Surviving out of Spite

AI, Data Privacy & Trust in Healthcare: Patient Empowerment, Tech Ethics & Medical AI (Part 2)

Can patients trust AI with their healthcare decisions? And who should be responsible when technology becomes part of the diagnostic process? In Part 2 of this conversation, Sam and Erika from IncitefulMed dive deeper into the complex relationship between artificial intelligence, healthcare, trust, and patient advocacy. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into medicine, patients are faced with important questions about privacy, transparency, accuracy, and who ultimately controls their health information. Erika shares some insights on the role AI can play in helping patients understand symptoms, medical research, and treatment options while emphasizing the importance of context, critical thinking, and human oversight. Together, they explore why there is often a gap between medical research and real-world clinical practice, and how technology can help bridge that divide. This discussion also tackles healthcare incentives, pharmaceutical influence, monetization within health technology, and the challenges patients face when trying to determine which tools and sources of information are truly trustworthy. For those living with chronic illness or rare diseases, access to accurate information can be empowering, but understanding where that information comes from is just as important. Together, they have an honest conversation about the future of AI in medicine, the importance of transparency in healthcare technology, and how patients can become stronger advocates for themselves in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape.

The Diagnosis Gap: Culture, Bias & Chronic GI Disease

What happens when culture, bias, trauma, and chronic illness intersect? In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with patient advocate and non profit leader Tina Aswani-Omprakash to chat about her journey living with Crohn’s disease, gastroparesis, and other GI conditions. Tina shares how cultural expectations, healthcare biases, and how unfortunate medical trauma shaped her experiences as a South Asian woman navigating the healthcare system. Together, they talk about the importance of shared decision-making, culturally sensitive care, and the need to create safe spaces where patients feel seen, heard, and supported. They also talk about the stigma surrounding GI conditions, the role of intergenerational trauma, and why trust between patients and providers is essential for healing. The conversation dives into food and cultural identity, the challenges of restrictive diets, and the importance of finding dietitians and healthcare professionals who understand diverse backgrounds. Sam and Tina highlight the power of community, vulnerability, and advocacy in breaking down stigma and empowering patients living with chronic digestive diseases. Whether you're living with Crohn’s disease, gastroparesis, IBD, or another chronic illness, this episode offers hope, validation, and practical insights on navigating healthcare while honoring your identity and lived experience. Links mentioned in the podcast episode: https://ownyourcrohns.com/ [https://ownyourcrohns.com/] https://saia-gi.org/ [https://saia-gi.org/]

AI Literacy in Healthcare: Patient Advocacy, Medical AI & Navigating Health Tech (Part 1)

How can patients use artificial intelligence to better understand their health, and should they trust it? In Part 1 of this conversation, Sam chats with Erika Warren, founder of InsightfulMed, to discuss AI literacy in healthcare and how technology can help patients become more informed advocates for their own care. Many patients struggle to understand medical records, test results, research studies, and complex healthcare information. Erika shares how InsightfulMed was designed to help bridge that gap by making health information more accessible, understandable, and actionable for patients navigating chronic illness, rare disease, and complex medical conditions. Together, Sam and Erika talk about the growing role of AI in healthcare, how patients can use technology to ask better questions, and why health literacy is one of the most important tools for improving healthcare outcomes. They also discuss healthcare data privacy, user control, and the importance of transparency when using digital health tools. Whether you're living with a chronic illness, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in the future of healthcare technology, this episode offers practical insights into how AI can empower patients while protecting trust and privacy. More info on Inciteful Med: https://incitefulmed.com/

You’re Not Alone: Living with IBD, Gastroparesis & Chronic Illness Challenges

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam chats with Amber Tresca of AboutIBD to discuss the realities of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroparesis, and other chronic health challenges. Amber shares her personal journey with J-pouch surgery, navigating life after major medical interventions, and learning how to balance work, health, and personal growth.Sam and Amber talk about the emotional and practical aspects of chronic illness, including managing unpredictability, building supportive communities, protecting mental health, and finding resilience during difficult seasons. They discuss the importance of flexibility, radical acceptance, and creating a life that works with your condition rather than constantly fighting against it.Whether you're living with IBD, gastroparesis, a chronic illness, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers honest insights, encouragement, and practical wisdom for navigating the ups and downs of long-term health challenges.Where to find more from Amber? IG: @aboutIBDYT: @aboutIBDWeb: www.aboutIBD.comEmail: amber@aboutibd.com

Inside EDS: A Doctor Who Lives It Talks Medicine, Advocacy & Care

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Dr. Sarah Cohen Solomon for a deeply honest conversation about chronic illness, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and what it really takes to build a more humane healthcare system. Dr. Solomon brings a unique dual perspective as both a physician and a patient, offering insight into the lived reality of navigating chronic illness while practicing medicine. They talk about the complexities of individualized care, the importance of listening to patient concerns, and why curiosity, not assumptions, should guide clinical decision-making. This episode is about shifting healthcare toward collaboration, where patients are not dismissed, but believed, supported, and involved in their own care decisions. It’s a call for a more compassionate, responsive, and patient-centered medical system. If you’re living with chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or working in healthcare, this conversation offers grounded insight into how care can be improved through empathy, advocacy, and listening.