Bend Snap and Chat

Cristie Vito and Drake Jensen

Life has a way of bending us. Sometimes it even snaps our plans in half. Bend Snap and Chat is a podcast about navigating life's unexpected challenges with resilience, honesty, and humour. Hosted by Cristie and Drake, this show explores the messy, complicated, and often funny realities of living in bodies that don't cooperate in a world gone wild. This isn't a podcast about having everything figured out. It's about learning to navigate life as it unfolds, because life bends us all.

  1. 3d ago

    EPISODE 18 - Disability Pride: What “Disabled” Means to Us | Identity, Poverty and Mental Health

    What does it mean to call yourself disabled—and why can that word feel empowering to one person, uncomfortable to another, or different at various points in life? In this Disability Pride Month episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, Cristie and Drake have an honest conversation about their own relationships with disability, identity and the word disabled. Although they share some diagnoses and experiences, disability has shaped their lives in different ways and those differences are an important part of the conversation. Together, they explore why Disability Pride Month is still necessary, the many forms disability can take, and why disability is not separate from the human experience. They also discuss the barriers disabled people face, including poverty, housing insecurity, isolation and inadequate mental-health support. Cristie shares the story of Erin, someone she connected with online during the pandemic whose loss made the consequences of these systemic failures deeply personal. This conversation honours the human being behind the statistics while asking what meaningful care, dignity and community support should look like. We discuss: What the words disabled and disability mean to each of usWhy people may embrace, reject or have complicated feelings about these labelsVisible, invisible, dynamic and episodic disabilitiesWhy disability is a natural part of being humanThe purpose and importance of Disability Pride MonthThe connection between disability, poverty and housing insecurityMental health and the need for accessible, compassionate supportWhat has helped us survive difficult seasonsSome of our favourite disabled content creators and advocatesThis isn’t a conversation about pretending disability is easy. It’s about making room for pride, grief, anger, humour, complexity and the right to live with dignity. Because life bends us all and disabled lives deserve to be supported, represented and celebrated. This episode discusses mental-health struggles, housing insecurity and suicide loss. Please listen with care. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557432853466 Chronically Jenni | Disability Education & Hacks (@chronicallyjenni) • Instagram photos and videos https://www.instagram.com/adisabledicon https://www.instagram.com/mrcolitiscrohns https://www.instagram.com/dr.clairfrancomano https://www.instagram.com/thebendypediatrician https://www.instagram.com/robynfog #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #Disabled #ChronicIllness #InvisibleDisability #MentalHealth #DisabilityAwareness #EDS #POTS

    EPISODE 18 - Disability Pride: What “Disabled” Means to Us | Identity, Poverty and Mental Health

  2. Jul 21

    EPISODE 17 - Z-Files: Ghosts, Signs From Loved Ones and Haunted Places - Real Paranormal Stories We Can't Explain

    👻 Have you ever experienced something you couldn't explain... but never forgot? In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat: Z-Files, Cristie and Drake explore ghost stories, haunted places, paranormal experiences, and the mysterious signs that many people report after losing someone they love. Rather than trying to prove or disprove the paranormal, they share personal experiences that challenged how they understand reality, while also exploring the psychological, scientific, and spiritual explanations that might exist alongside them. Together they discuss: 👻 Haunted houses and unexplained encounters 💜 Signs from loved ones after death ✨ Reiki experiences and sensing a loved one's presence 🏚️ Haunted places, historic buildings, and whether locations can hold energy 🪞 Drake's haunted mirror experience 👶 Cristie's childhood encounter in a house with unexplained activity 🧠 Skepticism, critical thinking, grief, memory, and why extraordinary experiences can feel so real 🌙 Whether the meaning of an experience matters more than finding the perfect explanation Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious about the mysteries we can't fully explain, this episode invites you into a respectful conversation about the unknown. We'd love to hear your stories. Have you ever experienced a ghost, felt the presence of someone you've lost, witnessed unexplained activity, or visited a place that felt different? Share your experiences in the comments or join the conversation in our community. Because life bends us all... sometimes reality does too.

