Unpacking the Gift of Life Podcast
Unpacking the Gift of Life shares inspiring, firsthand stories of hope, health, and emotional well-being from kidney disease patients, transplant survivors, and friends, Valen Keefer and Cristen Wathen. The podcast sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of living with chronic illness, empowering listeners with valuable insights and emotional support along the way. Unpacking the Gift of Life is available for streaming on all podcast streaming platforms – including Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
Unpacking the Gift of Life is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and is not intended to provide medical advice.
Episode Titles
To listen to all the podcast episodes, please visit: Unpacking the Gift of Life
Episode 1: Meet Your Hosts and Learn the Meaning Behind Unpacking the Gift of Life
Hosts Valen and Cristen share how their unique yet parallel experiences of living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) led to their serendipitous friendship and passion for patient advocacy. This episode introduces the two women and how they inspired the power of hope in each other before meeting. Valen and Cristen also explore how their PKD and transplant journeys motivate them to provide an honest perspective of the physical and emotional complexities of living with chronic illness.
By offering the support and resources they wish they had, Valen and Cristen aspire to connect with others who are not alone in their health journey – and whose experiences resonate with their own. Told through a conversation between friends, Valen and Cristen navigate the real stories, thoughts, and feelings that come with unpacking the extraordinary gift of life.
This podcast is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and is not intended to provide medical advice.
Episode 2: The Importance of Being Proactive with Our Emotional Wellbeing
Valen and Cristen delve into the profound world of emotions surrounding chronic illness. They discuss mental health stigma, the lack of support and resources, and why being proactive with our mental health is so important. You’ll learn insights into how to become an advocate for your emotional wellbeing and strategies for accessing and working with mental health professionals.
This podcast is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and is not intended to provide medical advice.
Episode 3: Living Well Alongside Chronic Illness
We never forget the day we receive a life-altering diagnosis. Valen and Cristen share their pivotal moments of being diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). With Valen being diagnosed as a child, they discuss the lessons learned from living with ADPKD from youth to adulthood. Through the challenges surrounding a lifelong health journey, they discovered a wellspring of resilience, strength, and above all, hope. Listen in to hear how they learned to live well alongside PKD and be inspired on how you can too.
This podcast is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and is not intended to provide medical advice.
Episode 4: Three Unique Perspectives on Having Children: Pre- and Post-Transplant
Valen, Cristen, and their friend, Elizabeth, share their individual paths of whether to have children, what led to their choices, and how ADPKD and transplant shaped their decision-making. They acknowledge the emotions surrounding their difficult decisions, share personal stories on how they navigated and embraced having or not having a child, and how they moved forward in a positive way. Listen in to be inspired and empowered by their vulnerability and determination.
This podcast is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and is not intended to provide medical advice.
Episode 5: Advocating for Ourselves in Social and Healthcare Relationships
Communication and speaking up for ourselves is so important, yet can feel exhausting. Valen, Cristen, and their friend, Noelia, dig deep into three aspects of communication as it relates to patient advocacy. First, experiences of advocating for ourselves in our social relationships with partners, loved ones, friends, and the community at large. Second, the meaning, purpose, and value of a trusting relationship with our healthcare teams. And third, they share conversations about internal dialogue, being kind to ourselves, and emotional honesty. Tune in to learn ways to advocate for yourself, be empowered to have honest conversations, and live a meaningful life in the midst of chronic illness.
This podcast is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and is not intended to provide medical advice.
Episode 6: Ask Us Anything
In the final episode of Season 1 of Unpacking the Gift of Life, Valen and Cristen invite you into an open conversation where no question is off-limits. In this “Ask Us Anything” special, they tackle topics that resonate deeply within the transplant community: coping with post-transplant depression, navigating the nuances of family and friend support, managing sun exposure, staying vigilant against COVID, and safeguarding your kidneys when surrounded by children. As they reflect on the season's journey, Valen and Cristen explore the inspiration that has fueled each episode, highlighting the resilience, hope, and community that have made this season so impactful. Join them for an honest and heartfelt discussion that wraps up the season by celebrating the strength and spirit of those living with the extraordinary gift of life.
This podcast is sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and is not intended to provide medical advice.
