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In this episode of IC You, Dr. Sula Wingassen shares her personal journey with bladder conditions, explores the science behind bladder pain, and discusses holistic approaches including mindfulness and emotional processing to manage chronic symptoms.

This event was hosted by the Interstitial Cystitis Association On May 7, 2026. This expert panel followed a virtual screening of the film Lady Parts. Panelists include: 👋🏻Dr. Jill Krapf: Board-certified OB/GYN specializing in sexual pain and vulvar health 👋🏻Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas: Pelvic floor physical therapist and author focused on making pelvic health approachable 👋🏻Sara Edwards: Sex therapist who helps people navigate intimacy, communication, and chronic pain 👋🏻Bonnie Gross: Writer and producer using storytelling to bring awareness to women’s health Moderator: Callie Krajcir, The Bladder Dietitian® and Vice Chair of the ICA Stream Lady Parts: https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Parts-Nancy-Boyd/dp/B0GS7F2MZQ

This event was hosted by the Interstitial Cystitis Association. This expert panel followed a virtual screening of the film Lady Parts. Panelists include: 👋🏻Dr. Jill Krapf: Board-certified OB/GYN specializing in sexual pain and vulvar health 👋🏻Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas: Pelvic floor physical therapist and author focused on making pelvic health approachable 👋🏻Sara Edwards: Sex therapist who helps people navigate intimacy, communication, and chronic pain 👋🏻Bonnie Gross: Writer and producer using storytelling to bring awareness to women’s health Moderator: Callie Krajcir, The Bladder Dietitian® and Vice Chair of the ICA Stream Lady Parts: https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Parts-Nancy-Boyd/dp/B0GS7F2MZQ

Faith shares her journey with interstitial cystitis (IC), from constant burning, urgency, and anxiety to living a full life with lasting IC relief. After years of confusing symptoms, negative UTI tests, and an IC diagnosis, she felt stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure what to do next. Traditional treatments did not give her answers, and her world started to feel smaller. Inside Road to Remission, Faith began addressing the root cause of her IC symptoms through nervous system work. Within weeks, she noticed changes in urgency, sleep, and overall anxiety. Over time, her symptoms continued to decrease as she built tools, confidence, and a sense of safety in her body. Now, she travels, eats freely, and no longer plans her life around interstitial cystitis. In this episode, we cover: -How her interstitial cystitis symptoms started and progressed -Why traditional IC treatments did not lead to relief -The connection between the nervous system and IC symptoms -Early wins with urgency, frequency, and sleep -How she traveled while still healing from IC -The shift from fear and control to confidence and IC relief If you are struggling with interstitial cystitis or looking for a different path to IC relief, this episode will show you what is possible.

In this episode, I’m joined by Bonnie Gross, the writer and executive producer of Lady Parts, a comedy based on her real-life experience with vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, pelvic floor dysfunction, and vestibulectomy surgery. We talk about what it is actually like to live with vulvar pain, from pain with tampons, sex, sitting, tight clothes, and everyday life, to the years of medical gaslighting that so many women face before getting real answers. I also share parts of my own story with vulvodynia and surgery, which made this conversation feel especially personal. Bonnie opens up about finally getting diagnosed, undergoing a vestibulectomy, navigating recovery, and dealing with the emotional toll chronic pelvic pain can take on intimacy, relationships, mental health, and self-worth. We also talk about painful Pap smears, trauma in gynecology offices, why trauma-informed care matters, and how Lady Parts is helping more people feel seen through humor, honesty, and storytelling. This episode is for anyone dealing with vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, painful sex, chronic pelvic pain, bladder pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, or the feeling that your body is being dismissed. In this episode, we cover: -Vulvodynia and neuroproliferative vestibulodynia -Vestibulectomy surgery and recovery -Pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic pain -Medical gaslighting in women’s health -Painful sex, tampons, and Pap smears -Shame, intimacy, and relationships -Trauma-informed gynecologic care -Bonnie’s film Lady Parts and where to watch it

