This week on The EmpowHERment Show, Adama, Maddie, and Sam are joined by Lynsey Chediak, a friend of Maddie who has spent over a decade at the forefront of health policy and patient advocacy driven by a singular mission: addressing the unmet medical need of children affected by rare diseases like hers.

In this enlightening conversation, Lynsey shares her personal journey with arthrogryposis, a rare bone disease, and discusses the broader implications of rare diseases affecting millions of Americans. The discussion highlights the importance of advocacy, the role of caregivers, and the challenges posed by the current political climate in healthcare.

Lynsey emphasizes the need for early diagnosis through newborn screening and the significance of language in describing health conditions. The conversation concludes with valuable resources for families navigating the complexities of rare diseases.

Here are some of the key takeaways from this episode:

• Rare diseases affect about 30 million Americans.
• Over 80% of caregivers for rare diseases are women.
• 95% of rare diseases lack FDA-approved treatments.
• Access to medical innovation can significantly improve quality of life.
• Newborn screening can save lives by identifying rare diseases early.

And if you want to tune in for specific portions, here’s the episode breakdown:

• 00:00 Introduction to Rare Diseases
• 06:08 Lynsey’s Diagnosis Journey
• 11:59 The Role of Advocacy and Community Support
• 17:59 Navigating Healthcare Systems: US vs. UK
• 29:07 Navigating Healthcare Costs and Insurance Plans
• 30:04 Researching Medical Specialists and Community Support
• 32:12 The Role of Digital Connectivity in Rare Disease Communities
• 34:08 Parental Choices and Quality of Life in Rare Diseases
• 36:34 Addressing Skepticism Towards Traditional Medicine
• 39:15 The Importance of Early Intervention in Childhood
• 41:16 The Language of Illness: Disease vs. Condition
• 45:29 Policy Changes and Healthcare Access for Rare Diseases
• 53:50 Advocacy for Newborn Screening
• 56:59 The Importance of Early Detection
• 01:01:07 Privacy Concerns in Healthcare
• 01:04:04 Resources for Rare Diseases

Check out the National Organization for Rare Disorders if you want to find more information and resources! And follow the EmpowHERment ladies on socials as well as subscribing on YouTube and wherever you listen to Podcasts:

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Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

Dating in 2025 is chaotic—but we’re still showing up, swiping, and sharing. In this episode, Adama, Maddie, and Sam get real about their own dating journeys: the highs, the horror stories, and the hilarious in-betweens. From ghosting to green flags, we unpack why finding connection feels harder than ever in the age of dating apps, performative vulnerability, incel culture, and more.

We also lay out our non-negotiables—emotional maturity, consistency, and mutual respect, to name a few—and challenge the idea that women should shrink themselves to be “chosen.” We talk about how men need to show up: with intention, integrity, and the ability to court without entitlement. And we explore why choosing to be single isn’t a failure—it’s a conscious, powerful decision when the alternative is settling for less than you deserve. This one’s part group chat, lots of pep talk, and all truth.

Tune in to feel seen, laugh a little, and leave with a stronger sense of what you won’t settle for. And keep up with the EmpowHERment ladies by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts and following on socials:

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This week, the EmpowHERment ladies talk to Kristin Miller, a certified coach, speaker, and accomplished professional with over 24 years of experience leading high-performing teams and driving results.

Kristin works with women across diverse industries, helping them earn more money, reclaim 7+ hours in their week, and take bold action toward the life and career they truly want without losing themselves in the process. Whether through 1:1 coaching or delivering transformative workshops, she empowers women to trust their intuition, navigate challenges with curiosity and confidence, and step into new identities with clarity, calm, and joy.

Maddie worked with Kristin earlier this year to dig into some of the challenges she was facing, particularly burnout. This episode is a can’t-miss for anyone else who is struggling to get through their days and feel like they are truly thriving versus barely surviving.

You can read more about Kristin’s work on her website and follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Keep up with the EmpowHERment ladies by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts, watching the show on YouTube, and following them on social:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• TikTok