Shows
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: April 2025Workplace advocacy, self-care, and community connection were the focus of the April Lipedema Patient Roundtable, featuring special guest Susan O’Hara, founder of the American Lipedema Association (ALA). This nonprofit is led by individuals living with lipedema, along with medical professionals, researchers, and advocates, all united to empower patients and raise awareness and understanding of the condition in the U.S.O’Hara shared how the ALA is making meaningful strides—from petitioning the CDC to recognize lipedema in U.S. ICD-10-CM codes to launching an email campaign urging all 182 accredited medical schools to include lipedema in core ed...2025-04-291h 00The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: Remembering PattieLympha Press created the Lipedema Patient Roundtables to support lipedema patients. The power of this community was never more evident than at the March 19th Roundtable. Just days before, the lipedema world was shocked by the sudden passing of Pattie Cornute, founder of Lipedema Fitness and one of the original anchors of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable. In light of this great loss, the hour was spent in loving memory of Pattie.The healing hour was spent sharing her wisdom, remembering her fiercely protective yet loving spirit, and honoring the way she navigated her life and uplift...2025-03-251h 01The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: February 2025‘Twas the month before the Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS) Conference, and all through the Lipedema Patient Roundtable, the conversation was agog at the robust agenda!Joined by FDRS President and event organizer Cheyenne Brinson, the Roundtable panel and attendees enjoyed previews of Linda Anne Kahn’s talk, “The Metabolic Link in Connective Tissue Disease and Fat Disorders: Unraveling the Intersections of Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, and Chronic Disease,” Cara Cruz‘s session “Love After Nodules,” which she’ll be presenting alongside her fiancé Levi Garrett, and Brenda Viola‘s keynote address, “Finding Joy in the Journey: A Message of Hope.”Pas...2025-02-251h 03
The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 48 - Santa Claus: The Message is Love
"Santa! I love you!"
Those words, yelled out by a random car passenger driving past him brought clarity to a man whose white beard and demeanor immediately evoked the classic image of Santa Claus.
He'd been praying about "what to do with all this." Playing the role at Christmas was one avenue he pursued, but the whole "ho ho ho" and commercialism didn't fulfill his spirit.
"Santa! I love you!"
Something about those words resonated.
He went to the courthouse the very next day and had his name officially changed. "Having the name Santa Claus makes my work as...2024-12-2333 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 47 - Stephanie Smith: The Mother Wound
"My mother didn't like me."
Born ten months after her older brother died, Stephanie Smith grew up feeling like "the replacement baby." Only she wasn't a boy and her talkative, creative, and effervescent personality broke the mold of her mother's expectations and preferences.
From passive-aggressive attempts to "marry her off" to refusing to sign the papers that would allow her to attend the dream college she was accepted to - Notre Dame - much of Stephanie's adult life focused on winning her mother's elusive approval.
A prominent government analyst and municipal clerk, the list of her accomplishments could fill...2024-12-0947 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 46 - Laura Krauss: The Layoff CootiesWhen you're winning awards for crushing company goals, chosen to lead and mentor, and generating millions of dollars in revenue, the last thing you'd expect is to be terminated.
Laura Krauss was blindsided.
This politically charged layoff, rendered right before the holidays without even the courtesy of a face-to-face meeting left Laura bitter and grieving.
Even her closest colleagues stopped talking to her.
In dire need of connection, she began posting on LinkedIn, and her message struck a nerve...2024-11-2524 min
Heart to Heart Navigating Lipedema TogetherHow to Be Heard Without Screaming: Navigating Lipedema in the Workplace with Brenda ViolaIn this Heart to Heart conversation, Dr. Catherine Seo and Lisa Duerre are joined by workplace culture expert Brenda Viola. Together, they explore how individuals with Lipedema can advocate for themselves and be heard in their professional environments—without feeling like they have to scream to be understood. Brenda offers actionable insights on effective communication, building rapport with colleagues, and fostering inclusive workplaces that are sensitive to hidden disabilities.Dr. Catherine Seo provides valuable perspectives on the challenges that arise when managing a condition like Lipedema in professional settings. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-compassion, re...2024-11-2044 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 45 - David Wetherelt: Living with Undiagnosed Autism and ADHDHe always felt "different."
His entire life? A quest to get to the bottom of what fueled chronic anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse.
Appearances are deceiving. A high performer who enjoyed top-tier professional success, David Wetherelt masked his inner pain. The constant "extra steps of mental gyrations" necessary to fit in proved exhausting, ending in hospitalization.
His story took a dramatic turn when at age 58 he received a life-changing diagnosis: autism. Finally, like Dorothy's world turning to technicolor when she arrived in Oz, David could understand the "why" behind a lifetime of overwhelming fee...2024-11-1156 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 44 - Herbie Mack: Surviving Suicide and Living to Save LivesHe just celebrated the 9th anniversary of his last suicide attempt.
Growing up in the Bronx, Herbie Mack was conditioned to be tough. If you feel it, don't show it - and don't talk about it. Caught in the crosshairs of a shootout, he knew he had to get out. A friend encouraged him to move to Tampa, FL, and begin a new life.
But he soon learned that no matter where you go, you take yourself with you.
He embraced the party culture of college and achieved his dream - a degree that could open up a career...2024-10-2834 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 43 - Sarah Smith: A Survivor's StorySurvivor's guilt tormented Sarah Smith.
At age 22, a night out with friends turned into a nightmare. When her Lyft driver exited the car to assist her, he was hit by a drunk driver and killed.
She woke up in a hospital bed with no memory of the impact, but would deal with the traumatic repercussions for years.
