Bend Snap and Chat

Ever just have one of those days? Maybe one of those weeks? Oh hell we've all been having a couple of years of this insane chaos haven't we? We know it's not just us. Welcome to the new world disorder! This week, join us as we have a real BITCHFEST!!  Between world issues, EDS, aches, pains and everything in between we hash it out raw and rough in true Bend Snap and Chat style!  

In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, we explore unexplained experiences, intuition, near-death experiences, spirituality, and the mysteries that challenge how we understand reality. Cristie and Drake share personal stories and reflections about moments that changed the way they see the world, while approaching the conversation with curiosity, groundedness, and openness rather than certainty.Together, they discuss intuition, synchronicity, sensitivity, spiritual experiences, and why so many people quietly carry experiences they’ve never fully been able to explain.We discuss:Intuition, gut feelings, and unexplained experiencesWhy people often dismiss the unknownNear-death experiences and spiritual encountersPsychic experiences, synchronicity, and perceptionSensitivity, nervous systems, and patterns within the EDS communityFinding meaning without needing all the answersStaying grounded while exploring spirituality and mysteryThis episode is for anyone interested in spirituality, consciousness, intuition, near-death experiences, personal growth, or the mysteries of human experience. Whether you’re skeptical, curious, or someone who has experienced something difficult to explain, this conversation creates space for exploration without judgment. 

In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, we explore the beliefs that quietly shape our lives, identities, relationships, and resilience. Cristie and Drake have an open conversation about conditioning, mindset, spirituality, self-worth, and what happens when we begin questioning the stories we inherited from family, society, culture, and past experiences.Together, they discuss how beliefs influence the way we see ourselves, navigate hardship, and interpret the world around us - and why choosing new beliefs can become part of healing and personal growth.We discuss:Where beliefs and conditioning come fromFear-based thinking and inherited narrativesSelf-worth, identity, and limiting beliefsWhy beliefs shape resilience and emotional wellbeingSpirituality, intuition, energy, and connectionMindset, perception, and the power of perspectiveChoosing beliefs that support healing and growthLearning to question the stories we’ve always acceptedThis episode is for anyone navigating personal growth, identity shifts, chronic illness, emotional healing, spirituality, or mindset work. If you’ve ever wondered whether the beliefs guiding your life are truly yours, this conversation offers a thoughtful and grounded exploration of what it means to rewrite your story.

In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, we explore the emotional reality of setting boundaries, protecting your energy, and learning how to exist without constantly over giving. Cristie and Drake have an honest conversation about people pleasing, burnout, chronic illness, emotional exhaustion, and why boundaries are often misunderstood as selfishness instead of self-respect.Together, they discuss how survival mode, conditioning, and fear of rejection can make boundaries feel uncomfortable, especially for caregivers, empathetic people, and those living with chronic illness or trauma.We discuss:What healthy boundaries actually arePeople pleasing, over giving, and burnoutWhy boundaries feel difficult or uncomfortableEnergy-draining relationships and emotional exhaustionFamily dynamics, guilt, and obligationMedical boundaries and self-advocacyRest, pacing, and boundaries with yourselfPractical ways to start protecting your energyThis episode is for anyone struggling with burnout, emotional overwhelm, chronic illness, anxiety, or the pressure to constantly put others first. If you’ve ever felt guilty for needing rest, space, or support, this conversation offers a grounded reminder that protecting your wellbeing is not selfish - it’s necessary. 

Well look out folks, this episode is a heavy hitter. Drake and Cristie decided that they would celebrate EDS awareness month in style. Drake’s having a massive post physio chronic pain flare and Cristie’s blood pressure readings could power a loaded freight train. What is going on?! Join them as they talk about the reality of living with this “quirky” chronic disease and see if you can find yourself in any of  this insanity. Listener discretion is highly advised 18+ It’s Drakes fault, as Cristie gasps about Drake’s description of his current state of woe. What could go wrong? You know, life bends us all… so lets get into it.Resources from this episode:https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/https://www.youtube.com/@doctorclairhttps://www.centrechiropratiquevitalite.ca/https://hypermobilityexercisesolutions.com/https://www.thebendypediatrician.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_biohttps://canadianrdn.ca/bio-page-gail-ouellette/https://linktr.ee/jeannie_di?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_biohttps://cproloc.ca/

