The Invisible Illness Club | Chronic Illness, Auto Immune

April Aramanda, Invisible Illness Club
  • 5.0 (12)
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The Invisible Illness Club is a podcast about life with chronic illness—the kind people can’t see. Host April Aramanda gets honest about faith, flare-ups, medical burnout, relationships, grief, hope, and what it actually feels like to look fine while your body is anything but. If you’re living this and trying to figure out how to keep showing up for your life, you’re in the right place.

  1. 4D AGO

    053 Chronic Illness, Creativity, and Faith: What Life Really Looks Like Behind the Scenes

    Living with chronic illness isn’t only about symptoms—it’s about the daily decisions, limits, and invisible effort no one sees. In this episode, author W.R. Gingell shares what life really looks like behind the scenes while living with endometriosis, POTS, and long COVID. We talk about fatigue, brain fog, shifting identity, and the ongoing process of learning your limits again and again. This conversation also explores creativity in the middle of chronic illness, the pressure to push through, and how faith changes when your life no longer looks the way you expected. If you’ve ever felt like your body doesn’t match your life—or you’re constantly starting over—this episode will meet you there. What You’ll Learn What living with endometriosis, POTS, and long COVID really looks like day-to-day Why chronic illness forces you to keep “relearning” your limits The emotional weight of losing physical capacity and independence What people get wrong about being a full-time creative Why creativity isn’t a limited resource (and what actually fuels it) The hidden guilt and shame around rest—and how to rethink it How chronic illness reshapes your faith, church experience, and connection with God The quiet way self-talk can become harmful—and how to start shifting it What a real workday looks like when you’re dealing with brain fog and fatigue Memorable Quotes “It doesn’t end. It changes shape a little and keeps going.” “I always have to keep realizing it… over and over again.” “Not being able to rely on my own body—that’s been the hardest part.” “Creativity isn’t a finite resource. It’s a never-ending well.” “I’m not performing my faith. I’m living it.” “You don’t have the right to talk to someone made in the image of God like that—even if that someone is you.” “Rest isn’t optional. It’s holy.” “Take your rest… it belongs to you.” One Tiny Step Pay attention to how you talk to yourself today. When you catch yourself being harsh, pause and ask: Would I say this to someone I love? Resources Find W. R. Gingell! wrgingell.com instagram.com/wrgingell/ facebook.com/wrgingell/ Books by W. R. Gingell Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/W.-R.-Gingell/author/B00HMM6VX4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1777578369&sr=8-3&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=1a200c2a-b503-47e9-8023-f4e086bcd870 Books a Million https://www.booksamillion.com/search?query=W.+R.+Gingell&filters%5Bauthors%5D=W.+R.+Gingell Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22W.R.%20Gingell%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall Join the Unseen Sisterhood! A weekly newsletter for women with chronic illness who want more hope, more life, and more joy—plus access to our private Facebook group and resource bundle. https://theinvisibleillnessclub.kit.com/unseen-sisterhood  The Invisible Illness Club Website https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com  The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcast  Music Credit Audio Jungle https://audiojungle.net

    49 min

  2. APR 28

    052 When Chronic Illness Changes Who You Thought You’d Be

    Chronic illness doesn’t only affect your body—it can change how you see yourself. There’s a moment many people experience where life stops looking the way they thought it would. Plans shift. Energy changes. The future feels less clear. And somewhere in that process, your identity starts to feel different too. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fully recognize your life anymore, this conversation is for you. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why identity shifts happen with chronic illness The moment many people realize life isn’t unfolding how they expected How to navigate the gap between who you were and who you are now Why feeling lost in your identity is more common than people admit A grounded way to start reconnecting with yourself again MEMORABLE QUOTES “It’s not only your health that changes. It’s how you see yourself.” “The life you thought you were building starts to feel unfamiliar.” “You’re not only grieving your health—you’re grieving the version of you that felt certain.” “Identity doesn’t disappear. It shifts.” REFLECTION / JOURNAL PROMPT What version of your life or yourself have you been quietly grieving? ONE TINY STEP Name one part of you that still exists today—even if it looks different than before. RESOURCES Join the Unseen Sisterhood! A weekly newsletter + space for women living with chronic illness to feel seen, understood, and encouraged. https://theinvisibleillnessclub.kit.com/unseen-sisterhood  The Invisible Illness Club Website https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com  The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcast  Music Credit: Audio Jungle https://audiojungle.net

