The SpoonFull Show- A Chronic Illness Podcast by SpoonFull of Strength

In this episode, Rachel explores what happens when patients are labeled instead of listened to — and why trusting yourself can be one of the most important decisions you make.Rachel is joined by Ali Moresco, Founder of Moresco Public Relations + Communications. She specializes in healthcare PR rooted in lived experience. After navigating her own complex health journey, she now advocates for patients with chronic and often misunderstood conditions. She is known for amplifying patient voices and has secured national media placements in outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.Ali shares her journey through unexplained symptoms, medical dismissal, and ultimately, learning to trust her intuition when answers weren’t coming easily. What began as being told “it’s just stress” turned into a much deeper and more complex health story — one that reshaped not only her life, but her career.Together, this conversation dives into medical gaslighting, the challenges many patients face when advocating for themselves, and how those experiences can impact both identity and long-term health. It also explores how Ali has turned her lived experience into meaningful work, helping shift the way healthcare stories are told and ensuring patient voices are not overlooked.Ali Moresco is the Founder of Moresco Public Relations + Communications, where she specializes in healthcare PR rooted in lived experience. After navigating her own complex health journey, she now advocates for patients with chronic and often misunderstood conditions. She is known for amplifying patient voices and has secured national media placements in outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.This episode is a reminder that when it comes to your body — you are not wrong.Follow Ali on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/alitmoresco/Website: https://www.amorescopr.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandramoresco/Follow SpoonFull of Strength for podcast clips and updates at https://www.instagram.com/spoonfullofstrength/And on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@spoonfull.of.strengthLooking for chronic illness merch? Visit SpoonFull of Strength’s Etsy shop at www.spoonfullofstrength.etsy.com Use code PODCAST for 25% off your entire order. 

What does it really mean to get stronger with chronic illness?In this episode, Rachel is joined by Charu — a mom of two living with autoimmune hepatitis and PBC — to talk about redefining strength in the chronic illness community.Together, they explore:• How the definition of “strength” changes after diagnosis • The balance between pushing forward and knowing when to rest • Starting small with movement — even 10-minute walks • Strength training while managing fatigue and medication side effects • Modifications like chair-based exercises and bodyweight movements • Maintaining strength vs. constantly trying to improve • Flare days, guilt, and learning flexibility • Meditation, body scans, and calming the nervous system when physical movement isn’t accessibleThis conversation is not about pushing harder. It’s about meeting your body where it is and finding sustainable ways to support your physical and mental health.As always, consult your medical provider before starting new exercise routines.Follow Charu on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/a.spoonful.0f.joy/If you’re interested in body scan mindfulness exercises, here are a few recommendations from Charu: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7mceqGJnxVGWzKBfCSYJR2?si=x4fcSXFdQFCRHk4dKT2B6Q&t=14YouTube: https://youtu.be/3X-_qx9Txto?si=te3Tt3E8C2kbOnzcFollow SpoonFull of Strength for podcast clips and updates at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/spoonfullofstrength/⁠And on TikTok at: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@spoonfull.of.strength⁠Looking for chronic illness merch? Visit SpoonFull of Strength’s Etsy shop at ⁠www.spoonfullofstrength.etsy.com⁠ Use code PODCAST for 25% off your entire order.

What does it mean to become disabled after living as an able-bodied person?In this episode, Rachel is joined by author Jackie Norton to talk about her memoir Burden: A Year of Journals from Someone Living with Chronic Illness. After developing long COVID in 2021, Jackie’s life changed dramatically — leading to diagnoses including POTS, dysautonomia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and mast cell activation syndrome.Together, we explore:• The shock of sudden disability• Body grief and identity shifts• People-pleasing and learning to set boundaries• The loneliness of early diagnosis• Building community in chronic illnessThis conversation is honest, validating, and deeply human.If you’ve ever felt like a burden — you are not alone.Follow Jackie on Instagram and TikTok @jackieenortonFind her book here:Amazonhttps://a.co/d/0gSDZjKvBarnes and noblebarnesandnoble.com/w/burden-jackie-norton/1147916190?ean=9798999491305Follow SpoonFull of Strength for podcast clips and updates at https://www.instagram.com/spoonfullofstrength/And on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@spoonfull.of.strengthLooking for chronic illness merch? Visit SpoonFull of Strength’s Etsy shop at www.spoonfullofstrength.etsy.com Use code PODCAST for 25% off your entire order. 

Uncertainty is one of the most challenging parts of living with chronic illness. The unpredictability of flares. The shifting baseline. The progressive questions about the future. The quiet grief that shows up in waves.In this episode of The Spoonful Show, Rachel is joined by Karen Wagner and Chris Burton from the Invisible Strength Podcast to explore what it really means to live alongside uncertainty.Together they discuss:Navigating flares and shifting capacityProgressive illness and “kissing the line” of future changesThe tension between hope and realismGrief that builds in wavesRebuilding self-trustFinding joy in small, intentional momentsWhy you don’t have to do this aloneThis conversation is honest, reflective, and deeply encouraging for anyone learning to live fully without guarantees.Connect with Karin & Chris here:Websites:Invigorate your Journey: https://invigorateyourjourney.com/Join their support group meeting 3/9/26: https://calendly.com/invigorateyourjourney/new-meeting?month=2026-03Guidance & Coaching: https://invigorateyourjourney.com/invigorate-coaching/Invisible Strength Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnb3P3J1K9u_OtofTSO7VDgSocial Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unseenyetunstoppable/TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@unseenyetunstoppableYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnb3P3J1K9u_OtofTSO7VDgFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Invigorate-Your-Journey/100091620060815/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/invigorate-your-journey/Follow SpoonFull of Strength for podcast clips and updates at https://www.instagram.com/spoonfullofstrength/And on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@spoonfull.of.strengthLooking for chronic illness merch? Visit SpoonFull of Strength’s Etsy shop at www.spoonfullofstrength.etsy.com Use code PODCAST for 25% off your entire order. 

When you’re diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, it can feel like your sense of control disappears overnight. In this episode, Rachel is joined by Amy Behimer—Doctor of Pharmacy, nationally board-certified health and wellness coach, and someone living with multiple sclerosis—to talk about how to reclaim agency over your health, even when you can’t control your diagnosis.Together, they explore the difference between managing disease and creating health, why small, supportive habits matter more than perfection, and how redefining health as energy, purpose, and peace can change how you live with chronic illness. This conversation is empowering, compassionate, and a reminder that feeling better can start today—without pressure or overwhelm.Follow Dr. Amy on:Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/amybehimercoaching/Her Podcast: https://podfollow.com/autoimmune-health-secretsFor coaching, take this quiz to get started!  https://amybehimercoaching.com/quizJoin her Club Habit!: https://amybehimercoaching.com/joinAnd, enter the March challenge at: https://amybehimercoaching.com/challengeFollow SpoonFull of Strength for podcast clips and updates at https://www.instagram.com/spoonfullofstrength/And on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@spoonfull.of.strengthLooking for chronic illness merch? Visit SpoonFull of Strength’s Etsy shop at www.spoonfullofstrength.etsy.com Use code PODCAST for 25% off your entire order.