Calling In Sick

Just Media

Welcome to the Calling in Sick, hosted by Alex Wildeson and produced by Just Media. On this podcast, Alex shares her unfiltered personal journey battling several autoimmune and chronic conditions including Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) Vasculitis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) / Lupus, Endometriosis, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). She also provides practical “how-to” guides, explores hot topics, and welcomes other warriors, medical professionals, advocates and creators on the show to shed light on the latest healing modalities, promising treatments, and myth bust popular misconceptions and trendy health hacks. Tune in for some laughs, tears, and growth… but stay for the camaraderie and community. You can engage with Alex and the community through social media @callinginsickpod. We promise, you don’t need a doctor’s note for this one!

Episodes

Mentioned books

Mar 3, 2025 • 55min

A Chronic Illness Guide on How to (and NOT) Navigate Events, RSVPing and Your Social Life

This week on Calling in Sick, it’s a solo episode with me, Alex! I’m diving into how to navigate events and social plans while managing a chronic illness. From figuring out when to RSVP “yes” to tackling FODO (fear of disappointing others), I’m sharing my go-to strategies for building a social life that works for you.In this episode, we’ll talk about:✨ How to communicate your needs with hosts✨ Preparing for events so you can actually enjoy them✨ Giving yourself permission to cancel (guilt-free!)Whether it’s a wedding, a party, or just dinner plans, my hope is that you’ll walk away feeling empowered to embrace your social butterfly side—on your terms. You deserve to have fun and feel good doing it! As always, sending love!xx,AlexTimestamps:00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!00:01:42 Alex’s Catch-Up00:10:35 Alex’s Picks of the Week (CurrentBody Infrared Face Mask & Tuckernuck)00:12:58 Welcome to Going to Events with Confidence!00:15:10 Communicating the Tentative RSVP00:18:30 Asking for Accommodations at Events00:20:30 Top 6 Things I Do Leading into An Event00:23:50 Mental Health & Events — Guilt, Being Self-Critical and FODO00:28:11 How to Actually Go on a Trip or Event Without a Caregiver00:32:04 Give Yourself Permission to Have Fun!00:35:15 Masking Being Healthy versus Being Honest at Events00:37:00 My Hottest Take Yet!! (When NOT To Educate)00:39:42 How to Cancel Attending an Event Last Minute00:45:55 Thank you for listening! ----------------------------------------------------------------Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/Episode Resources:Buoy: https://www.justaddbuoy.com/ALEXANDRA54836Alex’s At-Home Duvet Day Purchases: https://shopmy.us/collections/1190429Alex’s Picks of the Week:• CurrentBody Infrared Face Mask: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12199449— ALEXANDRAWILDESON for 10% off at checkout• Tuckernuck (black dress I wore to DC): https://go.shopmy.us/p-12199494 #chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #chronicillnessidentity #travel #events #RSVP #socialanxiety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 28min

