MS.UNDERSTOOD: Recent Episodes
KT Sloan
A podcast dedicated to better understanding MS and learning to live well with MS. Together, we'll explore a wide range of medical information, lifestyle choices, therapies and other care options that can have a huge impact on our existing MS symptoms, as well as work toward healing to slow our MS progression. MS impacts everyone uniquely, but together, we can all live better with MS. Join the flock!
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a companion on the MS journey? In this episode, you’ll meet Joel Riciputi, a super neat human, an active member of our shared MS Community, and a certified Health Coach. We’ll learn a lot about Joel - who he is beyond his MS diagnosis, what his MS journey has looked like, and most importantly, what fueled his fire to train to become a health coach so he could be there to support us in ways he wished he had access to early on. Joel understands the many challenges we face everyday since he faces them too! He also understands that health coaching isn’t always accessible to everyone and is committed to giving back to our community through free learning sessions and accessible coaching packages. Take a listen to get to know Joel! Sign up for his upcoming FREE session Own Your Energy: Practical Fatigue Management for Neurological & Autoimmune Conditions on June 16th. I hope to see you there!
To Register: https://vibly.io/services/managing-energy-fatigue-with-neurological-conditions-joel-riciputi/
You can also check out his Introductory Program for MS Community: https://vibly.io/services/-introductory-program-joel-riciputi/
or email Joel directly joel@rooted-rise.co to book a free discovery call.
patreon.com/MSFlock
Do you struggle with MS Heat Sensitivity? Does it limit what you can do in your life? Do you miss activities you used to engage in because you’re currently limited by temperature, humidity, or related fatigue? In this episode, we’re joined by Stanford Biodesign Engineer Candice Otrembiak. Take a listen to get to know Candice and the incredible work she is doing to engineer real MS Heat Sensitivity solutions for us. You’ll also learn about Candice’s active survey where WE can help by sharing our personal experiences with MS Heat Sensitivity. Candice knows that developing a device for real people requires real input from folks in our community. This is a great opportunity for all of us who struggle with Heat Sensitivity to get involved and be part of the solution! Listen in to learn more! Candice’s Biodesign Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYU9tYZNuowF-zHQNfYk7Ij7ZkMEX0HJdzqm9fN0JY-urUbg/viewform?usp=publish-editor
patreon.com/MSFlock
Do you experience joy every day? For many of us in the MS Community, joy can feel elusive. In this episode, we address the importance of experiencing joy in our lives. We’ll explore the impacts that experiencing joy has on our physical and mental health. While the natural ebb and flow of life occasionally brings us joyful experiences, there are ways that we can deliberately cultivate daily joy so that we can experience it more often and reap the benefits. I’ll share my personal reflections on my own struggles to experience joy in the decade since my official MS diagnosis, as well as the plan I created for myself to deliberately cultivate more joy in my life on a daily basis this year. Listen in to learn more about my Joyride in 2026 - and potentially inspire your own!! patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we explore how navigating life living with Multiple Sclerosis and rebuilding a life we love after diagnosis is similar to a bathroom remodel. We’ll look at the many parallels between a real life remodel in action and how we can similarly examine our own lives to find aspects that would greatly benefit from a thoughtful and deliberate remodel. We’ll talk through the phases of a remodel - the Dream Design, Hiring the Right Construction Team, Diving into Demolition, Navigating the Unexpected, and finally, Reconstruction - Building the New. I hope this episode results in a future remodeling or renovation project of your own - either literal, figurative, or both! patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we explore the opportunities of the season and the many ways we can plant seeds as investments in our future happiness. We’ll talk about the three main pillars of personal investment opportunities - 1) our physical and mental health, 2) our relationships, and 3) our sense of purpose and personal growth. In each area, we’ll look at very small seeds that are quite manageable, some in a minute or less (!), that when cultivated over time, can drastically increase our level of future happiness, our ability to access joy, and to build our sense of belonging. All of these seeds will help support us in our efforts to live well with Multiple Sclerosis. Lots in life is out of our control, but we CAN always plant seeds of something new! I’ll share some examples of seeds I’m planting - literally and figuratively! Listen in to learn more and to decide what seeds of personal investment you might like to plant for yourself in your garden of life this fall! patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Teri Jaklin ND. Take a listen to get to know Dr Teri, her lived experience with Multiple Sclerosis, and her practice as an ND (Naturopathic Doctor). In early September, Dr. Teri is launching a new supportive learning and healing community called the MS Collective. This opportunity offers mentorship, community of likeminded folks, and a new path forward for healing and transformation. This is a great opportunity for folks who feel like they’ve tried it all and have yet to move the needle on their health in the ways they desire. As someone who has lived with MS for 40 years and guided others through the journey for 25 years, Dr Teri’s MS Collective is a trusted guide for us and also provides a safe space for true connection. I hope you’ll consider joining me in this exciting opportunity! Listen in to learn more! patreon.com/MSFlock https://www.transform.ms/ms-collective
It’s summer in North America, and heat sensitivity is a current topic on pretty much every MS site on social media. Do you struggle with MS heat sensitivity? Do your symptoms flare when you overdo it? Do you find yourself less able to safely spend time outdoors? Do you retreat from socializing or other favorite activities because of the heat? Does that negatively impact your mood and mental health? If any of these questions resonate with you, this episode is for you. In this episode we’ll learn about how MS impacts our body’s ability to withstand hot and cold temperatures, ways we can safely mitigate the heat and cold sensitivity symptoms we experience, as well as explore ways we can deliberately better acclimatize to heat and cold to expand our current temperature comfort zone. We’ll also talk about why we are approaching the BEST time of year to start training our bodies to better manage the heat of next summer (!) as well as share an example of an acclimatization plan that you can use to create your own. Take a listen - it just might change everything for you and help you better live a life you love! patreon.com/MSFlock
