Podcast
Long Covid Podcast
Hosted by Jackie Baxter · EN
The Podcast by and for Long Covid sufferers.
Long Covid is estimated to affect at least 1 in 5 people infected with Covid-19. Many of these people were fit & healthy, many were successfully managing other conditions. Some people recover within a few months, but there are many who have been suffering for much much longer.
Although there is currently no "cure" for Long Covid, and the millions of people still ill have been searching for answers for a long time, in this podcast I hope to explore the many things that can be done to help, through a mix of medical experts, researchers, personal experience & recovery stories. Bringing together the practical & the hopeful - "what CAN we do?"
The Long Covid Podcast is currently self-funded. This podcast will always remain free, but if you like what you hear and are able to, please head along to www.buymeacoffee.com/longcovidpod to help me cover costs.
~ Follow me on: Facebook @longcovidpodcast ~ Instagram @longcovidpod ~ Twitter @longcovidpod ~ Website www.LongCovidPodcast.com ~ Please do get in touch with feedback and suggestions, either via the social media links or at longcovidpodcast@gmail.com - I'd love to hear from you.
The Long Covid podcast is entirely self-funded and relies on donations - if you've found it useful and are able to, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/longcovidpod to help me cover the costs of hosting.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
215 - Overwhelm 101: Why Your System Says “Too Much” (and What to Do Next)
2w ago00:20:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Long Covid Podcast, I explore one of the most common — and often most confusing — parts of recovery: overwhelm.Overwhelm can feel like your whole system suddenly says “too much”:too much noise, too many sensations, too many decisions, too many feelings, too much uncertainty. It can build slowly over time or arrive out of nowhere — and in Long Covid, ME/CFS, & other post-viral conditions, it often shows up faster and more intensely than before you were ill.In this gentle, practical episode, I look at:What overwhelm actually isHow overwhelm shows up in the bodyWhy overwhelm is so common in recoveryReframing overwhelm as communication, not failurePractical tips to avoid overwhelm, and to meet it when it hitsBy the end of this episode, my hope is that you feel less alone, less confused by your own reactions, and more equipped with language and understanding that can help you navigate overwhelm with more compassion for yourself.Links: Breath Awareness: https://insighttimer.com/LongCovidPod/guided-meditations/gentle-breath-awareness-from-loch-ness-with-waves Reset Button - 2 mins to tranquility: https://insig.ht/xee2ILEGaZb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=live_stream_shareGentle Somatic Tracking: https://insig.ht/Jlnf2P0w32b STOP: From Overwhelm To Ease: https://insig.ht/1UCyrM2w32b Amy Davies episode on Internalised Pressure: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835170/episodes/19021956Message me! (I can't reply to these messages) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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214 - Out of the Long Covid Maze: How Lalita Found Her Way Back to Health
3w ago00:56:19Tap to summarizeWe hear Lalita’s Long Covid recovery story, from tachycardia and air hunger to a steady return to health by focusing on nervous system safety. We share practical tools for regulating symptoms in the moment, plus the mindset shifts that make self-compassion possible when you’ve been dismissed or frightened. • Early signs after COVID including raised blood pressure, numb lips and fatigue • Second infection followed by tachycardia, dizziness, vertigo, chest tightness, brain fog and air hunger • Repeated emergency visits and the impact of being told it is anxiety • Understanding Dysautonomia and the autonomic nervous system as a unifying explanation • Combining nervous system work with naturopath-guided supplements and gut support • Using Bowen therapy, Craniosacral work and sleep practices such as yoga nidra • What bioresonance is and why some people use it to check for layers of stressors • Breathwork as the main anchor, including longer exhales and quick calming techniques • Stacking breath with tapping, somatic tracking and reassuring self-talk to build “proof of safety” • Emotional processing with body scans and EAET-style exploration of deeper patterns • A client case study showing how addressing stress and trauma can reduce symptoms fastLinks:Lalita's Website: www.stressfreefast.com.auMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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213 - East Meets West: A New Paradigm for Long Covid Healing
