Chronic Illness Support: That Chronic Thing

Cathy Beederman
  • 5.0 (20)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS

Hey there, I'm Cathy! Living with chronic illness isn't easy, and I'm here to talk about the ups, downs, and everything in between. Whether it's navigating relationships, work, or simply trying to make it through the day, I’m sharing my personal experiences and insights to offer support, humor, and connection for those walking (and rolling) the same path. From dating while sick to finding small joys amidst the challenges, we’ll laugh, cry, and figure this chronic illness life out together. Join me as we create a space where you don’t have to go through it alone.

  1. OCT 30

    Chronic Illness Friendships, with a little reiki, herbs, and a lot of honesty, ft. Jess Gardner

    In this episode of That Chronic Thing podcast, Cathy is joined by her friend Jess Gardner.  Jess is Reiki certified, she’s a poodle mama, disability advocate for EDS. Noonan syndrome, ME/CFS, dysautonomia and SFN. In addition, she is the proprietor and herbalist behind Muddy Roots, her business, where she serves up fire cider and plant based skin care for those local in Boston.  We chat about reiki, herbs, and wedding accommodations, and ultimately land in a discussion of chronic illness commonalities and the need for support. Fave Quotes ➡️ "It’s [fatigue] made me have to reevaluate every single dream… I’ve had for myself. …I’m mostly home recovering from everything, everything.” ➡️"And it makes me cry because everybody, people who don’t understand what’s going on, they make it into this personality defect of something that’s wrong with you.” ➡️ Normal person asks, How are you? "I'm fine." Chronic illness friend asks, How are you? "I just had the worst BM. I feel awful. I can’t get the chills to stop."   Stay in touch with Jess at @jess_gardner_ 💌 Stay in touch with me at @indoorcathy on Instagram. Make sure you leave a rating and a review! Thanks a bunch. 3 Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes. "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    41 min

  2. OCT 3

    Chronically Yours: ME/CFS Up Close, a personal story of chronic illness and resilience

    In this episode of Chronically Yours, a segment of That Chronic Thing podcast, Cathy reads a moving submission from JD Fraser, who lives with severe ME/CFS. JD shares the realities of life with a poorly understood chronic illness—housebound, isolated, and enduring years without meaningful medical treatment. Alongside her story, JD offers ways we can all help: learn about ME/CFS, show care through small acts of kindness, support research, and keep finding joy in life’s little things. 💙 Watch Unrest on Netflix to learn more about ME/CFS 💙 Support research: Open Medicine Foundation 💙 Submit your own story: DM @indoorcathy or email cathy@indoorcathy.com 💌 Stay in touch with me at @indoorcathy on Instagram. Make sure you leave a rating and a review! Thanks a bunch. 3 Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes. "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    10 min

  3. SEP 25

    ME/CFS is #notjustfatigue, featuring Founder Elizabeth Ansell

    "So you're basically tired all the time?" No, it's #notjustfatigue.  In this episode of That Chronic Thing, Cathy chats with Elizabeth Ansell (Founder, Executive Director) of notjustfatigue.org, a site dedicated to the education and advocacy of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS, an extremely debilitating illness.  → 75% of those affected are unable to attend school or work (note: this includes your host and guest!) → 25% are completely homebound or bedbound  (note: this also includes your host and guest!) → There are no FDA approved treatments, biomarkers, or diagnostic tests.  → There are over 60 symptoms, it's #notjustfatigue.  → 45% of the Long COVID community fit the case definition for ME/CFS. The multimedia website is a wonderful destination for those wanting to learn more about ME/CFS past, present, and future. It is a great resource for those with ME/CFS who are wanting to educate their friends and family when they say, "so you're basically tired all the time?" No, it's #notjustfatigue.  See it all at notjustfatigue Instagram TikTok X Follow Elizabeth Instagram TikTok X [Recorded April 1, 2025] 💌 Stay in touch with me at @indoorcathy on Instagram. Make sure you leave a rating and a review! Thanks a bunch. 3 Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes. "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    25 min

