Live Well with Arthritis

#28 Stress-Driven Inflammation: How Stress Can Worsen Arthritis (and What to Do About It)

Episode 28: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast #28 Stress-Driven Inflammation: How Stress Can Worsen Arthritis (and What to Do About It) Have you ever noticed that when life is most stressful, your arthritis feels worse? This week, host Emily Johnson dives into why this isn't in your head, it's in your biology. Drawing on the latest research and her own 12 years of lived experience, Emily unpacks the powerful, two-way relationship between stress and inflammation, and why managing your nervous system may be one of the most therapeutic things you can do alongside your medication. From the HPA axis to the vagus nerve, from leaky gut to cortisol resistance, this episode breaks down the science and provides a practical toolkit to start calming your system today. This is for anyone who has ever felt betrayed by their body, or wondered why stress hits them harder than it seems to hit everyone else. Topics covered: * What Stress Actually Is The difference between helpful acute stress (eustress) and the chronic kind, plus the concept of "allostatic load" * Stress and the Immune System Why chronic stress makes you both more vulnerable to infection AND more inflamed * The Stress–Inflammation Loop How TNF-alpha, IL-6, and other cytokines get turned up by chronic stress, and why inflammation in the brain produces brain fog, and low mood * Stress and the Gut The gut-brain axis, leaky gut, and the emerging "gut-joint axis" in rheumatoid arthritis, plus why Emily thinks the vagus nerve will be the next big focus in health * The Toolkit Practical, evidence-based ways to soothe your system that can be done from the comfort of your own home AUTUMN COHORT UPDATE: Applications for the Live Well with Arthritis 12-week programme are open for Sept. Apply now: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist] About the podcast: With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis. Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis. Emily (Arthritis Foodie) is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis. Episode Links: Register for FREE Masterclass: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/mastering-inflammation-masterclass-registration [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/mastering-inflammation-masterclass-registration] Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/ [https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/ [https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arthritisfoodie [https://www.youtube.com/@arthritisfoodie] Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie [https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie]

#27 Rheumatologist Recommends Reiki: Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann's Healing Blueprint

Episode 27: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast #27 Rheumatologist Recommends Reiki: Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann's Healing Blueprint Host Emily Johnson welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Volkman, also known as the Holistic Rheumatologist, UCLA rheumatologist, and Director of the UCLA Scleroderma Programme. Dr. Volkmann researches how the gut microbiome, nutrition, and trauma shape autoimmune disease. With over 20 years of experience, she shares an evidence-based approach to integrating Eastern and Western medicine. Whether you live with arthritis, scleroderma, lupus, or any chronic inflammatory condition, this episode offers empowering strategies to create your own healing blueprint, alongside medication. Topics covered: Redefining Rheumatology * Whole Human Treating the person, not simply the disease * Supportive Tools Medication alongside nutrition and holistic therapies * Red Flags Spotting dangerous "cures" Gut–Autoimmune Connection * Leaky Gut Science of intestinal permeability * Truth on UPFs Findings from Dr. Volkmann's study * Probiotics Fermented foods vs supplements * Stool-Tests Microbiome diet myths Whole-Person Approach * Trauma Research How stress impacts autoimmunity * Breathwork as Medicine A free daily gut health habit * Self-Care Diaries Tuning into your body * CEO Mindset Be your own best advocate About the podcast: With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis. Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis. Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis. Episode Links: Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist] FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download] Dr Elizabeth Volkmann @the_holistic_rheumatologist * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_holistic_rheumatologist/ [https://www.instagram.com/the_holistic_rheumatologist/] * UCLA Scleroderma Program: https://www.uclahealth.org/ [https://www.uclahealth.org/] Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/ [https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie [https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie] Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie [https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie]