Apr 2200:55:58Tap to summarizeI'm joined by Pierre Brunschwig & Margaret Hampton as we explore how Chinese medicine and conventional western medicine can work together to treat Long Covid, where symptoms are complex and constantly shifting. We focus on subtypes, nervous system safety, immune recovery and the practical foundations that help people feel like themselves again.• Why combining medical “languages” can fill treatment gaps• Subtyping Long Covid and treating the person rather than the label• The five foundations: sleep, diet, inner life, outer life and movement• Acupuncture as a way to calm the nervous system and restore hope• Adrenaline versus oxytocin and why safety enables healing• Trauma, adverse childhood events and the role of somatic therapy• Vagus nerve practices including breathwork, humming and self-soothing pressure• Latent virus reactivation plus T cell exhaustion• Rebuilding immune competence alongside antivirals and targeted therapies• Building nutrient-rich blood, protein needs and why cooked food can help digestion• Gut health basics including stomach acid support, H. pylori and probiotics• Creating a care team that listens, pivots and fits your real lifeLinks: More about Margaret & Pierre and their work: http://www.heliosintegratedmedicine.comMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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212 - Amy Davies - Internalised Pressure in Recovery: Letting Go Of Your Inner Drill Sergeant
Apr 1500:50:23Tap to summarizeWe talk about how internalised pressure can keep the nervous system in threat mode and make recovery from Long Covid, ME/CFS and other health challenges harder, even when we are doing “all the right things”. We explore perfectionism, shame, and control, then land on practical ways to create space and choose small steps that help us feel a bit more okay. • what internalised pressure means and why it matters for nervous system regulation • why stress responses are meant to be short bursts, not a constant state • how external pressures differ from unconscious inner demands • perfectionism in recovery and how helpful practices become overscheduled • self-criticism, shame spirals and the idea of mental self-harm • stepping out of comparison culture and fear-driven fixing • learning to tolerate not knowing and loosening the need for control • using tiny actions and body-based cues to reduce overwhelm Links:Connect with Amy: https://amydavies.co.uk/Message me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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211 - Nora Rodden - What If Your Symptoms Are A Signal, Not A Sentence
Apr 900:44:49Tap to summarizeNora shares her journey from years of back pain, gut troubles, and crushing insomnia to a calm, steady baseline by retraining a sensitised nervous system. Her story blends science, practical tools, and honest moments of fear, relapse, and quiet wins.• linking pain, GI symptoms and insomnia through fear-based conditioning• what "psychophysiologic symptom relief therapy" taught her• outcome independence and reducing sleep pressure• practical insomnia steps using soothing phrases and data• gentle exposure to feared foods and spotting inconsistent triggers• expressive writing and creative outlets to access emotion• personalising tools rather than copying blueprints• measuring progress by life, not daily symptom scores• maintenance habits to stay well and handle flares• redefining success as wise interpretation of body signalsLinks:Nervana app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nervana-chronic-symptom-coach/id6754898332 Back pain study (2021): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34589642/Books mentioned: Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter & The F*ck It Diet by Caroline DoonerMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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210 - Roddy Schrock - Old Medicine for a New World: Is It Time to Revisit Homeopathy?