"Why am I still here and he isn't?" she questioned.
Isolation...a murder trial...coming face to face with the driver's family...all painful triggers of the night that changed her forever.
But step by step, milestones of healing were achieved through...2024-10-1437 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 42 - Lance Cibik: The Odds Were Stacked Against MeMeeting Lance Cibik, you'd think the world was his oyster. Well-spoken, charming, attractive, educated...
...you'd never guess that at age 8, Lance Cibik tried to kill himself.
Born in poverty to a high school dropout, his mother committed suicide four days before his first birthday.
Throughout his childhood, his mother's family tried to convince Lance that his father had murdered her; even trying to get him to confess as a witness.
This mental torment was compounded by the stress of not fitting in with the new family his father had created.
At age 17, he chose to live alone and provide...2024-09-3030 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 41 - Caryl Westmore: The Fire That Cracked Open Her Heart"Let me die or find me a reason for living."
This was the prayer Caryl Westmore prayed after losing her home and her beloved dog in a fire...and, soon after, facing the end of her marriage with no resources to rebuild a broken life.
This series of traumas showed Caryl her heart, once closed, had been cracked open. And her prayer was answered when she found a book, The Journey by Brandon Bays. So captivated by the teachings, Caryl worked to bring the author to her country to speak.
Always inspired by alternative healing modalities, her knowledge grew...2024-09-1643 min
SaaS FuelBrenda Viola - From Tech Talk to Team Talk: Bridging SaaS Culture GapsIn this episode of SaaS Fuel, Jeff dives into the art of impactful communication and the secrets to building a thriving workplace with Brenda Viola, an expert with a rich background in news anchoring, public relations, and marketing. Brenda shares practical strategies for active listening, thoughtful speaking, and asking the right questions to transform both personal and professional interactions.We hit on key aspects like the integral role of communication in cultivating a positive work environment, and why employees crave to be seen and heard. We discuss unique strategies for keeping team morale high, including the power...2024-09-0554 min
Search & ReplaceBrenda ViolaWhat happens when life pulls the rug out from under you, not just once, but twice? Brenda Viola faced the unthinkable and emerged stronger than ever. After enduring the heartbreaking loss of her mother and the sudden death of the love of her life within just a few months, Brenda found herself at a crossroads. Rather than staying in a place of despair, she made a bold decision to start over—literally and figuratively. Brenda shares her inspiring journey of moving across the country, starting a new life from scratch, and founding her own business, Vici Communications. Brenda's story is a...2024-09-0407 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 40 - Lynn Singer: Breaking Into BrillianceThe minute you hear her voice you know you're experiencing an otherworldly gift.
She's worked with Academy Award-winning actors, taught at Yale, and rubbed shoulders with the New York elite.
But a psychotic break nearly ended her life.
A toxic mixture of acid and marijuana unleashed latent mental illness and insights, "I wasn't ready for."
Catching up to herself; refusing to give in to the darkness; and embracing her innate spiritual gifts have given Lynn Singer a unique platform.
She helps people find their authentic voices.
"Your...2024-09-0238 minThe Alchemy of PainEpisode 39 - Michelle Kuei: From Crutches to CourageShe was celebrating the end of the school day and running toward her mother when a taxicab struck 11-year-old Michelle Kuei.
Catapulted 100 feet by the impact, she spent the next four years in and out of hospitals. Rehab was grueling, but the pre-teen years presented the greatest challenge.
"Do I even belong here?"
Shorter and walking with a limp, Michelle so desperately wanted to fit in she'd wear stockings and pants on stifling hot days, just to hide the scars that shamed her. Facing...2024-08-1937 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 38 - Sarah Morgan: The Survivorship Portrait Project"Cancer wraps itself around a person...and changes them."
Sarah Morgan knows.
Her grandmother, mother, best friend, former fiance...it seemed everywhere she turned, someone else she loved was diagnosed.
Back in the 80's when she discovered a lump on her breast, she thought it was a death sentence, because she walked with a cloud of fear over her life regarding the "c" word.
Fortunately, much has changed since the 80's. And so has Sarah's fear.
A professional photographer, she now donates her talents to capture the before and...2024-08-0527 min
Write the Book Inside YouBe Heard without Screaming: Captivate your Listeners with Brenda ViolaSend us a textWant folks to hang on your words when you speak? Want to be heard loud and clear from the boardroom to the bedroom? From stage to podcasts? Then this episode on effective communicating with guest Brenda Viola is for YOU!Brenda Viola is an author, speaker, and award-winning communicator. She teaches us how to captivate our listener...whether in the boardroom, on stage, TV, podcasts or in the home.Her book, "How to be Heard without Screaming," promises you CAN learn tips to be a more skillful c...2024-07-3136 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 37 - Kris Hammons: Leveraging Your Limitations"You can't overcome what you're not willing to face."
Kris Hammons is 4’ 5’’ tall and was born with dwarfism.
Doctors told his parents he would never make it.
After he survived, doctors then told his mom to place him in an institution because he'd never walk, talk, or live a “normal” life.
It didn’t turn out that way.
“Challenge accepted” has been his mantra. So has faith in God and His ability to help Kris through anything.
Here are just a few of the impossibilities that Kris has accomplished:
→ Recovering from 20+ surgeries all under the age of 20
→ Graduating high school in 2001
→ Goi...2024-07-2230 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 36 - Michael Anderson: Resisting FatherhoodEveryone told him it would be the happiest time in his life.
"You'll see your child and feel a love like never before."
It didn't happen.
And the disconnection between "What I should feel and what I did feel" grew as Michael Anderson hid behind being busy.
