The Nutcracker Syndrome podcast

In this second installment of my ketamine-assisted therapy series, I walk listeners through what my second session felt like from the moments leading up to the infusion to the psychological and emotional “downloads” that emerged once the ketamine took effect.

I begin by reflecting on how this session differed from my first, including subtle but meaningful changes in the pre-session envir...

In this episode, I share my experience from the first session of my ketamine-assisted therapy journey. I walk listeners through what the session looked like from a nervous-system and emotional perspective—what surprised me, what felt challenging, and what I noticed in the hours and days that followed. This conversation is rooted in honest reflection and gentle processing, offering insigh...

In this episode, I introduce a new mini-series within The Nutcracker Syndrome Podcast focused on ketamine-assisted therapy and its role in navigating medical trauma, chronic illness, and the emotional weight of long-term health journeys. I share why I chose to explore this modality, what led me to begin my own therapeutic process, my goals with this therapy, and what listeners can expect...

I’m excited to continue sharing stories as part of our Caretaker Series, a space dedicated to expanding our understanding of the vital role social support systems play throughout the NCS journey.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Shay and Clancey as they share their lived experiences navigating the complex and often evolving dynamics of caregiving and support. Their conversation offers v...

In this episode, we kick off our Caretaker Series, which a true passion project created to better support those who take care of us. You’ll hear Heather and Danny’s story as they share how they worked to understand what was medically happening, how they navigated their NCS journey, and what helped them along the way.

They also offer meaningful insights into what supported them both as a ...

In this episode, I offer a brief introduction to what you can expect this season, along with heartfelt gratitude to those who have been here since the very beginning, and to those who found their way here after receiving a difficult, life-altering diagnosis. I truly wish you all the very best as you navigate this journey.

I’m deeply grateful to be able to curate and share this informatio...

Happy one-year kidney autotransplant anniversary to me! It’s been a whirlwind of a year, and I wanted to take some time to share an honest update: the good, the hard, the healing, and the ongoing. In this episode, I reflect on what recovery has really looked like, what I’ve learned about my body, resilience, vulnerability, and community, and how this experience has reshaped my perspectiv...

Hi, NCS friends! In this episode, I’m sharing my experience with developing an epigastric hernia after my kidney autotransplant. My hope is that this helps normalize the journey for those of you who may need additional surgeries after treating your NCS.

I go into more detail about:

• When I first noticed the hernia

• How I made the decision to move forward with surgery

• The conversations I wi...

Hi, my NCS besties! In this episode, I’m sharing a side-by-side look at my best and worst in-patient experiences throughout my Nutcracker Syndrome medical journey. Ten months after my kidney autotransplant, I underwent a hernia repair surgery, which is an issue that developed as a result of my open-abdominal AT. To be clear, this was in no way due to any error by the incredible team at U...

Welcome back! It's been a few month hiatus from a new recording as I have been busy with work + starting a new company, The COPE Center, which is short for The Center for Optimal Psychological Education in Injury & Rehabilitation. Give the site a visit + please know I have not forgotten about you all; I just needed some time to get my feet back under me!

Now, for this episode, recorde...

Buckle up and grab your popcorn! I am so stoked for this episode of the NCS podcast because we have an absolutely incredible guest joining us—a true advocate, pioneer, and fellow Nutcracker Syndrome patient. In this episode, Sheri Spain shares what it was like in the early days of getting diagnosed with Nutcracker Syndrome, navigating a medical world that barely recognized it, and fighti...

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! In this episode, we’re learning from one of our own—Kat—as she shares key insights from her personal journey, including:

• Her second IVUS experience: what it was like being awake vs. fully sedated, the pros and cons of each approach, and the benefits of seeking a second opinion from Dr. Peter Stratil

• Why renal angioplasty can be a viable treatment option...

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into a powerful and personal story from one of our own—Lilly. She shares her journey living with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) alongside vascular compressions—specifically May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) and Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS).

MCAS is a complex and often misunderstood condition, and for many in our community, it pres...

In this episode of the NCS Podcast, I'm joined by guest Kat Weissner to discuss her experience with the Marcaine test at UCHealth. We explore what the Marcaine test is, why someone might undergo this procedure, what to expect during the process, and important questions to ask your doctor to help ensure the test is effective for you. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, and I ho...

This episode is the third and final installment of our three-part series focused on mental game insights. In this episode, I take a deeper dive into my own mental health journey, specifically through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy—the primary modality that has helped me navigate the psychological challenges of living with a medical diagnosis.

I’m also thrilled to introd...

This episode is part two of a three-part series focused on mental game insights. In it, I share practical interventions to help you mentally navigate the often-overwhelming experience of living with vascular compressions.

The specific techniques I discuss include:

• Goal-Setting (2:55)

• Self-Talk (16:20)

• Relaxation (28:46)

• Imagery/Visualization (45:48)

To support your mental journey, her...

This episode kicks off a three-part series focused on mental game insights. As a psychology professor, I’m setting the stage to help normalize your mental health journey through two psychological models of injury: the Three-Phase Model of Injury and the Stress-Injury Model. I’ve adapted these frameworks to relate specifically to our experiences with vascular compression.

The Three-Phase M...

Welcome back to the NCS podcast! In this episode, I share the list of medications that helped me get to the finish line, which was my kidney autotransplant. Below is the list of medications for those that need help with spelling (like myself!) along with the dosages prescribed to me. While I offer the list below, I provide a lot more detail in this episode regarding these medications, an...

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! In this episode, much like episode 14 where I explored the potential link between vascular compressions and hormone health, I’m taking a deeper dive into how these compressions might also impact our dental health.

Personally, when my vascular symptoms first began—before we even knew they were vascular-related—I started to notice a decline in my dental heal...