#26 Immunity Within: How to Optimise Immune Health with Nutritionist Jenna Hope

Episode 26: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast #26 Immunity Within: How to Optimise Immune Health with Nutritionist Jenna Hope In this episode, host Emily Johnson welcomes Jenna Hope (MSc, ANutr), registered nutritionist, founder of Jenna Hope Nutrition, and author of How to Stay Healthy: The Nutritionist's Guide to Optimising Your Immunity. Jenna has spent nearly 11 years helping individuals, leading brands, and corporate clients understand the powerful connection between food and health. In this conversation, she breaks down the science of immune optimisation, explaining why 'boosting' your immune system is not only misleading, but potentially harmful for those living with autoimmune conditions like arthritis, and offers a practical, no-pressure framework for building an anti-inflammatory lifestyle that actually lasts. Topics covered: Gut Health & Immunity * Gut-Immune Connection: And why it matters * Sugar Cycle: How blood sugar spikes cause inflammation Optimise, Don't Boost * Why Boosting Backfires: Why it can worsen symptoms * The Anti-Inflammatory Four: Vitamin C, magnesium, omega-3, and vitamin D * Depleted Nutrients: How stress and inflammation impacts us Real Life Nutrition * A Day in Jenna's Kitchen: Easiest first steps for an anti-inflammatory diet * Motherhood Chapter: Fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum * Case Study: From exhausted and wired, to sleeping well and thriving About the podcast: With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis. Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis. Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis. Episode Links: Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist] FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download] Jenna Hope @jennahopenutrition * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennahopenutrition/ [https://www.instagram.com/jennahopenutrition/] * Website: https://www.jennahopenutrition.com/ [https://www.jennahopenutrition.com/] * Book: How to Stay Healthy Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/ [https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie [https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie] Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie [https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie]

#25 Behind Arthritis Foodie: Ali Interviews Emily on Her Journey, Her Health & Her Why

Episode 25: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast #25 Behind Arthritis Foodie: Ali Interviews Emily on Her Journey, Her Health & Her Why For the first time in the show's history, host Emily Johnson is the one in the hot seat! Guest host Ali DiGiacomo(@anotherdaywithra) takes over the mic to interview Emily about her life behind the scenes, her 12-year journey with arthritis, and the secrets she’s never shared on the podcast. From the surprising truth about who Emily was before Arthritis Foodie existed, from being terrible at cooking the flare-up that birthed her platform, Emily holds nothing back. This episode is a rare window into the person behind the platform: the mini monthly meltdowns, the invisible pain, and the deep conviction that living with arthritis can be a source of power, not pity. Topics covered: Before Arthritis Foodie * Who was Emily before the brand, and her family's reaction * Matcha moment and the elbow flare that triggered @arthritisfoodie The Realities of Chronic Illness & Pain * The reality of annual appointments and why coaching fills the gap * That baseline of pain that 'looks fine' from the outside * Managing monthly hormone emotional shifts Mindset, Boundaries & Being Online * Why she hates multi-ingredient 'miracles' * Emily’s controversial food opinion * Her 'whimsical scientist' personality Rapid Fire Round (80/20 rule) * Emily’s ultimate comfort meal * The one snack that never leaves her fridge * Superfood she just can't get behind About the podcast: With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis. Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis. Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis. Episode Links: Live Well with Arthritis Spring Cohort: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist] FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download] Ali DiGiacomo @AnotherDaywithRA: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anotherdaywithra/ [https://www.instagram.com/anotherdaywithra/] Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/ [https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/ [https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie [https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie] Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie [https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie]

#24 Grit & Grace: Navigating Marriage, Motherhood, and RA with Renee Anderson

Episode 24: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast #24 Grit & Grace: Navigating Marriage, Motherhood, and RA with Renee Anderson Are you worried that your chronic illness might stop you from having a family? Or perhaps you're already struggling to balance the demands of parenthood with your condition? In this episode, Emily is joined by Renee Anderson, founder of The Rheumatoid Arthritis Mama, for a deeply honest conversation about the grit required to raise a family when living with arthritis. After a decade of mystery symptoms, Renee had to learn how to parent three young children with a new RA diagnosis. She candidly and kindly shares how she handles it all. Topics covered: How it All Began * 10-Year Mystery Navigating RA and the relief of a diagnosis * Mud Puddle Philosophy Allowing yourself to feel emotions before moving forward * Resilience Seeing strength as the ability to pivot Motherhood & Marriage * Mum Guilt Reframing guilt with ‘connection over perfection’ * RA Mum Hacks Innovative tools to help children understand * Adaptive Schooling Ways to manage morning stiffness and fatigue Support & the CEO Mindset * Communication Why clear, actionable requests are vital * Power of No Setting firm boundaries to prevent flares * Choice to Make Advice for those worried about starting a family About the podcast: With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis. Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis. Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis. Episode Links: Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist] FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download [https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download] Renee Anderson @RheumatoidArthritisMama: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatoidarthritismama/ [https://www.instagram.com/rheumatoidarthritismama/] * Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18fGZSdk1T/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18fGZSdk1T/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/ [https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie [https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie] Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie [https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie]