Ending the stigma of invisible disabilities, chronic illnesses, and non-apparent conditions, one story at a time. At Invisible Condition, we elevate voices, educate workplaces, and encourage curiosity. This podcast is for individuals living with invisible conditions and the leaders responsible for creating disability-inclusive spaces. It's up to us to break the barriers of fear and judgment. Hear from real people, living with non-apparent conditions, on how we can end the stigma and create i ...
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Welcome to Beneath Vancouver Radio! My name is Aaron and in this podcast I have open and authentic conversations with creatives, entrepreneurs and business owners within the Vancouver area. My goal with this podcast is to hopefully inspire the future generation of our community and spark the passion that we all have inside of us. I hope you enjoy!
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Creating a Disability Inclusive World: Conversation with Tiffany Yu, Author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto
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48:33Send us a text "I kept getting the question, ‘How can we show up better for the disability community?’ And depending on who you are, the answer is different. That’s why I wrote a book about it. I hope this book can contribute to the conversation, not just about policy change but shifting hearts and minds, perspectives, and attitudes around disabili…
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Kait Redefines Balance: Living with Miserable Malalignment Syndrome
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39:13Send us a text What does it take to keep going when your health impacts everything, from work to hobbies to simply getting through the day? Kait shares her journey with Miserable Malalignment Syndrome, a rare condition that’s led to years of chronic pain, countless surgeries, and tough conversations with doctors who didn’t always listen. We talk ab…
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Balancing Life, Work, and Caregiving: A Personal Reflection - Journal Entry No. 10
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10:57Send us a text “Being a caregiver isn’t easy. Please give yourself grace, be patient with yourself, and reach out for support. You don’t have to do it alone.” Summary In this heartfelt journal entry, Tim Reitsma (me), founder of InvisibleCondition.com, shares a vulnerable reflection on the challenges of caregiving, balancing work, family, and advoc…
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Finding a Way Forward: Navigating Stuckness and the Journey of Acceptance - Deanna deBara
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43:54Send us a text What if the challenges of living with autoimmune conditions could actually lead to personal growth and strength? That’s the journey Deanna deBara shares in this conversation. Living with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis, Deanna has transformed her experiences with chronic pain and fatigue into sources of resilience an…
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A Case of the What Ifs - Journal Entry No. 9
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11:23Send us a text Summary I don't write things in a journal, I record them and sometimes I publish them... They are random thoughts, often unedited and sometimes make sense (to me). In this journal entry, I (Tim) explore the concept of 'what ifs' and how they can lead to negative thinking, particularly in the context of mental health and personal chal…
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Crohn’s Disease, Leadership, and Breaking Stigma - Ted Fleming, Founder of Partake Brewing
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41:26Send us a text Imagine being diagnosed with a chronic condition that changes your entire life—and instead of letting it hold you back, you use it as fuel to build a successful company. That’s exactly what Ted Fleming did. As the founder of Partake Brewing, Ted turned his experience with Crohn’s disease into a driving force behind a non-alcoholic be…
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From Pain to Purpose: Lyme Disease, Self-Advocacy, and Finding your Voice - Kenzie Vath
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45:52Send us a text Summary: Imagine struggling with your health for over a decade, visiting doctor after doctor, only to be dismissed as dramatic or told that it’s all in your head. That was Kenzie Vath’s reality before she finally received a diagnosis of Lyme disease at the age of 18—after suffering for 10 years. In today’s episode, Kenzie shares her …
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Finding Moments of Joy - Journal Entry No. 8
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8:49Send us a text In this episode of the Invisible Condition podcast, I share my personal journey of balancing life with a chronic illness, managing stress, and pursuing education. Reflecting on the challenges of health and academic demands, I emphasize the importance of finding moments of joy even during difficult times. I encourage listeners to refl…
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Disclose Barriers, Provide Solutions: How to Empower Employees and Employers - Nate Toevs
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52:20Send us a text Summary: In this episode of The Invisible Condition Podcast, Nate Toves from Neil Squire discusses the critical role of workplace inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. He emphasizes the importance of disclosing barriers, rather than diagnoses, and highlights how employers have to provide accommodations. Nate explains the val…
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I Can Finally Burp: Living with No-Burp Syndrome - Henry’s Story
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38:39Send us a text Imagine going through life without the ability to burp. You might think it’s no big deal but did you know, on average, we burp 10-20 times a day to release the air we take in? In this episode, Henry shares his life with no-burp syndrome, also known as R-CPD. Henry talks about the physical and social challenges he faced, including cou…
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How to Find Answers About Your Health Condition - Jess Dove London
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47:19Send us a text Imagine travelling halfway across the globe to learn about a treatment that would benefit your child. Endless research, countless unanswered questions, and the frustration of feeling like you're the only one fighting for solutions. How do you keep going when the healthcare system falls short? In this episode, Jess Dove London, founde…
