Chronically Peachy

Sophia Fang + Bernadette Gorczyca

Welcome to Chronically Peachy, where Sophia (@peachyday.co) and Bernadette (@ChronicAccounts) keep it real and peachy about living alongside migraine. We share unfiltered stories, break down migraine hot topics, and uplift community conversations with neurologists, experts, and advocates. If you’re looking for validation, accessible info, or just two friends who genuinely get it, you’re in the right place.

Episodes

  1. From Red Carpets to American Love Song: Britt Middleton on Migraine, Representation, and Romance

    1 DAY AGO

    From Red Carpets to American Love Song: Britt Middleton on Migraine, Representation, and Romance

    She’s interviewed Bradley Cooper and the cast of Crazy Rich Asians, reported from sparkling red carpets, and built a powerhouse media career, all while quietly battling decades of undiagnosed migraine: she’s Britt Middleton! In this episode, Sophia and Bernadette sit down with novelist, journalist, poet, and Columbia MFA candidate Britt Middleton to talk about what it really looks like to build a fulfilling creative life alongside chronic illness. After nearly 15 years without a diagnosis and not seeing stories like hers reflected on bookshelves, Britt made the bold choice to write her debut novel, American Love Song, a country rom-com retelling of Taylor Swift's "Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince.” We get into: Managing migraine while interviewing major celebrities, including Britt’s very public moment at a John Cena red carpet movie premiere that inspired her book What finally pushed Britt to seek a diagnosis and how it’s shaped her journey Why it’s more meaningful now than ever to center the stories of Black women and chronic illness and how representation in the romance genre still has a long way to go Productivity culture, chronic illness, and the unlearning that comes with choosing yourself American Love Song is available May 19th on Amazon and at BrittMiddleton.com, or for pre-orders here. Find Britt everywhere at @TheBrittMiddleton. Timestamps 00:00 — A novel for people who have chronic illness, written by someone with chronic illness 00:50 — Welcome & intro to Chronically Peachy 01:32 — Introducing our guest, Britt Middleton: novelist, journalist, and poet 03:43 — Britt's 20-year migraine journey: from undiagnosed childhood migraine to finally receiving a diagnosis in her early 30s 05:43 — The moment that pushed Britt to finally seek a migraine diagnosis 07:27 — How untreated migraine impacted Britt’s personal life and relationships 08:02 — Balancing writing and chronic illness: blue light glasses, triggers, and not writing every day 09:43 — Removing the guilt: migraine as a neurological disorder, not a personal failing 10:34 — High-pressure journalism with migraine: interviews, studio lights, and pushing through the pain 11:27 — The John Cena interview and movie premiere that inspired her book 15:16 — Migraine representation in pop culture and why headache ≠ migraine 16:14 — Writing a protagonist with migraine in her debut novel and depicting care within a relationship 18:21 — Why Britt left a high-powered career to write fiction — and how migraine was the catalyst 20:29 — Productivity culture, chronic illness, and the unlearning process 22:23 — What Britt hopes readers will take away from American Love Song 24:17 — How much of Britt's own life is in her main character Brinton's story 25:20 — Intersectionality: being a Black woman in journalism and writing that truth into fiction 27:01 — Writing vulnerable moments inspired by real-life experiences: having to work twice as hard to be seen and respected as a Black woman with chronic illness 29:00 — Disability representation and the authors that inspired Britt: Talia Hibbert and Tia Williams 30:00 — Why Britt chose to self-publish and how indie publishing is changing the game 31:31 — Closing message to the Chronically Peachy community: you deserve to feel wellFollow us on social media 🎙 Chronically Peachy IG: @chronicallypeachypod ✨ Bernadette’s IG: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s TikTok: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s Threads: @ChronicAccounts  🍑 Peachy Day website: www.peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day TikTok: @peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day IG: @peachyday.co Music: noon by massobeats, honey jam by massobeats

