loader from loading.io

How Storytelling Fosters Compassion for Kids with Chronic Illness

About IBD

Release Date: 08/19/2025

How Storytelling Fosters Compassion for Kids with Chronic Illness show art How Storytelling Fosters Compassion for Kids with Chronic Illness

About IBD

A children's book leads to this conversation, which bridges the worlds of chronic illness, creativity, and connection. I talk with MB (Britt) Mooney, author of "The Mouse Who Couldn't Eat Cheese," a children's book inspired by a young woman named Alex who lived with severe Crohn's disease. MB, a science fiction and fantasy author, stepped outside his usual genre to create a story that helps kids and families understand invisible illnesses and the power of friendship. You'll hear behind-the-scenes insight on MB's creative process, the lessons learned from working with Alex's family, and the...

info_outline
How Propel a Cure is Transforming Crohn's Disease Research show art How Propel a Cure is Transforming Crohn's Disease Research

About IBD

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD180   Grassroots organizations are an important part of the IBD landscape, helping fill in the many gaps in our underserved community. Amber talks with Angela Clark, president and CEO of Propel a Cure, a grassroots nonprofit that funds research projects looking for the causes of Crohn's disease. They discuss the challenges of finding cures for IBD and the importance of supporting innovative, early-stage research. Angela explains their grant selection process, highlights current research they fund, and shares how the...

info_outline
From Privacy to Advocacy: Balancing Faith and Chronic Illness Featuring Hindy (Tauber) Klein show art From Privacy to Advocacy: Balancing Faith and Chronic Illness Featuring Hindy (Tauber) Klein

About IBD

Amber speaks with Hindy Klein, a member of the Orthodox Jewish community living with Crohn’s colitis. Hindy shares how she manages IBD while observing Jewish laws, discussing challenges with diet, fasting, and hospital care during Shabbat and holidays. She also talks about overcoming stigma, the importance of community support, and how her faith helps her cope. The episode highlights the need for cultural sensitivity in healthcare and the value of sharing personal stories to support others with chronic illness.   Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD179  ...

info_outline
The Mind-Body Connection in IBS and IBD Featuring Ali Navidi, PsyD show art The Mind-Body Connection in IBS and IBD Featuring Ali Navidi, PsyD

About IBD

Amber interviews Dr. Ali Navidi, a gastropsychologist specializing in mental health for people with gastrointestinal disorders. They discuss the importance of addressing mental health alongside conditions like IBD and IBS, highlighting the stigma surrounding these issues. Dr. Navidi explains cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnosis, emphasizing their effectiveness in managing symptoms. He also shares insights on the challenges of accessing mental health care and introduces a new therapeutic group program for IBD patients developed in collaboration with the Crohn's and Colitis...

info_outline
Better Health With Breathwork for IBD Featuring Elizabeth Coldrick of Wildly Brave Wellness show art Better Health With Breathwork for IBD Featuring Elizabeth Coldrick of Wildly Brave Wellness

About IBD

Elizabeth Coldrick, a nutritional therapist and breathwork facilitator living with IBD and a permanent ostomy shares her experiences living in Bali, the challenges and benefits of managing IBD abroad, and the importance of nutrition and breathwork for mental and physical health. She explains how breathwork can reduce stress and inflammation, offers a simple breathing exercise, and discusses her new nutrition e-book for people with ostomies. The episode highlights self-care, community, and practical strategies for living well with IBD.   Episode highlights The connection between...

info_outline
Getting Outdoors With IBD Featuring Jonathan Stewart of EverGreen Adventures show art Getting Outdoors With IBD Featuring Jonathan Stewart of EverGreen Adventures

About IBD

Jonathan Stewart, co-founder of Evergreen Adventures, a nonprofit focused on connecting the chronic illness community with outdoor activities, shares his journey with type one diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and sarcoidosis. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of staying active despite health challenges, describes the need for planning outdoor adventures, and encourages everyone to find joy in nature, no matter the circumstances.   Concepts discussed on this episode: Personal experiences with chronic illnesses, including ulcerative colitis and type one diabetes. The journey of...

