The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast

Episode 9: Sara Bastiaensen

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast, Caitlin sits down with Sara Bastiaensen (@My_fight_against_pd), a resilient mom from Belgium who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 33. Sara shares her emotional journey of navigating life with PD while raising her young son, balancing the everyday struggles of symptoms, and finding peace in the new rhythms of her life. From coping with the mental toll of the disease to transforming her approach to health through diet, exercise, and setting boundaries, Sara’s story is one of unwavering strength, self-discovery, and redefining priorities. Join us as Sara opens up about the challenges and triumphs of her journey, offering a heartfelt message of hope, resilience, and love.
 
Show Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ByeCvQC93ZFLH3Nubgtq0hsRyAbjKtLL/view?usp=sharing
 

Episode 8: Find Your Swagger

In this powerful episode we explore the inspiration, impact, and creative vision behind Parkinson Canada’s Find Your Swagger campaign. Caitlin shares her experience as part of the campaign's print segment, where she embraced a bold, empowering perspective on living with Parkinson’s. Joined by Mikaela Derksen (Brand Manager at Parkinson Canada), Jon Affleck (Strategic Advisor to Parkinson Canada), and Cass Farry (VP of Client Success at Broken Heart Love Affair), the team delves into the campaign's goal to redefine perceptions around Parkinson’s, break down stereotypes, and create an uplifting narrative for the community.
 
Tune in to hear how Find Your Swagger is changing the conversation for Parkinsons.
 
To learn more about the Find Your Swagger campaign visit: https://www.findyourswagger.ca/
 
Full Show Transcript Available Here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ryaCFD4-HMS3W7Q14HeB3b-2SOhT7pVA/view?usp=sharing
 
 

Episode 7: My Friend Bee

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast, we’re joined by a very special guest who brings a unique perspective to the Parkinson’s community. Bee, who remains anonymous for this conversation, shares the challenges of navigating Parkinson’s Disease while keeping her diagnosis private. From the toll of medical gaslighting to the added complexities of perimenopause, negative emotions, and the stigma surrounding antidepressants, Bee opens up about the hidden battles she faces daily.
Bee’s story sheds light on what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s while maintaining secrecy at work, in social settings, and even with family and friends. For the first time, she also discusses the experience of speaking to someone else with Parkinson’s—a powerful and vulnerable moment of connection that highlights the strength and solidarity within the community.
Join us as we explore Bee’s journey and gain insight into the often unseen challenges of living with a life-altering diagnosis. This episode is a must-listen for anyone impacted by Parkinson’s, those seeking a deeper understanding, and supporters of the Parkinson’s community.
 

Episode 6: Reset Your Mind with Jenn Walker

In this episode of *The Pretty Dope Women’s Podcast*, Caitlin sits down with mindset coach Jenn Walker to explore how embracing personal growth and intuitive leadership can transform lives. Jenn shares her expertise in rapid brain change techniques, helping individuals reconnect with their intuition and release emotional trauma. The conversation highlights the power of mindset shifts, meditation, and the mind-body connection, offering insights into how these practices can support wellness and unlock new possibilities, especially in navigating life’s challenges.
For more information, visit Jenn’s website at https://www.diveheartfirst.com
FREEBIE: Free Meditation Download https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c7WL2csrqIXYSzgKj2Ck3d_srg6jlhlB/view?usp=sharing
Download the attached show notes for the full episode transcript here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m6XyBsrZuZP4idd1ho6Xv1ptGUOqcXIn/view?usp=sharing

Episode 5: Snehal Amembal

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women's Podcast, I sit down with Snehal Amembal, an inspiring writer, poet, and advocate for Young Onset Parkinson's Disease. Snehal shares her journey of being diagnosed with Parkinson's at just 33, while raising two young children and navigating the complexities of life as a mother, writer, and creative.
We dive into how Snehal transitioned from a career in HR to full-time writing, and how she uses poetry, dance, and creativity to cope with Parkinson’s. Her powerful story touches on the importance of finding your own light in the darkness, asking for help when needed, and building a supportive community.
Snehal’s honesty about her challenges and triumphs will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted. Whether you're managing your own health journey or looking for wisdom in resilience, Snehal’s story offers hope and empowerment.
Full Transcript: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/inxhp9d3hwe98rbw4i9p3/PDW-Episode-5.pdf?rlkey=i9obmy2iak4mctb67s8gbyj42&st=wgm27hyx&dl=0

