HS Brotherhood

HS Connect

🔥 Welcome to the HS Brotherhood Podcast 🔥Hosted by Joey Torre & Parish Armstead 👊 Real Talk. Raw Stories. Unbreakable Brotherhood. Living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) as a man can feel isolating—but it doesn’t have to. Join Joey Torre (HS advocate and resilience coach) and Parish Armstead (patient warrior and community builder) as they smash the stigma around men’s health and HS.  What You’ll Hear:✅ No-BS Conversations: From flare-ups to fatherhood, mental health to manhood myths.✅ Expert Insights: Dermatologists, therapists, and researchers break down treatments and hope.✅ Brotherhood Wins: Stories of men thriving with HS—in the gym, at work, and beyond.✅ Your Voice: Listener Q&As, shoutouts, and uncensored lived experiences.  Why Listen? “We’re not just surviving HS—we’re rewriting what it means to be strong.”For guys tired of silent suffering: This is your mic drop moment.🎧 Subscribe now on [Apple Podcasts/Spotify/etc.] and join the tribe that’s turning pain into power.  New episodes drop every Tuesday. Tag a brother who needs this crew. 💪

  1. JAN 20

    Misconceptions, Myths & Home Remedies: What Men With HS Really Face

    In this unfiltered episode of HS Brotherhood, hosts Parish and Joey dive into some of the biggest misconceptions, myths, and home remedies circulating in the HS community — especially those that impact men. From the false belief that HS is caused by weight, to the widespread (and damaging) idea that HS only affects women, the guys break down what the science actually says and share real-life experiences of living with HS as men. They also tackle home remedies head-on — the helpful, the questionable, and the downright wild. From hot compresses and meditation to onions, Vicks, garlic cloves, celery juice, and crushed ibuprofen “pastes,” nothing is off-limits. With honesty and humor, they discuss where these ideas come from, what can actually support healing, and why so many people in pain are drawn to “miracle cures.” This episode also includes a conversation about snake oil salesmen — those who prey on the HS community’s vulnerability and desperation by selling fake cures and unproven treatments. Parish and Joey explain how to spot red flags, protect your wallet, and make informed decisions about your health. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been living with HS for years, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and a reminder that men with HS deserve representation, compassion, and real information. For trustworthy HS education, resources, and support, visit hsconnect.org. Medical Disclaimer The information provided by HS Connect (“we,” “us,” or “our”) on this website HSConnect.org] (the “Website”) is for general informational purposes only. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, is presented as an educational resource and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions or taking any action based on the information you find on this Website. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare provider because of something you have read on this Website. This Website does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on this website. Reliance on any information provided on the Website, its content creators, or others appearing on the website is solely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest emergency department, or call emergency services immediately. We are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from your use of or reliance on any information or content on this Website. By using this Website, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer in full. This podcast was made possible by Moonlake.

    25 min
  2. JAN 6

    Warriors in the Workforce: Navigating HS on the Job & Beyond

    In Season 2, Episode 6 of HS Brotherhood, hosts Parish and Joey get real about what it means to be an HS warrior both in and out of the workforce. This honest, vulnerable, and deeply relatable conversation explores the challenges men face when trying to balance chronic illness, work responsibilities, financial pressures, and personal identity. Joey shares what it’s like to continue working full-time while managing unpredictable HS flares, the mental load of staying focused in a public safety role, and how supportive coworkers and accommodations have helped him keep going. Parish opens up about the emotional and financial reality of having to leave the workforce due to HS—and what it took to rebuild his confidence, rediscover purpose, and transition into advocacy. Together, they unpack:  – The pressure men face to “push through” even when their bodies are struggling  – Embarrassing moments, stigma, and the fear of being misunderstood at work  – How to communicate with supervisors and advocate for accommodations  – The mental health toll of lost income, isolation, and identity changes  – The hope found in community, purpose, and reclaiming your story This episode is for every man who has ever felt torn between showing up for others and taking care of himself, and for anyone who wants to better understand the reality of HS in everyday life. 🔗 Listen, share, and find community resources at: hsconnect.org This podcast was made possible by Moonlake.

