Iconically Ill
Welcome to Iconically Ill, I'm your host Laura Lyons, where I interview other disabled and chronically ill people with humor and heart over the clinical part.
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We Talk EDS and MCAS
04/15/2025
We Talk EDS and MCAS
We talk Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Mast cell activation syndrome with Katie Hutch. Katie Hutch is an NYC-based award-winning performer, writer and director. Hutch stars as Abe Lincoln in the Amazon Prime feature film Lincoln the Musical, a Hamilton parody mockumentary. She has been seen Off-Broadway in Frankenstein the Musical, Off Off-Broadway roles including Super Crazy Fun Times and Hungry, Hungry Games as well as winning Best Singer for NY SummerFest in the US premiere of A Word of Love. Hutch has been featured on resident house teams at major NYC comedy theaters including The PIT and The Tank and in dozens of film shorts including Mashable’s Good Day, Deathstar and U Need to Know This. Hutch’s original one-woman show, Allergic to Being Alive, journeys through the challenges and chuckles of living with chronic illness and invisible disability through stories and songs. She released an EP of the same name featuring catchy tracks from the show about everything from anxiety attacks to masturbation inspiring us all to find the laughs through the struggles of surviving. Allergic to Being Alive is streaming on all platforms. Follow Katie and get an original song written just for you at @katiethehutch and @allergictobeingalive on Instagram Show transcript
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We Talk Stage IV Breast Cancer
04/08/2025
We Talk Stage IV Breast Cancer
We talk Stage IV Breast Cancer with Robin Browne. Robin Browne is a Brooklyn-based writer and artist. She's had cancer twice, and has been living with stage IV breast cancer since 2015. Robin has written a long-standing column for Amy Poehler's Smart Girls website called "What's my Stage Again." She's collaborated with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation on several awareness campaigns, and is on the education committee for The Pink Agenda. In her spare time, she enjoys illustrating, writing poetry, spending time with her cat, and watching Bravo. Follow Robin at @robinmbrowne and @robinmbrowneart on Instagram, @robinmbrowne on Bluesky, and on Substack
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We Talk Lupus
04/01/2025
We Talk Lupus
We talk Lupus with Kristina Stasi. Kristina Stasi is a multiracial actress, singer, certified sound healer, and overall funny girl living in Los Angeles. She previously performed sketch, musical improv, and hip-hop improv at Magnet Theater and Peoples Improv Theater in NYC. She loves playing trivia and has been on numerous game shows including Cash Cab and $100,000 Pyramid. One day, she hopes to be a guest judge (and then secret contestant) on RuPaul's Drag Race. Follow Kristina at @stasi.kristina on instagram Show transcript
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We Talk Jaw Surgeries and Endometriosis
03/25/2025
We Talk Jaw Surgeries and Endometriosis
We talk jaw surgeries and Endometriosis with Shannon Krowicki. Shannon Krowicki is an actor, singer and comedian based in NYC. In her twenties, she had three major jaw surgeries that changed the course of her life and career. She now has titanium jaw joint prosthetics, fibromyalgia and Stage IV endometriosis that went undiagnosed for 25 years. When she's not suffering from her medical ailments, Shannon performs every Thursday night on Magnet Theater’s musical improv house team, “Secret, Secret!” Her performance credits include off-Broadway and regional theater shows, local commercials and TV/Film productions, most notably Nickelodeon, The History Channel, Starz!, Amazon and Investigation Discovery. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband-to-be, Jon, their dog, Wiley and listening to ghost and murder podcasts. Follow Shannon at @krowchickie on Instagram Show transcript
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We Talk 5 Auto-Immune Disorders
03/18/2025
We Talk 5 Auto-Immune Disorders
We talk 5 auto-immune disorders with Dena Paduano. Dena Paduano is a radiant soul, born and raised in Orange County and Los Angeles, California. After years of pursuing her passion for acting, life took an unexpected turn when chronic pain and illness entered her story. Diagnosed with five advanced autoimmune diseases and enduring 34 surgeries, Dena faced immense challenges. But through it all, she started to develop her profound gift within herself—her intuition. Today, Dena is an intuitive coach and psychic, using her abilities to help others navigate their own struggles. Through psychometry and her deep empathetic connection, she taps into the emotional and physical pain others carry, guiding them to release it before it manifests into chronic conditions. Dena has a special heart for working with young people, helping them reframe their mindset and build a strong foundation to avoid the pitfalls of chronic pain and autoimmune issues. Her journey is one of transformation—mind, body, and spirit. It's about resilience, self-love, and the power of rewriting your narrative. Dena is living proof that even in the face of chronic illness, at 55 you can become “ionically un-ill" and thrive. Through her platforms, she shares daily inspiration, tools, and mindset shifts to help you navigate your own journey—whether it’s chronic pain, depression, mental health challenges, or simply finding your way back to yourself. Dena offers psychic readings and intuitive coaching sessions, where she connects with you on a deep level to provide clarity, direction, and inspiration. Whether it’s once or twice a month, her coaching helps you pivot, reframe, and conquer whatever stands in your way. Dena’s mission is to help you see yourself not as a victim of your circumstances, but as the empowered creator of your life. To receive $50 off your first session with Dena you can use the special code offer Queen! Follow Dena at @Denapaduano on Instagram and Intuitive Coach Dena on YouTube, and TikTok Show transcript