In this episode of Bend, Snap & Chat, we explore what happens when chronic illness, stress, and survival mode slowly reshape the way we see ourselves. Cristie and Drake have an honest conversation about identity loss, self-compassion, nervous system exhaustion, and learning how to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that still exist underneath pain and burnout.Together, they discuss the emotional impact of living in survival mode, the harsh inner dialogue many people develop through chronic illness, and why self-love is often less about vanity and more about survival.We discuss:How chronic illness and stress reshape identityThe inner dialogue created by survival modeGuilt, burnout, and the pressure to “push through”Reconnecting with the parts of ourselves beyond illnessGrieving old dreams while creating new onesPacing, adaptation, and redefining successSelf-forgiveness and nervous system healingThe healing practice of Ho’oponoponoThis episode is for anyone navigating chronic illness, burnout, disability, emotional exhaustion, or major life changes. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself while trying to survive, this conversation offers a compassionate reminder that you are still worthy of love, softness, joy, and new beginnings.

In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, we explore how to stay connected in a divided world and why joy can be a powerful form of resistance. Inspired by the life of Josephine Baker, we talk about community, emotional resilience, and how choosing connection over division can transform how we experience difficult times.We discuss:Why the world feels increasingly polarizedThe emotional impact of disconnection and isolationHow community supports healing and resilienceMatriarchal energy and the shift from competition to collaborationPractical ways to build connection and protect your energyIf you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or searching for hope, this episode offers a grounded, empowering perspective on how we move forward - together.

Anyone living with chronic illness has heard it.“Have you tried this diet?”Cristie and Drake unpack the endless stream of well-meaning advice about food, supplements, and miracle solutions, and discuss the complicated relationship between nutrition and chronic conditions.In this episode we talk about:• unsolicited advice and miracle cures
• the emotional side of food and illness
• navigating conflicting nutrition information
• finding what actually works for your body

For many people living with chronic illness, the hardest part isn’t the condition itself. It’s navigating the medical system.In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, Cristie and Drake talk about medical PTSD, the emotional toll of repeated dismissals, and why patients are often labeled “dramatic” when they are simply trying to survive.In this episode we explore:• moment trust in the system starts to crack
• the emotional toll of being dismissed
• why medical trauma is rarely acknowledged• how people rebuild trust in their own instincts

Dating is complicated enough. Add chronic illness or physical limitations into the mix and things get even more interesting.Cristie and Drake explore how illness affects relationships, intimacy, and vulnerability, and how honesty and humour help navigate modern dating.Along the way they also dive into how changing expectations around masculinity, independence, and attraction are reshaping relationships today.In this episode we talk about:• when and how to disclose illness while dating
• navigating intimacy with chronic pain and fatigue
• vulnerability, trust, and relationship dynamics
• modern masculinity and shifting dating expectations


Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is often described with one word: flexible.
But living with EDS is far more complex than hypermobility.In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, Cristie and Drake share their lived experiences navigating Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and the many ways it affects the body. From joint instability to nervous system dysfunction, they talk about how connective tissue disorders can impact nearly every system, every cell, and every part of daily life.They also explore the common “trifecta” many patients experience - EDS, POTS, and MCAS - and what it’s like learning to live in a body that doesn’t always follow the rules.In this episode we talk about:• what Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome actually is
• how EDS affects multiple systems throughout the body
• the EDS, POTS, and MCAS “trifecta” many patients experience
• common misconceptions and diagnostic challenges
• the everyday realities of living with connective tissue disorders

When the world feels overwhelming, our nervous systems often carry the weight.In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, Cristie and Drake explore what it means to live in a body that is constantly responding to stress. From global anxiety and chronic illness to the everyday reality of survival mode, they unpack how our nervous systems absorb the chaos around us.Blending science with lived experience, they discuss how fight, flight, and freeze show up in real life and share practical tools for grounding, regulation, and finding moments of safety in the body.In this episode we talk about:• what happens in the body during chronic stress
• why chronic illness often leads to nervous system overload
• how trauma, uncertainty, and world events affect regulation• simple tools for calming an overstimulated nervous system
• learning how to return to safety in a chaotic world

Every story has a moment where life takes an unexpected turn.In the first episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, Cristie and Drake interview each other about the experiences that shaped them, the paths that led them here, and how living with chronic illness changed the way they see the world.In this episode we talk about:   the early signs something wasn’t quite right• navigating diagnosis and identity• the moments that changed everything• why we decided to start this podcast

Bend, Snap and Chat is a podcast about navigating life’s challenges with resilience, humour, and honesty. Hosted by Cristie and Drake, the show explores chronic illness, identity, relationships, mindset, and the unexpected moments that shape who we become.Because life bends us all.