Have you ever really wanted to do something but just couldn’t find it in you to take any action - no matter how hard you tried? Or have you lost the ability to experience joy, even when doing something you used to love? In this episode, we look at why it can be so incredibly difficult to take positive action when living with Multiple Sclerosis. Nope, we’re not lazy! And nope, we don’t deserve to feel shame because of our inability to act. Apathy, and its cousin, anhedonia, are very real struggles, and in this episode we’ll look at what these terms mean, how they manifest, as well as suggested ways to move the needle to a much better place on these limiting and often quite depressing symptoms. Take a listen - it just might change everything for you and help you better live a life you love! patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we look at all the ways we need water to help keep our body functioning! We’ll take a deep dive into Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by Dr. Batmanghelidj, as well as what current critics have to say about his stance, and even use Google Gemini AI to learn even more about all the ways our body uses water to survive and thrive! We’ll look at specific MS symptoms that may be a result of - or worsened by - dehydration, and talk about how to safely increase our water intake, which is not as simple, nor as safe, as it sounds! I’ll share a little about my personal experience with increasing my water intake, too! Take a listen to learn more about water, and explore what’s possible for you!! patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Susan Payrovi. Together, we’ll explore the healing power of dance - and specifically, utilizing dance as a healing tool for depression. We’ll review a recent article sharing a comprehensive study about depression, and take a deep dive into the results to learn about the effectiveness of dance and a handful of other exercise types. We’ll also compare those with the results of using SSRI’s, the standard pharmaceutical family of medications prescribed to treat depression. Tune in to learn the history behind Dr. Payrovi’s virtual dance studio creation - The Myelin Room - and receive a personal invitation from Dr. Payrovi to attend her next virtual Myelin Room experience next month. DrSusanPayrovi.comfor more information and to sign up! Take a listen and explore what’s possible for you!! patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we’ll explore how receiving a diagnosis of MS can be a life changing event and invoke in us a state of crisis. We can become overwhelmed with anxiety, stagnant in our personal growth, withdraw into deep depression, or experience apathy, where accessing joy and moving forward with living a life we love feels unattainable. We can also experience a deterioration in our ability to maintain a growth mindset to remain oriented towards what’s possible in terms of healing. We might give up and give in, and enter a spiral into lower frequency emotions and a cascade of ability losses. In this episode, we’ll learn about a powerful tool from two UNC psychology experts called the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory that we can use to better evaluate and celebrate the ways we’ve transformed post diagnosis, as well as illuminate potential pathways we might explore to achieve further growth, enlightenment, and healing. Take a listen and explore what’s possible for you!! patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we’ll explore how MS is truly for the Birds! We’ll examine different meanings of this phrase to explore ways we might choose to live well with Multiple Sclerosis and better navigate the challenges we face. We’ll learn a bit about how geese in particular utilize teamwork, shared leadership, empathy, presence, movement, and encouragement - and once and for all, understand why there’s the sound of geese honking in every episode! We’ll also spend some time expressing our gratitude for a special friend and flock member as we remember and celebrate all the ways they enriched our lives.
patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we explore the opportunity a New Year provides to reflect on our lives and decide what we would most like to accomplish next. When we live with a chronic and progressive health condition like Multiple Sclerosis, it’s easy to get stuck in a place of overwhelm or analysis paralysis. Sometimes we perceive that there’s SO much to do that we end up doing nothing. And sadly nothing changes if nothing changes. In this episode, we’ll talk about how our bodies are wired for healing when given the right conditions. I’ll share a specific MS symptom goal I had two years ago, and walk you through the steps I took and the resources I used to get myself to a dramatically different place that improved my quality of life significantly. Do you have a particularly frustrating aspect of living with MS that is holding you back that you’d like to change? Take a listen, then reach out and let’s swap story and collaborate in our search for possibilities. We can do this! TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More.
patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we explore the emerging research for using Red Light Therapy (RLT) as a complementary therapy to help manage a variety of common MS symptoms, including fatigue, acute pain, muscle spasticity, gut dysbiosis, sleep disturbances, troublesome skin conditions, neuropathy, stress management, mood disorders, and much much more! We’ll learn how RLT works, the potential risks involved, what to consider when searching for the right device for our unique needs, and what we can expect from utilizing Red Light Therapy (RLT) as an MS symptom alleviation tool.
patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we are joined by culinary allergen expert Carmen Lucia. We’ll learn about Carmen’s lived experience with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as her impressive culinary career and recently published book Allergy - Menus, Recipes, & Techniques, available online through Amazon and Barnes & Nobles. We’ll also learn a bit about general food allergies and sensitivities, how these manifest as symptoms in our bodies, and why this is especially important for people living with MS. We’ll also explore the best ways to identify our own unique food allergies and sensitivities….so we can heal.
patreon.com/MSFlock
EPISODE 88 - Use the Difficulty
In this short yet empowering episode, we look in depth at the concept of “Using the Difficulty.” We’ll learn how to face hardships in new ways: how to accept or convert the hardships that we experience into beautiful gifts, why it’s a powerful approach to abstain from judging an experience as good or bad, and how to prevent ourselves from placing perceived internal limits on our potential. We’ll also learn a bit about the Paralympic Games, happening now - and what we all can glean from these tremendous athletes who have certainly learned to Use the Difficulty. Take a listen - it might just change your life! patreon.com/MSFlock
Everything is energy. We are energy. And did you know that clues to our current levels of physical and emotional health and wellness are embedded in the energetic frequencies present in our voice? Join me today, where we’ll chat with Samaya (Traci) Hill to learn all about the AO Inner Voice scan technology and how we can utilize this amazing tool to gain insights into current areas of imbalance in our lives. We can use this data to identify and explore aligned pathways to healing - all based on the unique frequencies present in our voice! We’ll also learn more about the amazing human Samaya (Traci) Hill is, and how she has used the AO Inner Voice scan (as well as many other healing modalities!) to heal from her symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis over the years. Listen in, and learn how YOU can learn more about your unique opportunities for healing with a free AO Inner Voice scan.
