One Friday night, Jaimie Sherling was in bed when she got an Instagram message from a stranger that changed her marriage and home. We talk about all the brutal and beautiful aspects of her moment, from her battle with cancer to her journey becoming a drag queen aficionado. Additional Resources From Queens to QUEENS YDY Sweets
When theater artist Paola Irun’s father became ill, she made the choice to end her visa, her time in New York City, and return home to Paraguay. His eventual passing changed everything and sent Paola on a journey to find that “something” that had always been missing. We talk about how grief led her into the worlds of boxing, yoga, and how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted her art and life in Paraguay. Additional Resources Paola Irun On […]
Categories: Family, Grief & Loss, Illness, Politics, The Arts
In May 2017, Stacy Walsh (& then write podcast) was home sick on the couch when her Dad called to say her Mom felt like her legs weren’t working in the shower. Later that day her Mom was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor and things rapidly changed. We talk about how her Mom became a different person, the stress of dealing with stage 4 glioblastoma, and how Stacy has worked to see the good in a bad situation. […]
Categories: Family, Grief & Loss, Illness, Medical Event, Parenthood, Trauma, Writing
This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) Maureen Ava Mata was eighteen when she was diagnosed with bone cancer and had to have her leg amputated. Her new life as a disabled woman changed her outlook, her family, and the views of her community. Now a cancer survivor, we talk about her mission to challenge misperceptions and advocate for fellow disabled persons in the Philippines. This episode is in honor of International Day of Persons […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Career, Disability Rights, Family, Illness, Medical Event
This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) READ THE TRANSCRIPT FOR EPISODE 41 In celebration of International Day of Older Persons, I talk with two guests who are using their retirement to help fellow senior citizens. After a career working in Cambodian hospitals, Ou Vanda was painfully aware of the health issues facing older people in her country. Upon his return to the Philippines, former educator Rizal Balatbat found himself learning about senior issues and […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Career, Family, Grief & Loss, Illness, Medical Event, Podcasting, Politics
In 2010, Kate Wallinga (Ignorance Was Bliss podcast) gave birth to her third child and didn’t feel right. After being dismissed by her doctors, she learned she had a serious infection from being exposed to strep in the delivery room. Out of the four million women who give birth every year, only 100 get this kind of complication and only one of those women survive. We talk about the medical emergency that changed her mind, her life, and the new […]
Categories: Illness, Medical Event, Parenthood, Podcasting, The Mind, Trauma, Women's Issues
Two years ago, Uyen Trinh was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes and it forced her to reconsider her relationship with her body and every relationship in her life. As a refugee from Vietnam and growing up in foster care, she realized she had become the ultimate caregiver at the sacrifice of herself. We talk about self-care, what it takes to advocate for yourself, and how she reversed her diagnosis through a ketogenic diet.
Categories: Family, Illness, Immigration, Love, Medical Event, Trauma
On her 30th birthday, Susan Fritz said something to her husband that changed everything. A week later, Dan passed away from cancer and her life as a nomad began to take shape. Ten years has passed and she has been all over the world. We talk about the useless cliches around illness, how time offers new perspective, and why she is so excited to turn 40. Additional Resources The Telegraph: “Happy Birthday song and its strange past”
Categories: Career, Family, Grief & Loss, Illness, Love, Medical Event, Most Listened To, Trauma, Travel
READ THE TRANSCRIPT FOR EPISODE 10 Bill Monroe (Strokecast podcast) is a Generation X stroke survivor. He talks about what on June 4, 2017, his ongoing recovery, and how he has become a marketing guy who knows way too much about neurology and neuroplasticity. Part One of my special Brain Double Header. Listen to Part Two: Stephan Wolfert on rewiring the brain with Shakespeare and science Additional Resources Bill Monroe: Strokecast Strokecast Episode 28: The Slow Road to Better Ted Talk: Jill Bolte Taylor, […]
Categories: Career, Disability Rights, Illness, Medical Event, Mental Health, Podcasting, Science, The Mind, Trauma
Thirteen years ago, former teacher and lawyer Duncan Payne had a heart attack. We talk about strange responses to emergencies, how things forever change, and the fears that emerge and vanish after being in the belly of the whale. Additional Resources The Poetry Society: Jonah’s prayer by Aviva Dautch Smithsonian Magazine: “Could a Whale Accidentally Swallow You? It Is Possible” Joseph Campbell: A Hero with a Thousand Faces
Categories: Career, Family, Illness, Medical Event, Trauma
Meet your host as she introduces the show’s content and format. A writer and produced playwright, she talks about the moment a serious medical emergency disrupted her life and led her to pursue a different kind of story.
Categories: Career, Illness, Medical Event, Podcasting, The Arts, Trauma, Writing