A crisis point in his marriage forced him to look at his own need for healing. "Parenthood shines a light on all of the unhealed places in your soul."
Michael now serves as a therapist helping parents feel more connected with their...2024-07-0841 min
LeaderGOV LearningBrenda Viola President of Vici Communication LLCIn this LeaderGov podcast, author and speaker Brenda Viola shares how to have greater impact in communication. As a former local government PIO, news anchor, and QVC host, Brenda shares how to be heard without screaming (actually, that’s the title of her book!). In the podcast, she discusses: Information versus communicationImplementing the HEARD method to better communication How to plan for communication pushbackSecrets to eloquence and charismaBuy a copy of How to Be Heard Without Screaming!: https://www.amazon.com/How-Heard-Without-Screaming-Skillfully/dp/B0D11TMWJ22024-06-2632 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 35 - Ron Wittman: When You Lose Your Four-Legged FriendThis is a love story about a man and his dog, Rafa the Frenchie.
Rafa's sensitive tummy (as well as his brother, Roddick's) inspired a man whose background was NOT baking to create healthy treats for them.
It's always a joy to see the smiling face of Ron Wittman at the La Jolla and Little Italy farmers markets in San Diego. But for several weeks in 2024, he just couldn't bring himself to bake.
Quite unexpectedly, Rafa succumbed to cancer. Losing his constant companion was a crushing blow, but something beautiful to honor Rafa's life was birthed: A fundraiser to...2024-06-2432 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 34 - Kim "Kid" Curry: Choosing Acceptance Over AngerA successful disc jockey with fans in DC, San Antonio, and all over the country, "Kid" Curry had reached the pinnacle of his career running the #1 rated radio station in Miami.
He was 50 and in the sweet spot of success...
...when the diagnosis came. Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Within three years he went from walking with a cane to using crutches to needing a wheelchair. Not only affecting his body, MS made him feel like his brain was "on fire" and his personality turned angry.
That's when his wife said, "You've got to stop being angry at being...2024-06-1033 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 33 - Evans Duren: Making Peace With PurposeIf you've ever struggled with the question, "Am I fulfilling my purpose in life?" you'll find this interview with Evans Duren thought-provoking.
Author of the book, Send Me, he recounts the tension between thinking "serving God" had to look one particular way - a way quite different than the hugely successful sales career he'd established.
For a Christian like himself, Evans equated ministry with the confines of a church, congregation, or pulpit. For those not fitting within that mold, too often, they can judge themselves harshly and feel outside of "the will of God."
2024-05-2738 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 32 - Shirlee DiBacco: A Mother's Fierce Love"We will either spend money on this therapy or we will be paying for her funeral."
There was no way out.
Shirlee DiBacco's daughter was slowly dying from addiction. The doctor's answer? A suboxone prescription. As she watched her once vibrant daughter fade into suicidal depression, she frantically searched for answers.
The lifeline of hope she found was illegal in the United States. But it saved her daughter's life.
In this interview, you'll learn about Shirlee's journey to Costa Rica, where the plant medicine, Iboga, rescued her daughter from the abyss and gave her a new, healthy life. The...2024-05-1348 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 31 - Jaime T: Making Alcohol InsignificantOh no...what did I say?
What did I do?
And then, the apology tour begins.
For many who don't identify as alcoholics, they struggle with the hangxiety of the day after. And because cultural norms often link a good time with alcohol consumption, many are trapped.
In this thought-provoking episode, Brenda shares her complicated relationship with alcohol, particularly in the aftermath of losing her life partner. "It was easier to numb myself than feel the painful feelings."
Enter guest Jaime T of @HypeGirlHealing. She helps "wellness-minded gals break free from the moderation madness with alcohol." A...2024-04-2935 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: April 2024For the lipedema community, the Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS) Conference is an annual highlight. At the April Lipedema Patient Roundtable, host Brenda Viola and Angelique Charles “zoomed” from St. Louis Missouri, where the next few days will focus on the latest research and breakthroughs in fat disorders.
Linda Anne Kahn, an FDRS clinical speaker, treated attendees to a sneak preview of her talk on the fascial network, pain and lipedema, and Dercum’s disease.
Special guest Kaz Windsor joined the live discussion from the UK, and shared how limited options for help inspired her to stu...2024-04-231h 04The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 30 - Britt Elam: Presence Over Perfection"My worst fear is that my child would grow up to feel about herself the way that I feel about myself."
This revelation changed the course of Britt Elam's life; a life that to observers looked perfect: a beautiful baby, life partner, a good job. Though all of the boxes of a happy life seemed checked, what others couldn't see or hear was the harsh, internal chatter pummeling her every day.
When perfection is the impossible standard, everything seems a failure. Not wanting to model this unhealthy pattern to her daughter, she began the work of breaking the familiar...2024-04-1526 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 29 - Pattie Cornute: All or Something, The Lipedema Fitness StoryA prisoner of a chair.
For a woman who thrived on being active her entire life, the crushing blow advised by her doctor was almost as debilitating as the disease taking over her body - lipedema.
You know someone with lipedema. Everyone does. Over 10% of all women have the condition, though most remain undiagnosed and filled with shame. For these women, it's not "calories in, calories out" because despite their best efforts, fat grows disproportionately on their bodies.
At one point, Pattie was a size four on top; twelve on the bottom. The condition worsened after the birth of...2024-04-0146 minThe Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: March 2024"Perfectionism is the enemy of good." This was just one of the powerful takeaways from the March Lipedema Patient Roundtable. Special guest Dr. Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA, FACO, FP, has devoted his career to studying and treating obesity and lipedema. An expert on one of the hottest related topics, GLP-1 medications, he fielded a host of insightful questions from a curious panel and audience. Side effects, insulin resistance, potential impacts on fibrosis, and much more were covered during the hour.
