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
Unity, Promises Made, Promises Kept
Last Friday, Living Chronic hit the streets of Washington, DC to cover the Unite for Veterans Rally — a powerful gathering calling attention to the needs of veterans living with chronic illness, disability, and trauma.In ...
FDA FOIA requests are in!
I will be reading for weeks but there are already some clear takeaways.
Depression & Anxiety while Chronically Ill
If you're suffering from depression and anxiety while chronically ill, you're not alone.
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Do you know the signs of drug induced lupus?
Do you know the signs of drug induced lupus? If you are on a TNF inhibitor, you need to know the signs so you can alert your doctor.
Chronic Illness & Fatigue
Be sure to subscribe to Living Chronic. We'll be discussing fatigue and more in our upcoming episodes.
Welcome to Living Chronic
Welcome to Living Chronic. My name is Brandy Schantz and this is my story about living chronic.
Episode 2-TNF Inhibitors
TNF Inhibitors are a class of drugs that treat various diseases such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. Learn more about these drugs and how to find the right medication for your condition.
Mental Health & IBD-we need legislation
The death of Stephen "tWitch" Boss has made us all think about mental health and what to do when you are suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. What we can do today is demand legislation.
Interview with Dr. Debra Stroiney, Professor of Exercise Science at George Mason University
Today we discuss how exercise can better help those of us living with chronic illness. Dr. Debra Stroiney will help us better understand how exercise can help us live our best lives while living chronic.
Interview with Mary Esna-Ashari, Senior Director, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
Mary Esna-Ashari is a Senior Director at Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. She is not just a Crohn's & Colitis Foundation employee, she's also a caretaker for family members with Crohn's disease. She is speaking to me about what it means to...
Interview with Heather Boughey, Crohn's patient
Heather Boughey was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in July of 1998, just as many of our modern treatments were being approved for use by the FDA. Hear Heather's story and find out what she wishes she knew when she was first diagnosed with Cro...
Interview with Cynthia, MS Warrior, Coast Guard veteran, friend, dedicated mom.
Cynthia discusses what it's like living with multiple sclerosis, advocating for herself as a patient and a veteran, how she fought to get disability, and being a mom with MS.
Interview with Kelly Hof, her journey with degenerative disc disease
Kelly Hof, RN, mother, chronic warrior discusses her battle with degenerative disc disease and how she has overcome her disease and learned to thrive.
Interview with Super Mom Jill Buzby
Jill Buzby knows a few things about being a caretaker to the disabled, she has two children with developmental disabilities. Today she shares what she has learned along the way about advocating for her children, negotiating difficult bureaucrac...
Update on FOIA requests and research on drug induced lupus
I'm still working to learn more about how many people get drug induced lupus, what the process and procedures are around the Adverse Reaction Database, and how I can ensure what happened to me never happens to anyone else.
Interview with Potomac Psychiatry; Dr. Bruce Kehr and Nutritionist, Julie Wendt
Today I'm interviewing Dr. Bruce Kehr and Nutritionist, Julie Wendt about root cause psychiatry, the role of nutrition in your treatment, and your mental health and diet and how it relates to your chronic illness. Potomac Psychiatry does whatev...
Interview with Marissa Spratley
Marissa Spratley is the Manager, Fundraising Campaigns & Volunteer Engagement at Crohns & Colitis Foundation in the Washington, DC metro area. Marissa is a Crohn's patient and another drug induced lupus survivor. Hear her story and how ...
Interview with Fred Diamond, Author of Love, Hope, Lyme
This week I interview Fred Diamond, author and podcast host of Love, Hope, Lyme. He discusses what he has learned about being a caregiver to someone with a chronic illness and what he has learned about Lyme.
Interview with Melissa, Narcolepsy Type I patient
This week I interview Melissa Schuster, Narcolepsy Type I patient, veteran, mom, and friend. She discusses her journey to get a diagnosis and to live her best life with Narcolepsy.
Interview with Dr. Amir Rashidian
Dr. Rashidian, chiropractor and author of Cracking the Stress Secret, discusses his new book and how to learn to better deal with stress. When we seek advice on health and wellness, we are commonly told to reduce or eliminate stress in ou...
Interview with Actress, Singer, and Current Mrs. Maryland Petite USA, Amelia Meyers
Amelia Meyers; Actress, Singer, and current Mrs. Maryland Petite USA talks about her life with Crohn's disease and how she's learned to build a thriving life despite her illness. Amelia is also certified in nutrition and has a new cookbook in t...
Learning to Get Rid of the Guilt
It's been a while since my last podcast episode and I'm struggling with the guilt I feel for not being able to keep up with all the things I want to accomplish. I want to do all the things I did before I got sick and it's hard to find my worth ...
Interview with Emma Polette, Coach at Daily Yoga
Emma Polette is a chronic warrior with Endometriosis and Grave's Disease. She has learned to negotiate her life with chronic illness by using yoga and the principles it teaches you. We talked about Ahimsa, accepting yourself as you are, and lea...
Interview with Krystalore Crews
Krystalore Crews founded Crews Beyond Limits (www.krystalorecrews.com) after suffering some big set backs in life including Rheumatoid Arthritis, a big military move with her husband that left her unemployed (military spouses know), and then a ...