To contact Samaya (Traci) Hill: www.consciousevolution.coach or shop.solexnation.com/traci
To participate in the MS Study, contact Kelly Scott of the Chronic Conditions Research Fund Kelly@CCRFund.org
patreon.com/MSFlock
Do you live with Multiple Sclerosis and want to heal but don’t know how - or are looking for some inspiration or motivation to get you started? Join me today for a conversation with Mindset Coach Matt Rowe about how he lives well with MS. He’ll share his own story of personal growth, the power of mindset, and we’ll also learn about his upcoming 3rd Annual Symptom Free MS Summit! This FREE virtual event June 17th-29th features over 25 experts well-versed in healing a variety of MS symptoms. We’ll learn how to reduce inflammation, regain mobility, improve our quality of life through mindset, and much much more! All who attend will have access to additional free gifts such as resource guides, books, recipes, and coaching sessions. To register for this FREE event: https://www.symptomfreems.com/2024-symptom-free-ms-summit
IdentityOfHealth.com
patreon.com/MSFlock
Did you know that experiencing Awe can positively impact both our physical and mental health? Join me today to explore the healing power of Awe. I’ll share information from a recent read: AWE - The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner, and also share a bit about an Awe-inspiring experience I had this past weekend. We’ll talk about what feeling Awe is like, and the power of revisiting and sharing our past experiences of Awe. We’ll learn about the impact Awe has on both our physical and mental health, the eight different pathways we can explore to experience Awe, and several powerful ways we can intentionally create more daily and collective Awe in our lives. Take a listen!
patreon.com/MSFlock
Do you have symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis that you’d like to alleviate but you don’t know how? In this episode, we’ll look at research-based solutions to address pain, fatigue, the stress-disease connection, and powerful lifestyle medicine - as well as learn about some recent & upcoming transformative learning opportunities available to all of us on a variety of helpful topics. We’ll also explore some of my additional recent learnings about a variety of health-related topics of interest that can help us maximize our health and happiness so that we’re living a life we truly love. Living well with MS is possible!
patreon.com/MSFlock
Living with Multiple Sclerosis or any Autoimmune condition is certainly not without challenges, yet there’s so much we can (!) do to improve our current levels of health and future happiness. Join me today, where we’ll dive into a coaching conversation with Amy Behimer, a member of our shared MS Community as well as a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach! Amy will share some of her highly effective strategies that help her and her clients live well with MS and other Autoimmune conditions. We’ll hear about her personal MS journey, the importance of mindset and habits in healing, how she supports her clients and helps accelerate their healing journeys, her podcast, The Habit Hub for Autoimmune Health, as well as an exciting free workshop offering happening next week: The 3 Habits We Need to Feel Healthy Again! To sign up or check out her helpful free resources, visit her website link.
Amy Behimer: https://linkpages.pro/b5ojnO
patreon.com/MSFlock
Developing friendships is an important part of life, and sometimes we’re lucky to meet someone who lights up our world in a new and beautiful way. One such friend for me is Creative Entrepreneur and Mindset Maestro - Mr. Aaron Carey. Join us today where we’ll talk all things Multiple Sclerosis - his lived experience as someone who has lived with MS longer than not, and the many creative outlets and avenues of self discovery he’s explored along the journey. We’ll dig deep into the concept of mindset to talk about: ways we can make friends with our minds through mental fitness, how the choices we make each day determine our reality, the destructive nature of the human ego, the unexpected gifts of challenge, building resiliency through deliberate repetition, spirituality & enlightenment pathways, the concept of “woundology,” and the power and purpose of artistic expression as a healing tool. patreon.com/MSFlock
You can find all of Aaron’s art at www.AaronCarey.com
@Phattybe on IG
Etsy: PhattyBGallery
Being a human can be hard. None of us are able to avoid the inevitability of hardship. Add the realities of living with Multiple Sclerosis to that, and we can easily find ourselves deep in a pit of despair that is difficult to climb out of. But did you know that there are actually benefits to going through difficult times? In this episode we’ll explore the unexpected gifts of adversity, and look at data and helpful resources we can use to help ourselves shorten our time in - and lessen our depth of - despair, and harness the hidden powers of our hardship to create an even brighter future.
patreon.com/MSFlock
Join me in welcoming back Robert (Robbie) Gillett - aka Beneath the Tracksuit - as we discuss his most recent book A Diagnosis Journey, and all things MS. In this episode, we talk about the major themes in the book - exploring unusual symptoms in his early life, how he bravely forged himself anew after MS broke him apart, and other concepts that have helped him along the way, such as the journey from reluctance to acceptance, learning to embrace life and letting go of the desire to control, becoming more comfortable with change, being open to utilizing helpful tools, getting the support we need (and unfortunately the support we don’t need!), and the incredible power of gratitude and giving thanks. We’ll also talk about what’s new in Robbie’s life in terms of his current MS advocacy projects and get an exciting sneak peak into what he’s working on now. Take a listen and be sure to follow Robbie on Social Media. https://linktr.ee/beneaththetracksuit
patreon.com/MSFlock
Did you know that our ability to speak up with authenticity and vulnerability is heavily linked to our health and wellness? In this episode, I’m joined by communications expert, Jennifer Abrams. Together, we’ll discuss a variety of communication-related skills that can help us further develop our authentic voice so that we can engage in courageous and empowered health-supporting conversations. We’ll also explore research regarding the impact of healthy and unhealthy conflict and have the opportunity to engage in a relationship audit to explore our communication opportunities in different relationships. Listen in, and learn to speak your way to better health! JenniferAbrams.com patreon.com/MSflock MyMSflock@gmail.comIG: @MyMSFlock FB: MS.UNDERSTOOD
Do you want to make lifestyle changes to better support your MS health, but aren’t sure how? Do you want to make changes but don’t know which ones are the most important and will yield best results? Listen in and we’ll talk about habit change - why negative behavior loops are harder to break, and helpful tools to make this important shift! We’ll also discuss the recommended daily habits that support overall health in general by looking at what those in the world’s Blue Zones do each day — as well as the daily habits most recommended to support our health specifically as folks living with MS. Listen in and find YOUR unique opportunities for growth - and the tools to make it happen! patreon.com/MSflock MyMSflock@gmail.comIG: @MyMSFlock