    EPISODE 17 - Z-Files: Ghosts, Signs From Loved Ones and Haunted Places - Real Paranormal Stories We Can't Explain

  3. Jul 14

    EPISODE 16 - Michael Jackson: Trauma, Fame, Legacy and the Human Behind the Legend

    Michael Jackson remains one of the most influential, celebrated, and debated figures in modern history. But beyond the music, the performances, and the headlines was a human being shaped by childhood trauma, extraordinary talent, relentless fame, public scrutiny, and a lifelong search for connection. In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, Cristie and Drake explore the life and legacy of Michael Jackson through a compassionate and balanced lens. Rather than trying to prove innocence or guilt, they examine the bigger questions his story raises about childhood trauma, identity, body image, creativity, media narratives, fame, spirituality, and what happens when someone becomes larger than life. Together they discuss: • Michael Jackson's childhood and the lasting effects of early trauma • The psychological cost of global fame and isolation • Body image, vitiligo, identity, and self-perception • Public opinion, media influence, and how narratives are formed • Creativity, purpose, spirituality, and the healing power of art • Why Michael Jackson's story continues to resonate decades later • Synchronicity, intuition, and the lessons we can still learn from his life Whether you're a lifelong fan, a skeptic, or simply curious about one of history's most complex public figures, this conversation invites you to look beyond the headlines and explore the humanity behind the legend. Because sometimes the most meaningful conversations aren't about finding certainty. They're about asking better questions. #MichaelJackson #ChildhoodTrauma #Fame #Legacy #MentalHealth #BodyImage #Creativity #Spirituality #Psychology #PersonalGrowth #Healing #Podcast

    EPISODE 16 - Michael Jackson: Trauma, Fame, Legacy and the Human Behind the Legend

  4. Jul 7

    EPISODE 15 - When Healing Feels Hard: Prolotherapy, HyperPOTS, Chronic Illness and Nervous System Flares

    Healing isn't always a straight line. In this candid life update, Cristie and Drake share why they've been quieter lately and what they've both been navigating behind the scenes. Drake opens up about his recent prolotherapy treatment, the unexpected nervous system response that followed, and the emotional and physical roller coaster that left him struggling for days. Together, they discuss how acupuncture helped calm his system and why living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) often means responding differently to treatments than expected. Cristie shares her own health update, including managing HyperPOTS, perimenopause, and the uncertainty of investigating a possible new autoimmune condition. She also talks about preparing for her upcoming atlas adjustment treatment, balancing hope with the understandable fear that comes from never knowing how a body with chronic illness will respond. Together, they explore the emotional side of healing, medical uncertainty, nervous system dysregulation, and why progress often includes setbacks. In this episode, we discuss: 🦓 Drake's experience with prolotherapy and recovery 🧠 Nervous system dysregulation and chronic illness flares 💙 Acupuncture and supporting the body's healing response 🩺 Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and HyperPOTS 🌸 Perimenopause, autoimmune investigations, and navigating uncertainty 💛 Hope, fear, and trying new treatments when you've been medically traumatized 🤝 Why healing is rarely linear and the importance of giving yourself grace Whether you're living with EDS, POTS, chronic pain, autoimmune disease, or simply navigating an unpredictable health journey, this episode is a reminder that setbacks don't erase progress. Sometimes healing asks us to move more slowly, listen more closely, and trust ourselves through the uncertainty. Because life bends us all.

    EPISODE 15 - When Healing Feels Hard: Prolotherapy, HyperPOTS, Chronic Illness and Nervous System Flares

  5. Jun 30

    EPISODE 14 - More Than Labels: Pride, EDS andLearning to Be Yourself

    As Pride Month is celebrated around the world, Cristie and Drake explore the surprising and often-discussed overlap between the LGBTQ+ and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) communities. While researchers are only beginning to study these connections, many people living with EDS, POTS, MCAS, and other chronic illnesses have noticed a strong presence of LGBTQ+ identities within disability and chronic illness spaces. In this episode, we move beyond statistics to talk about the lived experience of identity, belonging, self-expression, visibility, and learning to be yourself in a world that often expects conformity. Together, we discuss: 🌈 The growing overlap between LGBTQ+ and EDS communities 🦓 Living with EDS, chronic illness, disability, and feeling different 🎭 Masking, authenticity, and the pressure to fit in 💜 Body image, body dysmorphia, and learning to reconnect with yourself 👑 The unexpected lessons queer art and drag culture can teach us about confidence, self-love,  and self-expression 🤝 Chosen family, community, and the healing power of belonging ✨ Pride, disability pride, and embracing who you are without apology Whether you identify as LGBTQ+, live with chronic illness, support someone who does, or have ever struggled to feel like you belong, this conversation offers an honest, thoughtful, and compassionate exploration of identity, resilience, and self-acceptance. Because sometimes the journey isn't about becoming someone new. It's about finding the courage to be who you already are. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #EDS #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #ChronicIllness #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityPride #POTS #InvisibleIllness #SelfAcceptance #ChosenFamily #BendSnapAndChat

