Podcast · Health

But You Look So Good

by But You Look So Good Podcast · English · Health

New episodes: Several times a week
Typical length: 36 min
Latest: 5 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026 · 39 min

Health Anxiety & Chronic Illness

When you live with a chronic health condition, paying attention to your body is important. But what happens when paying attention turns into constantly monitoring, checking, Googling and worrying? In this episode, Sally and Seona explore health anxiety and why it can be particularly complicated when you already have a genuine health condition. We talk about the difference between sensible health vigilance and anxiety, why previous medical experiences can make us hyper-aware of symptoms, and how the anxiety–symptom cycle can keep us stuck. We also look at reassurance seeking, Dr Google and…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E132 · 28 Sep 2026 · 28 min

It feels like a part time job (that i never applied for)

Managing a chronic health condition can sometimes feel like a part-time job — and on bad days, a full-time one! There are appointments to organise, medications to remember, symptoms to monitor, paperwork to complete, decisions to make and endless energy calculations. And that’s before you’ve even started your actual job, looked after your family or tried to have a social life. In this episode, Seona and Sally unpack the hidden physical, cognitive and emotional workload of chronic illness management, including the mental load of constantly planning around symptoms and uncertainty. We also…
S1 · E131 · 21 Sep 2026 · 34 min

Social media: the good, the bad and the algorithm

When you live with chronic illness, social media can be a lifeline. Finding people who truly get it , discovering practical tips, feeling validated and connecting with a community can make an enormous difference. But there’s another side to the algorithm. Comparison, doomscrolling, symptom searching, scary stories and the pressure to be “doing illness right” can leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed or inadequate. In this episode, Sally and Seona explore both sides of social media and chronic illness, including why diagnosis-specific communities can sometimes become echo chambers. We’ll also…
S1 · E130 · 14 Sep 2026 · 39 min

Weaponising Competence

What happens when being capable starts being used as evidence that you’re not struggling? In this episode, we’re talking about weaponising competence—what happens when your ability to work, parent, socialise, achieve, or simply get through the day is mistaken for proof that you’re doing fine. We explore the reality that you can be incredibly capable and completely overwhelmed; strong and exhausted; functioning and struggling. Because competence tells us what someone accomplished, but it doesn’t tell us what it took to accomplish it. We’ll unpack the hidden costs of chronic illness, the…
S1 · E129 · 10 Sep 2026 · 20 min

MS and Type 1 Diabetes: Rachel’s Voice

Today you are hearing from Rachel. Rachel was diagnosed with type one diabetes at age 19 in 1998, and after six years of searching for answers, she received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2015. She also lives with an undiagnosed muscle condition that has affected her daily life for over a decade. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey through diagnosis, the emotional toll of chronic illness, and the lessons she's learnt about listening to her body, asking for help, and finding gratitude in the present moment. This is her story. ⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠MS: Get…
S1 · E128 · 7 Sep 2026 · 38 min

Re-Release - Pets & Health: The Power of Companionship

Join us this week as we revisit a fun, heart-warming dive into the world of pets and the surprising ways they can boost our wellbeing - especially when living with a chronic health condition. From loyal dogs who get us out the door, to snuggly cats who know exactly when we need comfort, to fish, birds, and all the quirky critters in between, this episode explores why animals can make such a big difference to our daily lives. Sally and Seona chat about the science behind companionship, the gentle motivation pets bring to move our bodies, and the small routines that help us feel grounded. They…
S1 · E127 · 3 Sep 2026 · 35 min

Growing Up With Vision Loss: An Interview with Penny

Today you are hearing from Penny. Penny lives with retinitis pigmentosa, or RP, a genetic eye condition that causes progressive vision loss. She was diagnosed at 16 with the very same condition her mom has lived without-- with the very same condition her mom has lived with throughout her life. In this conversation, Penny takes us back to the moment she first realized something wasn't quite right and what it was like receiving that diagnosis as a teenager while her twin sister was getting her driver's license and planning for the future. We talk about relationships, motherhood, and the very…
S1 · E126 · 31 Aug 2026 · 36 min

How Do I Explain This Pain? When ‘0 to 10’ Just Isn’t Enough.

