A New Adventure
I’ve been a podcast listener for years, long before I found paleo. I live in the mountains where radio reception is poor, so when I discovered I can listen to all my favorite programs (and more), without static, at my convenience, I was thrilled! My commute to work filled with favorite shows like On Being, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, the Diane Rehm Show and more. Then I found paleo, and I added shows like Revolution Health Radio and The Paleo Solution. I’ve learned so much from those shows, and I still enjoy listening to them. But I noticed something – autoimmune healing comes up only occasionally, because none of those shows are 100% dedicated to this topic. So, I decided to start my own. It’s called Phoenix Helix: Dedicated to reversing autoimmune disease through the paleo diet and lifestyle. My goal is to expand on what I share here. I hope you’ll tune in and spread the word. Podcast lovers unite!
Will I Still Write For My Blog?
Absolutely! While my husband will tell you I love to talk (what woman doesn’t?), writing is my passion. That’s not going to go away. I’ve scheduled the podcast to be a biweekly show, so that I still have time to research articles and share inspiring stories here. Every other week, I’ll post a link to the podcast with show notes summarizing the topic. On opposite weeks, you can expect the types of articles you’ve found here over the past two years.
The First Show: Healing Stories
I decided to kick the podcast off with personal stories of people who are successfully reversing autoimmune symptoms and reclaiming a beautiful life. For people who know nothing about this lifestyle, those stories show them what’s possible. For those of us pursuing this lifestyle, those stories tell us we’re not alone. Future episodes will alternate between interviews with experts, panel discussions, and Q&A’s on a wide range of topics to help us all live this lifestyle and improve our health. Spoiler alert: look forward to Sarah Ballantyne as my guest for Episode 3.
Listen to the Show
- Subscribe to my podcast through your favorite podcast app: iTunes, Stitcher, Google, TuneIn, Spotify, Amazon, etc.
- You can also listen to the episode right here through the player below, and if you subscribe to my newsletter you’ll get notified of future episodes.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 1: Show Notes
- Intro (0:00)
- My Healing Story (2:00)
- Reversing rheumatoid arthritis.
- Moving from excruciating pain to a pain-free life.
- GAPS
- AIP
- Lifestyle measures
- Supplements
- Update: In 2016, I made the decision to start medication. The result was remission, and I now combine diet, lifestyle, and medication to feel my best.
- Russ Crandall’s Healing Story (11:25)
- Reversing Takayasu’s arteritis.
- Where heart surgery failed, diet succeeded.
- Perfect Health Diet
- Fermented foods
- Prioritizing sleep
- Russ is the author of the blog The Domestic Man and the cookbooks The Ancestral Table and Paleo Takeout.
- Angie Alt’s Healing Story (23:21)
- Reversing Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome.
- Healing mental health issues by healing digestion.
- Paleo autoimmune diet and lifestyle
- Gut-brain connection
- Angie is the co-author of the blog Autoimmune Wellness.
- V. Capaldi’s Healing Story (38:30)
- Reversing multiple sclerosis.
- Moving from disability to independence.
- Wahls Protocol: a combination of diet, movement, and stress management
- Update 2021: V has retired from blogging and health coaching.
- Robyn Latimer’s Healing Story (52:12)
- Reversing lupus.
- Moving from 24 pills a day to living medication-free.
- Robyn reached remission through a regular paleo diet. Not everyone has to do the AIP.
- Summary (1:01:35)
- If your diagnosis wan’t discussed today, please know that these stories still apply to you. Autoimmune diseases have much in common, which is why they are treated similarly by conventional medicine, and why the paleo diet and lifestyle works for so many.
- Healing Stories Series
- Update 2021: My podcast now has almost 200 episodes and over 2 million downloads! Browse the podcast archives to find all the topics we’ve covered. But I still like to kick off every year with a Healing Stories episode. Listen to them all here.
- Outro (1:02:15)
- Eileen (your podcast host) is the author of multiple books, written to help people thrive with autoimmune disease. Learn more on the Books Page.
- If you like this podcast, follow or subscribe through your favorite podcast app. You can also subscribe to Eileen’s biweekly newsletter.
- Check out the entire archive of podcast episodes.
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Spreading the Word
If you like the podcast, please leave a positive review in iTunes. It would mean the world to me, and also helps others find the podcast. Here are some quick instructions using your iPhone:
- If you are already subscribed to my podcast: (1) Click the purple podcast icon. (2) At the bottom of the screen, click Library. (3) At the top of the screen, click Shows. (4) Click the Phoenix Helix podcast image. (5) Scroll down the page, and you’ll see Ratings and Reviews. Scroll down a little bit more and click on Write a Review. This will bring up the review screen. Tap 5 stars (if you love the podcast), and then click in the title box, and it will bring up the keyboard. Enter a title and short review. (6) Click Send in the upper right corner. (7) Thank you! Positive reviews give the podcast a higher search ranking in iTunes, helping people find it and letting them know it’s a quality podcast and worth their time to listen.