Dr. Pennings said that family members and, sadly, medical professionals are the most likely to perpetuate stigmas...2024-03-261h 01The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 27 - Pat Tallman: Her Breakdown Led to a BreakthroughAll she could do was lie in bed and sob.
The diagnosis? A psychotic break.
But this is where Pat Tallman's story actually begins.
You might recognize her from 1990's Night of the Living Dead, or maybe her appearances on Babylon 5. With over 50 appearances in Star Trek franchises, her following of sci-fi enthusiasts is immense.
"I was doing everything right and yet my life wasn't working," she shares in this heartfelt interview. Desperate to provide for her son, she fell into a series of betrayals and abuses until hitting rock bottom. 2024-03-1840 minThe Lympha Press PodcastA Conversation with Dr. John Chuback on Your Heart: The Center of Your Cardiovascular and Lymphatic CirculationsJohn Chuback, MD, FACS, discusses the cardiovascular system, particularly how the heart is central to the magnificent anatomical and physiological network of arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels.
During this conversation with Lympha Press President Eric Ansart and host Brenda Viola, Dr. Chuback talks about the heart’s normal function and how it is related to circulation. He considers and discusses some of the pathological cardiac conditions that can occur and how they can affect not only the heart structure and function but also the secondary negative consequences on venous return, lymphatic flow, and the pulmonary system. And, of...2024-03-121h 02The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 27 - John O'Leary: On Fire for Good"Mom...am I going to die?"
A little boy's curiosity playing with gasoline led to an explosion that propelled him 20 feet across the garage and burned 100% of his body.
With less than a 1% chance of survival, his mother didn't sugarcoat the answer.
Instead, she asked a question.
"Do you want to die?"
"No!"
"Then you must do your part and fight..."
John O'Leary's fight not only led to his survival but also a remarkable life that will soon be the subject of a major motion...2024-03-1129 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 26 - Leslie Weirich: The Gifts of Grief“Grief has been my middle name for 47 years.”
Leslie Weirich shares the profound series of multiple losses she has faced in her lifetime, but the pain that has become her purpose followed the shocking suicide of her 20-year-old son, Austin in 2016.
A star student and athlete, there were no obvious warning signs, but Leslie learned after the fact the devastating link between high achievers and high risk for suicide.
She also immersed herself in research that revealed the clear connection between toxic romantic relationships and the dramatic, negative impacts on the psyches of young men. Add a firearm to the...2024-03-0453 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: February 2024Love is always in the air at the Lipedema Patient Roundtable, but the feeling was palpable as the group shared what community means to them in this “Galentines” episode. With representatives from the Lipedema Foundation and Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS) welcomed as guests, questions and answers abounded. New materials intended for patients to bring to their medical team were unveiled by the Foundation, including their Clinician's Guide to Lipedema and Research Roadmap, and discussion surrounding how to participate in the organization’s research database were discussed.
Angelique Charles encouraged the audience to “not give up on themselve...2024-02-271h 08The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 25 - Robyn Tanner: Fight For Your Future SelfTen years ago, she was in the best shape of her life.
Then, suddenly, she couldn’t walk.
For a Master Fitness Coach and busy mom of little ones, this
debilitating turn of events led her from doctor to doctor and through a series of dismissals and missed diagnoses.
Finally, the answer came, and the news was grave. Robyn
Tanner had a rare form of strep and MRSA that had infiltrated her blood, bones, hip, and spine.
To this day, she deals with chronic pain and part of her spine is mi...2024-02-2632 min
Choose Courage PodcastResilience Born from Settling Your Worth with Brenda ViolaIn just a few months, she lost everything that mattered to her. And, ultimately, found herself. To look at Brenda Viola's accomplishments - news anchor, reporter, public official, VP of marketing, and even QVC Show Host, you'd think she never struggled with self-worth. In this candid and heartfelt interview, you'll learn that a toxic need to prove herself fueled her ambition. "It's exhausting to keep up appearances and I finally wanted to stop pretending," she shares. A healing path to reconnect with herself came in her late 50s, but now she shares what she's learned with audiences everywhere. "If I ca...2024-02-1923 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 23 - Mr. Jay: We Find Our Purpose Through Our Pain“Regardless of whether people deserve forgiveness, I deserve peace.”
A sixth-grade dropout, Mr. Jay lived on the streets, escaping a childhood environment filled with drugs, alcohol, and sexual abuse. You will be inspired by his story of rising up to believe in himself; to believe in a greater plan for his life. He now serves others as a Betrayal Trauma Practitioner and Intrapersonal Relationship Coach.
“It would be a tragedy not to share the stories of triumphs from my pain,” he shares in this interview filled with candor, humor, and a wealth of wisdom from his clinical experience. How does som...2024-02-1250 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 22 - Terry Sidford: The Other Side of Fear"I'm a good person. How did I end up here?"
This question provoked a life change for Terry Sidford after a con-man boyfriend stole much of what she held dear. After losing it all, she realized the one thing no one could take from her was her soul.
Serving as a life coach for others and inspired by their courage, she wrote a book sharing their stories. When an audience member asked her where she found her own courage, she struggled to answer.
