Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano

Lyndsay Soprano
  • 4.9 (36)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

Giving Pain Purpose (formerly known as The Pain Game Podcast) is where raw truth, real trauma, and relentless healing collide. Hosted by Lyndsay Soprano, the show dives deep into the lived experience of chronic pain, trauma, disability, and the messy, beautiful process of rebuilding your life when everything hurts. Each week, Lyndsay sits down with survivors, experts, and everyday humans who’ve walked through hell — and chose to rise anyway. These are the conversations most people are too afraid to have: the kind that rip the bandages, challenge the system, and give pain a purpose. If you’re living with chronic pain, navigating trauma recovery, healing from medical gaslighting, or searching for community in the chaos, you’re in the right place. This podcast was built for the fighters, the feelers, and anyone who refuses to stay silent about what hurts. You’re not alone in this fight — and you don’t have to heal quietly. Season 5 has officially launched!!

  1. 3d ago

    Claiming Our Voices with Machan Taylor

    What happens when the voice that takes you to some of the world’s biggest stages is also the one you’re still learning to claim as your own? Singer, songwriter, educator, and author Machan Taylor has spent a lifetime navigating the space between performance and identity. Born in post-war Japan to a Japanese mother and American father, Machan was uprooted at four years old and brought to New Jersey, leaving behind her language, family, culture, and the only home she knew. Years later, she would recognize that experience as an early trauma that quietly shaped her sense of belonging. In this episode of Giving Pain Purpose, Machan and Lyndsay explore the complicated journey of finding your voice when so much of your life has been spent adapting, performing, and trying to figure out where you fit. Machan shares how music became both sanctuary and identity, eventually taking her to stages with artists including Pink Floyd, Sting, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, and George Benson, all while the woman behind the applause was still wrestling with insecurity, imposter syndrome, family trauma, and the feeling that she wasn’t enough. They talk openly about addiction, abusive relationships, the masks we wear to survive, and the long, nonlinear work of healing. Machan also shares how therapy, Buddhism, meditation, and later psychedelic-assisted therapy helped her reconnect with parts of herself she had left behind, including the little girl who left Japan all those years ago. At its core, this conversation is about more than a remarkable music career. It’s about stripping away the performance, making peace with every version of yourself, and finding the courage to tell your story—naked, out loud. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Machon Taylor's Journey (02:53) From Japan to the World Stage (09:51) Family Dynamics and Childhood Trauma (13:24) Music as a Path to Belonging (16:28) Touring with Major Artists and Internal Struggles (19:08) Dealing with Substance Use and Self-Protection (21:43) The Ongoing Search for Identity (27:15) Healing Through Psychedelic Therapy (35:49) Spiritual Practices and Full Circle (39:41) The Power of Sharing Our Stories (43:47) Final Reflections and Words of Encouragement Find Machan Taylor Online Here: Website: machantaylor.com Instagram: @machantaylorofficial Facebook: Machan Taylor LinkedIn: Machan Taylor YouTube: Machan Taylor Official Book: Naked Out Loud From Yokohama to Pink Floyd Find Giving Pain Purpose Online Here: Website: givingpainpurpose.com Instagram: @givingpainpurpose Facebook: The Giving Pain Purpose Podcast LinkedIn: Lyndsay Soprano YouTube: @givingpainpurpose Shop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.com Subscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now! Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing.  This is where pain meets purpose — and you’re not doing it alone. ++ Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here:  Be a Guest on The Show

