Vanessa - Finding Purpose in an HIV Diagnosis

Vanessa - Finding Purpose in an HIV Diagnosis

This week, I sit down with an inspiring guest who transformed her HIV diagnosis into a driving force for advocacy, policy work, and community building within the HIV-positive community. Together, we unpack the misconceptions she held before her diagnosis, the realities of living with HIV, and the stigma that continues to shape public perception and personal experiences. We also discuss how storytelling, visibility, and community can create real change, not only for people living with HIV, but for the broader conversation around health, identity, and compassion. If you or someone you know is living with HIV in Portland, OR, Quest Center offers integrated, affirming care including medical services, therapy, support groups, nutrition, acupuncture, and peer support. Quest is a nonprofit health center in Portland, OR, with a mission to provide integrative healthcare services, community, and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying. Our programs in HIV Services, Substance Use Recovery, Chronic Pain Management, Mental Health, Acupuncture, and Holistic Medical Care recognize that each person has a unique journey to healing. In addition to offerings like individual and group therapy, our programs take an integrative approach to wellness, including elements such as peer support, wellness movement, nutrition, and at the heart of it all community. Our three primary service communities are low-income, people living with HIV, and LGBTQIA2S+. We proudly accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as well as many other commercial insurance options. If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, please visit our website at www.Quest-Center.org [https://open.acast.com/networks/67fee29266d94e7a62ad6cdb/shows/67feed92b6f48aa70991f3e4/episodes/www.Quest-Center.org] Find more HIV Resources here: https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/ #hiv ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Jamie, Part 2 - Jamie's Journey with Chronic Pain

In this episode, we share Jamie’s powerful journey from years of chronic pain, medical dismissal, and isolation to healing, confidence, and deep community involvement. Jamie reflects on growing up with unexplained injuries and autoimmune conditions, the emotional toll of not being believed, and how those experiences left her feeling invisible and disconnected. Her story takes a turning point when she joins Quest through the WISH program, where patient-centered care, clear explanations, and integrative practices like acupuncture, massage, Qigong, and mobility groups help calm her nervous system and restore a sense of agency. As her health stabilizes, Jamie’s world expands beyond survival into creativity and leadership, from launching community crochet programs to serving on historical society boards and contributing to public art projects. She talks about “planting seeds” through small, intentional steps and surrounding herself with people who reflect the life she wants to build. This episode is a moving reminder that healing is not linear, but with compassion, validation, and community, it can lead not just to recovery, but to purpose, connection, and giving back. If you or someone you know is living with Chronic Pain, Quest Center offers integrated, affirming care including medical services, therapy, support groups, nutrition, acupuncture, and peer support. Quest is a nonprofit health center in Portland, OR with a mission to provide integrative healthcare services, community, and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying. Our programs in HIV Services, Substance Use Recovery, Chronic Pain Management, Mental Health, Acupuncture, and Holistic Medical Care recognize that each person has a unique journey to healing. In addition to offerings like individual and group therapy, our programs take an integrative approach to wellness, including elements such as peer support, wellness movement, nutrition, and at the heart of it all community. Our three primary service communities are low-income, people living with HIV, and LGBTQIA2S+. We proudly accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as well as many other commercial insurance options. If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, please visit our website at www.Quest-Center.org [https://open.acast.com/networks/67fee29266d94e7a62ad6cdb/shows/67feed92b6f48aa70991f3e4/episodes/www.Quest-Center.org] #chronicpain ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Jamie, Part 1 - Jamie's Journey with Chronic Pain

