Spondycast

Heidi Waltz, SAA support group leader and patient advocate, shares her firsthand experience attending the American College of Rheumatology's Rheum Advocacy Conference, offering practical insights and inspiration for anyone interested in using their voice to advance policies that improve the lives of people living with spondyloarthritis.

In this episode of Spondycast's Psoriatic Arthritis Series, Alexis Ogdie, MD helps listeners understand patient-reported outcome tools such as PsAQoL and HAQ while exploring how fatigue, pain, physical function, emotional well-being, and quality of life influence care decisions.

James Roberson shares his experience of living with ankylosing spondylitis and his journey to becoming the leader of SAA’s Washington, D.C. Support Group.

In this episode of Spondycast's Psoriatic Arthritis Explained Series, Alexis Ogdie, MD, discusses the broader health impact of PsA, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, uveitis, gastrointestinal disease, mental health, fatigue, sleep, and inflammation across body systems.

Kurt Hower, co-host of Enable: The Disability Podcast, shares his journey with ankylosing spondylitis—from its impact on his daily life, mobility, work, and relationships to his recent experience with hip replacement surgery.

In this episode of Spondycast's Psoriatic Arthritis Explained Series, Ana-Maria Orbai, MD, MHS explores how sex and gender may influence the experience of living with PsA, including differences in symptoms, diagnosis, pain, treatment response, caregiving responsibilities, reproductive health, and overall quality of life.

Licensed Practical Nurse Kayla Walker discusses how infusion therapy works, when it may be considered for spondyloarthritis, and what patients can expect before, during, and after treatment.

In this episode of Spondycast's Psoriatic Arthritis Explained Series, we explore the emotional impact of living with psoriatic arthritis, including anxiety, depression, grief, stress, identity changes, and the challenges of adapting to life with a chronic illness.

Rheumatologist Soha Dolatabadi, MD walks listeners through what typically happens during a first rheumatology appointment and how patients can prepare ahead of time.

In this episode of Spondycast's Psoriatic Arthritis Explained series, Karen Tsui, MScPT, ACPAC discusses the benefits of movement and exercise for people living with PsA, including strength training, flexibility, pacing, managing flares, and practical strategies for staying active over the long term.

In this episode of Spondycast's Psoriatic Arthritis Explained series, individuals living with PsA share their personal experiences navigating symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, work, family life, fatigue, and the emotional realities of living with a chronic condition. Through their stories, listeners will hear the challenges, lessons learned, and sources of hope that have shaped their journeys.

Dr. Justin Houman, a fellowship-trained urologist specializing in men's sexual and reproductive health, to explore how spondyloarthritis, chronic inflammation, and its treatments can affect men's sexual health and intimacy.

In this episode of Spondycast's Psoriatic Arthritis Explained series, we discuss how treatment for PsA has evolved, the major treatment options available today, how providers and patients make treatment decisions, what to consider when switching therapies, and what emerging advances may shape the future of PsA care.

Retired rheumatologist Dr. W. Patrick Knibbe shares his unique perspective as both a physician and a patient living with spondyloarthritis.

In this episode of Spondycast's Psoriatic Arthritis Explained series, we provide a foundational overview of psoriatic arthritis, including its relationship to psoriasis, common symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic challenges, treatment goals, and where it fits within the broader family of spondyloarthritis conditions.

Alana Goldstein Leever, PsyD, a clinical psychologist who works directly with children and teens in pediatric rheumatology clinics, shares how mental health support can work alongside medical care to help young people and their families cope, build resilience, and feel supported.

Vince Gagliardi shares his journey living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), from navigating diagnosis and daily challenges to becoming an advocate through storytelling.

Rheumatologist Abhijeet Danve, MD, MHS, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Yale University, and developer of the Axial Spondyloarthritis Screening Tool (A-Tool) discusses why diagnostic delays happen, how the A-Tool screening survey was designed to help identify patterns of inflammatory back pain, and how it may support earlier referral to a rheumatologist.

Alfred N. Romeo, BA, BSN, RN, MS, PhD, a MotherToBaby expert, joins Spondycast to discuss family planning when spondyloarthritis is part of the picture.

Chuck Melendi, founder of Disruptive Dialogue, joins Spondycast to unpack the complex system behind prescription drug pricing and explain why medications can be so expensive for patients.