    6 min

  3. APR 21

    051 You’re Not Lazy: The Truth About Invisible Effort and Chronic Illness

    You look at your day and think, “I didn’t do enough.” And if that thought sits long enough, it turns into something heavier—“I’m being lazy.” This episode breaks that apart. Because what it looks like on the outside isn’t the full story. Managing symptoms, pacing energy, thinking through every decision so you don’t crash—that’s work. Real work. You’re not lazy. You’re carrying more than people see. What You’ll Learn Why chronic illness can distort how you see yourself The difference between “doing nothing” and managing your body What invisible effort actually looks like day to day How to stop labeling yourself based on what others can see A simple way to start recognizing your real capacity Memorable Quotes “I didn’t do enough today… turns into ‘I’m being lazy.’” “Your body is already working harder than it should have to.” “There’s a difference between doing nothing and managing your body.” “You’re carrying more than people see.” “You’re not lazy. You’re working with a different capacity.” Reflection / Journal Prompt What’s something you do regularly that takes more energy than it looks like from the outside? One Tiny Step At the end of today, write down three things your body had to manage—not what you accomplished, what it handled. Resources Join the Unseen Sisterhood! A weekly newsletter + community for women living with chronic illness. Real life, honest conversations, and support that actually gets it. https://theinvisibleillnessclub.kit.com/unseen-sisterhood  The Invisible Illness Club Website https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com  The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcast  Music Credit Audio Jungle https://audiojungle.net

    3 min
  4. 050 The Emotional Whiplash of Chronic Illness with Sarah Morris

    APR 14

    050 The Emotional Whiplash of Chronic Illness with Sarah Morris

    Good days bring hope. Flare-ups take it right back. This is the emotional whiplash of living with chronic illness. What You’ll Learn Living with chronic illness often means living in cycles—good days that feel hopeful, followed by flare-ups that change everything again. That unpredictability doesn’t only affect your body. It affects your thoughts, your expectations, and the way you see yourself. In this episode, April and Sarah talk through the emotional whiplash of chronic illness, especially the tension between remission and flare-ups. They get honest about the mental toll of invisible illness, the pressure to appear okay, and the negative self-talk that can creep in when your body isn’t cooperating. This conversation also explores how faith, mindset, and small coping tools can help you navigate difficult seasons—even when symptoms feel overwhelming. You’ll hear about: The cycle of flare-ups and remission in chronic illness Why unpredictable symptoms can affect your mental health The hidden struggles of living with invisible illness The internal pressure to stay positive How negative self-talk shows up during hard seasons Simple ways to cope during flare-ups Holding onto hope when your body keeps changing Memorable Quotes “Showing up for what you can do sometimes is taking a shower.” “You never know what someone is going through.” “Don’t judge yourself through someone else’s lens.” “Sometimes you need to be a tree for a season.” “It’s not you preventing it. It’s the situations happening to you.” “Meet yourself where you’re at.” “It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be there.” Resources Join the Unseen Sisterhood! A space for women living with chronic illness to feel seen, supported, and understood. Join the newsletter, Facebook group, and resources designed to help you navigate invisible illness with more support. https://theinvisibleillnessclub.kit.com/unseen-sisterhood  The Invisible Illness Club Website https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com  The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcast    Credits Hosted by April Aramanda Guest: Sarah Morris Music: Audio Jungle https://audiojungle.net      yh2rzdkfsXoXo1WmMWSx

    49 min
  5. 049 Chronic Illness Is a Full-Time Job: The Invisible Work No One Sees

    APR 7

    049 Chronic Illness Is a Full-Time Job: The Invisible Work No One Sees

    Your calendar fills with appointments, not plans. Chronic illness becomes more than symptoms—it becomes a role you never asked for. What You’ll Learn Living with chronic illness isn’t only about managing symptoms. It’s about managing everything that comes with them—appointments, decisions, paperwork, and the mental load that never fully turns off. In this episode, we’re naming something that often goes unseen: the invisible job of being a patient. The scheduling, the tracking, the advocating, the constant adjusting. The way your life can start to revolve around your body—and how exhausting that can be. This isn’t about fixing it or pushing through it. It’s about recognizing the weight you’re already carrying. You’ll hear about: How chronic illness quietly reshapes your calendar and daily life The invisible roles you take on as a patient Why managing illness can feel like a part-time job The mental and emotional toll of constant decision-making The loneliness of carrying work no one else can see How to hold onto meaning and purpose in a life that looks different Memorable Quotes “Chronic illness slowly turns your life into a job you never applied for.” “Your schedule isn’t about your life anymore. It’s about managing your body.” “Managing illness is real work—even when no one else can see it.” “Life starts to happen in the small spaces between appointments.” “Different doesn’t mean meaningless.” One Tiny Step Look at your past week and name three things you managed that no one else saw. Not what you “got done.” What you carried. Let that count. Key Scriptures (optional) Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…” Isaiah 40:29 — “He gives strength to the weary…” Resources Join the Unseen Sisterhood! A space for women living with chronic illness to feel seen, supported, and understood. You’ll get weekly encouragement, real talk, and connection with others who get it. https://theinvisibleillnessclub.kit.com/unseen-sisterhood  The Invisible Illness Club Website https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com  The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcast  Credits Music from Audio Jungle https://audiojungle.net

    5 min
  6. 048 Reclaiming Joy with Chronic Illness (replay)

