It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast Podcast By Cathy Gildenhorn Beth Glassman and Kira Dineen (DNA Today) cover art

It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast

It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast

By: Cathy Gildenhorn Beth Glassman and Kira Dineen (DNA Today)
Listen for free

The mission of our podcast is to support you, our listeners and to create community, as you confront the toughest challenges in life. All of us will experience health hardships. The real question is how we adapt. That is the focus of It Happened To Me, which wants to help you overcome limitations and live a full and satisfying life. Drawing on their own health challenges, hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman interview guests who share stories and research to help you succeed in the face of difficult health obstacles. It happened to me…I’m not alone and neither are you. We encourage you to learn more at ItHappenedToMePod.com. Please use the contact form on our website to submit your guest suggestions, comments, questions, ideas, and feedback for the show, you can also email us directly at ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com. It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Steve Holsonback is our media engineer and co-producer. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our ...All rights reserved to the team: Cathy Gildenhorn, Beth Glassman, & Kira Dineen (DNA Today) Science
Episodes
  • #81 How to Support Someone with Chronic Illness

    #81 How to Support Someone with Chronic Illness
    Apr 6 2026
    We welcome back Meredith Mangold to shift the conversation from the medical "odyssey" to the human connection. While the first part of Meredith’s story (Episode 76) focused on her grueling search for a diagnosis and treatment for ulcerative colitis, POTS, and EDS, in this episode, we explore the essential, and often overlooked, role of support systems. Living with chronic pain at an "8 out of 10" for years isn’t just a physical challenge; it’s a relational one. Meredith joins hosts Cathy and Beth to discuss what it means to be truly supported when an illness doesn't have an end date. We dive into the nuances of communication, the "guilt of being too much," and the common mistakes well-meaning loved ones make when trying to "fix" a situation that can’t be fixed. Whether you are navigating a chronic condition yourself or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers a masterclass in empathy, validation, and the power of simply being believed. Episode Topics: Survival vs. Support: Identifying the moments when external support became essential to Meredith’s survival during her hardest years of chronic pain.The Anatomy of a Support System: What effective support looks like practically, emotionally, and through "quiet presence."Validation vs. "Fixing": Why well-meaning advice can sometimes feel harmful and how to pivot toward validation and safety.The Burden of Guilt: Navigating the fear of being "too much" for friends and family.Communicating the Invisible: Tips for articulating needs when pain is invisible and chronic.Advocacy without Burnout: How patients can ask for what they need without feeling ashamed. About the Guest: Meredith Mangold, CPXP, is the Founder of Empower Health Strategies and a Certified Patient Experience Professional. After being thrust into the healthcare system at age 20 with severe ulcerative colitis, later followed by diagnoses of POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Meredith dedicated her career to helping healthcare professionals and digital health innovators empathize with the patient journey. She serves on the board of the Chronic Pain Project, is a faculty member for the BiteLabs Fellowship, and collaborates with Johns Hopkins Hospital on patient advocacy initiatives. Resources & Links Mentioned: Meredith’s Website: Empower Health StrategiesConnect on LinkedIn: Meredith MangoldThe Chronic Pain Project: chronicpainproject.orgRead Meredith's Story: Emerging from the Fog (Johns Hopkins Medicine)The Chronic Illness Hotline: A text-based peer support line for those navigating chronic illness, pain, and disability. Support their mission or find help at chronicillnesshotline.org. Relevant It Happened To Me Podcast Episodes: #17 Mental Health Help with Social Worker Tamara Blum #25 Pancreatic Cancer with Patient Advocate Leslie Waldman #38 Dr. Tara Zier on Stiff Person Syndrome #66 Not Just Fatigue: Global Advocating for ME/CFS from Bed #76 When Pain Never Stops: A Survivor’s Story of Chronic Pain and Hope (Merdith’s First Interview) #77 When Chronic Illness Changes the Tune: A Musician’s Journey Through Diabetes and Stroke Connect With Us: Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”. “It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer. See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    44 mins
  • #80 The Expert's Guide to Autism: Diagnosis, Red Flags, and Evidence-Based Care

    #80 The Expert's Guide to Autism: Diagnosis, Red Flags, and Evidence-Based Care
    Mar 16 2026

    In this episode we explore the complex world of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, featuring practical guidance from Dr. Teresa Lyons, an autism expert, scientist, and parent of a child with autism.

    Dr. Theresa Lyons is an international autism educator, Ivy League-trained scientist, and autism parent. Dr. Lyons holds a Ph.D. from Yale and is the founder and CEO of Navigating AWEtism, a platform designed to turn complex autism science into clear, practical guidance for families.

    Dr. Lyons’ perspective is so powerful. She brings both rigorous scientific training and lived experience as the parent of a child with autism. She’s worked with families in more than 21 countries, helping parents move from fear and confusion to confidence and clarity.

    Key Topics Discussed:

    • What autism is and how it is diagnosed through observation on a spectrum
    • The influence of changing diagnostic criteria and rising awareness
    • Early signs and red flags for autism in infants and toddlers
    • The importance of differentiating misinformation from evidence-based practices
    • How families can prioritize support strategies tailored to their child's strengths
    • The role of collaboration between parents, professionals, and educators
    • Myths about autism, including misconceptions about listening and cognition
    • The connection between vaccines and autism, and how to approach medical decisions
    • Supporting parental mental health and managing emotional regulation
    • Scientific advances in identifying biomarkers and personalized interventions
    • Practical at-home steps for fostering communication and emotional stability

    Resources:

    Dr. Thersea Lyons’ LinkedIn

    Navigating AWEtism's Website

    Navigating AWEtism's YouTube Page

    Psychology Today

    Autism Speaks

    Connect With Us:

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

    “It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

    See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • #79 How Acupuncture Can Support Fertility

    #79 How Acupuncture Can Support Fertility
    Mar 2 2026

    Discover how acupuncture, traditionally rooted in Chinese medicine, is transforming fertility care today. Join us as Kirsten Karshmer, a pioneer with over 20 years of experience, shares insights into how integrative practices and AI technology are making fertility treatment more accessible, personalized, and effective.

    In This Episode:

    • The science and philosophy behind reproductive acupuncture
    • How acupuncture can enhance ovulation and IVF outcomes
    • The emotional toll of infertility and managing stress
    • Innovations in fertility tech: AI-driven platforms for personalized care
    • Common misconceptions about fertility treatments
    • Practical tips for young girls to foster a healthy relationship with their bodies
    • The importance of shifting narratives: treating overall health, not just infertility

    Resources:

    Conceivable Technologies

    ABORM - a reproductive acupuncture resource

    “If Men Could Menstruate" By Gloria Steinem

    Connect With Us:

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

    “It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

    See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

    Show more Show less
    33 mins
No reviews yet