme your days, use brain dumps to clear mental clutter, set flexible prioriti...
2025-10-2111 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune027 Victory in the Valley: Tina Medlin on Crohn’s, Faith, and Building CommunityIn this conversation, Tina Marie Medlin opens up about 30+ years with Crohn’s disease, drug reactions, major surgeries (including an ostomy), and the spiritual warfare of not giving up—like enduring six days with an NG tube and a terrifying arterial bleed she faced fully awake. Through it all, Tina discovered a calling: Warrior Braids Ministry, personalized “Warrior Boxes,” and a monthly faith-based support group that makes sure no one walks the chronic-illness road alone. We talk about pacing life with limited energy, the sting of “you look good,” why transparency matters, and how community becomes a vessel for hope. If you...
2025-10-1043 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune026 When Healing Doesn’t Come: Acute vs. Chronic Illness and What It Really MeansIn this solo episode of The Invisible Illness Club Podcast, April breaks down the difference between acute and chronic illness with everyday examples and relatable metaphors. She explains why society easily rallies around a broken bone but struggles to grasp the lifelong challenges of chronic conditions. April also reflects on how chronic illness shapes relationships and stretches faith in ways acute illness rarely does. This conversation is for anyone living with a chronic condition—or anyone who loves and supports someone who is—offering clarity, validation, and hope.
💬 Memorable Quotes:
“Acute illness is like a thunderstorm—it blows through. Ch...
2025-10-0711 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune025 Normal Labs, Real Symptoms: Patient Advocacy & Hope with Rheumatologist Dr. Reeti JoshiWhen your labs say “normal” but your body says otherwise—Dr. Reeti Joshi shares advocacy tools, faith, and hope for chronic illness.
What You’ll Learn
Why “normal” labs can still miss real disease activity—and how doctors actually interpret results in context of your story
Concrete ways to self-advocate (questions to ask, when to seek a second opinion, and how to communicate across specialties)
How a physician with her own autoimmune disease builds trust, listens, and practices shared decision-making
Why second and third visits often unlock key history—and how to prepare for them
“Never give up”: practical encouragem...
2025-09-3035 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune024 How Do We Respond as Christians When the World Feels Heavy?This week’s episode is different. April shares from a place of grief, prayer, and reflection after the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, the murder of a young woman on a train, ongoing school shootings, and other tragedies shaking our nation. Rather than diving into politics, this is a conversation about how Christians can process these events through the lens of faith. April talks about the weight of constant news, why our spirits were never meant to carry it all, and the importance of stepping back to listen for what God is calling us to do in these times. Wh...
2025-09-2309 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune023 When Mold, Motherhood, and Faith Collide: Aubree Felderhoff on CIRS, Starting Over, and Finding Intentional MotherhoodThis conversation follows Aubree’s seven-year search for a diagnosis, the emotional toll of not being believed, and the day-after prayer moment that led—miraculously—to answers. She explains CIRS in plain language, why her family had to walk away from their home and most possessions, and what rebuilding practically and spiritually looked like in the middle of a pandemic. We explore DNRS brain rewiring, reframing guilt, and holding both hope and reality with chronic illness. Aubree also shares how Mom Intentional was born: from the gap between “getting better” and having the skills and systems to actually live well. If you’...
2025-09-1640 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune022 You’re Not Lazy: The Truth About Chronic Illness and Invisible EffortThis episode dives into the shame so many of us carry when we’re living with chronic illness and can’t do what others expect—or what we expect of ourselves. From the outside, it might look like we’re resting too much, avoiding responsibilities, or being inconsistent. But the truth? We’re fighting invisible battles every single day. April shares a personal story of internalized guilt, how she learned to reframe the idea of “laziness,” and what it means to offer ourselves grace on the hardest days. If you’ve ever felt like you had to explain or justify your res...
2025-09-0904 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune021 Faith, Chronic Illness, and Motherhood with Keyundra Thompson
What does it look like to navigate lupus, POTS, and motherhood—all while raising a medically complex child and building a platform to support others? In this conversation, I’m joined by Keyundra Thompson, author, advocate, and founder of Secrets to Serenity. Keyundra shares her powerful story of growing up with undiagnosed symptoms, walking through a difficult pregnancy, and eventually receiving her chronic illness diagnoses. Through her journey, she’s learned how to balance caring for her children, managing her own health, and leaning on her faith to carry her through.