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We Talk Wheelchairs and Acting
03/11/2025
We Talk Wheelchairs and Acting
We talk wheelchairs and acting with Shannon DeVido. Shannon DeVido is an actress seen on Difficult People, Cross on Prime Video and Lucky Hank on AMC+. She has won the Elliot Norton Award, BAFTA Breathrough Award, The VIacomCBS Showcase 2021 Award and Casting Society of America Top 20 Award Follow Shannon at @shannondevido on instagram Show transcript
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We talk ADHD
03/04/2025
We talk ADHD
We talk ADHD with Kento Morita. NYC-based actor & comedian Kento Morita has lit up stages at SketchFest Seattle, Toronto Sketchfest, SF Sketchfest & the Asian Comedy Festival. He starred as Shintaro Nakaoka in Rise of the Ronin, and appears in an upcoming Warner Bros Animation, as well as does improv for kids with The Story Pirates. He's also a one of the producers and creator of shows, Duty Free Live! and Cyberpunk Live With Kento. Follow Kento at @ on Instagram and TikTok Show transcript
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We Talk PMDD
02/25/2025
We Talk PMDD
We talk PMDD with Lauren Brickman. Lauren Brickman is a NY-Based performer, creator, and educator. As a performer Lauren has been featured in such projects as FBI: Most Wanted, Ghost: Book of Power, Bull, Gloria Bell, and more! She performs monthly in the Pop-Culture Comedy show, We Stan Together, at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre in NYC. When not living her artist life she can be found in academia! She's an adjunct lecturer for both City Tech and QCC in CUNY System as well as part of the Brooklyn College Future Ready/College Now support team. Somehow she's also the associate chair of liberal arts & sciences/Director of the Center of Excellence in Teaching & Learning at the NY Film Academy. Follow Lauren at @LaurenABrickman on Instagram and check out WeStanTogether.com for updates Show transcript
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We Talk Locked-In Syndrome
02/18/2025
We Talk Locked-In Syndrome
We talk Locked-In Syndrome with Jake Haendel. Jake Haendel, the “miracle man,” is the only documented person to survive stage four Acute Toxic Progressive Leukoencephalopathy, a rare brain disease that left him locked in. While he couldn’t move, speak, or breathe on his own, Jake remained fully aware and retained all feeling in his body. His covert consciousness and eventual recovery have fascinated Boston’s top medical doctors, who continue to study his case to better understand this disease and others like it. For the last four years, Jake has dedicated himself to his recovery while prioritizing helping others along the way. When he finally moved out of the hospital in 2020, he was met with a series of accessibility challenges. He quickly realized that “accessible” doesn’t always mean truly accessible. Thinking back to the many patients he met during his years in the hospital, he saw an opportunity to improve the lives of millions navigating similar obstacles. Jake is the co-creator of Blink: The Jake Haendel Story and the inspiration behind Ahoi, a startup dedicated to making the world more accessible. Ahoi’s app helps users find locations that best fit their accessibility needs—whatever they may be. Follow Jake at @miraclman31 and @blinkthepodcast on Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok Show transcript
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We Talk Cerebral Palsy
02/11/2025
We Talk Cerebral Palsy
We talk Cerebral Palsy with Keha Brown. Keah Brown is an award winning journalist, author, and screenwriter. Her work on disability, identity, and pop culture has appeared in Town & Country Magazine, Teen Vogue, Elle, The LA Times, Marie Claire UK, And The New York Times, among other publications. Her essay collection, The Pretty One, picture book, Sam’s Super Seats and young adult novel, The Secret Summer Promise are out now. Find out more at Follow Keah at @keah_maria on Instagram and @keahbrown on Bluesky Show transcript
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We Talk Clubfoot
01/14/2025
We Talk Clubfoot
We talk Clubfoot with Virginia Dickens. Virginia Dickens is a NY based comedian who has written for the Onion and Reductress. She has a podcast called Hyper Focus. Virgnia has a recurring show called marketplacelive in New York City. Follow Virginia @v_dcknz and her podcast Hyper Focus @hyperfocuscomedy on Instagram Show transcript
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We Talk Breast Cancer
01/07/2025
We Talk Breast Cancer
We talk Breat Cancer with Haley Hepworth Haley Hepworth is a UCB performer and JFL New Faces Character based in NY. She’s been diagnosed with breast cancer this past year and, though technically believed to be cancer free currently, will be in ongoing treatment indefinitely. Follow Haley at @haley_hepworth on Instagram Resources: RISE Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Show transcript
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We Talk CPTSD
