"Surviving Chronic Illness" is now "A Body Rebels"

Episodes

21
Feb. 26, 2026

The High Price of Staying Alive: Sarcoidosis, Chronic Illness, Insurance, and America’s Health Care Circus.

Ever notice how sarcoidosis doesn’t just come for your lungs (or your heart, if it’s feeling ambitious)—it comes for your calendar, your energy, and your bank account too? This is the story of what “good insurance” looks like when the bills have six digits, the premiums creep up like a horror-movie soundtrack, and you realize staying alive in America is a subscription plan you never asked for… but can’t cancel. This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experi...
20
Feb. 24, 2026

When an Editor is A CROOK: A Cautionary Tale for Writers

When you’re a writer with chronic illness juggling deadlines, the last thing you expect is your editor ghosting you mid-contract. This cautionary tale dives into how one “faith-filled” editor turned out to be a crook—and what every writer, especially those managing sarcoidosis or other chronic conditions, can learn about protecting themselves (and their wallet). This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experience are my own. Contact A Body Rebels More info ...
19
Feb. 21, 2026

BONUS EPISODE: From Pan To Pen: A Chunky Monkey Friendship

This is a bonus episode. A Story from my now closed "Pan to Pen: A Storytelling Podcast" This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experience are my own. Contact A Body Rebels More info about Sarcoidosis and to donate toward research: The Foundation For Sarcoidosis Research
18
Feb. 19, 2026

Living With Heart Failure And An AICD

In 2007, a routine heart procedure turned into a life-changing diagnosis: heart failure. Nineteen years later, I’m still here—living with sarcoidosis, a defibrillator in my chest, and the constant awareness that my next heartbeat might depend on a tiny piece of metal and code. This is what surviving with an AICD really feels like—equal parts miracle, nuisance, and reminder to keep going. This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experience are my own. Contac...
17
Feb. 17, 2026

The Real Cost of Breathing: Portable Oxygen, Inogen, and the “Pay-to-Inhale” Price Tag.

Living with sarcoidosis taught me a weird truth: the harder you work to keep your life normal, the more the system charges you for it. Portable oxygen was supposed to mean freedom—walks, errands, road trips, maybe even a little joy—until I met the fine print, the upsells, and the “special charger” that costs more than my first apartment’s microwave. If you’ve ever felt like breathing comes with a subscription fee, this one’s for you. This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflec...
16
Feb. 12, 2026

When the Bank Meeting Ended in a Truck Bed

Ever wondered what happens when an 18-year-old bank manager gets peer-pressured into a “mandatory meeting” that turns out to be rum shots and card games? Here’s the messy, hilarious, and surprisingly life-defining story of my first and only time getting drunk—complete with spinning rooms, questionable decisions, and one disgusted girlfriend (now wife). This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experience are my own. Contact A Body Rebels More info about Sarc...
15
Feb. 10, 2026

Gratitude Beats Complaining When Your ICD Is Busy Keeping You Alive (Yes, I Said It)

Living with sarcoidosis and an ICD means my chest has a tiny, judgmental hall monitor clocking my heart 24/7—so I’m fascinated (and slightly alarmed) by how many of us still choose to spend our limited energy angrily shaking our fists at modern medicine. If you’ve ever felt tempted to make complaining your full-time job, this is your gentle, sarcastic nudge to look at what’s actually keeping you here. This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experience are m...
14
Feb. 6, 2026

Why My Kindle Will Always Win Over Physical Books

As a chef, writer, and lifelong bookworm living with chronic illness, I’ve discovered that my Kindle isn’t just a gadget—it’s freedom. Between hospital visits, late-night writing sessions, and lazy Sundays with my pets, it lets me carry an entire library in my pocket without the weight or the guilt of unread stacks. Here’s why I’ll always choose my Kindle over physical books and why e-readers might be the best invention since espresso. This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, refl...
13
Feb. 3, 2026

Why Cooking Shows Might Be Ruining Dinner (and Your Sanity)

If you’ve ever tried to recreate a TV chef’s “simple” dinner and ended up wondering if you accidentally auditioned for a survival show, you’re not alone. As someone juggling sarcoidosis, heart failure, and a full-time chef life, let’s just say I’ve learned exactly how misleading those glossy cooking programs can be. And no—I’m still not over the raw chicken incident. This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experience are my own. Contact A Body Rebels More ...
12
Jan. 30, 2026

Why Self-Worth Isn’t Measured in Dollars: Finding True Value Beyond the Bank Account

In a world obsessed with celebrity net worths and Instagram wealth, it’s easy to forget that our true value isn’t tied to money but to character, compassion, and integrity. As someone living with chronic illness, I’ve learned that self-worth has nothing to do with how much you earn—and everything to do with how deeply you live. This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experience are my own. Contact A Body Rebels More info about Sarcoidosis and to donate tow...