This is Not What I Ordered: a podcast on full-hearted living with chronic illness + health challenges-logo

This is Not What I Ordered: a podcast on full-hearted living with chronic illness + health challenges

Self Development

Chronic illness and other health challenges can be a real bummer--but they don't have to be the end of joy and fulfillment. It turns out we can still have epic lives, even when our bodies have plans of their own. Join San Francisco psychotherapist Lauren Selfridge for honest, humorous, and inspiring conversations with people who get what it's like to live with health challenges. Whether you're in the car, on a walk, in the waiting room, or lying in bed, we'll be here to keep you company along the way.

Chronic illness and other health challenges can be a real bummer--but they don't have to be the end of joy and fulfillment. It turns out we can still have epic lives, even when our bodies have plans of their own. Join San Francisco psychotherapist Lauren Selfridge for honest, humorous, and inspiring conversations with people who get what it's like to live with health challenges. Whether you're in the car, on a walk, in the waiting room, or lying in bed, we'll be here to keep you company along the way.

Location:

United States

Description:

Chronic illness and other health challenges can be a real bummer--but they don't have to be the end of joy and fulfillment. It turns out we can still have epic lives, even when our bodies have plans of their own. Join San Francisco psychotherapist Lauren Selfridge for honest, humorous, and inspiring conversations with people who get what it's like to live with health challenges. Whether you're in the car, on a walk, in the waiting room, or lying in bed, we'll be here to keep you company along the way.

Twitter:

@NWIOpodcast

Language:

English

Contact:

415-322-0849

Episodes

69: Season Three Finale

10/6/2020
Welcome to the Season 3 Finale! In a year filled with COVID-19, a racial justice movement, wildfires, an election, and now the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, this has seemed like so much more than just one year. At this very important moment in time, I am so thankful that we have been able to stay connected through these episodes all along the way. For today’s finale, we will revisit each episode over the past year, and listen to some key moments from each and my thoughts about them, as...

Duration:01:45:06

68: Apart Together with Monica Michelle + Courtney Brame

9/15/2020
Podcasting has brought so much to my life, both as someone who loves hearing others’ stories and as someone who wants to learn from the experiences of others. Hearing an array of experiences is what makes This is Not What I Ordered so powerful to me, and to listeners, as well. Today’s episode touches a bit on how podcasting is a form of therapy — both for the hosts, the guests, and the listeners. It also combines conversations about podcasting, chronic illness, and life in quarantine with...

Duration:01:12:16

67: Race + What We Don't Say, Pt. 2

9/1/2020
Today’s episode marks the second part of my conversation with relational therapist, social justice educator, intuitive narrative coach, and social justice consultant for the podcast, Celia Hilson, which we started in Episode 66. As we find ourselves in the midst of a racial justice movement and a pandemic, this special conversation about race is as enlightening as it is necessary. We begin this week’s episode by talking about the nutrients of intergenerational legacy, Celia’s experiences...

Duration:00:53:15

66: Race + What We Don't Say

8/18/2020
This week I'm sitting with Celia Hilson, who's returned to the podcast after joining me on Season 2 (Episode 28). Celia is a relational therapist, social justice educator, and intuitive narrative coach fostering cross-cultural understanding. She helps clients to heal through remembering and reclaiming lost parts of identities. Celia has joined me over the past few months not only as my friend, but as someone who I recently hired as a social justice consultant for the podcast. As you know,...

Duration:00:36:51

65: Grieving, Acknowledging + Taking Action

6/2/2020

Duration:00:05:29

64: Enjoying the Non-Sense with Sherry Espinosa + Melissa Platt

5/19/2020
We’ve had couples on the podcast, we’ve had reunions, we’ve had “quarantine chats.” This week, I’m bringing you a friendship “roundtable” with the lovely Sherry Espinoza and Melissa Platt. You may recognize those names because they’ve both been on the podcast before — but not like this. This episode is a lighthearted and sweet chat amongst friends. Sherry and Melissa, who met in the Shine Your Light Mastermind, have become fast friends, and I loved digging into their connection during our...

Duration:00:54:04

63: No One Else I'd Rather Be With with Erynn + Leo Newman

5/5/2020
In this week’s episode of This is Not What I Ordered, I’m taking you along for a little reunion. I recently caught up with Erynn & Leo Newman, who are “frequent flyers” here on the podcast. Leo, who was a guest way back in Episode 11, and his wife Erynn, were the first couple interviewed for the podcast in Episode 32. Married for over 14 years, they’ve weathered their fair share of challenges. I recently checked in on them to see how they’re navigating this new challenge (the current...

Duration:01:03:29

62: Chronic Quarantine Life with Latasha Doyle + Lily Sloane

4/21/2020
Today’s episode is a bit different than most of the ones you’ll hear on This is Not What I Ordered. Instead of an interview with a single guest or couple, I was able to connect with Lily Sloane and Latasha Doyle, two of the people on our podcast team. In light of everything going on in the world, and with heightened anxiety and worry for many in the chronic illness community, we decided to discuss how we’re navigating this uncharted territory. While grief, anger, and concern over our own...

Duration:00:59:45

61: It's OK If You're Not OK with Kristina Sarkisova

4/7/2020
Coming to terms with chronic illness is something we’re all trying to do. Kristina Sarkisova is on the podcast this week talking about her journey to acceptance, and what the process has looked (and felt) like. Her diagnosis of Lyme disease was a long time coming, and even now she’s not entirely sure it’s the perfect fit for her specific symptoms and situation. But it’s enough for her. So many of us can relate to the need for a diagnosis — just to have something explained. Unfortunately,...

