Beyond the Label with Asteryx

Asteryx

We spend so much time talking about what's on the label that we rarely talk about the people behind it. Hosted by Kassidy Allen, founder of Asteryx, Beyond the Label is a podcast about the conversations we should be having but rarely do. Through honest stories, unfiltered perspectives, practical insights, and real-life experiences, we explore what it actually means to live with food allergies, and build a life that feels bigger than them. Because food allergies are part of the story, but they're never the whole story.

Episodes

  1. Oct 12

    Learning to Live Beyond the “What Ifs” with Hayley Caligor

    What does it actually look like to trust yourself again when living with food allergies? In this episode of Beyond the Label with Asteryx, Kassidy sits down with Hayley Caligor for an honest conversation about finding confidence, learning to advocate for yourself, and navigating the parts of life with food allergies that don't come with an instruction manual. Hayley shares her personal food allergy journey, including the challenges of developing new allergies, rebuilding confidence after reactions, and navigating friendships, social situations, and adulthood when food is involved. Together, they explore the emotional side of food allergies, from losing spontaneity and feeling guilty about speaking up to finding a balance between staying safe and actually enjoying your life. They also discuss the importance of educating others with empathy, advocating for safer food options, and recognizing that confidence isn't about never feeling afraid. It's about learning how to navigate those moments without letting fear make every decision for you. Whether you're learning to trust yourself again, struggling to speak up about your needs, or simply looking for someone who understands, this conversation is a reminder that you deserve to feel safe, confident, and included without apologizing for your allergies. In This Episode: Rebuilding confidence and learning to trust yourself after an allergic reaction Navigating new food allergies and the uncertainty that comes with them Finding balance between food allergy safety and spontaneity Advocating for yourself without feeling guilty or burdensome Educating others and creating more understanding around food allergies Building resilience, independence, and confidence throughout adulthood Chapters: 00:18 Navigating Life with Food Allergies01:25 Meet Hayley Caligor04:09 Hayley's Food Allergy Journey07:37 The Shock of New Allergies11:10 Rebuilding Confidence After a Reaction13:18 Food Allergies & Social Life19:19 Losing Spontaneity and Finding Balance24:30 Advocacy for Safer Food29:14 Educating Others with Empathy31:42 Speaking Up Without Guilt36:23 Navigating Adult Life with Allergies39:07 Resilience, Empathy & Confidence41:19 Advice to a Younger Self42:15 Changing How People See Food Allergies44:09 Hayley's Recipes & Advocacy49:04 Next Steps Connect with Hayley: Hayley's Recipe Database:https://docs.google.com/document/d/19HZmnHuwaiI9QL2clEgyHtx1eSOXMRQi8lJAHBQ-DzU/edit?usp=sharing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hnc2151994/ Connect with Asteryx: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asteryxcollective/ Website: https://asteryxcollective.com/ If you're tired of feeling like your food allergies are making decisions for you, you don't have to navigate it all alone. Through 1:1 food allergy coaching at Asteryx, Kassidy helps individuals build confidence, strengthen self-advocacy skills, and navigate everyday experiences like dining out, traveling, and social situations with greater independence. Book a free discovery call to explore what support could look like for you: https://l.bttr.to/FwKVX If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that they're capable of so much more than they think. Keep living boldly, keep asking bigger questions, and keep living beyond the label.

  2. Aug 25

    When Your Health Is Always on Your Mind | Chronic Illness, Food Allergies & Finding Balance with Lauren Less

    What happens when taking care of your health starts taking up more of your life than you ever intended? In this episode of Beyond the Label, I’m joined by Lauren, better known online as @lesswithlaur, for an honest conversation about the reality of living with chronic illness, food allergies, and a body that sometimes requires a LOT of your attention. We talk about the mental load that comes with constantly managing your health, the complicated role social media plays when you’re surrounded by endless wellness advice, and how hard it can be to figure out what, and who, to actually trust. Lauren also opens up about acceptance, resilience, and learning how to listen to your body without letting the pursuit of “health” become another thing you have to obsess over or perfect. Because when you live with chronic illness or food allergies, you can’t always choose not to think about your health. But you can learn how to make room for a life that is so much bigger than managing it. In this episode, we talk about: The reality of living with both chronic illness and food allergiesHow much invisible mental energy managing your health can takeNavigating conflicting health and wellness advice when everyone seems to have an answerThe difference between supporting your body and becoming consumed by trying to “fix” itAcceptance without giving up on feeling betterLearning to trust yourself and advocate for what you needPractical ways Lauren navigates everyday life with food allergiesFinding community with people who actually get itBuilding a life where your health matters without letting it become your entire identity Chapters: 02:19 — Introduction and Background 03:20 — Navigating Life with Chronic Illness and Food Allergies 08:27 — The Role of Social Media in Chronic Illness Advocacy 12:29 — Mental Load of Managing Chronic Illness 23:08 — Acceptance and Resilience in Chronic Illness 30:24 — Finding Balance in Health and Wellness 35:00 — Practical Tips for Living with Food Allergies 42:06 — Final Thoughts and Community Building 56:34 — Navigating Health and Wellness Challenges 56:35 — Conclusion If you’ve ever felt like taking care of your health could become a full-time job, struggled to tune out the endless noise about what you should be doing, or wondered how to care deeply about your body without making your entire life about managing it, this conversation is for you. Connect with Lauren: Instagram: @lesswithlaur TikTok: @lesswithlaur Website: lesswithlaur.com Substack: https://substack.com/@lesswithlaur Connect with Asteryx: Instagram: @asteryxcollective TikTok: @asteryxcollective Website: asteryxcollective.com And make sure to follow Beyond the Label wherever you listen so you don’t miss the next conversation!