How do you explain pain when “it hurts” just doesn’t seem to cover it? In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most frustrating parts of living with chronic illness: trying to describe your pain to healthcare professionals. We unpack the difference between acute and chronic pain, why chronic pain can be so complex, and whether a 0–10 pain scale really tells the whole story. We also introduce the Mankoski Pain Scale, which takes a different approach by looking at what pain actually stops you from doing. From burning, stabbing and electric pain to the hidden impact on sleep, work,…
S1 · E125 · 27 Aug 2026 · 27 min

Finding My Way Back - Mel’s Voice

Today you are hearing from Mel. Mel lives with multiple sclerosis, and in this episode, she shares what the experience has looked like for her, particularly the first year after diagnosis, when so much about her life and her body suddenly felt uncertain. She talks about the fear and frustration that came with those early days, the changes that she had to adjust to, and the process of gradually finding her way forward. Mel also reflects on the things that have helped, the small wins that can mean so much when you're living with a chronic condition, and what it has taken to build a life…
S1 · E124 · 24 Aug 2026 · 36 min

Are We Allowed to Have Fun When We’re Chronically Ill?

Can you be genuinely unwell and genuinely happy at the same time? Absolutely. But when you live with a chronic health condition, having fun can sometimes come with a surprising side order of guilt. Should you really be going out when you “should” be resting? Does a fantastic day somehow make your illness less real? And why can we feel like we need to look or behave sick to be believed? In this episode, we unpack the complicated relationship between chronic illness, pleasure, identity and guilt. We talk about the post-fun crash, making space for joy within the realities of your body, and why…
S1 · E123 · 20 Aug 2026 · 45 min

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - Sacha’s story

Today you are hearing from Sacha. In 2020, a workplace injury to her right hand and wrist set in motion a chain of events that would completely change her life. What initially seemed like it might be a simple fracture or sprain eventually led to a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or CRPS — a condition associated with severe and persistent pain. Over the years that followed, Sacha's life became filled with appointments, surgeries, nerve blocks, ketamine infusions and rehabilitation — all while trying to navigate a healthcare system that, at times, left her feeling anything but…
S1 · E122 · 17 Aug 2026 · 42 min

Re-Release - Slow It Down

This week, we revisit this episode of But You Look So Good where Sally and Seona dive into the necessity and benefits of embracing slow living. They share personal stories and reflections on how living intentionally can help navigate a fast-paced world, especially while managing a chronic condition. From setting boundaries and reducing stress to practicing gratitude and mindful habits, this episode offers practical tips to help you slow down, reclaim your energy, and create a more fulfilling, balanced life. ⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It!…
S1 · E121 · 13 Aug 2026 · 26 min

Twenty and Everything Changed: Chloe’s Story

Chloe was just twenty years old when almost overnight, the life she knew changed. She woke up one morning and the world was spinning. Her vision was blurred. Her body wasn't doing what she had asked it to. And suddenly, at an age when you're supposed to be figuring out who you are, Chloe was trying to figure out what was happening to her body. What followed were months of appointments, tests, and uncertainty before she finally got answers. Chloe's story isn't just about diagnosis. It's about what happens when chronic illness arrives right at the beginning of adulthood. How do you navigate…
S1 · E120 · 10 Aug 2026 · 36 min

Overwhelmed much?

It can feel like we're carrying far more than our own lives right now. There are wars unfolding across the world, political instability, economic uncertainty, the relentless cost of living, the rapid rise of AI changing the way we work and communicate, climate events, and a constant stream of breaking news designed to capture our attention. For people living with chronic illness, all of that lands on top of an already full nervous system. Today's episode is about recognising that feeling overwhelmed isn't a personal failing - it's often a very understandable response to living through…
S1 · E119 · 6 Aug 2026 · 33 min

Having a child with a chronic health condition: An interview with Lainie

Today's guest is someone who knows firsthand what it means to support a child living with a chronic illness. Lainey is a mum of two daughters, and one of them, Samara, has faced more medical challenges in her almost 13 years than most people experience in a lifetime. Born prematurely at 33 weeks with a complex heart condition, Samara's journey has included serious complications, multiple hospital admissions, life-saving treatment, and years of uncertainty. Alongside it all, Lainey has navigated the emotional reality of being not just a mum, but also an advocate, a carer, and the steady…
S1 · E118 · 3 Aug 2026 · 36 min