Duration:01:05:22

60: You Are Enough with Ijmal Haider

3/24/2020
This was such a special conversation with Ijmal Haider (of “Hidden Spoons” and the “Help Us” YouTube channel). Having lived with Ulcerative Colitis for several years and spearheading many events, projects, and organizations geared towards supporting people with chronic illness, he is the definition of an awesome patient advocate. Together, we chatted about some of his challenging moments that have led to the illumination of what’s truly important to him: honesty, medical care that gives...

Duration:01:03:16

59: Giving Yourself Grace with Dr. Monica Blied

3/10/2020
On today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Monica Ellis-Blied, a licensed psychologist, health coach, and chair yoga instructor living in California. In 2012, Monica was diagnosed with lupus. Over the last eight years, she has come to terms with the idea that the word “healthy” is not a one-size-fits-all term. She also reminds us that it’s OK to throw pity parties (complete with balloons and German Chocolate Cake, when the occasion calls for it). The way she speaks about her diagnosis, her...

Duration:00:44:15

58: Courageous Mourning with Melinda Laus

2/25/2020
Melinda Laus has always felt “different.” From her earliest memories, she struggled with asthma, allergies, and feeling like her body just worked differently than other bodies did. After working throughout childhood and adolescence to get her asthma and allergies under control, she thought she had her body somewhat “figured out.” When she experienced the tragic loss of her husband when she was 32, however, Melinda’s body went into a tailspin. It took about 2 years after her husband’s...

Duration:00:54:43

57: Solitude + Connection with Andy McLellan

2/11/2020
In this episode, I’m joined by Andy McLellan, a haiku poet and trainee Zen priest living in Canterbury, UK. Nearly 25 years ago, when Andy was in the midst of obtaining his PhD, he began experiencing symptoms he assumed were associated with stress. Shortly after graduating, however, he came down with glandular fever and collapsed, never fully recovering. Over the next 20 years, Andy would receive a diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and navigate an entirely new learning curve:...

Duration:01:18:35

56: Living With Visible Illness with Lashana Taylor

1/28/2020
Dealing with an invisible health challenge can be beyond frustrating. But what happens when a traditionally invisible illness becomes manifest? And how do we cope with the visual symptoms of our conditions? That’s what I’m talking to Lashana Taylor about on this episode of This is Not What I Ordered. Diagnosed November 2018 with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, Lashana finally had an answer to her declining health. With the diagnosis came relief, but it also threw into light some...

Duration:00:48:26

55: Sitting with the Unknown with Michelle Horton

1/14/2020
In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Horton, a close friend and fellow therapist. In the middle of finishing grad school and planning a wedding, Michelle went in for a routine blood test, which showed an abnormally high platelet count. After this finding, a whirlwind of tests and doctors determined that she had essential thrombocytosis and endometriosis. She was 23. After that, Michelle had to learn how to stand in the uncertainty that her new diagnoses brought with them. Could she...

Duration:00:48:17

54: Better Than a Cookie-Cutter Life [Couple's Edition] with Latasha + Shane Doyle

1/13/2020
On this week’s episode, I’m bringing back the Couple’s Edition of This is Not What I Ordered to share an intimate and insightful discussion with Shane and Latasha Doyle. Latasha (who you may remember from Episode 53) and her husband Shane joined me in my own living room to talk about their life together. As many of you know, Latasha is the shownotes and transcription writer for the podcast. And as you’ve found out from her previous episode, she also lives with Marfan syndrome, a...

Duration:00:53:32

53: Building Your Grace Muscle with Latasha Doyle

12/10/2019
This week on This is Not What I Ordered, I am so excited to share my recent chat with a very special guest: Latasha Doyle. Latasha owns her own copy and content writing agency, but she’s also the resident show notes writer here on the NWIO Team. She has Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, and opens up about her experience living with this condition her whole life. Latasha brings her humor and her honesty to the table, and talks candidly about echocardiograms, being “out” with...

Duration:01:06:06

52: You Don't Have to Apologize with Natalie Enright

11/26/2019
In this episode, I am so excited to share my chat with Natalie Enright, an Adult Services Librarian living in San Francisco. Natalie, who has multiple sclerosis, was first diagnosed in 2010. She attributes her early diagnosis to her husband. After seeing a decline in Natalie’s health, he encouraged her to go to the doctor without making her feel scared or overwhelmed, for which she is so thankful. Since her initial diagnosis, Natalie has not only worked to figure out how to manage and...

Duration:01:08:16

51: Enjoying the Dive with Mike Bajrami

11/19/2019
This week, I’m talking to Mike Bajrami, a tech and audio agency owner living in the Los Angeles area. During our discussion, he shares his unique perspective on pain, serving others, and embracing interests. His health journey starts back in 2003, when he received a lower back injury while playing basketball. His lumbar area injury would eventually morph into a spine disc injury, damage to multiple vertebrae, a shifted pelvis, and debilitating pain. He has also dealt with leaky gut, food...

Duration:00:51:31

50: Hearing Loss + Listening Inward with Melissa Platt

11/12/2019
In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Platt as she shares the story of how her challenges with hearing loss taught her to truly listen. Melissa is a clinical psychologist and therapist who specializes in helping people heal through complex trauma so they can thrive, and has been living with progressively deteriorating hearing loss since 2010. Her health journey has taken her through many different shifts over the years, including the realization that the track she was on was no longer...

Duration:00:49:42

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