Shows
Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Wuzzup: Growing older with a progressive health conditionAn episode to catch everyone up on what’s been going on in the life of someone in their early 60s with a progressive health condition. Waning energy prohibits many of us for reaching all of the goals we’d like to achieve. It takes time to acclimate to a new normal and reassess which goals are most important and how best to achieve them dealing with new limitations. Foremost for someone with myotonic dystrophy, like myself, is getting enough sleep so I have energy to maintain a regular movement practice even with shifting mobility. The annual May...
2023-11-2322 min
Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.What is AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)?My guest for this Glass Half Full podcast episode is Patrick Regan. Patrick is a young man living in Alaska with SMA (spinal muscle atrophy) who uses AAC to communicate. We've gotten to know each other through online BORP classes -- Tai Chi and Pilates. Our communication previous to our Zoom podcast recording was through Zoom’s chat. Patrick is not able to speak and uses technology to communicate via text or assisted speech. Our podcast recording was the first time I actually saw him live since he usually has a photo of himself in the...
2023-08-0225 min
Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Why is Movement my Medicine?I don’t know who coined the term movement is medicine, but it resonates for me. My early experiences with exercise were not joyful; grade school physical education was bad medicine. But once I started dancing with friends in high school – before carding and ID checks were mandatory – I experienced movement in a positive way. Shortly after college I started a yoga practice which was medicine for my body and mind. In this podcast episode I tell my story of what led up to the 2021 launch of the May Movement Challenge -- a month of free online moveme...
2023-03-2742 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.We need innovative solutions when it comes to the rare (disease) community February 28th is Rare Disease Day. Twenty-five to 30 million Americans live with a rare disease. For more facts and figures related to rare diseases, check the NORD website. This podcast episode catches up with Aditi Kantipuly, a physician and advocate, immersed in the rare disease community. As a young girl Aditi learned about a child born with osteogenesis imperfecta – a rare bone condition – and has been captivated ever since. Her journey includes a masters program in public health, a Fulbright scholarship to small villages throughout India, and medical school. Currently she’s exploring the ro...
2023-02-2730 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Coping with the HolidaysThe holidays can be difficult for most anyone but if you live with a chronic health condition and/or physical disability, the barriers to joy and festivity may increase. Four women engage in conversation about coping with the holidays -- Leslie Krongold with myotonic muscular dystrophy, Andrea Klein with collagen 6 congenital muscular dystrophy, Janice Laurence with Charcot Marie Tooth neuromuscular disease, and Roma Leffmann who advocates for people with acquired disabilities as a stroke survivor. Together they discuss issues related to #dysphagia #celiacdisease #incontinence #osteoporosis #singlelife #disability #myotonic #musculardystrophy #respiratoryproblems #stroke #adaptivefitness #dance #glutenfree #ableism #gifting #mobility and, of c...
2022-12-2254 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Driving Less Dazy: Responsible vs. Independent?When to stop driving a moving vehicle? That is the question to ponder; is it a toss up between being a responsible adult or maintaining a sense of independence? For many people, this is a difficult choice. If you live in an urban or suburban location you may have many options available if you give up driving. For others, a car may be a necessity -- one needed to get to gainful employment, purchase groceries, or use to transport family members more disabled than yourself. In this academic paper, physicians discuss health conditions that predispose patients for...
2022-11-2817 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day September 15th is International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day. To learn more about helping educate and advocate for Myotonic Dystrophy visit the Muscular Dystrophy Association or Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. The purpose of this Awareness Day is to garner the attention of the wider general public, policy makers, regulators, biopharmaceutical representatives, researchers, health care professionals, and anyone with an interest in changing the future of myotonic dystrophy. Raising awareness of myotonic dystrophy will help improve service provision, basic research, drug development, and policymaking related to the disease. Increased funding for myotonic dystrophy research will improve...
2022-09-1517 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Don't Laugh At Me - I know how it feels The lyrics to Don't Laugh at Me speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider. Whether or not you were bullied as a child, this song will likely resonate with you. Steve Seskin, the singer-songwriter, and his co-writer were first inspired by a young girl's experience of teasing in grade school. But, the song encompasses inequities experienced by those living with physical and developmental disabilities as well as people experiencing hard times. A few months ago I [Leslie] first heard the song in the online dance class, Rumba with Tina. Many of...
2022-08-3047 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Uncover the stronger part of yourself... Liz Ann Kurdrna, Pilates instructor, feels like her emotional recovery from a rock climbing injury is ongoing yet "knowing that I have to show up for someone else…by teaching…it helps. It helps you uncover the stronger part of yourself." In this podcast episode, Liz Ann talks about her lifelong love of rock climbing as well as her participation in other outdoor activities such as swimming, snow skiing, and cycling. In Montana, where she's lived for the past 20+ years, she teaches online and in-person Pilates. Liz Ann has competed in local Triathlon even...
