What if the key to freedom was not found in a cure, but in a choice? Ridishanae (Nae) Shaw shares how she redefined life, love, and independence in her kidney journey. Hear her story in the latest KidneyTalk® podcast episode.

On this episode of KidneyTalk, Lori Hartwell chats with Shelby McClure, whose kidney journey is anything but ordinary. Shelby has experienced nearly every form of dialysis"each with its own challenges, breakthroughs, and life lessons. From peritoneal dialysis in the quiet hours of the night to the self-discipline of home hemodialysis, Shelbys story is packed with unexpected turns, personal revelations, and a powerful transplant experience that changed everything "tune in to hear the full story.

In this episode of Kidney Talk, Lori welcomes Dr. Richard Johnson - renowned nephrologist, author of Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology, and a pioneer in kidney disease research. Together, they dive into the fascinating connection between gut health and chronic kidney disease, exploring how good bacteria can support kidney function. Dr. Johnson shares insights on probiotics like Renadyl, leaky gut syndrome, and how gut imbalances might impact people who are on dialysis or have elevated creatinine levels. This enlightening conversation uncovers why gut health matters more than we ever imagined.

In this episode, Lori talks with nephrologist Dr. Arun Malhotra about what inspired him to pursue nephrology and dives into an important discussion about the connection between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and high potassium, also known as hyperkalemia. They cover symptoms to watch for, the role of diet, how to manage potassium levels, and the importance of working closely with healthcare providers.

Austin Lees journey with kidney disease began before he was even born. Lori first met Austin when he traveled from DC as a teenager to attend the Renal Teen Prom. Overcoming anxiety and depression, Austin has transformed into a powerful advocate for others facing similar challenges. Tune in to discover how he turned adversity into empowerment and continues to inspire his peers.

Much like our host Lori, Michael Jiuliano faced the challenges of kidney disease from a young age. In a spirited and heartfelt conversation, they delve into their childhood experiences"navigating numerous treatments and hospital stays, and the impact these had on their relationships with peers. Listen in to learn how these early encounters not only shaped their lives but forged a resilience that continues to define them today.

In this podcast, Lori Hartwell chats with Dr. Paul Kimmel, a prominent nephrologist, to explore the valuable insights found in his book, The Bodys Keepers: A Social History of Kidney Failure and Its Treatments. Together, they examine the history of kidney disease, addressing the emotional challenges faced by patients, the significant advancements in treatment, and the continuing inequities in kidney care. This discussion underscores both the progress achieved in the field and the persistent gaps that remain, offering a thorough overview of how far we have come and the journey that still lies ahead.

In a joint interview, Krystal Bilodeau, a Home Therapies RN at FMCNA, and Brian Hutchinson, who is currently undergoing peritoneal dialysis, talk with Lori about fluid management, sodium intake, and dietary choices. Brian shares his personal experiences with treatment and reveals his familys favorite kidney-friendly meals. Meanwhile, Krystal explains the training process for peritoneal dialysis and outlines what it entails.

Dr. Frita Fisher, who is triple board-certified in Nephrology, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics, engages in a discussion with Lori Hartwell about the role of phosphorus and its impact on overall health. Join them as they explore what phosphorus is, why it is present in many foods, and why people with kidney disease are more likely to experience elevated phosphorus levels. They also cover the symptoms and health risks associated with high phosphorus levels, as well as both traditional and emerging treatment options to help maintain normal phosphorus levels for improved well-being.

Living with kidney disease is not easy, but its a journey shared by many. In a compelling exchange between KidneyTalk® host Lori Hartwell and Jennifer Cramer Miller, author of Incurable Optimist: Living with Illness and Chronic Hope, striking parallels emerge in their respective multiple kidney transplant experiences. So, grab a seat, relax, and tune in to their engaging discussion as they delve into the art of cultivating optimism, drawing insights from their expertise on the subject.

Have you ever encountered a financial or healthcare internet scam? Advocate Karol Franks and Lori discuss the latest trending scams, key signs to identify potential scams, what to do if you believe you have been a victim, and most importantly, tips to avoid becoming one.

Kidney disease is a chronic condition, in addition there are five stages. How you are going to feel from day to day and through each of the stages can have a negative impact your mental wellness. Felicia Speed, PhD, LMSW, VP of Social Work Services, Fresenius Kidney Care and Lori discuss coping strategies and other options that are available to help.

Barriers to innovation for people who are on dialysis is a hot issue. While Medicare is a great source of comfort and provides access to necessary treatments, it does face challenges with its existing payment structure that hinder access to new, innovative treatments. Dr. Jeffrey Silberzweig, a nephrologist, and Lori discuss recent breakthroughs and delve into the advantages and disadvantages of the current payment system, while also exploring potential solutions. This show promises to ignite a lively discussion on the impact of payment practices on innovation in kidney care.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implements quality initiatives for Medicare beneficiaries on dialysis. CMS uses these measures to see how the dialysis facility is performing. Dawn Curtis, VP of Clinical Quality, Fresenius Medical Care and Lori discuss the measures dialysis clinics look at and how the kidney care team uses them as a benchmark to provide adequate care for people on dialysis.

Joy Araujo, a source of inspiration for her peers, has won the RSN annual essay contest on multiple occasions. Through her heartfelt and insightful essays, Joy has touched the hearts of readers, sharing her life experiences and imparting wisdom as only she can. Lori, too, has faced her own set of challenges growing up with kidney disease. Together, these seasoned warriors offer insights on how they have conquered kidney disease, how writing helps cope with emotions and the opportunity to gain valuable insights from these talented storytellers. Don't miss out on this exciting dialogue.

Jennifer McClung was diagnosed with kidney disease at a young age. After receiving a kidney transplant Jennifer started to put on extra weight and needed to make a change. She managed to lose the weight and along the way developed lifestyle changes to keep it off. Listen in to hear what worked for her and tips that can help make your own weight loss journey a success.

The journey of a single mom with kidney disease is a testament to unwavering determination as they navigate a career, medical appointments, treatments and the emotional toll, all the while nurturing and supporting their family. Mauricia Ambrose is a mother, a real estate investor and an author. Mauricia is also on peritoneal dialysis and shares how she gets things done, introduced her illness and treatment to her son and includes him in the process.

The inclusion of oral phosphate lowering drugs in the dialysis payment bundle starting in January 2025 is a significant change that has sparked debates and discussions within the kidney community. Lori and Jeffrey Silberzweig, MD delve into this topic along with a brief history and evolution of the bundled payment system. They discuss the pros and cons of this action and potential limitations on medication choices for patients. While bundling care encourages healthcare providers to consider overall value and efficiency in their treatment approaches it can prevent individualized treatment plans for delivery of patient care.

Lori and Cher, both kidney transplant recipients, have dealt with kidney disease for the majority of their lives. They also share a deep respect for the environment. Listen in to hear some tips, and what they have learned from their experiences with recycling medical and dialysis supplies and medications.

When you are in high school the list of things to worry about usually include getting good grades and getting the chance to talk to your crush, not kidney disease. Lori sits down with the RSN Administrative Coordinator, Isela King, who was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy while in high school to talk about what it was like to be diagnosed at a young age, her experience volunteering at the Renal Teen Prom, and how her experience with RSN influenced both her educational and career path.