Episode notes
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…
But You Look So Good
by But You Look So Good Podcast · English · Health
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
More from But You Look So Good
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S1 · E133 · 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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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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