Podcast
The MEN1 Mosaic
Hosted by Lizzie Dunn · EN
Welcome!
This podcast's mission is to raise the quality of conversation in MEN1, opening the floor to diverse, unique and much needed perspectives, each a valuable piece in this 'mosaic.'
With guest speakers encompassing patients & practitioners from all over the health-sphere, join a curious, open-minded & engaging discussion amongst a different kind of rare-disease community.
Click this link and receive the next episode straight to your inbox: https://lizziedunn.kit.com/men1mosaicpodcast
*This page and any affiliated content is designed to educate and inform, not to provide medical or health advice. Always consult a qualified, medical professional, especially before making any changes to your diet, exercise or lifestyle.*
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#59 - MEN1, Medicine & Mistrust: Why Patients & Doctors Misunderstand Each Other (Top Consultant)
Dec 2300:41:51Tap to summarizeEver left an MEN1 appointment feeling more anxious than when you went in? – Season 2, Episode 9Professor Maralyn Druce, leading London Consultant Endocrinologist, joins me for an honest conversation about where tension, mistrust, and misunderstanding can quietly grow between patients and clinicians — particularly in rare disease care.We explore:• Why MEN1 so often exists in a grey zone of uncertainty rather than clear answers • How “watch and wait” can feel profoundly different for patients versus doctors • The anxiety many patients carry between appointments, tests, and scans • Why feeling unheard doesn’t always mean someone isn’t listening • How better outcomes depend on partnership, trust, and shared responsibilityAbout our guest: Professor Maralyn Druce is a Consultant Endocrinologist specialising in both general and complex endocrine conditions, including thyroid, adrenal and pituitary disorders, neuroendocrine tumours, and inherited syndromes such as MEN1. She is known for her holistic, patient-centred approach and her commitment to ensuring patients fully understand their management options. Professor Druce is also a senior medical educator, serving as Deputy Dean for Education and Head of Governance for undergraduate MBBS and dental programmes at Barts and the London, Associate Dean for Undergraduates at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and Founder and Director of the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc programmes in Endocrinology at Queen Mary University of London. She trained at the University of Cambridge and University College London, completed specialist training at Hammersmith and Barts Hospitals, held a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellowship, and was awarded a PhD in physiology at Imperial College London focusing on gut hormones and energy regulation. Find out more about Professor Druce here.Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
Transcribe →#58 - Your Mind Is Running Your Disease – Here's How To Rewire It (Master Neuroplastician & Author)
Dec 500:50:46Tap to summarizeIf I subconsciously created my dis-ease, does that mean I could consciously un-create it? – Season 2, Episode 8Matt Rowe, Master Neuroplastician & Author, went from paralysis and doctors warning a wheelchair for life to walking, thriving and completing an Ironman. Today he shares how rewiring your brain and reclaiming your power can change not just your mindset, but your biology.In this episode:• The “no-cebo effect” hiding in every diagnosis• Why your subconscious is running the show (and how to reprogram it)• How to feed possibility into your cells, not limitation• A practical 1% path to rewiring your nervous system & your dis-ease• The reason some patients follow their prognosis but others manage to defy itAbout Out Guest:Matt Rowe is a Master Neuro-Plastician, author of Belief to Heal, and dedicated guide in the field of mind-body transformation. After overcoming paralysis to complete an Ironman, Matt now teaches others how to harness the brain’s power to heal and thrive. Blending science and spirituality, he empowers individuals to rewire limiting beliefs and step into their highest potential. As a meditation and Reiki practitioner, Matt helps people reconnect with inner peace and natural healing energy. His mission is to inspire hope, resilience, and the belief that healing is not only possible—it’s a daily practice and choice. Receive a free 30-minute healing session with Matt hereAre you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
Transcribe →#57 - Before You Go For Genetic Testing, Listen To This (UK Consultant Clinical Geneticist)
Oct 3100:24:21Tap to summarizeWhat if your genetic test revealed something you weren't prepared for? – Season 2, Episode 7Dr Fiona Lalloo is one of the UK’s leading Consultant Clinical Geneticists—and the first genetics expert to join me on the podcast. In this episode, Fiona explains why testing isn’t always as straightforward as we think, where private patients fall into nasty traps, and how the NHS approach to MEN1 can offer crucial long-term support.Tune in to find out:• The potential dangers of rushing into private genetic testing• Why genetic counselling is NOT therapy (but many get confused)• How gene inheritance works—and what it means for your family• Why MEN1 is an unpredictable disease unlike many others• How to take advantage of the NHS support you may not know existsABOUT OUR GUEST:Dr Fiona Lalloo is a consultant in Cancer Genetics. She qualified from Newcastle University in 1990 and trained in adult medicine before moving into Genetics in 1994. Her MD was undertaken on the genetics of breast and ovarian cancer. She was appointed consultant in 2001. She has been involved at a national level with the recruitment of trainees into clinical genetics and is currently Chair of the Cancer Genetics Group. Dr Lalloo is involved with teaching of both undergraduates and postgraduate medicine devising, instigating and running the first national course on cancer genetics. She has maintained her research interest in breast and ovarian cancer and is the author of “Genetics for Oncologists”. Her clinical interests include breast, ovarian and bowel cancer and endocrine malignancies. She is currently Clinical Lead for Genetic Medicine.Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