    34 min

  2. 1 APR

    Headache on the Hill: 15 Stories of Migraine Advocacy

    This week, co-hosts Sophia and Bernadette take you inside Sophia’s third year at Headache on the Hill, a biannual advocacy event where patients, neurologists, researchers, and headache advocates travel to Washington, D.C. to meet directly with lawmakers and push for stronger federal migraine and headache policy! In this episode, we share and react to powerful stories from 15 inspiring advocates that Sophia interviewed at Headache on the Hill. From a high school student fighting for the next generation facing migraine and a cluster headache patient navigating an often invisible condition, to a trigeminal neuralgia advocate and her dedicated partner, each voice highlights the strength and diversity of the headache community. You’ll also hear expert insights from neurologists on how to access the right diagnosis and care, plus the life-changing wisdom that helps keep our community strong, supported, and, of course, Chronically Peachy! Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome & intro to Chronically Peachy 00:43 — What is Headache on the Hill? 01:56 — The migraine funding gap & why advocacy matters 03:03 — This year's three legislative asks: Headache Act, Safe Step Act & Connect for Health Act 04:10 — Advocate stories: Keely, Isabella, Heather & Sharon 06:50 — Reflecting on hope, grief & finding purpose in pain 09:54 — Hearing from the medical community: Dr. Baha, Dr. Barbara & Isaac 11:35 — Reframing self-blame & the migraine threshold 14:07 — Migraine beyond head pain: nervous system dysfunction 16:28 — Beyond migraine: spotlight on all headache disorders 17:29 — Advocate stories: Michael (cluster headache), Lisa & Chris (trigeminal neuralgia) 20:01 — Caregiving, navigating the ER & intersectional barriers to care 22:15 — No place for Pain Olympics: every story belongs 24:26 — Life-changing advice from advocates: Alicia, Christy, Jacqueline, Mandy & Montana 26:08 — Learning to say no without apologizing 28:44 — Cheryl's chronically peachy secret: her "sugar honey iced tea" playlist 30:00 — Sophia reflects on her favorite moments from the event 31:43 — How to get involved with Headache on the Hill (in person & virtually) 33:10 — Outro & where to find us Follow us on social media 🎙 Chronically Peachy IG: @chronicallypeachypod ✨ Bernadette’s IG: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s TikTok: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s Threads: @ChronicAccounts  🍑 Peachy Day website: www.peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day TikTok: @peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day IG: @peachyday.co Music: honey jam by massobeats

    34 min

  3. 18 MAR

    The Real Migraine Toolkit: Preventative, Acute & Lifestyle

    Is your migraine toolkit built for attacks, or built to support your whole life? In this episode of Chronically Peachy, co-hosts Bernadette and Sophia break down what it really means to build a migraine toolkit: preventative treatments, acute medications, neuromodulation devices, and everyday lifestyle habits that make the biggest difference. Bernadette shares her experience living with chronic refractory migraine, the trial-and-error behind finding what works, and the small but powerful tools that make daily life more manageable. From recognizing early warning signs to navigating the emotional ups and downs of living life alongside migraine symptoms, this is a layered, real-world approach to migraine care that nobody talks about. We also get into the emotional side of caring for migraine: self-compassion, survival mode strategies, and why it’s not about perfection. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or rethinking your approach, this episode reminds us that managing migraine isn’t just finding one-off tools, it’s about building sustainable systems to support our lives. Plus in this episode’s Migraine Mythbusters, we unpack a viral question: does the daith piercing actually help migraine…or is it just a myth? Timestamps 00:03 - Your migraine toolkit isn’t just for attacks; it’s a preventative approach.  01:38 - Bernadette’s approach to building a migraine toolkit. 02:20 - Undiagnosed for years: the moment everything finally clicked. 03:03 - Why preventative treatment is the foundation (not optional). 04:40 - Bernadette’s approach to acute/abortive medication. 05:29 - Understanding when to take acute/abortive medications. 06:05 - How medication underuse can impact migraine. 06:23 - Migraine brain fog: why it’s so hard to help yourself mid-attack. 06:53 - Learning your warning signs before it’s too late. 08:00 - Neuromodulation devices: a non-medication option explained. 10:26 - The real strategy: blending meds with lifestyle tools. 11:00 - Movement as medicine (when it helps… and when it doesn’t). 11:39 - Other foundational lifestyle habits in Bernadette’s toolkit 12:14 - How to stay consistent without burning out. 14:11 - Migraine survival mode: practical tools for your worst days 16:44 - Bernadette’s advice for building a migraine toolkit  19:14 - Migraine mythbuster: Does the daith piercing work? Sources referenced Literature review: Daith piercing: Revisited from the perspective of auricular acupuncture systems. A narrative review Expert opinion: Daith Piercings & Migraine Follow us on social media 🎙 Chronically Peachy IG: @chronicallypeachypod ✨ Bernadette’s IG: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s TikTok: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s Threads: @ChronicAccounts  🍑 Peachy Day website: www.peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day TikTok: @peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day IG: @peachyday.co Music: noon by massobeats, honey jam by massobeats

