Surviving out of Spite

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/]

She Refused to Let Gastroparesis Define Her | A Powerful Patient Story

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Sam and Sarah dive deeper into Sarah’s story and how she refused to let gastroparesis define her life. From the challenges of diagnosis to the daily realities of living with a chronic digestive condition, she opens up about what it truly means to navigate life with gastroparesis. This is not just a story about illness, it’s about resilience, identity, and choosing to keep going even when your body makes it incredibly hard. We talk about the physical and emotional toll of chronic illness, the isolation that can come with invisible diseases, and how she found strength in the midst of it all. Her journey is a reminder that you are more than your diagnosis. If you or someone you love is living with gastroparesis, chronic illness, or an invisible disease, this conversation will resonate deeply.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): The Fight for Diagnosis, Care & Advocacy

Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is more than just managing symptoms, it’s navigating a healthcare system that often doesn’t understand you. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Lara Bloom of the EDS Society to talk about what it really takes to live with and advocate for EDS. From the long road to diagnosis to the validation that comes with finally being heard, Lara shares her personal journey and the realities so many patients face. This conversation is honest, unfiltered, and a reminder that patient voices are not just important, they’re necessary. If you or someone you love is living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare disease, or navigating chronic illness, this episode will make you feel seen, and remind you that you’re not alone. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com