The Couple Shift | An ALS Story
by Maria Aleandra and Julian Rodriguez
We're a husband and wife living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). This is a story of sorrows and joy, grief and magic. A first person account of how to navigate the unthinkable, a space to uncover the truth of what love and courage really look like. We hope that through Jules and his story you feel inspired to live life to the fullest.Thank you listening, subscribing and sharing.#thecoupleshift
Episodes
-
I wasn't ready to die
In this special episode we share both of our perspectives on life after a tracheostomy. Why did Jules decide to go for it? How easy is it for MA to take care of it? What has changed? All this and more. It feels good to be back! Thanks for listening. With love, Jules & MA Instagram:...
-
Continuing to adapt
This is another solo quick episode I created with my AI cloned voice to talk about our challenges that we keep running into. Thank you for seeing us. With love, Jules & MA #RightHereRightNow 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review. ⚡️ Follow us on Instagram…
more -
The next chapter awaits
It's a new beginning for me. It is just AI voiced Jules. This short episode really challenged me. It is one thing to write out your thoughts. Its another thing to do with your eyes alone and then edit it. Thank you for seeing us. With love, Jules & MA #RightHereRightNow 🎧 Please subscribe, share...
-
How we process emotions
Permission to feel, all of it. Learning how to process our emotions as a couple has been a cornerstone of our growth - the good, the painful and everything in between. With ALS in the mix, we've learned powerful lessons about what it takes. In this episode, we continue to experiment and stumble...
-
New Beginnings
History in the making perhaps? Either way, we are THRILLED to be back with another episode. Here's to shifting, and then shifting again. Join us for this brand new version of our podcast. Jules takes his new AI voice for a spin, don't miss it. Your support makes a difference! Like, comment, rate,...
-
Word of the Year: 2024 Edition
The other day a listener asked us... but what's your word of the year this year?? Here's the answer :) Plus a few highlights and updates from the past couple of weeks. As always, thanks for being here. And to all our new friends, welcome. ALS won't stop us. #RightHereRightNow 🎧 Please subscribe,...
-
The Awkward Pause... communication with ALS
Did you miss us? It's so good to be back! Ever been caught in an awkward moment in conversation, listen in to find out why those awkward moments matter. We also talk about Tobii etiquette and how to speak to someone who uses an eye gaze device or who has trouble communicating. ALS won't stop us....
-
Scary times: Life with ALS
What happens when a simple cold sends you to the ER? This is life with ALS. Join us a we take you through a few recent milestones, both joyful and sorrowful. It feels so good to return to one of our favorite places, in front of the microphone, looking into each other's eyes and sharing all of the...
-
Grief, Loss and Baseball
We're back for an update, sharing honest thoughts that we hadn't even expressed to each other until this moment. Thanks for staying connected with us. ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review! ⚡️ Follow us our brand new Instagram account! @teamhighoctanejules…
more -
Recharged - What does renewal look like with a terminal illness?
Lots has happened - from our new beer to the comedy fundraiser to media interviews and a meeting with Conan O'Brien!! (huge bucket list item for Jules!). We've also been through a tougher than expected period as a couple and have welcomed help at home to support Jules care routine. Here's a quick...
-
I'm in the business of living
Jules shares his post PEG (feeding tube) experience, what pisses him off about hospitals and ALS plus our thoughts on the new Michael J. Fox documentary. ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review! ⚡️ Follow us our brand new Instagram account!…
more -
Playing footsie, laughter and adjusting to changes
It's risky to live 'in the moment' it requires courage, vulnerability and flexibility. It requires having an open mind and keeping an open heart. 'It's not about the feeding tube.. it's about what happens after, what we make of each moment'. ~ Jules ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Please subscribe, share...
-
Birds, feeding tubes & finding ourselves again
What started as a casual update became one of our favorite podcast episodes to date. ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review! ⚡️ Follow us our brand new Instagram account! @teamhighoctanejules 🧢 Get your merch: www.teamhighoctane.com 🎤 Comedy fundraiser:...
-
We moved!
May. Is. Jam. Packed. Plus... We moved!! Because... ALS won't stop us. Items mentioned: - Our fab graphic designer sister in law: https://instagram.com/ale.y.su.arte?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== - Comedy producer: https://instagram.com/laughwitheli?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== 🎧 Please subscribe, share…
more -
Therapy, Wonderland and Processing Emotions
Welcome to another beautifully real episode, filled with life's little updates and sweet realizations of what moves us forwards. Because... ALS won't stop us. Book mentioned in the episode: 'A Fresh Cup of Counseling' by Thomas L. Norris (Order here: https://tinyurl.com/4s8m63ya) 🎧 Please...
-
Bonus: Conan needs a friend... Jules!
