Episode 1: The secret world of chronic illness with Jacinta Parsons

Jacinta never intended to be a radio broadcaster. She dreamed of being a teacher, but chronic illness de-railed her. 

Jacinta shares how you can dissociate from your body while living with chronic pain and the benefits of coming home to your body.⁠ Plus what it feels like to hit rock bottom and how she made a choice to come up again⁠. She also shares about navigating marriage, career and raising children while living with invisible illness.

Episode 2: Finding your way through chronic illness with Sarah Ramey

Sarah Ramey knows what it's like to work in demanding roles and 'perform wellness'. She worked on the 2008 Obama campaign, wrote and performed her own songs all while her body was breaking down with chronic illness. She lived with mysterious illnesses which doctors couldn’t diagnose or treat and she joked that she should write a book about it. And then she did.

Sarah shares  her experience of living with multiple serious illnesses over the last seventeen years. Plus how she has ‘made friends with boundaries’, transformed family relationships and claimed her power in doctor's appointments. She also shares why the Myth of the Greek Goddess Persephone resonates strongly with the story of chronic illness today. ⁠

Episode 3: Business, love and living with endometriosis with Samantha Wills

Samantha Wills started her self-titled jewellery company on the kitchen table when she was just 21 years old. She went on to become a global sensation. She shares with Michelle Irving, the raw truth and intimate details of her life, business, and experience of living with endometriosis.⁠

Samantha talks about hitting rockbottom in her personal life while it looked all champagne and roses (literally) in her career.⁠ Plus, how she normalised the chronic pain over her extended menstrual cycle and then confronted the reality of stage 4 endometriosis when she 'finally' got to the doctors.⁠

Episode 4: In search of a diagnosis - my EDS journey with Izzy Kornblau

Ever wondered how to navigating relationships, schooling, travel and healthcare, all while chronically ill.

Izzy Kornblau is 23 year old New Yorker with a wealth of experience about living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, along with other conditions it causes (POTS, Gastroparesis, Muscle Tension Dysphonia, and TMJD). She shares with Michelle Irving how she learned to live with dynamic disability including asking for a wheelchair at the Louvre! 

Episode 5:  Managing my spoons with therapist Lauren Selfridge

How do you tell people you have a chronic illness?

Lauren Selfridge is San Fransisco based therapist who lives with remitting multiple sclerosis.

In this episode of The Pyjama Interviews podcast she shares with Michelle Irving who to tell what, at work about your chronic illness, especially the tricky disclosures about an invisible illness.⁠ Plus how to manage your spoons and set up your day in ways that work for you and your body. And the insider tips on what are the qualities spoonies should look for in a great therapist & why.⁠

Episode 6: Managing a career while living with chronic illness

How do you navigate your career while living with chronic illness? Spoonie Entrepreneur Tanya Doumouras and recently retired Chris Beanland, share all of their wisdom. Learn how to share what you need and ask for what you want - including working part-time. Plus marriage, love and navigating family dynamics while living with chronic illness.  

Tanya is a fantastic Spoonie entrepreneur who was diagnosed in 2017 with  Central Sensitisation Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue. She founded Kokki Eco, a social enterprise that brings beautiful handicrafts to the world. 

Chris enjoyed a stellar career in both Academia and corporate Australia, while living with rheumatoid arthritis and also raising her son.  

Episode 7: Badass Boundaries for women living with chronic illness Michelle Irving

How do you have boundaries when you are living with chronic illness? In this interview Sarah Ramey turns the tables and interviews Michelle Irving - in a raw, real and bold conversation. 

Michelle talks about how she found her own Badass Boundaries when she really needed to stand up for herself around treatment and care. Plus how she managed work and other people's expectations of what she should be doing, especially when she was very unwell. 

Sarah and Michelle also talk about why the Greek Myth of Persephone, Queen of the Underworld is the psychological map for serious illness and how you can use it to re-shape your experience and overall wellbeing, even if your physical condition remains the same.

