Having been diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, a rare Autoimmune Disease, Anessa Powell has dedicated her career to raising awareness and advocating for workplace inclusion through her company, AllAbility Recruiting.

In this episode, we dive deep into discussions around the experience of getting a diagnosis and medical gaslighting that so many patients experience. Plus we have an honest conversation about parenting while living with chronic illness.

Anessa also shares her tips for applying for jobs, disclosure, and knowing what accommodations you need in the workplace.

Since being diagnosed in 2013 with Addison’s Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency), a rare Autoimmune Disease, Anessa Powell has been dedicated to raising awareness that disabilities come in many forms.

In 2019, she began her work at the state and national levels as a patient advocate, speaking out for voices that have been traditionally overlooked in disability employment. As the pandemic changed lives in so many ways and employers began to recognize jobs can be done from home (and done well!), Anessa along with her husband, Bill, created AllAbility Recruiting where they strive to Leave No Ability Behind through disability employment, training, and consulting.

LinkedIN: Anessa Powell

Instagram: @allabilityrecruiting

Website: All Ability Recruiting

A pioneer in the Chronic Illness space, Michelle Irving is the founder of Career and Chronic Illness International. Michelle has over 15 years experience in Mentoring and Executive Coaching for people navigating their career while living with chronic illness. Career and Chronic Illness programs include extensive, specialised content for authentic conversations about your experience and needs, developing excellent professional boundaries, managing your emotional, mental and physical capacities as well as progressing in your career of choice. Michelle's mentoring and training programs are suitable for people currently working and those returning to work after extended leave.

You can have a career chat Michelle by booking at at https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat

Connect with Michelle

LinkedIN: Michelle Irving

Website: CareerandChronicIllness.com

Instagram: @michelleirvingofficial

Book a Call: https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat

Music by Avy Summerlind

Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of reproductive age women and girls globally, and on this episode of The Pyjama Interviews pod, I’m joined by Antara Mascarenhas discussing how she has navigated this diagnosis that so many women experience in the workplace.

She shares her experience and advice on the:

1. The Diagnostic Odyssey,
2. How to talk with your boss about productivity and strategically contributing while working from home.
3. Leading from the experience of chronic illness.

It’s a beautiful conversation to share with you.

Antara Mascarenhas is an Executive in the energy and climate sectors and is currently a General Manager at Australian Energy Market Operator. She specialises in building and leading teams to deliver strategic outcomes and implementing national energy reforms. She has a Masters in Political Science at the University of Cambridge, England and undergraduate degrees from the University of Melbourne and Victoria University of Wellington.

Antara is an ambassador of Endometriosis Australia and a Board Director of Cambridge Australia Scholarships. Antara is also passionate about inclusion in sport and runs a tennis coaching program for children from diverse cultural backgrounds in inner Melbourne.

LinkedIN: Antaramascarenhas

A pioneer in the Chronic Illness space, Michelle Irving is the founder of Career and Chronic Illness International. Michelle has over 15 years experience in Mentoring and Executive Coaching for people navigating their career while living with chronic illness. Career and Chronic Illness programs include extensive, specialised content for authentic conversations about your experience and needs, developing excellent professional boundaries, managing your emotional, mental and physical capacities as well as progressing in your career of choice. Michelle's mentoring and training programs are suitable for people currently working and those returning to work after extended leave.

You can have a career chat Michelle by booking at at https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat

LinkedIN: Michelle Irving

Website: CareerandChronicIllness.com

Instagram: @michelleirvingofficial

Book a Call: https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat

Music by Avy Summerlind

avysummerlind.com/

Did you know that 38% of people living with chronic illness are in professional, leadership roles? This is exactly what Dr. Peter Ghin’s recent report, "Disclosing Illness at Work,” found.

Peter lives with ME/CFS, and on this episode of The Pyjama Interviews pod, he shares both his personal experience of chronic illness and career as well as the research findings in this area. In this week’s podcast we talk about:

1. How we romanticize 'the great leader' and what it means when a leader becomes unwell.
2. What we can learn from how and why leaders disclose.
3. How creativity often opens the door to a new path and where it can lead you in your corporate career.
4. How you can use your experience of chronic illness to become a powerful Authentic Leader.

Dr Peter Ghin is a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. His expertise is in the future of work, chronic illness employment, leadership, and organisational behaviour.

LinkedIN: Peter Ghin

Research: Leaders Disclosing Illness at Work

LinkedIN: Michelle Irving

Website: CareerandChronicIllness.com

Instagram: @michelleirvingofficial

Book a Call: https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat

Music by Avy Summerlind

avysummerlind.com/