Who does Jules really want to meet and why? It's a fun short episode! Thanks for listening, supporting and subscribing. Remember to live Right Here, Right Now. ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review! ❤️ GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/77ead571 🦖 Our family…
more -
Monumental Happiness
How do you find real happiness? Is it in the big 'accomplishments' or in the subtle day to day moments? ALS won't stop us. Interview mentioned in the episode, watch here: https://youtu.be/3W7mLo_11Uo 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review! ❤️ GoFundMe…
more -
Deeply Personal
Jules cracks open in this deeply personal episode. ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review! ❤️ GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/77ead571 🦖 Our family vlogs: https://youtu.be/UTwd_0EkFvk ✨ MA's website: https://mariaaleandra.com/ ✉️ Email us: [email protected]...
-
Symbols are Everywhere
What do Valentine's Day, spa treatments, ladies nights and gold have in common? You can say this episode is one of our most authentic yet, lol. Is it a podcast or is it couples therapy? We'll take both! ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review! ❤️ GoFundMe:...
-
Love is Memory Foam
Why is love memory foam? You simply have to listen :) ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Please subscribe, share with friends and leave a review! ❤️ GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/77ead571 🦖 Our family vlogs: https://youtu.be/UTwd_0EkFvk ✨ MA's website: https://mariaaleandra.com/ ✉️ Email us:...
-
Our words of the year
Do you have a 'word of the year'? We've each been picking a theme for the past few years, each of us individually plus a word as a couple. This year's theme is urging us to expand into new territory. We also chat about a recent ALS Symposium and the beauty of insurance. Mini rant ahead! Thanks…
more -
A throne fit for a King
Honest moments between a husband and wife... from toilet seats to caregiver guilt to ALS symptoms to 6 year old shenanigans and more. ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing, sharing with friends and leaving a review. ❤️ GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/77ead571 🦖 Our family vlogs:...
-
Celebrate the GOOD
Are you celebrating your good days? Jules once again brings his beautiful perspective and humor, plus he shares all about his new favorite tv show (worth watching for incredible storytelling). ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing, sharing with friends and leaving a review. ❤️...
-
What drives you?
'Be brave enough to be bad at something new'. In this episode we talk about motivation, fear, purpose and what happens when Jules falls (it's happened a few times). ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing, sharing with friends and leaving a review. ❤️ GoFundMe:...
-
We'll never be the same again
What happens when you venture into completely unknown terrain? You grow, you face your fears, you stretch, you're never the same again. Listen in as we share one of our most daring adventures to date. Notes: We reference our interview with Chris Beckette and Taylor Lew, if you want to listen…
more -
2023... here we come!
Happy New Year friend, thanks for coming back. Our podcast has a fresh coat of paint as we embark on new adventures and stories. ALS won't stop us. 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing, sharing with friends and leaving a review. GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/77ead571 Email us: [email protected]...
-
Lessons from the road, our top 5
It's time for another vanlife episode! In this one we share the top 5 lessons each of us has learned on this trip. Traveling when you have special needs is not easy, there are so many things that you gave to adapt and work around. Join us as we share what our life looks like, what were grateful…
more -
Road Trip! 3000 miles of magic, obstacles and fun.
Jules, MA and Skyler are coming at you from the van! Yes, we recorded this on the road and it feels good to be back on the podcast. We keep on making memories and magic as we embark on a 3000 miles journey across 8 states and multiple stops along the way. We share stories from the road and the…
more -
Journey with Plant Medicines: Chapter 4 ✦ Peyote in Mexico
In this episode we take you to Mexico with us... Diving into the unknown can be both scary and thrilling. The past few months have been filled with experiences that have changed the paradigm of how they think and feel. It's been a big time of growth, shifts, sorrow, joy and magic. We unpack what…
more -
Journey with Plant Medicines: Chapter 3 ✦ Finding the Balance
The other day we were asked... 'how do you balance plant medicines with your regular doctors?' It's a very good question, in this episode we share our views. Diving into the unknown can be both scary and thrilling. The past few months have been filled with experiences that have changed the…
more -
Journey with Plant Medicines: Chapter 2 ✦ Ayahuasca
We continue our plant medicine exploration with Ayahuasca... this was an experience that marked a huge 'before and after' moment for us, individually and as a couple. Diving into the unknown can be both scary and thrilling. The past few months have been filled with experiences that have changed…
more -
Journey with Plant Medicines: Chapter 1 ✦ Rite of Passage
Diving into the unknown can be both scary and thrilling. For Jules and MA, the past few months have been filled with experiences that have changed the paradigm of how they think and feel. It's been a big time of growth, shifts, sorrow, joy and magic. Starting with this episode, we will take you…
more -
We're back (a quick check in)
It's been awhile... The past few weeks have been extra challenging, but our path continued and we remain resilient. In this quick episode we say hello, give you a little update and get back in the podcast flow. Thank you for listening. We always appreciate you being here. xo. Go Fund Me:...
