Chronic Power: Recent Episodes
Physician-Parent Caregivers
Men don’t talk about health, right?
James Richardson and Nick Ruffini are changing that.
They’re young. They live with chronic illness. They have to fight to stay alive.
They hid their conditions for a long time, so they know how hard it is to trust others. Join them as they discover themselves by opening up to each other - and you. Brought together for the first time and with different medical conditions, they bond through similar experiences.
Alone, each had to confront his vulnerabilities and figure out how to transform his pain and struggles into fuel..into fire…into power - to overcome obstacles, stigma and perceptions.
They’re brave, bold, raw and they have the guts to dive deep into personal issues.
They represent the two halves of a new population: young adults who live with chronic conditions. James grew up with a childhood condition; Nick developed a condition in young adulthood.
THEY ARE Chronic Power and they are going to change how the world sees chronic illness.
Editor: Emily Streim
Music by Nangdo. "Intro" Copyright 2016. Under Creative Commons 4.0
What does raising awareness for a chronic illness entail? Episode 11 is all about what awareness truly means to the boys. They all have a bone to pick with each of their chronic illness awareness campaigns, while having a unique perspective on what could be better. They wonder how the campaigns have been useful to both the fundraisers and the afflicted patients. No filters in this raw account from these young men once again.
The boys sit down to discuss what they're thankful for in this Thanksgiving 2021 Special. They touch on health, family/friends, and explain how much the podcast has meant to one another over the year. After delving deep into gratitude, the conversation shifts towards what a positive mindset can do in illness recovery & physical activity importance. It's all about linking mindset to genetics and chronic illness ability in Episode 10 - stick around to the end to see how it all links together and how the hosts do it.
The boys talk about finding motivation to reach their goals, the edge their chronic illness gives them and learning from failure. The explore relationships with family and friends who don't have chronic conditions.
Episode 8 brings together the entire Chronic Power Podcast crew for a discussion around (higher) education and accommodations for those with chronic health conditions. The boys discuss some similarities and differences between their struggle through the grade-school and university systems in the U.S. and U.K. They also share some education alternatives, mindset advice, and personal anecdotes around what may be best for students or possible changes to the system.
Meet our First Guest: Kyle, an Ironman with Cystic Fibrosis! How does someone with 30% lung function train for and complete a triathlon? What toll does this take on his body, his health and his mind? Where does he draw his motivation and inspiration from?
This episode is all about interpersonal relationships and chronic illness relatability. James, Brandon, and Nick sit down to discuss their past relationships with a handful of both funny anecdotes and serious topics. They delve into the details about why it may be difficult for young men with chronic conditions to date/have partners in the first place, and how positive relatability would be a game-changer after so many years of negativity.
In this episode, the boys start the chat by sharing their biggest fears living life with a chronic illness. Everybody shares key perspectives and experiences on death, fears, and denial of their conditions. They discuss why death seems to be a common scary theme, and how a healthy sense of denial may actually be both an advantage & disadvantage with a chronic illness.
In this episode, James, Nick, and Brandon discuss public misunderstandings about their chronic illnesses, share advice for someone looking to be more open about their chronic illness, and provide their best tips for keeping a strong mindset while chasing dreams with a chronic illness.
Brandon makes his debut. The Boys share how they struggled to accept their illness - alone - and figure out how to honor who they are, as they are.
Others predicted they could not accomplish their dreams: these guys proved them wrong.
In this episode, the boys discuss how they now try to live life to the fullest while facing the concept of death due to their chronic illnesses. They are asked if they would go back in the past and change their diagnosis if given the chance.
James, Chris and Nick open their doors to start sharing the different conditions they live with and how their lives are impacted. They learn about each other and begin to see themselves through each other. They start to experience Chronic Power.