2022-07-2234 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Neuropathy: Patient Turned Patient AdvocateGlenn Ribotsky, a Board member with the Western Neuropathy Association, shares his dramatic initiation as a patient into the world of peripheral neuropathy. Now, 18 years later he advocates and offers support to others experiencing the often, invisible pain of a neuropathy.
2022-06-0247 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Physician with Muscular Dystrophy Champions Genetic TestingDr. William Lowery, a practicing pulmonologist at Alameda Hospital in Northern California, was diagnosed with Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy some 20 years ago. He's now founded a non-profit organization to help others shorten their diagnostic odyssey with free genetic testing and his expert guidance.
2022-01-3128 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.“Don’t worry, be happy! It could be worse. It is what it is” by Toxic Positivity.What is Toxic Positivity? How to avoid it and what to do when confronted with it. One definition in the context of overstressed teachers during the pandemic includes "toxic positivity as focusing on the positive and ignoring the negative. This mindset has caused a lot of teachers to feel guilty, stressed, and overwhelmed." One mental health website's definition, "Some signs of toxic positivity statements may be dismissing emotions, minimizing someone’s experience, giving one’s perspective instead of validating someone’s emotions, shaming someone for expressing frustration, and brushing things off."
2021-12-2912 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.The size of a grapefruit in your head; I’m grateful that I’m still here When you're told you have a tumor the size of a grapefruit growing in your brain, and you have it removed, and you live to tell the story about it without experiencing profound disability, then you have a lot to be grateful for. That's what happened to Amy. Learn more about Amy's health story in this podcast episode. She had no idea about a brain tumor until family members made an intervention and tests revealed the source of her various symptoms which taken individually caused no alarm for Amy. ...
2021-12-1222 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Rare and Invisible Disability + Spoon Theory Traditionally the month of October is the time to become aware of people with disabilities -- either a visible or invisible disability -- but here we're drawing attention to all those who face physical and mental health challenges. With 1 in 10 Americans diagnosed with a rare disorder (whether it's a visible or invisible disability) and all of the others making up ~ 25% of Americans with chronic health conditions, let's practice an awareness on a daily basis. Sunny Ammerman, NORD Ambassador for Indiana, talks about spoon theory, her role as a Patient Advocate for NORD and...
2021-11-0217 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Skin Cancer or Adult Acne? What is that growing on me -- could it be skin cancer? Have you asked yourself this question? During the pandemic I ignored a couple of what I thought were pimples because I was terrified to go inside a building. According to Wikipedia... Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Although the nonmelanoma skin cancer basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is rarely life-threatening, it can be troublesome, especially because 80 percent of BCCs develop on highly visible areas of the head and neck. Mayo Clinic ...
2021-10-1810 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.An Unusual Fall Falls don't always happen when you're standing. Although balance and fall prevention classes help increase your odds of preventing a near fall, some falls are just unusual accidents. Like sitting in a chair where the seat gives way and your derriere hits the ground. That's one unusual fall. Fortunately, movement and flexibility classes improve your chances of diminishing the impact of the fall. For more information on Balance and Fall Prevention, listen to this podcast episode with UCSF Physical Therapy Professor, Erica Pitsch. The Mat...
2021-10-0509 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Rock Climbing & Acquired Disability Peer Support Group Christina Leffmann, or Roma as she prefers to be called, is passionate about indoor and outdoor rock climbing as well as the Acquired Disability Peer Support Group she started. In June Roma traveled to Salt Lake City to participate in Paraclimbing National Championships (you can see Roma climbing at 12:30 in the video). In her early 20s Roma experienced a series of strokes and identifies as having an acquired disability which is different than being born with a disability or aging into a disability. Currently she works for the Center for Independent Living and...
2021-09-2719 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Transitioning: Mobility Challenges + Nature = Next Chapter The Pandemic has brought many changes; for me, it's ushered in the next chapter of my life. Perhaps the final chapter? With mobility challenges, it was one of two choices: home modifications or move to a new house. I chose the latter. The transition could be bittersweet but I think I've gained more than I've lost. I am closer to Nature and getting more than my usual Vitamin N dose. Shortly after I moved from the East Coast to California in 1989, I had the opportunity to visit Mendocino when I was producing a...
2021-09-1816 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Movement is Medicine: Get Your Daily Dose It's the May Movement Challenge! This episode explains all you need to know about the #MayMovementChallenge2021 featuring Stanford University's Research Physical Therapist, Tina Duong. Tina's worked with both children and adults with spinal cord injury, stroke rehab, and neuromuscular disease. She talks about stretching, diaphragmatic breathing, and how to take care of yourself when starting a movement practice. Learn about the FITT Principle (Frequency, Intensity, Type, and Time) as it applies to movement and exercise. Once you've listened to this episode, don't waste any time in registering for any...
