A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long Covid Podcast: Strangely Optimistic, A Long Covid Film by Nina Storey

Summary

Podcast Summary: A Friend for the Long Haul – Strangely Optimistic, A Long Covid Film by Nina Storey

Podcast: A Friend for the Long Haul: A Long Covid Podcast
Episode: Strangely Optimistic, A Long Covid Film by Nina Storey
Date: April 12, 2026
Host: Beth (A Friend for the Long Haul)
Guest: Nina Storey
Theme: The creation, message, and impact of Nina Storey’s short film “Strangely Optimistic,” which brings visibility to Long Covid and chronic illness through comedy and authentic representation.

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Episode Overview

This episode brings back Nina Storey—singer, songwriter, and comedy writer—for a heartfelt, humorous, and revealing discussion about her new film, "Strangely Optimistic." The short film, a darkly comic “dramedy,” was made for the 13th annual Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge. Through personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, the episode explores the film’s genesis, its importance in representing Long Covid in media, and the unique production challenges faced by creators living with chronic illness. The tone is supportive and candid, emphasizing hope, resilience, and the power of storytelling.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Nina & the Film (00:29)

• Host Beth welcomes Nina Storey back and notes her multi-talented background (singing, writing, comedy) and her ongoing experience with Long Covid since early in the pandemic.
• Nina describes “Strangely Optimistic” as based on her long-running comedy blog and as a dramedy capturing a day in the life of a person with Long Covid.

2. Why Make This Film? (02:53)

• Nina wanted to tell a story for the community and to bring much-needed Long Covid representation to scripted film/TV and pop culture.
  • “I don't believe that Long Covid has been represented in scripted film or television or in pop culture, for that matter, at all. And so I was like, you know what? I'm not going to wait around for somebody else to tell the story. I'm going to do it.” — Nina (03:03)
• Emphasizes the extraordinary support found within the Long Covid and chronic illness communities.

3. The Challenge of Production (04:44)

• The film was written and produced for the Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge under tight constraints: under five minutes, all volunteer, with Nina deciding to do it just five days before the contest began.
• Collaborators included Alison Camillo, Charlie Jones, and co-producer/editor Julie Lamb from Mask Together America.

4. Authentic Representation (05:48)

• The film aims to resonate with both those who have and have not experienced Long Covid, and more broadly with anyone living with chronic illness or disability.
• Authentic details (“your medicine bottles everywhere, the dog’s laying on you...waking up and it’s just a really—yeah.” — Beth, 05:46) create universal recognition for sufferers, regardless of diagnosis.

5. Balancing Pain and Humor (06:06)

• Nina reflects on the challenge of telling difficult stories that also inspire and entertain:
  • “You have to find this, like, this delicate dance of telling a story that is truthful and honest...how do we share a story that can be inspiring but also is a painful story to tell?” — Nina (06:06)
• Both agree that humor is a vital coping tool for those with chronic illness:
  • “I think the funniest, sharpest people I know are people who have been living with chronic illness or a disability... it really hones in your ability to laugh at life.” — Nina (06:40)

6. Film Impact and Audience Response (08:20)

• Early feedback suggested that the film helped viewers recognize symptoms of Long Covid in themselves or family.
  • “People have written, ‘Wow, my husband's been having those symptoms. I'm gonna get him checked out for Long Covid.’” — Nina (08:21)
• Nina shares staggering numbers: Statistically, there are 400 million people living with Long Covid; it's now the number one chronic illness in children.

7. The Making of a Disabled-Led Film (09:39)

• Julie and Nina were committed to authenticity, with all filming done masked and in Nina’s home, and a team of disabled and chronically ill collaborators.
• Production difficulties, including lost footage on day one, led to a full reshoot—demonstrating the resilience and improvisation of the team.
• “It's unhealthy and it's really hard on the body and the nervous system...but this thing exists in the world now. What a blessing.” — Nina (11:23)

8. Endorsements & Community Support (12:57)

• The film has received endorsements from over a dozen leading researchers and academics in the Long Covid field.
• “It’s kind of cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs...the medical and research community are supporting this film for its authenticity.” — Nina (13:11)