In this episode, we share Jamie’s powerful journey from years of chronic pain, medical dismissal, and isolation to healing, confidence, and deep community involvement. Jamie reflects on growing up with unexplained injuries and autoimmune conditions, the emotional toll of not being believed, and how those experiences left her feeling invisible and disconnected. Her story takes a turning point when she joins Quest through the WISH program, where patient-centered care, clear explanations, and integrative practices like acupuncture, massage, Qigong, and mobility groups help calm her nervous system and restore a sense of agency. As her health stabilizes, Jamie’s world expands beyond survival into creativity and leadership, from launching community crochet programs to serving on historical society boards and contributing to public art projects. She talks about “planting seeds” through small, intentional steps and surrounding herself with people who reflect the life she wants to build. This episode is a moving reminder that healing is not linear, but with compassion, validation, and community, it can lead not just to recovery, but to purpose, connection, and giving back. If you or someone you know is living with Chronic Pain, Quest Center offers integrated, affirming care including medical services, therapy, support groups, nutrition, acupuncture, and peer support. Consider supporting Quest Center’s work to provide compassionate and affirming integrative care with a donation to our Give!Guide campaign at giveguide.org/nonprofits/quest Quest is a nonprofit health center in Portland, OR with a mission to provide integrative healthcare services, community, and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying. Our programs in HIV Services, Substance Use Recovery, Chronic Pain Management, Mental Health, Acupuncture, and Holistic Medical Care recognize that each person has a unique journey to healing. In addition to offerings like individual and group therapy, our programs take an integrative approach to wellness, including elements such as peer support, wellness movement, nutrition, and at the heart of it all community. Our three primary service communities are low-income, people living with HIV, and LGBTQIA2S+. We proudly accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as well as many other commercial insurance options. If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, please visit our website at www.Quest-Center.org [https://open.acast.com/networks/67fee29266d94e7a62ad6cdb/shows/67feed92b6f48aa70991f3e4/episodes/www.Quest-Center.org] #chronicpain ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Lawrence - Self-Acceptance & Finding Community

In this powerful episode, we follow Lawrence, a man whose life has been marked by courage and the search for authenticity. After growing up Mormon in Utah and spending 25 years in Los Angeles, where he was able to come out and embrace his identity, Lawrence moved to Portland seeking a fresh start. What he didn’t expect was how deeply he would need community, and how profoundly he would find it. Lawrence shares the painful experience of contracting HIV through an assault, the years of navigating fragmented care, and the emotional toll of starting over again and again. When he arrived in Portland, he was introduced to Quest Center for Integrative Health [www.quest-center.org]. From therapy and nutrition support to the transformative HIV Men’s Group and one-on-one peer services, Lawrence found stability, healing, and belonging under one roof. This episode is a testament to the power of holistic care, chosen family, and the communities that carry us through. If you or someone you know is living with HIV, Quest Center offers integrated, affirming care including medical services, therapy, support groups, nutrition, acupuncture, and peer support. Consider supporting Quest Center’s work to provide compassionate and affirming integrative care with a donation to our Give!Guide campaign at giveguide.org/nonprofits/quest [giveguide.org/nonprofits/quest] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Roger - The Importance of Culturally-Responsive Recovery Services

In this episode, I sit down with Roger, a dedicated recovery professional who brings both personal experience and deep compassion to his work. We explore the importance of culturally responsive care in the recovery field and why truly meeting people where they're at, without judgment, is a vital part of the healing process. Roger shares insights from his own journey in recovery and reflects on the power of loving people as they are. We also dive into the challenges of compassion fatigue, especially for providers who are in recovery themselves, and discuss practical ways to care for yourself while continuing to show up for others. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of substance use. Please take care while listening, and know it's okay to pause or step away if needed. SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Abuse): 1-800-662-HELP (4357) | samhsa.gov Quest is a nonprofit health center in Portland, OR with a mission to provide integrative healthcare services, community, and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying. Our programs in HIV Services, Substance Use Recovery, Chronic Pain Management, Mental Health, Acupuncture, and Holistic Medical Care recognize that each person has a unique journey to healing. In addition to offerings like individual and group therapy, our programs take an integrative approach to wellness, including elements such as peer support, wellness movement, nutrition, and at the heart of it all community. Our three primary service communities are low-income, people living with HIV, and LGBTQIA2S+. We proudly accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as well as many other commercial insurance options. If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, please visit our website at www.Quest-Center.org [www.Quest-Center.org] Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, stay tuned for more, leave us a rating and review, and consider supporting our efforts with a donation at www.Quest-Center.org/contribute [www.Quest-Center.org/contribute] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.