Pathologising Normal

Have you ever cried in a medical appointment and felt like your emotions became the diagnosis? Living with a chronic illness brings real loss, uncertainty, fear and grief—and those emotions are often a healthy response to a difficult reality. In this episode, we explore how both healthcare professionals and society can sometimes mistake normal human reactions for depression or anxiety, and why that matters. We discuss three common examples of emotional experiences being pathologized, the difference between understandable distress and mental illness, and why context is so important. We also…
S1 · E117 · 31 Jul 2026 · 37 min

Learning to Love Your Body Alongside Chronic Illness: An interview with Talia

Today, you'll be hearing from Tahlia, whose health journey began when she was just 19 years old, after being diagnosed with cervical dystonia—a neurological condition that causes involuntary neck movements and chronic pain. But, as is so often the case with chronic illness, that was only the beginning. Over the years, Tahlia was also diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, severe POTS, and, most recently, a rare blood disorder. Each diagnosis brought its own wave of grief, uncertainty, and adjustment. What makes Tahlia's story so compelling isn't just what she's been through, it's…
S1 · E116 · 27 Jul 2026 · 26 min

All the Feelings.

Living with a chronic illness isn't just physically exhausting—it can be emotionally confusing too. People often ask, "How are you?" and we answer, "Fine," because finding the words for what's really happening can feel impossible. In this episode, we explore why emotions become so complicated after diagnosis and throughout life with chronic illness. We introduce the Feelings Wheel—a simple but powerful tool that helps people move beyond broad emotions like "sad" or "stressed" to better understand what they're actually experiencing. We'll share our own experiences, discuss what the research…
S1 · E115 · 23 Jul 2026 · 43 min

An Interview with Isabel: Living with Endometriosis

Today's guest is Isabel, a woman who spent four years fighting to be believed before finally getting a diagnosis that explained everything. Isabelle lives with pelvic and thoracic endometriosis, a condition that wasn't just affecting her periods, but her ability to breathe, to move, and to show up in her own life. Like so many women, she was told that she was anxious. She was even told that she needed different shoes, that this was just part of being a woman. But Isabelle kept showing up. She kept advocating, kept educating the very doctors who were supposed to be educating her. Isabel's…
S1 · E114 · 20 Jul 2026 · 35 min

What’s with the Weather?

Brrr, Melbourne! It is freezing down under, while our Northern Hemisphere friends are unseasonably melting. In this episode of But You Look So Good , we’re diving into the ways the weather crashes the chronic illness party. As two psychologists living with chronic illness, we know a shift in the forecast can mean a total shift in how we function. First, we tackle the cold front to unpack Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), sharing evidence-based psychological hacks for when winter hits an already fatigued brain. Then, we flip the thermostat to discuss heat sensitivity and Uhthoff’s…
S1 · E113 · 16 Jul 2026 · 45 min

An Interview with Tessa: Living with Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

What if the doctor tells you there's nothing wrong, but you know that there is? What if you spend two years being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and left without answers, all while living in some of the most excruciating pain imaginable? That's exactly what today's guest, Tessa, experienced when she was eventually diagnosed with glossopharyngeal neuralgia, a rare and devastating nerve condition sometimes known as the suicide disease. Tessa is a psychologist who specialises in chronic illness, eating disorders, and disability, so she brings not only her clinical expertise to this work, but her own…
S1 · E112 · 13 Jul 2026 · 47 min

Can we all Benefit From Creativity, Even if We Are No Good at It?

Living with a chronic illness can shrink your world. Medical appointments, symptoms, fatigue, and uncertainty can begin to define your days. But creativity offers something illness often takes away: choice, expression, purpose, and joy. In this episode, Sally and Seona explore their own creativity, as well as chat about the science behind art therapy and creative activities, why they improve mental health, and how anyone—regardless of artistic ability or physical limitations—can benefit. Whether you pick up a paintbrush, a crochet hook, or a camera, creativity isn't about producing…
S1 · E111 · 9 Jul 2026 · 47 min

An Interview with Clara: Being a GP and a patient

Today we're speaking with Clara, a GP from Scotland who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014, just months after the birth of her first child. As a doctor, Clara had spent years recognising symptoms in other people. But when those symptoms appeared in her own body, she found every reason to explain them away. In fact, she admits she almost felt like she was humouring her neurologist by agreeing to the tests that would ultimately confirm her diagnosis. In this episode, we explore what happens when medical knowledge collides with denial, why Clara chose to keep her diagnosis private…
S1 · E110 · 6 Jul 2026 · 41 min

