Please note that this show contains the following TRIGGER WARNINGS: Suicide, Grief, and Depression - please consider this when deciding how and where you listen. In this show, my long-time friend, Ben Veal, founder and director of Second Mountain Comms, shares his personal experiences with anxiety and depression and how he managed his mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll talk about the recent loss of his father and the impact it's had on Ben's self-identity journey. As fathers, we'll discuss the challenges of raising children today and how Ben is trying to improve his relationship ..read more

On World Parkinson's Day, join us for a poignant and inspiring conversation with Dr. George Ackerman, a passionate advocate for Parkinson's disease and dementia awareness. Driven by the memory of his mother, Sharon, who bravely battled the disease, Dr. Ackerman has dedicated his life to raising awareness, furthering research, and offering hope to millions impacted by Parkinson's. Hear Dr. Ackerman share his mother's journey with Parkinson's, the profound impact she had on his life, and his work, including his organisation, "Together for Sharon," and how it's making a difference in the liv ..read more

Osteoarthritis (OA) doesn't discriminate. It can affect people of all ages, including young adults and even children. In this episode, we talk to Rebecca Kudyk, who was diagnosed with severe Osteoarthritis at the age of 25. Rebecca shares her story of living with OA and how she has managed to not only maintain a high-profile job and young family, but thrive. In this episode, you will learn:  How OA can affect people of all ages The challenges of living with OA and other comorbidities How to stay positive and find ways to manage pain, fatigue and family Rebecca's tips for managing OA and ..read more

Ahead of Rare Disease Day, we welcome Rachel Rimmer and Mark Telkman from Rare Autoinflammatory Conditions Community UK (RACC-UK) to illuminate the often-overlooked world of these chronic illnesses and how they differ from autoimmune diseases. RACC-UK is a UK-based charity supporting individuals living with rare autoinflammatory conditions, their families, and carers. They work tirelessly to improve their lives through information, support, advocacy, working alongside healthcare professionals and informing policy. Discover how RACC-UK creates a lifeline for patients facing isolation and empowe ..read more

We are incredibly fortunate to be joined by not only Ass. Prof. Dr. Rachel Sommer, Head of People-Centered Health Care Research and Psychodermatology at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, but a surprise guest in leading Dermatologist Prof. Dr. Matthias Augustin, Director of the Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing of the same institution who discuss the vitally important work they both do in people-centered healthcare. Person-centered healthcare (PCHC) is a holistic approach to healthcare that puts the patient's needs and preferences at the centre of care ..read more

In this final episode of our three-part mini-series focusing on three people with three autoimmune diseases in one family, 'Joel vs Arthritis' Twitch community member Lauren Gibbons shares her story of living with Ulcerative Colitis and how she believes childhood trauma and stress contributed to the development of her autoimmune condition.  She discusses her journey to diagnosis, her decision to undergo total colectomy surgery, and how she is managing her Ulcerative Colitis today - including by using peer support communities and gaming as escapism. Lauren also shares her insights on the c ..read more

In this second episode of our three-part mini-series focusing on three people with three autoimmune diseases in one family, we interview Matthew Gibbons, who lives with Crohn's Disease.  Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes digestive tract inflammation. Joel and Matthew talk about a variety of topics related to Crohn’s disease, including: - The challenges of living with Crohn’s disease, such as managing symptoms and finding the right treatment - The importance of staying active and athletic, even with a chronic illness - How to raise awareness about Crohn’s ..read more

In this first episode of a three-part mini-series focusing on three people with three autoimmune diseases in one family, we interview community member Kevin Gibbons, who has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.  We discuss Kevin's experience with the condition, including his diagnosis, symptoms, and how he manages his life with MS. We also talk about the importance of patient advocacy, peer support and how sharing stories can help others. Here are some of the specific topics that are covered in the show: - Kevin's diagnosis with MS and how he came to terms with it - The different sympt ..read more

Petra Phoenix has been living with chronic pain for many years. She has seen many doctors, but she has never been given a specific diagnosis. This has made it difficult for her to access the help she needs. In this show, Petra shares her story of navigating chronic pain without a label. She talks about the challenges she has faced in accessing support, the resources she has found, and how she manages her pain. Petra's story is a reminder that chronic pain is a real and debilitating condition, even without a formal diagnosis. It is also a reminder that there is hope for those who are living wit ..read more

Transverse myelitis (TM) is a neurological disorder characterised by spinal cord inflammation. This inflammation disrupts the normal transmission of nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to various and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. Joining us to share their harrowing experience of Transverse Myelitis is someone who needs little introduction to regulars of our YouTube Channel; Chiara last joined us on World Psoriasis Day to talk about the fantastic work she does as a psoriasis patient advocate and founder of Psoriasis Indonesia. In this episode, however, we wi ..read more