Transcribe →#56 - No Boundaries, No Health – How Relationships Dictate Disease (Psychotherapist & Trauma Expert)
Oct 2100:44:32Tap to summarizeWhat if MEN1 weren't just a physical disease? - Season 2 Episode 6In this conversation, I sit down with psychotherapist and trauma expert, Benjamin Fry, to explore how unresolved emotional patterns, co-dependent relationships, and a lack of boundaries might be the missing piece in your healing journey.In this episode:• Why boundaries are about you and never the other person• Who's responsible for my health – the doctor or me?• Why your inner child shows up in adult situations• How trauma and triggers keep your nervous system stuck• Why the history of medical practice should worry usHealing starts when you stop waiting to be rescued and start to rescue yourself.ABOUT OUR GUESTBenjamin Fry is a psychotherapist, author, and founder of Khiron Clinics. He specialises in trauma recovery and relationships, combining personal experience, clinical training, and thought leadership. He is the author of The Invisible Lion and the founder of Televagal, a mental health tech platform for therapists. To be notified about the release of Benjamin's new book, Re-pair, click here and register for email updates.Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
Transcribe →#55 - Inherited Disease or Inherited Trauma? Genes Won't Explain THIS (Trauma Expert & Medical Doctor)
Oct 1100:51:19Tap to summarizeCould your disease be trauma, passed down through generations? - Season 2, Episode 5Today, Dr Aimie Apigian completely reshapes how I understand MEN1 and genetic disease in general. We explore the science of inherited trauma, the role of the nervous system in healing, and why traditional approaches to physical illness often fall short.Listen to find out:• Why your genetic diagnosis might be missing the real root cause• The single system controlling all your symptoms (and how to regulate it)• How stored trauma can literally trigger disease in the body• What healing looks like (when the body leads, not the mind)• Why praise for 'resilience' could be dangerous for your healthIf you've ever wondered why your body lets you down, even when your mind is doing everything right, this one is for you.About Our Guest: A Preventive and Addiction Medicine physician with Master’s degrees in both biochemistry and public health, Dr. Aimie Apigian is the national bestselling author of The Biology of Trauma. She hosts her podcast, leads online nervous system healing courses and a practitioner certificate training program. Bridging the worlds of functional medicine, attachment and trauma, she is a leading expert on how the body holds fear and overwhelm from the past to make one sick today.Find Dr Aimie's #1 Besterseller on Amazon: Click hereConnect with Dr Aimie here:Instagram: Click hereLinkedIn: Click hereYouTube: Click hereWebsite: Click herePodcast: Click hereAre you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
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#54 - Exhaustion in MEN1? Bloods Won't Flag THIS (Senior CBT Therapist & VHL Patient)
Sep 3000:41:36Tap to summarizeIf you’ve ever spiralled after a scan, Googled symptoms until 2am, or felt like no one gets how exhausting it is to be so proactive all the time, this episode is for you. (Season 2, Episode 4)Today I speak with Ed, a senior CBT therapist and VHL patient, about the subtle ways that chronic conditions like MEN1 can hijack our peace of mind. We talk about the pressure to do everything perfectly, how control becomes a coping mechanism, and why anxiety might be presenting as physical fatigue.In this episode: • When concern for your health becomes unhealthy obsession • Why exhaustion might not be your disease but your need to control it • How your disease can become your identity and limit your life • Why purpose brings you back the power your diagnosis took away • How to overcome perfectionism (a leading cause of stress)About Our Guest: Edward started his career in mental health first as a Psychiatric Nurse and then as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, specialising in the treatment of severe psychological disorders. He has worked as a senior therapist in specialist National Services for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Health Anxiety, Body Dysmorphic Disorder and related conditions and has supervised many colleagues and trainee therapists. For the last five years, he has worked privately after setting up his own practice. Throughout this time, he has also been treated himself for a severe health condition called VHL, kept alive after various surgical procedures and medical treatments. This dual experience has led to a deep interest in how therapy principles can best apply to the challenge of living with chronic physical illness.You can contact Edward here: ef_ed@outlook.comAre you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
Transcribe →#53 - “Why You Still Don’t Feel Heard—And How to Fix It” (Private Patient Advocate & Medical Doctor)
