Today I sit down with Dr. Reza Movahed, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who’s making a real impact in the scleroderma community. As scleroderma patients we know how this disease affects the mouth. Dr. Movahed helps patients regain function and comfort, and the surprising role sleep plays in maintaining oral health. Dr. Movahed was a crowd favorite at our July conference.

Today’s guest is Dr. Laura Hummers, a rheumatologist and co-director of the Scleroderma Clinic at the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center. In our conversation, we dive into the different phenotypes observable characteristics of scleroderma, as well as the three major antibodies commonly found in patients and how they aid in diagnosis. This episode is packed with valuable insights and information you won’t want to miss.

Today’s guest, Scleroderma Warrior Dr. Joseph Washington, is the definition of resilience and perseverance. His journey began with Raynaud’s symptoms in junior high, but it wasn’t until pharmacy school that he was diagnosed with diffuse systemic sclerosis. So much has happened in just four years since then, and I can’t wait for you to hear his inspiring story.

Today’s guest is another incredible scleroderma warrior, Natalie Puccio. As many of you know, no two scleroderma journeys look exactly alike. Natalie and I discovered we had so much in common—both personally and in our symptoms—which made our conversation especially meaningful. One big difference, though, is that Natalie was diagnosed at just 24 years old and went on to have three children while living with scleroderma. She’s an amazing resource for anyone navigating questions or concerns abo...

Today’s guest is rheumatologist Dr. Jessica Gordon. Together, we explore two topics that every scleroderma patient is familiar with skin and Raynaud’s.Dr. Gordon explains the three stages of skin progression in scleroderma, the challenges patients often face, and the treatments available. We also touch on Raynaud’s our discussion may be shorter, but it’s filled with helpful insights.I truly enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Gordon, and I know you will too.

Today’s guest is another incredible scleroderma warrior. Kristina Hamilton was diagnosed in 2022 at just 32 years old, while raising three young children. Like so many women, she was initially told her symptoms were simply due to stress. Not long after, she found herself hospitalized, her weight dropping from 120 to 68 pounds. Her life changed almost overnight. Yet Christina’s story is one of resilience, rising above her diagnosis to share her journey and inspire others. Join us as we hear ho...

Today’s guest is Dr. Ebru, a dynamic force in the world of skincare. With a background in molecular medicine, immunology, and cosmetic chemistry, she created her skincare line, AveSeena, from the ground up. She was one of the first to connect inflammation, “inflammaging,” the immune system, and the skin microbiome in the development of her products. Beyond her scientific expertise, Dr. Ebru brings an upbeat energy and a wealth of valuable insights that you won’t want to miss.

Today’s guest is Shubhda Chaube. Shubhda is a scleroderma warrior who was diagnosed just a year ago on her 47th birthday, no less. Despite being early in her journey, she’s jumped in with both feet: attending multiple support groups, including one based in India, and starting a thoughtful blog called Calm Core Cozy Layer. She’s also working on a powerful project called From Patient to Pattern Seeker. Let’s learn more about her journey and the projects she is working on. Shubhda's blog, Calm,...

As many of you know, I love to move and I’m always eager to share that energy. But I also understand that for some, especially those living with scleroderma, exercising can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m thrilled to be joined by Will Gregory, a physiotherapist with over 20 years of experience working with the scleroderma community. Will shares powerful insights on why fatigue, not pain, is often the biggest barrier to physical activity. In this episode, he offers practical, doable strategi...

Today, we have an inspiring story of resilience, purpose, and advocacy. Our guest is Perry Bray, he was diagnosed in 2018 with diffuse systemic sclerosis, Perry faced life-altering changes, including stepping away from his beloved football and ministry work. But rather than let the diagnosis define him, Perry chose to redefine what it means to live with this rare disease. He became a powerful voice in the scleroderma community, joining the Renew Program and the Peer Mentor Program through the...

When you hear the term palliative care, what comes to mind? I’ll admit I used to think it meant something very different. But today’s guest, Dr. Shannon Herndon, helped reshape my understanding. Dr. Herndon joins us to talk about how palliative care can support scleroderma warriors not just at the end of life, but throughout the journey of living with this disease.You may remember a recent survey circulating in our community Dr. Herndon was behind it. The goal? To better understand how pallia...

What an incredible milestone! What began as a simple idea during the pandemic, something to keep me busy in retirement and a way to give back to the scleroderma community has grown into something truly meaningful. I’ve been deeply moved by how warmly this podcast has been received. In this special episode, I want to honor that spirit by reconnecting with the incredible scleroderma warriors who generously shared their stories. Let’s check in and see how they’re doing. Let’s begin.

Today’s guest is Carolyn Haeler, the founder of a delicious gluten-free cookie brand, called MIGHTYLICIOUS and someone with an inspiring story to tell.Carolyn lives with celiac disease, and in this episode, she shares her journey: from navigating the challenges of her diagnosis to the surprising lessons she learned along the way. Her desire for a truly good gluten-free cookie led her to create her own and eventually, her own line of cookies and now even gluten-free flour. I learned so much no...

If you’ve been following along, you know gut health and digestive issues are some of my favorite topics. That’s why I was especially excited to sit down with today’s guest, Allison Samon, a functional nutritionist who takes a holistic approach to health—right up my alley. In this episode, we focused on a major issue so many of us deal with: fatigue. Allison brought such great energy to the conversation (ironic, right?) and shared some really insightful ways nutrition can support better energy...

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz, a rheumatologist who takes a holistic approach to treating scleroderma—something that deeply resonates with me.Even after living with this disease for 25 years, I walked away from this conversation with new insights, and I know you will too. Tune in and discover valuable perspectives on managing scleroderma!

I had an engaging and insightful conversation with rheumatologist, Dr. Michael York, a highly knowledgeable expert with a great sense of humor, on my latest podcast episode. We explored the key challenges affecting the hands, including Raynaud’s, digital ulcers, and calcinosis, and their impact on patients. Dr. York also provided a fascinating explanation of why scleroderma research presents such unique difficulties.

The gut microbiome has become one of my favorite topics, especially since, like many of my fellow scleroderma warriors, I experience stomach issues. Today, we dive deep into the intestinal challenges that come with our diagnosis with Dr. Joy Liu. She provides an in-depth and insightful discussion, breaking down these complex issues with great clarity.

Today’s guest is Rashmi Bhasin, a true scleroderma warrior. Like many women seeking a proper diagnosis, she was repeatedly told her symptoms were due to hormones or stress. As a result, it took four years to finally get the correct diagnosis. But rather than letting that struggle define her, she turned it into a force for good. Today, she leads Scleroderma India, advocating for others facing similar challenges. Tune in to hear her inspiring journey firsthand!

Today’s guest is scleroderma warrior Emily Radican. Over the years, Emily has been diagnosed with a range of autoimmune diseases, and five years ago, Limited Scleroderma became part of her journey. Many of her health challenges have revolved around her gut, which inspired her to pursue a degree in nutrition. Now, she’s working toward her Ph.D. in Nutritional Science and Food Chemistry. Join us as we dive into her story, her autoimmune journey, and her exciting plans for the future after gradu...

Get ready for a fascinating deep dive into one of my favorite topics—sleep! In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sabra Abbott, an expert in all things sleep-related. Together, we explore the three critical stages of sleep, the unique challenges scleroderma patients face when it comes to getting quality rest, and practical strategies to improve your sleep. By the end of our conversation, you’ll feel informed, inspired, and maybe even a little more well-rested!