- If you haven’t subscribed to my podcast: (1) Click the purple podcast icon. (2) In the lower right corner, click the magnifying class. (3) Type Phoenix Helix in the search box. (4) Click the podcast cover in the Show list. (5) If you’d like to subscribe, click the + sign at the top of the screen. (6) To write a review, scroll down the page, and you’ll see Ratings and Reviews. Scroll down a little bit more and click on Write a Review. This will bring up the review screen. Tap 5 stars (if you love the podcast), and then click in the title box, and it will bring up the keyboard. Enter a title and short review. (7) Click Send in the upper right corner. (8) Thank you! Positive reviews give the podcast a higher search ranking in iTunes, helping people find it and letting them know it’s a quality podcast and worth their time to listen.
Sara, the Exercise and Autoimmune Disease podcast went live today: http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2017/01/28/episode-63-exercise-and-autoimmune-disease/
Hi! I’d love to hear a podcast dedicated to autoimmune and exercise for the once athlete. How exercise affects the body for autoimmune and if at some point running or other types of exercise are ok. Why and how this all plays into someone with Celiac. Thanks!
Hi Sara. That’s a great idea. I’ll add it to my list. In the meantime, here’s an article on this topic: http://asquirrelinthekitchen.com/exercise-and-autoimmune-disease-beneficial-or-dangerous/
Hi Eileen
I have just found your website recently and keen to know if you have come across anyone with Atrophic Autoimmune Gastritis? That’ what I have along with Pernicious Anemia, Hashimoto’s, Vitiligo and just now developed Psoriasis mainly under my arms which I have aelf diagnosed as Inverse Psoriasis. I also have leaky gut and adrenal fatigue and a hormone imbalance. I believe my problems started with stress and maybe the hormone imbalance 20 years ago, but who knows what comes first, leaky gut or hormone imbalance!? Good to find sites like this so we don’nt feel so alone.
Hi Karen. Thanks for saying hello. I don’t know anyone with AAG, but since all autoimmune diseases have the same root cause, these healing stories definitely apply to you as well. You are not alone.
Thanks Eileen. I thought that I would go back to your inaugural podcast and work my way up. I found this really informative. I have a cousin with Lupus and pray that she hears this message someday. She is in her 60s and in a bad way.
Hi Margaret. This is one of the most popular episodes of all time. We are all inspired by each other’s stories.
I’ve been on the AIP diet and listening to your pod casts for almost 2 months now. I have alopecia areata and would like to know if you have ever heard of anyone with that who has benefited from the diet.
I haven’t found anything about that on your blog.
Yes, Michele. Stella from Whole Earth Life. You’ll definitely want to follow her blog.
I can’t thank you enough for the work that you do. In spite of intellectually knowing that you aren’t the only one with autoimmune issues, it can feel so isolating. Hearing these stories made me want to cry, which surprised me. I have Crohn’s and Celiac and at one point I was able to get off medication for just over a year. Then I got terribly glutened in October, and I have been working my way back towards health again. Hearing the voices of others who have been at the brink and come back was the balm I needed. I am also glad that you reiterated the lifestyle part of the equation. I have the diet and self care product part down, but it really takes effort on my part to get the sleep, exercise, and meditation that I KNOW makes a difference. I’m rambling a bit, but thank you again for shining a bit of light in the darkness. You are making a difference.
Katherine, thank you so much for sharing your story, and your kind words. You’ll love my next podcast which is due to air this weekend. The focus will be the Mind Body Connection, and I interviewed the author of my new favorite book: The Last Best Cure, which is all about the power of mindfulness to downgrade inflammation in our bodies. I’m so sorry you got gluten-ed. May every month bring you closer to wellness.
This was awesome. So glad I listened to it and looking forward to the next ones!
Thanks, Karen!
Love your new podcast! It was so wonderfully informative and real. I found myself nodding my head several times. And, I really like your husband’s singing at the end. Too cute! Great job!
Thanks, Mo! His song at the end always makes me smile.
Eileen,
This was so wonderfully informative. Thank you so much for doing this. I look forward to hearing more of what you and others have to say. Also, I must say the music by your husband was absolutely wonderful!!!
Very calming, relaxing………well, just wonderful. Hope to hear more of it with your talks.
Thanks, Sophie. I’ll be sure to pass your compliments onto my husband. He’ll blush! The next episode will be available this coming Monday.
