The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune

April Aramanda, Invisible Illness Club
  • 5.0 (12)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Honest conversations about life, faith, and chronic illness—because you deserve to be seen.

  1. FEB 24

    044 You Look Fine: Faith, Bipolar Disorder, Lupus, and Healing That Isn’t Neat (with Natasha Minier-Robinson)

    Natasha shares life with bipolar disorder, PTSD, lupus, grief, and faith—and what healing looks like when it’s messy. What You’ll Learn What it felt like to be “high-functioning” while secretly struggling with self-harm and mood episodes Why mental health labels can feel like stigma, while chronic illness labels can feel like relief Natasha’s lupus story: pain, swelling, ER visits, and finally getting answers How she connected food to flare-ups and what changed when she cut processed foods The pressure of looking okay while you’re collapsing behind closed doors Faith without the fake smile: why sickness and belief can exist in the same body Why creativity (writing, art, building, making) can help your nervous system release what it’s carrying What she wishes church communities understood about mental health A sentence she wishes she heard earlier: “God has not forgotten you.” Memorable Quotes “You don’t see me behind closed doors.” “A diagnosis can feel like a label… or a lifeline.” “Faking it makes the depression worse.” “Healing can look different for everybody.” “God has not forgotten you.” One Tiny Step Pick one place this week to tell the truth—without overexplaining. Try: “I’m not doing great today. I’m taking it slow.” Resources EMDR therapy (ask a trauma-informed therapist if it’s a fit for you) Natasha’s website: https://natasharrobinson.com Instagram: @natasha_r_rob Natasha’s books (available on Amazon) Credits Host: April Aramanda Guest: Natasha Minier-Robinson Music: Audio Jungle Produced by: The Invisible Illness Club

    45 min

  2. FEB 17

    043 The Quiet Grief of Losing Your Independence

    We talk a lot about surviving chronic illness. Today we’re gently challenging the way we define independence. What if losing physical capability doesn’t mean losing strength? What if dependence isn’t failure?   This episode explores grief, identity, and how faith reshapes what it means to live fully in a body that doesn’t cooperate. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why losing independence feels deeper than inconvenience The hidden fear of becoming a burden How faith reframes dependence without minimizing grief A small shift that helps you live fully inside limitation MEMORABLE QUOTES “I didn’t plan on building my life around appointments and a weak body.” “My body has a way of fact-checking my ambition.” “I am still grieving the capable version of me.” “Needing help is not failure. It’s human.” “Independence may shift. Your value doesn’t.” ONE TINY STEP Accept one offer of help this week without apologizing. No explanation. No minimizing.

    5 min

  3. FEB 10

    042 The Waiting Is the Hardest Part: Living in the In-Between With Chronic Illness

    Waiting for medical answers can feel harder than the diagnosis itself. In this solo episode, April talks about the emotional toll of living in the in-between — the fear, grief, and exhaustion that come with waiting for test results, scans, and clarity while managing chronic illness. This episode offers validation, gentle grounding, and honest faith for anyone stuck in the middle. What You’ll Learn • Why waiting is so hard on the body and nervous system • The common lies that get louder when answers are delayed • How to care for yourself without pretending everything is fine • What faith can look like without certainty or resolution Memorable Quotes • “Waiting isn’t passive. It costs energy.” • “The middle matters, even when nothing is settled.” • “You’re not failing because this feels heavy.” Reflection / Journal Prompt What part of the waiting is hardest for me right now — the uncertainty, the loss of control, or the fear of what comes next? One Tiny Step Choose one thing you won’t do during this waiting season — over-explaining, over-Googling, or over-bracing — and give yourself permission to stop. Resources Listen to the full episode The Invisible Illness Club Credits Hosted by April Aramanda Music via Audio Jungle

    5 min

  4. FEB 3

    041 Living With Chronic Fatigue: Slowing Down Without Giving Up

    Chronic fatigue forced Belinda to slow down. This conversation is about listening sooner, asking for help, and finding hope that actually holds. What You’ll Learn What chronic fatigue can look like over decades Why slowing down isn’t quitting — it’s maintenance How therapeutic lifestyle changes support real life with illness The difference between optimism and hope when your body won’t cooperate Why asking for specific help matters more than “pushing through” How faith can support you on unmanageable days without pressure Memorable Quotes “Slowing down removed the chaos — and my body felt it immediately.” “Hope isn’t pretending things are fine. It’s doing what you can and trusting the rest.” “People want to help. Asking gives them permission to love you well.” “Chronic illness doesn’t disqualify you from purpose.” Resources Email: belinda@belindaterromooney.com  Website: https://belindaterromooney.com/ https://instagram.com/belindaterromooney/ https://facebook.com/belindaterromooney/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindaterromooney/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdXvux59JZU_QsQhW-2BZZw https://www.pinterest.com/belindaterromooney/ https://www.amazon.com/therapeutic-lifestyle-changes-workbook-comprehensive/dp/1955225028 https://www.enroutebooksandmedia.com/alookatlife   Credits Hosted by April Aramanda The Invisible Illness Club Podcast Music: Audio Jungle

