A dynamic podcast exploring the different experiences people with cystic fibrosis may face during their lives. Gunnar Esiason joins Tiffany Rich and Lea Faraone, otherwise known as the Salty Cysters, to talk about the in's and out's of cystic fibrosis from some of the anxieties and stresses that patients face to some of the lighter sides of the disease. Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis Podcast aims to characterize the disease in a positive way while showcasing the challenges that people with cystic fibrosis face and the people who face them.

Welcome to Breathe In

Gunnar, Lea and Tiffany discuss their back to school tips. From Lea's experience at an all girls school as well as a catholic school, Gunnar's ride through private middle school and Quaker high school, to Tiffany's experiences with public school, the trio talk about some of their highs and lows. What are your cystic fibrosis back to school tips?

Breathe In #1 - Back to School

Gunnar, Tiff and Lea talk about finding positivity in illness. Cystic fibrosis is a constant uphill battle, and the stress of constant adversity certainly is taxing, but the trio discussing points of motivation throughout their paths with chronic illness. Tiffany talks about her "weekly events" that she planned for herself when she was in end-stage respiratory illness, while Gunnar and Lea talk about using the good days as motivators to get through the tough days. Ultimately the holiday season is filled with joy, so why not share in it despite living with CF!?

Breathe In #12 - Finding Positivity in Cystic Fibrosis

The trio tackles body image. Cystic fibrosis may be an "invisible illness," but it can definitely impact a person's image. Tiffany talks about coping with prednisone induced "moon face" post transplant, as well as a number of scars she's accumulated over the years from her transplant, port placement and meconium ileus surgery. Gunnar and Lea both mention that they've suffered from moon face as well. Gunnar talks about being underweight his whole life as well as not being able to hold muscle mass like his friends and teammates from his team sports days. Finally the group wraps up with talking about g-tubes, ports and medication side effects, like hair loss, and how they've coped with being self conscious about some of these things.

Breathe In #24 - Body Image

The trio releases the Cystic Fibrosis March Madness bracket with the goal of finding the most ANNOYING part of living with CF. The bracket is designed for people to have a little fun with something that is otherwise so very serious. The bracket is broken into 4 regions - Symptoms, Treatments, Interactions and Roadblocks. Gunnar, Lea and Tiff give their picks for the tournament champion, which team may go on a "cinderella" run, and what they think are a few of the better first round matchups. Voting will begin on Thursday, March 15 at www.GunnarEsiason.com

Breathe In #25 - Cystic Fibrosis March Madness

Breathe In takes a question from Gunnar's Facebook page, "how do you stay organized?" The trio go over a few different areas of care and organization, from treatment set ups, to routines and finances. Lea debates with Gunnar and Tiffany over her use of a "treatment tower" while Gunnar is the only one on the show who doesn't use a weekly pill case. Tiffany talks about some of the changes in her meds since she received her transplant and talks about how she had to write down a visual calendar to figure out a new routine. Finally they chat about keeping their healthcare finances organized, as well as how they are able to deal with multiple pharmacies.

Breathe In #28 - Staying Organized

Have we lost sight of the adult patients in the cystic fibrosis community? The trio responds to Gunnar's blog about what seems to be the prioritization of pediatric patients over the adults who have fought through CF for decades. Do adults feel forgotten? Tiffany talks about some of the frustrations she feels in having just missed out on the drug development boom by virtue of being post transplant, Lea shares her frustrations with falling just below the FEV1 cut off for different trials, and Gunnar pleads for more to be done for adults in the here and now.

Breathe In #30 - Are Adult Patients Forgotten?

The trio responds to a number of comments on their social media platforms about "Right to Try." What is Right to Try? How is it from Compassionate use? The trio debate the ethics surrounding a person's right to try unapproved medications. Is it worth it? Does it undercut the FDA and is that a good thing for the medical community at large? What is stopping people from utilizing Right to Try?

Breathe In 31 - Right to Try and Compassionate Use Medications

Erinn Hoyt, 27 with cystic fibrosis and 2.5 years post double lung transplant, comes on the podcast to talk about her path to the 2017 Transplant Games. Erinn says that Swimming was a huge part of her life, and kept her out of the hospital until she was 17 years, which oddly enough is when she was first introduced to Vest Therapy. Erinn's health began rapid decline during her senior year of college when she landed in the ICU due to a nasty infection. She was transplanted several years later and credits her athleticism to her quick recovery and turn around after the massive operation. Most recently, Erinn was named the Team Boomer Athlete of the Year and competed in the 2017 Transplant Games in 7 swimming events. Gunnar, Lea and Tiffany announce a giveaway at the end of the episode.

