Calling In Sick

In this Calling in Sick x Ask Alex, Jenna Gestetner and I are answering your questions about navigating the real-life-isms of chronic illness.

We cover:

👚 Our favorite adaptive and chronic illness–friendly fashion brands
💬 How to talk about the ebbs and flows of chronic illness without feeling like you’re trauma dumping
🧠 Why you don’t owe anyone your full health story (and how to share boundaries confidently)
🤍 The emotional side of deciding whether to start a family with chronic illness

Living with chronic illness means constantly navigating conversations, decisions, and life milestones a little differently than other people. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how much to share about your health, how to advocate for yourself, or how to plan for the future, this episode is for you.

As always, Substack subscribers get bonus Q&A content and deeper dives, link below!

xx,
Alex

💬 Comment: What’s one conversation about chronic illness that you still find difficult to have?

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

Follow our guest, Jenna Gestetner!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennaxhealth/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jennaxhealth

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jennaxhealth

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

We’re talking about all things wellness and building habits that work for YOU and your lifestyle, here are two of my favorite wellness picks!

✨Elastique — https://tidd.ly/3KsvVcM

— ALEX15 gets you 15% off at checkout… and be sure to sign up for the club for additional saving opportunities!!!

✨LARQ — https://go.shopmy.us/p-47583763

#Prednisone #SteroidSideEffects #PrednisoneWeightGain #SteroidRage #PrednisoneSurvivalGuide #ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #MedicalGaslighting #ChronicPain #HealthJourney #Inflammation #SteroidWithdrawal #PrednisoneTaper #MentalHealth #SteroidAnxiety #SpoonieSupport #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by content creator Jenna Gestetner (@jennaxhealth) to talk about what wellness actually looks like when your body is chronically sick and absolutely unpredictable. Jenna shares her journey living with MCAS, POTS, dysautonomia, and autoimmune conditions, from having random symptoms since childhood to finally getting answers after years of being labeled “sensitive.” And together, we talk about…

⭐ How to build wellness habits when consistency feels impossible
🛏️ Why rest is part of discipline, not the opposite of it
🧠 How to stop thinking wellness is about outcomes
⚖️ The difference between healthy accountability and toxic wellness pressure
🔥 Our rapid-fire yes/no takes on popular wellness trends 

Chronic illness can completely change your relationship with discipline, rest, productivity, and the pressure to “do wellness right.” So if you’ve ever felt like traditional wellness advice wasn’t built for a body like yours, this episode is a reminder that healing doesn’t have to look like it does on Instagram.

xx,

Alex

💬 Comment: What’s one wellness habit that has actually helped you on your WORST days?!

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!

00:02:31 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Elastique, LARQ)

My interview with Jenna Gestetner

00:04:47 Jenna’s background & growing up sick

00:14:14 Jenna’s MCAS diagnosis story

00:28:37 Why it’s important to be open to various healing modalities

00:33:25 Why listening to YOUR body is so important in building a wellness routine

00:39:00 Why discipline has to have a DIFFERENT definition if you’re chronically ill

00:45:19 How to trick your brain into thinking rest is a medical treatment

00:47:24 What brain retraining is and how it helps chronic illness (Primal Trust)

00:56:34 Finding your WHY changes your perspective on life with chronic illness

01:02:33 Rapid Fire Yes/No on Wellness Trends

01:19:57 The ONE wellness trend you should start TODAY!

Conclusion:

01:21:36 One Brain Cell Show: Love Island UK (Peacock)

01:24:31 Thank you for listening, LOVE YOU!!!

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

Follow our guest, Jenna Gestetner!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennaxhealth/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jennaxhealth

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jennaxhealth

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

We’re talking about all things wellness and building habits that work for YOU and your lifestyle, here are two of my favorite wellness picks!

✨Elastique — https://tidd.ly/3KsvVcM

— ALEX15 gets you 15% off at checkout… and be sure to sign up for the club for additional saving opportunities!!!

✨LARQ — https://go.shopmy.us/p-47583763

#Prednisone #SteroidSideEffects #PrednisoneWeightGain #SteroidRage #PrednisoneSurvivalGuide #ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #MedicalGaslighting #ChronicPain #HealthJourney #Inflammation #SteroidWithdrawal #PrednisoneTaper #MentalHealth #SteroidAnxiety #SpoonieSupport #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Calling in Sick x Ask Alex, I am answering all your mental-health related questions about navigating life and illness.

I cover:

❤️‍🩹 How to keep going when heartbreak and chronic illness hit at the same time

🧠 How to interrupt negative thought spirals when your brain turns against you

💊 Managing depression and anxiety with chronic illness (with and without medication)

🍎 Lifestyle habits that can impact mental health more than we realize

🛏️ What to do on high pain days when movement and motivation feel impossible

💬 How to stop feeling like a burden to the people you love

If you’re living with chronic illness and struggling with depression, anxiety, burnout, or just trying to keep your head above water… this episode is a reminder that you are not alone in the mental or physical side of this journey!