  4. SEP 19

    The Price of Inclusion: Chronic Illness, Disability, & Accessibility Fails

    In this episode of That Chronic Thing, Cathy dives into the high cost of “inclusion” at a WNBA playoff game — literally. From $2,000 ADA seats to arenas telling disabled fans to “just show up and hope,” this story highlights how broken accessibility systems still are, even decades after the ADA. Cathy shares her personal experience as a fan with chronic illness and disability, the barriers that kept her from attending, and why accessibility advocacy is everyone’s responsibility — not just the disabled community’s. If you’ve ever struggled with chronic illness, disability, or the endless hoops of so-called “accommodations,” this one’s for you. --- 💌 Stay in touch with me at @indoorcathy on Instagram. Make sure you leave a rating and a review! Thanks a bunch. 3 Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes. "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    13 min

  5. APR 2

    Living in the Land of the Undiagnosed: My Chronic Illness Story

    It’s a solo episode! 🎙️ Today, we’re taking a trip back in time to January 2023, when I first shared my chronic illness story. So much has changed—my symptoms, my knowledge, even my podcasting style. But one thing remains the same: almost everyone with chronic illness starts in the Land of the Undiagnosed, not feeling well and searching for answers. In this episode, I’m revisiting my early experiences navigating doctor after doctor, seeking validation, and learning to advocate for myself. Whether you’re newly ill or years into your journey, I hope this story resonates. Let’s dive in! 💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram. Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email cathy@indoorcathy.com to enter. Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes. "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    20 min

  6. MAR 26

    Navigating Disability, Diagnosis, and Disney Magic with Kim Grant

    In this episode of That Chronic Thing, I sit down with Kim to discuss her experiences navigating life with Cerebral Palsy, Celiac Disease, and Lupus. From the exhausting hoops disabled people have to jump through—like prioritizing health while risking financial aid—to the long and winding road of diagnosing chronic illness, Kim shares her journey with honesty and humor. But it’s not all medical talk! We also chat about her college experience at Disney, her adventures in live streaming, and the ways she finds joy in the midst of it all. Stay in Touch with Kim → Kim's Instagram 💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram. Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email cathy@indoorcathy.com to enter. Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes. "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    22 min
  7. Chronically Yours: A New Podcast Segment Sharing Real Stories from the Chronic Illness Community

    MAR 19

    Chronically Yours: A New Podcast Segment Sharing Real Stories from the Chronic Illness Community

    Introducing Chronically Yours, a new segment on That Chronic Thing podcast! This episode explores the power of sharing personal stories from the chronic illness community, ✨because every experience matters.✨ Our first story comes from Carrie Ferguson, (fairycerguson on Instagram), who shares her journey of accepting an ME/CFS diagnosis and discovering the power of self-compassion.  f you’d like to contribute your own real, raw, or even funny moments of life with chronic illness, DM me on Instagram or email me! Here is the contact info ⬇️ 💌 Stay in touch with me at @indoorcathy on Instagram. Make sure you leave a rating and a review! Thanks a bunch. 3 Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes. "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    6 min

  8. MAR 12

    Body Grief & Chronic Illness: Jayne Mattingly on Healing, Acceptance, and Her New Book

    In this episode of That Chronic Thing, I talk with Jayne Mattingly about body grief—the losses we experience when our bodies change due to illness, disability, aging, or anything else life throws at us. Jayne shares how her own health journey led her to this work, how she chose the stories for her book, and why grief and hope aren’t opposites—they actually go hand in hand. We get personal, we get emotional, and we keep it real. → Buy Jayne's Book, This is Body Grief (bookshop.org link) → Stay in touch with Jayne on Instagram 💌 Stay in touch with me by joining my love letters list at indoorcathy.com and @indoorcathy on Instagram. Make sure you leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts to be entered in the monthly drawing for 🎁 $25 to Starbucks.🎁 Just take a screenshot of your rating and DM it to @indoorcathy or email cathy@indoorcathy.com to enter. Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes. "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    31 min
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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Hey there, I'm Cathy! Living with chronic illness isn't easy, and I'm here to talk about the ups, downs, and everything in between. Whether it's navigating relationships, work, or simply trying to make it through the day, I’m sharing my personal experiences and insights to offer support, humor, and connection for those walking (and rolling) the same path. From dating while sick to finding small joys amidst the challenges, we’ll laugh, cry, and figure this chronic illness life out together. Join me as we create a space where you don’t have to go through it alone.

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