In this episode, Soph and Ollie offer a ‘crash’ course in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). They cover the key features and symptoms, including post-exertional malaise, diagnostic criteria, commonly co-occurring conditions, and current management approaches. The episode also explores the controversy surrounding the PACE trial, graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), drawing on both clinical experience and updated guidelines. Whether you're a clinician or someone navigating ME/CFS yourself, this episode offers grounded insights into a complex and often misunderstood condition.

Content warning: discussion of medical trauma/harm

For more information on ME/CFS, check out Emerge Australia: https://www.emerge.org.au/

BeyondBlue (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/) and Lifeline (13 11 14) are both available for 24/7 mental health support.

Episode 6: A 'crash' course in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

In this episode, Soph and Ollie are joined by Mitch from Hunter Healing to explore the concept of spirituality, and how it might be more important and relevant to mainstream pain management and health care than you might think. Join us as we discuss a few of the misunderstandings or misconceptions about what 'spirituality' is, and how we can start to integrate it within our own practice or management.

Find Mitch at:

 * https://www.hunterhealing.com/
 * hunterhealing@gmail.com
 * Instagram: @_hunterhealing

Check out our website for written episode summaries and additional resources. BeyondBlue (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/) and Lifeline (13 11 14) are both available for 24/7 mental health support.

Episode 5: Mitch Hunter - Spirituality in Health Care

In this episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue, Soph and Ollie are joined by Exercise Physiologist Jennifer Smallridge (Invisibly Brilliant & Connection Medicine Co) for a discussion about clinician wellbeing and burnout when working with complex invisible illnesses. We chat about the complexity and the multifactorial influences and challenges that might contribute to burnout, the role that employers, workplaces and broader systems play in wellbeing, share our own lived experiences, and discuss practical strategies that clinicians can use to help support their own wellbeing.

Check out our website at vivepainfatigue.com.au/blog for written episode summaries and additional resources. BeyondBlue and Lifeline (13 11 14) are both available for 24/7 mental health support, and health professionals can also access free support and resources via the Black Dog Institute's TEN program [https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/the-essential-network/] for healthcare related burnout. 

You can find Jen here:

 * https://www.invisiblybrilliant.com.au/
 * https://www.connectionmedicine.co/weekend-workshop
 * https://www.connectionmedicine.co/book-now/p/restore-daylesford-retreat
   
   

Episode 4: Jennifer Smallridge - Clinician Wellbeing and Burnout 

In this episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue, Sophie and Ollie welcome their first guest, passionate Disability Advocate Kylee Black, who shares her experiences living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Kylee discusses the importance of finding hope, community and purpose when living with complex disability, and 'doing what you can with what's in your hands'.  Join us to listen in to Kylee's inspirational story and perspective, and the lessons she shares that all of us can learn from.

Content warning: mental health, suicidal ideation, medical gaslighting

Check out our website [https://vivepainfatigue.com.au/blog] for written episode summaries and additional resources. BeyondBlue (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/) and Lifeline (13 11 14) are both available for 24/7 mental health support.

You can find Kylee at:

 * https://linktr.ee/lovinlifekyles
 * https://linktr.ee/Kyleeandco
 * www.clipboard.co.nz [http://www.clipboard.co.nz/]

Episode 3: Kylee Black - Finding Hope, Community and Purpose with Complex Disability (EDS/CRPS)

In this episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue, Sophie and Ollie explore the world of Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE). They unpack its foundations, key concepts, and common misconceptions, while sharing real-world clinical insights.  Together, they tackle critical issues like reductionism (both biomedical and neurocentric), the nuances of explaining pain to patients, and the importance of embracing complexity in pain management. Whether you're a clinician or simply curious about pain science, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on reframing how we understand and manage pain.

Content warning: some brief discussion of blood/injury

Check out our website [https://vivepainfatigue.com.au/blog] for written episode summaries and additional resources.

Episode 2: Unpacking Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) - Benefits, Misconceptions and Criticisms

Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond Pain and Fatigue! In this introductory episode, your hosts, Sophie Shephard and Oliver Crossley, share the story behind the podcast and what inspired them to create a space for meaningful conversations about chronic pain, fatigue, and invisible illnesses. They'll share a bit about their own experiences and background, as well as what's on the horizon for future episodes.

Episode 1: Welcome to Beyond Pain and Fatigue

Sophie Shephard (@sshephard) · Zencastr

Sophie Shephard (@sshephard)

"Beyond Pain and Fatigue" is a podcast that delves into the complexities of chronic pain, fatigue, and invisible illnesses. Whether you’re a healthcare professional looking for insights to better support your patients, or someone living with pain or fatigue wanting to learn more and connect with others’ experiences, this podcast is for you.

Join hosts Sophie Shephard and Oliver Crossley from Vive Pain & Fatigue, as they bring together research, professional insights, and patient experiences, exploring different perspectives and new ways of thinking about pain and fatigue to help transform care. 

For written episode summaries, further resources, and information about our clinical services, access our website at vivepainfatigue.com.au [https://www.vivepainfatigue.com.au/].

We’d love to hear from you! If you have suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover or questions you want answered on the podcast, comment or send us a message!

Please note: this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your treating health professionals for any recommendations suitable to your unique circumstances. 