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How You Can Improve Intimacy When Living With IBD Featuring Dr Stacy Friedman

About IBD

Release Date: 02/13/2026

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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Special Episode: Award Nomination and Upcoming Live Event in LA! show art Special Episode: Award Nomination and Upcoming Live Event in LA!

About IBD

Thanks for checking the show notes on this extra special episode!   First thing: I'm nominated for an award! Please Vote for me in this category: Wellness Podcasts Scroll all the way down to the last category! Vote here:   Second thing: On May 16 at 2:00 PM, come and meet me and Connecting to Cure at Telescope Studio in Los Angeles for an afternoon centered on conversations about living with IBD. In addition to a live About IBD podcast recording, this will be a true community event where we will learn more about the ways IBD affects the lives of patients and connect with others in...

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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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How to Harness AI for Good Featuring Michael Tresca show art How to Harness AI for Good Featuring Michael Tresca

About IBD

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized in healthcare for many purposes. Patients are wondering how they can safely and effectively use AI tools to educate themselves and to manage their health. Amber and guest Michael Tresca discuss what AI is, how it works, and why skepticism and source verification are essential. They highlight practical, lower-risk ways patients might use AI, such as organizing personal health data, drafting appointment questions, and explaining medical terms. The emphasis is on ongoing education, privacy concerns, responsible use, and the importance of "trust but...

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How You Can Improve Intimacy When Living With IBD Featuring Dr Stacy Friedman show art How You Can Improve Intimacy When Living With IBD Featuring Dr Stacy Friedman

About IBD

The bedroom can be a place of anxiety for people of all genders living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). How can you boost your confidence and deepen your connection with your partner while living with IBD? Dr. Stacy Friedman is a clinical sexologist and intimacy coach living with ulcerative colitis. She explains how IBD affects intimacy, body image, dating, and relationships. Dr. Stacy shares her personal experiences and professional advice, with a focus on communication, trust, and how to know if a partner will be supportive. In this episode, we talk about why intimacy is more than sex...

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How to Protect Yourself in the Age of AI show art How to Protect Yourself in the Age of AI

About IBD

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. How can we approach AI with both curiosity and caution, especially as it becomes more integrated into daily life? If we’re not aware of it and looking for it, AI could become inserted into spaces where we aren’t comfortable with it. Amber talks with her son Brenden, a computer science student, about recognizing AI-generated content, the importance of media literacy, and the ethical challenges technology brings. This conversation offers some practical uses for AI, such as learning new skills or automating mundane tasks, while pointing out that...

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How to Bring an Intention to Your 2026 show art How to Bring an Intention to Your 2026

About IBD

We explore the idea of setting intentions instead of resolutions in the new year, which are more adaptable for people living with IBD. Amber shares clips from guests who explain their intentions, such as prosper, discipline, generosity, consistency, and the importance of taking breaks. Each guest highlights how intentions guide actions and mindset, emphasizing personal growth, resilience, and kindness, despite unpredictability. Episode transcript and more information at: Chapters: 00:05 — Introduction to Intentions Clip Show 01:14 — Why Intentions Over Resolutions 02:31 — Lisa: Prosper...

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More Episodes
The bedroom can be a place of anxiety for people of all genders living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). How can you boost your confidence and deepen your connection with your partner while living with IBD? Dr. Stacy Friedman is a clinical sexologist and intimacy coach living with ulcerative colitis. She explains how IBD affects intimacy, body image, dating, and relationships. Dr. Stacy shares her personal experiences and professional advice, with a focus on communication, trust, and how to know if a partner will be supportive. In this episode, we talk about why intimacy is more than sex and give tips about how to manage challenges. Dr. Stacy also encourages listeners to seek out support and embrace connection in the ways that work for them.
 
Transcript and more at: https://bit.ly/AIBD195
 
 
Timestamps
00:00 — Introduction and Episode Overview
03:10 — Dr. Stacy’s IBD Journey
05:30 — Sex and Intimacy Coaching Explained
07:44 — Body Image and IBD
09:59 — Fear, Embarrassment, and Communication
12:26 — Intimacy Beyond Sex
14:32 — Communication and Relationship Dynamics
17:18 — Trust and Emotional Safety in Relationships
17:49 — Embracing Unpredictability
20:38 — Disclosing IBD or Ostomy to Partners
22:53 — Personal Stories of Disclosure
25:12 — Sex Coach vs. Sex Therapist
27:09 — Who Benefits from Sex Coaching
28:51 — Getting Started with Sex Coaching
30:43 — Changing Mindsets About Intimacy
31:32 — What to Expect from Coaching Sessions
33:37 — Resources and The Purple Passion Project
35:13 — Pelvic Floor Therapy and Additional Support
36:54 — Closing Remarks and Appreciation
38:01 — Outro and Credits
 
Key Topics
  • Impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on intimacy and relationships
  • Personal experiences of living with ulcerative colitis
  • Effects of IBD on mental health and body image
  • Communication and trust in relationships for individuals with IBD
  • Navigating dating and intimacy challenges related to IBD
  • Importance of open discussions about medical conditions with partners
  • Strategies for building supportive and understanding relationships
  • Redefining intimacy beyond sexual intercourse
  • Role of sex coaching versus sex therapy in addressing intimacy issues
  • Resources and support available for individuals seeking to improve intimacy and relationships while managing IBD
Find Dr Stacy Friedman on:
Find Amber J Tresca at:
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
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