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What is Effective Self-Advocacy: Reflections and Actions - Journal Entry No. 7
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8:08Send us a text What advice would you offer someone who is struggling to advocate for themself? What does it truly mean to advocate for yourself, and why is it often such a challenging journey? Living with Crohn's and arthritis has taught me the critical importance of self-advocacy, and through this journey, I've come to understand that demanding wh…
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Invisible Disabilities in the Workplace: Trust, Inclusion and Advocacy - Debbie Pearmain
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51:57Send us a text Have you ever wondered how to successfully navigate the workplace with an invisible disability? Join us as we chat with Debbie Pearmain, an HR expert and leadership development coach, who shares her invaluable insights on self-advocacy and building trust with your manager. Learn practical strategies to communicate your challenges and…
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When Doctors Don’t Believe You: Living with Endometriosis - Katie Donlevie
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53:53Send us a text What happens when the medical system fails to acknowledge your pain, and how do you find the strength to keep advocating for yourself? This episode promises an intimate and powerful conversation with Katie, founder of Revive and Thrive Coaching and host of "My Chronic Illness and Me" podcast. Katie takes us through her journey with e…
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Self-Advocacy, Colonoscopy Results, and Manic Muffins - Journal Entry No. 6
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4:40Send us a text Hey, it's Tim! Just wanted to share a bit about my recent adventures with Crohn's disease. So, I had a scope done recently and, surprise! Mild inflammation in multiple spots. Yeah, it's a bit frustrating, but I'm choosing to stay hopeful. After all, it’s not severe, and that's a win! In this short episode, I talk about hope, scopes, …
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Finding Hope: Advocating for Mental Health and Suicide Awareness - Sophia Lim-Metz
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40:05Send us a text Imagine being an elite athlete, outwardly thriving but internally battling major depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety. That’s the reality for our guest, Sophia Lim-Metz, an 18-year-old who courageously opens up about her mental health journey. Sophia's story begins with an identity crisis after stepping away from hocke…
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Migraines and Concussions: Advocating for Diagnosis and Treatment - Dr. Briar Sexton
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46:32Send us a text Can chronic migraines and concussions be as debilitating as severe strokes or daily dialysis? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Briar Sexton, a dedicated physician from British Columbia, to dive into the profound impact these invisible conditions have on quality of life. We explore the tough realities of diagnosing and managing ch…
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Seizures, Surgeries and Living Authentically: Talking About Epilepsy - Jonathan Tuteur
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49:33Send us a text You have your first few seizures and people tell you not to share your diagnosis of epilepsy because they are afraid for you. Afraid of the potential shame and discrimination you will face. While this is well-intentioned, you do the opposite. In this podcast episode, we hear from Jon Tuteur, who shares his experiences of living with …
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How to Talk About Suicide Openly and Compassionately - Tara Adams
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40:53Send us a text When was the last time you had a conversation with your colleagues, friends or family about suicide awareness and prevention? Today’s episode has a content warning as my guest and I talk about a complex and serious topic - Suicide awareness and prevention. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains some sensitive content as we talk about…
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Living with Long COVID: Diagnosis, Hope, and Acceptance: Ally
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39:46Send us a text In this episode, I'm joined by Ally, who shares her firsthand experience with long COVID. Since her diagnosis, Ally has faced numerous challenges, from persistent symptoms that just won’t go away to major life changes that have reshaped her daily routine and long-term plans. We talk about the impact of long COVID on her life, includi…
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Different Not Less: Living with Autism - Lindsay Malkinson
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27:51Send us a text Have you ever felt like the world just doesn't see you for who you truly are? In this episode, Lindsay shares her experience living with autism. Lindsay explains how she navigated the challenges of being misunderstood and misdiagnosed until she found acceptance and began advocating for herself and others with autism. Her story is a p…
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Concussions, Lyme Disease, and Building a Global Impact Company - Manpreet Dhillon
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49:17Send us a text Are you someone who turns your toughest challenges into a force for positive change, not just for yourself but for others too? How do you find the strength to advocate for yourself and a more inclusive world, even when facing your invisible struggles? Manpreet lives with multiple concussions, Lyme disease and other invisible conditio…
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Redefining Strengths: Thinking Differently with Dyslexia - Nick Koshnick
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49:17Send us a text Nick Koschnik, a physicist and business founder didn't let dyslexia hold him back. Instead, he turned it into his strength, creating StoriedWork.com to help others communicate their thoughts and ideas. We discuss how important it is to get help early on for dyslexia, and how great it is when people understand and accept everyone's un…
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Choosing Me: From Diagnosis to Advocate - Sydney Elaine Butler
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41:22Send us a text When Sydney Elaine Butler speaks, you can't help but be drawn into the raw and transformative power of their voice. As the founder of Accessible Creates, Sydney lives with autism, CPTSD, and fibromyalgia. Their conditions are not just a backdrop but a driving force behind their commitment to fostering disability-inclusive spaces. The…
