Shows / The Survival Project
The Survival Project
The Survival Project is a podcast about health, resilience, and the power of shared experience. We all face battles; for our health, for our wellbeing, for survival itself. This podcast is a space to explore those battles honestly, whether you’re living with chronic illness yourself or supporting someone you love. “Your story can be someone else’s survival guide” - The Survival Project exists to do just that: turn lived experience into a guide for others.
Episodes
- The Survival Project
058 - The 'Sickfluencer' Controversy: POTS, Medical Misogyny & Misleading Media - Jess Mather
What happens when you share your chronic illness story to raise awareness, only to find your words used in an article that questions the very community you're…
- The Survival Project
057 - The Heart Of The Matter: Lukes Heart Transplant Journey At 9 Weeks Old - Cillian Myles
At just nine weeks old, Luke's heart was failing, and his parents were told he might not survive. This week on The Survival Project, I'm joined by longtime…
- The Survival Project
056 - The Forgotten Children: Trafficking, War & The Fight For Human Rights - Kirsten Larson
The Forgotten Children: Trafficking, War & the Fight for Human Rights What happens to the world's most vulnerable children when war breaks out? And who is…
- The Survival Project
055 - Coma To Comeback: Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s - Vincent Van De Broeck
Coma to Comeback: Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done On October 11th, 2024, Vincent Van den Broeck was struck by a car while riding his e-scooter in…
- The Survival Project
053 - Life-Changing Surgery, Life-Changing Independence: The Power of Stoma Care - Anna Bergin
What does good stoma care actually look like, and why does it still matter whether you’ve had your stoma for three weeks or thirty years? In Episode 53 of The…
- The Survival Project
052 - Learning To Live With A Stoma At 17: Grief, Gratitude & Growth - Sophia Haden
At just 17 years old, Sophia Haden was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Only a few months later, she underwent life-changing surgery and found herself…
- The Survival Project
051 - Who I Am Without Fear: Cancer, Two Stomas, Life After Survival - Ross Davidson
For almost 40 years, Ross Davidson lived with an overwhelming fear of cancer. When symptoms eventually appeared, that fear became so debilitating that Ross…
- The Survival Project
050 - One Sentence, 8 Words: The Question That Can Change A Life - Jonathan Healy
50 episodes. One year. And eight words that could change a life. For the one-year anniversary of The Survival Project, I wanted to reflect on one of the most…
- The Survival Project
049 - Congenital Muscular Dystrophy: Living Fully, In A World Not Built for You - Kelly Berger & Avery Roberts (The Wheel Talk Podcast)
In Episode 49 of The Survival Project, Jonathan is joined by Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts, hosts of the Wheel Talk Podcast, for an honest, funny and…
- The Survival Project
048 - “Your Tests Are Normal” But You're Still In Pain: Understanding Chronic Pain In IBD & IBS - Rebecca Lane
What happens when your tests say everything looks fine, but you’re still in pain? In Episode 48 of The Survival Project, I’m joined by Rebecca Lane, PhD…
- The Survival Project
047 - Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): Learning To Live in A Body You Can't Trust - Tasha Flynn
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) affects thousands of people, yet most of us have never heard of it. In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan…
- The Survival Project
046 - The Wren Project: Supporting The Mental Health Of People With Autoimmune Disease - Kate Middleton
Living with an autoimmune disease affects far more than the body. In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan sits down with Kate Middleton, founder of…
- The Survival Project
045 - One Mans Ostomy, Changed The Lives Of Thousands: The Birth Of Comfizz - Lorraine Alikhanizadeh
What happens when one family's experience with Crohn's disease leads to a product that changes the lives of thousands of people around the world? In this…
- The Survival Project
044 - What Dying Taught Me About Living: Surviving Two Heart Attacks - Seamus McAuley
What being dead taught me about living. Former pharmaceutical CEO Shay thought success meant working harder, achieving more and constantly chasing the next…
- The Survival Project
043 - Living With Lupus: “I Was 22 When They Replaced Both My Hips” - Sharan Singh
Sharan Singh's life changed forever when she was diagnosed with lupus at a young age. Years of autoimmune disease, powerful medications, chronic pain, and…
- The Survival Project
042 - Life With Muscular Dystrophy: Disability Didn't Stop Me It Changed My Direction - Cerys Davage
What does it mean to live with a body that never stops changing? This week on The Survival Project, I'm joined by Cerys Davage, host of the Unbalanced Podcast…
- The Survival Project
041 - IBD In The US: "My Insurance Company Said I Didn't Need My Medication" - Ian Goldstein
What happens when surviving Crohn's disease means fighting your own healthcare system? This week on The Survival Project, I'm joined by Ian, a Crohn's disease…
