What does it mean to advocate for yourself as a female patient, especially in healthcare systems that often overlook women’s pain, symptoms, and lived experiences?

In this episode we welcome Spencer Moore, founder and host of The Hairy Chin, certified women’s health coach, certified breast health educator, and certified breathwork specialist, for a powerful conversation about women’s health advocacy, chronic illness, breast cancer, medical dismissal, and learning how to navigate healthcare systems with confidence and clarity.

After years of chronic health struggles and being passed from doctor to doctor as what Spencer calls a “hot potato patient,” she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at 40. Her experience transformed the way she approached healthcare, communication, and self-advocacy, and led her to help other women develop the tools to better advocate for themselves in medical settings.

Together, Nina and Spencer explore the grief that can live inside illness, chronic symptoms, medical dismissal, and not being believed. They also discuss practical strategies for navigating doctor appointments, communicating symptoms effectively, recognizing misinformation online, and building trust with your own body.

This episode is especially meaningful for women navigating chronic illness, breast cancer, autoimmune conditions, invisible illness, medical trauma, grief, burnout, or healthcare advocacy.

Key Takeaways

•  Self-advocacy is a skill set that can be learned 
•  Preparation can change the outcome of medical appointments 
•  The language women use in healthcare settings matters 
•  Chronic illness grief deserves recognition and support 
•  There is no single “quick fix” for complex health issues 
•  Trustworthy health advocates acknowledge nuance and uncertainty 
•  AI tools can support research but cannot replace medical care

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, unseen, or overwhelmed inside the healthcare system, this conversation is for you.

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Advocacy Tools by The Hairy Chin

One-page Health Summary

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Connect with Spencer Moore:

Instagram: @the.hairy.chin
YouTube: @thehairychin
Website: thehairychin.com

This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your health concerns.

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Grief and Light is an award-winning, independent podcast exploring the honest, messy, and deeply human experience of loss. We're on a mission to foster a more grief-informed, hopeful world, one conversation at a time. 

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