2021-04-2641 min
Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Two Facts & A Feeling: Telling a Patient Story Telling a patient story can be a highly emotional task for anyone. Thankfully, there are people who can help. Emily Newberry - author, speaker, coach - at the Kaiser Permanente in Oregon, is one of those people. Emily was a natural story teller having spent part of her youth helping others tell their stories through song. Over the years she's perfected the craft and simplified the process. It's not rocket science, she says, just remember two facts and a feeling. As part of Kaiser's Person & Family Centered Care, high...
2021-03-3133 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Five Years of Self-Care Self-Care, or radical Self-Care, is the theme for the 5-year anniversary of the Glass Half Full podcast. This short episode features my brand of self-care -- daily routines that are my sustenance, not just an end-of-the-week treat. Whether it's nutrition, movement, or attitude my waking hours are spent minimizing symptoms associated with a progressive neuromuscular disease and maximizing a limited supply of energy. As part of the anniversary celebration, join me in a streaming Facebook Live event on Sunday, March 21st at 11:30 a.m. Pacific. I'll be joined in a lively discussion on...
2021-03-1514 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Starting a Contemplative Practice A contemplative practice includes meditation, prayer, mindfulness, yoga, tai chi or qigong, journaling or anything that helps ground you. Some people uses affirmations while others use music to help them ease into a more tranquil state. Shameka Andrews (pictured above) shares her meditation experience with individuals and organizations and even at a local farmer's market in upstate New York. Positive affirmations and mirror work have helped Shameka move through feelings of depression and isolation associated with having a physical disability, Gareth Walker talks about finding mindfulness meditation and how...
2021-03-0128 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Media Representation: Do you see your life reflected in popular media? Do you see images of yourself reflected in popular media? As a person with a chronic health condition and/or disability, is your life reflected in movies, television, print, or social media? In this themed podcast episode you'll hear from Christophe Zajac-Denek -- an actor, musician, surfer, skateboarder, and little person -- whose podcast, I'm Kind of a Big Deal, explores the unique lives of people with dwarfism. Christophe has worked in Hollywood movies for 11 years but rarely do you see his face. Lindsey Kizer, recently diagnosed with narcolepsy...
2021-02-0341 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.If I can't dance to it, it's not my pandemicIf Emma Goldman were alive and experimenting with the virtual life, she may have said something like this. Why not dance through the pandemic? It's good physical exercise, ignites oxytocin, and can bond you with a community. Several accessible dance organizations have brought their talents online and thus expanded their reach nationally and internationally. One organization, Dance for All Bodies, co-founded by two recent UC-Berkeley grads -- Yagmur Halezeroglu and Tess Hanson -- feature a variety of professional dance instructors teaching accessible dance in a variety of styles from salsa to urban jazz and even...
2020-12-1631 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Loneliness: How lonely am I and What can I do about it? Loneliness is a public health issue. It was before the COVID-19 epidemic forced us into social isolation. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called loneliness a “growing health epidemic,” and even wrote a book about it - Together: Why Social Connection Holds the Key to Better Health, Higher Performance, and Greater Happiness. In the United Kingdom they take this issue very seriously and now have a Minister of Loneliness. Sophie Andrews started an organization called The Silver Line which is a helpline for lonely and isolated seniors. Does lone...
2020-12-0127 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.A Virtual Abilities ExpoAre you ready for three days of workshops, adaptive activities, and discovering resources and services to enhance your quality of life? Peruse the agenda, make plans for November 20-22, and register for the free Virtual Abilities Expo. President and CEO David Korse shares the 40+ year history of the annual event in this podcast episode as well as whets our appetite with the impressive lineup of Expo activities. There's something for everyone -- whether your interest is in disability rights, adaptive movement, or how to make your home...
2020-11-1626 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Celebration!Believe it or not, this episode has nothing to do with the recent U.S. election. We're celebrating the 100th podcast episode of the Glass Half Full. But feel free to celebrate our right to vote in a democracy. All good! If you're a recent Glass Half Full listener, you can now peruse the archives of evergreen content that fall into these categories: Advocacy Alternative Healing Modalities Autoimmune Disorders Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Coping Disability Rights and Accessibility General Health Laughter Mental Health Movement Music and the Arts Nature Neurological Conditions Nutrition...
