Being a podcaster can be a lonely life. So what better way to begin the holiday celebrations than getting some of your favorite MSers together to talk about our plans for the season? Alongside my guests, we talk about some of the things that can play on our minds during this time of year, particularly when combined with having a chronic illness lik…

Brooke Pelczynski's life with Multiple Sclerosis is an inspiring example of someone taking their diagnosis and turning it into something great. Most recently, her varied career has led to her working for Marvel Comics! Brooke was undertaking her BFA in Illustration in New York when the fatigue and clumsiness that resulted in a number of ruined artw…

MS is often described as an invisible disability. But as the disease progresses, the focus - of patients as well as medical professionals - can shift to more visible, physical symptoms, like mobility issues. However, because the majority of people with MS are diagnosed in their 20s and 30s, the psychological and cognitive effects can all too often …

My guest today is Jenn Powell. She's an active advocate in the MS community, imparting her hopeful optimism to the real-life challenges facing those of us living with MS. Now with secondary-progressive MS, Jenn continues to elevate the patient voice to better the lives of our community. Jenn is the Brand and Marketing Manager for BioNews, an organi…

If you're connected with Multiple Sclerosis in any way - whether you're a patient, or a caregiver, family member, or loved one of somebody with the disease - it's easy (and NATURAL) to live in the what-ifs. We can all wallow in the negatives - hey, there's a reason why this podcast is called FUMS! But Sue Casey, my guest today, tries to live by a d…

Content warning: this episode includes a discussion about Lydia's personal experiences of Primary Progressive MS and her plans with regards to Death with Dignity, aka Suicide. Lydia Emily Archibald is an artist to her core. She was born in Chicago to globe-trotting activist parents, and this laid the foundation for her socially-conscious and politi…

More and more often, we're all hearing and talking about the use of diet and lifestyle as a way to manage chronic illness - and not just on the FUMS Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Terry Wahls (now officially our most featured guest) is here to tell us all about how we can get involved in her latest study, which asks a couple of simple but important …

The truth has been out for a long time - exercise is good for MS and other neurological conditions. But of all of the programs suggested for us, how many of them really know what it's like to live with MS? My guest today is Mariska Breland. She was a video producer living a very high-stress life when she was diagnosed with MS at the age of 27. She …

I don't know about you, but when I was diagnosed with MS my medical care team couldn't answer all of my questions. Although, to be honest, the stress and cog fog meant that I forgot most of the questions I wanted to ask anyway. And the pamphlets that were forced on me just didn't cut it. What I really needed was an operator's manual. But that doesn…

I've talked before about diet and lifestyle as a way to manage Multiple Sclerosis. It's an exciting area, with more research being done all the time! If you've been researching this for any time, you've probably heard about Intermittent Fasting (IF). But what is it? And how could this possibly help with your MS? My guest today is Cynthia Thurlow. S…

Jon Strum's wife, Jeanne, was an avid biker, hiker, and writer when she was diagnosed with Progressive MS. Almost immediately, she became so severely disabled that Jon stopped working and became Jeanne's carer and advocate. He continued in this role until Jeanne passed in February 2020. Part of Jon's advocacy was (and continues to be) hosting the p…

In January of 2022, one of the biggest MS news stories EVER was announced - that MS is probably caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), according to a study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers. Now, this link has long been suspected but here was proof! My guest today is Kjetil Bjornevik, the lead author of th…

Jenna Green worked for 15 yrs in corporate marketing, when she realized that she had to leave for the sake of her mental health! So she began working freelance - but the hustle culture, combined with chronic pain she experienced following a car accident, led her to a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2016. On what should have been her first Tysabr…

If you listen to this podcast, there's a strong chance that you receive care - from a friend, a loved one, or from within your community. You might also be in the position I was in a few years back, caring for elderly relatives, young children, and myself as a person with a chronic illness! My guest today is Elizabeth Miller, a family caregiver, ca…

"Grace" is a novel about a young woman navigating married life, sex, parenting, and friendship. Plus, the lead character is doing all this while dealing with an MS diagnosis. It was written by Delaney Parker, an author who lives in upstate New York with her family. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in October of 2008, and it was her diagnos…

Identical twins Tamara Kahn and Terry Hord (née Harber) were born eight minutes apart and were both athletic as children. But they can now look back and see the fatigue and heat sensitivity they both experienced as early signs of the diagnosis to come - along with the trauma of losing their mother to cancer and the Epstein-Barr Virus that they cont…

The idea of using diet and lifestyle changes as a way to manage MS was still pretty radical until fairly recently. But as more research is done, the benefits are becoming more recognized day-by-day. My guest today is Dr. Terry Wahls, who has been studying the links between lifestyle and MS outcomes since getting her first symptoms twenty years ago.…

