In this uplifting episode of The Pretty Dope Women's Podcast, we speak with Emily Graham @early_onsetparkinsons, a wife, mom of two, and talented musician, to explore her inspiring journey with YOPD. Diagnosed at just 30 years old, Emily shares how she balances the challenges of Parkinson's with motherhood, the unexpected talents and strengths she’s discovered along the way, and the importance of finding joy and silver linings in every season of life. Emily’s heartfelt reflections and practical insights offer golden nuggets for anyone navigating life with YOPD, especially women in their 30s. Plus, stay tuned until the end for a special treat—a beautiful song co-written and performed by Emily that perfectly captures her journey and love for music. It’s a little touch of Nashville magic just in time for the holidays. This episode is a must-listen for the YOPD community and beyond. Tune in for real talk, heartfelt stories, and inspiration for living life fully despite the challenges. 🎶 For more of Emily's music visit: https://www.reverbnation.com/emilygraham/songs Follow Emily at https://www.instagram.com/early_onsetparkinsons/  

In this heartfelt episode of The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast, Caitlin sits down with Sara Herrity @sara_keeps_moving, an active working mom of two energetic boys, living boldly with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. Diagnosed just before her 40th birthday, Sara has transformed her journey into a powerful narrative of self-discovery, resilience, and advocacy. Sara opens up about her traumatic diagnosis experience, the empowering shift of finding the right medical team, and embracing a holistic approach to managing Parkinson’s. She shares how irrationally running a half marathon after her diagnosis taught her the importance of controlling what she can, balancing her life, and setting boundaries to protect her peace. This episode dives into the mind-body connection, the unique challenges women with Parkinson’s face, and why advocating for more gender-inclusive research is vital for the Parkinson’s community. Sara’s story is an inspiring testament to the power of embracing change, advocating for yourself, and finding joy even in the hardest moments.

🎉 Exciting news! To celebrate my birthday, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the Pretty Dope Women in Momentum Grant, generously offered by Monarch & Co. and its incredible founder, Amanda Wilson-Ciocci. In this episode, I share my personal journey from feeling trapped in a corporate job while hiding my Parkinson’s diagnosis, to discovering the freedom of entrepreneurship and finding a supportive, heart-centered community through Monarch Momentum. You’ll also hear from Amanda herself, the visionary behind Monarch Momentum, as well as Ashlee Livingstone, a certified Pause Breathwork Trauma-Informed Facilitator. ✨ This grant is a life-changing opportunity for two incredible women with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease to join the transformative Monarch Momentum program. But here’s the best part—anyone can join Monarch Momentum at any time and gain access to my exclusive monthly support group for PD women within the program. Tune in to discover: ✅ How this grant could help you create a fulfilling, flexible life and career. ✅ The power of community in achieving your dreams. ✅ Why entrepreneurship could be the key to finding freedom and balance with Parkinson’s. Show Links: Apply for the Pretty Dope Women in Momentum Grant (DEADLINE TO APPLY IS DEC 18/24: prettydopewomen.com/grants Learn more about Monarch Momentum Follow us on Instagram: @prettydopewomen, @themonarchandco, @ashlee.livingstone Connect with me via email: info@prettydopewomen.com 💡 Know someone who would benefit from this episode? Share it with them! Let’s grow, inspire, and uplift one another.

Building Community and Driving Change with Jennifer Sullivan In this week’s episode of The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast, Caitlin sits down with Jennifer Sullivan, the creative mind behind The Wiggles Project on YouTube and The Dill Pickle on Substack. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 38, Jennifer shares her journey of resilience, creativity, and advocacy, discussing how she’s built an online community that provides support and breaks down stigmas for women with Parkinson’s. Together, they explore critical topics like managing mental health with a progressive disease, navigating relationships with chronic illness, and the underrepresentation of women in the Parkinson’s community. The conversation also dives into the impact of hormonal changes, the menstrual cycle’s role in PD symptoms, and—yes—the benefits of staying sexually active (trigger warning to Caitlin’s family: you might want to skip this one! 😅). Stay tuned until the end of the episode for an exciting announcement about a Women’s March for Parkinson’s Awareness Month this April. We’re calling on women in the PD community to come together, organize, and make their voices heard! Interested in getting involved? Sign up at prettydopewomen.com/pdwomensmarch. Let’s start planning and building a movement for change!

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast, Caitlin sits down with Kim Mortson—a former personal trainer turned motivational speaker and movement advocate. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018, Kim shares her journey of resilience, mindset, and gratitude. Kim opens up about the challenges she’s faced, the lessons she’s learned, and how she continues to inspire others in the Parkinson’s community. From her fitness background to her powerful perspective shifts, Kim’s story is one of strength and hope. Find Kim on Instagram: @bodydesignbykim and @kimmortson.

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast, Caitlin sits down with Sara Bastiaensen (@My_fight_against_pd), a resilient mom from Belgium who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 33. Sara shares her emotional journey of navigating life with PD while raising her young son, balancing the everyday struggles of symptoms, and finding peace in the new rhythms of her life. From coping with the mental toll of the disease to transforming her approach to health through diet, exercise, and setting boundaries, Sara’s story is one of unwavering strength, self-discovery, and redefining priorities. Join us as Sara opens up about the challenges and triumphs of her journey, offering a heartfelt message of hope, resilience, and love. Show Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ByeCvQC93ZFLH3Nubgtq0hsRyAbjKtLL/view?usp=sharing

In this powerful episode we explore the inspiration, impact, and creative vision behind Parkinson Canada’s Find Your Swagger campaign. Caitlin shares her experience as part of the campaign’s print segment, where she embraced a bold, empowering perspective on living with Parkinson’s. Joined by Mikaela Derksen (Brand Manager at Parkinson Canada), Jon Affleck (Strategic Advisor to Parkinson Canada), and Cass Farry (VP of Client Success at Broken Heart Love Affair), the team delves into the campaign’s goal to redefine perceptions around Parkinson’s, break down stereotypes, and create an uplifting narrative for the community. Tune in to hear how Find Your Swagger is changing the conversation for Parkinsons. To learn more about the Find Your Swagger campaign visit: https://www.findyourswagger.ca/ Full Show Transcript Available Here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ryaCFD4-HMS3W7Q14HeB3b-2SOhT7pVA/view?usp=sharing

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast, we’re joined by a very special guest who brings a unique perspective to the Parkinson’s community. Bee, who remains anonymous for this conversation, shares the challenges of navigating Parkinson’s Disease while keeping her diagnosis private. From the toll of medical gaslighting to the added complexities of perimenopause, negative emotions, and the stigma surrounding antidepressants, Bee opens up about the hidden battles she faces daily. Bee’s story sheds light on what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s while maintaining secrecy at work, in social settings, and even with family and friends. For the first time, she also discusses the experience of speaking to someone else with Parkinson’s—a powerful and vulnerable moment of connection that highlights the strength and solidarity within the community. Join us as we explore Bee’s journey and gain insight into the often unseen challenges of living with a life-altering diagnosis. This episode is a must-listen for anyone impacted by Parkinson’s, those seeking a deeper understanding, and supporters of the Parkinson’s community.  

In this episode of *The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast*, Caitlin sits down with mindset coach Jenn Walker to explore how embracing personal growth and intuitive leadership can transform lives. Jenn shares her expertise in rapid brain change techniques, helping individuals reconnect with their intuition and release emotional trauma. The conversation highlights the power of mindset shifts, meditation, and the mind-body connection, offering insights into how these practices can support wellness and unlock new possibilities, especially in navigating life’s challenges. For more information, visit Jenn’s website at https://www.diveheartfirst.com Download the attached show notes for the full episode transcript here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iq1yx2iez9alump4abdhu/Ep-6-Show-Notes.pdf?rlkey=a2wjw0ul9cs0jciblhpvmn0ww&st=ysvrfac4&dl=0