2020-11-1026 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Put a Pink Ribbon on this Comic, Actress, Playwright, and TeacherOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Meet Susan Jeremy -- Comic, Actress, Playwright, and Teacher -- and breast cancer survivor. She's also an old friend from my college days. We reminisce about way back when...as well as hear about Susan's unfortunate experience at a New York medical clinic where she was told, "You’re over 40, it’s a cyst. Take aspirin." The tumor grew. Susan's diagnosis and treatment led her to make life changes. She became one of the 48 teachers in Manhattan working directly with medically-challenged students; 80% of them undergoing chem...
2020-10-1628 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.When the personal is political and the political is personal: Stress on our HealthThis is part 2 of a conversation with Dalia Kinsey, RD, LD, SNS. We talk about becoming our authentic selves, how trauma impacts our physical and emotional health, and the need for inclusivity and intersectionality in public health messages. This is the most stressful year of our lives. We've got the pandemic going. We already knew about police brutality, but never have we been to a point where every time you turn on the television, every time you open Facebook, every time you look anywhere, you're seeing another black or brown body being abused. The trauma...
2020-09-2543 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.I wanted to help people prevent chronic disease...Dalia Kinsey, RD, LD, SNS, chose to be a dietician because she wanted to help people prevent chronic disease; this was before receiving a diagnosis of Graves Disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes an overactive thyroid. In this first of a two-part interview, Dalia shares anecdotes of dealing with a chronic health condition in another country where certain modern conveniences, like continuous running water, are lacking. Her lived experience and academic training have shown her that many people make the false correlation between weight and health. Dalia believes,
2020-09-1822 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Ha Ha, Hee Hee: Laughter Therapy, Laughter Yoga Are you feeling stressed out? With all that's going on in the world -- pandemic, civil unrest, job loss, hurricanes, wild fires -- it's difficult to avoid stress. Laughter therapy, or laughter yoga, might help alleviate some of the heaviness. It's free. It offers numerous mental and physical health benefits. And it's fun. In the field of psychoneuroimmunology, laughter has been studied and found to lower blood pressure, strengthen cardiovascular function, improve circulation, boost immune function, trigger the release of endorphins, and produce a sense of well-being.
2020-08-2629 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Learned Helplessness or Empathetic Empowerment: Patients, Relationships & PsychologistsWhat do you do as a patient with a progressive health condition that renders you unable to do certain tasks? Do you ask for assistance or find a work-around to accommodate for that situation? Once you ask for help, how does your relationship with your helper change? Learned Helplessness is, according to Wikipedia, "a condition in which a person suffers from a sense of powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed. It is thought to be one of the underlying causes of depression." Psychologist Martin Seligman coined...
2020-08-1133 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Coping Just Fine: Working from Home, Streaming Media & Making MasksFeatured are four people -- with their own unique health conditions -- that are making the best of the quarantine and pandemic. Luda Gogolushko, who has SMA Type 3 and lives in Southern California, continues to write and publish from the safety of her home. Lindsey Kizer, in North Carolina, gets to telecommute for her job and tries to maintain self-care routines to avoid narcoleptic flare ups. Jay Carr, with myotonic dystrophy in Virginia, spends more time with his teenage son during the lockdown. He also cheers others...
2020-07-2629 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Brush & Floss to Avoid Tooth Loss: Dental Health During a Pandemic People with anxiety, autism, blindness or low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, mobility challenges, chemical sensitivities, or PTSD may face unique challenges visiting a dental office. Now with the additional barrier -- the COVID-19 pandemic -- many people are postponing or cancelling routine dental appointments. Dr. Helena Caballero, a dentist in Northern California, discusses oral health and hygiene, how COVID-19 has changed dentistry, and modifications for people with disabilities. For additional information, you can download Creating Disability Friendly Dental Practices from The Independence Center. For those with Parkinson's...
2020-07-0926 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D."That is me; I still have my hands;" Positive Energy during a PandemicThat is me; I still have my hands, says the 4-year old girl after waking up in the hospital and being told by her mother that she had lost her legs. The little girl grew up to become Rumba with Tina. Tina Verduzco teaches a Saturday morning online dance class for BORP: Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program. Tina, along with several other online instructors, help this podcaster maintain positive energy and a healthy mind, body, and spirit during the shelter-in-place period. Cynthia Noonan, one of BORP's Board of Directors, transitioned the...
2020-06-2424 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.What is your Risk Tolerance? We're talking about COVID-19. We're not talking about your financial investments. How much of a health risk are you willing to take during the current pandemic? Do you wear a facial mask when you leave your home? Do you maintain six feet of physical distance from people who do not live with you? Are you avoiding crowds? Postponing health appointments? As our cities and towns gradually open up, will you change your behaviors or wait for a reliable vaccine?