12/30/2024
We Talk CPTSD
We talk CPTSD with Fred Chong Rutherford. Fred Chong Rutherford is a writer, producer, and performer who likes to make puppets and wear hats, based in Brooklyn, NY. He’s worked in media and technology for the last twenty years, while also cultivating a career in comedy and storytelling. Fred believes in the power of kindness, healing, honesty and laughter to help people. He’s seeking representation for his debut adventure-fantasy novel about an ork with post-traumatic stress disorder, and is working on his memoir ‘A Boy Named Moon.’ IMDB: F. Chong Rutherford Follow Fred at @mreffdot on Instagram and Threads Show transcript
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We Talk Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
12/23/2024
We Talk Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
We talk Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with Bryan A. Jackson. Bryan A. Jackson is a writer, actor, and improviser living in New Jersey by way of Virginia. He's been published in McSweeney's and has written for the Boogiemanja Sketch Collective. He hosts a Top Chef parody rewatch podcast called Pod Chef, and he owns a motorcycle but is too afraid to ride it. Follow Bryan on Instagram @ and website Mentions Show transcript
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We Talk Brain Injury
12/17/2024
We Talk Brain Injury
We talk brain injury with Jess Mount. Jess is an artist, educator, and choreographer living in NYC and is proudly disabled! It’s been 6 years since a series of severe head injuries changed everything. Navigating sensory challenges, physical limitations, and chronic pain, Jess has found her footing by working in community with disabled and neurospicy creators and has dedicated her career journey to advocating for accessible arts for all. Jess works with several arts education organizations in NYC and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Applied Theatre. Follow Jess at @jessmount_ on Instagram Resources: Loop earplugs, TheraICE Migraine Relief Cap, Crip Camp Documentary on Netflix Show transcript
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We Talk Muscular Dystrophy
12/10/2024
We Talk Muscular Dystrophy
We talk Muscular Dystrophy with Steve Way. Steve Way is a 33 year old substitute teacher by day and stand up comedian by night. He was born with Muscular Dystrophy and is an advocate for disability awareness. Steve performs speeches around the country, and is the co-creator and star of the web series . He can be seen in the Hulu show Ramy. Steve has been in Huffington Post, Hollywood Reporter, Vanity Fair, Vulture, Buzzfeed, New York Daily News. He is the Executive Producer of Good Bad Things. Follow Steve at @thesteveway on Instagram Resources: Hand In Hand https://domesticemployers.org/ Show transcript
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We Talk Diabetes
12/03/2024
We Talk Diabetes
We talk Diabetes with Scott Newman. Scott is a NYC-based Comedian living with Type 1 Diabetes. He’s a Diabetes camp counselor and advocate for the community. Follow Scott at @scottoldlady on Instagram Show transcript
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We Talk Long Covid
11/26/2024
We Talk Long Covid
We talk Long Covid with Camrynne Sullivan. Camrynne Sullivan is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer based in Spokane, WA. She currently hosts and produces, Space Queers: An LGBTQ+ Comedy Show. She has studied at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade and at the Wynn Handman Acting Studio in NYC. Camrynne has been in Best of Fest at the 2023 Burbank Comedy Festival, SF Sketchfest 2024, Treefort 2024, LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest 2024. Camrynne had an initial Covid infection in March 2020 while living in NYC which eventually developed into Long Covid. Now she lives in her parents basement and has been a subject in the National Institute of Health RECOVER study for the past three years. She has participated in multiple drug trials looking for treatment for Long Covid. Follow Camrynne at @camrynnesullivan on Instagram Resources: Resources on Instagram @longcovid @longcovidjustice @longcovidsos @longcovidmoonshot Show transcript
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We Talk Epilepsy
11/19/2024
We Talk Epilepsy
We talk Epilepsy with Kate Shine. Kate Shine is a Boston-born writer and actor living in Queens. She is a house performer at UCB New York on Maude Night. Kate’s been on 30 Rock and commercials for M&M's, Tempurpedic, and HGTV. Her and her writing partner Molly Kiernan, have several TV comedy pilots in the live action and animation space. Catch Kate on the latest season of American Horror Stories on Hulu. Follow Kate at @kateshine and @ucbtny on Instagram Show transcript
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We Talk Tourette's
11/12/2024
We Talk Tourette's
We talk Tourette's with Pamela Rae Schuller. Pamela was once diagnosed with the most severe documented case of Tourette syndrome in the country. She now stands tall at four foot six (and a half) as a globally recognized disability and mental health advocate and professional stand-up comedian. She has a Master's in advocacy and policy, and has spoken with over 100,000 audience members. She’s been on Netflix, Curiositystream, Doctor Mike videos, and NBC, and has consulted on inclusion best practices with industry giants like Disney, Google, GEICO, and Salesforce. Follow Pamela at @pamelacomedy on Instagram and Youtube Show transcript
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