Health and (un)Wellness

What does it mean to thrive with a health condition like migraine? This tangled web of accepting, surviving, and thriving is the topic of choice for this very last episode of Health & (un)Wellness’ first season, Mighty With Migraine. Kat and Skye explore their complicated feelings about thriving (they aren’t there! and that’s OK!), share what they’re most proud of accomplishing despite both of their migraine diagnoses, and take a nostalgic stroll through the entire season. Bring on the introspection, friends — and thanks for listening. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/3QFDZHq

True or false: Empathy and compassion are muscles that can be strengthened. In this episode, Kat and Skye share their thoughts on this topic and some other dos and don’ts when it comes to supporting someone with migraine. (Hint: We don’t want you to fix us, we just want you to sit with us in our discomfort.) Kat gets emotional on the mic about her family’s adoption of spoon theory over the years, and Skye explores the helplessness loved ones can feel when they watch someone they care about deal with chronic pain. Be sure to stick with us until the end, when the co-hosts’ very own loved ones impart their advice for other caregivers — because you deserve support, too. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/48VrChz

Advocacy doesn’t have a singular look — it can be quiet or loud; it can happen in your homes or on Capitol Hill. In this can’t-miss conversation, Kat and Skye have the honor of speaking with Morgan Fitzgerald, a migraine advocate, neuroscience Ph.D. student, and creator of the Life With Migraine community. Morgan shares her migraine journey — a tale of both hope and recovery — and how she stumbled into advocacy and gained confidence along the way. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/3F4q8DQ

Sharing is caring — especially with chronic illness — and in this week’s episode, Skye and Kat trade tips, tricks, hacks, and tools with three of their Mighty colleagues who also live with migraine: Alexandria, Anjana, and Jess. They share what works (and what doesn’t) for managing their symptoms and do a little reflection on what they wish they would’ve known a little earlier in their migraine journeys. Come for the tips, stay for the camaraderie. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/3LAcCeL

Go ahead and press pause on your FOMO. For anyone who struggles to socialize or keep plans, this episode is for you. Kat and Skye get real about how migraine affects their friendships, share tips for navigating holidays, and warm their hands by the absolute dumpster fire that is canceling plans when you live with an invisible chronic illness. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/462BNyr

In this week’s venting-sesh-turned-productive conversation, Kat and Skye are joined by headache specialist and executive committee member of the International Headache Society Global Patient Advocacy Coalition (IHS-GPAC), Olivia Begasse de Dhaem MD, FAHS. Together, they discuss why people with migraine struggle to succeed in the workplace (spoiler alert: it’s not them), how others can support them, and tips for requesting individualized accommodations. Oh, and in case you’re curious of the episode’s general vibes: People with migraine want to work, but often can’t due to inaccessible workplaces or lack of flexible career opportunities. Thanks for coming to our TED Talk! Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/3YQFJzT

Be it depression, anxiety, PTSD, or another comorbid mental illness — we cannot talk about migraine without discussing mental health. In this episode, Kat and Skye set down their humor in exchange for vulnerability. They share their personal experiences with chronic pain, anxiety, and depression; and how grief, fear, and isolation factor into the equation. Come for the realness, stay for the glimmer of hope. Please note: This conversation includes heavy mental health topics such as suicide and suicidal thoughts. This section takes place from 9:03 to 12:32 if you’d like to skip it. If you or a loved one needs help right now, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. International resources can be found here: https://twloha.com/find-help/. Take care of yourself. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/3Qvi71O

Ready for a rant about the outdated 0-10 pain scale? There will never be enough time to fully demystify the stigma surrounding migraine, but Kat and Skye sure give it the college try! In this episode, they’re joined by Amy Wickstrom, Executive Director of the American Migraine Foundation, and Dr. Christine Lay, Chair of the American Migraine Foundation, and a neurologist and headache specialist who is also the founding director of the University of Toronto’s headache program. Tune in for a jam-packed conversation about the history of migraine, tips for combatting stigma within health care environments, plus an alternative model for how patients can describe their brain symptoms including pain. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/3KiAd2W The American Migraine Foundation, along with its program presenters, refrains from endorsing any specific products or companies.

Ah migraine, the most annoying third wheel of all time. It’s a universal truth that migraine affects our relationships in ways both good and bad. In this episode, Kat and Skye get honest about dating — just wait until you hear about Skye’s experiment with dating apps — as well as their connections with family and friends. If you sometimes (read: always) feel like a burden to the people you care about, this one’s for you. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/46LZYCu

Migraine diagnosis? Check. Next up? Navigating that “little thing” we call treatment. On this episode, Kat and Skye are joined by neurologist Juliana H. VanderPluym MD FRCPC, who specializes in headache medicine (and also lives with migraine!). Together, the trio travel the educational road of treating migraine by exploring the differences between acute and preventive medications, as well as bridge therapies. They also dig into the social determinants of health, the stickiness of setting treatment goals, tips for seeking emergency care, and Dr. VanderPluym shares a metaphor about the patient-provider relationship that Kat will be thinking about for a very, very long time. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/3pzaNH9

The foundational building block of living with migraine starts with a diagnosis (our insurance companies tell us they need it?). In this episode, Kat and Skye share their own migraine diagnosis stories, discuss the differences between neurologists and headache specialists, when it might be time to seek out professional help, and share a few starter Qs for your first (or tenth) appointment. Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/3qP7fkB

The inaugural season of Health & (un)Wellness — Mighty With Migraine — kicks off with this well-rounded primer on the common yet disabling neurological disease. Meet hosts Kat and Skye as they explore some foundational migraine vocab and rant about barometric pressure changes. Come for the brain-bending info, stay for the laughs! Head to The Mighty for a transcript of the episode and to read related stories: https://bit.ly/43iqpO0

Welcome to Health and (un)Wellness — a podcast brought to you by The Mighty, where we put the human back in health. For our first season, Mighty With Migraine, join hosts Kat and Skye — who have over 33 years of lived migraine experience between them — as they lead you through 12 relatable, educational, (and sometimes self-deprecating) conversations. From brutal misconceptions to accessibility in the workplace, we are here to give migraine — a neurological disease which affects more than 1 billion people globally — its very overdue spotlight in the shade. No matter how you’re feeling today, we’ll travel to meet you — just as you are. Because we’re here for you in sickness and in health.