What is “wellness”? Did you know that there are 8 Dimensions of Wellness that overlap and are deeply connected to the overall level of health that we are able to achieve in our lives? When even one of these dimensions is neglected, it adversely impacts our health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Do you want to heal but don’t know where to start? OR have too many health goals so you so far have accomplished very little? Doing a personal inventory of our current health and wellness in each of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness can help illuminate our biggest personal opportunities for healing. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the 8 Dimensions of Wellness framework to see how it can help us first assess our current levels of health AND then give us clear direction in terms of how we’d like to move forward to achieve better health outcomes and holistic harmony in our lives! patreon.com/MSflock MyMSflock@gmail.comIG: @MyMSFlock
Join me as I discuss all things Multiple Sclerosis with Dr. Terry Wahls, leader in MS research & MS care. Dr. Wahls shares openly about her life and the many challenges she has faced living with MS, as well as how she harnessed her personal skillset and unparalleled tenacity to regain her health, paving a path to significantly better health outcomes for herself and our shared MS community. While Dr. Wahls is most well known for her MS nutrition research & expertise, which we DO discuss - I also took this opportunity to ask her about a wide range of MS topics: brain atrophy, telomeres & biological age, trauma & chronic toxic stress, alternative care options as pathways to wellness, CBD/THC, LDN, melatonin, spasticity, meditation, the importance of community, personal purpose, and more! You’ll also learn about Dr. Wahl’s current research study (Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life) that YOU can participate in, as well the MasterHealth App, and upcoming Multiple Sclerosis FREE Neuroimmune Summit, beginning July 5th. https:// drtalks.com/multiple-sclerosis-summit/ Access Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life eligibility survey: TerryWahls.com FB (Terry WahlsMD) Twitter & IG @TerryWahlspatreon.com/MSflock MyMSflock@gmail.com IG: @MyMSFlock
Do you feel out of control in life? Do you ever wonder what’s keeping you from achieving your goals? Do you struggle to say NO, or to find the time to do the things that are important to you? Do you want to eat better but just can’t seem to do so? Do you want to exercise or clean but can’t seem to get off the couch? You’re not alone! Many of us living with Multiple Sclerosis experience overwhelm, debilitating fatigue and mood disorders, and also struggle with apathy and the ability to implement behavior change to get ourselves to a place of better health. Today, we’ll learn about the importance of developing strong self-regulation, how to develop strong self-regulation skills, and the role self-regulation plays in our ability to live well with MS.patreon.com/MSflock MyMSflock@gmail.com IG: @MyMSFlock
Many of us living with MS experience overwhelm and dissatisfaction with certain areas of our lives. This drastically limits our ability to maximize our happiness and our ability to traverse hardships in positive ways when weface the challenges that life brings our way. In this episode,we’ll explore 9 different pathways to deeply examine in our lives todiscover our unique personal path to simplification. By leaning into what resonates with us most, and letting go of the rest, we can find our way to a much brighter place. Listen in and begin your journey towards asimpler and happier life.patreon.com/MSflock MyMSflock@gmail.com@MyMSFlock
In honor of Earth Day this week, I’m joined by Dr. Susan Payrovi to discuss the connection between our health - both physical & mental - and clutter! We’ll share about our recent February Clear experience, important ways our health and the health of our planet are deeply connected, how to claim and reclaim items we already have, yet aren’t really using, how to clear the excess items that we really don’t need, and how to cut down on all extraneous consumerism through our upcoming May Decluttering & Buy Nothing challenge. You’ll also learn some fascinating statistics around clutter, and why we, as a society, struggle with it so much! Listen in - and join us starting Monday, April 24th at 9amPT/noonET on Instagram (and hopefully FaceBook too!) as we kick off our May challenge alongside others in our shared MS community. Together, we will declutter our way to better health! patreon.com/MSflock MyMSflock@gmail.comConnect with us on InstaGram: @TrueMedicineMS @simplelife.healthcoach @lalik_health_wellness podcast @myMSflock Connect with us on Facebook: True Medicine MS, Lalik Health Coach, Simple Life - Health Coach, MS.Understood Podcast
In this episode, I'm joined by two phenomenal members of our shared MS Community: artist extraordinaire Atom St George and prolific poet Robbie Gillett, to celebrate their recent collaborative masterpieces. Both Robbie and Atom are talented artists on their own, yet today we’ll learn about the magic they are weaving by joining forces to share their collective MS stories through their art. Learn about their artistic processes and how their art helps each of them transmute their MS related pain and angst into manifesting something positive, that helps them, and others in our community - and beyond! - live full and fruitful lives. patreon.com/MSflock
MyMSflock@gmail.com
Connect with Robbie & Atom on FB: facebook.com/Beneaththetracksuit
facebook.com/artofatom IG: instagram.com/beneath_the_tracksuit
instagram.com/atomstgeorge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Qj1BtdG8OescM6972mgso?si=uA-ONT2FRVi97fViM9WhZA YouTube: https://youtube.com/@atomstgeorge
https://youtube.com/@beneath_the_tracksuit
Recently featured in LA Weekly: https://www.laweekly.com/meet-transformative-painter-atom-st-george/
As I traverse further into my lived experience with MS, some surprising aspects of healing have emerged that have been truly unexpected. In this episode, we’ll explore what a variety of experts in the field believe is the Metaphysical manifestation of Multiple Sclerosis. As we address each expert’s take behind why we develop MS, we’ll simultaneously investigate two case studies to look for overlap with our personal stories in the hopes that this deeply reflective practice may illuminate future healing avenues for ourselves. Grab a notebook - and listen in for some deep self-reflection. patreon.com/MSflock
MyMSflock@gmail.com
In this episode, I'm joined by DR Susan Payrovi of www.TRUEmedicineMS.com to talk about the common mental health challenges in the MS community of overwhelm, anxiety, and depression - and their connection to having an excess of clutter in our homes. You’ll be introduced to the concept of a monthly clear, which is something I do every February - and this year, you are invited to participate alongside others in the MS community this month! Take a listen - and join in the fun!
patreon.com/MSflock
MyMSflock@gmail.com
In this episode, we’ll learn just how much our thoughts impact our lives and the importance of developing strong mental fitness and a growth mindset as a tool to live well with MS. We’ll look specifically at the powerful Positive Intelligence (PQ) 8-week App-based mental fitness program created by Mindset Master, Shirzad Chamine. You’ll hear from two guests - Aaron & Stephanie - who recently completed the program AND be invited to an upcoming informational session and opportunity to participate in the PQ Mental Fitness program with others in our shared MS Community. Listen in to discover more about this powerful healing tool!