  2. Sep 8

    Don't You DARE Gaslight Us with Rachel Hayden

    Six years of symptoms. Six years of searching for answers. Six years of a body that kept speaking while no one could—or would—put the pieces together. That's where Rachel Hayden's MS journey began, and it's a story that will sound painfully familiar to anyone who has been dismissed, doubted, or told to wait a little longer. In this episode, Lyndsay Soprano sits down with Rachel, a type 1 diabetic, MS warrior, podcast host, and founder of the Spoonful of Strength community, to talk about what it really looks like to navigate invisible illness in a world that can't see what you're carrying. They go into the six-year road to diagnosis, the medical gaslighting that came with it, the undiagnosed muscle issues that still affect Rachel's breathing and mobility today, and the mental health spiral that chronic illness quietly creates when nobody is paying attention. But this conversation doesn't stay in the dark. Rachel shares how to learn to speak to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love. It sounds simple. It isn't. And it changes everything. This episode is for anyone tired of being last on their own list. Episode Highlights: (00:01) Lyndsay opens up about the spiral of dread and showing up every day (02:44) Introducing Rachel Hayden (03:37) Rachel's type 1 diabetes diagnosis at 19 (04:43) The first MS symptoms and the ER visit (06:04) Six years of being dismissed and not diagnosed (07:26) "Are they waiting for me to get worse?" (08:36) The self-doubt that medical gaslighting plants in you (09:19) The testing that finally confirmed MS (39:09) What chronic pain has cost Rachel and how she loves herself daily (41:25) Slowing down, saying no and putting yourself first (43:11) Where to find Rachel and The SpoonFulll Show (44:39) Rachel's closing message to speak kindly to yourself Find Rachel Hayden Online Here: Instagram: @spoonfullofstrength Facebook: SpoonFull of Strength YouTube: @TheSpoonFullShow TikTok: @spoonfull.of.strength Podcast: The SpoonFull Show Find Giving Pain Purpose Online Here: Website: givingpainpurpose.com Instagram: @givingpainpurpose Facebook: The Giving Pain Purpose Podcast LinkedIn: Lyndsay Soprano YouTube: @givingpainpurpose Shop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.com Subscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now! Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing.  This is where pain meets purpose — and you’re not doing it alone. ++ Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here:  Be a Guest on The Show

  3. Sep 1

    Unbroken: The Stories Our Bodies Carry with Dr. Karyn Shanks

    What if your body isn’t broken, and the symptoms you’ve been fighting are actually trying to tell you something? Physician, author, and educator Dr. Karyn Shanks joins Giving Pain Purpose for a powerful conversation about chronic illness, trauma, the nervous system, and what it means to stop seeing ourselves as problems that need to be fixed. Together, Dr. Shanks and Lyndsay explore how our experiences can shape the way our bodies respond to the world, why creating a sense of safety matters, and how curiosity and self-compassion can change the way we approach healing. They unpack the frustration of living with symptoms that don’t always come with clear answers and the emotional toll of feeling disconnected from—or even betrayed by—your own body. Dr. Shanks shares her holistic perspective on healing, bringing together science, psychology, and lived experience to challenge the belief that illness means something within us has failed. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful shift in perspective: instead of constantly asking, “What’s wrong with me?” what happens when we begin asking, “What is my body trying to tell me?” For anyone living with chronic illness, navigating trauma, or searching for answers after feeling dismissed or defeated, this episode is a reminder that you are more than your symptoms, and healing may begin when you stop fighting your body and start listening to it. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Dr. Karyn Shanks and the show's focus (01:53) The disconnect in modern medicine and the root of trauma (04:12) Dr. Shanks' personal health journey and realization (06:53) Understanding the body's organization and response to trauma (10:59) The importance of listening to the body's messages (15:00) Pain and suffering as portals for healing (18:04) The role of safety and connection in recovery (21:55) Holistic, systemic approach to chronic illness (24:00) The significance of storytelling and safety in healing (27:49) Western medicine's limitations and the need for integration (29:58) Closing thoughts and resources Find Dr. Karyn Shanks Online Here: Website: karynshanksmd.com Instagram: @karynshanksmd Facebook: Karyn Shanks MD LinkedIn: Karen Shanks, MD Book: UnBroken: Reclaim Your Wholeness Find Giving Pain Purpose Online Here: Website: givingpainpurpose.com Instagram: @givingpainpurpose Facebook: The Giving Pain Purpose Podcast LinkedIn: Lyndsay Soprano YouTube: @givingpainpurpose Shop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.com Subscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now! Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing.  This is where pain meets purpose — and you’re not doing it alone. ++ Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here:  Be a Guest on The Show

