Disclaimer: This episode includes open and honest conversations about sex and intimacy. Listener discretion is advised, and we encourage you to tune in when you feel comfortable engaging with this topic.
Intimacy is about so much more than sex; but living with a chronic illness can make every part of it complicated. In this episode, Samantha chats with Ali DiGiacomo, where they dive into the unspoken realities of intimacy and chronic illness; from navigating medical challenges that affect sexual health to building confidence, self-love, and connection.
They explore why open communication with partners matters, how self-care practices can help reignite desire, and the importance of normalizing conversations about intimacy in the chronic illness community. Whether it’s emotional closeness, physical intimacy, or self-pleasure, this conversation encourages listeners to see sexual well-being as a vital part of overall health.
Because intimacy isn’t just about what happens in the bedroom; it’s about reclaiming confidence, connection, and joy in every form.
Ali's IG: @anotherdaywithra
In this episode, Samantha Cook opens up about her 15-year journey with gastroparesis and the lessons she’s learned along the way. As both a patient and a psychologist, Samantha offers a unique perspective on the importance of mindset, emotional processing, and self-care in navigating chronic illness. She reflects on the role of community support, evolving medical care, and the impact of illness on identity.
Her story is one of resilience, growth, and finding fulfillment despite the challenges of gastroparesis—reminding us that life with chronic illness is not just about survival, but about creating space for joy, connection, and meaning.
website: www.transformative-psych.com
email: transformativepsychservices@gmail.com
Facebook/Instagram: Living Well Pod
Substack: livingwellpod@substack.com
In this episode, Sam and Kristen share an honest conversation about what it means to run with chronic illness and disability. For Kristen, running became a lifeline during a particularly tough health season. Together, they explore the emotional and physical realities of adaptive athletics, from the trial-and-error process of figuring out what works, to the deep mental health benefits that running can offer. Kristen introduces her unique “flag system” for assessing daily readiness, emphasizing how listening to your body is essential in protecting both health and joy.
They also dive into the nuances of language around disability, how the running community can uplift or isolate, and what true inclusion looks like on the course. With insights on nutrition, hydration, gear prep, and pacing, this episode offers practical tips and powerful reminders that healing doesn’t mean returning to your old life—it means building something new, one step at a time.
In this episode, Sam sits down with Dr. Zachary Spiritos, a neurogastroenterologist, to dive into the complex and often overlooked challenges of treating gastroparesis and other GI motility disorders. Dr. Spiritos shares valuable insights on the crucial brain-gut connection and highlights why a holistic, patient-centered approach is essential for managing these conditions effectively.
We get real about the emotional and physical weight gastroparesis drags along; how food anxiety creeps into every meal, the daily juggling act of medications, and how crucial it is to find a doctor you can actually trust. Dr. Spiritos reminds us that no two journeys are the same, and that true healing comes from care that’s tailored to you, not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
The conversation also addresses gaps in current research and clinical guidelines, emphasizing the urgent need for more collaborative and empathetic care models that truly listen to and empower patients.
What happens when chronic gut issues meet the fast pace of the ER? Dr. Rick Pescatore, an emergency physician, joins us to discuss the rising number of patients facing digestive health challenges and the unique barriers they encounter in acute care. We talk about why patient stories matter just as much as test results, and how digital health tools like BellyMD are giving patients the power to track their symptoms, advocate for themselves, and improve communication with doctors. This episode dives into the future of healthcare—where technology, empathy, and patient empowerment come together to create better outcomes.
In this week’s episode, Sam sits down with Crystal Saltrelli to explore the complexities of living with gastroparesis; moving beyond symptoms to talk about survival mode, identity, and what it means to truly live with chronic illness. They reflect on the emotional toll of daily symptom management, the mental fog of constant stress, and those quiet turning points where surviving turns into self-discovery.
Together, they explore how chronic illness forces a redefinition of self-worth beyond productivity, goals, or who you used to be—and what it takes to embrace the version of yourself that exists with illness, not in spite of it. From journaling and rest to mindset shifts and community connection, Crystal offers insight into the tools and truths that helped her move from surviving to becoming.
