You’re Not Alone: Living with IBD, Gastroparesis & Chronic Illness Challenges

You’re Not Alone: Living with IBD, Gastroparesis & Chronic Illness Challenges

Author: G-PACT non profit June 10, 2026 Duration: 49:08

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam chats with Amber Tresca of AboutIBD to discuss the realities of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroparesis, and other chronic health challenges. Amber shares her personal journey with J-pouch surgery, navigating life after major medical interventions, and learning how to balance work, health, and personal growth.Sam and Amber talk about the emotional and practical aspects of chronic illness, including managing unpredictability, building supportive communities, protecting mental health, and finding resilience during difficult seasons. They discuss the importance of flexibility, radical acceptance, and creating a life that works with your condition rather than constantly fighting against it.Whether you're living with IBD, gastroparesis, a chronic illness, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers honest insights, encouragement, and practical wisdom for navigating the ups and downs of long-term health challenges.Where to find more from Amber? IG: @aboutIBDYT: @aboutIBDWeb: www.aboutIBD.comEmail: amber@aboutibd.com


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: 50

Surviving out of Spite
Podcast Episodes
Inside EDS: A Doctor Who Lives It Talks Medicine, Advocacy & Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:06
In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Dr. Sarah Cohen Solomon for a deeply honest conversation about chronic illness, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and what it really takes to build a more humane…
What It’s Really Like Living With Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:09
In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Maddie, the voice behind Eosinophilic Chick, to talk about what it’s really like living with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE).Maddie shares her personal journey…
Poop Talk, But Make It Helpful | Gut Health & Symptom Tracking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:24
In this episode, Sam sat down with Ruth O’Driscoll to have the kind of conversation most people avoid, but absolutely shouldn’t.They dive into the reality of living with digestive issues, why we need to normalize talking…
She Refused to Let Gastroparesis Define Her | A Powerful Patient Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:14
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Sam and Sarah dive deeper into Sarah’s story and how she refused to let gastroparesis define her life.From the challenges of diagnosis to the daily realities of living with a…
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): The Fight for Diagnosis, Care & Advocacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:02
Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is more than just managing symptoms, it’s navigating a healthcare system that often doesn’t understand you.In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Lara Bloom…
He Survived Multiple Organ Transplants, and Chose Hope Anyway [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:00
Ty Gipson has been through more than most; juvenile diabetes, multiple organ transplants, and years of fighting just to stay alive. In this episode, Sam and Ty talk about what it actually looks like to keep going when yo…
It’s Not in Your Head—It’s Your Gut (And Here’s Why) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:10
Living with a chronic GI condition like gastroparesis isn’t just physical; it’s mental, emotional, and deeply personal. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam chats with Dr. Ali Navidi to break down the powerful…
Fighting to Be Heard: The Reality of Chronic Illness in Healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:49
Navigating the healthcare system with a chronic illness can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and, at times, isolating. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Meredith Mangold for a real and honest c…