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The Root Cause of Anxiety: Hurry up and Slow Down - Dr. Natasha Gosh
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49:23Send us a text When the world demands high-speed living, can taking a moment to slow down help us speed up? Is there a root cause of anxiety and if so, what does that look like? Dr. Natasha Ghosh, a clinical counsellor, shares how the pressures of society can amplify our stress and how recognizing what's in our control can ultimately support our me…
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Navigating Grief and loss - Deanne Rhynard
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44:14Send us a text Grief is a journey that many of us face, making us feel alone even though it's a common experience. This week, Deanne shares her deeply personal story of dealing with major losses: the death of her aunt, a miscarriage, her child's hospital stay, and changing jobs, all happening in just 45 days. She opens up about the unique way she f…
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Recognizing the Need for Answers: Embracing my ADHD Diagnosis - Martin Hauck
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49:03Send us a text When Martin opened up about his late-recognized inattentive ADHD, it wasn't just a personal revelation—it was a story that resonated with many of us flying under the radar with our struggles. Our latest episode takes you through the ups and downs of his journey, from the draining work project to his diagnosis at 38, and the impact it…
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Advocacy, Accommodations, and Washroom Breaks. Life with Crohn's Disease - Joshua Peterson
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49:08Send us a text Consider donating today: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma Summary: In this episode, Tim Reitsma talks with Joshua Peterson about the realities of living with Crohn's disease, spotlighting the crucial role of advocacy and the need for tailored workplace accommodations. They share personal stories that underscore the strength fo…
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Miscarriages Do Not Discriminate - Living with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Angel Leung
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50:33Send us a text Consider donating today: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma Summary: In this episode of the "Invisible Condition" podcast, host Tim Reitsma talks with Angel, a registered nurse from British Columbia, who courageously shares her journey through recurrent pregnancy loss. Angel opens up about the emotional rollercoaster and physica…
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Courage to Advocate: How to Effectively Disagree - Dr. Maureen Michele Petersen
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57:33Send us a text Summary: Dr. Maureen Michele Petersen discusses her book 'Reclaiming Life, A Guide for Parents of Chronically Ill Children' and the motivation behind writing it. She shares her personal experiences as a mother advocating for her chronically ill child and the importance of effectively disagreeing with medical professionals. We talk ab…
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Successful WITH My Diagnoses: Katherine McCord
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55:09Send us a text Summary: Katherine McCord discusses the power of vulnerability and the impact of sharing your story. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for vulnerability in the workplace and the need for accommodations to be standard options. Katherine also highlights the challenges of dealing with nosy questions and unsolicited …
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Invisible Condition - Ep 013 - Stiff Person Syndrome Doesn't Define Me - Tisha Foster
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52:30Send us a text Summary: Tisha Foster shares her journey with Stiff Person Syndrome and how she has overcome the challenges it presents. She discusses her determination to live life to the fullest and not let her condition define her. Tisha emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and sharing one's story to raise awareness and end the stigma surro…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 012 - Disability is diversity - Myles Wallace
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49:26Send us a text Hiring someone with a disability is a risk and a liability so we try not to go there. People with disabilities don’t perform as well so we avoid hiring someone with a disability. Guess what? You most likely have people in your organization who live with a disability, you just can’t see it. It’s invisible or non-apparent. So, today we…
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Invisible Condition - Journal Entry No. 5 - Quit and Run
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10:19Send us a text I have a lot of thoughts swirling around my mind. While there are many ways to release these thoughts, I thought to myself, “Why not record them and share them publicly.” It already feels like someone is about to find my journal, and my private thoughts, and start reading. But I decided, that’s alright! These are my thoughts, and may…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 011 - I've got so much OCD - Alicia Disantis
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48:43Send us a text ** Please consider donating to keep the show going** Head to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma to learn more! Summary: In this episode, Alicia shares her journey of living with OCD and seeking a diagnosis. She discusses the lack of awareness and recognition of mental illness in the past, as well as the importance of sharing her…
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Invisible Condition - Journal Entry No.4 - Reflection
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11:42Send us a text Summary Tim reflects on the purpose and vision of the Invisible Condition podcast, which aims to elevate voices and end the stigma surrounding invisible conditions. He shares his journey of overcoming health challenges and the birth of the podcast. The importance of reflection and the power of sharing stories are emphasized. The host…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 010 - Vulnerability builds vulnerability - living with leukemia
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41:39Send us a text Summary In this episode, Felix Chan shares his journey of being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia after a routine eye exam. He discusses the shock of the diagnosis, the challenges of living with the disease, and the importance of vulnerability and community support. Felix emphasizes the power of choice and encourages listeners …