- The Survival Project
040 - Hypoganglionosis: Hyrox, Ultra Marathons & Life After Stoma Surgery - Olivia Moore (@livwithastoma)
At 22 years old, Liv Moore was told she would need a permanent stoma. After years of unexplained symptoms, severe constipation, and a body that seemed to be…
- The Survival Project
039 - Mold Toxicity: The Hidden Illness That Nearly Ruined My Life - Arthur O'Connor
Arthur O'Connor appeared to have everything on track. A successful personal trainer, recently engaged, healthy, active, and building a future he was excited…
- The Survival Project
038 - Growing Up With Crohn’s Disease: “I asked for the ostomy bag” - Terri Brannigan
From 60 toilet trips a day to fitness racing, Terri Brannigan's story is one of resilience, courage, and reclaiming life after Crohn's disease. In this episode…
- The Survival Project
037 - The Glass Is Refillable: IBD, Cancer & Rebuilding Life With An Ostomy - Coach Jenn Moore
What happens when years of being undertreated for Ulcerative Colitis leads to a permanent ostomy, a cancer diagnosis, multiple major surgeries, and repeated…
- The Survival Project
036 - Stage 4 Endometriosis: “They Told Me It Was Anxiety” - Kate Ann Smith
For 13 years, Kate Ann was told her pain was normal. In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan Healy sits down with Kate for a deeply emotional and…
- The Survival Project
035 - The Female Experience Of IBD: Identity, Illness & Rebuilding Yourself - Sarah & Terri
World IBD Day Special | The Female Experience of IBD, Chronic Illness & Identity In this episode of The Survival Project, Sarah O’Connor and Terri Brannigan…
- The Survival Project
034 - The Diseased Man: What Is He Worth? IBD, Masculinity & Identity - Owen Lancelot & Oliver Achard Ravn
In this World IBD Day special episode of The Survival Project, I’m joined by Owen and Oliver for a deeply honest conversation about the male experience of…
- The Survival Project
033 - Loss of Health, Loss of Livelihood: Chronic Illness & Self-Employment in America
Episode 33 of The Survival Project with Levi. Levi is a photographer based in Las Vegas living with ulcerative colitis and, since recording this episode…
- The Survival Project
032 - “Not Value for Money” Aoife’s Fight for a Future, Living with Friedrich’s Ataxia - Aoife Quinn
Aoife Quinn is 23, from Galway, and living with a rare condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia. Right now, her symptoms are manageable. But she knows what’s…
- The Survival Project
031 - Let Us Sit In The Fire Together: Reflections - Jonathan Healy - The Survival Project
Episode 31 of The Survival Project is a reflections episode titled: “Let Us Sit in the Fire Together.” This episode explores the reality of living with chronic…
- The Survival Project
030 - “I Turned My Chronic Illness Into A Career”, Turning Pain Into Purpose - Oliver Achard Ravn
In Episode 30 I sit down with Oliver for a powerful and honest conversation about chronic illness, identity, isolation, and purpose. Oliver shares his journey…
- The Survival Project
029 - Relearning To Walk At 23: Double Hip Replacement Due To Perthes Disease - Jack Brennan
At 23 years old, Jack Brennan was forced to relearn how to walk. After a childhood diagnosis of Perthes disease, Jack spent years living with chronic pain…
- The Survival Project
028 - Ignored By The HSE, Forced Abroad For Treatment: Karin’s Fight Against Lyme Disease - Karin O'Shea
In Episode 28 of The Survival Project, Jonathan sits down with Karin O'Shea for a deeply moving conversation about living with chronic Lyme disease, years of…
- The Survival Project
027 - Olympic Dreams Vs. Ulcerative Colitis: Diegos Comeback - Diego Alejandro Zárate
In this episode of The Survival Project, I’m joined by Diego for one of the most powerful and honest conversations we’ve had on the podcast. Diego shares his…
- The Survival Project
026 - Ayahuasca & A Crohn’s Diagnosis While Pregnant: Tanikas Journey - Tanika Gomes
In this episode of The Survival Project, I am joined by Tanika for an honest conversation about Crohn’s disease, pregnancy, stress, trauma, flares, and…
- The Survival Project
025 - Why You Can’t Sleep (And How to Fix It). Advice From A S.L.E.E.P Expert - Tom Coleman
In this episode of The Survival Project, I am joined by Tom Coleman, health scientist and sleep specialist, for a deep conversation on sleep, stress, circadian…
- The Survival Project
024 - The Healing Power Of Breath: “Its Called Breath-work. There’s Work Involved”. - Joe Forde
In this episode of The Survival Project, I am joined by Joe Forde for a deep conversation on breath-work, hypnotherapy, anxiety, trauma, and nervous system…
- The Survival Project
023 - “No Ostomy Bags, So They Use Plastic Bags”: The Dark Reality Of Life With A Stoma In Africa - Sam Yiollaris
In this episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan Healy speaks with Sam Yiollaris, founder of Footprints to Africa, a UK charity redistributing surplus stoma…
- The Survival Project
022 - Ostique Connect: Chronic Illness No Longer Has To Mean Isolation
He’s joined by Liv from Salts Healthcare and Josh, a Salts advocate and Ostique Connect user, to talk about something many people with IBD and stomas…
- The Survival Project
021 - Living With Fear: Reflections - Jonathan Healy