9. How to Watch & Support (14:08)

• Film is available at StrangelyOptimisticMovie.com and via the Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge’s YouTube and Facebook.
• Sharing, liking, and commenting boost its chances in the contest, which is partly judged by views and engagement.
• A hilarious note: “Sometimes just sharing a story with a good fart joke will convert the biggest of cynics.” — Nina (14:55)

10. About the Contest and Awards (16:20)

• Prizes for best director, editor, actor, writer, and awareness campaign, with practical rewards for winners (cash, tech, IMDb pro, screenings, mentorships).
• Judging is based on a combination of views, likes, shares, press, and engagement.
• “For me to be able to take this opportunity to create a larger platform for talking about Long Covid...that would be freaking amazing.” — Nina (17:17)

11. Mutual Support & Closing Reflections (17:43)

• The episode closes with mutual gratitude, encouragement, and aspirations for future collaboration.
• Nina credits Beth’s advocacy and support throughout the process.
  • “You are such a brilliant and amazing advocate for our community and for social justice in general...You’re this, like, person that's, like, this safe space in the storm. Always.” — Nina (18:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Long Covid] has not been represented in scripted film or television or in pop culture, for that matter… I’m not going to wait around for somebody else to tell the story. I’m going to do it.” — Nina, 03:03
• “There’s humor even in between the pain. We can find joy and humor, right?” — Nina, 04:34
• “You don't have to have Long Covid to get this short film... basically any chronic illness, you're gonna see the opening scene and you're gonna be like, ‘Yeah, that's it. That's it.’” — Beth, 05:17
• “The funniest, sharpest people I know are people who've been living with chronic illness or a disability... it really hones in your ability to laugh at life.” — Nina, 06:40
• “The flare-ups we experienced are a direct reflection of what millions face every day. We pushed ourselves to the limit because we want people to feel the irony of being strangely optimistic while battling a multi-systemic crisis.” — from press release, read by Beth, 12:50
• “Sometimes just sharing a story with a good fart joke will convert the biggest of cynics.” — Nina, 14:54
• “We’re small but mighty.” — Nina, 14:04
• “If this movie can be that thing [to elevate the conversation about Long Covid], holy crap, that would be freaking amazing.” — Nina, 17:18

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Essential Timestamps

• 00:29 – Nina reintroduced & film background
• 02:27 – Setting of the film; depicting early pandemic Long Covid
• 03:03 – Why tell this story? Importance of representation
• 04:34 – Purpose, tone, Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge
• 05:17 – Film resonates beyond just Long Covid sufferers
• 06:06 – Balancing honesty, pain, and inspiration through humor
• 08:20 – Early impact & audience recognition of symptoms
• 09:48 – Behind the scenes: producing under pressure, technical challenges
• 12:50 – Reading from press release about the physical and symbolic demands of production
• 13:11 – Endorsements from researchers and medical professionals
• 14:08 – How to watch and share the film
• 16:20 – Contest awards and how the film is judged
• 17:43 – Reflections, gratitude, and future hopes for collaboration

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How to Watch and Help

• Visit StrangelyOptimisticMovie.com for direct links to YouTube and Facebook.
• Share, like, and comment to boost the film’s visibility in the contest and help elevate conversation about Long Covid and chronic illness.

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Final Thought

The episode embodies the hopeful, tenacious spirit of both the Long Covid community and disabled creators at large. Through dark humor and candid storytelling, Nina and Beth invite listeners to understand, validate, and amplify the experiences of millions living with invisible, chronic illnesses—and to laugh along the way.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

Your car in a parking lot.

[A]

In my car in a parking lot, yes.

[B]

So I'm going to say hello, everyone, and welcome to a special impromptu with the dogs and Nina episode of A Friend for the Long Haul. I'm also wearing my Rest is Medicine T shirt. That was a gift. Yay, Julia More Vogel, another long hauler friend.

[A]

I love your shirt. Thank you.

[B]

I. I like it too. She also made me one that says refined badass. Ooh. It's a quote from a book by. You know who Dr. Wes Ely is. He's the long haul doctor at Vanderbilt that's running the reverse LC trial.

[A]

It's incredible. Wait, what is a reverse.