2020-06-0914 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Hug A Tree & Live Longer This month we have both Earth Day and Arbor Day so it's high time to be amongst the trees. Even if you are hunkered down in the safety of your home during the pandemic, you can still derive healing benefits from gazing out of your window at nature's bounty. If your window faces man-made materials, there is science proving that a photograph of trees can impact you in a positive physical and emotional way. Verla Fortier, RN, author of
2020-04-2422 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Hear Ye, Hear Ye: People with Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson's or Neuromuscular Disease If you, or someone you know, has a muscle or nerve condition such as Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, Amputation, Osteoarthritis, Parkinson's Disease, or a neuromuscular disease (i.e. myotonic dystrophy, SMA, Charcot Marie Tooth, Becker's, ALS, etc.), here's an opportunity to participate in a research study. No trips to a medical center or donation of muscle tissue required. The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center has a variety of studies with different criteria. For Factsheets produced by UW -- after a study has concluded -- check this...
2020-04-1922 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Let's Rant: Unhelpful Advice It's April Fool's Day so we're mixing things up. One can't be positive 100% of the time. Now is the opportunity to share about all of the weird things people have said about our health conditions -- whether it was a friend, an aunt, or even a health care professional. Perhaps well-intentioned but definitely not insightful nor helpful advice. Most people with some type of chronic health condition have had this experience. A panel of three previous podcast guests share their stories -- from the hilarious to the frightening. Nancy, Melissa, and...
2020-04-0146 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Coping with a Coronavirus: Trees, Yoga, and Essential Oils A retired nurse, physical and yoga therapist, and mental health professional offer strategies to cope with uncertainty, anxiety, and all those other emotions caught up in this season of the pandemic. Verla Fortier, author of Take Back Your Outside Mindset: Live Longer, Prevent Dementia, and Control Your Chronic Illness, speaks about her experience diagnosed with systemic lupus and the discovery of the healing power of trees. Tianna Meriage-Reiter, DPT, C-IAYT, owner of the Mind-Body Movement Center talks about her new live streaming yoga classes available at her YouTube channel.
2020-03-2428 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.No Hugging Allowed: Tales of Covid-19 How is the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) impacting your life? Beyond fierce hand washing, are you changing how you relate to others? Is social distancing keeping you indoors? Are you second-guessing where you go, what you do, and with whom you spend time? You're not alone. People with chronic illness and/or compromised immune systems need to be vigilant as well as mindful. For a few practical tips, listen to this podcast episode as well as the earlier episode, The Flu is Not for You. Here's a recipe to...
2020-03-0620 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Mindfulness as a Disease Management StrategyBeing diagnosed with a chronic, debilitating disease can certainly bring stress to one's life. In fact, that stress can be significant enough to be called trauma. How one handles this stress varies. Some people have amazing coping capacity and are hard-wired for resilience while others have more difficulty. None of it is easy. How one handles this stress varies. Some people have amazing coping capacity and are hard-wired for resilience while others have more difficulty. None of it is easy. Mary Holt, a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree...
2020-02-2023 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Patient Advocates, Patient Leaders What is a Patient Advocate? A patient advocate can be an actual patient with a mental and/or physical health condition, a caregiver for someone with a health condition, or a paid professional advocating on behalf of others with a health condition. Andrea L. Klein, of Cleveland, Tennessee, has collagen six intermediate congenital muscular dystrophy. She started a Facebook group, Breathe with MD Support Group, for people with a neuromuscular disease who struggle with respiratory health. Recently, she established a nonprofit organization with the same name. Melissa Talwar, of Pasadena, California...
2020-02-0436 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.An R.N. Talks about Herbal Relief for Muscle Pain, Anxiety, Insomnia & GI Problems (at a support group meeting)Registered Nurse and proud septuagenarian, Barbara Blaser, was the guest speaker at my Northern California myotonic dystrophy support group. With her healthcare background and deep knowledge of medicinal herbs, she spoke about the use of herbal tinctures, edibles, and lotions to help relieve muscle pain, anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and more. Barbara's nursing career was predominantly in the mental health field. But at some point in her 60s she had an esophagectomy and due to complications, she developed septicemia. She turned to natural herbal healing to help her pain, anxiety, and GI problems. Handouts that...
2020-01-151h 04Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Restless Leg Syndrome, Central & Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Sleep Hygiene In 2018, a research study found that at least 36% of Americans were sleeping less than seven hours each night. Inadequate sleep can lead to a number of physical and/or emotional conditions. Some common sleep disorders include insomnia, restless leg syndrome, central or obstructive sleep apnea, and sleepwalking. Have you perfected your sleep hygiene behaviors to achieve optimal rest and sleep each night? If not, perhaps you'll want to hear what sleep specialist, Dr. Catherine Darley, has to say. In addition to Dr. Darley's advice, as well as the sleep...
