The Gastro Girl Podcast
If you're one of the millions of people living with a chronic digestive health condition, you're not alone. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in remission, or trying to understand what's happening in your body—and what you can do about it—The Gastro Girl Podcast is here to help. Hosted by Jacqueline Gaulin, longtime patient advocate and founder of Gastro Girl, this podcast goes beyond surface-level conversations to deliver clear, compassionate, evidence-based insights into digestive health. Each episode is designed to help you feel more informed, confident, and empowered in managing your health and navigating conversations with your healthcare team. You'll hear from leading gastroenterologists and healthcare experts, along with patient voices and practical guidance on topics across gastroenterology—from common GI symptoms and chronic conditions to emerging research, treatments, and trusted resources. The tone is engaging, supportive, and nonjudgmental—because digestive health deserves thoughtful, human-centered conversations. Gastro Girl is the official patient education partner of the American College of Gastroenterology, and this podcast reflects that commitment to delivering reliable, actionable information patients can trust. Follow The Gastro Girl Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so new episodes are delivered straight to your phone.
Episodes
Preparing for a colonoscopy may not be anyone's favorite part of colorectal cancer screening, but proper colonoscopy prep is one of the most important factors in detecting precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer early.
In this episode, Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with leading gastroenterologist Dr. Fola May to answer common questions about bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Why is colonoscopy prep necess...
If you've tried medications, diet changes, fiber supplements, or other therapies for IBS-C and still aren't feeling better, you're not alone.
Many people with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) feel frustrated when symptoms persist despite treatment. But when treatments don't work, it may be time to take a closer look at what's really going on.
In this episode of the Gastro Gir...
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently updated its colorectal cancer screening recommendations, adding new stool-based and blood-based screening options.
What's changed in the new American Cancer Society screening recommendations
• New stool DNA and stool RNA screening tests
• The role of blood-based cancer screening tests
• Why colonoscopy remains the gold standard
• Why a follow-up co...
What exactly is Barrett's esophagus—and how do doctors determine who may be at higher risk?
In Part 2 of this 4-part patient education series, leading gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist Raman Muthusamy explains how Barrett's esophagus develops from chronic GERD and how it's diagnosed and evaluated in clinical practice in the United States.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Read more
Why does one IBS-C treatment work for someone else—but not for you?
In this episode of the Gastro Girl podcast, leading gastroenterologist Darren M. Brenner. MD, FACG, of Northwestern Medicine, explains why treating IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome with constipation) is not one-size-fits-all.
Using a real-world patient scenario, Dr. Brenner breaks down what may actually be happening...
What if your bowel habits aren't as healthy as you think?
In this episode of Gastro Girl, we're joined by Dr. Trisha Pasricha, author of You've Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy. She breaks down what most people get wrong about bowel movements—and shares simple, science-backed strategies to improve comfort, regularity, and overall digestive health.
From daily...
IBS-C bloating can feel constant—but why does it happen, and what actually helps?
If you're living with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), bloating is often one of the most frustrating symptoms.
In this episode of Gastro Girl, leading gastroenterologist Dr. Brian Lacy (Mayo Clinic Jacksonville) explains the real causes of bloating in IBS-C and what patients need to know to find r...
Does it fee like food gets stuck when you swallow? Or like swallowing takes more effort than it should?
These symptoms are often dismissed—but they may be signs of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a condition that frequently goes undiagnosed for years.
In this episode of Gastro Girl, Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. Neil D. Parikh to break down what these symptoms really mean&md...
Barrett's esophagus can develop silently in people with chronic acid reflux (GERD)—and many don't realize their risk until after diagnosis.
In this episode of Gastro Girl, Robin shares her powerful, real-life journey from ongoing reflux symptoms to a diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus—and how that moment changed everything.
Like many patients, Robin faced confusion, fear, and unanswe...
Colonoscopy is one of the most effective tools for preventing colorectal cancer—but it's not the only screening option. So how do you know when to get screened, which test to choose, and what to do next if results come back abnormal?
Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet many people delay screening due to confusion or uncertainty.
In this Gastro Girl Podcast episo...
For years, Samantha adapted quietly. She chewed longer, sipped water with every bite, avoided certain foods, and assumed the discomfort was just reflux.
It wasn't.
In this patient voice episode, Samantha shares the moment she realized something more serious was happening — and how that journey led to a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
She opens up about the subtl...
Bloating is one of the most common digestive complaints but also one of the most misunderstood. Many people experience frequent bloating without knowing what's causing it, whether it's normal, or when it may signal something more serious.
In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with gastroenterologist David J. Cangemi from the Mayo Clinic to unpack the real ...
Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), sometimes called gut fermentation syndrome, is one of the most misunderstood conditions in digestive health. Patients can experience real symptoms of alcohol intoxication—even when they haven't consumed alcohol—often leading to years of misdiagnosis, stigma, and confusion.
In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research published in Nature Microbiology examining...
Chronic heartburn and GERD are often brushed off as everyday issues—but for some patients, long-term reflux can quietly progress to Barrett's esophagus, the only known precursor to esophageal cancer.
In Part 1 of this 4-part U.S.-focused patient education series, foregut surgeon Dr. Dan Lister, Founder of the Arkansas Heartburn Treatment Center, explains how reflux disease can evolve over time and wh...
MASH—metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (formerly known as NASH)—is a progressive form of fatty liver disease that often develops silently, without obvious symptoms. Many people don't realize their liver is being damaged until the disease has already advanced.
In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Dr. Pooja Singhal, a...
Fecal incontinence (FI) affects nearly 8% of adults worldwide, yet many people suffer in silence due to embarrassment, confusion, or the belief that nothing can be done. This episode is here to change that.
We're joined by Dr. John William Blackett, gastroenterologist and lead author of "Fecal Incontinence in Adults: New Therap...
Living with IBS-C isn't just about managing physical symptoms, it's also about navigating the fear, worry, and emotional toll that often come with the condition. In this powerful episode, host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Dr. Sarah Ballou, clinical psychologist and Director of the GI Psychology Service at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to explore how fear shows up along the IBS-C journey and what you can do to face it with...
In this follow-up to one of our most popular episodes, host Jacqueline Gaulin welcomes back Dr. Mark Pimentel, Executive Director of the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program at Ceda...
In this inspiring episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Mel, an award-winning dog enthusiast from Valrico, Florida, who has earned more than 40 American Kennel Club titles with her beloved Schnauzers.
After life-changing surgery that left her with a permanent colostomy, Mel refused to let fear or stigma hold her back. She shares how she reclaimed her confidence, advocate...
Starting a new IBS-C treatment can bring a mix of hope and uncertainty. How soon will it work? What if side effects appear? Should you keep going or call your doctor?
Host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. Brian Lacy, gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, to answer the real questions patients ask when starting treatment.
In this episode, we discuss:
• What patients can ...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Emergency Intercom is a comedy podcast by Enya Umanzor and Drew Phillips. There is no emergency, but there is an intense need for attention, so maybe listen up… You don’t want to know what happens if you don’t. (we will be violent)
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.