She’s also created a space for author...
2025-09-0234 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune020 When God Doesn’t Heal: Holding on to Faith with Chronic IllnessThis episode is for the ones holding faith in one hand and pain in the other. I share my honest journey of praying, believing, and still living with chronic illness—and the quiet shame, grief, and questions that come with it. Together, we’ll unpack the wrestle of faith when healing doesn’t come, the ways God still shows up in the waiting, and how to redefine miracles beyond physical healing. Whether you’re in a flare, walking through a diagnosis, or simply feeling forgotten, this conversation is an open door to breathe, to grieve, and to believe again—right here...
2025-08-2603 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune019 Faith, Planning, and Living Fully with Lupus: A Conversation with Shedrica Holmes of Chronically PlannedIn this candid conversation, Shedrica opens up about her lupus diagnosis journey, the mental and emotional battles of living with an invisible illness, and how faith has been her foundation. She shares how using a physical planner transformed her daily life—helping her track symptoms, manage her household, and create space for both rest and joy. We talk about the importance of planning around your body instead of against it, using creativity as a source of healing, and finding hope when life looks different than you expected. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your chronic illness journey, this...
2025-08-1932 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune018 RV Life, Illness, and Getting Rid of the Crap That Weighs You DownThis episode dives into the hidden emotional weight of starting over with chronic illness. What happens when you’ve finally made the leap—downsizing your home, embracing a new lifestyle—only to find that your body and heart haven’t caught up? I’m opening up about the day I broke down in our RV, what no one saw beneath the surface, and how guilt and grief can sneak into even the most “exciting” seasons. Whether you’re in a season of transition, feeling stuck between who you were and who you’re becoming, or simply tired of pushing through—it’s okay to not hav...
2025-08-1205 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune017 Helping Someone End Well: Faith, Caregiving, and Letting Go with Rachel K. SchneiderThis episode dives into Rachel’s story of loving and losing her husband to ALS and how she helped him “end well” with dignity, faith, and joy. We talk about invisible illness, caregiving, grief, honoring someone’s choices in their final days, and what it really means to live abundantly even when life hurts. Rachel also opens up about her ministry, Spirited Prosperity, and her mission to help women over 45 reclaim their stories and connect with the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re a caregiver, someone who’s grieving, or a woman wrestling with what’s next—this one will speak to you rig...
2025-08-0531 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune016 I'm too young for mobility aidsIf you’ve ever felt embarrassed to use a cane, walker, or scooter because of your age or how “healthy” you look—you are not alone. This week, we’re breaking down the shame, judgment, and internalized ableism around mobility aids. I share my own experience using a rollator for the first time, plus tips and encouragement for anyone on the edge of making that decision. Because choosing support isn’t giving up—it’s choosing more life.
Memorable Quotes:
"Would you rather suffer in silence—or show up for your life?”
“You are allowed to prioritize your joy, e...
2025-07-2906 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune015 Finding Purpose Through Pain: Melissa Smith on Chronic Illness, Faith, and Supporting Women⚠️ Trigger Warning:
This episode contains discussion of medical trauma, near-death experiences, and infertility
Summary
Melissa Smith was born with cerebral palsy, lives with multiple chronic conditions, and has survived a life-threatening surgery. But her story isn’t about staying stuck in the pain—it’s about how she turned that pain into purpose. In this episode, Melissa shares the heart behind her business, Grace and Glory Virtual Services, and how God used her hardest moments to equip her to serve other women. We talk about grief, burnout, spiritual dry spells, and the importance of community. She also op...
2025-07-2245 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune014 What Chronic Illness Is Teaching Me About GodFaith isn’t always easy when your body won’t cooperate and your plans constantly fall apart. In this raw and personal episode, I’m sharing how chronic illness is teaching me to stop performing and start trusting. From years of self-reliance to finally learning how to rest in God’s strength, this is for anyone who’s ever whispered, “God, I can’t do this.” Spoiler: You don’t have to do it alone.
Memorable Quotes:
“I’ve known God since I was ten—but chronic illness is teaching me how to actually trust Him.”
“God isn’t waiting for you to...
