Freelancing Freedom: Crafting Your Career While Caring for Your Health
About IBD
It's not easy to manage both a career and chronic illness like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis). We need tools and tips in order to keep everything moving and succeed at work while caring for ourselves. I talk with Jen Hubley Luckwaldt about how freelancing can be a valid way of meeting both goals. Jen shares her journey from traditional employment to freelancing, including how it offers her flexibility in balancing work, health, and family. We talk about the importance of setting boundaries with clients, how to identify your marketable skills, and...
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Declutter Your Life While Living with Chronic Illness
About IBD
Do you find it difficult to find the time and energy to deal with mental or physical clutter? Lisa Zawrotny, a productivity coach and founder of Positively Productive Systems, helps us learn how to manage clutter, even when flaring. We discuss practical strategies for decluttering both your physical space and mental load, and how to celebrate even the smallest victories in your day-to-day life. Plus, Lisa reveals her insights on creating systems that work for you, no matter your circumstances. If you’ve ever felt weighed down by expectations or struggled to find balance, this episode is...
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Embracing Life with an Ostomy Featuring Danielle Barlieb
About IBD
Danielle Barlieb was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in childhood. She discusses her experiences with diagnosis, surgeries, and becoming a mother, including the challenges of a permanent ileostomy. Danielle emphasizes the importance of mental health, sharing her struggles and the support she received from her family. She also talks about dating with an ostomy, encouraging others not to let fear hold them back. Finally, she highlights her son's interests and the joy he brings to her life, along with resources for women with inflammatory bowel disease. Information and resources discussed...
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Why Representation Matters for the LGBTQ+ Community
About IBD
There's a need for more research addressing social determinants of health in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community. Cass Condray, an IBD researcher who also lives with an IBD, points out the lack of information and resources focused on the unique experiences of LGBTQ patients. Cass also talks about the significance of representation in research, and the impact that intersecting identities have on people's health outcomes. Plus, we talk about Cass' web site, PrideAndPoop.com, what his hopes are for the future, and what there is to do in Oklahoma. Find Cass Condray at: Web: ...
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How to Thrive as a Parent with IBD Featuring Jaime Holland
About IBD
Amber hands over hosting duties to Jamie Holland, a patient advocate with Crohn's disease. They discuss their personal experiences with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They focus on Amber's decision to have j-pouch surgery after being diagnosed with dysplasia and the effects it had on her fertility. Jamie asks Amber to share about the emotional and physical challenges of motherhood with IBD, including fatigue and guilt. They also touch on the possibility of passing IBD on to children and the importance of community and support. Concepts discussed on this episode: Xue M, Leibovitzh...
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Navigating Hernia Surgery Featuring Mike Tresca
About IBD
Amber is joined by her husband, Mike, who recently underwent robotic hernia surgery. In this candid conversation, they explore the entire experience—from the initial discovery of the hernia to the surgery itself and the recovery process that followed. Mike shares his insights on the challenges he faced, including unexpected pain, dietary adjustments, and the importance of having a supportive caregiver. They also discuss the nuances of patient-provider communication and how to navigate the complexities of post-surgery life. Whether you’re considering surgery or simply curious about the...
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Amber's 2024 in Books
About IBD
Amber shares some of the books she read over the previous year including biographies, young adult fiction, bestsellers, and romance. Hear about Amber's reading list from 2024, which was truly a mixed bag. The good news is that it contains something for everyone. Plus: learn about how you can read or listen to books for free using your local library — maybe without even leaving your house. Library apps mentioned in this episode: Books mentioned in this episode: by Rumaan Alam by Lois Lowry by Angeline Boulley by Britney Spears by Oyinkan Braithwaite by...
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"Fine" Dining With Crohn's Disease Featuring Michael Ornelas
About IBD
What's the difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease? We talk about them like they're two distinct sides of a spectrum, but there are people who don't have a firm place on that continuum. Amber Tresca talks with Michael Ornelas, host of the "Fine" Dining podcast, about his journey with IBD. Michael was first diagnosed with proctitis, then Crohn's disease, and later, maybe, with ulcerative colitis. Michael shares his experiences with symptoms, treatments, and the impact IBD has on life. But it's not all serious! Michael also talks about his comedy podcast, "Fine" Dining, which...
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"3 Kidneys, No Colon" With Dave Piontkowski
About IBD
For people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the path to pursuing our dreams can look different from that of our peers. Stand-up comedian Dave Piontkowski, lives with not only ulcerative colitis, but also chronic kidney disease. He developed a one-man show called "Three Kidneys, No Colon," which describes his journey with both of these conditions. Dave talks about how and why his comedy actually improved while he was fighting for his life with kidney disease. He also tells us how his comedy is connecting the chronic illness community, but there are some audience members who find it...
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The Hosts of Bowel Moments
About IBD
Alicia and Robin, co-hosts of the "Bowel Moments" podcast, join Amber for a discussion about podcasting in the IBD community. Robin shares her IBD journey, including her diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, the complications that led to an ileal anal anastomosis, the later diagnosis of Crohn's disease, and evebtyak J-pouch surgery. They also talk about the challenges of producing the podcast, the importance of therapy, and keeping up a social media presence. The conversation highlights the emotional and logistical aspects of creating a podcast about IBD. Select episodes of Bowel Moments: ...
info_outlineInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects people from all ethnic and cultural groups. In this limited series, we'll explore how inequalities in the healthcare system affect people from diverse backgrounds.
One of the barriers to addressing disparities is money. It's an unfortunate fact that the healthcare system in the United States is intertwined with money. In some cases, access to care and other equity issues might be solved by putting some funding towards the problems. That's why I asked my guests a really broad question: If you received grant money, where would you allocate it in order to address disparities?
You'll hear from Dr Aline Charabaty, Melodie Narain-Blackwell, Dr Cedric Pulliam, Dr Fasika Shimeles Teferra, and Brooke Abbott to find out what this panel says about where we should be focusing our efforts in combating healthcare disparities in the IBD space.
Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Credits:
Healthcare Disparities in IBD is written, produced, and directed by Amber Tresca.
Theme music, mix, and sound design is by Cooney Studio.