patreon.com/MSflock
MyMSflock@gmail.com
Winter is more than a static season we experience each year. In this episode, we’ll explore the concept of what it means to be in a personal state of Wintering. We’ll learn about SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder, why it’s so prominent in the MS community, and what we can do about it to support ourselves through it and even prevent it. We’ll also dive into the learnings from the brilliant Katherine May, author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. Listen in to discover more about these powerful healing tools! patreon.com/MSflock
In this episode, we’ll explore the ancient Ayurvedic practices of oil pulling and the Pechoti application method to learn how these approaches can assist in our detoxification, healing and ongoing wellness as people living with MS. We’ll discuss how our oral health impacts our gut permeability, as well as Vagus nerve health functionality. We’ll address the compelling reasons why these methods work, how to do them, as well as share the positive impacts they have on our bodies. Listen in to discover more about these powerful healing tools! patreon.com/MSflock
In this episode, we’ll examine several helpful resources addressing brain health. We’ll learn how to identify our unique brain type and what that means in terms of our current — and future (!) ability to be healthy and happy. We’ll discuss a resource that helps us break the fear-pain thought cycle to help reduce our physical pain, and another that helps us identify our unique opportunities to further build our mental fitness and choose happiness more often. Much like the unknown future, we cannot control the wind or waves - yet these important brain-health resources can help us learn to sail so that we can navigate whatever challenges we may face with grace, optimism, and perseverance. patreon.com/MSflock
In this episode, we’ll look into the psychology of September and learn why it’s the most powerful month to set personal goals. We’ll also talk about how this time of year can be an extra vulnerable time for those of us living with MS, and how to minimize those risks. Listen in, and get some helpful tips to help YOU harness the power of September, so you can be in a dramatically different place by year’s end. patreon.com/MSflock
In this episode, we’re joined by David Lyons, an elite fitness expert and bodybuilder as well as the founder of OptimalBody Fitness, and the MS Fitness Challenge program and podcast. After David’s MS diagnosis, he used bodybuilding and weightlifting as his primary tools to first recover - and now maintain his health & wellness. David is an exemplar of someone living well with MS - he has received many awards and accolades for his strong commitment to health - AND for all he does for others who are on similar quests to heal through fitness. Listen in to learn more about David and the many different programs he offers to see which might be a good fit for you! MSFitnessChallenge.org patreon.com/MSflock
In this episode, we'll learn about LDN (Low-Dose Naltrexone), as a potential healing tool for MS. We'll learn how LDN impacts the body and about the many emerging studies showing how LDN can accelerate healing for MS and a growing number of ailments. I'll share several LDN FaceBook groups as well as the most reliable source of information regarding LDN usage: LDNresearchTrust.org -- where you can access helpful information like case studies, how to find a prescribing physician, and downloadable informative guides for us and our doctors. I'll also share my personal experience with LDN over the past 10 months. Find out if LDN might be something you'd like to try! And finally, in this episode, you can access BIG listener & Flock discount codes for TRUEmedicineMS.com and their upcoming virtual MS health course offering! www.patreon.com/MSflock
In this episode, I’m joined by poet Robert Gillett, author of Thoughts of a Warrior - Beneath the Tracksuit. Robbie shares his personal pathway to poetry, which he uses as a tool to express the fear, pain, and frustration that he experiences as someone living with MS. We’ll talk about the unique MS challenges we face that are powerful themes in his book, and how his poetry and Facebook community has helped to connect him with others living with MS around the world. As a special treat, Robbie will also share a few of his poems with us from his first book. Listen in!
In this episode, I'm joined by the creator of the Gupta Program, Ashok Gupta. We'll hear about Ashok's personal journey with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and learn how he explored pathways to heal through neuroplasticity and limbic reprocessing. Once he healed himself, he created the GuptaProgram.com so that others with similar neuro-immune conditions could also experience similar success! Ashok will share the 3 R's of the Gupta Program, an update on current relevant studies, and talk about the significant healing participants thus far have obtained. The Gupta Program offers 28-days of FREE access, so check it out!
Join Dr Susan Payrovi and I as we discuss the healing power of intention, education, and community. We’ll address mindset, belief, self-compassion, the healing process, alternative therapies for MS beyond our neurologic care, AND the importance of community. While we’ve talked about a lot of these elements of healing before, this time we’ll each share how we utilized these tenants of self-care to support and accelerate our own healing, as well as the struggles we faced along the way. Listen in!
In this episode, I'll share my recent MS-related learnings from this year's Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) Annual Conference. I'll share in detail the latest developments in neuroscience focused on the gut-immune connection, and what this means for us as people living with MS. We'll also explore cutting-edge sleep study news, why sleep is even MORE important for us than we previously thought, and how we can achieve deeper sleep to promote healing. In addition, I'll share an overview of the other sessions I attended, some of which will be featured in greater detail in future episodes. Take a listen to hear what's new in MS health news and see if there are new pathways to healing for you to explore!
Meet Rhonda! In this episode, we'll meet Rhonda, in an effort to highlight someone striving to live well with MS. Rhonda has lived with MS for a very long time and has experienced many MS symptoms over her lifetime thus far. Last year she discovered several resources that have enabled her to accelerate her healing and regain many of the abilities that she had previously lost! Listen in as she shares the resources that have helped her change her life - they might just help you change yours!
In this episode, we'll chat with Dr. Susan Payrovi about an upcoming learning opportunity for members of the MS community: The 12-Day Detox Challenge. Dr. Susan will share with us the components of a truly health-changing detox program, and why it's so important for those of us living with MS to understand how toxin exposures impact our MS. In addition to learning about the Detox Challenge course, Dr. Susan will also share important information about an upcoming FREE webinar. Listen in! www.TRUEmedicineMS.com for more info & to sign up!
In this episode, we will talk about the key to a life well-lived. We will discuss the importance of celebrations, and the many surprising yet simple lessons we can learn about life - and how to live it! - from the punctuation keys on our keyboards. Then, we'll take a deeper look at the dash in particular - and I'll share a bit of Linda Ellis & Mac Anderson's beautiful book: The Dash - Making A Difference with Your Life. Take a listen - it may just change your life like it did mine!
