Welcome to The Autoimmune Mom Podcast!

The Autoimmune Mom Podcast

Join host Ali Atwell as she shares stories from women navigating autoimmune disease, parenting, treatment decisions, advocacy, and the challenges of building a meaningful life while managing chronic illness.

Recent Episodes

18
July 21, 2026

How to Be an Empowered Patient: Strategies for Navigating the Healthcare System

If you've ever left a doctor's appointment feeling rushed, unheard, or unsure what just happened, this episode is for you. Living with an autoimmune disease often means navigating specialists, insurance companies, medications, lab work, and appointments that can feel overwhelming. But what if there were simple ways to become a more empowered patient? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Terry Adirim, former Chief Medical Officer for the U.S. Military Health System, emergency physician, healthc
July 7, 2026

Motherhood with Ulcerative Colitis: Pregnancy, J-Pouch Surgery & Finding Your Voice

Can you have a healthy pregnancy with ulcerative colitis? What happens if you've had J-pouch surgery? And how do you raise children while managing a lifelong autoimmune disease? In this episode of The Autoimmune Mom Podcast, Ali sits down with Amber Tresca, founder of About IBD and host of the About IBD Podcast, to discuss what it's really like living with ulcerative colitis for more than 35 years. Amber shares her journey from being diagnosed at just 16 years old to undergoing life-changing J-
June 17, 2026

Infrared Sauna Benefits for Autoimmune Disease: Can It Help Reduce Inflammation?

If you're a mom living with autoimmune disease and searching for natural ways to reduce inflammation, manage fatigue, and support your overall wellness, you've probably wondered whether infrared saunas actually work. In this episode of The Autoimmune Mom Podcast, I share my personal experience using an infrared sauna as part of my autoimmune disease management plan. We discuss the potential benefits of infrared sauna therapy for inflammation, chronic pain, stress, fatigue, recovery, and overall
16
June 9, 2026

My Insurance Nightmare as an Autoimmune Mom

Ali Atwell shares her ongoing health insurance disaster, including denial of insurance coverage for her rheumatologist treatments, missed infusions, and the financial burden on her family. She also discusses upcoming guest Terry Adirim and the broken medical system. Takeaways Health insurance denial can lead to missed treatments and financial burden Bridging the gap in healthcare is essential for patients with complex medical needs Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Health Insurance Disaster
15
June 3, 2026

How Faith Carried Jenna Schutt Through Her Healing Journey

Jenna Schutt shares her journey of being diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis and the impact it had on her life as a mother. She discusses the challenges of treatment, the role of faith in coping, and the development of a relationship with God. Jenna emphasizes the importance of self-worth and finding joy in the midst of adversity. Jenna Schutt shares her journey of finding true joy and peace through faith, even in the midst of health challenges and survivorship. She emphasizes the importance of
14
May 20, 2026

Mariah of Mamas Facing Forward on Parenting at Every Stage of Mother.

The conversation covers the challenges of parenting with chronic illness, including the impact on pregnancy, postpartum flares, and the importance of modeling self-care for children. It also delves into the experience of early symptoms and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the communication of chronic illness to children. The conversation covers the importance of self-care, parenting with chronic illness, and practical parent survival tips. It emphasizes the need for support and comm
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