2020-01-0932 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.NeuroJewology: A Tale of Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's & Muscular Dystrophy in South Florida Two friends from grade school share their stories of a diagnosis of a neurological condition. Marc has Multiple Sclerosis and Steve has Parkinson's disease. I have a form of muscular dystrophy called myotonic dystrophy. It's purely coincidental we all went to the same synagogue; there is no correlation between being Jewish and having a neurological condition. Both Marc and Steve maintain positive attitudes. Marc has educated himself thoroughly about MS. Steve has tried different exercise programs customized for people with Parkinson's and now facilitates a support group.
2019-12-1531 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.The FLU is not for you: How to build immunity A family physician talks about ways to avoid the flu, and enhance your immunity, during this peak season for influenza. Plus, you might learn some flu factoids for your next flu trivia contest. Stay on top of flu statistics by following the weekly FluView on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. If you provide care for someone with a chronic health condition or an elderly family member, you might want to glean additional flu information from this online article. For the Attitude...
2019-11-2626 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.End-of-life: End Well, Bedside Yoga, and Death Doula End-of-life planning is a huge topic. In previous podcast episodes we've covered the donation of body tissue for scientific research and attending a life transitions retreat. With three fascinating guests you'll learn about an annual symposium which brings together healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers and others all "committed to generating human-centered, interdisciplinary innovation for the end of life experience," a yoga therapist who trains others to care for the dying with bedside yoga, and a death doula. Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, founder of End Well, speaks about her motivation and the need for the annual...
2019-11-1150 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Diabetes? Two personal stories about movement and plant-based diet Dianna Rowley, diagnosed with diabetes type 1, was a professional dancer. Although she had health issues in her childhood she wasn't diagnosed until her early 20s when she experienced a major health crisis. Her journey to wellness and life balance includes a lot of exercise and movement with setbacks and successes along the way. Today she is a Health & Fitness Coach inspiring others with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Heather Brock was diagnosed with diabetes type 2 nearly three years ago. An endocrinologist put her on medication which caused an adverse reaction. Determined to find...
2019-10-2450 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Pilates: Core Strength, Alignment, Pain Relief, and Neural Reconnection Practicing Pilates can be done on a mat or with any number of devices such as the Reformer. Shannon Knorr, a yoga and Pilates instructor, talks about therapeutic Pilates to help with body alignment, pain relief, and more. Julia Carver, a Pilates and Movement Therapist, works with veterans who have experienced PTSD and other trauma to help them with neural reconnection. For people with muscle weakening conditions, like muscular dystrophy, Pilates can help strengthen core muscles.
2019-10-0626 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Autoimmune Illness: A Physician's Journey Imagine if your physician not only understood your invisible chronic illness but also had experience healing her own autoimmune conditions. That physician could be Cynthia Li. Dr. Cynthia Li talks about her book, , and answers my questions covering everything from autoimmune illness, functional vs. integrative medicine, the writing process, to the role intuition played in her healing process and now plays a role in her medical practice. Dr. Li mentions the organization, HeartMath Institute, in this episode.
2019-09-1947 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.The Power of Prayer What is prayer and how do we do it? How does prayer differ from meditation? How can prayer impact healing? These are a few of the questions addressed by three podcast guests. The Jewish perspective of prayer from a rabbi who has faced cancer and chronic pain. The Christian perspective of prayer from a Baptist pastor whose late wife battled autoimmune disease and young son is in remission from cancer. And the perspective of a yoga therapist who has studied Christian mysticism. To learn more about the Unity World Day of Prayer (September 12...
2019-09-0653 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Audiology: all about ears & hearing loss Approximately 20% of Americans have hearing loss. This can be a result of any multitude of situations -- a symptom of a health condition, tinnitus, viral infection, acoustic trauma, or side effect from a medication. Dr. Lilach Saperstein, an audiologist with her own podcast, discusses issues related to the outer, middle, and inner ear. Learn how to best protect your hearing as well as communication strategies to use when there is hearing loss. This podcast episode -- as well as future and all previous episodes -- will be available with...
2019-08-2333 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Fashion: Being Yourself, Expressing Yourself & Your Creativity Four women with different physical abilities talk about what fashion means to them and how they deal with fashion challenges. Cheryl and Lainie both have Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) and wear AFO leg braces. Lainie explores fashion hacks and DIY solutions in her blog, Trend-Able. Keisha has Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, studied fashion, and launched her company, Girls Chronically Rock. Kirsten Passmore has Cerebral Palsy and has been enjoying CosPlay for the past five years. Learn more about her organization, CosAbility, and see which conventions...
2019-08-0334 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.When friends or family can't handle your chronic illness... If you have a physical or mental health condition that has altered the way you look or behave, it may scare people. Have you had friends or family members change how they interact with you or perhaps distance themselves? A recent incident with an old friend got me thinking about this topic. In the Glass Half Full Facebook group some have shared their stories. I invite you to share your experiences either in Facebook or in the podcast notes on the Glass Half Full website.