Episode 08: How do I tell other people about my diagnosis? with Kath Elliott 

How to manage other people's reactions to your diagnosis?

In this episode breast cancer advocate Kath Elliott shares how she used her PR skills to share her shock diagnosis and tell other people how she wanted them to relate to her.

Kath shares how she discovered a large lump in her breast in 2019 which was the impetus for her starting on a sacred journey of self-discovery and healing; physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Episode 10: Sustainable wellness with Flic Manning

What is sustainable wellness when you are living with chronic illness?

In this episode spoonie and wellness expert Flic Manning shares with us her personal strategies for navigating treatment, drugs, side effects and B.S. Hear how she interviews clinicians to see if they are the right fit for her! Plus why she shares her experience of Crohn's disease publicly and without shame.

Flic Manning successfully maintained her dancing and choreography career whilst living with invisible illness. She was determined to live well despite doctors telling her it was impossible. Flic's debut memoir Living Human is out now!

Episode 11:
Mental Health and Chronic Illness with Lauren Freedman

How do you take care of your mental health when you are living with chronic illness?

In this interview with Health Coach Lauren Freedman you'll learn about the toxicity of hustle culture and its impact on those of us living with chronic illness.

Plus how to stop internalising the shame placed on living with chronic illness. And a whole lot of real talk about moving from surviving to thriving with chronic illness

Episode 12: Career and Chronic Illness with Fatemeh Khatibloo

How do you manage your career while also living with chronic illness? In this interview we dive deep with Fatemeh Khatibloo, Director of The Office for Ethical and Human Use at Salesforce.

You'll learn how to navigate a high profile career with authenticity. Plus the raw truth about depression, chronic illness and finding your way. And how we move on from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into Belonging.

She's the go-to commentator for the Wall Street Journal on consumer privacy, data protection and the intersection with Diversity, Inclusion and Equity.

Episode 13:
Unwell Women with Elinor Cleghorn

Why do women remain undiagnosed and treated like it's all in our heads? In this episode the amazing Elinor Cleghorn (author of Unwell Women) shares with us both her personal experience of living with lupus, and also her professional analysis of the long history of medical misogyny. 

You'll learn about:

1. Why women's pain and other symptoms are dismissed for years before, if any, diagnosis.
2. How to re-establish boundaries and reassert your autonomy while navigating chronic illness.
3. Why now is an open moment for our individual and collective empowerment while living with chronic illness.

Episode 14: Living with Uncertainty with Eva Minkoff

What do you do when you are a dancer diagnosed EDS (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)? In this episode Eva Minkoff shares how she is: 

• Preparing for a life filled with uncertainty and finding a way through the fears.
• Making the bridges between us as patients and doctors so the relationships are healthy, honest and productive.
•  The unusual journey of being a patient advocate via medicine school.

About Eva 

Eva Minkoff is the Senior Director of Community and Education for the charitable organization, Good Days. She's the presenter of Ted Talk titled “5 minutes to fix our broken healthcare system” and host of the [Human]Care podcast. As a chronic illness warrior herself, with EDS and Fibromyalgia, Eva has spent much of the past decade building supportive platforms for the chronic illness and disability communities.

Episode 15:  Endometriosis and Art - Danica Gim 

Why is it so hard is it to get a diagnosis of Endometriosis?  In this episode artist Danica Gim shares

• Her experience with endo throughout her teenage years and how her boyfriend called it first.
• What it's like managing your career while living with endo, including as a flight attendant. 
• How art become a way to transform her childhood experiences with religion. 
• How to be a successful artist while also living with chronic illness

About Danica

Danique (Danica Gim) is a super talented Artist from the Netherlands. When she is not writing or making art, Danica is traveling the globe as a flight attendant and creating awareness of endometriosis on her Instagram to help other women avoid the struggles she faced trying to get a diagnosis.

