Podcast
In the Tall Grass
Hosted by Two Alpha Gals · EN
Join the Two Alpha Gals as they share their experience reinventing life with alpha-gal syndrome. Listen to interviews and inspiring stories on resilience and rediscovering joy from others navigating the journey through the tall grass.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Great Hope: A Conversation with Gayle Rigione, CEO and Co-founder of Allergy Force and Allergy Parent.
Apr 1000:38:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Gayle opens up about her experience as an allergy parent and how that imperfect journey inspired the creation of Allergy Force, an online resource and app dedicated to supporting families navigating food allergies. With practical tools to help you feel more prepared and in control, Allergy Force aims to ease the daily burden. Don’t miss this encouraging conversation about how food allergies may shape our lives, but don’t have to define who we are. Be sure to follow Allergy Force on social media: @AllergyForceVisit Allergy Force for practical tools, online resources, and more!
Transcribe →Above and Beyond: A Conversation with Sachin Shah, Founder and CEO of Pill Clarity
Mar 1300:43:42Tap to summarizeStruggling to find AGS-safe medications? In this episode, we speak with Sachin Shah, Founder and CEO of Pill Clarity, about the free platform he created to help people determine whether medications and supplements are allergen-free, animal-free, and safe. Motivated by a desire to help others, Sachin and the team at Pill Clarity are working to bring transparency to medications and supplements. Sachin shares practical strategies for determining if a medication is safe, guidance for asking the right questions, and tips for finding a pharmacy who will work with you. Tune in now to learn more about this incredible resource for the alpha-gal community…and for anyone seeking greater clarity about what’s in their medications. Sachin A. Shah, PharmD, FACC, FAHA, is a pharmacist-scientist and health advocate focused on improving patient safety through greater transparency in medical products. He is the CEO and co-founder of Pill Clarity, Inc and the Pill Clarity Foundation, organizations dedicated to advancing ingredient transparency and reducing preventable harm for the 0.5 million Americans with alpha-gal syndrome and 17 million with other food allergies.Dr. Shah is a Professor of Pharmacy at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific. His research spans noninvasive approaches to cardiovascular disease, alpha-gal syndrome, medication safety, and emerging public health topics such as energy drink–related cardiovascular effects and long COVID. His work has been featured by national and international media outlets including NPR, BBC News, and USA Today. To learn more about Pill Clarity and find alpha-gal safe medications, visit: https://www.pillclarity.org/Follow on social media @pill_clarity
Transcribe →In His Shoes: A Conversation with Lindsey Spangler about Education, Advocacy, and Saving Lives
Feb 1500:29:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Lindsey Spangler, Executive Director of Red Sneakers for Oakley and allergy mom, about turning tragedy into lifesaving advocacy. She shares how RSFO is closing critical gaps in food allergy education by bringing together healthcare providers, first responders, schools, parents, and communities. Through awareness, collaboration, and action, the foundation is working to create a safer world for children everywhere.Lindsey Spangler is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the medical field and co-founder of Red Sneakers for Oakley - Peoria Chapter. She works in urgent care in Peoria, Illinois, where she is deeply involved in community health initiatives, particularly in food allergy education and advocacy. As the co-founder of the Red Sneakers for Oakley – Peoria Chapter, Lindsey is dedicated to increasing awareness about food allergies and ensuring greater access to life-saving epinephrine. She has worked extensively with the Peoria school district to educate staff on recognizing and responding to allergic reactions, as well as developing standardized food allergy guidelines to improve safety in schools. Lindsey is also collaborating with an early childhood center to make it the first allergy-friendly facility in the area. Beyond schools, Lindsey has developed a comprehensive food allergy action plan for a major hospital system in Peoria, aiming to improve care and education for newly diagnosed food allergy patients. She also played a key role in helping Peoria’s first allergy-friendly restaurant implement safe dining protocols and provided staff training as a Certified FareCheck Instructor.In May 2023, Red Sneakers Peoria donated epinephrine to this restaurant, marking a milestone in food allergy safety in the region. Lindsey’s advocacy is both professional and personal—her four-year-old daughter has anaphylactic allergies, fueling her passion for creating safer environments. She and her husband are committed to teaching their daughter about her allergies from an early age, empowering her to be her own advocate. A former Division 1 soccer player for the University of Tennessee, Lindsey also works to make sporting events more allergy-friendly.Learn more about Red Sneakers for Oakley and be sure to follow them on social media @RedSneakersForOakley
