Living Chronic
Welcome to the Living Chronic Podcast, where we have real, raw, and honest conversations about life with chronic illness and disability. Hosted by Brandy Schantz, a disabled veteran and chronic illness advocate, this podcast explores the realities of navigating work, healthcare, and everyday life while managing a disability or chronic condition.
Each episode features insightful discussions with medical professionals, disability advocates, and individuals sharing their personal journeys. We tackle topics such as workplace accommodations, navigating the healthcare system, mental health, and breaking down societal barriers that often hold disabled individuals back.
Whether you're living with a chronic condition, supporting a loved one, or looking to create a more inclusive world, Living Chronic is here to provide knowledge, inspiration, and a sense of community.
Join us as we change the conversation around chronic illness because thriving with a disability is not only possible but powerful.
Subscribe now and be part of the movement!
Episodes
98 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 ...
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...
Unlocking the Secrets of HRV and Autonomic Health w/ Dr. Andrew Holman, CEO of Inmedix
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with Dr. Andrew Holman, CEO of InMedix, about the groundbreaking HRV technology that measures the body's stress response. They discuss the importance of heart rate variability (HRV) in un...
Living with Ulcerative Colitis: A Personal Journey
In this episode, Brandy Schantz speaks with Liam Robertson, an author and ulcerative colitis warrior, about his journey with chronic illness. They discuss the onset of Liam's symptoms, the emotional and social impacts of living with IBD, and th...
Stoma Diaries: Sharing the Reality of Chronic Illness
In this episode of Living Chronic, Brandy Schantz speaks with Ben Raybould, known for his Instagram account Stoma Diaries. They discuss Ben's journey with Crohn's disease, the challenges of living with a chronic illness, and the importance of c...