Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition
This podcast features real, eye-opening conversations with people living with rare autoimmune conditions like myasthenia gravis (MG) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Host Martine Hackett explores the hardships of diagnosis and each person's journey towards wellness, highlighting the challenges they continue to overcome. The show also includes perspectives from family members and friends who play important roles in their care. It is a production of Ruby Studio from iHeart Media in partnership with argenx.
Episodes
Amanda: From CIDP Diagnosis to Discovering Her Purpose
Amanda shares how a CIDP diagnosis changed nearly every aspect of her life, ultimately leading her to become a powerful advocate for the rare disease community. Join Martine Hackett as she explores the emotional impact of diagnosis, the power of connection, and how Amanda turned her experience into advocacy to help others feel seen, supported, and less alone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy
Alicia: The Long Road to Answers with Seronegative MG
Alicia, an artist and musician living with seronegative MG, shares her story of persistence, self-advocacy, and finding the right support system. Join Martine Hackett as she explores how connection and shared experiences can help people navigate even the most uncertain journeys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mel & Lindsay: Different Diagnoses. Shared Experiences.
Mel is a dancer living with CIDP. Lindsay is a writer living with dermatomyositis. In this episode, Martine Hackett explores how similar the emotional journey can feel as two people living with different rare diseases navigate uncertainty, self-advocacy, and the challenge of rebuilding their lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
J’Sean: The Impact of MG with Ocular Symptoms
In the season premiere, J’Sean shares what it’s like to live with MG with ocular symptoms. Join Martine Hackett as she explores the real impact of ocular symptoms–– and how understanding that impact can help you be heard and find the right support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Untold Stories is back for Season 6!
Martine Hackett returns with a new season of Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition. The best stories unite us, empower us, and help us push forward—against all odds. This season, we’re growing our community, and welcoming voices from myositis and IgAN to the fold. We are stronger, together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brandon & Dr. Thawani: The power of shared-decisions
After a sudden change in mobility, Brandon Cutrell found himself on an unexpected path toward a CIDP diagnosis. That journey led him to build a remarkable partnership with his neurologist, Dr. Sujata Thawani. In this special episode, Brandon and Dr. Thawani share how trust, advocacy, and shared decision-making make the doctor-patient relationship central to navigating a chronic illness.See omnystu
Aging With an Autoimmune Disease
When Sandy was diagnosed with MG at age 60, she was forced to retire early, leaving behind the job she loved and facing her golden years with unanticipated hurdles. Now 15 years later, Sandy spends her days organizing her local support group, enjoying lunches with her friends, and attending her grandson's sporting events. MG may have thrown a wrench in her retirement plans, but it can’t slow
Adapting through Life’s Milestones
As Britt prepared to give birth to her first child, an unexpected CIDP diagnosis changed everything. Just like that, motherhood looked incredibly different than she had imagined. Hear how Britt learned to walk with her son, fought to regain her strength, and eventually became grateful for all she went through.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rediscovering Purpose
After closing her beloved yoga studio and losing her mother, Tanya Chiu was faced with a new challenge–she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Her story is one of resilience, reclaiming purpose and rediscovering joy when life takes an unexpected turn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Growing Through Setbacks
Trent was a new father when his life changed overnight, losing the ability to walk, speak or even lift a phone. He spent years in a wheelchair before finding his way back through sport and self-advocacy. Join Martine as Trent shares how he went from paralysis to paratriathlete.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Untold Stories is back for Season Five
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Community Support Across Borders
Lea was just 12 when her symptoms began, but six years passed before doctors finally gave her an MG diagnosis. In that time, she lost the ability to walk, speak, and swallow, yet never lost her determination to live fully. Join Martine as Lea shares her journey from Germany and how the fight to find a diagnosis crosses every border.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Power in Community
Corbin is an engineer who faced a dual diagnosis with a 1.8% survival rate as a problem to solve. He didn’t see despair with that number - he saw a possibility. The possibility that, if he was able to keep living, doctors would find a way to increase that number significantly. He did, and today he’s doing well. Crucial to his determination was the CIDP community, which welcomed him wit
Understanding Cultural Differences
Leah is a Mexican American who experienced symptoms from slurring her words and choking on food with multiple doctors struggling to see the full picture. In this episode, hear how an MG crisis helped Leah uncover a diagnosis and how she turned that experience into action, building a space for others who may not feel seen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Navigating connection after diagnosis
Jamilah went from daily dance rehearsals to struggling to move through her own home, while her symptoms were continuously dismissed. In this episode, hear how finally getting a diagnosis changed everything: from relearning her body and rebuilding relationships to finding connection again in a whole new way of life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Balancing caregiving with self-care
Justin is a husband, entrepreneur, and full-time caregiver to his wife, Shawna–– our very first podcast guest. In this episode, Justin talks about what it’s really like to care for someone you love. From juggling nonstop doctor visits to being the go-to advocate in every medical setting, Justin shares how he stays grounded, what keeps him going, and why self-care is survival.&nbs
Finding Your Voice In the Healthcare System
Jasmine is a career coach, wife, and mother who is newly diagnosed with CIDP but no stranger to fighting for her health. After years of navigating lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, Jasmine learned how to push back, speak up, and keep going. Join Martine for the season 4 premiere as Jasmine shares what it’s like to face a new diagnosis mid-journey, and why she refuses to stay silent.See omnystu
Untold Stories is back for Season Four!