Fear is part of chronic illness. Even when it’s not spoken about, it’s there. In Episode 21 of The Survival Project, I reflect on the previous ten episodes and…
- The Survival Project
020 - Recombobulating The Mind: From Self-Sabotage To Self-Trust - Moira Geary
In this episode of The Survival Project, I’m joined by mindset and nervous-system specialist Moira Geary, known for her work helping people “recombobulate”…
- The Survival Project
019 - Take Control of Your Mind: Healing the Subconscious & Tools To Change The Pattern - Nemara Wilde
In Episode 19 of The Survival Project, I’m joined by hypnotherapist Nemara Wilde (Wilde Transformation), someone who genuinely helped change my life. Years…
- The Survival Project
018 - Advocacy, Access & Bridging The Gap Between Patient & Practitioner - Dr. Orlaith Kelly
In this episode of The Survival Project, i am joined by Dr Orlaith Kelly, Consultant Gastroenterologist and passionate IBD advocate, for a deeply honest and…
- The Survival Project
017 - Deaths Door To 100km Ultra Marathons: Stryde-ing Forward - Owen Lancelot (@bagontherun)
In Episode 17, I sit down with Owen Lancelot, an ultra runner and ostomate whose story goes way beyond ulcerative colitis. Diagnosed at 16, Owen shares what…
- The Survival Project
016 - Cannabis & Crohn’s And Why Biologics Stop Working - Colm Collins
In this episode of The Survival Project, I sit down with Colm Collins, an IBD researcher with over 15 years of experience at the cutting edge of inflammatory…
- The Survival Project
015 - Why Your Orange Might Not Be Vegan: What’s Really On Our Food - Kenneth Keavey
Food used to be simple. Somewhere along the way, it stopped being. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Kenneth Keavey, founder of Green Earth Organics, to…
- The Survival Project
014 - Gut Hypnotherapy & The Mind-Gut Connection - Lorraine Cooney
Gut symptoms are never “just in your head” but your brain is absolutely involved. In this episode of The Survival Project, I’m joined by Lorraine Cooney…
- The Survival Project
013 - Crohn's, Coming Out, Confidence & Croissants - Daniel Duckett
In this episode of The Survival Project, I’m joined by Daniel Duckett. Daniel lives with an ostomy, is an award-winning pastry chef based in Belfast, and is an…
- The Survival Project
012 - From Fear & Shame to Freedom. Life With Psoriasis - Zoe Ryan
In this episode, I’m joined by TV and radio presenter Zoe Ryan, who shares her powerful journey of living with psoriasis. We explore the shock of diagnosis…
- The Survival Project
011 - We're All Alone In This Together: Reflections - Jonathan Healy
In episode 11 of The Survival Project, I slow things down and reflect on the first ten episodes and the lessons they have taught me. This is a solo episode, no…
- The Survival Project
010 - Misdiagnosed: Dismissed But Determined, Siobhán’s Story Of Survival - Siobhan Cunningham
In this episode of The Survival Project, Siobhán from Galway shares a powerful and deeply honest story of surviving a failed system. She has lived with stage 4…
- The Survival Project
009 - "Man Up": Dismissed Instead Of Treated. Ellie's Fight - Ellie Howe
At just 16, Ellie Howe’s life changed overnight. What began as stomach pain spiralled into years of misdiagnosis, disbelief, and unimaginable suffering —…
- The Survival Project
008 - Crohn’s, Cancer & Chaos. Surviving 2020 - Ruth Gibney
In this episode of The Survival Project, I sit down with fellow Galway native Ruth Gibney. Ruth shares her powerful journey through a whirlwind year, being…
- The Survival Project
007 - The Power Of Breathwork - Ronan O'Brien (@breathwaveireland)
In this episode of The Survival Project, we sit down with Ronan O’Brien — founder of Breathwave Ireland — to talk about breathwork as more than a trend. This…
The Survival Project006 - From Bed Bound With IBD To Ultra Marathons With An Ostomy - Alex MacInnis
In this powerful episode of The Survival Project, Jonathan speaks with his first international guest — Canadian athlete and Crohn’s warrior Alex MacInnis…
The Survival Project005 - Invisible Illness, Visible Strength: Diagnosed With MS At 25 - Louise Duffy
At just 25, Louise Duffy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a life-changing moment that forced her to confront fear, uncertainty, and resilience head-on…
The Survival Project004 - Biting The Bullet: Crohns To Colostomy - Sean Francis
In this episode of The Survival Project, I sit down with Sean Francis. Diagnosed as a teenager, Sean battled years of misdiagnosis, recurring abscesses, and…
The Survival Project003 - Life With Crohn's Disease & M.S - Sarah O Connor
In this episode of The Survival Project, I speak with Sarah O Connor, a powerful advocate living with both Crohn’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Sarah…
The Survival Project002 - Raising A Child With Crohn’s Disease: A Mothers Insight - Rita Healy
Nobody knows my journey better than the woman who has guided me through it all, my mother Rita. My mom joins me today to share her perspective and the wisdom…
- The Survival Project
001 - Your Story Will Be Someone Else's Survival Guide
The Survival Project begins.. The first episode will be a little bit about me, my experience with chronic illness from the age of 9 (Crohn's Disease & Ostomy…