[B]

It's a trial for a drug called baricitinib, and it's a rheumatoid and alopecia drug, but he thinks it could help our immune systems, so he's recruiting. There's 16 sites across the country, and I'll just promote it. If you go to reversinglongcovid.com, you can find Dr. Keling's trial.

[A]

Yeah, that's. Listen, we. Those trials are hugely important. You know they are.

[B]

And speaking of long Covid. Nina Storey, welcome back. Thank you.

[A]

Thanks for having me back. I wish I brushed my hair for this.

[B]

It's okay. We were just meeting.

[A]

I don't know how to brush it

[B]

because you have done a really cool thing, and I knew about it pretty early because I'm cool, but Nina has made a short film. It's called Strangely Optimistic, which also. Is that not your writing blog?

[A]

It is. It is. It is a. It is a comedy blog that I've had for some time.

[B]

Yes. See, I pay attention.

[A]

You're in the know. You pay attention.

[B]

So not only is Nina a singer, songwriter, comedy writer, everything you've had long Covid since the beginning of the pandemic. We've known each other since 2020, later in the year. And you have written a short film. It's for the 13th annual Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge. Look at. It's working. And I haven't even had my Vyvanse today yet.

[A]

That's amazing.

[B]

Thank you. And it's a short film. Is it set in, like, 2021? Kind of during feelings early.

[A]

Yeah, early 2021 is when we. We said it. I mean, I'd already been experiencing many of the symptoms that long haulers felt early on that nobody knew what they were, and we were just getting perpetually gaslit. And so I wanted to write this. It's a dark comedy, actually. It's a Dramedy. But I wanted to tell the story of capturing a day in the life of someone living with Long Covid.

[B]

But

[A]

I wrote this for two reasons. One being that I've been wanting to tell this story for a long time. This community is exceptional. The connection and the support from community and has been. I mean, it's like nothing I've ever seen. Right. So I. It was really important for me to. To write a. I don't. I don't believe that Long Covid has been represented in scripted film or television or in pop culture, for that matter, at all. And so I was like, you know what? I'm not going to wait around for somebody else to tell the story. I'm going to do it. And this. This Easter Seals Disability Film Challenge, I became aware of it, and it is a film challenge competition slash festival that is meant to bring awareness. And not bring awareness, also bring awareness, but to feature disabled filmmakers to showcase their talents. And. And it just seemed like, well, now's the time to write it. If not now, then when? And so I, you know, there were very strict rules. Had to be five minutes, you know, and all volunteer, and most people have, like, two months to prepare. And I decided to do this, like, five days before the contest began. So I wrote the script. I had some wonderful collaborators. Alison Camillo and Charlie Jones, and then Julie Lamb from Masked Together America partnered with me on this. She's my co producer. She edited it. And it's really just been the two of us. We had this great crew of people who are amazing. But promoting the film night and day for the past six days has been just bananas. The two of us are in major flares. We're like, keep going. We want to raise awareness. And, you know, but I wanted to make a movie that resonated with not only people who have Long Covid, because we know what Long Covid is. Right? We've lived it, but for people who have no idea what it is. And, you know, I just wanted to create something that shows that you can find joy and you can be resilient even in your darkest moments. Right. And that there's humor even in between the pain. We can find joy and humor. Right? I mean, there's. I'm so happy that I get to be on your podcast because I get to shout out and be like, there's a moment in this film that is a direct homage to Ms. Beth here. And so I. I don't know if I want to say what it is so that people have to watch it to find Out.

[B]

But it is.

[A]

I mean, it is a direct shout out to.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think. I think your fans will know exactly when they see it.

[B]

They'll be like, I think they'll know. And I think they'll know, too. But I also think it's important to say, like, you don't have to have long Covid to get this short film if you have pots dysautonomia, like, there's just basically any chronic illness. You're gonna see the opening sing and you're gonna be like, yeah, that. Yeah, that's it. That's it. There's just. Yeah, your medicine bottles everywhere. The dog's laying on you. You're like waking up and it's just a really. Yeah.

[A]

I mean, it was a great glimpse

[B]

into this small piece of what all day is like and how dynamic it is. And you wake up and you don't know if you're going to be like, okay, I can get up today. Or if you're going to be like, oh, God, what the hell? What? Right. What? Right.