This episode is the second part of my interview with Marty Shenkman, an attorney whose private practice concentrates on estate planning. When his wife was diagnosed with MS, he recognized how different planning looks for people with chronic illness and it changed his whole approach to estate planning. If you haven't heard the first part, please vis…

This is the first in a series of episodes where I'll be looking at the messier parts of life - estate planning, divorce, digital death, end-of-life planning, wills, etc. Y'know - fun stuff like that. And in true FUMS style, I'm calling the series G.Y.S.T. - "Get Your Shit Together" Sooner or later, we are all going to have to start thinking about w…

It seems crazy to me but my ‘lil podcast is 100 episodes old today! So in a change from our regular schedule, I’ll be taking a personal look back at the highs (which are many) and lows (not so much) of my podcasting journey since launching in 2015. I’ll be talking a bit about why I started the podcast, my favorite episodes, as well as sharing some …

Even without a pandemic, a life with MS can be a lot to deal with. So, many of us will seek help for our mental health at some point. I know from personal experience how frustrating it is to have to explain exactly what MS is whenever I’m speaking to a new mental health therapist. Which is why I’m delighted that today’s guest is working to educate …

Jenny Angus was very physically active, with a career in property management, when what she calls the Poltergeist took up residence in her life. Originally misdiagnosed in 2004, it took 10 years before she received her correct diagnosis of MS - during which time her disease had been left to run unchecked. Along the way, she had to stop her artistic…

Adam Powell was a self-proclaimed beast until 2019 when he was diagnosed with the most aggressive case of Primary Progressive MS his doctor had ever seen. Over the course of 5 weeks, he lost the ability to walk and drive, which, combined with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, led to an intense grieving process. However, with his own unstoppable n…

It is a truth universally acknowledged that women are up to three times more susceptible to developing MS than men. But men are more likely to have worse outcomes than women, as far as disability accumulation is concerned. We know it to be true - anecdotally, at least. But have you ever wondered why? Well, my guest certainly has. Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl…

It used to be the case that, if you were a person who had a chronic condition or a disability, you didn't have much of a voice. In fact, the idea that the patient was any kind of expert in their own health was just unthinkable! But with the rise of social media and patient advocacy, we are no longer satisfied with being the person to whom healthcar…

For most of us in the US, when we join the lucky MS'ers club, the first place we turn is likely to be the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The National MS Society's vision is a world free of MS - something which we can all get behind! But while the bastard refuses to die, they also focus on ensuring that people affected by MS can live their bes…

As the song says, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! And many of us traditionally mark the season - and please know that the FUMS Podcast is a no-shame space - by giving up on eating and living in a healthier way. But increasingly, many of us living with MS and related chronic conditions are managing our health through nutrition and lifestyl…

If you're anything like me, music is a big part of your life. It can lift me up, it can wipe me out, but it's always there. And you'll likely also have seen incredible videos which show people with Dementia or Alzheimer's responding to music when they otherwise are non-responsive. But did you ever think that music could make a difference to the hea…

“Which part of our body are you ok with losing?” - this is the question that fitness trainer Kathy Chester will sometimes ask her clients. Prior to opening Disrupt Fitness Gym, Kathy had been a leader in the fitness industry for almost a decade. However, it wasn’t until she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis that she decided the time had come to…

It’s a third-time visit for MS-specialist Physical Therapist Dr. Gretchen Hawley. She began treating people with Multiple Sclerosis during her first year of professional practice. The positive results she saw in her patients led her to specialize in the treatment of MS, taking every opportunity to attend workshops and conferences dedicated to impro…

Well, COVID-19 doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, does it? You had questions about the COVID-19 vaccines and booster shot and Dr. Beaber had answers. Dr. Brandon Beaber is a board-certified neurologist with subspecialty training in multiple sclerosis and other immunological diseases of the nervous system. He posts new videos about MS on Yo…

I, like many of us, have been watching with interest the current research into the potential benefits of psychedelics in the treatment of depression - because, obviously, depression is pretty common when you're dealing with a life-changing MS diagnosis! Maybe like me, you asked yourself, "Hmmm. I wonder if anyone has been looking into its potential…

There are countless ways that MS can MesS with your life. But one of the most infuriating, most common, and most difficult to talk about, is sexual dysfunction. Obviously, this is something that can affect anyone. But a shocking 80% of people with MS report having sexual concerns or issues. The symptoms can include loss of sensation to an inability…

