IBD & Emotional Resilience: How to Heal Beyond the Flare
Release Date: 08/13/2025
Fecal Incontinence: What’s Really Going On—and What Helps
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Fecal incontinence (FI) affects nearly 8% of adults worldwide, yet many people suffer in silence due to embarrassment, confusion, or the belief that nothing can be done. This episode is here to change that. We’re joined by Dr. John William Blackett, gastroenterologist and lead author of “Fecal Incontinence in Adults: New Therapies,” published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Dr. Blackett offers a compassionate, patient-centered overview of FI, including common causes, diagnostic testing, and the full range of treatment options available today—highlighting newer and emerging...
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How Fear Impacts IBS-C and Strategies to Take Control
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Living with IBS-C isn’t just about managing physical symptoms, it’s also about navigating the fear, worry, and emotional toll that often come with the condition. In this powerful episode, host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Dr. Sarah Ballou, clinical psychologist and Director of the GI Psychology Service at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to explore how fear shows up along the IBS-C journey and what you can do to face it with confidence and support. In this episode, you’ll learn: The most common fears IBS-C patients experience and how they influence daily life and...
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SIBO and IMO: Understanding Gut Overgrowth, Methane, and Archaea
The Gastro Girl Podcast
In this follow-up to one of our most popular episodes, host Jacqueline Gaulin welcomes back Dr. Mark Pimentel, Executive Director of the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program at Cedars-Sinai, to dive deeper into the science behind SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and IMO (Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth). Dr. Pimentel answers listener questions and explains how these complex conditions relate to IBS-D and IBS-M, why methane and archaea matter for gut health, and how motility and the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) play a crucial role in prevention and...
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From Surgery to Show Ring: How Mel Found Confidence Living with a Colostomy
The Gastro Girl Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Mel, an award-winning dog enthusiast from Valrico, Florida, who has earned more than 40 American Kennel Club titles with her beloved Schnauzers. After life-changing surgery that left her with a permanent colostomy, Mel refused to let fear or stigma hold her back. She shares how she reclaimed her confidence, advocated for her own healthcare, and found strength through her passion for dogs. This episode offers hope and insight for anyone learning to live fully after surgery—and a reminder that...
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IBS-C Treatment: What to Expect on the Road to Symptom Relief
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Starting a new IBS-C treatment can bring a mix of hope and uncertainty. How soon will it work? What if side effects appear? Should you keep going or call your doctor? Host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. Brian Lacy, gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, to answer the real questions patients ask when starting treatment. In this episode, we discuss: • What patients can realistically expect in the first days and weeks of treatment • What “feeling better” truly means for each individual • Common challenges and side effects patients may experience • How to stay...
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Hemorrhoids 101: What Patients Need to Know
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common—and misunderstood—digestive conditions, yet many patients still suffer in silence. In this candid, patient-focused episode, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with Mitch Guttenplan, MD, FACS, a general surgeon and Medical Director for the CRH O’Regan System, to break the stigma and share clear, evidence-based guidance about hemorrhoids. Dr. Guttenplan explains the difference between internal and external hemorrhoids, how to recognize common symptoms, and which lifestyle changes can help reduce discomfort and prevent recurrence. He also walks through...
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Gravity: The Hidden Force Shaping Your Health
The Gastro Girl Podcast
Gravity keeps us grounded—but it also shapes our bodies, minds, and even our gut health in surprising ways. In this fascinating episode, Dr. Brennan Spiegel, Director of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai and author of PULL: The Science of Gravity and How It Shapes Our Health and Happiness, joins Jacqueline Gaulin, host of the Gastro Girl Podcast, to explore how gravity influences digestion, mood, metabolism, and mental resilience. Discover what “gravity resilience” means, why astronauts help us understand life on Earth, and how this invisible force could hold the key to living...
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When Eating Isn’t Easy: Understanding Pediatric EoE
The Gastro Girl Podcast
When a child has trouble eating, gaining weight, or explaining discomfort while swallowing, it can be heartbreaking for parents and confusing for the child. These may be early signs of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) — a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus that affects how food moves through the digestive tract. In this episode, pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Joshua B. Wechsler from Northwestern Medicine shares what families need to know about recognizing EoE early, getting an accurate diagnosis, and navigating treatment options. He also offers guidance on helping children...
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Building Strong APP/MD Partnerships in IBD Care
The Gastro Girl Podcast
What happens when physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) truly work as a team in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jennifer Seminerio, Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Associate Professor of Medicine, and Megan Pearce, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, from the AdventHealth IBD Clinic in Orlando, FL. Together, they share how collaborative APP/MD relationships enhance patient trust, streamline care, and support shared decision-making for those living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. We’ll explore: How APP/MD teamwork...
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Growing Up with EoE: A Family’s Journey from Childhood to College
The Gastro Girl Podcast
What’s it really like for a child to live with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jeni and her son Joshua, who share their family’s journey navigating the challenges of pediatric EoE. From the earliest warning signs to Joshua preparing for life at college, their story sheds light on the resilience it takes to manage this condition day-to-day. Together, we explore: Why getting the right diagnosis can take time The pros and cons of today’s treatment options How parents can interpret symptoms when children struggle to describe them Tips for...
info_outlineFeeling drained by IBD—physically and emotionally? Discover how to reclaim your strength beyond the flare with proven strategies from leading clinical psychologist and resilience expert Dr. Laurie Keefer.
Living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis isn’t just about managing physical symptoms—it’s about coping with the emotional, social, and mental toll that IBD can take. From how you see yourself, to how you eat, connect with others, and face the unknown, the impact can be profound.
In this powerful episode, Dr. Keefer—author of the groundbreaking American Journal of Gastroenterology article “Beyond Depression and Anxiety in IBD: Forging a Path Toward Emotional Healing”—shares what it truly means to heal beyond the flare.
You’ll learn:
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What emotional resilience really looks like for people living with IBD
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How trauma, disordered eating, and adjustment disorders can surface with chronic illness
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How to start building emotional strength today using Dr. Keefer’s Resilience5™ framework
This episode is produced in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology’s Patient Care Committee.