Monica Michelle is joined by consultant and podcast host Nick Clemmons.

Nick lives with Sickle Cell Disease.

In this episode, Monica and Nick discuss:

• The ways disabled folks are often forgotten in education infrastructure
• How Nick navigates societal limitations to achieve his goals
• Disability representation in the media
• Knowing how to realistically offer help to disabled folks

00:42 - ADA, Title IX, and disability access in schools

20:08 - How Nick makes and achieves opportunities

28:40 - Media and disability

40:42 - How to respectfully be concerned about someone else’s needs

The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica Michelle is joined by consultant and podcast host Tim Reitma.

Tim lives with Crohn's Disease.

In this episode, Monica and Tim discuss:

• Tim’s resiliency through managing his Crohn’s
• The importance of self-advocacy, especially in the workplace
• Tim’s podcast why he shares stories of those with invisible illness

00:47 - Tim's diagnosis

06:31 - How and why Tim applies self advocacy

15:41 - Why Tim started his podcast

22:42 - Invisible condition etiquette

31:00 - What HR can do better for employees with invisible illness

39:31 - Tools Tim uses to care for his Crohn’s outside the home

The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica Michelle is joined by artist and disability advocate Sunny Ammerman

Sunny lives with Septo-optic dysplasia, panhypopituitarism, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, and is missing a membrane in the brain called the "septum pellucidum".

In this episode, Monica and Sunny discuss:

• Sunny’s complex disorders and how she copes with them
• Everything VR provides from accessible gaming, social platforms and the potential for better online education.
• Various VR/AR games and their gameplay
• Sunny’s VR support group

00:45 - What VR/AR offers for chronically ill and disabled folks

11:57 - Sunny’s conditions and how she copes with them

17:55 - Features that make VR games accessible or inaccessible as well as different games and their play experiences

37:13 - The social aspects of virtual gaming

51:32 - What opportunities VR has for the future

1:04:49 - Sunny’s VR support group

The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica Michelle is joined by Journalist Julia Metraux.

Julia lives with vasculitis, mild to moderate hearing loss, and has experienced long COVID.

In this episode, Monica and Julia discuss:

• Julia's diagnosis with vasculitis and how it influences her journalistic lens
• How community impacts the mental health of those with chronic illness
• How Julia and Monica find positives and negatives in the internet spaces for chronically ill and disabled folks
• The politics of how government, businesses, and celebrities influence the chronic illness community

00:32 - Julia's diagnostic journey

07:02 - Julia’s work reporting on the online community of chronic illness

16:32 - The effect of Internet communities on chronically ill and disabled folks

26:46 - How Julia’s illness impacts her work, both in what she writes about and how she manages her lifestyle

The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica Michelle is joined by author & physiotherapist Kevin Hunt.

Kevin lives with chronic pain.

In this episode, Monica and Kevin discuss: 

• Kevin’s philosophy of pain management as a physiotherapist who experiences chronic pain. 
• The Hexagon Model, a life-management tool for focusing on what’s important to you.
• Kevin’s idea behind his new book.
• Using pain as a guide.

00:34 - Kevin’s work as a physiotherapist specializing in the experience of pain 

06:44 - The Hexagon Model for managing your life’s needs

14:00 - Putting aside the idea of a “quick fix”

19:45 - Kevin’s personal experience with pain and how he uses it with patients

28:44 - Kevin’s book, “Pain: The Ultimate Mentor”

The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica Michelle is joined by author & personal trainer John K. Frazier.

John lives with ankylosing spondylitis.

In this episode, Monica and John discuss: 

• John’s work as a physical trainer and author
• Chronic pain comparisons
• Personal triumph

00:50 - John’s business & diagnosis

07:19 - Chronic pain olympics

09:31 - Talking about & hiding a diagnosis

15:09 - Personal triumph

18:24 - Staying in the present

23:29 - The superman complex

The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica Michelle is joined by musician Laura Mustard.

Laura lives with VATER syndrome.

In this episode, Monica and Laura discuss: 

• Laura’s inspiration for her upcoming musical EP.
• How Laura’s illness impacted her recent relationship & self-image.
• Laura’s creative process, new music, and social media pressure.

00:30 - Laura’s new EP / Monica’s recent COVID experience

05:32 - Relationships with chronic illness

11:20 - Image and self acceptance with disability

15:32 - Laura’s creative process and current projects

20:05 - Pursuing creativity despite social media attention

The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica Michelle is joined by author Amanda Chay.

Amanda lives with Sjögren’s and Lupus.

In this episode, Monica and Amanda discuss: 

• Amanda’s book & diagnosis
• Outlooking on work & writing
• Navigating chronic illness with kids & family

00:26 - Intro + The Girlfriend’s Guide to Lupus

02:17 - Amanda’s diagnosis

10:09 - Amanda’s outlook on writing

17:11 - Navigating chronic illness with kids & family

23:29 - Labels and roles

26:24 - Flare reads & closing remarks

The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.