Synopsis
A show for women in creative businesses. Here youll hear conversations about the real everyday struggles of juggling life and business while trying to maintain passion and balance. As women, we have the skill of getting things done but sometimes we get in our own way. Its here where youll that see you're not alone. Youll discover that success does not mean perfection. Fear, negative thoughts & challenges are a part of the journey. On this Podcast, youll find the inspiration and tools you need to have a life and business that thrives.
Episodes
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When Your Energy Changes Daily But Your Business Still Needs to Run | Ashley Carlson
22/08/2025 Duration: 54minWhat happens when your capacity looks different every single day, but your business still has to keep moving forward?In this episode of Business with Chronic Illness, I’m joined by Ashley Carlson, an agency owner, mom of two, and chronic illness advocate, to talk about the hard but freeing truth: you can do anything, but you can’t do everything.Ashley opens up about building and growing her agency while navigating multiple chronic illness diagnoses, monthly IVIG infusions, and the everyday realities of parenting. She shares how she’s redefined productivity, learned to ask for help, and built systems that allow her business to run even when she needs to rest.By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with:Practical systems for sustainability – why delegation, accountability, and team support make your business more resilient.A new way to define success – learning how to honor today’s 100% (even if it looks different from yesterday).Permission to rest without guilt – shifting out of the perfectionism trap and
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How Chronic Illness Made Me Better at Sales And Business | Justine Beauregard
15/08/2025 Duration: 01h26minIn this powerful conversation, Justine opens up about how living with multiple autoimmune conditions for over 20 years didn't limit her business success—it became her secret weapon. From closing $5K sales calls from hospital beds to building a thriving consultancy, Justine shares why chronic illness taught her the exact skills that make entrepreneurs unstoppable.What You'll Walk Away With:The "Never Be Outsold" mindset shift that transforms how you approach sales conversations and protects your core beliefs—especially when others doubt what you're capable of with chronic illnessA practical curiosity framework for turning daily statements into powerful questions that help you advocate for yourself in healthcare, business decisions, and client relationships (plus simple habit-stacking techniques to make this automatic)The authentic sales approach that leverages your natural empathy and need for deeper connections—why women with chronic illness often outsell traditional "bro marketing" tactics by 5-20%Connect wi
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Redefining Productivity: How Chronic Pain Shaped a More Purposeful Business Path | Pallavi Pande
08/08/2025 Duration: 48minIn this heartfelt and wisdom-packed conversation, Nikita sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Pallavi Pande, founder of Dtcos and Dtcos Consulting. Paula shares how growing up in India, navigating chronic pain, and honoring her cultural values led her to build not one but two purpose-driven businesses while parenting and caregiving in a multi-generational household.Whether you're living with chronic illness, burnout, or you're just tired of traditional hustle culture, this episode will remind you that rest is not retreat—it’s strategy.You’ll walk away with:A new lens on productivity that centers chronic illness, cultural nuance, and real life—without sacrificing impact or purpose.Tangible ways to honor your body and capacity while still showing up for your business and your people.Courage to stop performing “strength” and start building with community, creativity, and authenticity at the center.This episode is for you if you’ve ever asked: “How can I build something meaningful without burning out
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From Food Guilt to Business Clarity The Hidden Link Between Cravings & Capacity | Laura Banks Ep 205
01/08/2025 Duration: 51minIs food guilt quietly draining your capacity to show up in parts of your life and business?In this episode, we explore what cravings, restriction, and shame around food might be trying to tell you not just about your body, but about your business.I’m joined by integrative nutrition health coach Laura Banks, who shares her personal journey from hiding candy wrappers in her classroom to helping women heal their relationship with food in a way that actually increases clarity, consistency, and energy.Together, we unpack the hidden emotional link between what you eat, how you feel, and how you function as a creative, a business owner, or someone simply trying to hold it all together.You’ll learn how to:Overcome being stuck in a cycle of “starting over”.Stop being burned out by restriction & trying to “get it right”.Create momentum in both your health and business routines.This conversation will help you understand why. And what to do next. Because this isn’t about willpower—it’s about capacity. And when you he
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3 Ways to Make a Livable Income with Chronic Illness Without Burning Out