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast, I sit down with Snehal Amembal, an inspiring writer, poet, and advocate for Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. Snehal shares her journey of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at just 33, while raising two young children and navigating the complexities of life as a mother, writer, and creative. We dive into how Snehal transitioned from a career in HR to full-time writing, and how she uses poetry, dance, and creativity to cope with Parkinson’s. Her powerful story touches on the importance of finding your own light in the darkness, asking for help when needed, and building a supportive community. Snehal’s honesty about her challenges and triumphs will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted. Whether you’re managing your own health journey or looking for wisdom in resilience, Snehal’s story offers hope and empowerment. Full Transcript: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/inxhp9d3hwe98rbw4i9p3/PDW-Episode-5.pdf?rlkey=i9obmy2iak4mctb67s8gbyj42&st=wgm27hyx&dl=0

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women's Podcast, Caitlin sits down with Melissa Livingston, a mother of four who was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) at 45. Melissa shares how her journey began with the hashtag #ParkinsonsLooksLikeMe, which quickly gained momentum and helped her connect with the global Parkinson's community. Through her candid storytelling, Melissa reveals the struggles of accepting her diagnosis, navigating life as a mother with Parkinson’s, and the emotional toll of living with a neurodegenerative disease. Despite the challenges, she has turned her story into a source of inspiration and support for others. Tune in as Caitlin and Melissa discuss the importance of vulnerability, community, and how even small acts of sharing can create powerful connections. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the realities of living with YOPD and the power of embracing your story. Show Transcript: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7wfpijvmgpxb66bkxftot/PDW-Episode-3-Melissa.pdf?rlkey=r2dc0fk3o9gedd8hh8x3mswtz&st=kk0w3s4j&dl=0

I sit down with the incredible Barbara Salzburg Matthews—an artist, teacher, and advocate for living well with Parkinson’s Disease

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women's Podcast, host Caitlin Nagy interviews Reka Janisse, known online as @pd.family / @pd.family.5. Reka opens up about her journey with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD), detailing the stages of her diagnosis, the emotional toll it took, and her decision to go public with her story. She shares how vulnerability has fostered deep connections with others and how embracing her diagnosis has reshaped her relationships and life. Reka also dives into the challenges of navigating grief cycles, from denial to acceptance, and offers invaluable advice to others newly diagnosed. She highlights the importance of maintaining mental and physical health through discipline, such as cold plunges, consistent sleep routines, and balanced nutrition. Furthermore, Reka discusses her personal battles with dopamine addiction, work-life balance, and the stress that comes with managing a chronic illness while raising three kids and pursuing a career. Throughout the episode, Reka’s insights on the cyclical nature of Parkinson’s symptoms, the impact of the menstrual cycle on her condition, and her advocacy for more gender-specific research and support for women with Parkinson's are both empowering and eye-opening. Tune in to hear Reka’s story of resilience, vulnerability, and finding strength in community while living with Parkinson's Disease. Show Links Ways 3 Well https://ways2well.com/ Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke https://www.amazon.ca/dp/152474672X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_C1QX9THZ8A29E08A07KR&starsLeft=1 Full Transcript https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/uz1skxqfx6venn81bga2q/Epidsode2_Reka-Transcript.pdf?rlkey=hant7rfpqqf1iepbuaq2vqnxa&dl=0    

In this first episode of The Pretty Dope Women's Podcast, I share my journey of being diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's in my 30s and the challenges of navigating hustle culture as a woman with PD. We’ll explore the powerful connection between women’s reproductive health and brain function, and discuss how embracing our natural rhythms can help us redefine success. Join me as we break down barriers, share stories, and build a supportive community.   Full Show Transcript

Welcome to The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast! Our mission is to empower and spotlight women living with Parkinson’s Disease by sharing their stories, experiences, and challenges. Through our podcast, we aim to revolutionize the way PD Women are perceived and treated within the healthcare industry, offering a deeper look into the complexities of what we go through as women living with a neurodegenerative disorder.