The Generation Lyme Podcast

There's so much to say about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. As individuals and as a community, we fight hard to explain what we're going through, what Lyme disease is, what we need for things to get better, and a lot more.

Combined with complex social dynamics that come up when you get sick, plus potential personal communication issues that people with Lyme often have due to neurological symptoms, the whole thing becomes a lot to unpack.

That's why we wanted to talk about it! It's also why we (at Gen Lyme) provide the resources we do to help people communicate on an individual and community basis--to help all of this get a lot easier.

Has Lyme disease made it harder for you to set & maintain boundaries? Has it complicated your relationships with people and made it harder to communicate and feel heard by the people in your life? If so, you're not alone--and this episode is for you. We talk about our experiences setting, communicating, and changing boundaries through our Lyme journeys, and we share tips that may help you navigate what you’re going through.

Has another person's Lyme story helped you in your journey? Has a story of any kind (a favorite movie, tv show, book, etc.) helped you get through a hard time? If so, you're not alone.

Join us for this incredible conversation about how stories have shaped and changed our lives. We share how sharing our own Lyme stories has helped us heal and find community—and why we're so passionate about helping others share their stories. 

If you want to share your story with the Gen Lyme community, email us at info@genlyme.org!

Around times of illness, reflecting can bring all kinds of emotions. Some phases bring heartbreak. Others are cause for celebration. In every part of our journey, it can be helpful for us to reflect.

Sometimes, we have to step back to see how we're moving forward. Other times, stepping back to reflect helps us see the whole picture.

Whatever comes up for you when reflecting (or just seeing the word), it’s ok. In this episode, we talk about all of it: personal reflection, Lyme disease representation, and our commitment to the Lyme community.

Content warning: discussion of a recent news story covering a Lyme disease death. The story: Maine hospital ordered to pay $6.5 million for wrongful Lyme death. We're thinking about Peter Smith and his family.

Other notes: If you notice an abrupt topic switch: we had a technological glitch & took a half-hour break during recording.

Many things in life can make us (and our loved ones) change. Lyme disease is one of them. So what do we do, how do we feel about it, and how can we navigate it? This episode covers *many* of the changes we have gone through and how we feel about them: treatments (herbs, antibiotics, SOT), lifestyle (alcohol, school), relationships (so much info for supporters!), perspectives (mindset), and a lot more. We also answer a question from a parent. 

Change can be necessary, welcomed, scary, and uncertain--and all at the same time. We're here to talk about all of it.

Have you ever struggled with control issues (either your own or imposed on you?) If so, you're not alone.

Control issues are extremely common in the Lyme/chronic illness/disability communities (and so many others), yet they aren't talked about nearly as much as they should be. This episode tackles a huge topic we deal with on a daily basis in a variety of ways, covering everything from Lyme rage episodes, dietary and lifestyle adjustments, relationships, chemical sensitivities, *laundry,* and advice for what to do when everything feels overwhelming.

And, to stay on theme, there may even be a moment where this episode about "control" goes off the rails just enough to land us in a laughing fit. We hope you get something out of this one!

Content warning: discussion of food, disordered relationships with food, and mention of eating disorders.

When you have Lyme disease (or any chronic illness), vulnerability is an everyday part of life. Still, embracing your vulnerability on an emotional level can be challenging. In this episode, we discuss our personal journeys with vulnerability: how it's challenged us, helped us heal, and what we recommend to people facing similar situations.

If you read and were upset by the recent Daily Mail article about Spoonies on TikTok (no, we won't bother linking it), check out this episode for some relief. Sometimes, there's nothing better than a good (and productive!) roast with friends. If you have a chronic and/or invisible illness or disability, whether or not you choose to share your experience online: we believe you. You're not alone. 

This episode features Grace Shults, Jennifer Hoffmann, and Jesse Ruben (host) from Generation Lyme.

You can stream the audio version of The Generation Lyme Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all of your other favorite platforms! We love all of our subscribers! So remember to like, leave a review, and subscribe to the Generation Lyme Podcast everywhere!

For our community, self-care isn't luxury; it's survival. When self-care is our monthly topic at Gen Lyme, our community feels some type of way--and has a lot to say about it! In this episode, we discuss what self-care means to us, why it's both triggering and essential, and how we feel about reclaiming the phrase from an influencer-centered wellness industry.

This episode features Haley DiBiase, Jennifer Hoffmann, and Jesse Ruben (host) from Generation Lyme.

You can stream the audio version of The Generation Lyme Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all of your other favorite platforms! We love all of our subscribers! So remember to like, leave a review, and subscribe to the Generation Lyme Podcast everywhere!

Has Lyme disease caused communication issues for you or your loved ones? In this episode, we talk about why communication is important to us, what it means to our community, issues we have faced surrounding the topic, and how we have navigated them. We chose this topic for May, which is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and remember to like, leave a review, and subscribe to the Generation Lyme Podcast!

Features Haley DiBiase, Jennifer Hoffmann, and Jesse Ruben (host) from Generation Lyme.

You can stream the audio version of The Generation Lyme Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all of your other favorite platforms! We love all of our subscribers!

Has being part of a community impacted your Lyme journey? This episode is all about community: what it means to us, what happens when we find it, and how it feels to create one at Generation Lyme. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and remember to like, leave a review, and subscribe to the Generation Lyme Podcast!  

Features Grace Shults, Brooke Stoddard, Fallon Tegman, and Jesse Ruben (host) from Generation Lyme.

Welcome to our brand-new series of roundtable discussions! In this episode, we talk about all things support in the Lyme community: the kind we need, the kind we give, what we get, what we wish we got, and lessons we've learned.

Every month, many of our Gen Lyme Meet-Ups center on a topic of the month. Our March topic was Support. So, for our first Monthly Topic podcast episode (recorded and posted a little late because, hey, life happens!), we're chatting about support. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and remember to like, leave a review, and subscribe to the Generation Lyme Podcast!

Brooke tells his Lyme story. At 26, he experienced sudden-onset symptoms that didn’t go away. As time passed and he searched for answers, those symptoms magnified and interfered with his life. Now, years after his Lyme diagnosis and eventual treatment, Brooke is 95% better and here to tell his story of tenacity, community, and hope.

We discuss our experiences at the Center For Lyme Action virtual Fly-In held on February 24, 2021. We talk about how the day went, what we learned, and where we hope to take Lyme advocacy in the future.

John tells his Lyme story. From Bell's palsy to a cross-country bike trip, John shows how far a Lyme patient can come with the right treatment and how far our community is willing to go for broader solutions.

Haley DiBiase tells her Lyme story. From her years of desperation to newfound healing and hope, Haley's story is relatable to many Lyme patients and inspirational/cautionary to those who are just learning about Lyme disease.

The Generation Lyme team launches a brand new podcast! We're starting by discussing the recent Businessweek/Bloomberg piece in which Lyme patients seeking treatment are targeted for their desperation.