If you’ve been following us for any amount of time, you’ll know that we always give a big FU to MS (the clue’s in the name!) And even though we’ll have our ups and downs, we try to inject a little humor along the way. Now, we know that MS is NO JOKE. But if you allow yourself to see the funny side of it occasionally, it can help with getting throug…

Amber Tuma was studying for her music degree in Texas and raising two kids with her husband when MS reared its ugly head. So she says FU to MS by continuing to write and play music with her band The Gallows Crow. Hear the inspirational story of how Amber refuses to let MS get in the way of how she lives her life. Go, Amber! Topics covered in this e…

When Cheryl Hile’s neurologist told her to “lower her expectations”, the marathon runner showed that she was an FUMS’er to her core. Adopting the mantra “I do what I can and never give up”, she has now completed 56 (FIFTY-SIX!!!) marathons, 41 following her diagnosis. After running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 12 months, Cheryl founded the runnin…

I’m sure that all of us can agree that MS sucks for a lot of the time. But having an FUMS attitude means not just surviving with MS - but THRIVING! Jen DeTracey is a certified coach and the founder of Women Thriving with MS. In 2010, Jen was a successful consultant and professional speaker when, during a speaking tour, she found she could barely wa…

I hear from a lot of people with MS who have had success in treating their condition with Naturopathy and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. So who better to talk to about this than a renowned Naturopath who also has MS? Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 30, Elizabeth Yarnell has spent the past 20 years studying how to manage au…

As part of the rich buffet of joy that MS lays out for us, problems with your gut and pooping have to be right at the top of the charts - or the shit-list, if you will. Just to state it for the record, not everyone with MS will have these issues - as we know, MS isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. But it is something that a lot of people deal with, whi…

In my life, I spend a lot of time in various MS-related spaces. Having a community that understands what I’m going through, and where I can offer support, is one of the blessings in my life. But even with all of that, there are still things about these spaces which concern me. So in this solo episode, I’m getting a few things off my chest! And in a…

Matt LaFrance is a 37-year-old husband and father of three young boys from San Jose, CA. He was diagnosed with MS in 2009 at the age of 25. In May he will be running 162 miles in six days as part of the 2021 MS Run the US relay team. I’ll let that sink in. 162 miles in six days. AND he has MS! MS Run the US is the longest annual relay run across Am…

The benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle for people living with MS have been of increasing interest over the last few years. But have you ever stopped to think about the effect of the cosmetics you put on your face? Following her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis, Natalie Schultz White was determined to put a positive spin on her experiences, t…

Tamara Sellman was last on the FUMS podcast back on Episode 31 - when she was talking about sleep disorders and her professional life as a medical board-certified sleep technologist and sleep educator. It was during her training that she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. A widely published writer in the years following her diagnosis in 2013, T…

The popularity of personal DNA testing and genome sequencing has really increased in recent years. As someone with MS, have you ever thought about getting it done yourself? Patrick Short is the co-founder and CEO of Sano Genetics, a platform that helps patients match with precision medicine research and learn more through personalised reports, and …

My guest today is Mindy Eisenberg. Mindy is the Founder and Director of Yoga Moves MS, a nonprofit company with the mission of improving the quality of life for individuals with MS, Parkinson's Disease, and neuromuscular conditions. She is the author of Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body and the creator of Adaptive Yoga Cards, which show daily yoga moves…

Dr. Gretchen Hawley is an MS-specialist Physical Therapist. She began treating people with Multiple Sclerosis during her first year of professional practice. The positive results she saw in her patients propelled her to immerse herself even deeper into the treatment of MS, taking every opportunity to attend workshops and conferences dedicated to im…

David Lyons was a healthy athlete, gym owner and TV & film producer when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2006. After immediately being told that he would be wheelchair bound, David, along with his wife Kendra, decided to battle MS in the gym! David founded the MS Fitness Challenge (MSFC) charity to help educate and train both MSers and …

It's a New Year! And although the COVID-19 crisis is still ongoing, there is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines beginning to be rolled out. But even though this is really positive, there is a lot of misinformation out there about the COVID vaccines in general and how they interact with chronic health conditions like Multiple Sclerosis. If…

Prepare to have your mind BLOWN! MXTreality is an XR company based out of Seattle, WA. XR is an umbrella term for various technologies and incorporates Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality. The company has made over 100 experiences to meet client needs, further accessibility, as well as interactions that are just fun. MXTreality is …

Neuropsychologist Dr. Victoria Leavitt was previously a guest way back on Episode 13 of the FUMS Podcast Show. She's back with us today to talk about her new role as cofounder of eSupport Health, a telehealth company which provides easily accessible online support groups for people with MS. The eSupport Health model is based on Dr. Leavitt's resear…