This episode highlights the need for open conversations about the emotional and psychological weight of gastroparesis, and advocates for a more holistic, compassionate approach to care—one that recognizes the full scope of the patient experience.If you’re tired, discouraged, or feeling stuck in survival mode, this conversation is a reminder: there’s more to your story, and you are allowed to become someone new in the process.
https://www.livingwellwithgastroparesis.com/about
https://livingwellpod.substack.com/podcast
IG: @csaltrelli
After years of battling undiagnosed SIBO and feeling dismissed by the healthcare system, Krystyna Houser decided to take matters into her own hands. Her journey led to the creation of mBIOTA, a better-tasting elemental diet designed with patients in mind.
In this conversation, Krystyna shares her personal story, and the challenges of getting a proper diagnosis. We explore why quality of life matters in treatment, the importance of community support for those with GI disorders, and how patient-led solutions can make a lasting difference.
Whether you’re navigating SIBO, gastroparesis, or another chronic GI condition, this episode offers hope, practical insight, and a reminder that patient voices matter.
In this episode, Sam sits down with patient advocate, G-PACT board member and storyteller Jim Sliney to unpack the power of storytelling in the chronic illness and advocacy space. Together, they explore how to craft stories that resonate; starting with understanding your audience, navigating vulnerability, and embracing authenticity. Jim shares practical advice on overcoming the fear of being seen, the art of visual storytelling, and how refining your story can deepen its impact. Whether you're new to sharing your experience or looking to refine your voice, this conversation is a reminder that your story can spark real connection and change.
When you live with a chronic illness, half the battle is getting taken seriously.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Hida to talk all things communication, advocacy, and gastroparesis treatment. From tips on how to talk to your doctor (and what to do when you’re being ignored) to a deep dive into G-POEM—the promising procedure that’s helping many patients find relief—we’re covering it all. We also explore what the future holds for treatment and how patients can stay empowered, even in a broken system.
Because surviving gastroparesis isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about fighting for care that actually helps.
In this inspiring and heartfelt episode, Sam sits down with Andrew Belliveau to talk about his journey with gastroparesis; from a difficult diagnosis at a young age to building a life filled with advocacy, humor, and hope. Andrew opens up about the daily challenges of living with constant nausea and vomiting, how he navigated school with a misunderstood illness, and the strain it placed on friendships and connection at a young age.
He shares how resilience and a strong support system helped carry him through the hardest moments; and how the Gastroparesis Pie Face Challenge became a creative way to raise awareness and build community, gaining traction thanks to viral support from David Price. Now living with a gastric stimulator that has drastically improved his quality of life, Andrew reflects on what it means to find joy in small wins and the power of using your story to make a difference.
This episode is a reminder that advocacy can start with whipped cream, and that healing doesn’t always mean being cured; it means finding purpose, connection, and gratitude along the way.
https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Lynn/dashnsmash
@gppieface
In this continued conversation, Sam and Madi dive even deeper into the emotional and practical realities of managing food, nutrition, and language around chronic illness. Building on their previous episode, they discuss why the way we talk about food and our bodies can shape not just perception, but experience.
Together, they unpack the fear that often surrounds eating, especially when every bite feels like a gamble. From self-advocacy and understanding dietary tolerances to the role of mindfulness and support systems, this episode emphasizes the importance of individualized care, nutrition education, and compassionate communication in gastrointestinal health.
Whether you're struggling to find balance in your diet, feeling isolated in your food fears, or just need to hear from someone who gets it, this conversation is a reminder that you're not alone and that there’s power in continuing to ask questions, speak up, and find what works for you.
Want to contact Madi? https://www.typeonetypefun.com/
IG: @type.one.type.fun
In Part 1, we pulled back the curtain on the often-unseen reality of medical trauma; sharing the fear, frustration, and lasting emotional wounds that come from being gaslit, dismissed, or repeatedly hospitalized. In this follow-up episode, Sam & Levi return to dive deeper into what healing looks like when your trauma isn’t behind you, but woven into the fabric of your everyday life.
They open up about the slow, non-linear process of recovery: how PTSD from medical experiences can show up in subtle ways, how it impacts your relationship with your body and care providers, and why healing isn’t about “getting over it,” it’s about learning to live alongside it with more compassion and less shame. Sam & Levi share what’s helped them start to rebuild trust—both in themselves and the system that hurt them.
This episode is a continuation of the hard, honest conversations that too many patients are left to navigate alone. If you’ve ever felt broken by the system or unsure how to move forward, this one's for you. Healing may be messy, but it’s not out of reach.
Living with gastroparesis means navigating a minefield of food fears, medical dismissal, and constant trial-and-error—especially when it feels like nothing works. In this episode, I’m joined by Madi Cheever, a registered dietician and T1D coach to talk about the messy, frustrating, and sometimes hopeful journey of managing life with a broken digestive system.