The Secret to Chronic Illness Management: Chronius Care

This week on Calling in Sick, I sit down with Danielle Lazarowitz, founder of Chronius Care, a virtual healthcare service designed for chronic illness warriors by a chronic illness warrior. Danielle shares her powerful journey, from the struggles of searching for a diagnosis and managing debilitating symptoms to dealing with lackluster care. These experiences ultimately inspired her to reimagine healthcare for spoonies everywhere. We unpack why the current healthcare system often fails chronic illness patients and how Chronius Care is changing the game. The virtual platform gives each patient access to a primary care physician, patient coordinator, patient advocate and mental-health specialists. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit into the box that is the current medical system, this episode is for you. As always, sending love!xx,AlexTimestamps:00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!00:01:22 Alex’s Catch-Up00:04:49 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Magic Minds & Mini-Gravity Blanket)00:07:27 Why Chronius Care is on Calling in Sick00:09:42 Welcome to Chronius Care!00:10:22 Danielle’s Health Story — Symptoms, Diagnosis and Current Care Regimen00:30:01 Danielle’s Thoughts on Chronic Illness’ impact to Grief, Identity and Mental Health00:34:03 Finding Providers: Primary Care, Specialists and Mayo Clinic00:36:25 The Creation of “Chronius Care”00:47:04 What Does Chronius Care Offer?00:53:19 What Does Being a Chronius Care Patient Look Like, and Do I Need a Formal Diagnosis?01:05:51 Chronius Care’s Helping Patient’s Navigate the ER & Hospitalizations01:10:31 Chronius Care’s Care Advocate Program01:13:10 The Future of Chronius Care01:21:13 Get In Touch01:23:09 Thank you for listening! ----------------------------------------------------------------Stay connected and follow social:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpodFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/Episode Resources:Chronius Care: https://www.chronicillnesspcp.com/Contact Chronius Care: hello@chroniushealth.com Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/usAlex’s Picks of the Week:Magic Minds: https://www.magicmind.com/CALLINGINSICK20Weighted Lap Blanket: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11988412 #chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #chronicillnessidentity #chronicillnessmanagement #chroniuscare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 6, 2025 • 55min

Dating with Chronic Illness: Q&A with a Caregiver and Chronically Ill Partner

This week on Calling in Sick, my husband Cooper joins me for a candid Q&A session where we tackle your top questions about dating and relationships while living with chronic illness. Whether you're navigating the dating world, maintaining a relationship, or balancing the caregiver role, this episode is packed with oversharing, practical advice, and plenty of laughs. We give our two cents on caregivers playing “the middleman”, if embracing the caregiver role is necessary, and how to handle caregiver burnout and building resentment. From green and red flags in dating to dealing with misunderstandings about chronic illness, this episode has something for everyone — caregiver or chronically sick baddie in love. We hope this episode leaves you feeling empowered and confident to navigate dating and relationships, no matter where you’re at in your journey. As always, sending love!xx,AlexTimestamps: 00:00:00 - Welcome back to Calling in Sick!00:02:00 - Alex’s Catch-Up00:06:03 - Alex’s Picks of the Week (Magic Minds & Nuuds)00:10:22 - Q&A with Cooper and Alex 00:11:22 - Cooper being a Middleman00:15:05 - Reality of Dating Someone With a Chronic Illness00:18:58 - Should You Embrace the Caregiver Role00:22:10 - Taking Care of Someone on the Hard Days00:26:10 - Caregivers Burnout and Building Resentment00:34:07 - Green and Red Flags of Dating and Chronic Illness00:40:11 - Chronic Illness Life Impact & Seasons of Life00:42:22 - Handling Misunderstandings of Chronic Illness00:45:49 - How to Meet New People While Chronically Sick00:50:36- Thank you for listening! ----------------------------------------------------------------Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/Learn More about The Hidden Disability Sunflower Project: https://hdsunflower.com/Alex’s Picks of the Week:• Magic Minds — https://www.magicmind.com/CALLINGINSICK20• Nuuds PJs — https://go.shopmy.us/p-11674705#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #chronicillnessidentity #datingandchronicillness #chronicillnessandrelationships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 1min

Pain Reprocessing Therapy Deep Dive: Helping Chronic Pain ft. Vanessa Blackstone, MSW, ACSW (Part 2)

