Hidradenitis SuppuraDIVAS
Welcome!! We're glad you found us! If you have Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), or know someone who does, this is the podcast for you!
Join Brindley and Cyd who each have unique perspectives on what living with HS looks like, as we talk about life with HS. We'll cover common misconceptions, motherhood, talk with experts, mental health, sex and intimacy with HS, getting diagnosed, and everything in between!
If you have any questions or topics you would like to see covered please tell us here so we can be sure to cover what's important to you! We love your feedback!!
If you feel like you may have HS or know someone with Hidradenitis Suppurativa please know you’re not alone! Visit our Dermatology List here to find a dermatologist near you who is familiar with HS.
For more information on all things HS, please visit www.hsconnect.org.
Don’t forget to give us a follow + subscribe to our channels!
@HSConnectorg
@socialcydd
Hidradenitis SuppuraDIVAS
Your Story Has Power: Advocacy, Diagnosis & Showing Up for Yourself
Brindley and Cyd (@socialcydd) dive into the questions the HS community asks most — from how to get connected, to recognizing symptoms, to finding your voice as an advocate.
Together, they explore the real impact of storytelling in the HS space. How sharing your journey can change someone else's life, highlight gaps in care, and open doors not only for personal healing but also for the entire HS community. Cyd reflects on her own experiences speaking publicly, connecting with dermatologists, and realizing the true reach of her advocacy.
Brindley breaks down what early HS signs look like, when to see a dermatologist, and how to advocate for yourself in the exam room — especially when you’re unsure, unheard, or dismissed. They also discuss the misconceptions that persist in dermatology, why diagnosis matters for research and treatment development, and how empowering it is to finally put a name to what you’ve been living with.
You’ll also learn about HS Connect’s growing mentorship and advocacy training program, designed to support new and experienced advocates in sharing factual, safe, and community-centered education. (to apply: https://forms.gle/L7N4e7akXD2sMmzo8)
Whether you're newly exploring HS, learning to advocate for yourself, or looking for ways to uplift others in the community, this episode will remind you of one thing above all else:
Your voice matters. Your story matters. And you are not alone.
This podcast was made possible by our sponsors UCB and Sanofi.