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How Patient Stories Change Perspectives and Influence Lawmakers

About IBD

Release Date: 09/24/2025

Hidden Ways IBD Affects You Over a Lifetime With Puja Khanna, MD show art Hidden Ways IBD Affects You Over a Lifetime With Puja Khanna, MD

About IBD

The truth about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is that it goes beyond the gut. In this first ever live recording of About IBD, Amber talks with Dr. Puja Khanna from Cedars-Sinai to explore the extra-intestinal impacts of IBD, from skin conditions and eye inflammation to debilitating fatigue. Learn how sex-specific factors affect women and why building a multi-disciplinary care team is the best strategy for long-term health. Episode transcript and more information at: Chapters: (00:01): Amber introduces the first-ever live recording of the "About IBD" podcast, recorded at an event in Los...

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How to Navigate ER Visits and Avoid Fragmented Care With Dr Stephen Lupe show art How to Navigate ER Visits and Avoid Fragmented Care With Dr Stephen Lupe

About IBD

Emergency room visits are a source of stress and can lead to fragmented care. Amber speaks with psychologist Dr Stephen Lupe to learn why inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients avoid the ER, the reality of medical trauma, and how a multi-disciplinary approach like the IBD Medical Home can revolutionize patient care.   Transcript and more information at:   Sponsored by: Johnson & Johnson:   Find Stephen Lupe, PsyD at: Cleveland Clinic:  Twitter: LinkedIn: Resources mentioned: Cleveland Clinic's Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute: Explore the...

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Brown Note: Helping People with IBD Find Hope and Support With Andrew Giffin show art Brown Note: Helping People with IBD Find Hope and Support With Andrew Giffin

About IBD

Amber Tresca talks with Andrew Giffin, a product manager in Toronto who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at 19 after years of symptoms in high school. Andrew shares his experience navigating three major surgeries, adjusting his career path away from law enforcement, and learning to manage stress as part of living with a chronic illness. He also discusses developing apps, including Brown Note, a free, anonymous peer-support app for people with digestive diseases. Brown Note was inspired by his own feelings of isolation while preparing for his third surgery and is available on Apple, Android,...

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Insider Secrets to Fearless Travel with IBD show art Insider Secrets to Fearless Travel with IBD

About IBD

Certified travel advisor, business owner, and ulcerative colitis patient Sarah McGovern joins Amber to give tips and tricks on traveling with IBD. Sarah relates her IBD journey, including a rare medication side effect that landed her in the hospital. Now in remission, Sarah breaks down her blueprint for traveling with an invisible illness. On this episode, you'll learn concrete, practical strategies for traveling with IBD and how a travel advisor can help you relax on your next trip.   Transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD203   Chapters: 00:04 — Introduction to...

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The Powerful Impact of the IBD Community Featuring Katie Neu show art The Powerful Impact of the IBD Community Featuring Katie Neu

About IBD

Episode transcript and more information at: Katie Neu and Amber Tresca talk over the results of the IBD Social Circle white paper, "The Power of Community in Inflammatory Bowel Disease." A survey of more than 500 patients puts a spotlight on the ways IBD affects body image, relationships, intimacy, and mental health. Amber and Katie discuss masking symptoms, the difficulties of working a corporate job, and why having community is critical.   Chapters 00:05 — Host Amber Tresca introduces the podcast and her guest, Katie Neu, who lives with Crohn's disease. 01:25 — Amber and Katie...

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Yoga Therapy for IBD: Why Acceptance is the Best Teacher With Bari Gratton show art Yoga Therapy for IBD: Why Acceptance is the Best Teacher With Bari Gratton

About IBD

After a devastating Crohn’s disease flare, marketing executive Bari Gratton traded a high-stress career for the healing path of yoga therapy in California. Bari joins Amber Tresca to discuss the "Five Layers of Being," the toxicity of "pushing through," and how she is building community for the next generation of IBD patients. Episode transcript and more information at: Key Chapters & Timestamps: [00:00:00] – Welcome to About IBD with Amber Tresca [00:04:40] – Diagnosis in the late 90s: Life as a teen with Crohn’s [00:12:35] – The 2017 Crisis: Three surgeries and a temporary...

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Is Your Eye Pain Actually an IBD Flare? show art Is Your Eye Pain Actually an IBD Flare?

About IBD

Did you know that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) isn't only a digestive condition? It can also attack your vision. Your host, Amber J Tresca, breaks down some of the most common eye-related extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Learn how to identify the warning signs of episcleritis, uveitis, and scleritis, and find out when you need to see an ophthalmologist right away to protect your eyesight. Episode transcript and more information at: Key Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: Protecting your vision with IBD 02:07 - What are...

