Episode 23: Spiteful Holidays: Navigating the Challenges around Food Centric Occasions

Episode 23: Spiteful Holidays: Navigating the Challenges around Food Centric Occasions

Author: G-PACT non profit November 12, 2025 Duration: 16:10

In this solo episode, Sam opens up about what it’s like to navigate food-centered holidays while living with gastroparesis. From gatherings built around meals she couldn’t eat to the years when not a single dish felt safe, she shares the emotional weight, the isolation, and the small wins that helped her get through it.

Sam talks candidly about the pressure to “just try a bite,” the guilt of saying no, and the exhaustion of constantly explaining your body to others. She offers real strategies for advocating for yourself with family and friends, setting boundaries without shame, and redefining what participation in the holidays can look like, even when food is off the table.

Whether you’re in a flare, newly diagnosed, or years into your journey, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone and you don’t owe anyone a bite to belong.


Support Group Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1WJRQIbkRImHKC-p5sEibA


Cookbooks: https://g-pact.org/resources/cookbooks/


Hosted by two people navigating life with gastroparesis, Surviving out of Spite is a raw and real conversation from the G-PACT non-profit. This isn't a clinical lecture; it's the sound of two friends unpacking the daily reality of a chronic condition, finding humor in the absurd moments and solidarity in the shared struggles. You'll hear candid personal stories that range from frustrating to triumphant, alongside practical tips forged from lived experience. The dialogue covers everything from managing health and relationships to simply preserving your identity beyond a diagnosis. Tuning into this podcast feels like pulling up a chair to a kitchen table conversation where no topic is off-limits and laughter is considered essential medicine. It builds a community through audio, reminding anyone facing a similar journey that they are understood. Each episode explores the complex patient experience with honesty, aiming to inform, connect, and affirm that navigating life with gastroparesis is a story of resilience, often fueled by a bit of defiant spirit.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 44

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