    44 min

  5. JAN 27

    040 This Sucks. And I’m Still Here.

    This episode isn’t tidy or inspiring. I’m stuck in bed, waiting on answers, and my body scares me right now. I talk honestly about exhaustion, fear, faith questions, and what it’s like to stop pretending you’re fine when you’re not. If you’re surviving the day instead of living it, you’re not alone. What You’ll Learn Why it’s okay to say “this sucks” without rushing to hope What the waiting season really feels like with chronic illness How exhaustion shows up beyond the physical What faith can look like when you don’t understand what’s happening Why honesty is sometimes the bravest thing you can offer Memorable Quotes “This sucks. Being stuck in bed, being alone most of the time—it all sucks.” “My body scares me right now.” “Relief and exhaustion can sit in the same room.” “I don’t feel close to God right now, and I’m still talking to Him.” “No tidy ending today. Just honesty.” One Tiny Step Say the truth out loud today—to yourself, to God, or to someone safe. No fixing it. No reframing it. Just naming it.   Resources The Invisible Illness Club community - The Unseen Sisterhood Episode 25 - Normal Labs, Real Symptoms: Patient Advocacy & Hope with Rheumatologist Dr. Reeti Joshi Episode 20 - When God Doesn't Heal: Holding Onto Faith with Chronic Illness Credits Hosted by April Aramanda Music via Audio Jungle Produced for The Invisible Illness Club

    5 min

  6. JAN 20

    039 Chronic Illness, Identity, and Faith: Bethany Bacon on Being Seen Beyond Symptoms

    In this episode, April talks with Bethany Bacon about living with hydrocephalus after being born at 24½ weeks, holding onto genuine hope, and learning not to let chronic illness—or the world’s opinions—define you. Bethany also shares the heart behind her Anchored in Hope coaching program and how listeners can connect with her. What You’ll Learn What it can look like to hold hope that feels real, not performative Bethany’s early medical story: born at 24½ weeks and living with hydrocephalus How she thinks about faith in a broken world (and why she talks openly about spiritual battle) A simple morning rhythm Bethany uses to stay grounded when symptoms and stress flare How a painful moment in public criticism impacted her identity for years Why she created her Anchored in Hope coaching program and what it includes Memorable Quotes “People are wanting genuine hope.” “Chronic illness doesn’t have to define a person.” “I can’t control other people’s reactions. All I can do is obey the Lord.” “It’s in my head… and it’s not in my head.” “God wants you to see yourself as His child, not through the way the world does.” Resources Bethany Bacon: Created in His Image Anchored in Hope coaching program Website: created-in-his-image.com (with dashes between the words) Credits Host: April Aramanda Guest: Bethany Bacon Music: Audio Jungle Produced for: The Invisible Illness Club Podcast

    41 min

  7. JAN 13

    038 Starting a New Year With Chronic Illness: Hope When Your Body Is on High Alert

    Starting the year tired, in appointments, and waiting on answers — this episode is about choosing quiet hope in a body that needs care. What You’ll Learn Why hope doesn’t have to feel confident to be real How to hold grief and gratitude at the same time What it looks like to start a new year already exhausted Permission to define success by listening to your body Why “manageable” can be a meaningful goal Memorable Quotes “Hope doesn’t require certainty. It requires permission to keep going anyway.” “I didn’t need the day to look different. I needed my body to feel safer in it.” “Getting through the day counts.” “Sometimes the bravest thing we do is keep showing up gently.” One Tiny Step Give yourself permission to define success this week as listening to your body — nothing more. Resources Rest & Refocus Workbook – a gentle reset for tired bodies and overwhelmed mind Credits Host & Producer: April Aramanda Music: Audio Jungle

    5 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    037 The End-of-Year Energy Check-In — Reflect, Release, and Realign

    This year may not have gone to plan, but you grew through it. Here’s a gentle reflection to help you rest, release, and refocus before the new year. What You’ll Learn How to reflect on your year with honesty and grace Ways to recognize growth that doesn’t look like achievement Reflection prompts around energy, joy, and compassion How to release guilt and carry peace into the new year Memorable Quotes “You don’t have to pretend this year was easy — you just have to acknowledge that you kept showing up.” “Growth isn’t always visible. Sometimes it looks like resting when you need to.” “You don’t need a new you — you just need rest and refocus.” “What you carry forward should serve you, not drain you.” Key Scripture “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14 (NIV Reflection / Journal Prompt for the Week What do you want to carry with you into the new year — and what can you lovingly release before it begins? One Tiny Step for the Week Write one thing you’re grateful you survived or learned this year. Then, one thing you’re ready to lay down. Resources The Reset & Refocus Workbook — A gentle year-end reset to help you reflect, release, and realign before the new year. The Self-Care Toolkit — Daily tools and reflections to help you protect your peace and restore your energy through every season. Credits Host: April Aramanda Podcast: The Invisible Illness Club Music: Audio Jungle Learn more: theinvisibleillnessclub.com   Let’s talk honestly about life, faith, and chronic illness.

    5 min
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Honest conversations about life, faith, and chronic illness—because you deserve to be seen.

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