[A]

You know, and. And I also, I had this thought earlier today, which is like, you know, mainstream pop culture and media, they don't really like to talk about things that remind them of their own mortality. And so, you know, being able to tell us. Right. And so you have to find this, like, this delicate dance of telling a story that is truthful and honest, but that also, you know, this. It's important, you know, like, how do we share a story that can be inspiring but also is a painful story to tell, you know?

[B]

Well. Well, what?

[A]

How can we tell that story? Well, you know, humor is a way to get through. But I also want to say that I feel like the. The funniest, sharpest people I know are people who have been living with chronic illness or a disability or, you know, like people who've been through the ringer. Man. It really hones in your ability to laugh at life. Right. So I think that's also a kind of telling too, because you just cry.

[B]

Otherwise, you just cry.

[A]

Otherwise you sit in your bathtub and you cry.

[B]

And it's so absurd, or all of it's so absurd that if you don't laugh. Yeah. It just gets to be too much.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But I mean, this is the 13th. It gets me too much annual of this film challenge that the Easter Seals holds. So I'm going to look that up real quick because I'm going to see something. Disability film challenge.

[A]

So you're doing real time research.

[B]

I am very pleased with myself. The awareness campaign has begun. Congratulations to our filmmakers who participate in the 2026 challenge. We had a record breaking year of submissions. So the reason I wanted to look at this website, which is disabilityfilm challenge.com is because if it's 13 years in and they're saying they had a record breaking year of submissions, that so many people who have probably not heard of this illness, who are going to see about it and then be like, yeah, when it's Long Covid. Oh, shit. I wonder if that's why I have felt like crap for the last three years and no one's been able to tell me why.

[A]

Right, right. I've actually seen the response that we've gotten so far has been amazing. Like having people say, oh, my God, that's my story. I see. That's. I'm living that. But then also too, people have written, wow, my husband's been having those symptoms. I'm gonna see, get him checked out for Long Covid. Like, let's idle. Who knew this would be like a psa, right? Like, I mean, that's so. Yeah, I mean, I hope. Right. Because I think that there are. Well, now, Statistically, there are 400 million people living with Long Covid and it's the number one chronic illness in children. It's now more than asthma. Right. And. And so I think that there are so many people who don't realize that there's so many reasons. Right. Because it's been discounted. And I mean, we could go into the whole why, which, you know, you certainly talked about before, but, yeah, making people aware through a different lens, if that can, you know, be of service. That's a huge thing.

[B]

You just made a really great pun, unintentionally because you made a film, really, and you're making people aware through a different lens.

[A]

Oh, I'm like, oh, did I do something wrong? Am I in trouble?

[B]

No, you did a great thing. I love an unintentional pin. I love an unintentional pin.

[A]

Oh, well, yay.

[B]

Cheers to that. I worked together with so many cool people. And how did you and Julie connect?

[A]

Oh, it was also masked too. Julie and I had met on another project and we. We really just clicked and had decided, you know, we really want to write a story that feels authentic and real and gives this character both strength and vulnerability and doesn't diminish what Long Covid is. And sometimes I think that's what happens, you know, and that sometimes representations of it, it can be kind of downplayed as like, oh, it's just fatigue or, you know, you're just tired or, you know, it's like, whoa. Okay, that is like saying that. I don't know, I could come up with a really fun comparison, but that would require way too much brain power at this moment. But you know what I'm saying. So we connected and we talked about it. And so last minute, like days before, we're like, let's do it. Initially I thought I would just shoot it on my iPhone and just like, do it all by myself. And then I managed to recruit some wonderful human beings who, who were like, yeah, you know, we want to do it. And we lost all our footage after the first day. There was a tech issue and so we had to reshoot the film. So that was fun. So. So, yeah, I mean, you know, stuff happens, so you just roll with it and, and yeah, so. But it was a masked, it was a mask set. We were Covid consciousness. I said, listen, everybody has to be masked in this. And it was shot in my home, so people were great. And yeah, Gabriel Bay was our cinematographer who just did such a great job. Brian Franks is this amazing composer who I've worked with through the years and he stepped up and did a whole film score in like four hours. So it was, it's, it's not, it's not normal to make movies this way. Just to be clear. It's unhealthy and it's really hard on the body and the nervous system. So I, but, but I'm so, I'm so grateful because, you know, I. That this, this thing exists in the world now. Like, what a blessing. So I, I, my goal is to have, you know, raise awareness. Right? Let's get people talking about it. Let's get visibility and representation in, in film and television and pop culture in ways that haven't been right for. Not just on Covid, but for dynamic invisible illnesses.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, yeah. And it's also a contest.

