Chronic Illness Support: That Chronic Thing
Hey there, I'm Cathy! Living with chronic illness isn't easy, and I'm here to talk about the ups, downs, and everything in between. Whether it's navigating relationships, work, or simply trying to make it through the day, I’m sharing my personal experiences and insights to offer support, humor, and connection for those walking (and rolling) the same path.
From dating while sick to finding small joys amidst the challenges, we’ll laugh, cry, and figure this chronic illness life out together. Join me as we create a space where you don’t have to go through it alone.
Episodes
53 episodes
Belly Cramps, IBS, and the big bad Crohn's Disease
If you have chronic illness and belly pain, a lot of this episode may sound familiar!Me? Oh I've been MIA with a Crohn's disease flare! In this episode I tell you all about it, including some basic definitions for IBS, Crohn's disease, a...
Chronic Illness Friendships, with a little reiki, herbs, and a lot of honesty, ft. Jess Gardner
In this episode of That Chronic Thing podcast, Cathy is joined by her friend Jess Gardner. Jess is Reiki certified, she’s a poodle mama, disability advocate for EDS. Noonan syndrome, ME/CFS, dysautonomia and SFN. In additio...
Chronically Yours: ME/CFS Up Close, a personal story of chronic illness and resilience
In this episode of Chronically Yours, a segment of That Chronic Thing podcast, Cathy reads a moving submission from JD Fraser, who lives with severe ME/CFS. JD shares the realities of life with a poorly understood chronic illn...
ME/CFS is #notjustfatigue, featuring Founder Elizabeth Ansell
"So you're basically tired all the time?" No, it's #notjustfatigue. In this episode of That Chronic Thing, Cathy chats with Elizabeth Ansell (Founder, Executive Director) of notjustfatigu...
The Price of Inclusion: Chronic Illness, Disability, & Accessibility Fails
In this episode of That Chronic Thing, Cathy dives into the high cost of “inclusion” at a WNBA playoff game — literally. From $2,000 ADA seats to arenas telling disabled fans to “just show up and hope,” this story highlights how broken...
Living in the Land of the Undiagnosed: My Chronic Illness Story
It’s a solo episode! 🎙️ Today, we’re taking a trip back in time to January 2023, when I first shared my chronic illness story. So much has changed—my symptoms, my knowledge, even my podcasting style. But one thing remains the same: almost every...
Navigating Disability, Diagnosis, and Disney Magic with Kim Grant
In this episode of That Chronic Thing, I sit down with Kim to discuss her experiences navigating life with Cerebral Palsy, Celiac Disease, and Lupus. From the exhausting hoops disabled people have to jump through—like prioritizing heal...
Chronically Yours: A New Podcast Segment Sharing Real Stories from the Chronic Illness Community
Introducing Chronically Yours, a new segment on That Chronic Thing podcast! This episode explores the power of sharing personal stories from the chronic illness community, ✨because every experience matters.✨Our first story comes from Car...
Body Grief & Chronic Illness: Jayne Mattingly on Healing, Acceptance, and Her New Book
In this episode of That Chronic Thing, I talk with Jayne Mattingly about body grief—the losses we experience when our bodies change due to illness, disability, aging, or anything else life throws at us. Jayne shares how her own health ...
From Overwhelmed to Organized: Managing Chronic Illness with Guava Health
Managing chronic illness is already a full-time job, and keeping track of symptoms, medications, and doctor’s appointments can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I chat with Isabel from Guava Health about how their platform helps simplify the ...
Big Three, Little Three, and Chronic Tea: Chatting About Illness Life, ft. Clark from Chronically the Sickest Podcast
In this episode of That Chronic Thing, I chat with Clark from Chronically the Sickest Podcast, and we dive into her "big three" and "little three" diagnoses (yep, there’s a Percy Jackson connection). We talk about managing chronic pain, sorting...
When Support Shows Up: Stories of Unexpected Kindness
This short and sweet solo episode features a few stories from Cathy's Instagram community! I asked, tell me about a time that someone showed up for you unexpectedly and made a difference. Enjoy these stories and remind yourself: the...