The Parent Guilt Trap

Does living with a chronic illness leave you feeling guilty about the kind of parent you are? Whether it's missing school events, cancelling family plans, needing extra rest, or feeling like your children are missing out, parental guilt can be overwhelming. In this episode, we explore why guilt is so common for parents living with chronic health conditions, the difference between guilt and shame, and how unrealistic expectations can keep us feeling like we're never enough. We also discuss what children truly need to thrive, the surprising strengths families can develop through adversity, and…
S1 · E109 · 2 Jul 2026 · 44 min

An Interview with Jacqueline & Alexa: Dating, Disability and Building Dateability

What happens when you realise the dating world simply wasn't designed with people like you in mind? After years of navigating chronic illness, more than 40 surgeries, and life with a feeding tube, Jacqueline found that one of her biggest challenges wasn't her health—it was dating. Not because of who she was, but because dating apps weren't built with disabled and chronically ill people in mind. Together with her sister Alexa, she set out to change that by creating Dateability—the world's first dating app designed specifically for the disabled and chronically ill community. In this episode,…
S1 · E108 · 29 Jun 2026 · 41 min

Managing Menopause with a Chronic Illness

Menopause can be challenging for anyone—but when you're already living with a chronic health condition, it can feel like a whole new layer of symptoms, uncertainty, and frustration. In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between menopause and chronic illness, including why it can be so difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. We discuss the common overlap of symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, sleep disturbance, pain, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties, and how these can affect people living with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, autoimmune diseases,…
S1 · E107 · 25 Jun 2026 · 40 min

An Interview with Chris: MS, Sport and Rebuilding Identity

Today we're sitting down with Chris Henderson, a man who in 2017 went from playing football in regional Victoria to sitting in a hospital bed being told he had multiple sclerosis, and then being told he'd never play sport again. For someone whose identity was built around sport, that news was devastating. But Chris found his way back to sport and discovered a completely different version of himself, one who plays wheelchair AFL professionally, coaches, captains the Geelong Basketball Club, and has represented Australia internationally. He's also the founder of Freedom Sports, an organisation…
S1 · E106 · 22 Jun 2026 · 36 min

Understanding Your Nervous System: Flight, Fight, Freeze and Fawn

Living with a chronic health condition can feel like you're constantly fighting your own body. But what if many of the challenges you experience—fatigue, pain, brain fog, anxiety, overwhelm, poor sleep, and even burnout—are connected to the way your nervous system is responding to ongoing stress and illness? In this episode, Seona and Sally explore the nervous system in simple, practical terms and discuss how understanding it can help people living with chronic illness respond to their symptoms with greater compassion, flexibility, and confidence. ⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private…
S1 · E102 · 18 Jun 2026 · 28 min

Anne’s Voice: The invisible work of Type 1 Diabetes

Welcome to Anne's Story. Today, you'll be hearing Anne Freeman's voice and story. Anne was 21 years old when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. What followed was not only the challenge of learning to manage a lifelong condition, but also the emotional and psychological impact of adapting to a future she had never imagined for herself. In this Voices story, Anne reflects on the realities of living with a condition that never takes a day off. She speaks candidly about diagnosis, identity, motherhood, resilience, and the invisible work that goes into managing Type 1 Diabetes every single…
S1 · E104 · 15 Jun 2026 · 33 min

Toxic People and Protecting Your Wellbeing

Living with a chronic health condition means your energy is precious. So what happens when the people around you leave you feeling drained, criticised, guilty, or emotionally exhausted? In this episode, psychologists Dr Sally Shaw and Seona Ilalio explore the impact of toxic relationships on our mental and physical health. From friends and family members to health professionals, they discuss how to recognise unhealthy relationship patterns, the questions to ask yourself when assessing a relationship, and practical strategies for setting boundaries and protecting your wellbeing. You'll learn…

About But You Look So Good

Two psychologists on a mission to illuminate the realities of living with chronic health conditions. Hosted by Sally Shaw and Seona Ilalio, both living with chronic conditions themselves. They lead Livology, a private practice specialising in psychological support for those navigating chronic health challenges. Tune in to hear candid conversations and professional insights designed to create community and connection within the chronic health conditions population.

But You Look So Good is a English health podcast from But You Look So Good Podcast. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: But You Look So Good Podcast
Language: English
Category: Health
New episodes: Several times a week
Typical length: 36 min
Latest episode: 5 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1759900990
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