25/07/2025 Duration: 26minIf you’re trying to make money while managing chronic illness, this episode is your gentle nudge and grounded strategy all in one.Whether you’re dreaming of replacing your income, supporting your household, or finally getting paid for the work you love—this episode breaks down how to create a business that supports both your health and your bank account.I’m walking you through 3 essential shifts that have helped me (and my clients) earn sustainable income—even through flare-ups, fatigue, and doctor’s appointments. These aren’t quick hacks or hustle-heavy tactics. They’re real-world shifts that meet you where you are.Inside, we’ll cover:Why your lived experience with chronic illness is an asset (yes, really)How to leverage what you’re already good at to start earning nowWhat to do if you’re stuck between needing income and not having the energyWhy “being consistent” isn’t the only path to growthThe identity shift that helped me move from survival to a successful businessHow to align your offers with your real
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When Loss Reshapes Everything What Healing Can Look Like Without a Blueprint | Amanda Guin
18/07/2025 Duration: 54minIf you’ve ever felt like you were just trying to hold it all together… this episode is a soft landing.Whether you’re navigating grief, chronic illness, trauma, or life just isn’t turning out the way you imagined, this is a conversation about what happens when you’re no longer okay, and the blueprint for “moving on” doesn’t fit your reality.This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Amanda Guin a compassionate emotional intelligence coach, trauma-informed educator, and woman who has lived through unimaginable loss. Amanda’s story includes the death of her infant daughter, the suicide of her husband, years of endometriosis and chronic illness, and still… she continues to grow, serve, and show up with heart.But she’s not here to tell you to “push through.”Instead, she shares something powerful:“I don’t want to just cope. I want to explore.”Inside this episode, we explore what it looks like to:Reimagine what healing can mean after grief, illness, or lossAllow growth to unfold even when you feel stuck or exhaust
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How She Built a Haircare Brand with Zero Investors & Big Life Interruptions | Lynn Power
11/07/2025 Duration: 55minHave you ever wondered how someone builds an entire haircare brand without any outside investors while navigating cancer, health challenges, and life constantly interrupting their plans?In this episode, I’m talking with Lynn Power, founder of Masami, a clean haircare brand built from the ground up. Lynn shares her journey of launching and growing multiple businesses while dealing with:✨ A cancer diagnosis that changed everything✨ The reality of building slow when fast growth wasn’t possible✨ Learning to pivot her dreams when life didn’t go as planned✨ Why traditional “success” metrics can actually sink your business✨ How to build a business that works for your life not the other way around
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Is Denial About Your Health Keeping Your Business Stuck | Diane Hinds
04/07/2025 Duration: 54minIn today’s episode, we’re exploring a question so many women with chronic illness as entrepreneurs may avoid asking themselves:Is denial about your health keeping my business – and your life – stuck or even limiting my growth?I sit down with Diane Hinds, an entertainment publicist, creative producer, and author, who opens up about how denial shaped her early years living with sickle cell disease and how it nearly cost her everything. She shares why pushing through was her default, how it impacted her health and career, and what changed when she finally embraced her limitations.We talk about:
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Thriving Through the Pain: Celebrating 200 Episodes of Resilience
27/06/2025 Duration: 19minSend Me A Text & Share Your QA's or ThoughtsJoin The Free 5 Day Audio Series - Rooted Sales Loved this episode? Leave a review: https://www.craftedtothrive.com/reviews/new/Products We Love + Special Guest Gifts → Want to support the show and treat yourself? We’ve created a quick-access list of products I personally use and love, exclusive savings from podcast guests, and other gems that can help you live well and do business with chronic illness. Explore our faves + savings here!Subscribe HERE to Chronically Profitable, A free exclusive weekly email series designed for creatives and women with chronic illnesses. You'll learn how to make a liveable income with your hobbies, professional skills, and innate talents by building a successful online coaching business with simple strategies that work for you, even on flare days, and feel better living with chronic illness.To Start and Grow A Creative or Service-Based Business with Chronic Illness, Book A Free Sales Call With Ni
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Selling Without Sacrifice: Sustainable Business Growth for Entrepreneurs
13/06/2025 Duration: 24minDrawing from personal experiences and the latest research, we delve into the profound impact of working with chronic illness in entrepreneurship. This episode is all about shifting the narrative around how we approach business as women living with chronic conditions. We discuss the importance of recognizing that our health should dictate our work style, not the other way around. By challenging the status quo of 'always being on,' we encourage listeners to embrace their unique rhythms and to create business growth and business models that accommodate their health needs. The conversation includes strategies for reconnecting with one's passion and purpose in business, ultimately leading to more aligned and successful ventures. We also introduce our new initiative, 'Rooted Sales,' designed to help our community rediscover their strengths and craft sales strategies that feel authentic and natural to them. As we wrap up, we invite everyone to join us on this journey of transformation, where we prioritize both perso