Why? Because for most of her life, she feared sharing her own life stories. Feared letting...2024-02-0526 min
Wie wir ticken - Euer Psychologie PodcastMit Ketamin und Botox gegen Depressionen - Fortschritte bei der BehandlungEs kann lange dauern, bis das richtige Medikament für die Behandlung einer Depression gefunden ist. Ketamin und Botox scheinen schnell zu helfen, müssen aber weiter erforscht werden. Von Jochen PaulusCredits:Autor dieser Folge: Jochen PaulusRegie: Sonja StrieglEs sprachen: Birgit KlausRedaktion: Sonja Striegl
Im Interview:Dr. Martijn Arns, Universität Maastricht;Iris Heffmann von der Online-Selbsthilfegruppe „Antidepressiva Forum Deutschland“;Psychiatrieprofessor Tillmann Krüger von der Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover;Andrew Solomon, leidet unter Depressionen, Autor des Buchs „Saturns Schatten“;Psychologieprofessorin Regina Steil...2024-02-0229 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 21 - Mary Ciammetti: Don't Stall, Just CallIt's the phone call every parent dreads.
"Come to the hospital. It's your son...and it's bad."
The heartwrenching loss of Mary Ciammetti's son, Christian, in 2015 could have been avoided had his friends known the signs of alcohol poisoning and how to respond. This was a young man who, before college, had not been a drinker. His high school career had been filled with football and like-minded friends committed to practices, games, and healthy habits.
However, the freedoms of college and a pervasive drinking culture gradually impacted Christian. A talented Temple University junior majoring in landscape architecture, his future...2024-01-2947 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: January 2024Compression, compression, compression! The main flow of conversation revolved around this all-important component of lipedema (and lymphedema) management. Cara Cruz’s own certified lymphedema therapist, Megan Glod, joined the panel as a special guest to answer questions and offer guidance on everything from skincare and finding a good lymphedema therapist, to best practices when choosing day and nighttime compression garments.
Pattie Cornute’s Lipedema Fitness group is in the midst of its Mindful Movement collaboration with April Sluder’s The Lipedema Journey, and her new love for “rope flow” was discussed. Siouxie Boshoff’s decision to “eat what feels good to he...2024-01-231h 01The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 20 - Simon T. Bailey: Put One Foot in Front of the Other Every Day"What you don't deal with will deal with you."
This is just one of the gems from a man who speaks in sound bites of wisdom, born from his own journey to wholeness. A pivotal moment in Simon T. Bailey's life was when his ex-wife said, "Everyone else gets the best of you. We get the rest of you. I don't want the leftovers anymore."
Jolting him from a "success equals wealth" mindset to a life of purpose and meaning, this dark period ultimately caused his own brilliance to fully emerge. Known as the World's Leading Expert on Brilliance...2024-01-2222 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 24 - Courtni Starheart: Finding the Force"You are your best medicine. You just have to find it."
A national merit scholar with several degrees, Courtney Starheart found herself at death's door, and it awakened her to her life's purpose.
"E. coli bacteria was eating my body from the inside out; my internal organs were melting, and I had children to care for," she shares in this eye-opening interview. Her illness underscored a deep desire to live, and as she recovered, she began having prophetic dreams.
Always connected to her Native American roots, the dreams called her to a new level of connection. She met and...2024-01-1948 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 19 - Rev. Jim Toole: Don't Be Afraid of Your StoryViolence. Abuse. Neglect. Alcoholism. Dysfunction.
Though several painful instances could have been cited in this interview, the one pain that changed him forever was not having the nurturing care of a mother.
Jim Toole's upbringing forced him into life, and he became a survivalist.
Thrown out of school at age 17, he joined the Navy and through this experience was introduced to the 12-step program. The program created awareness in Jim to a Divine connection that changed the course of his life, leading him to pursue enlightenment and uncovering his own spiritual gifts. "I...2024-01-1540 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 18 - Jeff McAdam: A One in a Million CancerA doctor advised a Thai massage for the pain in Jeff McAdam's neck and back.
He instinctively felt it was something more, but his busy life as a TV news reporter, spouse, and dad of two little ones made just getting a massage the easier choice.
Unable to ignore it any longer, two years later he drove himself to the ER, bringing his laptop to get work done while he waited for a quick diagnosis and perhaps a prescription to make the pain go away.
2024-01-0833 min
AIRE CANCIONAIRE CANCION 4T_#1_NORA BENAGLIA (Jujuy) "HECHO A MANO"NORA BENAGLIAMúsica, compositora y escritora. Nacida en La Plata y radicada en Jujuy desde hace 25 años. Sus canciones y poesías nacen desde ese territorio mutante,pendular. Su música es canción contemporánea, a la vez teñida del paisaje de la Quebrada, y llevada a un lenguaje de búsqueda personal y experimental notableen la música argentina actual. Posee seis discos editados: Buscando a Catalina y Para imaginar cantando (infantiles junto a Vivi Fabricius). y Voy, Voces, Claroscuro y Ahora. En este último se destacan invitados como Carlos “Neg...2024-01-0508 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 17 - Paul Isenberg: Bringing Hope Home“She was all joy. Animals and kids loved her.”
Paul Isenberg describes the first great love of his
life, Nicole, who is the angel heroine of this interview.
Pregnant with their second child, she dismissed the lack of weight gain and other signals as simply byproducts of cold weather and other circumstances.
Until she couldn’t breathe.
The mass found was Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma and a battle
for her life ensued over the next five years. “She fought with grace. She was such a sweetheart.”
Her sweet and generous heart stil...2024-01-0142 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: December 2023The spirit of the season was evident at the December Lipedema Patient Roundtable, and the gifts of encouragement and insight were plentiful.