  4. Aug 25

    Inside the Polygraph: Truth or Deception with David Goldberg

    What happens when someone finally believes the story you’ve spent years carrying alone? Board-certified polygraph examiner David Goldberg joins Giving Pain Purpose for a powerful conversation about truth, trauma, validation, and the profound impact of finally feeling heard. With more than 30 years of experience investigating abuse, assault, and complex trauma, David shares how his work goes far beyond determining whether someone is telling the truth. Together, David and Lyndsay explore why trauma survivors can struggle to trust their own memories, the lasting damage of being dismissed or disbelieved, and how validation can become an unexpected part of the healing process. They also unpack common misconceptions about polygraph testing and its role in relationships, personal healing, and the pursuit of justice. At its heart, this conversation isn't really about a machine or a test. It's about what happens when someone is given the space to tell their truth—and someone is finally there to listen. For anyone who has ever questioned their own story or carried pain in silence, this episode is a reminder that being heard can be powerful—and your story matters. Episode Highlights: (00:02) Lyndsay opens up about lying, truth and self-protection (03:17) Introducing David Goldberg (04:19) What a polygraph actually is and how it works (06:04) How your body reveals the truth (07:27) What happens if you're nervous during a polygraph (08:09) How examiners reduce anxiety before testing (09:45) Who polygraphs are really for (16:00) Polygraphs for sexual assault survivors and victims (22:00) False accusations and how polygraphs protect the innocent (27:00) How polygraph results hold up legally (35:42) Advice for anyone who has been dismissed or not believed (36:05) What a professional examiner's job really is (37:45) Polygraphs for people in abusive relationships (38:28) How to find David and closing thoughts Find David Goldberg Online Here: Website: www.executiveprotectiongrp.com Instagram: @thedavidgoldberg Facebook: Executive Protection Group Polygraph Service YouTube: @the_davidgoldberg Podcast: Inside The Polygraph with David Goldberg LinkedIn: David Goldberg Find Giving Pain Purpose Online Here: Website: givingpainpurpose.com Instagram: @givingpainpurpose Facebook: The Giving Pain Purpose Podcast LinkedIn: Lyndsay Soprano YouTube: @givingpainpurpose Shop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.com Subscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now! Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing.  This is where pain meets purpose — and you’re not doing it alone. ++ Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here:  Be a Guest on The Show

  5. Aug 18

    Narcissism + The Old Soul’s Journey with Chris Wasko

    Lyndsay Soprano sits down with spiritual counsellor, energy healer, and author Chris Wasko for a heartfelt conversation about trauma, narcissistic abuse, old souls, and the lifelong journey of healing. Together, they explore how childhood experiences shape our nervous systems, why so many survivors remain stuck in survival mode, and what it means to reconnect with the truest version of yourself. Chris shares her own story of growing up in a narcissistic family, the path that led her to spiritual healing, and how inner child work, nervous system regulation, and self-awareness can help us move from simply surviving to truly living. This episode is compassionate, deeply validating, and a reminder that healing happens one layer at a time—and that even after profound pain, peace is still possible. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction and episode overview (03:23) Chris Wasko's background and expertise (04:07) Traumatic upbringing and narcissism spectrum (06:30) Recognizing narcissism in family and its effects (08:23) Healing abilities emerging through trauma work (09:23) Covert vs overt narcissism explained (12:14) Connection between narcissism and old souls (13:29) Understanding the old soul and Spicy Old Souls test (14:55) Healing old souls and vibrational energy (17:57) Impact of pain on nervous system and trauma response (22:32) Healing ripple effects and collective consciousness (24:49) Regulating the nervous system for trauma recovery (29:21) The wayfinder archetype and exploration energy (33:02) Personal insights on movement and safety (41:01) The significance of safe spaces and inner chaos (41:38) Introduction to the book An Old Soul's Journey Find Chris Wasko Online Here: Website: chriswasko.com Facebook: @chriswaskomedium YouTube: @energyhealingwithChris Book: An Old Soul’s Journey Find Giving Pain Purpose Online Here: Website: givingpainpurpose.com Instagram: @givingpainpurpose Facebook: The Giving Pain Purpose Podcast LinkedIn: Lyndsay Soprano YouTube: @givingpainpurpose Shop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.com Subscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now! Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing.  This is where pain meets purpose — and you’re not doing it alone. ++ Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here:  Be a Guest on The Show