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Invisible Condition - Ep 009 - Reflections of a Caregiver
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38:46Send us a text What does it mean to be a caregiver to someone who lives with an Invisible Condition? What happens when both you and your partner live with an invisible condition and are needed as each other's caregiver? Without support, it's incredibly hard to navigate life, both as a caregiver and as someone who lives with an invisible condition. …
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Invisible Condition - Ep 008 - How self-compassion builds empathy
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44:36Send us a text Self-Compassion Defined: “Self-compassion is simply the process of turning compassion inward. We are kind and understanding rather than harshly self-critical when we fail, make mistakes or feel inadequate. We give ourselves support and encouragement rather than being cold and judgmental when challenges and difficulty arise in our liv…
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Invisible Condition - Journal Entry No.3 - Anxiety
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9:58Send us a text How do you deal with Anxiety? I am really curious! For me, it manifests itself in a few ways. One of the biggest ways - I want to give up on things. Like this project, this week, I am overwhelmed, anxious and full of fear so I want to give up. But I won't let anxiety win! Support the show Thanks for listening, I appreciate you! Suppo…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 007 - Life after cancer: Living in the moment
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42:58Send us a text You are taking a shower, wash yourself down there and notice a lump so you go to your doctor. The doctor isn't concerned but decides to send you for some tests. Next thing you realize, at 32, you have testicular cancer and are now in a battle for your life. Chris Ho has battled testicular cancer not once, but twice. In this episode, …
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Invisible Condition - Journal Entry No.2 - Resilience
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7:05Send us a text Resilience is the ability to work through a crisis and return to a pre-crisis state. That’s a simple definition, but what does resilience really mean in a world full of complexity? The American Psychological Association defines Resilience as "the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experience…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 006 - How to accept yourself and change the world. Living with type 1 diabetes.
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29:32Send us a text When you are 17 and live with Type 1 Diabeties, what do you do? You aim to change the world and bring an end to the stigma that surrounds invisible disabilities, illnesses, diseases and conditions. Jenna Shares openly how her invisible condition doesn't define who she is. Sure there are limits to what she can do but that hasn't stopp…
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Invisible Condition - Journal Entry No.1 - Mental Health
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9:00Send us a text Every Wednesday, I release an episode with a guest. Someone who lives with an invisible condition, a caregiver, or a medical professional. We share stories, give insights, and create opportunities to get real, vulnerable, and make connections. On Fridays, I plan to release a short (10-minute) solo episode where I share some of the ma…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 005 - Trust in your faith, when you can’t trust your bowels
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46:39Send us a text What do you do when you lose trust in your bowels? Jodi Ekk, diagnosed with Colitis talks about how her faith has allowed her to let go of one career and pursue something completely different. A change in identity, making an impact. And the freedom to say, “Excuse me, I need to run.” Resources https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/ https://www…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 004 - Nitai Weinberg - Surviving a Stroke, a Life Full of Gratitude
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45:43Send us a text Hey everyone, Tim here, host of the Invisible Condition podcast, where we talk about unusually normal things. The thing we talk about today is strokes. Now you might associate strokes with middle-aged people, or older people, but do you associate strokes with younger people? My guest today was in university when he had a stroke. Heal…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 003 - Rosanna Campbell - Embracing my ADHD Diagnosis
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47:26Send us a text Living in a constant state of problem-solving. Silently living in crisis mode. But then something changed. Being diagnosed with ADHD changed Rosanna’s outlook on life and work. From living in a state of feeling imperfect to embracing her imperfectness. Getting curious about herself, and leaning into what makes her thrive has helped R…
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Invisible Condition Ep 002 - Shaun Bernstein - Living with Hemophilia
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50:48Send us a text Through the power of sharing my story on LinkedIn, a ghost writer who use to write under my name reached out, said he use to be me and proceeded to share his story about living with hemophila. But the random encounter isn’t the theme of todays show. Imagine with me for a moment. You have a child who is born hemophiliac and you ask yo…
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Invisible Condition - Ep 001 - The Intro with Tim and Tania
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20:28Send us a text Hey Tim here, host of the Invisible Condition podcast, a show where we talk about unusually normal things. So before we get into all the episodes that are coming, I wanted to take a moment and share this space with my wife, Tania. We want to talk about the point and the purpose of the show. And well, what you're going to get out of t…
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Send us a text So, what does it mean to be a normal person? One definition I found says “A normal person has no serious physical or mental health problems”. So, I guess this means I am not normal! But here on the Invisible Condition podcast, we talk about unusually normal things. That’s right! Over 80% of our population lives with a physical or men…
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