In this episode of IC You, we're talking about endometriosis, how it can show up, why it often takes way too long to get diagnosed, and what real relief can look like when you stop treating pain like it’s only a “tissue problem.” I’m joined by pelvic physiotherapist Jill Mueller, who shares her personal story, what finally helped her become symptom-free, and how she now helps others through pelvic PT, pain science, and nervous system work. We also dig into the overlap between endometriosis, interstitial cystitis (IC), and overactive bladder (OAB), including why so many people with endometriosis have bladder symptoms even when endometriosis isn’t actually on the bladder. If you’ve ever wondered “Is this endo, IC, OAB… or all of the above?”, this conversation will help you connect the dots without spiraling. Topics We Cover •Why debilitating period pain isn’t “normal,” even if you’ve been told it is •Fertility struggles as a common path to discovering endometriosis •The difference between ablation vs excision surgery (and why training matters) •The evolving role of ultrasound and MRI in diagnosing endometriosis •Why symptom severity doesn’t always match how much endometriosis is present •“Cross-sensitization,” and why pelvic organs can start acting like cranky roommates •How predictable flares can become learned patterns (and how to interrupt them) •Building a bigger “window of tolerance” so you’re not trapped in rigid rules to stay okay •Why vacations can flare some people and calm others (and what that suggests)

In this episode of the IC You Podcast, I sit down with my client Landi to talk about her experience with interstitial cystitis, bladder pain, urgency, frequency, and burning that continued even when urine tests were negative. We talk about what happens when symptoms feel constant, why nervous system dysregulation can keep the cycle going, and how healing often looks slower and more layered than people expect. Landi shares how her life changed after years of fear, restrictive diet advice, and feeling dismissed, and what began to shift once she started addressing neuroplastic symptoms and learning how to create safety in her body again. What we talk about * How her symptoms began with recurring UTIs and later constant urgency, frequency, and burning without infection * Receiving an IC diagnosis and feeling lost after medications and instillations did not fully help * How online forums and the IC diet increased food fear and anxiety * Discovering nervous system dysregulation as a major root cause * The shift from feeling at war with her body to working with it * The role of community support, emotional processing, and self compassion * Nervous system tools she uses daily, including journal speak, somatic movement, breathwork, tapping, and safety statements * What progress looks like now as she returns to concerts, shopping, and line dancing * Why she started her own podcast, Surviving and Thriving

In this episode of IC You, I sit down with Faith Ashenden to talk about mind body healing, neuroplasticity, and how our response to symptoms can shape the healing process. Faith shares her story of living with chronic illness for a decade before discovering subconscious and nervous system work that helped her recover. We discuss her recent UTI experience and why it felt like a non event, which leads into a deeper conversation about fear, identity, and the meaning we attach to flares. Faith explains how thoughts influence neurochemicals in the body, why chronic stress keeps the nervous system stuck in survival mode, and why healing often requires stepping away from the “chronically ill” identity. We also share simple, realistic ways to support your nervous system day to day, from setting phone boundaries to focusing on presence rather than perfect routines. If you want to connect with Faith or explore her work, her links are in the episode description.

In the past two seasons of IC You, you’ve heard me and my guests talk about the nervous system’s impact on bladder symptoms. We’ve explored the stress connection, trauma, anxiety loops, and more. But this week’s guest takes that conversation even deeper. Paige Genova is a pelvic floor occupational therapist with a background in psychology and neurology. She brings a rare and powerful lens to chronic pelvic pain and conditions like IC and OAB, combining brain science with practical body-based care. In this episode, we get into: * The difference between PTs and OTs in pelvic health (and why that matters less than you'd think) * How fear and stress train your brain to keep sending pain and urgency signals * Why traditional pelvic floor therapy often misses the mark for chronic symptoms * What Paige’s Pelvicology method actually looks like in practice If your symptoms started after a UTI, during a stressful life chapter, or seemingly out of nowhere, this episode will help you finally make sense of it.

Are your bladder symptoms actually coming from your brain? In this episode of IC You, I sit down with Dr. Howard Schubiner, one of the leading voices in mind body medicine and neuroplasticity, to talk about what’s really driving chronic symptoms like interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder, and pelvic pain. We cover: -How to tell if your symptoms are neuroplastic (aka brain-generated) -The F.I.T. criteria Dr. Schubiner uses to assess chronic pain -Why diagnoses like IC, OAB, pelvic floor dysfunction, and pudendal neuralgia are often misunderstood -What Hunner’s lesions actually mean (and don’t mean) -How emotions, trauma, and nervous system patterns show up in the body -Why most traditional treatments fail and what’s finally working If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck... this conversation could change everything.