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How to Fuel Athletic Performance In Chronic Illness Featuring T.L. Wright (The IBD Athlete) show art How to Fuel Athletic Performance In Chronic Illness Featuring T.L. Wright (The IBD Athlete)

About IBD

T.L. Wright, known as The IBD Athlete and author of The SCD Athlete Cookbook, tells Amber about her frustrating decades-long journey to a Crohn's disease diagnosis. She explains the health reasons behind her pivot from triathlons and Ironman races to competitive bodybuilding. You'll leave this episode with a better understanding of how to fuel for your sport or workout while managing an immune-mediated condition. Episode transcript and more information at: The SCD Athlete Cookbook: and Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the IBD Athlete 02:39 - A Lifetime of Unexplained Symptoms 04:18 - The...

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Epidemiology, Big Data, and Biologics in Pregnancy show art Epidemiology, Big Data, and Biologics in Pregnancy

About IBD

Episode transcript and more information at: What does a pregnant woman do when they need a biologic medication, but pregnancy isn't included in drug trials? Dr. Sonia Grandi and Dr. Christina Longo talk to Amber Tresca about the BIONIC study, a groundbreaking project using decades of real-world data to understand how biologics affect a pregnant woman and her baby. The BIONIC study is designed to empower patients to make confident, evidence-based decisions about their own health and their children's future. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Sonia Grandi and Dr. Christina Longo. ...

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The Insidious Reasons Why IBD Destroys Sleep show art The Insidious Reasons Why IBD Destroys Sleep

About IBD

Everyone needs sleep, but so many of us struggle to get enough. People living with IBD know that a good night’s sleep can feel like a distant dream, whether it’s pain, urgent bathroom trips, or racing thoughts keeping you up. But why exactly does IBD disrupt our sleep even during remission? And what is your sleep telling you about the risks of a flare-up? Episode transcript and more information at: Chapters: 00:04 Introduction and Host Background 01:32 IBD and Sleep: The Problem 03:00 Why Sleep Matters for IBD 04:14 Defining Sleep Disturbance in IBD 05:23 Inflammation’s Role in Sleep...

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More Episodes
Every person living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can help change public policy by sharing their story and participating in advocacy events, such as visiting legislators in Washington, D.C. Amber talks to Kelly E. Dwyer, who teaches us how to prepare an elevator speech and gives us practical tips for Hill Day logistics, working within teams, staying emotionally resilient, and following up with staffers. Advocacy is for everyone, and persistence and collaboration can lead to real policy changes to benefit the IBD and chronic illness communities. By the end of the episode, you'll have the real resources you can use to do this work as a patient advocate both locally and nationally.
 
This episode is sponsored by Connecting to Cure.
 
Transcript and more information: https://bit.ly/AIBD186
 
Chapters:
  • 00:05 Introduction and Guest Background
  • 01:23 The Role and Nature of Patient Advocacy
  • 02:37 The Long Game of Advocacy: Successes and Challenges
  • 04:37 Advocacy vs. Activism and Personal Motivation
  • 06:05 The Importance of Patient Stories in Advocacy
  • 06:52 Crafting and Delivering Your Elevator Speech
  • 11:46 Managing Emotions and Practicing Your Story
  • 15:42 Preparing for Advocacy Day: Research and Teamwork
  • 18:07 Training and Building Confidence for Hill Visits
  • 20:58 Coordinating with Your Advocacy Team
  • 22:38 Practical Logistics: What to Wear and Security
  • 24:42 Navigating Capitol Hill: Accessibility and Facilities
  • 29:26 Managing the Day: Scheduling and Flexibility
  • 32:17 During the Meeting: Structure and Communication
  • 36:04 Group Dynamics and Respectful Storytelling
  • 40:29 Building Relationships and Following Up
  • 42:12 How to Get Involved with Advocacy Groups
  • 44:42 Financial Considerations and Accessibility
  • 45:17 Encouragement and Closing Thoughts on Advocacy
  • 47:12 Lessons Learned the Hard Way
  • 50:33 Closing Remarks and Gratitude
  • 51:22 Outro and Credits
Topics on this episode:
  • Overview of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
  • Personal experiences of living with IBD and the impact on daily life.
  • The role of patient advocacy in improving healthcare policies and patient rights.
  • Challenges faced by patients regarding insurance barriers and treatment access.
  • Importance of sharing personal stories with legislators to influence policy change.
  • Distinction between activism and advocacy in the context of healthcare.
  • Strategies for effective communication and preparation for advocacy efforts.
  • The significance of teamwork and collaboration in advocacy initiatives.
  • Resources and organizations that support IBD advocacy and patient education.
  • Emotional aspects of sharing health experiences and the importance of building relationships with legislative staff.
 
Find Kelly E. Dwyer at:
 
Find Amber J Tresca at:
 
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
 
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