Shows
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 min
The 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 min
The 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.com2021-08-2618 min