[B]

Yes, it is also a contest. I wanted to read something from the press release that you have on the website which says the reality of the five day sprint. The production was a grueling five day sprint from March 24th to the 29th. Like literally, this is April 11th. You filmed the whole thing with everybody from March 24th to 29th, mirroring the high stakes requirements of the challenge. For Story and Lam, both of whom live with Long Covid, the intensive deadline was more than a creative hurdle. It was a physical one. The demands of the shoot triggered significant symptom flare ups for both creators, illustrating the push craft style that defines the long hauler experience. The flare ups that we experienced are a direct reflection of what millions face every day. Says Story. We pushed ourselves to the limit because we want people to feel the irony of being strangely optimistic while battling a multi systemic crisis. She's articulate too.

[A]

I'm going to give full credit to Julie for being at Julie Lamb. Let me say her name a thousand times. She is the founder of Mask Together America and has been a tireless advocate for people with long Covid and for masking and advocacy and research. So I, I have to defer to her on all the smart words. She's, she's, you know, the other thing too. Beth. It's really incredible and I'm just trying to remember it all because I don't have any notes in front of me or anything. But we've gotten over a dozen endorsements from leading the top researchers and academics in the long Covid field and scientists. I mean like kind of, it's kind of cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, like how many people on the medical and in the research community are like supporting this film for its authenticity and what it's telling. So I'm like, you know, we don't have like a huge publicity team behind us but we have a, a lot of really vocal people in the community and science people too. Science stuff.

[B]

Science.

[A]

So that I feel like that's cool. I love that.

[B]

It's so nice.

[A]

Yeah. So we're small but mighty. Yeah, for sure.

[B]

So people can watch it by going to StrangelyOptimisticMovie.com it's also on YouTube. Is that on your channel or did you create a new one?

[A]

No, it's on the Easter Seals disability film challenge YouTube channel and also on their Facebook official Facebook page. And the reason that I made a strangely optimistic movie.com website was they can go there and click on either button to watch it at YouTube and Facebook. So as opposed to trying to like search and find it, you know, other ways we kind of made a portal. But yeah, I mean anyone who can watch it if it, if, if it resonates with you, please feel free to share it with your disabled, non disabled friends. Anyone who's gaslit you or doesn't quite understand sometimes just sharing a story with a good fart joke will convert the biggest of cynics.

[B]

It's amazing what a good fart joke can do. It really is.

[A]

It's so true. It's so true. I think I did this just so that I could fart on screen if that's your legacy.

[B]

It's a good one. If I could do it.

[A]

Best part in a film.

[B]

Okay, so there are awards. This is a contest. So there are awards for best director, best editor, best actor, best writer and awareness campaign award. The 2026 winners will send the Easter Seals win $2,000 cash prize awards to each winner which, like, I mean, come on, just for meds and rent and bubsy care alone? That would be incredible. Dell technologies computers one year IMDb pro membership. Premium membership, the essential resource for entertainment industry professionals. Screenings at Academy award qualifying festivals including the Heartland Festival Festival and Holly Schwartz Film festival. Plus mentorship meetings with industry executives and talent like award winning Academy Academy Award winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller from Project Hail Mary and Spider man, into the Spider Verse, the lego movies and 21. I did not know there was a 22 Jump Street. Did you know there was a 22 Jump Street? That's incredible.

[A]

I mean, I saw the remake with Chadig Tatum.

[B]

Maybe I did not know that. That's cool.

[A]

But how do you not sure.

[B]

How does one win? Do people have to vote?

[A]

How does one win in this world? Yeah, it's so. No, I wish it was voting. I think that would be a little more streamlined, but it's this combination of views. So the total number of views, the total number of interactions, likes, shares and press. Right. So the fact that you were so gracious to have me on your podcast is a big deal. I don't know what the final decision is based on, but I think it's a combination of all these things. So yeah, of course, if people are so moved to share like or comment, it would be huge. I mean, I think, you know, for me to be able to take this opportunity to create a larger platform for talking about long Covid. I mean, that's the thing, right? Like, how do we elevate the conversation? Right? So if this movie can be that thing. Holy crap, that would be freaking amazing.