  3. Aug 3

    From Play Dates to Paychecks: Growing Up Allergic with Ava Schleif

    What does it actually look like to grow up with food allergies? In this episode of Beyond the Label with Asteryx, I'm joined by Ava Schleif to talk about navigating every stage of life with food allergies, from birthday parties and school lunches to college, careers, relationships, and adulthood. We dive into the parts of growing up allergic that people don't always see: the mental load, the social dynamics, learning to advocate for yourself, rebuilding trust after reactions, and finding confidence in a world that isn't always built with food allergies in mind. Whether you're a young adult with allergies, a parent raising a child with them, or someone who simply wants to better understand what life with food allergies is really like, this conversation is full of honest stories, practical insights, and encouragement. In This Episode, We Discuss: Growing up with food allergies and how the challenges evolve over timeSchool, birthday parties, and navigating childhood social situationsLearning to advocate for yourself as you get olderRebuilding trust after experiencing anaphylaxisThe mental health side of living with food allergiesCollege life, independence, and navigating dining hallsFinding confidence without letting allergies define your identityAdvice for kids, teens, and young adults growing up with food allergiesHow empathy can make a meaningful difference for someone managing allergies Timestamps: 01:03 – Introduction to Food Allergies and Personal Journey 03:28 – Growing Up with Food Allergies 05:58 – Navigating School and Social Dynamics 08:49 – The Impact of Food Allergies on Daily Life 11:52 – Sharing Experiences and Raising Awareness 14:52 – A Life-Altering Allergic Reaction 19:48 – Reflections on Trust and Safety 21:51 – Navigating Allergic Reactions and Mental Health 24:40 – Coping Strategies for Food Allergies 26:17 – Building Relationships in the Food Industry 28:50 – College Life and Food Allergy Challenges 31:00 – Social Dynamics and Food Allergies 34:01 – Traveling with Food Allergies 36:53 – Finding Balance in Life with Allergies 40:42 – Navigating Allergy-Related Emotions 46:00 – The Social Impact of Food Allergies 48:48 – Adapting to Life in Your Twenties with Allergies 52:58 – Advice for Young People with Food Allergies 56:36 – Empathy and Understanding in Allergy Awareness 1:00:17 – Next Steps Connect with Ava: Instagram and TikTok: @avaschleif Connect with Asteryx: Website: https://asteryxcollective.com Social Media: https://linktr.ee/asteryxcollective Looking for personalized support? Learn more about our one-on-one food allergy coaching at https://asteryxcollective.com/coaching/ If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use the reminder that they're not navigating food allergies alone.

  4. Jul 14

    The Parts of Allergies No One Sees | AllergyLifeWithGrace

    Some of the hardest parts of living with food allergies are the ones no one else ever sees. In this episode of Beyond the Label with Asteryx, I'm joined by Grace for an honest conversation about the emotional side of food allergies, the pressure to always be prepared, the moments that quietly chip away at your confidence, and what it looks like to build a life that isn't defined by fear. We talk about the mental load that comes with allergies, learning to advocate for yourself without feeling like a burden, navigating relationships, and finding confidence in a world that doesn't always understand. Grace also shares how she's built a career and life she's passionate about while living with multiple food allergies, proving that your diagnosis doesn't have to limit what's possible. Whether you've lived with allergies your whole life, are newly diagnosed, or love someone who has them, this conversation is a reminder that there's so much more to the story than what's on your plate. In this episode, we discuss: The parts of food allergies most people never seeCarrying the invisible mental load every daySelf-advocacy without losing yourselfRelationships, confidence, and feeling understood Building a full life alongside food allergiesGrace's advice for anyone learning to navigate this journey Timestamps: 00:17 Introduction 02:25 Grace's Background with Food Allergies 07:21 The Journey of Creating Allergy Content 12:13 The Mental Load of Living with Allergies 16:45 Navigating Life Transitions into Adulthood 21:54 Advocating for Oneself in Social Situations 24:04 Navigating Social Situations with Allergies 28:51 Finding Identity Beyond Allergies 31:11 The Power of Sharing Your Journey 36:28 Advice for Those Struggling with Allergies 42:59 Changing Perceptions of Allergies 47:30 Closing If this episode meant something to you, we'd love for you to leave a review, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and follow Beyond the Label for more conversations that go beyond the diagnosis. Connect with Grace:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allergylifewithgrace?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allergylifewithgrace?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Connect with Asteryx: https://linktr.ee/asteryxcollective