    24 min
  4. Dr. Mina: The Empathetic Headache Neurologist Behind @MigraineswithMina (Part 1)

    4 MAR

    Dr. Mina: The Empathetic Headache Neurologist Behind @MigraineswithMina (Part 1)

    Have you heard? A social media sensation in a white coat, raised in a family of physicians and fueled by her own migraine experience, is reshaping the narrative around headache medicine for 170,000 followers and counting! In this episode of Chronically Peachy, Sophia and Bernadette sit down with Dr. Mina, known online as @MigraineswithMina, to talk about what compassionate migraine care looks like from both sides of the exam room. Coming from a family of doctors and living with episodic migraine herself, Dr. Mina shares why she chose headache neurology as her life’s work, and how that decision meant challenging stigma even within her own field. She opens up about the very real insurance barriers patients face when trying to access care, and why rebuilding trust with patients who have spent years feeling dismissed is at the heart of everything she does. We break down: How living with migraine herself has transformed the way Dr. Mina cares for patients The 4 stages of migraine (and why prodrome and postdrome matter more than you think) Why early, accurate diagnosis is critical to preventing central sensitization What’s next in migraine care: PACAP therapies, neuromodulation, biomarkers, and the growing role of AI If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or stuck in trial-and-error treatment cycles, this conversation is a reminder that better care is possible and that careful diagnosis and treatment with an empathetic neurologist can be life-changing. In Part 2, we’ll go behind the scenes of @MigraineswithMina to see how Dr. Mina has built a trusted, stigma-breaking platform for migraine education. She shares what it’s like showing up online as a physician, patient, mom, and advocate all at once, and why representation in medicine matters more than ever. Timestamps:  00:00 – Welcome to Chronically Peachy and introducing Dr. Mina 02:30 – Growing up in a family of physicians and choosing medicine 04:06 – Why headache medicine felt different and worth fighting for 05:28 – The stigma of specializing in migraine, even within neurology 06:19 – Living with migraine and how it transforms patient care 08:18 – Insurance barriers and the realities of accessing treatment 11:31 – Validation, trust, and rebuilding hope after years of dismissal 13:46 – Why getting a migraine diagnosis matters 14:41 – Why early diagnosis prevents central sensitization 17:26 – Why migraine education & training matters so much 19:45 – When to see a headache specialist 20:22 – Emerging treatments and research in migraine 24:17 – The four phases of a migraine attack and redefining what counts as a “headache day” 27:20 – Wrapping up Part 1, with a sneak peek of Part 2 Follow Dr. Mina on social media ✨Dr. Mina’s IG: @Migraineswithmina  ✨Dr. Mina’s TikTok: @Migraineswithmina  Follow us on social media 🎙 Chronically Peachy IG: @chronicallypeachypod ✨ Bernadette’s IG: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s TikTok: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s Threads: @ChronicAccounts  🍑 Peachy Day website: www.peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day TikTok: @peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day IG: @peachyday.co Music: noon by massobeats, honey jam by massobeats