    EPISODE 14 - More Than Labels: Pride, EDS andLearning to Be Yourself

  6. Jun 23

    EPISODE 13 - Bitchfest

    Ever just have one of those days? Maybe one of those weeks? Oh hell we've all been having a couple of years of this insane chaos haven't we? We know it's not just us. Welcome to the new world disorder! This week, join us as we have a real BITCHFEST!!  Between world issues, EDS, aches, pains and everything in between we hash it out raw and rough in true Bend Snap and Chat style!

    EPISODE 13 - Bitchfest

  7. Jun 16

    EPISODE 12 - The Z-Files: Beyond What We Can Explain: Intuition, Near-Death Experiences and The Unknown

    In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, we explore unexplained experiences, intuition, near-death experiences, spirituality, and the mysteries that challenge how we understand reality. Cristie and Drake share personal stories and reflections about moments that changed the way they see the world, while approaching the conversation with curiosity, groundedness, and openness rather than certainty. Together, they discuss intuition, synchronicity, sensitivity, spiritual experiences, and why so many people quietly carry experiences they’ve never fully been able to explain. We discuss: Intuition, gut feelings, and unexplained experiencesWhy people often dismiss the unknownNear-death experiences and spiritual encountersPsychic experiences, synchronicity, and perceptionSensitivity, nervous systems, and patterns within the EDS communityFinding meaning without needing all the answersStaying grounded while exploring spirituality and mystery This episode is for anyone interested in spirituality, consciousness, intuition, near-death experiences, personal growth, or the mysteries of human experience. Whether you’re skeptical, curious, or someone who has experienced something difficult to explain, this conversation creates space for exploration without judgment.

    EPISODE 12 - The Z-Files: Beyond What We Can Explain: Intuition, Near-Death Experiences and The Unknown

  8. Jun 9

    EPISODE 11 - What Do You Believe? Mindset, Conditioning, Spirituality and Rewriting Your Story

    In this episode of Bend, Snap and Chat, we explore the beliefs that quietly shape our lives, identities, relationships, and resilience. Cristie and Drake have an open conversation about conditioning, mindset, spirituality, self-worth, and what happens when we begin questioning the stories we inherited from family, society, culture, and past experiences. Together, they discuss how beliefs influence the way we see ourselves, navigate hardship, and interpret the world around us - and why choosing new beliefs can become part of healing and personal growth. We discuss: Where beliefs and conditioning come fromFear-based thinking and inherited narrativesSelf-worth, identity, and limiting beliefsWhy beliefs shape resilience and emotional wellbeingSpirituality, intuition, energy, and connectionMindset, perception, and the power of perspectiveChoosing beliefs that support healing and growthLearning to question the stories we’ve always acceptedThis episode is for anyone navigating personal growth, identity shifts, chronic illness, emotional healing, spirituality, or mindset work. If you’ve ever wondered whether the beliefs guiding your life are truly yours, this conversation offers a thoughtful and grounded exploration of what it means to rewrite your story.

    EPISODE 11 - What Do You Believe? Mindset, Conditioning, Spirituality and Rewriting Your Story
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About

Life has a way of bending us. Sometimes it even snaps our plans in half. Bend Snap and Chat is a podcast about navigating life's unexpected challenges with resilience, honesty, and humour. Hosted by Cristie and Drake, this show explores the messy, complicated, and often funny realities of living in bodies that don't cooperate in a world gone wild. This isn't a podcast about having everything figured out. It's about learning to navigate life as it unfolds, because life bends us all.

Information

  • Creator
    Cristie Vito and Drake Jensen
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cristie Vito and Drake Jensen
  • Show Website
    Bend Snap and Chat