2019-07-2619 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.I Am Not A Pretzel: Accessible Yoga Any style of yoga can be made accessible and provide healing for someone with a physical challenge, someone experiencing anxiety and/or depression, or someone with a larger body. Three yoga teachers - skilled in making yoga more accessible - share their stories. Rose Kress, of LifeForce Yoga, experienced relief from years of anxiety and chronic pain when she began a yoga practice. Her teachings focus on mood management incorporating both yoga nidra and the use of mudras, or hand gestures. Erica Chaney, of Big Bliss Yoga, began her...
2019-07-1334 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.What is a Voice: Communication Challenges Vocal problems can occur for people with all types of conditions -- Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, stroke. Acute laryngitis is very common while chronic laryngitis affects over 20% of the population. Christine received a diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia and now experiences some relief with botox shots. Hanna, who has SMA type 1, uses assistive technology to help her communicate. Check out her website to watch a video demonstrating how she uses the technology.
2019-06-2323 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Food = Medicine: Mushrooms for Mental & Physical Health We've got Jill Nussinow, R.D., The Veggie Queen, sharing tips about nutritious and medicinal mushrooms as well as Adam Strauss, creator of The Mushroom Cure, talking about his years of treating anxiety and OCD which led to his discovery of psilocybin's therapeutic powers. To dig deeper into the awe-inspiring mushroom world, check out weekly online articles at Spirituality & Health.
2019-06-0138 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Short and Sweet Just a few things to mention. It's your time to catch up on missed episodes while I'm away. Check the website for links to The heat is on: how weather affects our health and Accessible Yoga. For more tips on how to beat the heat, visit the Brain & Life website. Don't forget to sign up for the email newsletter and subscribe to the YouTube channel.
2019-04-2613 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Life After Cancer: It's a Time of Reflection (3 of 3)In this third of a series podcast episode, Valerie Sans shares how her cancer experience had a dramatic impact on her life. After surgery and chemo treatment, she left a career of teaching to co-found a travel company, French Escapade, and explored alternative healing modalities including the Budwig Protocol, homeopathy, immunotherapy, Beljanski Protocol, acupuncture, Papimi, and a more plant-based diet. For those of you unfamiliar with sophrology -- which includes me -- here's an introduction. Valerie talks about meeting with a sophrologist as routine in the French healthcare system.
2019-04-1038 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Life After Cancer: There was no some day, it was today I'm going to...(2 of 3) In the second part of this podcast episode series Jeanette Marin shares her story about a thyroid cancer diagnosis and how it changed her life. Jeanette is married with 4 children and a stand-up comic. To see Jeanette perform, follow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
2019-03-2116 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Life After Cancer: Reduce Toxins (1 of 3) How does a diagnosis of cancer and treatment change a person? In this 3-part series you'll hear different stories on how a woman - diagnosed with cancer (breast, thyroid, and ovarian) - experienced the changes. In part 1 Shannon Lee Knorr, a Pilates and yoga instructor, shares how her own yoga practice and teaching style changed.
2019-03-2029 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.It's not that easy being RARE...February 28 is International Rare Disease Day. There are over 6,000 rare diseases or disorders with 80% having genetic origins. Global events are planned to draw attention to the need for medical research. This brief, light-hearted podcast episode shares a few less critical aspects to having a rare disease. For a deeper dive, check out last year’s Rare Disease podcast episode. Make sure you become a Subscriber to our YouTube channel. All subscribers are entered into Glass Half Full give-aways. Picture yourself sipping your favorite warm beverage…
2019-02-2707 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.My Beautiful HeartAn echocardiogram technician told me I have a beautiful heart and that got me going. What makes for good heart health? What role do genetics, lifestyle, and environment play? Dr. Erica Pitsch talks about the Framingham Heart Study, John talks about congestive heart failure and Mended Hearts, and Saurabh shares how yoga and meditation help his stress level and coping with myotonic muscular dystrophy.
2019-02-1423 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Yoga & Walking: Ease Pain, Reduce Stress One yoga teacher's health journey. Katrina LaShea was able to ease her back injury and subsequent ankle injury pain through a yoga practice. What once worked as a treatment, later became her passion. Today Katrina teaches yoga to African-American women and girls at Girl Trek retreats as well as at her Oakland yoga studio. Beginning this February, the Girl Trek founders will be visiting 50 cities across the country bringing the message of radical self-care and healing at teach-ins and wellness festivals. The Road to Selma culminates this summer in Selma, Alabama.