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Tired but Ready to Grow? Why Podcasting Is the Slow & Profitable Way Forward | Isabella Sanchez Castañeda
30/05/2025 Duration: 48minIf you’re navigating chronic illness, burnout, or just done with hustle culture—but still want to grow a profitable, purpose-driven business—this conversation is for you.In this episode, I’m joined by podcast strategist Isabella Sanchez Castañeda for a deep dive into how long-form content like podcasting is becoming essential for business growth in 2025. We explore how podcasting supports sustainable marketing, deeper visibility, and better client attraction, especially for coaches, creatives, and service providers who are tired of short-form content that doesn't convert.Inside this episode, we talk about:Why podcasting is a low-pressure, high-connection strategy for coaches and consultantsHow long-form content builds trust, nurtures leads, and supports mindset shiftsWhy content fatigue is real (especially for neurodivergent and chronically ill entrepreneurs)The 3 I’s of effective long-form marketing: Intention, Intimacy, and less InterruptionHow to align your marketing with your energy, capacity, and valuesW
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What Most People Get Wrong About Collaboration (Especially When You’re Building a Business with Chronic Illness)
16/05/2025 Duration: 16minIf you’ve been told that lead generation means pitching constantly, being visible everywhere, or following a one-size-fits-all funnel strategy… this episode is going to feel like a deep breath.In this solo episode, I share the most powerful (and overlooked) way to grow your audience, build trust, and attract aligned clients — through the sustainable and soul-led path of community and collaboration.Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach as a coach, creative, or service provider living with chronic illness, I’ll share how to use your hobbies, professional skills, and innate talents to build visibility and create genuine relationships that convert — without pretending, burning out, or pushing beyond your body’s limits.You’ll walk away with:The #1 mindset shift that makes collaboration sustainableHow to attract aligned leads using your actual interests (not just business strategies)A simple weekly rhythm for connection, even if you only have one good hour a weekReal-life examples of h
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Why Leaving Corporate with Chronic Illness Feels So Scary (and What Helps) | Liz Carmines
02/05/2025 Duration: 59minThinking about leaving your 9–5, but chronic illness makes it feel impossible?In this honest and empowering episode, I sit down with Liz Carmines—business owner and social media strategist—who shares her personal journey of navigating pain, brain fog, and burnout while working in corporate…and how she knew it was time to leap into full-time entrepreneurship.We talk about the guilt of “not doing enough,” the emotional cost of looking fine when you're not, and the surprising things that made the transition feel safer and more doable.If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What happens if my health flares up and I can’t keep going?” or “Can I really run a business with this body?” — this conversation is for you.In this episode, we explore:Why corporate flexibility isn’t always enough when you’re in painHow chronic illness shapes our fears around financial and emotional stabilityWhat to do before quitting to transition smootherA way to structure your business for peace of mind, not just profitThe healing power of agency,
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Why You’re Tired Before You Even Start
18/04/2025 Duration: 27minIn this episode of Business with Chronic Illness, I’m unpacking the unseen, unspoken emotional workload that so many of us carry before we ever open our laptops or talk to a client. From managing symptoms in silence, to performing “fine” for others, to overthinking how we’re perceived — this episode is about the labor that never makes it on our to-do list, but deeply impacts every part of how we run our businesses.I’ll share personal stories, client moments, and the powerful mindset shifts that have helped my clients reclaim their capacity, set true boundaries, and build businesses that actually honor their health — not compete with it.What You’ll Learn:Why your emotional labor counts (even if you don't see it, if no one else sees it)How the invisible cost of “being fine” shows up in pricing, planning, and perfectionismThe real reason you’re tired — and why it’s not your faultA simple question to help you design your business around your actual capacityHow to build in space for recovery, without guilt or
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What Your Voice Might Be Telling You About Burnout | Brienne Hennessy
