Have you suddenly found yourself transformed, yet distracted by old habits or routines that don’t align with your transformation? Are you striving to find the mindset for self-care, compassion for yourself, empathy for others? Do you find anxiety or calm when you consider caregiving to support yourself or a loved one through the HSCT journey? Have you found yourself transformed by HSCT, though not quite sure how to support continued healing?  

Consider this special episode a “check-in” on our progress, awareness of where we’ve been and where we’re heading, reminders to meet ourselves where we are to practice acceptance and empathy, and awaken our capacity to heal at the cellular level…

It has been quite an honor to connect with the inspiring journeys of so many incredible people and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and help illuminate the invisibilities of autoimmune disease. Having reached nearly 4,000 people from at least 15 countries around the world, it is exciting to imagine the possibilities when we find growth and connection in our shared experiences.  

I’ve received feedback and requests for an episode to explain in detail, ‘What is HSCT?’ (quite simply, obliteration of a diseased immune system by chemotherapy followed by the introduction of one’s own stem cells that “reboot” the body to develop a new immune system free from diseased cells, understood further through research)… or episodes to explain what to expect when you show up for evaluation, or even mobilization…  

We hear these requests and while the protocols around the world for HSCT are unique, we acknowledge that uncertainty and unpredictability can be a tough experience for people to navigate. We hope to offer more specifics – developing new episodes with a panel of Warriors to answer your questions from multiple perspectives later this fall – and remain mindful that an underlying goal of this podcast is to develop collective intelligence. In order to develop collective knowledge and understanding of HSCT, it is imperative to keep communicating, listening, and sharing the unique stories that evidence strategies that work, and we hope to hear more from our listeners – always feel welcome to share your questions or feedback.  

I started this podcast to support individuals (veterans, hopefuls and caregivers) through the HSCT journey, lift up voices to illuminate invisibilities, and help us find commonality in our humanity along the journey of autoimmune disease. To lend a platform for HSCT Warriors to offer insights that create connections, reveal grace, promote wellness and cultivate well-being. To shine their light and share strategies that promote transformation, healing, and wellness. To help HSCT hopefuls and caregivers be inspired and know they are not alone. To inspire listeners to recognize the possibilities of a future free from disease progression, connect through our shared experiences, and advocate for an inclusive society…

Very much aligned with this vision, I am excited to announce the integration of various special episodes – this fall we will engage with a panel of HSCT Warriors to answer your direct questions, so be sure to submit any questions that you have about HSCT. We’re also introducing a series of intermittent new episodes designed to offer insight and connection by promoting radical healing and wellness.

Leading the way is Jessica Lichaa, founder of Solid Roots yoga studio in Lexington, Kentucky and creator of Radically Rooted: Embodied Yoga and Lifestyle, a training initiative offering a wealth of resources and practices to develop self-compassion and awaken the caregiving area of the brain; incorporate body-based self-care routines into daily life; awaken the somatic-sensory areas of the brain, and promote neuroplasticity to heal the damaged holding patterns of autoimmune disease.

Join us as Jessica shares more about her vision for Radically Rooted, how radical self-care practices can support HSCT veterans with continued healing, support HSCT hopefuls in their efforts to maximize health and wellness, and support HSCT caregivers to provide and nurture with compassion and empathy. Join us for a simple, guided self-care practice… tune in and expand your capacity to heal at the cellular level.

Take a moment to leave a review because your feedback will help to develop even better episodes, and your ratings will help other people find the show. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to create the soundtrack, edit, and perfect the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

Stay tuned for another special episode highlighting another Radically Rooted embodied self-care practice… until then, be sure to listen next Wednesday for the journey of another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.

Be kind. Be well.

Hosted by: Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig aka “Zen Jen”

Tags: #HSCT, #warriors, #RadicallyRooted, #radicaltransformation, #embodiedselfcare #snowflakes, #superpowers