Breathe In #37 - The Transplant Games

With Gunnar away on business this week the Salty Cysters aka Lea & Tiff take over the Breathe in Podcast. They chat about the struggles of being a female with cystic fibrosis. CF poses challenges for any individual fighting the illness, however being a female with CF brings its own set of unique challenges. Whether it's that bottomless pit of a purse, that sexy CF belly, needing to eat a TON of food especially on a first date & the not so glamorous need to use the bathroom, or not being so lady like & spitting up a big glob of mucus in public, the Salty Cysters tackle it all. Lea & Tiff touch on all these issues, how they deal with them, & so much more on this weeks episode!

Breathe In #38 - Female Problems and CF

Marten DeVlieger, 37 with cystic fibrosis from Taber, Canada, joins Tiffany and Gunnar on the podcast this week to talk about his life with CF and what led to him inventing the basis for the Hill-Rom Monarch Airway Clearance System. Marten begins the interview by talking about his very active lifestyle, from backpacking through Europe, to being involved in a number of action sports and working as a commercial helicopter pilot, and as he says "living out of a hockey bag" while on the job. He is also a father, and discusses how he and his wife chose to use a sperm donor to help start his family. The idea for the Monarch Vest came from his desire to be on the move and Canada's failure to fund Vest therapy for cystic fibrosis patients. Marten wanted to come up with a device that would suit his needs as well as benefit the patient community at large. Marten and Gunnar (who also has a Monarch) discuss some of the benefits to being able to use Vest therapy on the go and how it's changed they way they travel. It's always important to discuss potential cystic fibrosis therapies and medications with a doctor before changing your treatment!

Breathe In #40 - Monarch Airway Clearance

With the trio reunited, Gunnar and the Salty Cysters take on some Taboo Topics in the CF World. Tiffany recounts a powerful moment before her transplant surgery when she was faced with coming to grips with a life changing surgery or immediate demise, while the Gunnar and Lea talk about some fears associated with Death. The group talks about sexual health and how it is a normal part of life for everyone (people with CF included!), and although there can be some physical barriers (feeding tubes, and IV's included), nothing is insurmountable with a little imagination. The conversation turns to genetic ethics, comparing illness between patients, and do PFT machines harbor bacteria? Listen discretion is advised for this episode.

Breathe In #42 - Taboo Topics: Genetics, Sex, Death, Alternative Remedies and more

Hannah Buck, 23 with cystic fibrosis and entering her final year at University of Michigan, joins the the trio to talk about how she had to learn how to prioritize her health after a number of troubling health issues early on in her college career. She thinks that some of her problems were revolving around her college living conditions and lifestyle. She took it upon herself to make the impactful changes. Hannah also shares her journey to becoming a vegan. While her doctor initially resisted the change (but didn't deter her), her clinic's nutritionist empowered her to use the change to benefit her health. Hannah mentions that she's really studied the vegan diet and has applied it to her life so that it works alongside her CF!

Breathe In #44 - Cystic Fibrosis, Going Vegan and College

The trailer for "Five Feet Apart" dropped last weekend, so the trio shares their initial thoughts about cystic fibrosis on the Silver Screen. Gunnar has been outspoken about some of the issues he has with the film as seen through the lens of the trailer, from portraying people with CF as being consumed by death to pity-seeking victims. Tiffany is a little bit more optimistic for the forthcoming movie and has even reached out to director Justin Baldoni. Lea shares that she suffered from an anxiety attack just hours after watching the trailer. The chat turns to the topic of awareness. Many commenters in the CF community are accepting the film for what it's worth under the guise of "awareness," so the group chats about what it may mean for the community at large. Ultimately the trio does agree that the storyline and marketing campaign around the film has seemed tone-deaf, which has absolutely created a significant divide within the CF community. The podcast finishes with an appeal for the production company to address the issues that this film has seemingly created within the larger patient and family population.

Breathe In #57 - "Five Feet Apart" Trailer Reaction

Tiffany's lifelong best friend, Kelsey Sleek, joins the podcast to celebrate Tiffany's 2nd lungiversary! On November 30, 2016, Tiffany was wheeled into the operating room for a life saving double lung transplant, and her life has changed for the better ever since. Kelsey talks about the support system side of cystic fibrosis and what it was like to be there for Tiffany through the up's and down's and then eventually, the several year wait on the transplant list and through the surgery itself. Tiffany, who gets a bit emotional (which leads to an entire podcast meltdown!), talks about what it meant to have such a strong support systems in the midst of such a challenging time. She even says that it felt like she wasn't the only one with CF - her friends had it, her parents had it and everyone in between - because everyone in her life went through the same difficult journey to get her to the transplanted lungs. Join us in celebrating Tiffany's 2nd lungiversary!

