Community In IBD: How to Stop Being Isolated Featuring Aaron Blocker
Release Date: 09/10/2025
Community In IBD: How to Stop Being Isolated Featuring Aaron Blocker
About IBD
Episode transcript and more information at: Amber talks with Aaron Blocker, a Crohn’s disease patient and advocate, about the importance of finding and creating community for people touched by IBD. Online and in-person groups offer support and serve as platforms to share practical tips and counter misinformation. Aaron points out that it’s important to find a balance between advocacy, health, and personal life when offering support to others. Both emphasize the value of authenticity and learning from mistakes. The conversation stresses the importance of caring for mental health,...
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IBD 101: Getting to the Bottom of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Featuring Katie Dunleavy, MB, BCh, BAO
About IBD
We get back to the basics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including the differences between Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and how IBD is different than irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBDologist Dr Katie Dunleavy explains common symptoms, the diagnostic process, and treatment options, focusing on patient advocacy, regular screenings, and open communication with physicians and other healthcare providers. Also included is the importance of diet, stress management, second opinions, and multidisciplinary care in managing IBD. If you or your loved one lives with IBD, you will learn...
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Unlocking the Secrets to Stress Management Featuring Jin Lee, PhD
About IBD
Stress is a huge problem for people who live with immune-mediated conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. The condition causes tension in all the parts of our lives. We can't get rid of it, so we need to find ways to either minimize it or manage it. I talk to Dr. Jin Lee, neuropsychologist and CEO of IMIdeology, about managing stress while living with chronic inflammatory diseases like IBD and lupus. We discuss the impact of chronic stress on health, the challenges of fragmented care, and the benefits of a multidisciplinary, holistic approach. Dr. Lee shares practical,...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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- Importance of community for people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Challenges and rewards of sharing disease experiences online
- Navigating negative comments and misinformation in online communities
- Strategies for engaging with IBD communities and providing support
- Balancing community involvement with personal health and family life
- Mental health considerations when participating in online discussions
- Importance of authenticity and passion in advocacy work
- Addressing misinformation and promoting accurate health information within the community
- 0:05 Intro & Sponsor
- 1:23 Aaron’s Background & Group Origin
- 5:30 Power of Community
- 8:08 Support in Community
- 11:44 Getting Involved in IBD Communities
- 15:16 Before Sharing Online
- 16:15 Motivation & Authenticity
- 19:10 Combating Misinformation
- 25:20 Boundaries & Balance
- 31:52 Mental Health & Selective Sharing
- 34:55 Handling Criticism & Mistakes
- 38:11 Referring Out & Collaboration
- 39:18 Responding to Criticism
- 40:13 Aaron’s Socials & Closing
- 41:53 Outro & Credits
Find Aaron Blocker at:
- Facebook: @SupportIBD
- YouTube: @aaronblocker
- Instagram: @AaronBlocker_
- Web: https://www.aaronblocker.com
Find Amber J Tresca at:
- AboutIBD.com: About IBD
- Verywell Health: Verywell Health
- Facebook: @aboutIBD
- Twitter: @aboutIBD
- Pinterest: @aboutibd
- Instagram: @about_IBD
- YouTube: @AboutIBD
- Threads: @about_ibd
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
- Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
- Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
- YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
- Web: Cooney Studio
- Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
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