Episode 4: Melissa Livingston

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women's Podcast, Caitlin sits down with Melissa Livingston, a mother of four who was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) at 45. Melissa shares how her journey began with the hashtag #ParkinsonsLooksLikeMe, which quickly gained momentum and helped her connect with the global Parkinson's community.
Through her candid storytelling, Melissa reveals the struggles of accepting her diagnosis, navigating life as a mother with Parkinson’s, and the emotional toll of living with a neurodegenerative disease. Despite the challenges, she has turned her story into a source of inspiration and support for others. Tune in as Caitlin and Melissa discuss the importance of vulnerability, community, and how even small acts of sharing can create powerful connections.
This is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the realities of living with YOPD and the power of embracing your story.
Show Transcript: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7wfpijvmgpxb66bkxftot/PDW-Episode-3-Melissa.pdf?rlkey=r2dc0fk3o9gedd8hh8x3mswtz&st=kk0w3s4j&dl=0

Episode 3: Barbara Mathews

In this powerful episode of The Pretty Dope Women's Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Barbara Salzburg Matthews—an artist, teacher, and advocate for living well with Parkinson's Disease. Diagnosed in 2020, Barbara shares how she has used mime as a therapeutic tool and creative outlet to manage her symptoms. We explore her journey from teaching high school art to becoming a mentor and using mime to help others in the Parkinson’s community.
You can learn more about Barbara and her work at:- [MimeOverMind.com](http://mimeovermind.com/)- [salsbergmathews.com](http://salsbergmathews.com/)
Follow Barbara on social media:- Twitter: [@SalsbergMathews](https://twitter.com/SalsbergMathews)- Instagram: [@maddysmom_4u](https://instagram.com/maddysmom_4u)
Additional Resources:- **Kid Covid**: [kidcovid.ca](http://kidcovid.ca)- **The Brain's Way of Healing** by Dr. Norman Dodge: [Amazon link](https://a.co/d/34UL8Y9)  Full Transcript: [Download here](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vq4bu2782c8d9i0e1g8bo/PDW-Episode-3-Barbara.pdf?rlkey=pbt4gr35xhykj1q9twudkdt8j&st=d8b6iwf7&dl=0)

Episode 2: Reka Janisse

In this episode of The Pretty Dope Women's Podcast, host Caitlin Nagy interviews Reka Janisse, known online as @pd.family / @pd.family.5. Reka opens up about her journey with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD), detailing the stages of her diagnosis, the emotional toll it took, and her decision to go public with her story. She shares how vulnerability has fostered deep connections with others and how embracing her diagnosis has reshaped her relationships and life.
Reka also dives into the challenges of navigating grief cycles, from denial to acceptance, and offers invaluable advice to others newly diagnosed. She highlights the importance of maintaining mental and physical health through discipline, such as cold plunges, consistent sleep routines, and balanced nutrition. Furthermore, Reka discusses her personal battles with dopamine addiction, work-life balance, and the stress that comes with managing a chronic illness while raising three kids and pursuing a career.
Throughout the episode, Reka’s insights on the cyclical nature of Parkinson’s symptoms, the impact of the menstrual cycle on her condition, and her advocacy for more gender-specific research and support for women with Parkinson's are both empowering and eye-opening.
Tune in to hear Reka’s story of resilience, vulnerability, and finding strength in community while living with Parkinson's Disease.
Show Links
Ways 3 Well https://ways2well.com/
Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke https://www.amazon.ca/dp/152474672X?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_C1QX9THZ8A29E08A07KR&starsLeft=1
Full Transcript https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/uz1skxqfx6venn81bga2q/Epidsode2_Reka-Transcript.pdf?rlkey=hant7rfpqqf1iepbuaq2vqnxa&dl=0