Two special guests made the hour extra special: Lympha Press Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Herbst fielded a host of questions, from hormones and hair loss to prescriptions and pumping, while Sonya Louise, a coach who helps women with chronic illness navigate life, offered tactics for managing pain and finding purpose. "Placing your awareness on what doesn't hurt" was a powerful takeaway for the audience, and questions like "What signals that lipedema is progressing?" were also...2023-12-261h 00The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 16 - Lauren Chava Rose: The Heart Word is CourageIs there a deep place inside of you longing for more?
Making the leap to a different life takes courage, and Lauren Chava Rose shares her personal story through the lens of her training as a psychotherapist in her book, The Heart Word: How I Lost It All and Found Myself.
"I didn't fit in with my family," she shares...but it was a long journey to emancipation/estrangement. Though all who finally make a break from toxic situations sometimes ponder, "Why didn't I do this sooner?" the truth is that you will continue to be nudged in the...2023-12-2531 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 15 - Trent Brock: Try to Win Every Day"If you like an underdog story, I'm your man."
An active adult in his 40s, Trent Brock thought the limp he'd developed was from a sports injury. Three doctors assured him he'd torn glute muscles.
One nurse couldn't shake the feeling there was something more and ordered an X-ray.
Advanced pelvic cancer was the shocking diagnosis, which was later followed by lung cancer and, eventually pancreatic cancer. Trent's retelling of his roller coaster ride through surgeries, misdiagnoses, infections, hospital stays, addiction to and withdrawal from methadone, and the loneliness of isolation is a case study of resilience and a...2023-12-1858 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 14 - Catia Vas: From Chaos to CuriosityHave you ever felt like you're not enough? As if you are in a fog and there's no escaping the chaos?
Catia Vas lived in a state of overwhelm, despite having a good life. "Just keep going" and resisting the signals only caused them to persist. It was when she realized her own unrest was affecting her children and that addressing the chaos was an inside job, that her life began to shift.
One of many interesting points raised in this interview is that you can be aware of all the tools and know wisdom in theory, but until...2023-12-1135 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 13 - Danny Goldberg: Seeking a Richer LifeAt age 14, he asked his father, "How do I build something great in this life?"
That's quite a big question for a young teenager! But the answer led Danny Goldberg on an entrepreneurial path and remarkable success at a young age.
"But what IS success?" The question nagged at him.
After his father's death, Danny devoted himself to ensuring his mother was well provided for.
And then, she too, was gone.
The realization of how fragile life is provoked this question: "What's the life I really want to live?"
At age 30, Danny left his successful business life to embark...2023-12-0430 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: November 2023Can you imagine not being able to go to the dentist because the patient chair is unsuitable for anyone over 300 pounds? Or having an aversion to calling an ambulance because you feel it’s too embarrassing to be placed on the gurney?
The challenges of lipedema are far from just physical. The emotional anguish associated with everyday life takes a mental toll. For women judged by their size and taunted by those who assume they need to eat less and exercise more, the monthly Lipedema Patient Roundtable proves to be a safe and uplifting environment to share thes...2023-11-281h 03The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 12 - An Update from Brenda: The "V" WordVulnerability.
Brenda uses that word over and over again in this candid confessional.
A lot has happened since Episode 0 and, as is her practice, Brenda wanted to share what she's learned in the last few months.
This one's for all the givers...who have a hard time receiving.
2023-11-2728 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 11 - Sonya Louise: Keep Your Heart OpenBetrayal.
Most of us endure this painful experience at least once in our lives.
Sonya Louise faced several betrayals, simultaneously, and these experiences rendered her helpless. Not even trusting herself, she lived a nomadic life for two years, seeking answers. Seeking clarity. Hoping to rediscover purpose.
In this candid interview, Sonya shares the experience of "shaking her fist at God" and ending up stranded and in need of rescue (literally) on a mountaintop. When help finally arrived, she spent days bedridden and bereft...then slowly, a new path and a new purpose unfolded.2023-11-2052 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 10 - Dr. Karin Jakubowski: A Heart for the Underdog
She's an award-winning principal of one of the top schools in the nation. Her @Momnificent posts answer burning questions and calm the concerns of moms everywhere.
But a few short years ago, Karin Jakubowski was stuck. Seeing another person's success sucker-punched her fragile self-esteem. By comparison, she was lacking, and it devastated her.
Actually, the jealousy was a gift that revealed desires she'd never admitted while revealing a self-worth problem that could no longer be ignored.
Karin's breakthrough now serves as a catalyst for the children she champions, the moms she encourages, and...2023-11-1329 min
MomnificentFinally Settling Your Self-Worth Once and for All with Brenda ViolaWelcome to Momnificent, a podcast where we explore the depths of self-discovery and empowerment! 🌟
In this very special episode, our host Dr. Karin Jakubowski reconnects with a remarkable guest, Brenda Viola, who played a pivotal role during their tumultuous teenage years, offering guidance through the challenges of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-value. Join us as we embark on a deeply inspiring conversation about the journey to understanding and embracing one's own worth.
In this engaging interview, we'll delve into Brenda's wisdom and insights:
The concept of 'Settling' rather than 'Knowing' your worth.
Differentiating between EGO and...2023-11-0831 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 9 - Kevin Connor: Show Them the Scar, Not the WoundAt an early morning workout, his gym "wife" said, "You look terrible." Thanks to the quick actions of the gym staff, 49-year-old Kevin Connor's life was saved. The classic widowmaker; a sudden stroke that came out of nowhere upended his life and rendered him hospital-bound for twelve days.