2025-07-1507 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune013 High-Functioning Depression, Motherhood, and Mental Health with Kristen Van HornWhat does depression really look like? For Kristen Van Horn, it didn’t mean crying in bed or skipping daily routines—it meant anger, irritability, and feeling disconnected from a life that “should” have made her happy. In this honest conversation, Kristen shares how she finally got the support she needed, what it looks like to maintain her mental health 10 years later, and why rest is actually productive. Whether you’re in the thick of it or figuring out what healing looks like, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and it can get better.
Memorable Qu...
2025-07-0841 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune012 Is Traveling Off the Table Now? (Traveling with Chronic Illness Doesn’t Have to Mean Giving Up)Thinking of canceling travel plans because of chronic illness? In this episode, we talk about how travel can still be possible—just differently. From pacing tools to packing smart, this one’s full of real talk, tips, and encouragement to help you see the world again—on your terms.
Memorable Quotes:
“You’re not broken. You’re just navigating life with a different map. And that map still leads to beautiful places.”
“Travel isn’t off the table. It just might look different now. And that’s okay.”
“Comfort is queen—so it’s all about soft clothes, supportive sho...
2025-07-0105 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune011 Grieving the Life You Thought You’d Have (with JoBeth Polley)I’m joined by JoBeth Polley, a certified grief recovery specialist who shares her own heartbreaking story and offers hope and healing for those grieving lives they didn’t choose.
⚠️ Trigger Warning:
This episode contains discussion of terminal illness, infertility, and grief.
In this raw and deeply moving episode, JoBeth Polley and I talk about the kind of grief no one prepares you for—the grief that comes with chronic illness, infertility, and lost futures. JoBeth shares her personal story of losing her husband to brain cancer and how it led her to help others thr...
2025-06-2455 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune010 What to Do When You’re Sick on Top of a Chronic IllnessIn this episode of The Invisible Illness Club, we’re talking about the absolute worst combo—getting sick on top of your chronic illness. I’m sharing what it felt like when I got COVID this past February (spoiler: it was brutal), why being “extra sick” hits so much harder when you already live with limited energy, and what to actually do when you’re stuck in survival mode. We’re talking real rest, low-energy self-care, and the emotional toll no one talks about. Plus, I’m pointing you to my free Self-Care Toolkit—because sometimes brushing your teeth is the win.
2025-06-1708 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune009 Pilates for Chronic Pain and Recovery: Jessica McGarvey’s Journey from Injury to EmpowermentWhat happens when the body you’ve always relied on breaks down? Jessica McGarvey knows this journey intimately. A former professional dancer turned Pilates instructor, Jessica opens up about her herniated disc injury, the long road to recovery, and how that season deepened her empathy for clients navigating invisible illness and postpartum healing.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or struggling to find a movement practice that feels safe, this episode is packed with grace-filled wisdom, practical encouragement, and hope that healing is possible—even if it looks different than you planned.
Memorable Quotes:
I...
2025-06-1026 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune008 Chronic Illness is a Full-Time Job (And That’s Why I Said No)If you’ve ever felt guilty for saying no, this one’s for you. Let’s talk about why living with chronic illness is a full-time job—and how setting boundaries can save your energy (and your sanity). Plus, I’ve got a brand-new resource to help: The Boundaries Reset Workbook.
Memorable Quotes:
“Chronic illness is a full-time job—with no PTO, no weekends, and no cupcakes in the break room.”
“You don’t need to justify your no. Protecting your energy is reason enough.”
“Your boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re survival. Especially when your body is already doing the most...
2025-06-0305 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune007 Reclaiming Joy with Chronic Illness: Nicole Roth on Healing Hashimoto’s, Setting Boundaries, and Restoring Your HealthIn this episode, I’m joined by Nicole Roth—a Health Restoration & Joy Coach and longtime autoimmune warrior—who shares how she reclaimed her health and joy after years of living with Hashimoto’s. We talk about the power of mindset, the role of boundaries in healing, and how faith and nervous system regulation helped her shift from seeing herself as “sick” to stepping into her God-given purpose. This conversation is honest, hopeful, and filled with practical wisdom for anyone navigating life with chronic illness.
Memorable Quotes:
It seems so simple, but moving my body was one of the m...
