Episode 28: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#28 Stress-Driven Inflammation: How Stress Can Worsen Arthritis (and What to Do About It)

Have you ever noticed that when life is most stressful, your arthritis feels worse? This week, host Emily Johnson dives into why this isn't in your head, it's in your biology.

Drawing on the latest research and her own 12 years of lived experience, Emily unpacks the powerful, two-way relationship between stress and inflammation, and why managing your nervous system may be one of the most therapeutic things you can do alongside your medication. From the HPA axis to the vagus nerve, from leaky gut to cortisol resistance, this episode breaks down the science and provides a practical toolkit to start calming your system today.

This is for anyone who has ever felt betrayed by their body, or wondered why stress hits them harder than it seems to hit everyone else.

Topics covered:

• What Stress Actually Is The difference between helpful acute stress (eustress) and the chronic kind, plus the concept of 'allostatic load'
• Stress and the Immune System Why chronic stress makes you both more vulnerable to infection AND more inflamed
• The Stress–Inflammation Loop How TNF-alpha, IL-6, and other cytokines get turned up by chronic stress, and why inflammation in the brain produces brain fog, and low mood
• Stress and the Gut The gut-brain axis, leaky gut, and the emerging "gut-joint axis" in rheumatoid arthritis, plus why Emily thinks the vagus nerve will be the next big focus in health
• The Toolkit Practical, evidence-based ways to soothe your system that can be done from the comfort of your own home

AUTUMN COHORT UPDATE: Applications for the Live Well with Arthritis 12-week programme are open for Sept. Apply now: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily (Arthritis Foodie) is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Register for FREE Masterclass: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/mastering-inflammation-masterclass-registration

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arthritisfoodie

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Episode 27: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#27 Rheumatologist Recommends Reiki: Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann's Healing Blueprint

Host Emily Johnson welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Volkman, also known as the Holistic Rheumatologist, UCLA rheumatologist, and Director of the UCLA Scleroderma Programme.

Dr. Volkmann researches how the gut microbiome, nutrition, and trauma shape autoimmune disease. With over 20 years of experience, she shares an evidence-based approach to integrating Eastern and Western medicine. Whether you live with arthritis, scleroderma, lupus, or any chronic inflammatory condition, this episode offers empowering strategies to create your own healing blueprint, alongside medication.

Topics covered:

Redefining Rheumatology

• Whole Human Treating the person, not simply the disease
• Supportive Tools Medication alongside nutrition and holistic therapies
• Red Flags Spotting dangerous "cures"

Gut–Autoimmune Connection

• Leaky Gut Science of intestinal permeability
• Truth on UPFs Findings from Dr. Volkmann's study
• Probiotics Fermented foods vs supplements
• Stool-Tests Microbiome diet myths

Whole-Person Approach

• Trauma Research How stress impacts autoimmunity
• Breathwork as Medicine A free daily gut health habit
• Self-Care Diaries Tuning into your body
• CEO Mindset Be your own best advocate

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download

Dr Elizabeth Volkmann @the_holistic_rheumatologist

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_holistic_rheumatologist/
• UCLA Scleroderma Program: https://www.uclahealth.org/

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Episode 26: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#26 Immunity Within: How to Optimise Immune Health with Nutritionist Jenna Hope

In this episode, host Emily Johnson welcomes Jenna Hope (MSc, ANutr), registered nutritionist, founder of Jenna Hope Nutrition, and author of How to Stay Healthy: The Nutritionist's Guide to Optimising Your Immunity.

Jenna has spent nearly 11 years helping individuals, leading brands, and corporate clients understand the powerful connection between food and health. In this conversation, she breaks down the science of immune optimisation, explaining why 'boosting' your immune system is not only misleading, but potentially harmful for those living with autoimmune conditions like arthritis, and offers a practical, no-pressure framework for building an anti-inflammatory lifestyle that actually lasts.

Topics covered:

Gut Health & Immunity

• Gut-Immune Connection: And why it matters
• Sugar Cycle: How blood sugar spikes cause inflammation

Optimise, Don't Boost

• Why Boosting Backfires: Why it can worsen symptoms
• The Anti-Inflammatory Four: Vitamin C, magnesium, omega-3, and vitamin D
• Depleted Nutrients: How stress and inflammation impacts us

Real Life Nutrition

• A Day in Jenna's Kitchen: Easiest first steps for an anti-inflammatory diet
• Motherhood Chapter: Fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum
• Case Study: From exhausted and wired, to sleeping well and thriving

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download

Jenna Hope @jennahopenutrition

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennahopenutrition/
• Website: https://www.jennahopenutrition.com/
• Book: How to Stay Healthy

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie