Living Chronic: Ability At Work
Welcome to Living Chronic: Ability at Work, the podcast where disability meets the future of work.
Hosted by Brandy Schantz—a disabled veteran, workplace accommodation expert, workforce development leader, and author—this podcast challenges the way we think about disability in the workplace. Through honest conversations, expert insights, and lived experience, we explore what it really takes to build workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Each episode tackles the issues shaping today's workforce: disability inclusion, reasonable accommodations, AI and the future of work, chronic illness, veterans in the workplace, mental health, leadership, public policy, and the systems that help, or hinder, people with disabilities from reaching their full potential. You'll hear from HR leaders, policymakers, researchers, medical experts, business executives, advocates, and people living with disabilities who are redefining what work can look like.
Whether you're an employer trying to create a more inclusive organization, an HR professional navigating complex accommodation decisions, a policymaker shaping the future of work, or someone living with a disability or chronic illness, this podcast offers practical strategies, thoughtful conversations, and a fresh perspective on one of the largest untapped talent pools in today's workforce.
Because disability isn't a barrier to talent, barriers are built into the systems around it. Together, we can dismantle those barriers, build belonging, and create workplaces where ability is recognized, supported, and valued.
Living Chronic: Ability at Work—changing the conversation about disability, one workplace at a time.
Episodes
101 episodes
Invisible Illness: A Deep Dive into Women's Health
In this conversation, Brandy Schantz and Emily Ann Mendenhall discuss the complexities of invisible illnesses, particularly in women's health. They explore the intersection of trauma and chronic illness, the challenges of navigating the healthc...
Unlocking Long COVID: Insights from Dr. Norman Gaylis
In this episode of Living Chronic, host Brandy Schantz speaks with Dr. Norman Gaylis, a board-certified rheumatologist who has become an expert in long COVID. Dr. Gaylis shares his serendipitous journey into researching long COVID, which began ...
Living with Dysautonomia and Understanding Long COVID
In this episode of "Living Chronic," Brandy Schantz delves into her personal journey with dysautonomia, shedding light on the latest research, treatment options, and systemic challenges faced by patients. She talks about Long Covid and related ...
My Conversation with Jeremy Tammone-RIP my friend. You will be missed.
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz interviews Jeremy Tammone, a veteran who shares his harrowing experience of being shot and the profound impact it has had on his life. Jeremy recounts the night of the incident, his miraculous s...
The Long Middle with Mary Monoky
Living Chronic: Embracing the Long Middle of Chronic IllnessIn this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz and guest Mary Monoky explore the profound journey of living with chronic illness, focusing on the often-overlooked "long middl...
The Hidden Struggles of Living with Chronic Illness Nobody Tells You About w/ Cyndii Sinek
Building the Chronic Illness Support System: The Story of the Chronic Illness HotlineIn this episode, Brandy Schantz speaks with Cyndii Sinek, founder of the Chronic Illness Hotline, about the vital need for accessible mental health supp...
Mentorship and Support for Chronic Patients
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with Matt Reed about his journey with Crohn's disease, the challenges of navigating work while managing a chronic illness, and the importance of mentorship and support systems for those l...
Advocacy in Action: Raising Awareness for Lupus
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with Mamello, a lupus patient and advocate from South Africa. They discuss the challenging journey to diagnosis, the importance of self-advocacy, and the role of support networks in manag...
Navigating Life After Cancer: Amy McClelland's Story
In this conversation, Brandy Schantz speaks with Amy McClelland, a breast cancer survivor and tech leader, about her journey navigating the job market after her diagnosis. They discuss the challenges faced by individuals with chronic illnesses,...
Understanding Your Rights: ADA, FMLA, & when to call an attorney
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with attorney Gary Martoccio about the intersection of employment law and disability rights. They discuss the importance of disclosing disabilities, navigating workplace accommodations, a...
Breaking the Silence on Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) and Medical Trauma
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with Vanessa Abram, author of 'Speechless' and a chronic illness warrior. They discuss Vanessa's traumatic journey from being a speech therapist to becoming a patient who lost her ability...
Living with MS: A Journey of Resilience
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with actress Siana Smith, who shares her journey living with multiple sclerosis (MS). They discuss the challenges of getting a diagnosis, the importance of community support, navigating w...
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The Power of Advocacy in Caregiving
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with Mindy Uhrlaub, an author and caregiver, about her experiences navigating the challenges of chronic illness, caregiving, and mental health. Mindy shares her personal journey, includin...
Advocating for Disability Rights with Robert Stack
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz interviews Robert Stack, a veteran advocate for disability rights. They discuss Stack's 40-year career, the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, and the disparities in services bas...
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Navigating Health Equity and Burnout
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with Glennae Davis, a registered nurse and health equity advocate, about the critical issues surrounding health equity, chronic pain, and burnout in the healthcare system. Glenay shares h...
Living with Ulcerative Colitis: Claire Carden's Inspiring Story
Join host Brandy Schantz on "Living Chronic" as she sits down with Claire Carden, a young woman who shares her unexpected journey of being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 17. Claire opens up about the challenges of navigating a sudden...
IBD Journeys: Overcoming Obstacles and Embracing Victories with Morgan Check
Join host Brandy Schantz as she sits down with Morgan Check, a nurse practitioner and IBD patient, to explore the intricate journey of living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at a young age, Morgan shares her i...
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The Fight for Veteran-Specific Medical Care
In this special episode of Living Chronic, "Military, Medicine, and the Mission Left Behind, Brandy Schantz discusses the critical need for veteran-specific healthcare with June Heston and Helen Perry. They share personal stories of advocac...
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Military, Medicine, and the Problem Left Behind: The Problem with Helen Perry
In this episode, Brandy Schantz and Helen Perry discuss the complexities and challenges of the military health system, particularly in light of recent budget cuts and the impact on veterans and their families. They explore the various component...
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Empowering Veterans Through Healthcare Advocacy
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz and veteran nurse Helen Perry discuss the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, particularly for veterans. They explore the complexities of medical systems, the significance of researching ...
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Navigating Veterans Affairs Community Care
This conversation delves into the complexities and challenges of Veterans Affairs Community Care, highlighting the increasing costs, bureaucratic hurdles, and the impact on veterans' quality of life. The discussion emphasizes the importance of ...
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Fighting for Care: A Military Spouse's Journey
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with Jen, a military spouse and chronic illness warrior, about her journey with colon cancer and the challenges faced within the military healthcare system. They discuss the misdiagnosis,...
It’s Not the Trauma Olympics: PTSD, Misdiagnosis, and the Fight for Veterans’ Care
In this powerful episode of Living Chronic: Military, Medicine, and the Mission Left Behind, Brandy Schantz sits down with advocate and caregiver Helen Perry to tackle one of the most misunderstood and overused labels in military healt...
Mistrust: A National Crisis
In this conversation, Brandy Schantz and Helen Perry explore the pervasive issue of mistrust in military medicine and its implications for veterans and the broader American public. They discuss the factors contributing to this mistrust, includi...
Empowering Families: The Heart of Wounded Warriors Support
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz interviews Katherine McCauley, CEO and President of Wounded Warriors Family Support. They discuss the unique initiatives of the organization, focusing on family support for wounded veterans, the...