Sep 1500:36:19Tap to summarizeEver left a medical appointment feeling dismissed, judged, or totally unheard? - Season 2, Episode #53I speak with Dr Elena Borelli, a former Doctor of Medical Science turned Private Patient Advocate. She explains what’s really happening behind the scenes when patients feel ignored, how medical records can perpetuate harmful bias, and what to say (and not say) in high-stakes appointments.We also explore second opinions, how to prepare for consultations, and what to do if you’ve been told your condition is just too rare for care. Elena brings compassion, clarity, and an empowering middle path—especially for those caught between wanting answers and losing faith in the system.What we cover: – Why rare disease patients often feel unheard – How to prepare for appointments that actually go somewhere – The truth about second opinions and mislabelled records – What to do if you’re feeling dismissed by a provider – How private patient advocates can help (and when to get one)For anyone navigating rare, chronic, or complex illness—this one’s for you.About Our GuestDr. Elena Borrelli DMSC, MS, PAC is the founder of Pathway Patient Advocates. She has over 20 years of experience in the medical field in both clinical and administrative settings. Apart from her experience in professional practices, Dr. Borrelli has encountered frustration and discrepancies while personally navigating the health care system. Her passion is to help patients better understand the overwhelmingly confusing medical system. Dr. Borrelli has experience in a variety of healthcare settings. Her main focus is to assist clients who are dealing with rare disorders, cancer, or undiagnosed symptoms. It is her compassion, experience, and determination that set Pathway Patient Advocates apart from the rest.Social Media Links:Instagram: @pathwaypadvocatesFacebook: Pathway Patient AdvocatesYoutube: Pathway Patient AdvocatesTiktok: Pathway Patient AdvocatesLinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocateswww.pathwaypa.comAre you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
Transcribe →#52 - “Patients Are Getting Worse, Not Better” – But Why? (UK Nurse & Carnivore Lifestyle Advocate)
Aug 1300:29:56Tap to summarize"The realm of nutrition science is probably the last place you should look." Season 2, Episode 2Lucy Fabbri—UK nurse and carnivore health advocate—shares how witnessing the realities of modern healthcare pushed her to rethink everything she knew about nutrition. From chasing blood sugars with insulin to being told patients with type 2 diabetes should eat more carbs, she began asking: what if everything we've been told is wrong?In this episode:• Why so-called 'healthy' porridge could be the worst way to start the day• How humans evolved eating animal protein, making plant-diets non-sensical• How a Carnivore diet provides all essential nutrients• The biased and flawed evidence behind our food pyramid & Eat Well Plate• How hospitals are making patients more unwell without realising itAbout Our GuestLucy Fabbri is a UK-based registered nurse and carnivore health advocate. After personal struggles with fatigue and conventional dietary advice, she turned to a meat-based diet—and saw her health transform. She now helps others do the same through her Fuelled For Life programme, empowering people to reclaim their health through a species-appropriate, nutrient-dense way of eating.Download Lucy’s free e-book hereAre you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
Transcribe →#51 - Why Are We Treating Wellness Like A Luxury? (Reiki Master & Holistic Therapist)
Aug 500:39:58Tap to summarize"By the time you need it, it's too late. Be ahead of burnout." - Season 2, Episode 1At just 12 years old, Anna’s life was changed by acupuncture. Now a Reiki Master and holistic therapist, she shares how complementary therapies helped her recover from chronic illness and reconnect with her intuition. Together, we explore the healing power of energy work, scent, body awareness—and why Western medicine still doesn’t tell the whole story.In this episode: • How acupuncture helped put Anna's chronic symptoms into remission• What Western medicine still doesn’t fully understand• How to choose the right complimentary therapies for you (and not waste time or money)• Which traps to avoid (that social media marketing doesn't want you to see)• How to 'justify' spending money on things that feel like a luxury, not a necessityAbout Our Guest Anna is a Reiki Master and holistic therapist based in London. She offers Reiki, massage, and Aromatherapy sessions—both in person and online—blending various holistic modalities to create fully tailored wellbeing journeys. She often works with women, particularly around long-standing conditions and mental health.Website: www.freeflowholistic.co.ukEmail: info@freeflowholistic.co.ukPhone: 07591 410 658Instagram: @freeflowholisticAre you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
Transcribe →#50 - What The Food Industry Isn't Telling You (Vegan Chef & Food Company Co-Founder)
Jul 2500:20:31Tap to summarizeWhat if the food you trust most is the thing making you feel worse?In this honest and inspiring conversation, Sarah and I talk about healing chronic symptoms through food, what’s really in the products on our shelves, and why reconnecting with nature might be one of the most powerful shifts we can make.In this episode: • From processed to plant-based: how Sarah’s health transformed • Behind the scenes of the food industry • Why “vegan” doesn’t always mean healthy • The anxiety–altruism connection (and how to find purpose) • Tips for navigating food choices without fear or dogmaAbout our guest: Sarah Wright is an international yoga teacher, plant-based chef, and founder of Nuve Foods, where she helps people heal through whole-food nutrition and mindful movement. Her own journey began with yoga to support her anxiety, eventually leading to a deeper connection between food, body awareness, and emotional wellbeing.Sarah also hosted Modern Wellbeing, a podcast exploring sustainable living, holistic health, and conversations with forward-thinking entrepreneurs and nutritionists. She now blends intuition with nourishment—advocating for clean, minimally processed ingredients and empowering others to listen to what their bodies truly need.Connect with Sarah hereAre you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced? Join my community to learn how better quality conversation and radical self-responsibility has kept me away from symptoms, surgery & meditation. Click hereDisclaimerI share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.
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