In this episode of IC You, I sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist and YouTube creator Dr. Brianne Grogan to talk about self love when your body feels like it has turned against you. We explore what it is like to live with bladder pain, urgency, frequency, pelvic floor symptoms, or prolapse and how easy it is to start seeing yourself as broken or defined by a diagnosis. We also dig into nervous system protection, perfectionism, comparison on social media, and why healing is rarely a straight line. Dr. Bri shares simple somatic tools, mirror work, and grounding practices so you can feel safer in your body and move through flares with more curiosity and compassion instead of blame. You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

What starts as a well-meaning attempt to “eat clean” or “cut out bladder triggers” can quickly turn into a fear-driven cycle of food avoidance, isolation, and worsening symptoms. In this episode, I’m joined by Lauren Smith, MS, RD, LDN—a Philadelphia-based eating disorder dietitian and founder of Lauren’s Balanced Bites—to talk about the dangers of long-term dietary restriction, especially in the IC and chronic illness space (like the good 'ol IC diet). We discuss: -The slippery slope from symptom tracking to disordered eating -The emotional and physical consequences of cutting out too many foods -How restriction affects digestion, mood, and nutrient levels -Common signs of under-fueling (even when you think you're eating “healthy”) -Why one-size-fits-all food protocols rarely work -How to differentiate between disordered eating and a clinical eating disorder -The mind-body connection that impacts symptom flares and recovery This episode is especially important for anyone who’s been told to “just follow the list,” only to find themselves stuck in a cycle of fear, confusion, and second-guessing every bite. We also talk about what reintroducing foods can look like—and why real healing requires more than just symptom management. If you're tired of trying to do it perfectly and want a more sustainable path forward, this conversation will give you clarity, validation, and next steps.

If you’re constantly planning your life around bathroom access, I see you.Not long ago, I would’ve missed half the night standing in line for the bathroom. But last week? I danced front row at the Jonas Brothers and rocked out at Aly & AJ without peeing once. And no, I didn’t just get lucky. I had a strategy.In this episode, I’m breaking down how hydration plays a massive role in bladder health, and why most people are getting it totally wrong. Here’s what I cover: * What actually happens in your body when you drink water * Why restricting fluids to pee less usually makes things worse * How hydration protects your bladder lining (and keeps urgency down) * The signs you’re underhydrated or overhydrated * IC-safe hydration options (teas, foods, electrolytes, etc.) * Tips to sip smarter without triggering urgency

Are pelvic floor tools really worth it? In this episode of IC You, I sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist Rachel Peck to talk about the most common tools recommended for pelvic floor therapy and bladder pain relief. We cover: -What a pelvic wand is and how it’s used -How TENS units can help with pelvic floor pain and urgency -Whether cupping and other techniques actually work -How to know which pelvic floor tools are right for you If you’ve ever wondered how to use a pelvic wand at home, if a TENS unit can help bladder pain, or what belongs in your pelvic floor toolkit, this episode will give you clarity. Listen to learn what actually helps, what doesn’t, and how to feel more confident in your healing journey.

In this episode of IC You, I sit down with my client Jess to share her story of finding relief from interstitial cystitis (IC) and bladder pain. When Jess’s symptoms started, she thought she had the worst UTI ever. Every test came back “normal,” antibiotics didn’t help, and her anxiety spiraled. At 25, she was exhausted and terrified this was her new forever. A few months later, Jess is… ✅ Sleeping through the night again ✅ Eating spicy salsa and drinking margaritas 🍹 ✅ Traveling, moving her body, and enjoying life ✅ Confident she can handle flares without spiraling In this episode, you’ll hear: -How Jess’s IC symptoms first showed up and why doctors struggled to give her answers -The role health anxiety played in making symptoms worse -Why nervous system work was the missing piece in her healing -How Road to Remission gave her the tools, community, and confidence to move forward 👉 If you’re navigating IC, bladder pain, or constant flares, this conversation will give you hope and practical strategies for relief.