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Advocacy & Communication Episodes

Feb. 20, 2025

How Internists Think About Complex Illness with Dr. Matthew Watto (EP…

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with Dr. Matthew Watto, an internist and co-host of The Curbsiders podcast, about how patients can work effectively with their internist to get the best care. They discuss how internists think, why appointment times are limited…

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Feb. 6, 2025

Testosterone is Essential for Women with Dr. Kelly Casperson (Ep 131)

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein chats with Dr. Kelly Casperson, a urologist and sexual health expert, about hormones, libido, and sexual wellness—especially for those with hypermobility, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and related conditions. They dive into testostero…

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Jan. 30, 2025

Hidden Causes of Painful Sex with Dr. Irwin Goldstein & Sue Goldstein…

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with sexual health experts Dr. Irwin Goldstein & Sue Goldstein to explore the often-overlooked intersection of joint hypermobility conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Postural…

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Oct. 31, 2024

My Life With EDS | Office Hours (Ep 117)

In "My Life With EDS", a personal solo episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, opens up about her journey from aspiring ballet dancer to renowned hypermobility expert. Dr. Bluestein shares her struggles with joint pain, dislocations, and chronic illness, whic…

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Oct. 17, 2024

The Untold Secrets to Dance Strength with Adji Cissoko (Ep 115)

In this inspiring episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, interviews Adji Cissoko, principal dancer with the Lines Ballet Company. Adji shares her incredible journey of balancing natural flexibility with the strength needed to thrive in professional ballet. F…

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Sept. 26, 2024

Genetic Testing in EDS with Dr. Paldeep Atwal (Ep 112)

In this enlightening episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, is joined by renowned clinical geneticist Dr. Paldeep Atwal to delve into the complexities of genetics in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and related conditions. Dr. Atwal explains the imp…

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Sept. 12, 2024

hEDS vs HSD: Controversies in Diagnosis with Alan Hakim, MD (Ep 110)

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, welcomes Dr. Alan Hakim, a world-renowned rheumatologist and expert in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD). Dr. Hakim reveals for the first time something about his own healt…

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July 25, 2024

Linking Mast Cell Activation, Autoimmunity, and EDS with Kara Wada, M…

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, delves into the intricate connections between the immune system and hypermobility disorders with Dr. Kara Wada. A quadruple board-certified physician and Sjogren's patient, Dr. Wada shares her expertise on mast cell activation syndrome, au…

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July 18, 2024

Examining The Future of EDS Diagnosis and Care with EDS Society CEO L…

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, hosts a captivating conversation with Lara Bloom, President and CEO of the Ehlers-Danlos Society. Lara shares her journey in advocating for rare diseases, the progress made in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disord…

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June 13, 2024

Season 4 Wrap: Reading Your Comments

Welcome back, every Bendy Body! In this special episode, I wrap up season four and share exciting plans for season five. Join me as I reflect on our journey, from focusing on high-risk populations like dancers and gymnasts to...

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May 30, 2024

Milestones and Reflections: 100 Episodes of Bendy Bodies with Linda B…

Dr. Linda Bluestein celebrates 100 episodes of Bendy Bodies discussing the most rewarding part of hosting the podcast and the challenges of podcasting. She emphasizes the importance of balancing the complexity of EDS and the ...

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May 23, 2024

99. From News Anchor to Advocate: A POTS and EDS Journey with Summer …

Summer Dashe, a former news anchor and advocate for the chronically ill, shares her POTS and EDS journey. She covers how she manages her symptoms in everyday life and the challenges of getting diagnosed with POTS (Postural O...

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May 16, 2024

98. Environmental Triggers of Mast Cell Disease with Tania Dempsey, MD

*Please note that I misspoke during the introduction saying ME/CSF rather than ME/CFS. "CSF" is pretty hard wired in my brain after years and years as an anesthesiologist. Thank you for your understanding. Dr. Tania Dempse...

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May 9, 2024

97. Learning to Spot the Signs of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes with Guest …

In this special “EDS Awareness Month” episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast , founder Dr. Linda Bluestein and guest host Kate Colbert discuss how everyone can learn to spot the signs of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. Dr. Bluestein em...

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April 25, 2024

96. Coping with Dance Injuries and Career Transitions with Chelsea Pi…

In this episode, Dr. Chelsea Pierotti discusses coping with dance injuries and transitions, both from a physical and psychological perspective. She explains that the way dancers appraise their injuries and their emotional res...

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April 4, 2024

94. Support and Bracing for Hypermobile Joints with Susan Chalela, MP…

In this Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD podcast, Susan Chalela, MPT discusses support and bracing for hypermobile joints. She shares how her personal and professional experience with joint hypermobility led her to dev...

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March 7, 2024

93. Unveiling Taming the Zebra: A Discussion with Physical Therapists…

This episode centers around unveiling 'Taming the Zebra', a book co-authored by physical therapists, Dr. Patty Stott and Heather Purdin.  The book aims to fill a void in understanding and provide therapists with the knowledge to effectively work with patients with hypermobility spectrum disorders (…

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Feb. 15, 2024

90. Decoding Brain Fog: Expert Insights with Ilene Ruhoy, MD, PhD

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein interviews Dr. Ilene Ruhoy about decoding brain fog, as well as its relationship to various conditions such as mast cell activation syndrome, craniocervical instability, dysautonomia, and CSF leaks. She explains how these conditions contribute to cognitive dysfu…

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Feb. 1, 2024

88. Service Dogs and Disability Rights with Tiffany Lee, JD

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein interviews Professor Tiffany Lee about service dogs and disability rights and accommodations. They discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act, the definition of disability, and disability benefits. They also explore reasonable accommodations in the workplace an…

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Jan. 24, 2024

87. Disordered Eating in Dance with Josh Spell, LICSW, and Guest Co-H…

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein and Jennifer Milner discuss the intersection of hypermobility and disordered eating in dance with their guest, Josh Spell. They explore the prevalence of eating disorders in dancers and the impact of social media and diet culture on body image. They also discuss…

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Jan. 18, 2024

86. The Unfair EDS Journey with Amanda Cassil, PhD

In this episode, Dr. Amanda Cassil discusses the unfair EDS journey. She covers the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare and provides strategies for effectively communicating with healthcare providers. She emphasizes the need for patients to slow down, regulate their nervous systems, and appr…

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Jan. 11, 2024

85. Making a MCAS Documentary with Drs. Weinstock, Dempsey, Bluestein…

The Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD podcast episode unfolds a substantive conversation among esteemed healthcare professionals actively engaged in a comprehensive initiative centered around Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Dysautonomia, and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD). This m…

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Dec. 14, 2023

82. The Impact of Clinician-Associated Trauma on EDS and HSD with Col…

Dr. Halverson discusses his research on the diagnostic odyssey and clinician-associated trauma on EDS. He highlights the challenges faced by patients, including the antagonistic relationship with healthcare professionals and the impact of self-doubt. Dr. Halverson emphasizes the importance of findi…

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Nov. 30, 2023

80. A Multidimensional Approach to EDS and HSD Care with Dacre Knight…

In this episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, a multidimensional approach to EDS and HSD care is discussed with guest, Dacre Knight, MD. Dr. Knight discusses his background and the multidisciplinary clinic at Mayo Clinic for hypermobility syndromes. He explains the use of echocardiograms and lab te…

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