Martine Hackett returns with a new season of Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition. The best stories unite us, empower us, and help us push forward against all odds. This season, we hear from people living with myasthenia gravis (MG) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) as they reclaim their identities, fight for care, and find strength in both community a
Harnessing Hope: Life Beyond Autoimmune Conditions
For this special season three finale, Martine is joined by Kathy Perez, Head of Global Patient Advocacy at argenx. They reflect on some of the most impactful and moving moments from guests this season. Kathy asks Martine about her favorite learnings and takeaways as host of the show. While life with autoimmune conditions like MG or CIDP includes a wide range of emotions, Kathy and Martine dig into
Pushing Past Grief: Staying Positive with MG
In 2007, Tony’s MG journey began with severe double vision, quickly leading to several episodes of pneumonia. He was in and out of the hospital and rehab facilities for many years, only reaching his MG diagnosis in 2014. Through it all, he was supported by his wife and tireless caregiver, Catherine, documenting every step along the way. From the start, Tony remained determined to regain his streng
Embracing Gratitude: Remaining Positive in the Face of CIDP
Craig’s CIDP journey began in college when growing symptoms and fatigue halted his running career and confined him to a cane, then a wheelchair. But from the very beginning, Craig remained positive and focused on finding answers. Having seen some videos about CIDP, he worked with his doctor to determine his official diagnosis. Craig’s curiosity and hunger for problem-solving inspired him to explor
Facing Frustration: The Hurdles of Life with CIDP
Beyond the unpredictable symptoms, Dana’s CIDP journey included misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis and many lessons in insurance coverage. All of which made frustration a frequent feeling. There are many challenges–beyond the fatigue, muscle tingling, and weakness–associated with CIDP. Dana shares her story of living with CIDP, starting with muscle numbness on a camping trip, followed by years of app
Building Confidence: Understanding Self-Worth with MG
Tasha has always faced life’s challenges head-on. Diagnosed with MG at the young age of 6, she quickly learned the importance of self-confidence. At 29, an MG crisis pushed her to manage her health from a new perspective. From her hospital bed, she created a nonprofit aimed not just at sharing her story but also at empowering and inspiring others within the MG community. Despite numerous setbacks,
Untold Stories will be right back!
We’re taking a quick break in the season and will be back soon with new episodes! In the meantime, if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to check out some of the episodes from seasons one and two of Untold Stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Finding Resilience: Staying Strong with CIDP
Julie is no stranger to adversity. Diagnosed with CIDP at the age of 28, in the midst of motherhood and a full-time job as a special education teacher, Julie quickly found herself balancing it all while managing the debilitating symptoms of her condition. As she started to find a sense of normalcy, life threw her another curveball: her husband was diagnosed with cancer and would now need Julie to
Out of Loneliness: Finding Connection with MG
Morgan found herself grappling with many feelings of loneliness and self-doubt on top of the overwhelming physical symptoms of her MG. Diagnosed in her mid-twenties, it felt like everything Morgan had built in her life might be taken away by the changes that came with her condition. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, Morgan found the strength to reconnect with herself and others. By tapping in
Untold Stories is back for Season Three!