Ep 17: How do you deal with chronic illness while living alone? Guest Dara Shashoua

In this week's episode Dara Shashoua and Michelle talk about the hard things including:

• Medical gaslighting and the path to getting a diagnosis with MS.
• Navigating chronic illness while living alone.
• Why spoonies are well equipped to run their own businesses.
• And top tips for doing it in ways that work for you and your body.

About Dara

Dara is a passionate entrepreneur who opened Byzantine Design “The Most Beautiful Tile Store in Melbourne” mere weeks before she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Dara founded A Chronic Entrepreneur to empower other chronic entrepreneurs to share their stories.

Ep 18: Motherhood, Business & Crohns with Natalie Supps

Parenting with Chronic Illness. In this episode Natalie Supps shares her experience of parenting, anxiety and living with chronic illness. Plus how her diagnosis journey with Crohn's disease, how she shared her chronic condition at work, and how to decide if starting a business is good for you.⁠

About Natalie

Natalie was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's) in 2007 and struggled for many years. She was in and out of the hospital while pushing through to fulfil her dreams of finishing university and starting her own business. 

Ep 19: Career Climbing, Stalling and Thriving with Nicola Pye

How do you manage a high profile London career in Management Consulting while also living with chronic illness? Who do you tell what? And when? 

Our guest  Nicola Pye shares her own experience of the rollercoaster of chronic illness throughout her career. Plus the high price of performing wellness and what to do instead and how to disclose in a way that feels safe. This is a real conversation about how chronic illness is a powerful pathway to Authentic Leadership. 

About Nicloa

Nicola has over 25 years’ experience as a learning and leadership development professional and as an executive coach. She was previously the Global Talent Director for EY and is now The Leadership Coach & People Person. Having experienced chronic illness as a teenager and on and off throughout her career she refuses to be defined by it but is relentless about ensuring it determines how she shows up as a leader.

Ep 20: What are Healthy Professional Boundaries with Chronic Illness?

What do you do when exhaustion hits at work? How to move on from performing wellness and pushing through at work when you live with chronic illness.

In this episode with guest Amina Altai shares her own evolution of professional boundaries at work. Plus why it's important to identify your own 'story' of work and how work 'should' be done. We also get practical in how to move on from 'pushing through' and doing everything the hard way. How to have the conversation about what you need and why doing shadow work is essential to your Authentic Leadership. 

About Amina

Amina AItai (pronounced AH-MIN-UH) is a holistic business and career coach, proud immigrant and chronic illness advocate. A leading coach to notable leaders, executives and founders—Amina's mastery is in connecting us to our brilliance and teaching us to live and lead from it each day.

Ep 21: Authentic Leadership: Befriending your Insecurity with BJ Miller

How do we face our own insecurities? When you are navigating your career and living with a disability/ chronic health condition it can feel like people either expect too little of you, or too much. And there is an awkwardness around you and your condition. In this vulnerable and powerful episode BJ Miller shares his deeply personal experience of navigating medical school, and learning how to use his inner strength to curate his career pathway. Plus the turning points in his career, and how he learned to befriend his own insecurity and find his way through the Unknown.

About BJ

Dr. BJ Miller is a longtime hospice and palliative medicine physician and educator. He co-founded Mettle Health which provides personalized, holistic consultations for any patient or caregiver who needs help navigating the practical, emotional and existential issues that come with serious illness and disability. His TED Talk has been viewed over 15 Million times and he speaks internationally on themes of illness, death and loss.

Ep 22: Asking for Accomodations with Ease with Hannah Olson

 This week's episode is all about disclosure, and how to ask for accomodations. (you'll be surprised at the most common ones) Plus I talk with Hannah Olson, CEO and Co-Founder of Disclo and Chronically Capable about her own experience of Lyme disease, and starting her career. Which all lead to her start up journey, and what pivots she has had to make in her mindset, her working habits and her sense of identity as a person with a disability.