  6. Aug 11

    Psychedelics: The Answer is Within You with Zappy Zapolin

    In this powerful episode of Giving Pain Purpose, Lyndsay Soprano sits down with entrepreneur, filmmaker, and psychedelic wellness advocate Zappy Zapolin for a conversation about trauma, chronic pain, and the evolving world of psychedelic-assisted healing. Together, they explore why so many people continue to struggle despite years of traditional treatments and how emerging research is changing the way we think about healing the mind and body. Zappy shares his own transformational journey and offers insight into the unique roles different psychedelic medicines may play in addressing trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Throughout the episode, Lyndsay reflects on her own healing journey and the hope that can emerge when we're willing to explore new possibilities. This conversation is honest, inspiring, and a reminder that healing isn't always about finding another treatment—sometimes it's about discovering an entirely new path forward. Episode Highlights: (00:01) Lyndsay opens up about anxiety, alcohol, and ketamine therapy (02:48) Zappy's vision for psychedelic healing (04:15) Introducing Zappy Zapolin (05:13) Zappy's first psychedelic experience (06:15) From Wall Street to the jungle (08:00) The Reality of Truth and 25 million views (09:30) Meeting God in the jungle (11:00) How ibogaine works and what to expect (14:00) Ayahuasca, psilocybin, and combo explained (20:00) Lois's story from near death to fully healed (26:00) The caterpillar death spiral (32:00) How to start with microdosing (37:00) The CRPS community and why plant medicine matters (38:02) Finding perspective through a mushroom journey (40:21) Don't wait for your doctor (41:04) Where to find Zappy and closing thoughts Find Zappy Zapolin Online Here: Website: psychedelicconcierge.com Instagram: @zappyzapolin YouTube: @PsychedelicConceirge LinkedIn: Zappy Zapolin Podcast: Psychedelic Concierge Podcast Find Giving Pain Purpose Online Here: Website: givingpainpurpose.com Instagram: @givingpainpurpose Facebook: The Giving Pain Purpose Podcast LinkedIn: Lyndsay Soprano YouTube: @givingpainpurpose Shop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.com Subscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now! Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing.  This is where pain meets purpose — and you’re not doing it alone. ++ Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here:  Be a Guest on The Show

  7. Aug 4

    Chronic Pain + Your Village of Hope with Alesia Briggs

    Content Note: This episode contains open conversations about chronic pain, trauma, medication, addiction, suicidal thoughts, and medical gaslighting. These experiences are shared with honesty, hope, and the intention of helping others feel less alone. Please listen gently and take the space you need. In this raw and inspiring episode, Lyndsay Soprano sits down with fellow CRPS warrior, executive coach, and author Alesia Briggs to share the realities of living with chronic pain—and the strength it takes to keep choosing hope. Together, they share the realities of living with chronic pain, fighting to be believed, navigating difficult diagnoses, and learning to advocate for themselves in a healthcare system that doesn't always have the answers. Alesia opens up about her journey through CRPS, the challenges of medication, spinal cord stimulation, and the unexpected moments that changed the course of her healing. Throughout the conversation, Lyndsay and Alesia explore the importance of finding the right medical team, protecting your energy, setting boundaries, and leaning on the people who continue to show up when life feels impossible. They remind us that healing isn't about pretending everything is okay—it's about adapting, asking questions, and refusing to let pain write the ending of your story. This episode is raw, validating, and filled with hope for anyone navigating chronic illness, trauma, or the uncertainty of an invisible condition. Because even on the hardest days, there is always another page waiting to be written. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Lyndsay and Alicia Briggs (04:04) Alesia’s early struggles with diagnosis and medication (07:00) The dangers of medication side effects and mental health (09:52) Alesia’s experience with hallucinations and medication risks (12:58) The importance of mental health support and therapy (17:02) Managing energy and workplace communication (20:45) Sharing health issues at work and building trust (27:01) The journey with spinal cord stimulators (34:01) Alesia’s story of pregnancy and nerve rewiring (40:13) Hope, resilience, and community support (43:07) Closing thoughts and resources Follow Alesia Briggs Online Here: Website: www.coachbriggs.com Instagram: @coach.briggs LinkedIn: Alesia Briggs Book: Finding the Off Switch: There is Another Page Subscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now! Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing.  This is where pain meets purpose — and you’re not doing it alone. ++ Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here:  Be a Guest on The Show