[B]

Freaking amazing. I'm really proud of you. I'm proud of Julie. I'm proud of the whole team. That's just an incredible undertaking and it's already made. Like people are talking about it, my friend. It's really cool.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you. Well, I just want to thank you because you have been. I mean, listen, everybody. I called Beth early on. It was like, because I wasn't sure about some other things and going a different direction with something else. Not this, but another project. And I was like, you know, and you were just so wonderful and encouraging and you were like, listen to Your gut. And, you know, I also had some. It's, you know, every. Everything poses challenges. So I just. You are. You are such a brilliant and amazing advocate for our community and for social justice in general. So one of these days, Beth and I are going to do something creative together, too. I'm saying it out loud, going to do it.

[B]

I'm.

[A]

Make it happen.

[B]

Manifestation.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I do ask good questions. Not for myself, but I do ask good questions when other people are trying to make decisions. I feel like I'm good at that. I feel like I'm good at helping people tune into how they actually feel about what they want to do. I wish I had that for myself. I do not.

[A]

I feel like you're a pretty good decision maker. I mean, look at what you accomplish. I mean, it's inspiring and just dizzying. It's incredible. Truly. I'm so grateful to know you. I mean, and I know people know this anyone who's, like, listened to your show. But, like, you're just. You're this, like, person that's, like, this safe space in the storm. Always. Whether people know you personally or whether they get the opportunity to listen to your show or see what you share online, I mean, you truly are that. I cannot tell you everyone how many times I've called her, like, on the edge of a cliff, like, losing my marbles. And she's been just everything that a human being could possibly be. And so I just. I feel really, really blessed to know you.

[B]

Thank you. I'll make sure that you get your tip later. I appreciate it.

[A]

No, I mean it. You're my. You're that. WW what is it? Wwbd. What would Beth do?

[B]

I've always wanted to be that person.

[A]

I need a bracelet. So many other people that I need a bracelet.

[B]

That makes I'm. You have no idea how tickled that makes me. And happy it makes me. Thank you for meeting with me in your car in the parking lot. Thank you for your.

[A]

Thank you for having me. And Club Zion. Where is he? My head's in the way. He's there somewhere. And little tempo. She's got the meeting of the doggies. Thank. She's like, I'm busy. I have to shake my tail. It's very important. Look at my tail.

[B]

Thank you so much.

[A]

Thank you for having me on. Thank you for sharing my story.

[B]

Oh, yeah. God.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Movie.com. go click it. Go watch it. And you can spot the.

[A]

Oh, the contest ends at midnight, by the way.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Spot the homage put it in the comments on YouTube if you spot the homage because that'll drive traffic.

[A]

Yes. Okay. Yes.

[B]

Because that will help Nina and Julie and the whole team win. If you love it, if it speaks to you, or even if you just find the fart joke, great. Make sure you share, tell your friends. And let's. Let's up these views so that we can get Long Covid into the. Into the fold.

[A]

Absolutely. Yeah. So the contest ends at midnight on Sunday. Thank you. But I'm going to keep pushing for awareness far beyond that. Just so everybody knows, it's not just about the end of this weekend. It's. This is a. A life commitment. So.

[B]

Yay.

[A]

Thank you. I love you. You're the best.

[B]

We cannot wait to see what you do.

[A]

Yay.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Ciao, baby.

[C]

Thank you for tuning in to A Friend for the Long Haul. I want to remind listeners that while our conversations may touch on medical topics, I'm not a medical professional and neither are most of our guests. The content provided here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Any advice or information shared should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or conditions. Additionally, I'm committed to transparency in advertising. Any advertisements or sponsored content featured in these episodes will be clearly disclosed as such. Lastly, I acknowledge that the recording of this podcast takes place on the traditional lands of the Arapaho, the Cheyenne, the Sioux, and the Ute peoples. Again, thanks for listening, and stay tuned for more episodes of A Friend for the Long Haul.

[A]

Sam.