As always, Substack subscribers get bonus Q&A content and deeper dives, link below!

xx,
Alex

💬 Comment: What’s something that helps you get through difficult mental health days?

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

We’re talking mental health this week, and these two picks have helped me deal with panic attacks, stress, and anxiety!!

✨Vagus Nerve Pen — https://amzn.to/4rh1BAY

✨Safe Stress Oil — https://go.shopmy.us/p-46327179

#MentalHealth #DepressionRecovery #Comedy #StandUpComedy #MentalHealthAwareness #ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #MentalHealthPodcast #HealingJourney #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #garygulman #thegreatdepresh #depression #anxiety #panicattacks #MentalHealth #mentalhealthjourney #grouptherapy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I got to sit down with comedian and author Gary Gulman to talk about depression, creativity, recovery, and the surprising things that actually help people get through dark seasons of life.

In this episode, we dive into:

⭐ What depression actually feels like

🎭 What performing stand-up was like during depressive episodes

🏥 The truth about psychiatric hospitalization and why it shouldn’t be stigmatized

🧠 Why success and achievement don’t lead to happiness

😂 Why comedy and community can be surprisingly powerful medicine

Gary also shares some of the practices that helped him recover, from small daily habits to redefining what success actually means.

If you’ve ever struggled with depression, anxiety, burnout, or simply felt alone in your mental health journey, this conversation is a reminder that healing is possible and you are absolutely NOT alone.

xx,

Alex

💬 Comment: What’s something that has helped you through a difficult mental health season?

TIMESTAMP:

Intro:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick + Kurt Vonnegut on creativity and art

00:01:44 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Vagus Nerve Tool + Saje Essential Oil)

Interview with Gary Gulman:
00:03:55 Recovery from severe depression and anxiety
00:07:21 How human connection is like an antidepressant
00:10:02 Gary’s path from accounting to stand-up comedy
00:15:36 Gary’s first experience asking for help
00:21:39 The reality of psychiatric hospitals and overcoming fear
00:32:41 Reflecting on recovery and learning to set boundaries
00:48:49 Gary’s “100 Things That Helped” list

Conclusion:

00:55:50 One Brain Cell Show: Beyond the Lighted Stage (YouTube) & The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling (Everywhere)

01:00:14 Thank you for listening!

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

Connect with our Guest!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/garygulman/

• Website (see him on tour NOW!) - https://garygulman.com/

Watch his Stand-Up Special (The Great Depresh): https://amzn.to/40kF8rX

Watch his HBO Special (Group Therapy): https://amzn.to/4aVE18e

Buy his book:  https://amzn.to/46JyNtQ

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

We’re talking mental health this week, and these two picks have helped me deal with panic attacks, stress, and anxiety!!

✨Vagus Nerve Pen — https://amzn.to/4rh1BAY

✨Safe Stress Oil — https://go.shopmy.us/p-46327179

#MentalHealth #DepressionRecovery #Comedy #StandUpComedy #MentalHealthAwareness #ChronicIllness #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #MentalHealthPodcast #HealingJourney #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #garygulman #thegreatdepresh #depression #anxiety #panicattacks #MentalHealth #mentalhealthjourney #grouptherapy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Calling in Sick x Ask Alex, Dr. Preston Roche is BACK!!! This time, we’re decoding the language patients and providers use that leave us scratching our heads, or feeling misunderstood. 

We cover things like:
🩺 What doctors really mean when they say a patient is “non-compliant”
📋 Why leaving the hospital “AMA” (against medical advice) isn’t always what it sounds like
🧠 The complicated moment when symptoms get labeled “just anxiety”
🔎 The tension around “I Googled it…” in medical conversations

If you’ve ever walked out of an appointment feeling confused, dismissed, or like you and your doctor were speaking two completely different languages… this one is for you.

xx, 

Alex

💬 Comment: What’s a phrase a doctor has said that left you totally confused?

Watch Preston’s first time Calling in Sick here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPFvDkhNSN8&t=16s

Watch Preston’s second time Calling in Sick here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNIPpoEReeE

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Stay connected and follow us on socials for more!

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568

• Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod?

Connect with our Guest: Dr. Preston Rosche

• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/itspresro/

• TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@.presro?lang=en

• YouTube/Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzbYn6_Fd7AMsYskrgjAo4wb-UHwJ5Dpy

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Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/

Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/

Alex’s Picks of the Week:

Since this week is all about “getting real”… I figured I’d share the REALEST places to buy your non-toxic products (toilet paper, makeup, dish soap, skincare, supplements and more)…

✨Grove Co. — https://go.shopmy.us/p-43983273

— use code ALEXANDRA for 25% off at checkout!

✨Detox Market — https://go.shopmy.us/p-27630200

— use code ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off at checkout!

#ChronicIllness #MedicalGaslighting #PatientAdvocacy #DoctorMistakes #MedicalErrors #HealthcareTransparency #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #SpoonieLife #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #prestonrosche #presro #medicalmalpractice #medicalgaslighting #medmal
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices