The SpoonFull Show by SpoonFull of Strength

Welcome to The SpoonFull Show! Formerly known as SpoonFull of Strength, this podcast is here to share real Spoonie stories and insights for life with chronic illness.

In this preview episode, I re-introduce myself, give you a glimpse of what to expect this season, and tease some exciting episodes ahead. Whether you’re a longtime listener or brand new, I’m so glad you’re here—let’s take this journey together, one spoon at a time.

It’s the final episode of Season 4 of SpoonFull of Strength! In this two-part episode, Rachel opens solo while Tina is out sick to share an honest conversation about finding the Spoonie Balance. She dives into the hard choices that come with putting your health first, the guilt and fear of letting others down, and the moment she realized she needed to step back from certain commitments.

In part two, Rachel and Tina sit down with Sar...

In this two-part episode of SpoonFull of Strength, Rachel and Tina dive into the tricky question: “How do you explain a good day without invalidating your illness?” Together, they share how they navigate the everyday “How are you?” question, what boundaries they’ve learned to set, and how to protect their energy when others aren’t truly invested in the answer.

In Part 2, we welcome Zach, a Spoonie and paraplegic whose life was forev...

In this two-part episode of the SpoonFull Podcast, Rachel and Tina dive into Kicking Sick: Your Go-To Guide for Thriving with Chronic Illness by Amy Kurtz—a book we loved so much, we just had to share our favorite takeaways with you.

In Part 1, we discuss the moments, lessons, and insights from the book that resonated with us the most. This book covers everything from self care, to being your own advocate, from food to social s...

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In Part 1 of this uplifting episode, Rachel and Tina dive into the question, “What’s the greatest gift you’ve given your body?” From the power of positive self-talk to the importance of setting boundaries, they explore how grace, affirmations, and compassion can help us better care for ourselves—especially while living with chronic illness.

In Part 2...

In part 1 of this episode, Rachel and Tina dive into the question: Is your mental health being ignored? They share personal experiences, discuss the emotional toll of chronic illness, and explore what needs to change when it comes to integrating mental and physical healthcare.

In part 2, we’re joined by Laura, founder of Let’s Talk UTI and the UTI Health Alliance, the only U.S.-based advocacy organization focused on urinary tract in...

In Part 1 of this episode, Rachel and Tina dive into the question: Who's really in charge of your medical care? From fighting with insurance companies to chasing down referrals and managing a pile of appointments, we explore what it means to be the CEO of your own health—whether you wanted the job or not. We also share tips for advocating for yourself in a system that doesn’t always make it easy.

In Part 2, we welcome Claire, a pass...

In this two-part episode of SpoonFull of Strength, Rachel and Tina dive into a powerful question: “What makes you feel seen in a world that often doesn’t get it?” Part 1 explores the reality of invisible illness—what it feels like to constantly prove your pain, the emotional toll of feeling unseen, and personal stories that so many in our Spoonie community will relate to.

In Part 2, we welcome Jessica Graham—a certified somatic trau...

In this episode, Rachel and Tina dig into the world of clinical trials—what they are, how they work, and why they matter—especially in the rare disease and chronic illness space. To help us separate fact from fiction, we’re joined by two incredible experts who bring decades of experience to the table.

Kerry Biron is a clinical development leader with over 25 years of experience in global clinical operations. She’s helped bring multi...

In Part 1 of this episode, Rachel and Tina dive into a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough: toxic positivity. What happens when you're constantly trying to “stay strong” or “look on the bright side”—even to your own detriment? Rachel opens up about how she sometimes turns toxic positivity inward, and together they explore how this mindset can unintentionally delay healing and affect mental health in the chronic illness c...

 Bonus Episode: The Diagnosis Struggle – Medical Gaslighting & Patient Power

Between Season 3 and 4, we're bringing you a powerful bonus two-part episode that dives deep into the real-life chaos of the diagnostic journey.

In Part 1, Rachel and Tina get real about medical gaslighting—the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways patients are dismissed, misheard, or told "it's all in your head." From endless referrals to th...

Season 3 Finale: Reflecting, Re-Capping, and Soul Healing

In the first half of our Season 3 finale, Rachel and Tina celebrate their first full year of the SpoonFull of Strength podcast! We look back at some of our favorite moments, highlight a few unforgettable Spoonies we've had the honor to meet, and share the biggest lessons we've learned over the past year. Plus, we re-cap the Top 5 most popular episodes from our very fi...

In this powerful two-part series of SpoonFull of Strength, we explore the heart of communication, resilience, and perspective through the lens of chronic illness.

Part 1 features Rachel and Tina as we dive into the often challenging—but incredibly important—topic of talking to children about chronic illness. We break down communication tips based on age, share helpful books that can support these conversations, and discuss how to ge...

In this two-part episode of SpoonFull of Strength, we dive into the world of physical therapy and the patient experience.

In Part 1, Rachel and Tina sit down with physical therapists Kyle (a general and sports PT) and Jessica (a neuro specialist) to talk about the unique challenges Spoonies face in physical therapy. From the importance of pacing to the need for personalized care, Kyle and Jessica offer valuable insight—and practical...

In this two-part episode of SpoonFull of Strength, we explore alternative therapies that go beyond traditional medicine to help manage chronic illness.

In Part 1, Rachel and Tina open up about their personal experiences with therapies like acupuncture, cupping, massage, and vitamin supplementation. They share how each approach has (or hasn’t) helped them manage symptoms like fatigue, inflammation, and pain—and why being open to non-...

Romantic relationships can be challenging, but adding a chronic illness into the mix brings a whole new layer of complexity. In this two-part episode, we explore how chronic illness impacts relationships—communication struggles, feelings of guilt, intimacy challenges, and the importance of support.

In Part 2, we talk with Jessica Krauser, a dedicated advocate for the Parkinson’s community, wife, and mother of twins, who was diagnose...

In this two-part episode, we explore the healing power of writing and journaling with chronic illness. In Part 1, we dive into how putting pen to paper can help process emotions, reduce stress, and improve mental health while navigating life with chronic illness.

In Part 2, we welcome our Spoonie guest, Rebecca, a former nurse who was diagnosed with Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder and POTS after her second pregnancy. On New Year’s Day...

Self-esteem can take a major hit when living with a chronic illness. In part one of this episode, Rachel and Tina open up about the emotional challenges of maintaining confidence while managing unpredictable symptoms. They discuss the mental weight of chronic illness, balancing self-esteem struggles while facing weight changes, and learning to cope with a body that no longer feels like their own.

In part two, we welcome Nicole, a ga...