Microphones, Masks, and Music: Navigating Long COVID and Identity with Nina Storey

Episode 5: Memes are Tiny Prayers In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Lior Ocean, an intuitive medium, fine artist, and beacon of light. Lior shares their story of navigating long covid, chronic illness, and disability while finding solace in art and spirituality. Lior speaks from a very unique perspective - they worked on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2016 and 2017. Just before the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, they obtained a Master's Degree in Infectious Diseases. We delve into the philosophy of non-duality, and Lior shares insights on its intersection with chronic illness and how spirituality influences their approach to life's challenges. Recording this episode was honestly very healing for me, as Lior and I discuss how to start learning to trust your intuition when you feel like you can't trust your body. I cried about 4 times editing this conversation! You can find Lior at https://www.liorocean.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/liorocean/ Books mentioned in this episode: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron Loving Our Own Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole by Julia Watts Belser

29 Apr 20241h 7min

Episode 4: Oat-my-goodness, Chef! In this episode of "A Friend for the Long Haul," I invite you to pull up a chair and join a warm, inviting conversation with Chef Taryn Marquez. Through her incredible journey battling severe COVID-19, Taryn emerged not only as a survivor but as a beacon for many. Join us as we delve into her courageous story, sharing laughs, tears, and a delicious recipes along the way. On the Menu: Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls Get ready to tantalize your tastebuds as we whip up one of Chef Taryn's signature treats! These delectable snacks aren't just about flavor – they're full of nutrition. 1/2 cup maple syrup  1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons peanut butter  3/4 cup GF rolled oats  3 tablespoons mini vegan chocolate chips 1 tablespoon Zivolife functional food powder (or chia or flax seeds) 3 tablespoons cocoa powder Mix all ingredients thoroughly, form into balls or any shape that suits you on parchment and refrigerate overnight.  In our friendly kitchen chat, we'll explore: Taryn's COVID Experience: From her challenging stay in the hospital to her remarkable road to recovery, hear firsthand how she overcame the odds with unwavering determination and a sprinkle of culinary magic. Bloom-19: Spreading Awareness and Deliciousness: Discover the story behind Taryn's initiative, Bloom-19, and how she's using her platform to share recipes tailored for fellow long Covid sufferers. Looking Forward with Hope: Taryn has big dreams for the future and we discuss the silver linings she's discovered amidst the storm. Through her optimism, we're reminded of the importance of savoring (food pun!) each moment. The Importance of Family: At the heart of Taryn's journey lies a profound appreciation for the love and support of family. We'll explore the role of connection, compassion, and community in navigating life's toughest challenges, including caring for her father with the help of her sister, Cindy. So grab your apron, pour yourself a cup of comfort, and join us for an episode filled with warmth, wisdom, and of course, a sprinkle of culinary delight. Oh, and there are some bloopers in there, too. Taryn's website and store can be found at https://www.bloom-19.com/  and you can find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bloom19official/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and give me and the guest some stars. :)

22 Apr 202454min

Episode 3: A Developing Friendship In this episode of A Friend for the Long Haul, I chat with John Zeising about his career as an EMT and firefighter, his passion for photography, and the unexpected turn his life took after getting COVID-19 on his Christmas Eve shift in 2020. Discover the profound impact of disability advocacy on his life and how he remains committed to serving his community. This episode was recorded later in the day on a Friday, during a week when I had traveled out of town for the first time in a long time. I was dealing with post-exertional malaise as a result. You may find that I'm a little slower than usual to compute and there may be some rambling, but it's real life with long Covid, so I'm just going to roll with it. You can find out more about John by going to his website, 4th Dimension Photography LLC (johnzeising.com) John's podcast is called Long Covid - Sharing the Journey and you can find it on Spotify. Follow the A Friend for the Long Haul podcast playlist on Spotify! Each guest shares a song that relates to their experience with Long Covid. John is also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/colorado_sky/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and give me and the guest some stars. :)

15 Apr 202458min

Episode 2: That Time Megan Bit into an Onion In the second episode of A Friend for the Long Haul, join host Beth and her darling friend Megan as they delve into the depths of online girl friendship. Remember in the intro episode of this podcast, when Beth said that her brand is dark humor as a coping mechanism? If you thought the intro was relatable, wait until she starts chatting with Megan. Despite a significant age gap and never having met face-to-face, Beth and Megan share a bond that transcends time and distance. Megan is the powerhouse behind Fancy Free Nursery in Tampa, Florida (we'll give some credit to her husband Robby, too) and she opens up about her battle with long Covid since November 2020. Tune in as Megan chats about her pre-illness dedication to fitness, the challenges of running a small business while chronically ill, covid-conscious family dynamics, and raising awareness of Covid's impact on children. Plus, don't miss Megan's ingenious STEM project idea for school kids. Important Links: Megan's business website, Fancy Free Nursery: https://www.fancyfreenursery.com/ Fancy Free's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancyfreenursery/ Follow the A Friend for the Long Haul ⁠podcast playlist on Spotify!⁠ Each guest shares a song that relates to their experience with Long Covid. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and give me and the guest some stars.

8 Apr 202456min

Episode 1: True Friendship is like Oxygen with Lesa Join in for the inaugural episode of A Friend for the Long Haul, where we dive deep into the world of friendship and overcoming whatever the heck the last four years have been with our host, Beth, and her dear friend Lesa. Lesa, a business development strategist, a devoted godmother, and long hauler, shares her story with us. In this heartfelt conversation, Beth and Lesa open up about Lesa's move to Nashville that did not go as planned, the realities of living with long Covid, the use of home oxygen therapy, as well as the importance of community. Discover the little things that make a big difference, from the humble sticky note to the healing magic of puppies. tldr: Listen in as Beth and Lesa tell each other how much they love each other for about 55 minutes. Important Links! None of these are ads, but are mentioned in this episode: Lesa's Substack: https://lesaschultz.substack.com/ Ally Boothroyd's YouTube channel for Yoga Nidra: https://www.youtube.com/@SarovaraYoga/ Information on the Pulmonary Wellness Foundation https://pulmonarywellness.org/ Follow the A Friend for the Long Haul ⁠podcast playlist on Spotify!⁠ Each guest shares a song that relates to their experience with Long Covid. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and give me and the guest some stars. :)

1 Apr 202456min

A whopping two-minute episode to give you an idea of the A Friend for the Long Haul podcast, coming to your earballs on April 1, 2024!

24 Mars 20242min