    28 min

  5. 18 FEB

    Bernadette's Story: Finding Hope Through Chronic Migraine

    After decades of being misdiagnosed while living alongside migraine, how do you turn frustration into advocacy, education, and a flourishing online community?  In this episode of Chronically Peachy, Sophia flips the mic and interviews co-host Bernadette about her lifelong journey with migraine. What began as childhood abdominal attacks, followed by years of being misdiagnosed with “chronic sinusitis,” evolved into chronic daily migraine, which pushed Bernadette towards seeking answers, growing resilience, and reclaiming her life. Bernadette opens up about leaving the classroom, growing her migraine advocacy platform, @ChronicAccounts, to 30,000+ followers across Instagram and TikTok, and why dismantling migraine stigma has become her mission.  We dig into what it feels like to spend years in the dark before finding clarity and what it feels like to rebuild your life with education, validation, and community front and center. Plus, we debut a new segment, Migraine Mythbusters, and tackle the infamous McDonald’s fries and Diet Coke “hack”! Follow us on social media 🎙 Chronically Peachy IG: @chronicallypeachypod ✨ Bernadette’s IG: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s TikTok: @ChronicAccounts ✨ Bernadette’s Threads: @ChronicAccounts  🍑 Peachy Day website: www.peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day TikTok: @peachyday.co 🍑 Peachy Day IG: @peachyday.co Music: noon by massobeats, honey jam by massobeats

    31 min
  6. Sophia’s Story: How 10 Years of Chronic Migraine Changed My Future

    4 FEB

    Sophia’s Story: How 10 Years of Chronic Migraine Changed My Future

    What happens when the chronic illness you grew up watching becomes your own story to live? In our first episode of Chronically Peachy, co-hosts Bernadette and Sophia dive into Sophia’s story growing up alongside her mom’s struggle with chronic migraine, facing her own diagnosis in her early 20s, and using art to navigate chronic pain.  Together, we explore denial, grief, growth, and what it truly means to rediscover purpose while living with chronic illness day by day. Sophia also shares how migraine unexpectedly shaped her journey to earn an MBA at Stanford and inspired her to create Peachy Day, a migraine prevention app designed to help people better understand their health, prevent attacks, and feel less alone in their chronic illness journey. Timestamps 00:00 - What if chronic illness could be a secret advantage? 02:04 - Finding micro joys on hard days.  03:06 - Double life: migraine founder by day, mural artist by night.  05:37 - Living boldly with unpredictable migraine, without toxic positivity 09:17 - My migraine story started with my mom. 12:10 - The anger no one warns you about. 13:55 - Lessons my mom learned from three decades of migraine, without a formal diagnosis. 16:34 - Am I the Hero or the Victim? I had to choose. 17:46 - Art saved my life: creativity as therapy and self-expression 19:30 - I got into Stanford Business School… and panicked. 20:05 - How I demanded accommodations without apologizing  21:31 - “Coming out” as the migraine girl at university. 23:25 - Turning storytelling into advocacy and maximum impact. 24:46 - Designing Peachy Day and migraine-friendly tools for the community 30:14 - How to ask for support, and support people in your life with migraine Follow us on social media! 🎙 Chronically Peachy IG: @chronicallypeachypod✨ Bernadette’s IG: @ChronicAccounts✨ Bernadette’s TikTok: @ChronicAccounts🍑 Peachy Day Website: www.peachyday.co🍑 Peachy Day TikTok: @peachyday.co🍑 Peachy Day IG: @peachyday.co Music tracks: honey jam by massobeats, noon by massobeats

    34 min

  7. TRAILER

    Teaser: Welcome to Chronically Peachy

    This is Chronically Peachy: the podcast where migraine and chronic pain conversations get real, but stay peachy! Hosted by Sophia Fang (@peachyday.co) and Bernadette Gorczyca (@ChronicAccounts), we share unfiltered stories, migraine hot takes, and community-centered conversations with neurologists, experts, and advocates. Our first episode launches on Wednesday, February 4th! Music track: honey jam by massobeats Source: https://freetouse.com/music Royalty Free Music for Videos (Safe)

    1 min

Trailer

About

Welcome to Chronically Peachy, where Sophia (@peachyday.co) and Bernadette (@ChronicAccounts) keep it real and peachy about living alongside migraine. We share unfiltered stories, break down migraine hot topics, and uplift community conversations with neurologists, experts, and advocates. If you’re looking for validation, accessible info, or just two friends who genuinely get it, you’re in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Sophia Fang + Bernadette Gorczyca
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sophia Fang + Bernadette Gorczyca
  • Show Website
    Chronically Peachy