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Your Gut and Chronic Inflammation: The Science Behind the Connection

Release Date: 06/13/2025

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 24 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! A symptom that looks like bloating but feels like so much more — that’s endo belly. In this episode, I break down the science behind why endometriosis causes severe abdominal distension, why it’s different from typical GI bloating or IBS, and how inflammation, hormonal shifts, gut dysbiosis, and pelvic dysfunction all contribute to the symptom that visually impacts me most. I also share my personal experiences living with endo belly — the emotional impact, the wardrobe struggles, the misunderstandings,...

Endo Belly Isn’t Just Bloat, Gut Health & Pelvic Floor Truths with Dr. Ginger Garner

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 23 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! This week on The Chronic Chronicles, I’m joined by Dr. Ginger Garner, a physical therapist, integrative medicine advocate, and self-proclaimed “vocal pelvic floor therapist.” And trust me, she brings so much knowledge. We talk all things endo belly, gut health, and pelvic pain, including why both of us no longer have our gallbladders and how that may actually connect back to endometriosis (wild, I know). We also get real about the systemic issues in women’s health, why traditional pelvic floor PT...

Why Excision Surgery Isn’t Covered: The Broken System Behind Endometriosis Care

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 22 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! In today’s episode, I’m diving deep into one of the biggest and least understood barriers in endometriosis care: why excision surgery (the gold standard treatment) is normally not covered by insurance. We’ll talk about how the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) system works, why excision and ablation are still billed under the same code, and the history of bias and misunderstanding in gynecology that led us here. I’ll also break down what the AMA, ACOG, payers, and policymakers have (and haven’t) done...

The Body in Motion: Running, Chronic Illness & Self-Trust

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 21 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! In this episode, I’m joined by Kate, a physical therapist, strength coach, and runner living with chronic illnesses. Kate had to step away from outpatient PT work after a long road to diagnosis, and now supports others through personalized coaching that centers on pacing, energy awareness, and compassionate movement. We cover so much in this episode, including my own experience training for my first 5K while navigating a POTS flare, and how Kate's coaching philosophy helps people find the "middle ground" in...

Catch Up + Resetting, Reflecting & Reclaiming Joy

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 20 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! This week, I just needed to slow down. After a whirlwind of travel, podcast interviews, creative projects, and chronic illness flare-ups, I felt myself craving softness, so that’s exactly what this episode is. I’m catching you up on what life has looked like behind the scenes, sharing my favorite cozy things from the past month, and walking you through a gentle Thanksgiving week reset I’ve been doing to reconnect with myself. If you’ve been feeling burnt out, emotional, overwhelmed, or just off lately....

Beyond the Diagnosis: Creativity, Community & Chronic Life

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 19 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Reese, a creative, storyteller, and chronic illness warrior who’s rewriting what it means to live, rest, and create with limitations. We talk about the complex journey of losing parts of yourself to illness... and slowly reclaiming them again through creativity, community, and radical self-compassion. Reese opens up about the pressures of productivity, learning to honor her energy, and what it looks like to show up as your full self. ✨ Topics we cover: Navigating...

Why Chronic Illness Is So Damn Lonely (And What I’m Learning About That)

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 18 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! In this deeply personal solo episode, Lexy opens up about one of the hardest parts of living with chronic illness: loneliness. We talk about the kind of isolation that doesn’t always get talked about—the friendships that slowly fade, the missed events, the grief of not being included, and the ache of navigating a world that often doesn’t understand. But also? The slow rebuilding. The reframing. The moments of connection, even in the quietest seasons. Topics we cover: What loneliness feels like when...

Let’s Talk Lymphatic Drainage: What It Is, Who It Helps, and Why It Matters

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 17 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! This week on The Chronic Chronicles, I’m joined by Hailey, lymphatic drainage massage therapist and fellow spoonie, for a conversation that blends science, healing, and lived experience. We dive into: What the lymphatic system actually does (and why it matters) The connection between lymphatic stagnation and endo belly, swelling, and inflammation How lymphatic drainage massage can support symptoms like bloating, fatigue, pelvic pain, and more What to expect from a session + who might benefit ...

Still Me: 5 Things That Helped Me Feel Whole Again

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 16 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! This week, I’m sharing something personal, a solo episode about what’s been helping me feel like me again. Living with chronic illness can chip away at your identity in quiet, painful ways. You’re not who you were before, but you’re also not just your symptoms. So what happens in the in-between? In this episode, I walk through five things, from gentle movement and routines to creating without pressure, that have helped me reconnect with my body, my creativity, and my sense of self. 🎧 Topics I cover: ...

Fighting for Access: One Woman’s Mission to Fund Excision Surgery with Nicole

The Chronic Chronicles

Season 2, Ep 15 Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here! This week on The Chronic Chronicles, I’m joined by Nicole, the incredible founder of Endo Excision For All—a nonprofit on a mission to help patients access life-changing endometriosis excision surgery. Nicole shares her powerful journey from patient to advocate, including her own challenges navigating diagnosis, surgery, and the gaps in care that inspired her to take action. Together, we dive into the harsh realities of affording proper treatment, the importance of excision over ablation, and how...

More Episodes

Season 2, Ep 5

Welcome to The Chronic Chronicles, I'm SO happy that you're here!

In this solo episode of The Chronic Chronicles, I’m breaking down the science of how gut health and inflammation are connected and how that connection shows up in conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, autoimmune issues, and beyond.

Plus, I’m sharing my personal gut health journey (spoiler: it hasn’t been linear), what’s helped me the most, and what I’m still figuring out.

If you’ve ever wondered if gut health actually matters for your chronic illness — this episode is for you.

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, just a human with lived experience, a science background, and a whole lot of research. Always speak with your provider before making any changes to your care plan.

LETS CONNECT:

The Chronic Chronicles Instagram: @chronicchroniclespod

Youtube: Youtube Link

Lexy's Instagram: @lexyhalloran

Lexy's Small Business: coastlinechidesigns.com

Substack Blog Posts: https://lexyhalloran.substack.com/

Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/AKnyBphZ

Be a guest, business inquiries, submissions for Q/A: thechronicchroniclespod@gmail.com

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