How did it "fine-tune" his life? Less tolerance for negativity; and more empathy for others, with curiosity serving as his compass. Kevin keeps a notebook of lessons learned in his life and attributes a positive attitude to helping him surmount life's challenges. "Show them the scar, not the wound" was advice...2023-11-0631 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 8 - Mubo Ojo: A Compelling "Why?" Will Get You Through"These are the blood test results of a cadaver."
Those words shook Mubo Ojo to the core. After two years of dismissing clear signals of kidney failure, she had no choice but to agree to a blood transfusion and dialysis.
In her mind, dialysis meant death. "Who would be there for my children?" she cried. But then she realized if she didn't go forward with the treatment she dreaded, she wouldn't have a future.
More than a remarkable recovery from end-stage kidney disease, Mubo's story is about dislodging from faulty belief systems and a rigid, fixed mindset that wouldn't...2023-10-3046 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: October 2023It was a boo-tiful night to talk about lipedema, especially since Linda Anne Kahn had recently returned from the Lipedema World Congress in Germany, filled with insights and emerging research to share! Special guest Dr. Molly Sleigh also joined the panel with takeaways from her time at the National Lymphedema Network Conference in Philadelphia.
Cara Cruz shared the mind-bending “lipedema math” that can see 20 and 30 pounds of lipedema fat removed through surgery… and yet the scale doesn’t move. Also discussed were C-reactive proteins, self-massage, and the challenge of educating more general practitioners about lipedema so patients don’t ha...2023-10-251h 02The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 7 - Walter Hayes: I Couldn't Live in the PastAfter forty-five years of marriage, Walter Hayes anticipated embarking on a new chapter with his wife. Their beautiful family was grown and a picture-perfect home on the lake would set the scene for happy retirement years.
Their dream was shattered in an instant.
An RN, his wife knew that a stage four ovarian cancer diagnosis was dire. She fought bravely, with aggressive chemotherapy and surgeries, but it became apparent that she would not survive. The year and a half of her illness took a toll more than a physical toll. Walt grieved as he felt...2023-10-2344 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 6 - Stephanie Olschner: See Everything as a GiftPeople who meet Stephanie Olschner can't help but notice the light she brings to every room she enters.
Rumi said, "The wound is the place where the light enters you."
Stephanie faced a tsunami of wounds and what she calls, "Rip your heart out kind of pain." First, the loss of her beloved grandmother. Next, a pregnancy ended in heartbreak; her child was stillborn at nine months. Other family stressors combined to bring her to the end of herself."
It was judgment day for me," she says. A spiritual awakening changed her; causing...2023-10-1629 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 5 - Kevin Keyes: Get Out of Your Own WayKevin Keyes was a true adventurer. As a kid, he raced cars, bicycles, and motorcycles; his zest for life was irrepressible.
The pain that changed him forever? A life-altering accident on a road trip to Montana at age 19. At first, it was just another close encounter with danger and another near-miss from his adventurous life.
It took years for him to connect the dots between that traumatic event and a gripping panic that literally paralyzed him for 30 years.
Those who suffer from panic attacks know you can try to manage your entire life around avoiding the triggers that leave...2023-10-0946 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 4 - Brenna Crable: Live in the LightWhen other daughters her age were planning weddings with their mothers, Brenna Crable was buying a tombstone for hers.
And she was MAD.
She felt ripped off and wrestled with the pain; at first, trying to numb it with alcohol. It didn't take long to realize, "This wasn't working."
Feeling the feelings, surrendering to the reality that the happy ending she hoped for would never be, a turning point was realizing her mother completed her journey. Brenna shifted to gratitude; that she had received in 25 years with her mom more than most - and it was enough to carry...2023-10-0223 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: September 2023September is Pain Awareness Month, and the anchors and attendees of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable know all too well the aching associated with their condition. The remarkable improvements Cara Cruz has achieved through surgery and the many patients who have found relief through using the Lympha Press Optimal Plus encouraged all in attendance.
The medical expertise of special guest Noah Danesh, MPH, who serves on the research team at Total Lipedema Care, gave excellent insights into the issue of inflammation and its correlation to COVID (and long COVID). He deftly handled a large volume of clinical questions...2023-09-261h 05The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 3 - Lauren Fonvielle: From Panic to PeaceShe woke from a deep sleep and literally couldn't breathe. The onset of panic attacks began when her husband was deployed and she was left to be both mom and dad to her children.
Would he be okay? Was she doing enough to make sure her children could make it through the 22 months without him? Fear and anxiety gripped Lauren Fonville...and it was this pain that ultimately led to her purpose.
Now an energy practitioner, she offers a variety of modalities to help her clients "feel it to heal it" including sound healing, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques/tapping...2023-09-2524 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 2 - Cam Ayala: Healing Starts with HumilityDealing with a lifelong, chronically painful illness wrought with infections and surgeries could have been what Cam Ayala chose to discuss.
He could have focused on being villainized in the editing room of The Bachelorette Season 15, where he was portrayed as manipulative for sharing with candor his chronic condition and future implications...
...implications which came true. Cam Ayala made the decision to have his leg amputated in 2022 and he shares how "seasons of pain" led to this life-altering decision.
Be inspired by Cam's thoughts on the value of surrender, how affirmation addiction is...2023-09-1824 minThe Alchemy of PainEPISODE 1 - Deborah Marini: Talk To Your SadnessWhat’s the one pain that changed you forever?
Deborah Marini could have chosen either one of the TWO house fires that destroyed her belongings and triggered a spiral into depression.
But her response was quick and assured: It was her father’s death that changed her forever.