    MAR 31

    048 Reclaiming Joy with Chronic Illness (replay)

    This episode originally aired earlier in the podcast and remains one of the most meaningful conversations we’ve had about finding joy while living with chronic illness.   Living with chronic illness can make joy feel distant or even impossible some days. When your body is struggling, the idea of happiness can feel out of reach. In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to reclaim joy when life doesn’t look the way you expected. Not the loud, picture-perfect version of joy people often talk about—but the quieter kind that shows up in small moments. From learning to notice small wins to shifting the way we think about gratitude and peace, this conversation explores how joy can still exist alongside pain and limitations. What You’ll Learn Why joy with chronic illness often looks different than people expect How focusing on small wins can shift your mindset Why gratitude practices can help on hard days The role of peaceful activities in supporting emotional well-being Why joy doesn’t have to be constant to still be real Memorable Quotes “Joy doesn’t have to be loud to be real.” “Small moments of joy still count.” “You don’t have to force joy—you can learn to notice it.” Resources Join the Unseen Sisterhood https://theinvisibleillnessclub.kit.com/unseen-sisterhood Joining gets you access to the weekly newsletter and our Facebook group! You will also have access to a special bundle of products just for those who join.   The Invisible Illness Club Website https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com   The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcast Credits Hosted by April Aramanda The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcast Music: Audio Jungle https://audiojungle.net

    35 min
  7. 047 Chronic Fatigue, Faith, and Learning to Slow Down with Belinda Mooney

    MAR 24

    047 Chronic Fatigue, Faith, and Learning to Slow Down with Belinda Mooney

    This episode originally aired earlier in the podcast and remains one of the most meaningful conversations we’ve had about slowing down and caring for our health while living with chronic illness.   In this conversation, I sit down with Belinda Terro Mooney to talk about living with chronic fatigue and the long road of learning to care for a body that simply can’t keep the pace of a busy life. Belinda shares how decades of fatigue shaped the way she approaches health, faith, and daily life. We talk about the pressure many women feel to keep going even when their bodies are exhausted, the importance of creating margin, and how small lifestyle changes can make a real difference over time. It’s an honest look at invisible illness, support systems, and learning to live with hope even on the hard days. What You’ll Learn What it can look like to live with chronic fatigue for decades Why constantly pushing through illness often makes symptoms worse The role of lifestyle habits like sleep, hydration, movement, and rest Why asking for help is one of the hardest lessons many women face How creating margin in your life can support both health and faith The difference between “positive thinking” and what Belinda calls hopeful thinking Memorable Quotes “Slow down and be well.” “There are a lot of good things in the world. It’s simply too much.” “A hopeful thought is a thought that leads you to feel hope.” “Stop being so self-reliant that you can’t ask for what you need.” Resources Belinda Mooney Website: https://belindaterromooney.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindaterromooney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090824557201 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdXvux59JZU_QsQhW-2BZZw Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/belindaterromooney/   Join the Unseen Sisterhood https://theinvisibleillnessclub.kit.com/unseen-sisterhood Joining gets you access to the weekly newsletter and our Facebook group! You will also have access to a special bundle of products just for those who join.   The Invisible Illness Club Website https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com   The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcast Credits Hosted by April Aramanda The Invisible Illness Club Podcast https://theinvisibleillnessclub.com/podcas Music: Audio Jungle https://audiojungle.net

    44 min
  8. 046 Faith, Chronic Illness, and Honest Spirituality with Stephanie Boyle

    MAR 17

    046 Faith, Chronic Illness, and Honest Spirituality with Stephanie Boyle

    This episode originally aired earlier in the podcast and remains one of the most meaningful conversations we’ve had about faith and chronic illness.   What does faith look like when your body won’t cooperate with the life you planned? In this conversation, I’m joined by writer and speaker Stephanie Boyle, who also lives with chronic illness. We talk about the tension many people feel between faith and suffering, why easy spiritual answers often fall flat, and what it means to practice an honest kind of spirituality when your life has changed in ways you never expected. If you’ve ever wrestled with big questions about God, pain, and hope, this conversation will feel like sitting down with someone who understands. What You’ll Learn Why chronic illness often reshapes a person’s faith journey The problem with overly simple spiritual answers to suffering How honest conversations about pain can strengthen faith rather than weaken it The emotional weight of living with an illness others can’t see What it can look like to hold onto hope in the middle of uncertainty Memorable Quotes “You can love God deeply and still have hard questions.” “Chronic illness changes how you understand faith.” “Hope isn’t pretending everything is okay.” Resources Stephanie Boyle: Finished by Friday website Instagram Facebook   Join the Unseen Sisterhood! Joining gets you access to the weekly newsletter and our Facebook group! You will also have access to a special bundle of products just for those who join. Credits Hosted by April Aramanda The Invisible Illness Club Podcast Music: Audio Jungle

    33 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Invisible Illness Club is a podcast about life with chronic illness—the kind people can’t see. Host April Aramanda gets honest about faith, flare-ups, medical burnout, relationships, grief, hope, and what it actually feels like to look fine while your body is anything but. If you’re living this and trying to figure out how to keep showing up for your life, you’re in the right place.

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