    26 min
  3. 11/11/2025

    Healing in the Kitchen: HS Nutrition Made Real

    In Season 2, Episode 2 of The Brotherhood Podcast, hosts Parrish and Joey step into the kitchen with special guest Cristina, a nutritionist, chef, cookbook author, and HS warrior who brings her full story — and a full meal — to the table. This episode blends cooking, conversation, and real-world education as Cristina teaches the guys how to make a creamy, dairy-free, HS-friendly creamy crab chicken served over garlic cauliflower mash. Along the way, she breaks down the science of anti-inflammatory eating, digestive health, trigger foods, and how nutrition can be used as a powerful tool in managing HS flares. Cristina opens up about her own HS journey, diagnosed at just 13, navigating years of flares, postpartum challenges, and failed medications before discovering the role nutrition could play in healing. She shares how she went from struggling teen to professional chef, to now being in eight years of remission — all by understanding her body and building a personalized, sustainable nutrition lifestyle. The episode covers: • How to cook flavorful, anti-inflammatory meals without restriction • The truth about blood sugar regulation, metabolic issues, and HS • Intermittent fasting — how it affects men vs. women • Understanding digestion, hunger cues, and how stress impacts flares • Why food can make you tired, bloated, foggy… or energized • How to build a realistic, non-stressful nutritional plan • Healthy dessert ideas (yes, even a chocolate mug cake!) Cristina also shares practical strategies for: • Finding trigger foods • Balancing carbs with protein, fiber, and healthy fats • Supporting wound healing with nutrients like vitamin C, collagen, and zinc • Making nutrition a tool, not a punishment This episode is uplifting, educational, hilarious, and packed with actionable insight for HS warriors, caregivers, and anyone trying to understand how food and inflammation shape daily life. For more Hidradenitis Suppurativa resources visit: hsconnect.org This podcast was made possible by Moonlake.

    39 min
  4. 10/28/2025

    Why Your Story Matters in Rare Disease Research

    Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of HS Brotherhood! Your hosts Joey Torre and Parish Armstead are back and kicking off this season with a powerful conversation you won’t want to miss. This week, they’re joined by Stacey Haines, Patient Outreach and Social Media Manager at Rare Patient Voice — a company dedicated to empowering patients and caregivers from rare disease communities to make their voices heard.  In this episode: Stacey opens up about her personal journey — from caregiver to patient-advocate — and how that experience shaped her work at Rare Patient Voice. She shares how Rare Patient Voice connects patients and caregivers with research opportunities (including paid surveys and interviews), helping bridge the gap between lived experience and medical development.This episode brings fresh perspective on giving voice to underserved communities. With Stacey’s lived perspective and Rare Patient Voice’s mission to uplift patient opinion in research, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of both the human side of rare disease and the strategic implications for ethical engagement. Connect & engage Check out Rare Patient Voice (https://rarepatientvoice.com) to learn more about how patients and caregivers can contribute to research and influence change.  Stay tuned for the rest of Season 2 of HS Brotherhood - subscribe so you get all the latest episodes.  This podcast was made possible by Moonlake.

    21 min

About

🔥 Welcome to the HS Brotherhood Podcast 🔥Hosted by Joey Torre & Parish Armstead 👊 Real Talk. Raw Stories. Unbreakable Brotherhood. Living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) as a man can feel isolating—but it doesn’t have to. Join Joey Torre (HS advocate and resilience coach) and Parish Armstead (patient warrior and community builder) as they smash the stigma around men’s health and HS.  What You’ll Hear:✅ No-BS Conversations: From flare-ups to fatherhood, mental health to manhood myths.✅ Expert Insights: Dermatologists, therapists, and researchers break down treatments and hope.✅ Brotherhood Wins: Stories of men thriving with HS—in the gym, at work, and beyond.✅ Your Voice: Listener Q&As, shoutouts, and uncensored lived experiences.  Why Listen? “We’re not just surviving HS—we’re rewriting what it means to be strong.”For guys tired of silent suffering: This is your mic drop moment.🎧 Subscribe now on [Apple Podcasts/Spotify/etc.] and join the tribe that’s turning pain into power.  New episodes drop every Tuesday. Tag a brother who needs this crew. 💪