Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast Ep. 60. Pain, Suffering, Meaning, and Metanarrative. Part 3 of the conversation with Luke Thompson
Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions
Living with fibromyalgia affects the mind, body, and spirit. This week discusses finding existential meaning in life and the concept of a metanarrative. Luke Thompson, a philosophy professor and pastor, shares wisdom and insights into the problems of pain and suffering. Medical doctors and scientists often don't talk about faith and spirituality with their patients. Still, it affects everybody, and taking a whole-person approach to caring for others includes not only the body but also the mind and faith/spirituality. It often isn't until life is forced to slow down due to medical struggles that these deeper questions about life are contemplated. The quote from George Foster Wallace, "everybody worships something," is also discussed this week.
Luke can be reached through his email, l.george.thompson@gmail.com if you have any questions. You can get a copy of his book here.
Dr. Lenz is an internist, pediatrician, lifestyle medicine physician, and clinical lipidologist interested in helping those with fibromyalgia and related problems go beyond just learning to live with it to even reverse fibromyalgia. He is also the author of the book "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia: Real Answers and Real Solutions for Real Pain. " It is also available on audiobook with Dr. Lenz as the narrator.
If you have questions or topics you would like to have discussed on a future podcast, email Dr. Lenz at doctormichaellenz@
Fibromyalgia 101. A list of fibromyalgia podcast episodes that are great if you are new and don't know where to start.
When I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You’re not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD.
Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace personal medical advice.*