-
Traveling, Trusting & Becoming free from Fear
Our travels continue. We recorded this episode from beautiful Valley Cottage New York. Sending love and appreciation to all the friends we've connected with along the way on this marvelous trip. And thank YOU for listening. We always appreciate you being here :) 🎧 Thanks for listening…
more -
California Dreamin'
TCS is coming live (kind of) from Los Angeles! We always appreciate you being here :) 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! @highoctanejules MA's email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
-
Hacked... yet Happy
MA's Instagram account (with nearly 5K followers) was hacked and deleted last Saturday morning. Crazy right? It all felt like a movie, and it happened in about 5 minutes. In this episode we break down what happened and how we both feel about it. We always appreciate you being here :) 🎧 Thanks…
more -
Adjustments
ALS hits you like a ton of bricks, especially when it comes to making adjustments in your life. Listen in as Jules shares some of the ways he's had to adjust (even how he uses his brain power), plus some hacks that have made things more possible for him. We always appreciate you being here :) 🎧...
-
Pillow talk
An intimate episode... from bed. We always appreciate you being here :) 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! @mariaaleandra | @highoctanejules Email: [email protected]
-
harder days
MA & Jules coming at you from Puerto Rico. We always appreciate you being here :) 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! @mariaaleandra | @highoctanejules Email: [email protected]
-
what happens if you fall?
MA & Jules coming at you from Puerto Rico. As always, our episodes weave together everything we're experiencing and the lessons we learn along the way. This time around, Jules talks about falling and what he experiences when these tough moments have happened as symptoms keep progressing. Join us,...
-
Into the Unknown
MA & Jules coming at you from Puerto Rico. He did it! And MA is officially 'Madame Mystic'... plus inspiring words on facing your fears and leaning into the unkown. Join us, we always appreciate you being here :) 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! Enjoy the show! Have any topics...
-
Tattoos and Tarot
MA & Jules coming at you from Puerto Rico. In this episode we talk about Julian's upcoming tattoo and my first time doing Tarot readings (ooooh). We also share the word of the year we picked as a couple. This is the third time we do it and every year we learn something new. Join us, we always...
-
Our 2022 words of the Year (they are pretty spicy)
(Coming to you from Puerto Rico) We share our 2022 words of the year and why we picked them, they came to us individually and yet they are very much aligned. Do you have a word of the year? 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! Enjoy the show! Have any topics you'd like us to cover?...
-
We're not done yet...
(Coming to you from Puerto Rico!) Happy 2022! Did you miss us? 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! Enjoy the show! Have any topics you'd like us to cover? DM us on Instagram! @mariaaleandra | @highoctanejules Email: [email protected]
-
Get rid of it (and other ways to set yourself free)
We're back! Jules is dropping some truth bombs that can't be missed. Let's all keep walking in our truth, freedom and wisdom. Enjoy the show! Have any topics you'd like us to cover? DM us on Instagram! @mariaaleandra | @highoctanejules 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! Email:...
-
She's a Witch
This was meant to be a super quick episode.. it turned into something a little more 'revealing'. MA even hesitated on pressing the publish button for a few days, while Jules kept asking 'did you publish it already??'. Let's all keep walking in our truth, freedom and wisdom. Enjoy the show! Have…
more -
Couplehood, Activism & ALS | An interview with Allie & Charlie
In this special episode we chat with Allie & Charlie. At 26-years-old, Allie found out that she had the early signs of ALS. The next few years of her life were filled with uncertainty, as she visited countless doctors trying to find an explanation for her sudden weakness. With the support of her...
-
What's your hold up?
Enjoy the show! Have any topics you'd like us to cover? DM us on Instagram! Instagram: @mariaaleandra | @highoctanejules 🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! Email: [email protected] If you feel called, consider making a donation to support ALS research. We can END ALS....
-
An unbreakable bond as we battle ALS | Featuring Chris and Taylor
We're thrilled to sit with Chris Beckette and Taylor Lew, rockstar couple and ALS Warriors. In early 2017, Chris noticed some muscle weakness in his leg. After over a year of testing to rule out all other possibilities and continued progressive loss of muscle control. Doctors in the fall of 2018...
-
Jules never thought he'd do this...
🎧 Thanks for listening, subscribing and reviewing! Instagram: @mariaaleandra | @highoctanejules Email: [email protected] If you feel called, consider making a donation to support ALS research. We can END ALS. https://www.als.org/donate https://teamgleason.org/donate/ https://iamals.org/give/…
more
About this show
We're a husband and wife living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). This is a story of sorrows and joy, grief and magic. A first person account of how to navigate the unthinkable, a space to uncover the truth of what love and courage really look like. We hope that through Jules and his story you feel inspired to live life to the fullest.Thank you listening, subscribing and sharing.#thecoupleshift
Hosted by
Maria Aleandra and Julian Rodriguez
Categories