Why Chronic Pain Patients feel Ignored by Doctors (and what needs to change)

Why Chronic Pain Patients feel Ignored by Doctors (and what needs to change)

Author: G-PACT non profit February 18, 2026 Duration: 46:28
Surviving out of Spite
BusinessNon-profit

Chronic pain isn’t just physical; it affects your mental health, emotions, and daily life. In this powerful conversation, Sam and Alec break down what chronic pain management really looks like when empathy, trust, and communication are at the center of care.

Alec, a primary care provider, shares the personal experience that led him into medicine and shaped his approach to patient-centered care. Sam brings the lived patient perspective, opening up about the frustration and harm that can happen when pain is dismissed or misunderstood by healthcare providers.

Together, they explore why communication breakdowns are so common in healthcare, how validation impacts patient outcomes, and what both patients and providers can do to build stronger, more compassionate relationships, especially when navigating chronic illness and chronic pain.

Whether you’re living with chronic pain, supporting someone who is, or working in healthcare, this conversation offers insight, validation, and practical takeaways.



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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Podcast Episodes
Episode 13: Shaping Your Story: Advocacy Through Authenticity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode, Sam sits down with patient advocate, G-PACT board member and storyteller Jim Sliney to unpack the power of storytelling in the chronic illness and advocacy space. Together, they explore how to craft stor…
Episode 11: Pie with a Purpose: Why Awareness Month Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this inspiring and heartfelt episode, Sam sits down with Andrew Belliveau to talk about his journey with gastroparesis; from a difficult diagnosis at a young age to building a life filled with advocacy, humor, and hop…
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In this continued conversation, Sam and Madi dive even deeper into the emotional and practical realities of managing food, nutrition, and language around chronic illness. Building on their previous episode, they discuss…
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Episode 08: Gastroparesis Food Fight: Finding What Works [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Living with gastroparesis means navigating a minefield of food fears, medical dismissal, and constant trial-and-error—especially when it feels like nothing works. In this episode, I’m joined by Madi Cheever, a registered…
Episode 06: You said I couldn't run...so I laced up TWICE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:48
This week on Surviving out of Spite, Sam is flying solo and getting real about what it means to stay active with gastroparesis. From gut wrenching (literally) symptoms to workouts that don't go as planned, she opens up a…

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