In this episode we'll discuss the controversial evidence linking Lyme with MS (and other related neurologic and autoimmune conditions). We'll learn about Borrelia, which is the pathogen carried by deer ticks that causes Lyme disease and look at the similarities between the Lyme and MS patient experience. We'll also examine the diagnosis & treatment process, evidence of the EBV connection, as well as the research currently occurring around the world to find solutions and better understand the complexity of Lyme and similar vector-borne illnesses that we may encounter in the future.
In this episode, we explore Deep Listening as a helpful practice in finding our way to a state of calm and overall wellness. We'll talk about the importance of embracing vulnerability in the healing process as well as other tried and true ways to find calm through thought hygiene and other useful strategies.
In this episode, we'll look at the latest research regarding the conditions required for humans to develop autoimmunity over time: genetic predisposition, gut membrane permeability, and environmental triggers. We'll talk about the most common MS symptoms that occur during the prodromal phase before MS manifests and the exciting research currently being done in this area. We'll also spend time along the way reflecting upon our own personal pathway to MS to look for clues to illuminate our personal pathway to healing. Take a listen!
In this episode, we'll learn about the annual holiday known as Random Acts of Kindness Day and explore the research regarding the many health benefits that we can achieve from engaging in random (or deliberate!) acts of kindness. In this episode, I will also share a comprehensive list of ideas to help us ALL find ways that resonate with us to help us put more kindness out into the world for everyone's benefit. Please join me in my commitment to seek more ways to engage in acts of kindness to make our world a better place for us all.
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Susan Payrovi as she prepares to officially launch her TRUE medicine MS virtual MS health education program & support community next month. In this episode she will share her insights regarding what healing means for someone living with MS, as well as the main programmatic features and user experience of the TRUE medicine MS program as participants Gather to Learn and Heal. Want to learn more, sign up to participate in the upcoming cohort, or obtain free helpful healing tools from Dr. Susan? Or visit their store to purchase DR vetted personal health products at a discount while also helping to support programmatic scholarships? Visit www.TRUEmedicineMS.com for more information.
In this episode, we'll talk about the research that supports creating neuroplastic changes in our brains through journaling. Through journaling, we can make biological, psychological, and behavioral mindset shifts. I'll also share an upcoming opportunity for you to join me this year to explore a variety of journaling prompts I've compiled to see how they can create neuroplastic shifts in your life to positively impact your mental and physical health. You can find the 4 shared prompts in this episode on our Patreon page for your convenience: www.patreon.com/MSFlock
In this episode, we'll focus on harnessing hope and optimism as a wellness tool. We will look at the ways an optimistic view can support better physical and mental health, investigate our own personal position on the spectrum of optimism & pessimism, and learn 3 tried and true ways to build more optimism into our lives. We'll also learn about the darker side of optimism, including unrealized hope, hopium, and toxic positivity.
In this episode, we'll prepare for 2022 by learning about the history of New Year's Resolutions. We'll also learn why typical New Year's Resolutions are so difficult for most of us to achieve - and explore a different approach that yields much better results! Give yourself a gift by listening in: we'll reflect on 2021 and leave ready to develop your personal intention for 2022.
In this episode, we'll talk about the latest research in music therapy. We'll learn how music can positively impact our brain, heart, and other critical aspects of body functionality. You'll learn about a variety of helpful FREE music therapy resources. We'll also look at a new program called MS in Harmony, and explore their website together to learn about the many virtual tutorials they offer to heal our body, mind, and soul through music.
In this episode, we'll explore the many health benefits of Float Therapy. We'll learn about the healing power of Epsom Salt and the many positive impacts it can have on our body and mind. We'll also learn how Sensory Deprivation in flotation tanks can help us push the reset button on our brains and Central Nervous System to help us maintain a lasting sense of calm. Is Float Therapy right for you? Take a listen!
In this episode, we'll explore the power of writing as a healing tool. I'm joined by a member of our MS community, I Go From Bad To Verse author Donna S. Rubin. In this episode, Donna generously & vulnerably shares some of her powerful poetry that she's written over the course of many years. She will share how writing has helped her through challenging times in her life as someone living with MS and other health challenges, and also share how therapeutic it can be to revisit our writing over time. Donna will even share a few new pieces with us that are hot off the press!
Do you ever wish you could push pause on your MS challenges so that you could thoroughly enjoy an event like you did before MS came into your life? In this episode, we'll look at suggested ways for folks living with Chronic Illness to thrive during the increased hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We'll explore the top stressors of the season as well as solutions to make each just a bit more manageable this year.
In this episode, we'll learn ways to better embrace flexibility in our lives, especially during this season of what is increased vulnerability for some of us. We'll look at what the experts suggest as far as learning to be more flexible in every aspect of our lives, especially when facing adversity, or when we've previously been unable to actualize our dreams or goals. I'll also share the ways I'm learning to embrace flexibility in my own life as someone trying to live well with MS, and share how I'm envisioning MS.UNDERSTOOD to be flexible to better meet our community's needs in 2022. Take a listen!
Did you know that there's a reason why many of us experience an increase of MS symptoms when the weather changes? In this episode, we'll look at sinusitis, a common condition for folks with MS, and explore how sinusitis is impacted by barometric pressure. We'll look at related research and solutions to help us better navigate changing weather.
In today's capitalistic world, we are inundated with advertisements for products that promise to be THE answer to improving our MS health. It's hard to know what's most important, and who to really trust, so it's not uncommon for our purchases to disappoint. Lucky for us, in this episode we are joined by Dr. Susan Payrovi. For each of the 5 main areas of MS Health, we'll look at top recommendations - and many of them are free! Take a listen!
In this episode, we'll look at all the ways we can safely boost our immune system functionality so we're best prepared for Fall. This is especially important this year with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic AND a predicted robust flu season. It's comforting to know there are safe ways we can better support our immune function so we can traverse the future with confidence that we are doing all we can to weather whatever we may face.
In this episode we take a deep dive into two helpful research tools for MS that are freely available to us: Brain & Life and MS Focus. We'll take a book walk through the most recent Brain & Life issue to showcase the wide range of neurologic conditions and strategies for wellness that it covers. We'll also look briefly at the most recent issue of MS Focus which is focused on parents with MS or children whose parent/s have MS. These helpful tools can help us stay informed over time as more solutions for MS are discovered.