This is a conversation about persistence, patience, and pushing through—even when your body doesn’t want to play along.
Want to contact Madi?
https://www.typeonetypefun.com
IG: @type.one.type.fun
In this deeply personal episode, Sam & Levi open up about the hidden wounds that come with chronic illness—medical trauma and PTSD. From emergency room flashbacks to the emotional toll of repeated hospitalizations and gaslighting by healthcare professionals, they share raw, unfiltered stories from both sides of the hospital bed. With vulnerability and resilience, they explore how trauma shapes trust, mental health, and even their daily decisions. Whether you’ve been dismissed in a doctor’s office or felt the lingering anxiety of past procedures, this episode is for you. You're not alone—and you're not imagining it.
This week on Surviving out of Spite, Sam is flying solo and getting real about what it means to stay active with gastroparesis. From gut wrenching (literally) symptoms to workouts that don't go as planned, she opens up about how exercise looks different - but still matters. Spoiler alert: it's not about crushing personal records. It's about survival, resilience and doing what you can when your body's being a unpredictable. Sam shares how running, even when it felt impossible, became her lifeline; and how she's learned to move her body with grace, grit and a little bit of spite. Whether you're living with chronic illness or just need permission to pivot, this emotional but powerful episode is your reminder: movement is personal, progress isn't linear and you are absolutely still a badass.
Tune in now - because sometimes doing it anyway is the most radical thing you can do.
Click the link for some information on the benefits of exercise while living with gastroparesis:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGorkRnsJE/xNFGaazS9h4olbDm-stwIA/view?utm_content=DAGorkRnsJE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h277b0715eb
Living with a chronic illness doesn't just impact your health—it hits your wallet, too. In this episode, Sam and Adam open up about the hidden (and not-so-hidden) financial strain that comes with chronic illness. From endless medical bills and lost work hours to the cost of special accommodations, the financial pressure can be relentless.
Together, they explore how they’ve learned to navigate money stress as a team—through budgeting strategies, dealing with insurance red tape, and planning for an unpredictable future. If you've ever had to choose between rest and a paycheck, or wondered how to make finances work when health keeps getting in the way, this one's for you.
The healthcare system wasn’t built for chronic illness warriors—it was built to test our patience, our wallets, and our will to keep fighting. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, we’re shining a light on the spiteful side of healthcare: endless insurance denials, gatekeeping around specialists, medication access hurdles, and the mental struggle it takes just to get basic care.
Whether you’re battling prior auth hell or trying to decode your EOB like it’s hieroglyphics, this one’s for you. We’re talking about real experiences, the emotional toll of being your own advocate, and how we survive—out of sheer spite and sometimes, stubbornness—when the system appears to be designed to fail us.
Because when it comes to accessing care with a chronic illness like gastroparesis, sometimes survival is a rebellious act.
Traveling with gastroparesis can feel overwhelming—but it is possible with the right prep. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, we’re talking all about how to hit the road (or skies) without leaving your health behind. From planning ahead to knowing what to pack, we’re sharing practical tips and personal insights to help you feel more confident and comfortable while traveling. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, this episode is your travel buddy in podcast form.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: https://hdsunflower.com/us/
Crystal Saltrelli’s Tips and Tricks: https://www.livingwellwithgastroparesis.com/blog/my-gp-travel-must-haves
In this episode, we dive deep into the emotional and physical rollercoaster of receiving a gastroparesis diagnosis. From the moment you hear those words to the challenges of navigating treatment options, we talk about the highs and lows, the frustrations, and the unexpected moments of strength that come with living with a chronic condition. We also discuss what happens after the diagnosis — how to handle the uncertainty, build resilience, and find a way forward, even when it feels like you're surviving purely out of spite. Tune in for a candid conversation about finding power and purpose, even when everything feels up in the air.
In the very first episode of Surviving out of Spite, hosts Samantha and Levi share their personal journeys with gastroparesis, opening up about the highs, lows, and everything in between. From unexpected diagnoses to daily challenges, they dive into what life with a chronic condition really looks like. Tune in as they explore the emotional and physical side of living with gastroparesis, break it down in simple terms, and explain why they started this podcast—to remind you that you’re never alone in this fight. Get ready for heart, humor, and a whole lot of support as they kick off this journey of survival, out of spite and beyond.