Love this, Eileen. Thank you for doing this podcast. It’s so encouraging to hear all of the success stories, particularly when the lows were really very low. I was especially inspired by the woman who was diagnosed with lupus & has recently run a half marathon. I shall salsa dance again! LOL And run a marathon too!
Thanks again & keep up the great work you’re doing.
Thanks for writing, Joanna. Inspiration was my goal. I love the vision of you dancing the salsa again. Yes!
Excellent podcast! Really enjoyed hearing the healing stories of your guest, phenomenal what impact the dietary changes can have!
Thanks, Nancy!
Excellent idea. Thanks for the podcast.
Can you tell me the amount of bone broth and fermented foods you eat please?
Thanks
Haydn
Hi Haydn. I drink about 2 cups of bone broth daily, but even 1 cup a day is a good start. As for fermented foods, I eat about 1/4 cup of sauerkraut, and about 1 cup of kombucha daily, and I use raw apple cider vinegar in my salad dressings. If you’re new to fermented foods, start slowly. Because the good bacteria in fermented foods help kill off the bad bacteria in our guts, there can be a die-off reaction. If we eat too much too quickly, that can be uncomfortable. So start with a tablespoon of sauerkraut or 2 oz. of kombucha and see how you feel, and then increase as you are comfortable. There’s also an online class I recommend if you want to learn more about fermented foods: Fearless Fermentation.
This is fantastic. Thank you so much for putting a podcast together. I look forward to listening, this will make folding laundry {possibly} enjoyable.
Sharing your story, how far you’ve come on your journey is truly inspiring and brings us much hope on our own journeys! <3
LOL! If you can make any household chore more enjoyable, you’ve struck gold.
Congratulations Eileen! I look forward to listening!
Thanks, Jill!
Eileen,
Looking forward to listening to your podcast!
How do you connect/start a podcast on itunes?
Hi. Are you asking how you can subscribe and listen to the podcast? Or how to start your own?
Thanks for the podcasts. Great to hear.
Should it usually take 3 to 6 months to notice any difference?
Hi Haydn. Speed of results vary a lot from person to person, but you should start seeing some improvement within 3 months. If not, it’s time to start troubleshooting, and for that, I recommend working with someone 1:1. Here’s a list of resources.
Hi everyone. The show is now available through iTunes. Here’s a direct link. Just click the blue button that says “view in iTunes.” If you like the show and want to leave a positive review, I would love you more than I already do, and it will help others find the show! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/phoenix-helix-reversing-autoimmune/id918956025
What a great Podcast I listened though your site to a good portion of it but can’t wait to hear the rest on iTunes. Thanks for sharing the information!
Thanks, Glenda! It’s now available in iTunes, and I just added a link in the blog post.
Thank you so much for doing this podcast. It was extremely informative. Will you be doing a show with any guests that might have had help with type 2 diabetes and hypothyroidism?
My plan is to have people of all autoimmune diseases on the show eventually, but since there are literally hundreds of diagnoses, it will take time. Remember, though, that every episode of this podcast applies to everyone with autoimmune disease, no matter the diagnosis. We have much more in common than not. Wishing you healing on every level, Amy!
Fantastic! Big, big gratitude for your commitment to supporting our healing journeys.
Thanks, Petra!
Thank you Eileen and everyone else for sharing your incredibly inspiring and personal stories. I was told that I have (had?) Crohn’s disease and have benefited greatly from following the Paleo Diet. I hope that everyone will join the fight against genetically modified foods, and our right to know when we are purchasing them. I worry that GMO’s could undermine the positive benefits we are achieving if we don’t even know we are consuming genetically modified foods and this could happen unless we fight this outrageous insult to natural foods.
Another success story! Thanks so much sharing, Janet, and I share your concern about GMO’s. I’ll put that on my list for an episode in the future.
I’m so proud of you Eileen! And SO THANKFUL you are doing a podcast!!!!! What a gift to the AI community! I can’t wait to listen in. I know so many people will be encouraged by this!!!
XOXOXO
Jen
Thanks, Jen!
Love this! Also dx with RA and hearing these stories definitely provides the encouragement and hope to push through with AIP- thank you!
Awesome! That is exactly why I’m doing this.
I’m so glad for this new development! I carefully listened to it last night and this morning. I look forward to more episodes.
I’m so glad you liked the first episode!
Fantastic Eileen! This is an invaluable resource for all of us. The work and dedication you are putting into this is incredible. If there is any way in which I can help, please ask me. In the meantime, I will definitely put your podcast on the resource page of my blog so that visitors can find it easily.
Thanks, Sophie!