2019-01-3027 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Do It Yourself: Cannabis Need help with sleep? David -- resident DIY expert -- explains how to decarb, squish, and infuse cannabis. Unfamiliar with these terms? No worries. These terms, and more, are explained for the novice. Podcast episode, and complementary YouTube video, demonstrate the processes involved with creating cannabis tinctures and infusions for making edibles. An earlier podcast episode features six people sharing how cannabis helps with their physical and/or emotional challenges including cancer, depression, muscular dystrophy, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bone fracture, and bipolar disorder. Once you're familiar with the...
2019-01-1827 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.My Favorite Things: Conscious OptimismHolidays can be tough; that's why we're focusing on our favorite things. Peni, Laurel, and Kristl share their voices and 22 previous podcast guests tell us how they beat the funk when dogs bite or bees sting. Since this is the shortest podcast episode ever...check out these previous episodes all about optimism: Passion: Motivation to move through the bad stuff and experience joy Skydiving, Triathaloning, and Mountain Climbing New Year's Resolutions: You must do the things you think you cannot do Music gives me a peace bubble
2018-12-2011 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Giving Back: How Do You Do It?How do you give back? In previous podcast episodes we heard from Amy - a music philanthropist - who sings to raise money for causes she believes in, Chris - a software engineer - who has been involved with a nonprofit organization that helped him as a youth, and Hazel - a retired government employee - who teaches others about service dogs. Today's episode features Susan, diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, who helped the Women's Cancer Resource Center thrive; first as a volunteer and then as its first executive director.
2018-12-0130 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Gratitude & Thinking SmallTis the season to be thankful, grateful, and appreciative. But how does one get to a place of gratitude if you're feeling miserable -- physically, emotionally, or both? Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be Sick (Second Edition): A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers, talks about gratitude as it relates to the Four Sublimes States of Buddhism. A brief introduction to Robert A. Emmons', Ph.D. research on gratitude is presented on the physical, psychological, and social benefits to a gratitude practice. Emmons has written a number of books but here is a q...
2018-11-1430 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Caregiving and Stroke: Two Topics MergeNovember is the time to recognize Family Caregivers. One man's caregiving story leads to a conversation about strokes - one of the most debilitating medical conditions - and stroke recovery. Erica Pitsch, PT, MPT, DPT, NCS, of University of California, San Francisco, explains what happens during a stroke and what may be involved with stroke recovery and rehabilitation. Caregiver Resources include an earlier podcast episode with three family caregivers. You may also want to check out these national organizations: National Alliance for Caregiving and Caregiver Action Network. Be extra kind to your family caregivers this month. ...
2018-10-3137 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.What is Advocacy and how can I do it?Maybe you have a firm grasp on what being an Advocate is all about? This episode explores different ways people with disabilities, their allies, and their caregivers practice advocacy. Whether you're searching for the best healthcare options, leading a support group, mentoring newbies, meeting with legislators, or using social media to get a message out -- it's all about advocacy. Nancy Husari, a retired college instructor with Parkinson's disease, felt empowered by her advocacy experiences at California's state capitol and in Washington, DC. Brook McCall, Grassroots Advocacy Manager for the United Spinal Association talks about her work...
2018-10-1836 min
Glass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Laugher is the Best Medicine: Stand Up ComedyTo kick off Disability Awareness Month, our guest is Nina G - the first female stuttering comedian and dyslexic writer. You'll get a taste of her stand up material as well as learn about her path to comedy and the educational and advocacy work she's been engaged in for years.
2018-10-0330 min2018-07-2838 min2018-07-1231 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Sound Therapy: I had to do this every day if I wanted to become well again
2018-06-2439 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Essential Nutrient for Emotional, Physical & Spiritual Health: Vitamin N (Nature)
2018-06-1126 min2018-05-2624 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Social Media & Chronic Health Conditions: Patients and Caregivers
2018-05-1535 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Everybody who is in a body can DANCE and move – it’s a right we all have
2018-04-2238 min2018-03-3029 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Yoga & Healthy Aging: Maintaining Independence, Activities of Daily Living, and Equanimity
2018-03-1228 min2018-02-2734 min2018-02-1718 min2018-01-2546 min2017-11-1929 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Pirate as a Disability Action Figure: Disability Awareness Month
2017-10-1228 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Passion: Motivation to Move through the Bad Stuff and Experience Joy
2017-09-2828 min2017-09-1428 minGlass Half Full with Leslie Krongold, Ed.D.Preparedness is Universal: Planning for a disaster if you have a chronic illness, physical, developmental, or intellectual disability
2017-08-3130 min2017-08-1832 min2017-08-0326 min2017-07-2026 min2017-07-0628 min2017-06-2240 min2017-06-0848 min2017-05-2520 min2017-05-0522 min2017-04-2937 min2017-04-1145 min2017-04-0217 min