The Bonus Years Brooke Gurrad

In this episode, you get to hear a conversation with my friend Jenny about all things life, health, heartbreak, and adventure. Jenny was diagnosed with biliary atresia which led to a liver transplant as an infant. She shares authentically about the relational challenges of chronic illness, living her truth, relationships, and career. She took a dreamy trip to Singapore, Vietnam, and Bali and talks about traveling with a transplant and why she spoke out about her health journey. Don't mis...

Brooke & Ali (aka @TransplantBesties) talk on this episode about Ali’s most recent surgery, a freaking abdominal wall transplant!If that sounds familiar, you’ve probably only heard of it on Grey’s Anatomy (Megan Hunt vibes anyone?).Ali is always great to have on the podcast because she shares her perspective, wisdom, and experience so authentically.Beyond her surgery, we talk about:what it feels like to be heard and validated by a medical professionalthe value in having a small support sy...

Today is an extra special episode where Brooke talks to a new friend, heart recipient, organ donation advocate, and author Hailey Steimel. Hailey shares her story of a congenital heart defect, surgery at age 1, and a much-needed heart transplant as a teenager that came on Valentine's Day, making it even more special.Hailey is sweet and lovely and talks openly about how it felt to be a teenager in the hospital, requiring an RVAD to stay alive until she got her life-saving gift. Hailey has a re...

In the first episode of 2023, Brooke has an eye-opening conversation about how housing can prevent folks from getting an organ transplant. Our guest is Denise Redeker, founder, and CEO of the Heartfelt Help Foundation, a non-profit focused on making housing happen for transplant patients and bridging the financial gap that insurance doesn't cover.Denise is a heart transplant recipient and as such, brings a fresh perspective to the organ transplant space when it comes to housing.Donate to...

Philip Jones is a kidney transplant recipient who has battled Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for over two decades. At age 4, Philip had strep throat, which attacked his kidneys and caused them to fail and fall to 30%. At age 17, Philip received a life-saving kidney transplant. Three years later, his body rejected that kidney causing him to face many other illnesses and dialysis. Amidst all this, Philip decided to go back to school and get his degree, and in March of 2021, Philip started A Secon...

This special episode was recorded with Brooke and her daughter Brynlee. They talk about what it's like to have a parent with a chronic illness. *Brynlee notes: At the time of recording, Brynlee was 8. She's now 9 and in 4th grade.Brynlee answers:How can you tell mom's not feeling well?What do you do when mom's in the hospital?What would you tell another kid who has a parent with a chronic illness?When mom can't do her "normal stuff," how does she help you feel loved?What do you worry about? W...