Embracing Imperfection while Coping with Chronic Illness, ft. Dr. Talia
In this episode of That Chronic Thing, host Cathy chats with Dr. Talia, an inspiring digital creator who shares her journey of coping with multiple chronic illnesses. Dr. Talia discusses her experiences with perfectionism, the impact of chronic...
Inside the world of "Being (Sick) Enough," ft. Jessica Graham
In this episode of That Chronic Thing, we welcome Jessica Graham, a trauma resolution guide, meditation teacher, author, and filmmaker. Celebrating the release of their latest book, Being (Sick) Enough, Jessica explores themes of invisible illn...
The Chronic Chronicles: Turning Endometriosis Pain to Purpose, ft. Lexy Halloran
In this episode, we feature Lexy from the Chronic Chronicles podcast! 🎧 We chat about-- Lexy's personal journey with endometriosis and the challenges she faced in getting diagnosed and treated. The difficulties of...
Chicken Glimmers, Wheelchair Freedom, and Finding the Joy in Aging despite Illness
In this episode, I’m talking with my friend Nic, all the way from New Zealand. We dive into the ups and downs of life with chronic illness, from finding freedom in her wheelchair to the small joys her animals bring. It’s a conversation full of ...
Spreading Joy: Bringing Light to Others While Navigating Chronic Illness, ft. Casey Taton
In this episode, we sit down with Casey, a chronic illness warrior whose journey with MALS and comorbidities began in 2016. Despite facing her own health struggles, Casey found purpose and healing through helping others. From hospital celebrati...
Cathy’s Chronic Illness Journey with ME/CFS, Cannabis, and Connection, ft. Julie Jo Hughes
In this special episode, Cathy is interviewed by her longtime friend, Julie Jo, for an honest and entertaining discussion about life, chronic illness, and the importance of connection.→ WHOOPS: I say that EBV was linked to MS in the pas...
Slushy Gratitude and Holiday Hacks: Surviving the Season with Chronic Illness
The holidays are here, bringing cinnamon scents, cozy vibes—and a whole lot of challenges when chronic illness is in the mix. In this episode, we unpack the messy feelings around holiday gratitude, share real-life stories from our listeners, an...
A Light in the Darkness: Remembering Sammy Lincroft
In this deeply heartfelt episode, we celebrate the life and legacy of Sammy Lincroft, a cherished member of the ME/CFS community whose advocacy, knowledge, and friendship impacted thousands. Sammy was a beacon of hope, sharing invaluable resour...
How to Be Seen and Heard After Illness: Lessons from Keeley Shantz
In this moving episode, I sit down with Keeley Shantz, a vibrant actor and storyteller who survived multiple strokes and turned her pain into a powerful mission. Keeley shares her journey from dancing in Iowa to pursuing acting in New York City...
Crummy Days, Cozy Reads, and My Cannabis Lifeline: Chronic Illness Real Talk
Hello my little ducklings! In this solo episode, I’m back after a few tough weeks, here to catch up and chat about life with ME/CFS, post-exertional malaise, and the ways I’ve been coping. From audiobooks (and my new “brain fog ratings” for eac...
Love & Care: Strong Partnerships with Chronic Illness, ft. Whitney Fox
In this episode, Whitney Fox returns to discuss relationships with chronic illness and disability. Key takeaways include:→ Whitney’s story: How she and her husband, Andrew, create shared experiences despite the challenges of chronic ill...
(Fixed) Long-Covid & ME/CFS: when post-viral meets post-viral - a conversation with Whitney
Audio problem? What audio problem? A replay of an interview with Whitney Fox from May 2023. Sadly, as relevant as-ever!We talk about our fear of COVID, with the con...
Battery Alert: Surviving Festivals, Flare Ups, and Post Exertional Malaise
Hello my chickadees! In this episode of That Chronic Thing, we dive into the internal battery metaphor, a common way to explain energy depletion in ME/CFS. I share my experience attending a festival with my faulty battery and the onset...