This week on Calling in Sick, join me for Part 2 of my two-part series with Vanessa Blackstone, MSW, ACSW, and Executive Director of the Pain Psychology Center. In Part 1, we explored Vanessa’s personal journey with chronic pain and introduced Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)—a method that helps retrain the brain to interpret and respond to pain signals differently. Now, in Part 2, we’re diving deeper into the science behind PRT, discussing its potential benefits for those with structural damage and chronic illness, and addressing common misconceptions around PRT. If you’ve ever been skeptical about pain management approaches, you’re not alone—I feel the same. But my hope is that after listening to this series, we’ll both walk away with new tools to address our pain, renewed optimism for what’s possible and a path to living a better life. With a new year on the horizon, why not embrace hope that chronic pain can improve?! As always, I’m sending love!xx,AlexTimestamps: 00:00:00 - Welcome back to Calling in Sick!00:00:20 - Alex’s Catch-Up00:02:10 - Alex’s Picks of the Week (Hilma Digestive Enzyme & Buoy Rescue Salt)00:3:35 - Personality Types, Trauma & Chronic Pain00:7:51 - How Trauma Transforms into Chronic Pain00:10:04 - What is Pain Reprocessing Therapy Actually Like?00:12:12 - I’m Scared to Try PRT, now what? And What is Outcome Independence?00:18:53 - What are the Modalities of PRT and Intro to Somatic Tracking00:23:07 - Do you NEED a PRT Therapist?00:31:10 - Successful with PRT00:41:07 - Why Getting it Right Does NOT Matter!!00:50:25 - PRT and Traditional Western Pain Management00:52:47 - Vagus Nerve, Psychedelic Therapy and Pain Reprocessing Therapy00:56:21- Thank you for listening! ----------------------------------------------------------------Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------• Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/• Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/• Shop Vanessa Blackstone’s Book, “The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook”: https://a.co/d/1TQMuZqAlex’s Picks of the Week:• Hilma Gluten & Dairy Digestive Enzyme — https://go.shopmy.us/p-11614366• Buoy Rescue Salts — https://www.justaddbuoy.com/ALEXANDRA54836#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #chronicillnessidentity #chronicpain #painmanagement #painreprocessingtherapy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 23, 2024 • 51min

How to Heal Pain with Pain Reprocessing Therapy ft. Vanessa Blackstone, MSW, ACSW (Part 1)

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by Vanessa Blackstone, MSW, ACSW, Executive Director of the Pain Psychology Center, for Part 1 of a two-part series. Together, we delve into Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), a groundbreaking approach that helps retrain the brain to interpret and respond to pain signals in a new way. Vanessa shares her personal journey with chronic pain and how she found her way to PRT. We discuss the science behind PRT and debunk common myths—like whether PRT can help someone who has structural damage or chronic inflammation. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear understanding of if you are a good candidate for PRT, and what success looks like in terms of your experience with chronic pain. Sending love, strength, and encouragement to everyone navigating this journey alongside me.xx,AlexTimestamps: 00:00:00 - Welcome back to Calling in Sick!00:03:42 - Why We Are Talking about Chronic Pain & Disclaimer + Alex’s Pain Story00:07:28 - Alex’s Picks of the Week (Magic Minds & Facial Reflexology / Lymphatic Drainage)00:12:22 - Intro to Vanessa Blackstone00:12:45 - Explanation of Pain Reprocessing Therapy00:14:42 -Welcome, Vanessa Blackstone - her story, her journey with chronic pain and finding PRT00:23:15 - Why Type A-People Are More Likely to Have Chronic Pain?00:31:54 - Why Do Our Nervous Systems Prefer Living in Chaos?!00:34:22 - Guardian Angels and Hope00:36:08 - Scientifically Speaking, This is Pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy 00:37:38 - Who Is a Good Candidate for PRT & Is It My Fault?00:41:08 - Will PRT Help If You Have Structural Damage?00:45:10 - What Does Success Look Like with PRT?00:47:06- Thank you for listening! ----------------------------------------------------------------Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------• Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/• Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/• Shop Vanessa Blackstone’s Book, “The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook”: https://a.co/d/1TQMuZqAlex’s Picks of the Week:• Magic Minds — https://www.magicmind.com/CALLINGINSICK20• The Chief Skin Officer (Facial Reflexology )— https://www.chiefskinofficer.com/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #chronicillnessidentity #chronicpain #painmanagement #painreprocessingtherapy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Calling In Sick

Episodes

Mentioned books

What It’s REALLY Like to Recover from Endometriosis Surgery

Chronic Illness Life Update: Trusting My Body & Navigating What’s Next

Revisit: My Health Journey & Living with Chronic Illness