About Hannah

Hannah Olson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Disclo, an innovative HR software helping employees to safely disclose and ask for accommodations at work.

Hannah’s own experience navigating her early career while undergoing intensive treatment for Lyme disease sparked the idea for her first venture, Chronically Capable, now one of the largest and most-used disability recruiting platforms in North America. Today, she is known globally for her disability advocacy, with recent features in The NYT, Forbes, Inc Magazine, and more.

Ep 23: Return to Work with Calm Confidence. Jenn Sharp

This week, I talk with Jenn Sharp about On this episode of The Pyjama Interviews sharing how a diagnosis of Lyme disease turned her world of work upside down.

Jenn went from accelerating her career in Human Capital and Talent Management, to confronting the world of disability policies, being bed bound and then making it all the way back to full-time work in management consulting in Washington D.C.

We go deep into the toxicity of hustle culture and shame in the workplace, how to advocate for yourself, and why chronic illness prepares you for Authentic Leadership.

About Jenn

Jenn isa human capital professional that has spent her career working in change management, organizational design and talent management. Working with clients across industries and the public sector. Over the last few years I have gained personal knowledge of work and chronic illness and it's ignited my passion of working to create even more inclusive work place cultures. 

Ep 24: Peter: Disclosing Chronic Illness at Work

Did you know that 38% of people living with chronic illness are in professional, leadership roles? This is exactly what Dr. Peter Ghin’s recent report, "Disclosing Illness at Work,” found. 

Peter lives with ME/CFS, and on this episode of The Pyjama Interviews pod, he shares both his personal experience of chronic illness and career as well as the research findings in this area. In this week’s podcast we talk about:

1. How we romanticize 'the great leader' and what it means when a leader becomes unwell. 
2. What we can learn from how and why leaders disclose.
3. How creativity often opens the door to a new path and where it can lead you in your corporate career.
4. How you can use your experience of chronic illness to become a powerful Authentic Leader.

About Peter

Dr Peter Ghin is a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. His expertise is in the future of work, chronic illness employment, leadership, and organisational behaviour. 

Ep 25: Endometriosis at Work with Antara Mascarenhas

Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of reproductive age women and girls globally, and on this episode of The Pyjama Interviews pod, I’m joined by Antara Mascarenhas discussing how she has navigated this diagnosis that so many women experience in the workplace.

She shares her experience and advice on the:

1. The Diagnostic Odyssey, 
2. How to talk with your boss about productivity and strategically contributing while working from home.
3. Leading from the experience of chronic illness. 

It’s a beautiful conversation to share with you.

About Antara

Antara Mascarenhas is an Executive in the energy and climate sectors. Antara is an ambassador of Endometriosis Australia and a Board Director of Cambridge Australia Scholarships. She has a Masters in Political Science at the University of Cambridge and is passionate about inclusion in sport and runs a tennis coaching program for children from diverse cultural backgrounds in inner Melbourne. 

Ep 26: Shifting Identity with Chronic Illness. Anessa Powell 

Having been diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, a rare Autoimmune Disease, Anessa Powell has dedicated her career to raising awareness and advocating for workplace inclusion through her company, AllAbility Recruiting.

In this episode, we dive deep into discussions around the experience of getting a diagnosis and medical gaslighting that so many patients experience. Plus we have an honest conversation about parenting while living with chronic illness.

Anessa also shares her tips for applying for jobs, disclosure, and knowing what accommodations you need in the workplace. 

About Anessa

Anessa Powell has been dedicated to raising awareness that disabilities come in many forms. In 2019, she began her work at the state and national levels as a patient advocate, speaking out for voices that have been traditionally overlooked in disability employment. As the pandemic changed lives in so many ways and employers began to recognize jobs can be done from home (and done well!), Anessa along with her husband, Bill, created AllAbility Recruiting where they strive to Leave No Ability Behind through disability employment, training, and consulting.