Surviving out of Spite

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.

What It’s Really Like Living With Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE)

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Maddie, the voice behind Eosinophilic Chick, to talk about what it’s really like living with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE). Maddie shares her personal journey; from early symptoms and diagnosis to navigating strict dietary restrictions and the reality of starting medication injections. This conversation dives into the physical challenges of managing EOE, as well as the emotional and mental toll that comes with chronic illness. Together, Sam and Maddie also open up about the fear and frustration surrounding food, and what it looks like to slowly reintroduce foods after periods of restriction. They discuss how these moments can be both physically and emotionally overwhelming, and incredibly meaningful. Beyond EOE, this episode highlights the importance of advocacy, community, and connection when living with chronic conditions like EOE and gastroparesis. Because no one should have to navigate this alone. Want to connect with Maddie? Follow her on IG @eosinophilic.chick

Poop Talk, But Make It Helpful | Gut Health & Symptom Tracking

In this episode, Sam sat down with Ruth O’Driscoll to have the kind of conversation most people avoid, but absolutely shouldn’t.They dive into the reality of living with digestive issues, why we need to normalize talking about gut health (yes, even the awkward parts), and how self-tracking can be a powerful tool for understanding your body.Ruthie shares her personal journey with digestive health challenges and how it led her to develop an innovative app, Tuut, designed to make symptom and bowel movement tracking easier, more intuitive, and far less overwhelming than traditional methods. Together, they explore how removing shame and simplifying tracking can help people feel more in control of their health.This conversation also goes deeper, touching on the importance of sleep, self-care, and building a supportive community when navigating chronic digestive conditions. Because managing your health isn’t just about data, it’s about feeling seen, supported, and understood.Meet tuut: the first digestive health app that fits lifestyle tracking into your busy life while providing actionable insights. Log data in seconds and let clinically-informed AI algorithms uncover patterns so you can finally identify triggers and feel better. https://www.tuutapp.net/

Surviving Celiac Disease: Hidden Gluten, Hard Lessons & Learning to Live Anyway

In this episode, Casey shares her personal journey living with celiac disease, from diagnosis to the ongoing realities of managing a strict gluten-free diet. She opens up about the challenges of navigating hidden gluten in unexpected foods, the learning curve that comes with dietary restrictions, and the emotional impact that can follow a life-changing diagnosis. Together, Sam and Casey explore what it really means to live with celiac disease in everyday life; highlighting coping strategies, symptom management, and the importance of self-compassion along the way. They also discuss the emotional weight of food-related guilt, the evolving landscape of gluten-free options, and how access to better products has helped improve quality of life for many in the gluten-free community. This conversation also emphasizes the power of community support, strong relationships, and self-advocacy when navigating chronic dietary restrictions. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone with celiac disease, or simply wanting to better understand gluten-free living, this episode offers validation, education, and hope. Instagram & TikTok: @collegeceliackc https://www.glutenfreewithcasey.com [https://www.glutenfreewithcasey.com/]