info_outline
GetYourBellyOut: Picturing Hope for IBD Featuring Victoria Marie show art GetYourBellyOut: Picturing Hope for IBD Featuring Victoria Marie

About IBD

In this episode, Victoria, founder of GetYourBellyOut, shares her journey with ulcerative colitis and the importance of community support for those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She discusses her diagnosis experience, the challenges of navigating healthcare, and the need for better patient advocacy. Victoria highlights the organization's growth, its initiatives like the IBD Nurse Helpline leaflets, and the significance of connecting patients with healthcare providers. She emphasizes the importance of funding to expand their services and create more opportunities for support, while...

info_outline
How Tech is Changing Gastroenterology show art How Tech is Changing Gastroenterology

About IBD

Amber and gastroenterologist Dr Neil Parikh discuss technology’s impact on IBD management. Dr Parikh emphasizes the importance of patient diaries and open communication between patients and providers. They also address concerns about data privacy, integrating holistic approaches in patient care, and the potential of wearable technology in gastroenterology.   Find Neil D. Parikh, MD at: Web: LinkedIn:   Find The Gut Doctor Podcast at:   Find Amber J Tresca at: : Verywell: Facebook: Twitter: Pinterest: Instagram: YouTube: Threads: ...

info_outline
Reclaiming Joy in Eating with IBD Featuring Stacey Collins, MA, RDN/LDN show art Reclaiming Joy in Eating with IBD Featuring Stacey Collins, MA, RDN/LDN

About IBD

People with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (forms of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD) were told for many decades that diet didn't affect the disease. Even today, some patients are still told this, even though there is now significant evidence that diet absolutely matters in IBD. Stacey Collins, MA, RDN/LDN describes how her journey with ulcerative colitis led to j-pouch surgery. Her philosophy as a registered dietician is one of “nutrition by addition" rather than by dietary restriction. Stacey also focuses on the emotional aspects of eating with IBD, including the understandable...

info_outline
Infusion Hero: Stylish Hoodies for Young Patients Featuring Rachel Bee show art Infusion Hero: Stylish Hoodies for Young Patients Featuring Rachel Bee

About IBD

IBD patients are innovative, resilient, and powerful. My guest, Rachel Bee, is an incredible example of all these virtues. Rachel is a remarkable 17-year-old entrepreneur who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at just 13 years old. She turned her experiences with IBD into a mission to help others by founding Infusion Hero, a company that designs innovative hoodies specifically for young patients receiving infusions.   Infusion Hero hoodies provide comfort and feature a unique design that allows for easy access during medical treatments. Rachel shares her story of navigating the challenges...

info_outline
 
More Episodes
A children's book leads to this conversation, which bridges the worlds of chronic illness, creativity, and connection. I talk with MB (Britt) Mooney, author of "The Mouse Who Couldn't Eat Cheese," a children's book inspired by a young woman named Alex who lived with severe Crohn's disease. MB, a science fiction and fantasy author, stepped outside his usual genre to create a story that helps kids and families understand invisible illnesses and the power of friendship. You'll hear behind-the-scenes insight on MB's creative process, the lessons learned from working with Alex's family, and the message he hopes every reader takes away—whether they live with inflammatory bowel disease or not.
 
Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD181
 
Topics in this episode include:
🦉 Representation of chronic illness, specifically Crohn's disease, in children's literature.
🦉 The importance of empathy and understanding in friendships, especially for children with chronic illnesses.
🦉 The challenges faced by children with Crohn's disease and the need for social inclusion.
🦉 The creative process involved in writing a children's book and the balance required in storytelling.
🦉 The role of creativity in problem-solving and fostering community.
🦉 The significance of raising awareness about chronic illnesses through literature.
🦉 The broader themes of connection, support, and validation for children facing health challenges.
 
Find MB Mooney at:
Find Amber J Tresca at:
 
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.