Surviving out of Spite – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we dive deep into the emotional and physical rollercoaster of receiving a gastroparesis diagnosis. From the moment you hear those words to the challenges of navigating treatment options, we talk about the highs and lows, the frustrations, and the unexpected moments of strength that come with living with a chronic condition. We also discuss what happens after the diagnosis — how to handle the uncertainty, build resilience, and find a way forward, even when it feels like you're surviving purely out of spite. Tune in for a candid conversation about finding power and purpose, even when everything feels up in the air.

In the very first episode of Surviving out of Spite, hosts Samantha and Levi share their personal journeys with gastroparesis, opening up about the highs, lows, and everything in between. From unexpected diagnoses to daily challenges, they dive into what life with a chronic condition really looks like. Tune in as they explore the emotional and physical side of living with gastroparesis, break it down in simple terms, and explain why they started this podcast—to remind you that you’re never alone in this fight. Get ready for heart, humor, and a whole lot of support as they kick off this journey of survival, out of spite and beyond.

Traveling with gastroparesis can feel overwhelming—but it is possible with the right prep. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, we’re talking all about how to hit the road (or skies) without leaving your health behind. From planning ahead to knowing what to pack, we’re sharing practical tips and personal insights to help you feel more confident and comfortable while traveling. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, this episode is your travel buddy in podcast form.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: https://hdsunflower.com/us/

Crystal Saltrelli’s Tips and Tricks: https://www.livingwellwithgastroparesis.com/blog/my-gp-travel-must-haves

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 dietician and T1D coach to talk about the messy, frustrating, and sometimes hopeful journey of managing life with a broken digestive system.

This is a conversation about persistence, patience, and pushing through—even when your body doesn’t want to play along.

Want to contact Madi?

https://www.typeonetypefun.com

IG: @type.one.type.fun

In this deeply personal episode, Sam & Levi open up about the hidden wounds that come with chronic illness—medical trauma and PTSD. From emergency room flashbacks to the emotional toll of repeated hospitalizations and gaslighting by healthcare professionals, they share raw, unfiltered stories from both sides of the hospital bed. With vulnerability and resilience, they explore how trauma shapes trust, mental health, and even their daily decisions. Whether you’ve been dismissed in a doctor’s office or felt the lingering anxiety of past procedures, this episode is for you. You're not alone—and you're not imagining it.

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 about how exercise looks different - but still matters. Spoiler alert: it's not about crushing personal records. It's about survival, resilience and doing what you can when your body's being a unpredictable. Sam shares how running, even when it felt impossible, became her lifeline; and how she's learned to move her body with grace, grit and a little bit of spite. Whether you're living with chronic illness or just need permission to pivot, this emotional but powerful episode is your reminder: movement is personal, progress isn't linear and you are absolutely still a badass.

Tune in now - because sometimes doing it anyway is the most radical thing you can do.

Click the link for some information on the benefits of exercise while living with gastroparesis:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGorkRnsJE/xNFGaazS9h4olbDm-stwIA/view?utm_content=DAGorkRnsJE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h277b0715eb

Living with a chronic illness doesn't just impact your health—it hits your wallet, too. In this episode, Sam and Adam open up about the hidden (and not-so-hidden) financial strain that comes with chronic illness. From endless medical bills and lost work hours to the cost of special accommodations, the financial pressure can be relentless.

Together, they explore how they’ve learned to navigate money stress as a team—through budgeting strategies, dealing with insurance red tape, and planning for an unpredictable future. If you've ever had to choose between rest and a paycheck, or wondered how to make finances work when health keeps getting in the way, this one's for you.

The healthcare system wasn’t built for chronic illness warriors—it was built to test our patience, our wallets, and our will to keep fighting. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, we’re shining a light on the spiteful side of healthcare: endless insurance denials, gatekeeping around specialists, medication access hurdles, and the mental struggle it takes just to get basic care.

Whether you’re battling prior auth hell or trying to decode your EOB like it’s hieroglyphics, this one’s for you. We’re talking about real experiences, the emotional toll of being your own advocate, and how we survive—out of sheer spite and sometimes, stubbornness—when the system appears to be designed to fail us.

Because when it comes to accessing care with a chronic illness like gastroparesis, sometimes survival is a rebellious act.

In Part 1, we pulled back the curtain on the often-unseen reality of medical trauma; sharing the fear, frustration, and lasting emotional wounds that come from being gaslit, dismissed, or repeatedly hospitalized. In this follow-up episode, Sam & Levi return to dive deeper into what healing looks like when your trauma isn’t behind you, but woven into the fabric of your everyday life.

They open up about the slow, non-linear process of recovery: how PTSD from medical experiences can show up in subtle ways, how it impacts your relationship with your body and care providers, and why healing isn’t about “getting over it,” it’s about learning to live alongside it with more compassion and less shame. Sam & Levi share what’s helped them start to rebuild trust—both in themselves and the system that hurt them.

This episode is a continuation of the hard, honest conversations that too many patients are left to navigate alone. If you’ve ever felt broken by the system or unsure how to move forward, this one's for you. Healing may be messy, but it’s not out of reach.

After years of battling undiagnosed SIBO and feeling dismissed by the healthcare system, Krystyna Houser decided to take matters into her own hands. Her journey led to the creation of mBIOTA, a better-tasting elemental diet designed with patients in mind.

In this conversation, Krystyna shares her personal story, and the challenges of getting a proper diagnosis. We explore why quality of life matters in treatment, the importance of community support for those with GI disorders, and how patient-led solutions can make a lasting difference.

Whether you’re navigating SIBO, gastroparesis, or another chronic GI condition, this episode offers hope, practical insight, and a reminder that patient voices matter.