2025-05-2734 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune006 Running a Business from Bed with Chronic illnessLet’s get real: not all entrepreneurs start their day with a latte and a color-coded calendar. Some of us start it from bed—with heating pads, pill bottles, and a to-do list that flexes with our energy. In this episode, I’m sharing how I run a business while managing chronic illness, why “business as usual” doesn’t work for spoonies, and how to create a work rhythm that honors your body. If you’ve ever felt like you can’t be both sick and successful, this episode will remind you—you absolutely can.
Memorable Quotes:
“My bank doesn...
2025-05-2005 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune005 When Your Labs Scare You: Navigating Kidney Issues with Chronic IllnessI know this wasn’t the most uplifting episode—but I also know how lonely it feels to sit with scary lab results, unanswered questions, and a body that’s just not cooperating. So if you’re there right now too, please know: I see you. You’re not broken. You’re not failing. And you don’t have to face the unknown alone. Whether your kidneys are flaring, your labs are off, or your energy is hanging by a thread—you still belong here. You’re still worthy of rest, support, and softness.
Memorable Quotes:
I don’t have a...
2025-05-1304 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune004 Grieving the Life You HadToday’s episode is for the ones who miss their old selves—the energetic version who stayed out late, made spontaneous plans, and didn’t have to count spoons just to take a shower. Chronic illness brings a grief that no one prepares you for. It’s not linear, it’s not loud—but it’s real. We talk about what this grief looks like, why it comes in waves, and how to cope with a life that looks nothing like you imagined. You are not failing—you’re adapting. And that’s powerful.
Memorable Quotes:
“You don’t have to be i...
2025-05-0605 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune003 Lonely but Not Alone: The Hidden Isolation of Chronic IllnessEver felt completely alone, even in a room full of people? This episode is all about that invisible ache—loneliness that isn’t about being physically alone, but about not feeling understood. When you’re living with a chronic illness, especially one others can’t see, that kind of isolation can run deep. I’m sharing a personal story that hit me hard and offering a few gentle, real-life ways to cope when you feel unseen. You are not too sensitive. You’re not dramatic. You’re human—and you deserve real connection.
Memorable Quotes:
“Loneliness isn’t always about...
2025-04-2905 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune001 Living with Chronic Illness: My Story & Why I Started This PodcastIn this first episode, I share my journey to getting diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia after years of being dismissed. I also talk about why I started The Invisible Illness Club Podcast and what you can expect—real, honest conversations about chronic illness, faith, and finding joy in the hard moments. You’re not alone here!
Memorable Quotes:
Finally! Someone was taking me seriously and it wasn't even at my own appointment!
We’re in this together, and I can’t wait to walk this journey with you.
Links:
Join The Unseen Sisterho...
2025-04-2208 min
The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune002 Finding Joy Through GratitudeIn this episode, we’re talking about the power of gratitude—not as toxic positivity, but as a tool to find hope and joy even on the hardest days. You’ll learn how gratitude rewires your brain, helps shift your focus, and creates space for both the pain and the good. 💛
Memorable Quotes:
“Hope and joy feel so out of reach sometimes. But gratitude doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine or ignoring your pain. It can be both/and.”
“Your brain already has a VIP list of everything that sucks. Gratitude reminds it, ‘Hey, there’s still some beauty her...
2025-04-2205 minThe Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto ImmuneWelcome to the Invisible Illness PodcastAre you feeling overwhelmed, unseen, or just plain exhausted from navigating life with a chronic illness? You’re not alone, and this podcast is here to remind you of that.
Welcome to The Invisible Illness Club Podcast, a space where your struggles are acknowledged, your wins (big or small) are celebrated, and real-life solutions meet hope and encouragement. In this first episode, I’m sharing what you can expect from the podcast, a little of my own journey with chronic illness, and how faith, boundaries, and a little bit of humor have helped me find joy along the...
2025-02-1701 min
The Confident Mompreneur Podcast#7 Pinterest and You with Amanda AramandaIn this episode we talk about confidently starting and growing your business through the use of pinterest! If you are a business owner and not yet on pinterest you could be missing out! Check this out!
Find April: @aprilaramanda or riseandgrindpintrest.com
Find Kyrie: the_confident_mompreneur and theconfidentmompreneur.com
2021-08-2618 min