The Chronic Sisters

S1: E14 Steph’s Journey: Living with an Acquired Brain Injury.

Join Jess and Sian as they interview a fellow Chronic Sister. Steph is our gorgeous friend, colleague, nursing sista, spoonie pal, chronic gal and (for all of you OG listeners) the infamous friend who Sian refers to as the ‘triathlon’ in episode 1!We cannot wait for you to listen to our beautiful friends journey on surviving and thriving with an ABI (acquired brain injury).Steph has had two major brain surgeries and dealt with an awful lot over the years and she is here to share her story and educate you all!

S1: E13 Keep on Keeping on. Resilience 101

Join Jess and Sian as they talk all things resilience. The girls explore theories that have been tried and tested and how to apply them to your day to day life to progress daily. Check out some of the resources the girls talk about here: Book: When life is not peachy -Pip LincolnResilience Project: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/Chronic Illness and Resilience: https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/coronavirus/emotional-wellness/building-resilience-during-coronavirus-pandemic/Dr Ginsburg 7C’s: https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/resilience/

S1: E12 Getting To Know You

Join Jess and Sian in this light hearted episode fuelled by delirium and post procedural high. The girls play a question and answer game created by the company Best Self Co. Get ready for weird, wacky and wonderful answers that will hopeful tickle the funny bone. Play along too and send us in your best answers!This is not a sponsored episode but if you would like to find out more about the cards that the girls use in the episode you can find them here: https://bestself.co

S1: E11 Loss and Love; The Self Kind.

Join Jess and Sian as they navigate the 5 stages of grief and how it applies to the chronic illness community and little tips to make the journey a bit easier. Join them for a raw chat about all of the feelings around living in a body that continually fails you and how to help pick yourself up by knowing your self love language. Find all the resources that the girls talk about here: 5 Stages of Grief in Chronic Illness: www.healthline.com/health/chronic-illness/stages-of-grief-new-medical-diagnosisSelf love quiz: findingjulianne.com/self-love-language-quiz Gottmans Institute: www.gottman.com/couplesSelf love language breakdown: www.chcc.gov.mp

S1: E10 You’ve Gotta Nourish To Flourish

TW: Discussions of Mental Health Join Jess and Sian on the second episode of the Mental Health Mini Series. This Episode the girls talk about different strategies that we can all implement to improve our mental health. From cold showers to deep breathing to the science behind the dreaded yoga class. The girls unpack what they try to do to improve their mental health and ways in which you can too. For anyone who feels like they need help with their mental health some of the resources the girls talk about are available here: Calm: www.calm.comSmiling Minds: www.smilingmind.com.auCloudy: trycloudy.comDisclaimer: Jess and Sian are not mental health professionals. No product discussed is an advert or endorsement. Jess and Sian discuss their own opinion and their own experience. Please consult your medical professional to discuss you health management

S1: E9 Breaking Down The Mental Mindset

TW: This episode talks about PTSD, anxiety and depression. Please reach out if you need help. Speak to your GP to get you started on your mental health journey.
Other resources available:
Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/
Join Jess and Sian as they start their first mini series within the podcast all about Mental Health. This episode the girls touch base on their experiences with anxiety and depression whilst dealing with a chronic illness.
Disclaimer: Jess and Sian are not mental health professionals, they speak of their own experiences and are not diagnosing or prescribing. Please seek professional help at your closest most appropriate medical facility.

S1: E8 Say Hi to The Spoonie Society

Join Jess and Sian as they speak to the co-founders of The Spoonie Society; Helene and Dom. These two ladies have taken the business world by storm. Join the Chronic SIsters in the conversation of how they have grown an international business in a short 10 months that helps and supports the spoonie community in more ways than one whilst battling the life of a spoonie themselves. Find more info about the Spoonie Society at: https://www.thespooniesociety.com.au/

S1: E7 A Chronic Pain in The

This week join Jess and Sian as they talk about the pains of being in pain. Living with chronic pain can be hard and confusing. We often allow our pain to go unchecked and an recognised. This week the girls talk about the science behind the pain and the weird and wonderful methods they use to reduce their day to day pains.Key resources mentioned in this weeks episode:Ted Talk- “How the Brain responds to pain” by Karen D Davis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7wfDenj6CQFleetwood Mac Song from Sian’s “Fun Fact Follow Up”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrZRURcb1cM

S1: E6 Buns in The Oven. To Bake Or Not To Bake?

Following on from our dating and relationship episode we dive in to the deep topic of family planning. Chronic illness can effect peoples fertility in a number of ways. We talk about how if effects our choices, our plans and our feelings as our internal clocks continue to tick-tock regardless. Tune in for a real talk moment about choosing motherhood.

S1: E5 Dating a Chronic Sister

Dating in the modern era is a rough terrain to navigate at the best of times. Add in a little spice with having a chronic illness and you have a minefield to tip toe through. With the constant debate of should I tell them? Should I not? its a rough ride sometimes. Join Jess and Sian as they share their tails of turmoil of past offenders and how to build a better foundation moving forward with open-ness and care at the centre.