Breathe In #60 - Tiffany's 2nd Lungiversary

Gunnar is back on the podcast after his voice has finally recovered! Rima Manomaitis (also known as @Lung_Story_Short on Instagram) joins Gunnar and Tiffany for a Feeding Tube Awareness week podcast. Rima takes the podcast through her double lung transplant process, talks about moving halfway across the country despite failing health and notes that she's had a feeding tube for about 12 years. Tiffany doesn't look back on her g-tube days with any pleasure whatsoever, and even tells a cringeworthy story about getting an Nasal-Gastric (NG) tube placed in the days following her own transplant. The podcast changes directions to talk about dating, body appearance with a g-tube and anything else that can happen with g-tubes, including the time Gunnar's fell out of his stomach in the middle of the night!

Breathe In #66 - Lung Story Short

Breathe In features a segmented podcast this week! In the first part, Marge Carfora, who is back for another episode, Gunnar and Tiffany talk about medical expenses, co-pay assistance and assistance programs they use to make living with cystic fibrosis more affordable. Tiffany and Marge, specifically, reminisce on the coverage requirements leading up to their transplants. Marge mentions that although her father had a good insruance plan for the family since he was a firefighter, there was significant financial strain given that she, her mom and sister had to relocate half way across the country so that she could get listed for transplant. Tiffany mentions that she worked with Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to help crowd fund for her transplant. In the second part of the podcast, Tiffany talks with COTA CEO, Rick Lofgren about fundraising for transplants and how people with cystic fibrosis might apply!

Breathe In #76 - Medical Bills, Paying for Transplant, COTA

Gunnar and Tiffany continue May with another week of spring interviews! Tiffany talks with Tyler Smith, 23, who is living with cystic fibrosis and almost a year out from his double lung transplant, Tyler talks about his life growing up with CF and how sport was something that kept him healthy. He played golf and baseball year round and even received awards and titles. The two talk about his decline in health and how marriage was a huge priority in his life. His love story is sure to give you the chills and make you smile. Gunnar talks with Chase Nichols, 28 with cystic fibrosis living in Denver Colorado about coping with cysitc fibrosis. Chase describes his path with CF and different methods he uses to cope with CF, including medicinal marijuana, which is legalized in Colorado. He also talks about losing his sister to CF and how that shapes his personality today. Ultimately Chase prefers to approach his CF through a positive lens!

Breathe In #81 - Marriage & CF, and Different Ways of Coping with CF

Chelsea Spruance rejoins the podcast along with Katie Malik, executive director of CF Yogi, to talk about their organization's free virtual yoga classes for the CF community! Katie talks about the origins of CF Yogi, and where it's headed thanks to a grant from the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Gunnar shares that he went to his first every yoga class, and how he was wildly under prepared! Chelsea and Katie discuss the benefits of practicing yoga for people with cystic fibrosis and how they can join CF Yogi!

Breathe In #83 - CF Yogi

Somer Love joins Tiff on this week where the two talk about "reinventing" themselves after they both hit significant birthdays in the past month of May. Somer and Tiff talk about how they have this sense of wanting to take a new journey and start over in a way. Somer talks about going to her favorite place, San Diego, and having the ocean steer her in the right direction. Tiff wants to take this new lease and get a job, move out, and *hopefully* get married in the near future. Somer and Tiff go on about support systems and how important having good friends is to boost you to your full potential.

Breathe In #85 - Milestones

Carly Klassen, 22 with cystic fibrosis from Boise, Idaho, joins the podcast to talk about her digital art platform More Than Sick. Carly's Insagram account @MoreThanSick has been charging through the cystic fibrosis virtual community and features digital sketches of different women fight back against CF! Carly talks about her motivation to start More Than Sick, and her ongoing project, #thestrengthofcysterhood. Carly mentions that she has used More Than Sick as her way of opening up about her CF, and sharing artwork featuring the people who have inspired her! Carly's journey throughout the entire creative process is an amazing story, one you certainly will not want to miss!

Breathe In #88 - More Than Sick

Fresh off Gunnar's colonoscopy last week, the Breathe In duo talks about their experiences going through various medical procedures, and how they are able to cope with the physical and emotional hurdles that come with them. Gunnar details a brief panic attack he had on the table in the endoscopy suite, which leads Tiffany to share a story about her recent gall bladder surgery. The duo recount times when the procedures were either easier or more difficult than they had anticipated. Tiffany talks about a sinus surgery and Gunnar recalls the time an oral surgery unrelated to CF went bad!

Breathe In #89 - Going Through Medical Procedures

Amanda Varnes, 24 with cystic fibrosis, joins Gunnar and Tiffany on the podcast for a second time. Amanda last appeared on Breathe In Podcast in November of 2018. Since then, she has been re-transplanted again, making Amanda one of the very few people in the entire world who has received three double lung transplants. Amanda talks about falling into organ rejection following and the lead up to her May transplant at Duke. Since being transplanted, Amanda has suffered from two very serious complications related to the surgery and subsequent recovery, including a brief bought of paralysis. While Amanda does stress that her complications were considered quite rare, she talks about persevering through them and her overall will to live. Amanda has since recovered and is working hard in a physical rehab program!