04/04/2025 Duration: 50minYour voice might be trying to tell you something—and it’s not just about being hoarse or tired after a long day. In this episode of Business with Chronic Illness, Nikita reconnects with vocal vitality coach Brienne Hennessy to explore the surprising signs your voice could be sending you about your energy, alignment, and burnout levels.If you’ve ever lost your voice before a big launch, felt drained after a short client call, or brushed off vocal changes as “just allergies” or a “normal side effect” of your chronic illness—this one’s for you.Together, we dive into:How voice issues can be an early red flag for burnout (before you even realize it)What it looks like to trust your intuition—even when it’s inconvenientThe subtle difference between pushing your voice vs. tuning into itVisibility, resistance, and why showing up doesn’t always mean being “louder”Letting go of “business as usual” and creating a more sustainable rhythmBrianne shares how our voice is both a tool and a mirror—and when we listen closely, i
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How to Market Your Business Without Always Being “On”
21/03/2025 Duration: 34minWhat if you didn’t have to show up every single day to grow your business? In this episode of Business with Chronic Illness, we’re challenging the idea that visibility requires constant online presence—especially when you’re living with chronic illness.You’ll learn how to build a marketing system that works with your energy, not against it. I’m sharing a simple, sustainable approach to content that gives you room to rest while still attracting clients and growing your brand.Whether you’re just starting or shifting away from the daily content grind, this episode will help you reframe what it means to market your business on your terms.What We’ll Cover:The myth of “being on” 24/7Why consistency ≠ daily effortA 5-step marketing approach that honors your energyHow to use long-form content as your anchorReal-life examples of clients creating ease in their marketing
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You’re Not Broken—You’re Building Your Business the Hard Way
07/03/2025 Duration: 22minIf you feel stuck, burnt out, or like success is harder for you than it is for everyone else—you’re not broken. But you might be building your business the hard way.Too many entrepreneurs try to grow their businesses like they don’t have real-life challenges—whether it’s chronic illness, past trauma, or just a different way of thinking and working. We’ve been conditioned to believe success only comes from pushing harder, doing more, and following someone else’s formula. But what if that’s exactly what’s keeping you stuck?In this episode, we’re talking about:
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How You Can Create a Flexible Business Model That Honors Your Health | Nitika Chopra
21/02/2025 Duration: 55minWhat If Your Business Actually Worked With Your Health Instead of Against It? Traditional business advice wasn’t made for those of us managing chronic illness. The hustle, the long hours, the pressure—it’s exhausting and unsustainable. But what if your business could be built around your energy, your health, and your actual life?In this episode, I sit down with Nitika Chopra, founder of Chronicon, to discuss how she built a thriving business while navigating unpredictable health challenges—and how you can, too.We’re diving into:✔️ The #1 mindset shift that makes flexible income possible✔️ How to create a business model that respects your energy levels✔️ Charging what you’re worth—even when you doubt yourself✔️ Making visibility work for you (even when you don’t feel your best)✔️ The financial reality of running a business with chronic illnessIf you’ve ever thought I want to start or grow my business, but I don’t know how to make it work with my health—this episode is for you.Send Me A Text & Share Your QA
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Evolving Identities: Chronic Illness and Self-Perception {Updated}
07/02/2025 Duration: 19minAfter an unintentional break, Nikita returns with a fresh perspective—not just on her podcast, but on her own evolving identity with chronic illness. In this candid and thought-provoking episode, she shares the shifts she’s experienced, including why the term chronic illness warrior no longer resonates with her and how that realization is influencing her work, business, and even the future of the podcast itself.Could the show be getting a new name? Is hustle culture quietly sabotaging our well-being? How can long-form content create a sustainable business without social media burnout? Nikita explores these questions and more, offering a glimpse into what’s ahead in 2025 and how she’s embracing business growth that prioritizes alignment over exhaustion.Plus, she teases an upcoming conversation with a returning guest who has mastered the art of building a business while honoring her energy. You won’t want to miss it!
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How Eldest Daughters with Chronic Illness Can Balance Life, Business, and Boundaries | Nikkei Lamodi
13/12/2024 Duration: 49minIn this empowering episode of Business with Chronic Illness, I’m joined by certified coach Nikkei Lamodi, who helps eldest daughters create healthier relationships with family, work, and themselves—without sacrificing their time, money, or desires. Together, we dive into the unique challenges eldest daughters face when balancing life, chronic illness, and running a business.Nikkei shares her personal journey of caregiving, managing chronic illness, and building boundaries that support her well-being. She breaks down her four eldest daughter skills—direct communication with grace, boundary care, self-compassion, and asking, "What else is possible?"If you’re the eldest daughter navigating the pressure to please others while trying to grow a business, this episode will leave you feeling seen and equipped with tools to protect your peace and capacity.Tune in to learn:Why eldest daughters with chronic illness often struggle with guilt, perfectionism, and people-pleasingHow to set boundaries that serve yo