We all know our aging parents will eventually transition; this is the cycle of life. But the constructs that make us “us” are often challenged when facing this inevitable loss. Some of the gems of this interview include:
- The choice to carry joyful luggage or lug around a boulder...2023-09-1134 min
Beyond 7 Figures: Build, Scale, ProfitThe Art of Strategic Listening for Business Leaders feat. Brenda ViolaMaster Strategic Communications for Your Team As a business leader, communication is the cornerstone of your success. Your message must be clear and passionate to engage and inspire your audience. It’s like conducting a symphony, using pauses to emphasize your key points and connecting with your audience emotionally. This creates lasting connections that go beyond just the words you speak. Brenda Viola is the CEO and founder of Vici Communications. She is also an award-winning Public Information Officer, news anchor/producer, author, and inspirational speaker. Viola emphasizes the importance of being clear about your me...2023-09-0826 min
The Alchemy of PainEPISODE 0 - How Brenda's Story Inspired a Podcast on PainWho the heck does a podcast on pain?
Someone who's been through it...and come out the other side better.
Brenda Viola shares her hellish 2021 - 23 as the basis for this series. Her desire is to share the stories of pain that changed people forever for the BETTER.
No, we don't get to choose what life hands us.
But we do get to choose how we respond.
The goal of this series is to encourage others going through a dark time to keep going. On the other side is...2023-09-0421 min
Beyond 7 Figures: Build, Scale, ProfitThe Role of Storytelling in Building a Personal Brand feat. Karen EberThe Power of Storytelling in Building a Personal Brand Storytelling is the backbone of a powerful brand. It helps you connect with your audience emotionally, building trust and loyalty. By sharing your unique story and values, you can create a brand that resonates with your ideal customers, attracting them to your business. Compelling storytelling also sets you apart from competitors, making your brand more memorable and impactful. Storytelling is essential for creating an authentic, relatable, and inspiring brand that drives long-term success and growth. Karen Eber is a renowned expert in storytelling and has delivered...2023-09-0127 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: August 2023This episode of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable was as hot as the month of August! Our anchor panelists have made waves since we last gathered: The Lippy Butterfly, Angelique Charles, discussed the amazing article she authored about lipedema on HuffPost.com that is bringing widespread validation to many whose doctors told them to “just lose weight.”
Pale Ginger Pear shared her surprise that she’s on the rebound (not that kind of rebound!) and likes to use her rebounder as a tool to manage her condition and have fun at the same time. Another tool discussed was yoga s...2023-08-221h 21
The Alchemy of PainThe Alchemy of Pain - TrailerWhy a podcast on pain?
Here's why.2023-07-3000 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: July 2023Two new hashtags were birthed following the July Lipedema Patient Roundtable's riveting discussion: #DoTheThing and #WearTheThing were shared by Pattie Cornute and Pale Ginger Pear. The message? Don't talk yourself out of trying something new for fear of what other people will think. Pattie's Lipedema Fitness group just celebrated its 10th anniversary! And the panelists also helped Brenda Viola say goodbye to her fifties, with an outpouring of love (and flowers).
What do you do when traveling and your compression pump and other treatment tools are not available? Water! Expert guest Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR, CLT-LANA, talked...2023-07-251h 05
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: June 2023With thirty-six episodes in the vault, the Lipedema Patient Roundtable celebrated its third anniversary with some trips down memory lane. A special guest in honor of Lipedema Awareness Month was Paula Donahue, PT, DPT, MBA, CLT-LANA, one of the authors of the Standard of Care for Lipedema in the United States. She fielded a host of questions about active and passive compression, heat or burning/tingling in limbs, how to raise awareness, and much more.
Lotions and a Lippy Butterfly potion, silver linings of jeans not ripping (!), and how to deal with being overwhelmed were also discussed...2023-06-271h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: May 2023One of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable’s founding panelists Cheryl Scoledge, of the Facebook group Lipedema and Food Sensitivities, made a special guest appearance to add to the discussion about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). A connective tissue syndrome that can also be prevalent in lipedema patients, it affects the skin, joints, and blood vessel walls, resulting in overly flexible joints and elastic skin that easily bruises. Stories of braces being necessary on legs and even dental impacts were shared along with important information on how to be tested and manage this condition.
In addition to EDS Awareness Month, Ma...2023-05-231h 01
Service Entrance PeopleEpisode 33 - I'd Give It 0 Stars If I Could (pt.2)This week, Boomer and Pixie finish our two-parter of bad reviews of places we have worked! Part 2 includes more Punchy Pixie(!), socially awkward servers, questionable restaurant experiences, and super stoned kitchen staff! Plus, The Service Knight, attack of the flies, the human rights violating manager, and Boomer pushes to have his own TED Talk.Listen, like, subscribe, share, rate and review the show! Give us 5 stars and a review on whatever platform you are listening on. Plus, you can be a part of the show! Send us your industry war stories: serviceentrancepeople@gmail.com or call our...2023-05-1752 min
Service Entrance PeopleEpisode 33 - I'd Give It 0 Stars If I Could (pt.2)This week, Boomer and Pixie finish our two-parter of bad reviews of places we have worked! Part 2 includes more Punchy Pixie(!), socially awkward servers, questionable restaurant experiences, and super stoned kitchen staff! Plus, The Service Knight, attack of the flies, the human rights violating manager, and Boomer pushes to have his own TED Talk.Listen, like, subscribe, share, rate and review the show! Give us 5 stars and a review on whatever platform you are listening on. Plus, you can be a part of the show! Send us your industry war stories: serviceentrancepeople@gmail.com or call our...2023-05-1752 min