Breathe In #90 - Three Double Lung Transplants

With Tiffany off for the week, Gunnar is joined by his girlfriend, Darcy, and Jack Goodwin, who dated the late Mallory Smith. Jack talks about his relationship with Mallory and her posthumously published memoir, "Salt in My Soul: An Unfinished Life". Gunnar, Darcy and Jack talk about the dynamics of what goes into a relationship with someone who might have cystic fibrosis, the risks, realities and what good often comes from them. Jack talks about his favorite part of the book and shares some memories that didn't make the final publication. Finally, Darcy and Jack offer some advice for people who might be dating someone with CF. "Salt in My Soul: An Unfinished Life" by Mallory Smith can be purchased wherever you get your books!

Breathe In #91 - Jack Goodwin, "Salt in My Soul"

Olivia Duesterberg, 26 with cystic fibrosis, joins the podcast from Denver, Colorado. Olivia, like Gunnar, is fresh off a move to a new place, so this week on Breathe In, the team tackles what it takes to transition care, a routine, and everything in between when someone with CF needs to move to a brand new place. Olivia mentions that she had been consulting with the CF team in the Denver area due to a specific bacterial infection, but when she was finally ready to move to Denver's care system full time, she did so through the inpatient ward following a medical emergency. Gunnar's transition, while certainly still on going, has been less rocky, but he talks about moving over a clinical trial, meeting a new CF team and starting grad school.

Breathe In #92 - Moving to a New Place

Tiffany is joined by Ashlee Terwilliger, 35, with cystic fibrosis and a double lung transplant survivor. The two talk about Ashlee's life growing up and how becoming a teacher affected her health and how she handled all the germs. As her health declined, she became pregnant and Ashlee takes us through being pregnant and labor with a low lung function and then ultimately needing to have a lifesaving double lung transplant. They end the podcast with awesome recommendations and advice for those wanting to have a child. You won't want to miss this!

Breathe In #93 - Pregnancy With Low Lung Function

After a few weeks off, Gunnar and Tiffany return to the podcast with Gunnar's girlfriend, Darcy. This time, though, Darcy puts on her social worker hat and takes the podcast through a clinical lens into the world of self care. It's established early on in the podcast that self care is a bit of a misnomer these days because of Instagram, while Darcy actually defines it as doing things that are often uncomfortable or that we avoid, and ultimately contribute to bettering our minds, bodies and spirits. The podcast is then broken down into seven buckets:
1) Saying No
2) Accepting Help
3) Practicing Self Compassion
4) Letting go of what you can't control
5) Making time for things or people that are important
6) Setting boundaries with people that bring you into their drama or dysfunction
7)Making a long list of short term and long term goals

Breathe In #94 - Self Care

Gunnar and Tiffany welcome back the podcast after a brief (unplanned!) hiatus. Tiffany announces that she started working a new job and has begun living out her goal of working full time. Gunnar talks about fighting through a round a midterms in the first quarter MBA term. The duo chat about getting their flu shots, why CF community members must adhere to flu shot recommendations from the CDC and how patients and families can be proactive during peak cold and flu season.

Breathe In #95 - Breathe In Fall

A mere few days following the FDA's approval of Trikafta, cystic fibrosis patients across the United States began dosing. This week's podcast looks back at Gunnar's time in the triple combo study. Think of this podcast as a follow to Gunnar's blog over on GunnarEsiason.com. Gunnar talks about both the immediate and long term affects of having been on the medication and what his hopes are for the CF community. Gunnar and Tiffany reaffirm the scientific community's commitment to a treatment for the final 10% of CF patients and a cure for all CF patients.

Breathe In #96 - The Triple Combo

On this episode of Breathe In, Gunnar takes the day off and Tiffany takes over with a returning guest, Audrey Kostelec, 23 from Washington State. You may remember Audrey from the emergency podcast we had on FaceBook Live in March. This time we talk about Audrey and her CF journey. Audrey explains how she was misdiagnosed and has recently been placed on disability. The two chat about how being on disability has helped Audrey's health in a positive way. They end the podcast with the usual fun recommendations segment (Girly ones, sorry guys!). You won't want to miss this episode!

Breathe In #97 - Misdiagnosed

This week on Breathe In, Tiffany is on her own again while Gunnar battles his way through final exams. Tiffany is joined by a new voice on the podcast, Holly Seay, 24, from Georgia, a newlywed with CF. Holly takes us through her life with CF and how she met her now husband. Prior to their wedding, Holly and her now husband never lived together. Holly talks about the adjustment period and how her husband has acclimated to the CF life. She gives advice to those that are wanting to get married. The podcast ends with Holly and Tiffany's recommendations for the week.

Breathe In: A Cystic Fibrosis Podcast

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