Transcribe →Intuition and Inspiration: A Conversation with Jenna Gestetner
Jan 3000:47:32Tap to summarizeAllergies have narrowed Jenna Gestetner’s diet to a minimal list of safe foods, and mast cell activation syndrome shapes nearly every aspect of her daily life. A social entrepreneur and creator, Jenna refused to remain “stuck” in her diagnosis. Instead, she cultivated a powerful sense of self-advocacy and confidence, which she now shares with the world online. This episode is an honest conversation about living with an invisible illness, being your own advocate, and defining life on your own terms. This is an episode that you won't want to miss, so tune in now!Jenna Gestetner is a social entrepreneur and creator from Los Angeles, CA who shares her health journey on social media sites TikTok, Instagram and Youtube @jennaxhealth. Jenna’s content revolves around building a platform for herself and showing what life with invisible illnesses is like.Be sure to follow Jenna on all social platforms @JennaxHealth
Transcribe →Gratitude in Action: An Interview with Betsy Craig, Founder and CEO of MenuTrinfo
Dec 1800:44:30Tap to summarizeBetsy Craig, founder and CEO of Menu Trinfo, turned her personal experience with autoimmune disease into a mission for food allergy safety. Since launching MenuTrinfo, she’s led initiatives in menu labeling and allergy training, including the development of Certified Free From™, the only global program providing in-person verification, testing, and validation of allergen-free claims for consumer-packaged goods. Tune in to hear how Betsy continues to focus on transparency, education, and ensuring the company’s positive long-term impact on the food allergy community.Visit Menu Trinfo and the Certified Free From Allergens certification program to learn more.Be sure to follow on social media platforms @menutrinfo & @cfffoods
Transcribe →Test with Confidence: A Conversation with Gary Falcetano, PA-C of Thermo Fisher Scientific on AGS Testing
Dec 400:32:33Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, we pull back the curtain on alpha-gal syndrome diagnostic testing at Thermo Fisher Scientific with Gary Falcetano, PA-C. Gary shares insights into how the alpha-gal syndrome test works and answers some of our most frequently asked questions. How do you talk to your provider about being tested? Is the test covered by insurance? What provider can order the test? He also dives into how Allergy Insider, Thermo Fisher’s patient resource, is bringing alpha-gal into the conversation. Tune in now to learn more! Gary Falcetano, PA-C, serves as Senior Manager Global Medical and Scientific Affairs for allergy at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Gary has been a Board Certified Physician Assistant for over 28 years, and is the host of Allergy Insider’s ImmunoCAST podcast.Visit Allergy Insider to learn more about their patient resources and be sure to follow on social media: @allergyinsider
Transcribe →The Whole Picture: A Conversation with Dr. Zachary Spiritos, Neurogasteroenterologist and Co-founder of EverBetter Medicine
Nov 1000:37:09Tap to summarizeBefore being diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome, many of us often felt dismissed, bouncing from doctor to doctor and frequently hearing "it's all in your head" from specialists. Dr. Spiritos offers a refreshing alternative: he truly listens to his patients and recognizes connections across different body systems. Tune in to this episode to hear Dr. Spiritos discuss his holistic approach, his growing practice, and his informative and engaging social media presence!Dr. Zachary Spiritos is a Philadelphian turned North Carolinian, having made his way south for college and ultimately putting down roots after meeting his wife. He graduated cum laude from Davidson College before starting his medical training.Dr. Spiritos is a neurogasteroenterologist and co-founder of EverBetter Medicine who treats a wide range of gastrointestinal and liver disorders, with specialty interests in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional abdominal pain, motility disorders, and dysautonomia. This also includes postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). He is also well-versed in gastrointestinal complications associated with hypermobility syndromes, including Ehlers-Danlos (EDS). Passionate about patient education and a holistic approach to GI health, he integrates nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and gut-brain therapies into his practice.Outside of medicine, Dr. Spiritos and his wife stay busy with their two young kids. He enjoys hiking with his family, playing basketball, and exercising whenever he gets the chance.To learn more about EverBetter Medicine and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Spiritos visit:https://everbettermedicine.health/Follow Dr. Spiritos on social media @drzacspiritos