Martine Hackett returns with season three of “Untold Stories”! This time, she delves deeper than ever into the heart of what it’s like to live with conditions like myasthenia gravis (MG) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). From the frustration of misdiagnosis to the hope of managing symptoms, each emotion along the journey is important. But ultimately, these shared feelin
Finding Your Pace: Building New Boundaries with MG
Raymond, a retired designer, lived with HIV for 40 years before the onset of his myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms. As a longtime caregiver for his mother, he was no stranger to the hospital visits and advocacy that is part of seeking quality care. However, after his mother’s passing and the start of COVID-19, he chalked the fatigue and muscle spasms up to stress. It took various specialists to reac
Behind the Seams: Unraveling and Restitching Life with MG
Jacqueline, also known as Jacq, lived in New York City with big dreams of succeeding in the fashion industry. However, her life took a significant turn after she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), which had a profound impact on her career and marriage. Jacq faced debilitating symptoms, including many injuries, oftentimes on her own. Her family and her employer could not fully understand th
Understanding and Acceptance: Being an Active Partner in Your CIDP Treatment
As a successful and resilient attorney, Rorey was blindsided by the onset of debilitating muscle weakness and fatigue. After months of countless tests, he found a sense of relief when doctors diagnosed him with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). He navigated the complications of a condition that is not always visible or understood by others. Looking to be an active partner i
Prioritizing Care: Confronting Postpartum with MG
Nicole is an epidemiologist whose life took an unexpected turn with an MG diagnosis between pregnancies. She had to prioritize how she cared for herself through postpartum depression, while also adapting to parenthood with MG. Nicole discusses how her background in public health provided a foundational understanding of the condition. But ultimately by leaning on her family and caring specialists,
Untold Stories is Back!
Martine Hackett returns with a new season of “Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition.” Hear from people forging new paths after diagnosis, and learn how they build community and evolve their outlook on life. We’ll learn more about life with myasthenia gravis (MG) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Join us starting Wednesday, December 13thSee omnystudio.c
Accessing Ambition: Professional Success While Living with MG
While myasthenia gravis, or MG, can make navigating everyday tasks more difficult, it does not have to stop people living with MG from pursuing rich personal and professional lives. In this episode, Felicia and Sean talk about how they both remained driven as leaders in their industries while managing the debilitating condition. Often challenged by her MG symptoms, including vocal fatigue, Felicia
Body & Spirit: Finding Respite Despite MG
Managing life with a rare disease like myasthenia gravis, or MG, can challenge the way you see yourself. Being mindful of emotional wellness can be as important as adapting to physical changes. Today’s guest, Eri, had to re-envision himself when his MG diagnosis challenged the role he played as a provider for his family and pillar in the community. Before the onset of his symptoms, he had never co
Leading with Love: Thriving in Marriage While Living with MG
Myasthenia gravis, or MG, takes a toll on the lives of those living with the condition, but it also affects their loved ones. As Jessica and her husband Jonathan were preparing to welcome their second child into the world, they were not expecting to receive Jessica’s MG diagnosis. With this new element added to their lives, they have had to learn how to navigate their evolving family roles, nurtur
Bonus Episode: The Realities of Life with CIDP
In this special bonus episode, we’ll spotlight one of the many rare conditions that deserves more attention and resources. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, more commonly known as CIDP, is a rare neurological condition that causes progressive weakness, impaired mobility, and reduced sensation in the arms and legs. Guests, Scott and Crystal, discuss how each of their lives were dra
Building Community: Navigating Young Adulthood with MG
Myasthenia gravis, or MG, affects people of all ages and races and is most commonly diagnosed later in life. However, for Anaya, her MG symptoms began when she was just 12 years old. Anaya went from being an active young athlete to struggling with immobility and school attendance. As a young black girl, Anaya’s age and race demographics complicated her MG diagnosis journey. However, by learning to
Connecting to Care: The Importance of Self-Advocacy with MG
Navigating life with myasthenia gravis, or MG, often begins with a long road to diagnosis. For disabled veteran Shawna, the search for answers to her debilitating symptoms took several years. With the highs and lows of assistance from Veterans Affairs, she learned to navigate the healthcare system and make her voice heard, all while maintaining a positive outlook on her life with MG. Together with
Welcome to Untold Stories: Life with Myasthenia Gravis
With a rare neuromuscular condition like myasthenia gravis, or MG, everyone’s experience with the disease is unique and often filled with struggles and sacrifices. That’s why argenx has partnered with iHeartRadio to bring you “Untold Stories: Life with Myasthenia Gravis.” In each episode, host Martine Hackett will explore the lessons learned and obstacles overcome by real people living with MG and
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