Apr 100:48:29Tap to summarizeI talk with board-certified homeopath Roddy Schrock about what homeopathy is and why it can appeal to people recovery from Long Covid, ME/CFS and other complex, hard-to-explain symptoms. We dig into symptoms as messages, the power of deep listening, and how homeopathy can sit alongside Western medicine as one piece of a bigger recovery puzzle. • Roddy’s path from chronic pain and insomnia to studying classical homeopathy • Homeopathy as an energetic intervention and why the full symptom picture matters • Dilution and succussion and what “gentle” treatment means in practice • Using how you feel as a primary marker of progress • Creating space to be heard as part of healing • Working alongside GPs and specialists rather than replacing them • A real-world case example with fatigue, migraines, cycle disruption and inflammation markers • Avoiding protocol-driven Facebook advice and choosing a trained practitioner • First steps including research and trusted sources like the Homeopathic Research Institute Links:Homeopathy Research Institute: https://www.hri-research.orgFind Roddy's website at: ultradilute.comAnd his substack at: https://ultradilute.substack.comMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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209 - Beyond Lying Down: What Rest Really Means in Recovery
Mar 2500:37:36Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode, Jackie Baxter unpacks what rest really is during long covid and MECFS recovery—and why simply lying down often doesn’t feel restorative. She reframes the struggle to rest as your body’s way of protecting you, not failing you, and introduces the idea of “banking energy for healing”.Jackie explores the different types of rest we need—physical, mental, sensory, emotional, social, creative, and nervous system rest—and how safety cues and nervous system regulation make deeper rest possible. She shares practical tools like soft exhales, visual anchors, contact points, sound cues, micro rests, pre-emptive rest, and co-regulation with supportive people or pets.The episode closes with a gentle grounding and rest practice and affirmations to help you feel just a little softer, safer, and more present—one small step at a time. LINKS:- Yoga Nidra (voice only): https://insig.ht/p11in6GLO1b- Yoga Nidra (with music): https://insig.ht/ryTWpwOLO1b - Yoga Nidra (nature sounds): https://insig.ht/qGIWLqKLO1b- Opal app for screen time: https://www.opal.so/- Work with me page: https://www.longcovidpodcast.com/workwithme- The 2 practises in this episode can be found with background music on Insight Timer:- 2 Minute Safety Cue (with music): https://insig.ht/DO2f3U7LO1b- Rest without Guilt - A Compassionate Pause (with music): https://insig.ht/LkTy9ifMO1bMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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208 - From ME/CFS to a Full Life: A Mother’s Perspective on Her Son’s Recovery
Mar 1800:51:00Tap to summarizeClare shares how her son went from a viral crash at thirteen to full, active living through pacing, autonomic nervous system retraining, and Mickel Therapy. We trace the medical dead ends, the messy middle, and the simple joy‑based habits that tipped him into lasting recovery.• early sensitivity shaped by stress and frequent infections• onset at secondary school, loss of attendance and friends• visible and invisible symptoms including brain fog and dizziness• NHS pathway, helpful GP, limits of NICE‑aligned care• colour‑coded pacing and activity management to 40 percent• ANS Rewire lifting function to about 80 percent• relapse at university, boundaries and motivation to recover• Mickel Therapy linking emotions, boundaries and symptoms• play, novelty and joy as daily nervous system tools• caregiver strain, what to skip, what to double down on• life beyond illness with work, travel and climbingClare's Facebook Group for parents of children with Long Covid, ME/CFS: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Ch4nxkujg/?mibextid=wwXIfrMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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207 - Dr Nathan Keiser - Stop Chasing Labels, Start Fixing Mechanisms
Mar 1100:59:09Tap to summarizeWe explore a mechanism-first approach to Long Covid & ME/CFS, shifting from labels to measurable neural and vascular bottlenecks that can be retrained. We share how to use dose, recovery, and sleep consolidation to build capacity through precise, small inputs that compound over time.• reframing diagnosis as a map to mechanisms, not a label• why cerebral perfusion and autoregulation drive symptoms• concussion lessons that translate to Long Covid recovery• structural vascular traps and simple tests that reveal them• pacing versus targeted micro dosing for plasticity• using DIY tools as experiments with clear signals• breathing, CO2 balance, and baroreflex sensitivity• reading feedback, spotting plateaus, shifting bottlenecks• linking progress to recovery capacity rather than feelingsLinks:www.keiserclinic.com https://www.youtube.com/@dockeiserMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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206 - Ashley's Recovery Story: I Stopped Pushing, Listened To My Body, And Started To Heal
Feb 2500:49:57Tap to summarizeWe share Ashley’s journey from bedbound to rebuilding a joyful life, showing how belief, somatic work, and gentle pacing opened a path out of long COVID. The body is not the enemy; safety, connection, and consistent practice turn symptoms from threat to guidance.• fast pre‑illness life and early warning signs• collapse after pushing through infection and isolation• lack of medical answers and disbelief from clinicians• finding recovery stories and protecting hope• moving from trigger‑hunting to nervous system healing• brain retraining, visualisations, somatic practices and EFT• pacing within a true window of tolerance• progress through consistency and self‑compassion• redefining recovery, processing trauma and shifting limits• life rebuilt with nature, community, creativity and workLinks:Connect with Ashley: www.embodimentwithashley.co.ukMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**
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