Transcribe →Be Heard: A Conversation with Dr. Aleksandra Brown, Board-Certified Dermatologist on Skincare and Beyond
Oct 1300:40:29Tap to summarizeDr. Aleksandra Brown, DO, FAOCD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist at River Ridge Dermatology in Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Brown has become an active educator on social media, where she shares expert skincare tips, educational videos, and dermatology insights. In this episode, we dive into some of the most commonly asked questions regarding alpha-gal safe skincare, dermatologic procedures and taking an active role in your care. This is an information-packed conversation that you won't want to miss! Born in Derventa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Aleksandra moved to the United States as an exchange student in 1999. She discovered her passion for medicine as an undergraduate working in an emergency room and later earned her D.O. from Des Moines University in 2009, receiving the Academic and Service Excellence Award for her outstanding leadership.Dr. Brown completed her internship at Ohio University and served as Chief Resident during her dermatology residency at Michigan State University in 2012-2013. Today, she serves as the Assistant Program Director for Lewis Gale Dermatology Residency, Clinical Faculty at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Cosmetic Dermatology Instructional Faculty at the University of Virginia.An active educator on social media, Dr. Brown shares expert skincare tips, educational videos, and dermatology insights.Follow her on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook for the latest in skincare and dermatology.Fluent in Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, and English, Dr. Brown resides in Blacksburg with her family and has been a trusted member of the River Ridge Dermatology team since 2013.
Transcribe →Be the Change: A Conversation with TAG Teen Contributor, Peyton Owen, on Becoming a Fierce AGS Advocate
Sep 500:42:54Tap to summarizeAt age 16, Peyton Owen decided to take her alpha-gal diagnosis and use it as a force for good. Our very own TAG Teen Contributor is sharing some exciting updates full of new projects for the alpha-gal community! Last year Peyton jumped into the advocacy space by getting involved with the FARE Teen Advisory Group, which led to an amazing collaboration with K-12 Allergies and the launching of the AGS Gift Bags Project. Peyton shares what inspired her to get involved in advocacy work, her experience as a CFAAR Ambassador, researching colleges, travel tips, and so much more! You won’t want to miss this one, so tune in now!Visit Peyton's Corner to read more about her journey with AGS and her exciting advocacy updates.To learn more about FARE"s Teen Advisory Group and ways you can get involved visit: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/teen-advisory-group
Transcribe →Epi is Awesome: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Pistiner, MD, MMSc on Allergic Reactions and How Epinephrine Gets Control
Aug 2500:49:02Tap to summarizeDr. Mike Pistiner is not just an allergist and immunologist, he’s also an allergy dad and fierce patient advocate. In this episode, Dr. Mike breaks down what allergies are, typical signs and symptoms and how they're treated. Have you been curious about when is the right time to use epinephrine? Then this episode is for YOU! Tune in today!Michael Pistiner, MD, MMSc is Director of Food Allergy Advocacy, Education and Prevention for the MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Food Allergy Center. He has a special interest in food allergy and anaphylaxis education and advocacy, infant food allergy management, healthcare provider education, facilitating collaborations between the medical home and school health, and maintaining quality of life in children (and their families) with food allergies. Dr. Mike is author of "Everyday Cool With Food Allergies", co-author of the "Living Confidently With Food Allergy" handbook, and co-founder and content creator of AllergyHome.org.Dr. Pistiner is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), where he is a member of the Section on Allergy and Immunology Executive Committee, Council on School Health and the Massachusetts Chapter of the AAP. He is also a member of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Additionally, he serves on the medical advisory board of Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter and is a voluntary consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health School Health Service Unit.To learn more about the Food Allergy Management Bootcamp at MassGeneral visit: https://www.massgeneral.org/children/food-allergies/food-allergy-management-boot-campTo learn more about the FAMP-It resource visit: https://famp-it.org/
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