The Chronic Brew

On the Road to Resilience: A Farmer's Fight with Dialysis

On the Road to Resilience: A Farmer's Fight with Dialysis (ft. Jarod Palmer)
In this special episode, host Mr. Cool Beans took the microphone on the road (right after a doctor's appointment!) to capture an incredible conversation. Jarod Palmer is living a life defined by intense commitment: carrying forward his family's generational legacy of hard work and farming tradition while navigating the life-long demands of dialysis.
This session is a raw and powerful masterclass in resilience. Jarod shares his deeply personal story of how he learned to cope with a chronic illness diagnosis, the mental shifts required to schedule treatments around a sun-up-to-sundown job, and where he finds the motivation to uphold his heritage on the days he feels most drained.
 
In this episode, you will hear:
 
How Jarod balances the physical demands of farming with the exhaustion of dialysis.
The small, meaningful coping mechanisms he uses to feel productive on his hardest days.
The unexpected way the rhythm of the seasons helped him accept the rhythm of treatment.
Connect with Jerod Palmer: Check out his journey and show him some support! Tiktok: Jarodpalmer8Facebook: Jarod Palmer (Photo with Blue shirt)
Find all links mentioned in this episode in the show notes below!
Next Week: We switch gears but keep the theme, talking to a guest who had to completely pivot their career after a chronic illness diagnosis. Subscribe so you don't miss it!

Ep 11- Defending Your Spoons: Boundaries, Courage, and the Art of Asking for Help

Welcome back to The Chronic Brew for the most essential lesson in chronic living: Defending Your Spoons!
We established that our energy is a finite resource. Now, we're forging the armor to protect it. This episode dives deep into the uncomfortable truth that for those with chronic illness, boundaries aren't rude—they are non-negotiable acts of survival.
We tackle the biggest barriers to energy management: the guilt that comes with saying "no" and the fear of being a "burden" when you need to ask for help.
In this episode, you will learn:
The Time and Activity Boundaries: Concrete scripts for saying "no" to loved ones and protecting your physical energy.
Silencing the Internal Critic: The most vital boundary against the voice that tells you you're "lazy" or "should be able to do more."
Reframing the Narrative: Why asking for help is an act of courage, not a sign of failure.
The Specific Ask Strategy: How to use small, manageable requests to make receiving help easy and guilt-free.
I share my personal reflection as a CKD patient (GFR 24-30) on why defending your peace is the most critical element of chronic management.
Bonus: Get a powerful tease for our next episode where we talk to an incredible guest: a working farmer who manages his demanding schedule around his dialysis treatments!
#DefendingYourSpoons #SpoonTheory #Boundaries #ChronicFatigue #CKD #AskForHelp #SelfAdvocacy #ChronicLife

Ep. 10- Brewing a New Chapter: The Global Impact of Chronic Illness

Welcome to a new chapter of The Chronic Brew! In this pivotal episode, we’re expanding our focus beyond Chronic Kidney Disease to embrace the entire chronic illness community.
Join us as I share the personal story behind this rebrand and reveal why this is so much bigger than my own journey. We dive into the staggering global impact and economic burden of non-communicable diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Then, we bring the conversation home to a struggle so many of us know too well: chronic fatigue. I introduce the powerful Spoon Theory as a tool for managing limited energy and offer a raw, personal reflection on what living with an unpredictable body truly feels like.
Whether you live with a chronic illness or support someone who does, this episode is for you. Tune in to feel seen, understood, and part of a bigger conversation.
Episode Highlights:
The personal reason behind the podcast's rebrand.
The global and economic impact of common chronic illnesses.
A deep dive into what chronic fatigue truly feels like.
How to use the Spoon Theory to manage your energy.
A raw reflection on the emotional toll of living with CKD.
#ChronicIllness #ChronicFatigue #SpoonTheory #CKD #Podcast #Health #Wellness
 

Ep. 9 The Art of Coping: Hobbies for Broken Bodies

Join us on this episode of The Chronic Brew as we sit down with the amazing Michelle, the creator behind Hobbies for Broken Bodies. Michelle's journey with multiple chronic illnesses—including Chiari Malformation, POTS, EDS, and gastroparesis—has taught her the incredible power of finding purpose through creativity. We'll explore how she’s blended humor and advocacy to build a vibrant online community, the unexpected lessons she's learned along the way, and how a creative outlet can truly be a lifeline. Plus, Michelle shares her experience writing for The Mighty and what she wishes others understood about living with chronic illness. Get ready for a conversation that's honest, inspiring, and full of heart.
Links:
Follow Michelle on Instagram: [@hobbiesforbrokenbodies]
Follow The Chronic Brew on Instagram: [@mrcoolbeans2889]
Read Michelle's article on The Mighty: [https://themighty.com/topic/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-symptoms-invisible-instagram/ ]

Ep. 8.2- The Caregiver's Compass

If you love someone battling a chronic illness, this episode is for you. In Part 2 of our series, we shift our focus to the other side of the battle: the caregivers, family, and friends who provide an essential lifeline.
This episode is your compass, a guide to helping without getting lost yourself. We'll share actionable advice on:
How to Validate: Learn the difference between comforting words and truly validating your loved one's feelings.
The Power of Practical Support: Find out how specific acts of service can mean more than any words.
Educating Yourself: Discover how understanding the illness makes you a stronger advocate and ally.
This journey is a shared one. Join us as we equip the support system with the tools they need to stand strong for the ones they love.
Don't forget to listen to Part 1: The Patient's Toolbox for insight into the patient's perspective, and follow Mr. Cool Beans (mrcoolbeans2889) on Instagram to become part of our community.

Ep. 8.1- The Patient's Toolbox

You've heard about the mental and emotional weight of chronic illness—now, let's talk about the tools you can use to carry it. In Part 1 of this special two-part series, we're building a practical toolbox for your mind and spirit.
This episode is all about empowering you. We'll dive into simple yet powerful coping strategies, including:
Mindful Moments: Discover how a 60-second reset can calm your nervous system.
Creative Expression: Learn how to use journaling, doodling, and even the beat of house music to release what's hard to put into words.
The Power of Community: Find out how to connect with people who truly understand your journey.
This is the first step in a powerful conversation about not just surviving, but finding ways to thrive. Join us as we open up the toolbox and start the fight back.
Tune in next time for Part 2: The Caregiver's Compass, where we’ll talk directly to the loved ones who are part of this journey.
Follow me @mrcoolbeans2889 on Instagram to join the conversation and get updates on future episodes.

Ep. 7 - The Voices of the Battle: A Look Behind the Numbers

In this powerful episode of The Brew with Mr. Cool Beans, we honor Suicide Prevention Month by pulling back the curtain on a silent battle. We've all seen the sobering statistics on chronic illness, but what do those numbers truly feel like? Join us as we go beyond the data and listen to the raw, honest voices of those on the front lines.
Hear the story of CKD patients who face a daily fight with a body held together by a renal stent, who have survived a ruptured kidney, and who wait in an agonizing GFR limbo—too healthy for a transplant list, yet battling for their life. This is a story of a living donor who has been approved and is ready, making the wait a unique and difficult emotional burden.
This episode isn't just about the struggle; it’s about the strength. Discover the unexpected gifts found in the fight: the new perspectives, the deepened relationships, and the unbreakable courage that emerges from adversity. Tune in for an episode filled with honesty, hope, and the profound resilience of the human spirit.
 

EP. 6 - From Battle to Breakthrough

How do you find the strength to fight a battle you've already seen someone lose? In "From Battle to Breakthrough," we sit down with the remarkable Ruth Toutoute, who candidly shares her experience with CKD—a journey that began with the tragic passing of her father from the very same disease. She takes us through the darkest moments of her life, from the emotional weight of a family history with CKD to the grueling reality of dialysis treatments and the daily challenge of a body that was failing her.
But this isn't just a story of hardship; it's a testament to hope. Ruth reflects on her breakthrough moment: receiving a kidney transplant in September. She shares what it feels like to have a second chance at life and what it means to live each day to the fullest. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has faced adversity and is seeking a reminder that a new beginning is always possible.

EP. 5 - Brewing Up Reflections

From classroom farewells to quiet contemplation, Mr. Cool Beans opens up on this episode of The Brew. He shares the emotional experience of saying goodbye to his students, provides an update on his ongoing health journey, and delves into the often-overlooked habit of minimizing symptoms when facing a chronic condition like CKD. Tune in for a candid and insightful conversation.

EP. 4 - The Quiet Strength w/ Donna Slack

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Donna Slack, who bravely shares her journey through the profound loss of her mother. Donna opens up about the raw realities of caregiving, the often-unspoken loneliness, and the emotional weight of navigating grief. But this isn't just a story of sorrow; it's also a testament to resilience. Donna reveals her path to rediscovering herself, finding joy again, and honoring her mother's memory. Prepare for an honest and inspiring conversation about love, loss, and the strength of the human spirit.