In this episode, we'll learn more about essential oils and how they can help us on our journey toward better health. Specifically, we'll learn about Boyd Truman's Symphony of the Cells essential oil protocols. These protocols are designed to help us achieve optimal health across all body systems - or we can choose one based on specific symptoms we might be experiencing. www.symphonyofthecells.com
In this episode, we'll learn about the 6 principles of Trauma-Informed Care and why it's such an important healing tool for all of us. We'll look at how this framework is currently impacting healthcare in a very positive way, how we can find practitioners trained in TIC, and also how we can utilize the principles of Trauma-Informed Care in our own lives to maximize our ability to heal and thrive.
In this episode we'll discuss everything we need to know about MS and visual impairment. We'll dive into the research, diagnosis processes, and typical treatment protocols for a variety of visual disturbances common for people with MS, including Optic Neuritis and Photophobia. We'll also cover helpful strategies and tools that exist for us to use to help us better manage our visual impairment, as well as ways to limit future damage.
Is it better for us to be selfless or selfish? Which way do you tend to lean? In this episode, we'll explore the continuum that exists between selflessness and selfishness. We'll deconstruct each term, look at what the research says about the benefits and pitfalls of each approach, and how to determine when it's healthiest to employ each approach to help us meet our physical, mental, and emotional health goals.
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Casey Berkebile, a seasoned and highly skilled Naturopath. She'll share with us the Naturopathic approach to healing for MS: the areas she typically explores with her patients, as well as several relevant and inspiring success stories. Dr. Casey will also share important tools to help you find a qualified Naturopathic Physician near you. We'll talk briefly about LDN and supplements too! Take a listen to see if a Naturopathic DR is right for you to support you on your healing journey! https://caseyberkebilend.com
In this episode, we explore Behavioral Activation as a way to find motivation, and to infuse more joy and satisfaction into our daily lives. Employing Behavioral Activation strategies help us overcome the mental and physical anguish that we often experience living with chronic illness. Research shows that by incorporating Behavioral Activation concepts into our existing self-care practices and daily routines, we can experience greater happiness and feel more accomplished - which drastically increases our ability to feel even better and accomplish even more! Take a listen - this simple concept might be just what you're looking for!
In this episode, I'm joined by Claire Hayes, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practitioner and author of Everyday Happiness: EFT Tapping for Self Transformation that Really Works. Claire will teach us all about the many ways we can use Tapping to help ourselves heal and become the best versions of ourselves. You'll even get to hear a short demonstration where she uses some of her techniques to help me through a real life struggle. You'll be amazed to learn just how useful of a tool EFT can be in helping us move through any challenge we face on our quest to live well with MS. https://tapintoyourpower.uk
Mindset Matters. In this episode, listeners will meet Jenny Peterson, creator of the Mind-Body Rewire Program and the Simplify Your Healing podcast. Jenny works with clients focused on healing from physical, mental, and emotional conditions. You'll hear Jenny's own story which led her to this work, a detailed account of what her program entails, as well as multiple success stories. Jenny will also share specific mindsets that tend to show up with MS. Find out if working with Jenny might help you!
In this episode, we explore the disability process and learn why it is SO important for those of us living with MS to be informed early about how this process works. I am joined by esteemed disability attorney Jamie R. Hall. In this episode he shares with us a thorough overview of the disability process, including information regarding the typical timeline and actions we can take now that will simplify the process for us later. We'll learn everything we need to know to be well informed and to plan ahead for the support we may one day need.
In this episode, we'll explore the power of pushing pause to help us conquer our feelings of overwhelm. We'll review the indicators of overwhelm so we can easily identify the behaviors of overwhelm in our own lives. We'll also look at underlying factors of overwhelm, and how to use clearing and pause to help us establish a clear roadmap for living with better intention and alignment, which is the most effective way to reduce overwhelm in our lives. Join us - and learn to conquer overwhelm once and for all!
In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Susan Payrovi to discuss the important topic of toxins. Together, we'll raise our awareness of toxins, learn where they are most commonly found, and discuss how they enter & impact our bodies at the cellular level. We'll also discuss a wide range of helpful strategies to detox our lives, replace harmful products with safer alternatives, as well as a variety of tools we can use to help us make less toxic choices moving forward.
This week, we'll continue to look at best strategies to reduce overwhelm. Turns out, it's CLEARING! In this episode, we'll explore the most common reasons we experience overwhelm, the most prominent being that we just have TOO MUCH STUFF! By reducing what we have through exercising our NO muscle and ensuring we reserve our YES for only the things that matter most to us, we can regain control of our lives and finally leave overwhelm behind. We'll talk about a wide variety of strategies for clearing, as well as inspiring organizations where we can donate.
In this episode, we’ll explore the word NO and look at how early childhood experiences with the word NO can impact how our relationship with NO evolves as we grow. We’ll explore reasons why saying NO can be so difficult, why it’s SO important, and some helpful strategies to help us work on strengthening our NO. We’ll also look at how NO can help us specifically on our quest to live well with MS.
Happy New Year! Are you wanting to make positive changes in your life this year but don't know where to start? Join me as I talk with Lacey from the Center For Mind Body Medicine. We'll discuss the work she does to lead a wide variety of groups through powerful experiences that are truly life changing. She'll share a few with you here that you can try on your own immediately! You'll also hear about a special opportunity for YOU to learn from Lacey in a virtual group setting with other folks living with MS. Take a listen - and begin your journey to a new mindset.
The end of the calendar year is a natural time for self-reflection, and yet, so many of us struggle with following through on our New Year's resolutions. In this episode, I'll take you on a powerful reflective journey to look back at all that we experienced this year - and then we'll plan to move forward into the new year with more clarity and focused intention as far as how we can live our best lives with MS. Carve out of your day a gift of time for yourself - grab a notebook, a hot cup of tea, and take a reflective journey with me as we exercise our reflective muscle together. You won't regret it!