  5. Jul 1

    Life Doesn't End at Diagnosis | Travel, College, & Food Allergies

    Food allergies don't have to put your life on hold. In this episode, Kassidy sits down with Catherine, creator of Cook It Up Catherine, to talk about what it actually looks like to build a full, adventurous life while managing food allergies. From studying abroad and traveling internationally to navigating college dining halls and finding confidence in unfamiliar situations, Catherine shares the practical strategies, and mindset shifts, that have helped her stop letting fear make every decision. This conversation is full of honest truths and encouragement for anyone who's wondering if they'll ever be able to do the things they dream about because of their allergies. The answer isn't that life gets easier, it’s that you become more capable than you ever imagined. Topics discussed: Growing up with food allergiesNavigating college with confidenceTraveling internationally with allergiesPreparing without letting fear take overBuilding confidence through experienceAdvice for anyone feeling limited by their diagnosisTimestamps: 00:00 – Introduction02:18 – Catherine's Food Allergy Journey04:07 – Cookbook Creation08:17 – Traveling Abroad with Allergies12:35 – Cultural Differences and Allergies18:35 – Social Dynamics with Food Allergies21:11 – Transitioning to College29:27 – People Outside of Allergies 31:23 – Advice for Those with Allergies 32:16 – Changing Allergy Perceptions 34:53 – Closing Remarks and Shoutouts Connect with Catherine: https://www.instagram.com/cook_it_up_catherine?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Connect with Asteryx: https://linktr.ee/asteryxcollective?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4ef7e569-7172-4191-827b-a69b03d8896d

  6. Jun 19

    The Reality of Xolair, Anxiety, and Learning to Live Again

    The diagnosis is only the beginning of the story. In this episode of Beyond the Label with Asteryx, Kassidy sits down with Daphne to talk about the realities of living with food allergies beyond the doctor's office. From her experience with Xolair to navigating anxiety, fear, confidence, and the everyday challenges that don't always get talked about, this is an honest conversation about life with allergies and the person behind the diagnosis. Together, they explore what it means to balance safety with actually living your life, how food allergies can impact mental health, and why healing isn't always a straight line. Topics discussed:• Daphne's food allergy journey• Her experience with Xolair• The mental health side of food allergies• Anxiety, fear, and navigating uncertainty• Finding confidence while living with allergies• Life beyond the diagnosis Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Daphne's Allergy Background 03:15 Discovering and Outgrowing Nut Allergies 05:38 Starting Xolair and Its Impact on Anxiety 08:00 Realization of Being Less Allergic Than Thought 09:35 Mental Health and Allergy Anxiety in College 12:17 Food Allergy Anxiety and Therapy Options 15:48 Negative Experiences at Food Establishments 21:35 College and Food Allergies 23:42 Travel and Successes Abroad 29:45 Social Dynamics with Food Allergies 32:39 How Food Allergies Shaped Daphne as a Person 36:19 Hobbies and Interests Outside of Allergies 37:12 Advice for Newly Diagnosed and Xolair Users 46:03 Closing Remarks and Social Media Shoutouts Connect with Daphne: https://www.instagram.com/daphsfoodfinds?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Connect with Asteryx: https://linktr.ee/asteryxcollective

  7. Jun 9

    What If Food Allergies Were Never Just About Food?

    Food allergies change what you eat, but they shouldn't determine who you become. In the first episode of Beyond the Label, Kassidy shares the philosophy behind the show, why she believes the food allergy conversation is missing something important, and what inspired her to start this podcast. After 23 years of living with 10 anaphylactic food allergies, Kassidy has learned that the biggest challenges often have nothing to do with food. They're about identity, relationships, independence, fear, confidence, and figuring out how to build a life that feels bigger than your diagnosis. This episode dives into the conversations that aren't happening enough, the mission behind Beyond the Label, a little bit of Kassidy's story, and what listeners can expect from future episodes. Because this show isn't just about food allergies. It's about people. Topics discussed:• The philosophy behind Beyond the Label• Why the food allergy conversation needs to evolve• Kassidy's personal journey with food allergies• The hidden challenges that come with living with allergies• What to expect from future episodes and guests Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:20 The Human Experience Beyond the Diagnosis 04:03 Why Beyond the Label and Asteryx06:25 What to Expect from Beyond the Label09:40 More About Kassidy and Asteryx14:17 Closing Thoughts Connect with Asteryx:https://linktr.ee/asteryxcollective

  • 7 Episodes

About

We spend so much time talking about what's on the label that we rarely talk about the people behind it. Hosted by Kassidy Allen, founder of Asteryx, Beyond the Label is a podcast about the conversations we should be having but rarely do. Through honest stories, unfiltered perspectives, practical insights, and real-life experiences, we explore what it actually means to live with food allergies, and build a life that feels bigger than them. Because food allergies are part of the story, but they're never the whole story.

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