Adrine Avetyan, MA, LMFT, and founder of Scalp Sanctuary, a wellness space designed to promote relaxation and restoration, joins us to explore what self-care really means.

Janet Poole, PhD, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, shares practical strategies to help people with SpA adapt how they approach everyday tasks at home, work, and in leisure activities to reduce pain, stiffness, and fatigue while maintaining independence and quality of life.

Dr. Mark Hwang, MD joins us to discuss findings from his recent study on late-onset radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (AS), and how late-onset AS differs from early-onset disease in its presentation, radiographic findings, genetic markers, and treatment considerations.

Jana Bolduan Lomax, PsyD discusses psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy examined through a clinical and ethical lens.

Janet Poole, PhD, OTR/L, shares an occupational therapy perspective on fatigue and reframes energy conservation as a practical, empowering skill.

Dr. Dharini Mahendira, MD, FRCPC, MScCH, discusses what patients need to know when planning a family while managing SpA. From pre-conception planning and disease control to medication considerations and coordinated care during pregnancy, this conversation provides evidence-based guidance and reassurance to help patients feel informed, prepared, and supported in making decisions alongside their healthcare team.

Kristen Mengwasser, MD, PhD, physician-scientist and Assistant Adjunct Professor of Rheumatology at UCSF — and SAA’s 2025 Early Career Investigator Award winner — joins us to discuss her research on how the immune system triggers axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Susan Murphy, ScD, OTR, introduces the SAA-funded RENEW Study, a new University of Michigan research initiative focused on fatigue, energy management, and resilience in people living with spondyloarthritis.

Adam Seth Mayer, MD, Assistant Professor of Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology at Hackensack University Medical Center and the Center for Discovery and Innovation — and SAA’s 2025 Jane Bruckel Early Career Investigator Award winner — joins us to discuss his research on using existing abdominal and pelvic CT scans to help detect axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) earlier in people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Leadership expert Donzel Leggett, Author of Make Your Destiny Happen, joins Spondycast to share practical approaches for building confidence and advancing both personally and professionally while managing a chronic illness.

Dr. Mohamad Bittar, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University — and SAA’s 2025 Early Career Investigator Award winner — discusses his research on pain mechanisms and brain connectivity in people living with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Dr. Heidi Prather returns to Spondycast to explore the six pillars of lifestyle medicine and how each can support people living with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Dr. Sang Taek Kim, MD, PhD of Yale Medicine discusses the complex overlap between cancer, immunotherapy, and spondyloarthritis.

Dr. Norma Biln, Norma Biln, PhD, MBA, BSc, NACD.DC, one of the founders of Augurex, explains how new biomarkers, patient questionnaires, and tools like SPINEstat aim to shorten the long diagnostic delay in spondyloarthritis by improving early detection and referral accuracy, especially in primary care settings.

Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) Laurane Chemenda, RWP, AIP Coach returns to Spondycast to debunk common myths about functional nutrition—such as supplement overload and miracle diets—while explaining how integrative, evidence-based nutrition can complement conventional rheumatology care and empower people with spondyloarthritis to take charge of their health.

Rheumatologist Dr. Marina Magrey discusses her latest research on biologic DMARD dose tapering in axial spondyloarthritis, outlining when it may be appropriate, its risks and benefits, and key considerations for patients.

Dr. Michael Lucke discusses the important connection between inflammation and cardiovascular health as he breaks down why people with PsA face higher risks, what warning signs to look for, and how screenings, treatments, and lifestyle steps can protect the heart.

Dr. Heidi Prather, Founder of the HSS Lifestyle Medicine Program, shares how lifestyle medicine, through movement, sleep, stress management, and nutrition, can help people with spondyloarthritis reduce pain, improve function, and enhance their overall well-being.

Laurane Chemenda, Laurane Chemenda, RWP, AIP Coach, and a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), shares her personal and professional journey with ankylosing spondylitis and how nutrition, gut health, and sustainable lifestyle changes can support whole-body healing and complement conventional care.

David Smith, FRCms, FR, FRA, LMT, founder of Manta Massage, discusses how conscious bodywork and mobility training can help people with chronic conditions like spondyloarthritis reconnect with their bodies, reduce pain, and restore movement.