Join us this week to learn about TRUE Medicine, the non-profit MS health education virtual program that I've been building with Dr. Susan Payrovi and Ann Marie Trione. In this episode you'll learn more about how TRUE Medicine came to be, our unique approach to healing, and how YOU can participate in our FREE pilot program starting January 2021. Space is limited - register soon!
Join us, while we learn about the many ways hypnosis can help us learn to better manage our MS symptoms - or really - ANYTHING we want to change in our lives. For this episode, we're joined by an extraordinary woman, Sonjali Di Guida, who will share her own experience of healing through hypnosis, as well as her journey to becoming a hypnotist to help others!
In this episode, we'll look at what's recommended in terms of exercise and movement for those of us living with MS, as well as a wide range of options for exercise programs and resources, so we can find what works best for each of us. We'll also hear from guests Karen & James about the awesome MS Gym program and how it has helped them both on their unique MS journeys.
Want to learn about ways Essential Oils can help us live well with MS? In this episode, we learn a bit about the history of essential oils, how to identify high quality essential oils, basic ways to use essential oils - and most importantly, specific oils we can use to help us better manage our most common MS symptoms.
In this episode, we take a look at the most common MS symptoms that are caused or exacerbated by colder weather. We'll look at a wide range of strategies to combat these winter woes as well as recent research regarding seasonal patterns of MS activity.
In this episode, we'll look at how to best support someone you love who is living with MS. Do YOU have MS and don't feel like you're receiving the support you need? Or, are you someone who loves someone with MS and either wants to learn more ways you can support them - OR don't understand why your loved one doesn't respond well to your current attempts to support? This episode is for ALL of us - and shares many ways we can work together as a team to best support each other through the challenge of living with MS.
In this episode, we'll look at everything sleep! We'll explore the many benefits of sleep, and the most common sleep disorders. I'll share many tips for establishing healthy sleep routines. We'll also look at something called revenge bedtime procrastination and mantras as a tool for better sleep. Are you ready to learn how to maximize your restorative sleep for healing? Take a listen!
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Payrovi about the best Nutritional practices for those of us living with MS. We'll talk about WHY nutrition is the first thing to consider working on to better manage our symptoms, what she believes are the most important strategies to implement, and how important it is for each of us to listen to our body when we try a new way of eating. We'll also talk about food sensitivities, supplementation, and some great strategies for making eating healthy sustainable over time.
In this episode, we take a look at medicinal marijuana to learn about CBD, THC, and how these tools can be used in various forms to help us better manage our MS symptoms. We'll also learn a bit about the history of Cannabis in the United States, clear up some common misconceptions about Cannabis, and look at specific strains that are recommended specifically for MS. We'll even talk about ways to make our own products at home! With medicinal and recreational Cannabis use on at least 5 state election ballots this Fall, it's important for us to know more about Cannabis so we can make an informed decision, both for voting purposes AND in deciding to if trying Cannabis for symptom management is right for you.
In this episode, we'll look at how to ride the chronic illness rollercoaster that is life with MS. We'll address overwhelm and disappointment, as well as ways to work through those emotions - and even harness them to help us along the journey. We'll also take a look at MS relapses - what they are, how to know we're having one, and what to do about it! Preparing for a future relapse NOW, can help us weather the storm better when it does happen. Whether your personal rollercoaster is currently flying high or sinking low - taking time to appreciate all that happens along the course of the ride is key in learning to live a life in balance.
In this episode, we take a look at heat intolerance and how heat and humidity impact our bodies as people living with MS. We also look at a wide range of helpful cooling strategies to help mitigate heat and humidity.
You've just received an MS diagnosis, but what does that even mean? Join us where we'll look at FAQ and common misconceptions about MS. We'll explore reliable sources of information, and ways to connect with others who truly understand the challenges of living with MS. You'll also get to hear our guest Christie, share a little about her diagnosis and her helpful tips for how to navigate the path forward.
Join us to learn about ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and Resiliency, and see how both play an important role in our overall health throughout our lives. Learn also about the links between ACES and Resiliency scores and what the research tells us about the likelihood of developing chronic illness later in life.
In this episode, we continue to look at boundaries, learn about the boundary spectrum, and explore some simple ways to start developing and maintaining more healthy boundaries, both in our relationships with others, and internally.
Join us this week as we take a close look at our relationships to see where in our lives we might benefit from establishing stronger personal boundaries. What are boundaries? How do we figure out where we need boundaries? What should our boundaries be? Take a listen - and learn how boundaries can assist us in reaching our mental and physical health goals.
Join me for this week's episode, where we look at the importance of processing loss, helpful ways of releasing suppressed emotions, and methods to live life intentionally, honoring those we've lost.
Join us for a conversation with Therese Powers, acupuncturist extraordinaire, as we look at different ways acupuncture can help alleviate common MS symptoms. Learn about how acupuncture works, what a typical session is like, and all about the tools of the trade.
Join us this week while we look at Gary Chapman's Love Languages. Did you know that each of us has different preferences in how we both prefer to GIVE love and RECEIVE love? It can be very helpful, especially during challenging times, to have a current understanding of our own - and those whom we love - love language preferences.
This episode is dedicated to self-care. We discuss the concept of fountains and drains to help us better analyze our relationships with others to evaluate the healthiness of those relationships.. We also look at MS research to see what researchers are learning about how our environment (and toxicity) play a role in autoimmunity. Lastly we look at strategies to ensure our self-care is comprehensive and well balanced.
In this week's episode, we take a deep dive into gratitude. Did you know that in giving to others we also reap the benefits? Come fly with us and learn more about the many health benefits of practicing gratitude as well as many fun examples of ways to infuse more gratitude into your life.
Listen in to our continued conversation about Mindset. In this episode you'll learn several strategies that can help us develop a stronger growth mindset. Figure out which ones you like best and add them to your tool box!
In this episode, you'll get to hear from Dr. Susan Payrovi, an integrated medicine DR at Stanford who also has MS! Learn about her proven tools to help those of us with MS to learn to live better and improve our health.
This episode, we'll examine our Mindset, and use Carol Dweck's teachings to help us develop a growth mindset and a strong healing orientation.
Welcome! This introductory podcast episode will introduce you to our host, KT Sloan, and the importance of building a strong support network of like-minded MS folks to both help you through the hard times AND celebrate your victories. Join us!