  8. Jul 28

    Academy Award Winner with Lyndsay Soprano

    Welcome to Season 5—and welcome to Giving Pain Purpose!! In this deeply personal episode, Lyndsay Soprano shares the story of the podcast's evolution, why The Pain Game Podcast became Giving Pain Purpose, and the mission that now drives every conversation. After nearly a decade of living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and navigating the realities of chronic pain, trauma, medical gaslighting, and emotional exhaustion, Lyndsay opens up about what she's learned through her own healing journey. She reflects on the moments that nearly broke her, the people who helped her keep going, and why purpose—not pain—is the story she wants to tell moving forward. This episode is an invitation to anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or dismissed by the healthcare system, by loved ones, or even by themselves. It's a reminder that your diagnosis does not define you, your story deserves to be heard, and you don't have to carry your pain alone. Whether you're living with chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or searching for hope after trauma, welcome. You're exactly where you're meant to be. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Giving Pain Purpose and Lyndsay's Mission (00:29) The Heart of the Show: Chronic Pain and Healing (01:15) Lyndsay's Diagnosis: CRPS and Its Impact (03:06) Understanding CRPS and Its Pain Scale (04:33) Medical Gaslighting and Challenges in Healthcare (06:01) Living on the Edge: The Emotional Cycle of Pain (07:01) Empowerment and Community Support (08:28) New Initiatives: Merch and The Pain Hub Community (09:24) Invitation to Join the Pain Hub and Final Thoughts Find Giving Pain Purpose Online Here: Website: givingpainpurpose.com Instagram: @givingpainpurpose Facebook: The Giving Pain Purpose Podcast LinkedIn: Lyndsay Soprano YouTube: @givingpainpurpose Shop: thegivingpainpurposeshop.com Subscribe on YouTube | Merch Shop is OPEN!! | COMING SOON: The Pain Hub - A Women's Healing Community. Subscribe Now! Unfiltered convos. Dark humor. Real healing.  This is where pain meets purpose — and you’re not doing it alone. ++ Want to be a guest on Giving Pain Purpose with Lyndsay Soprano? Send her a message on PodMatch, here:  Be a Guest on The Show

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Giving Pain Purpose (formerly known as The Pain Game Podcast) is where raw truth, real trauma, and relentless healing collide. Hosted by Lyndsay Soprano, the show dives deep into the lived experience of chronic pain, trauma, disability, and the messy, beautiful process of rebuilding your life when everything hurts. Each week, Lyndsay sits down with survivors, experts, and everyday humans who’ve walked through hell — and chose to rise anyway. These are the conversations most people are too afraid to have: the kind that rip the bandages, challenge the system, and give pain a purpose. If you’re living with chronic pain, navigating trauma recovery, healing from medical gaslighting, or searching for community in the chaos, you’re in the right place. This podcast was built for the fighters, the feelers, and anyone who refuses to stay silent about what hurts. You’re not alone in this fight — and you don’t have to heal quietly. Season 5 has officially launched!!

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