Joel Nelson spent his childhood being discussed in his doctors’ appointments, rather than conversed with. He was ten when the joint pain started, and for the next eight years the conversations about his body happened over his head, behind a curtain, between the adults in the room. He was poked and prodded and left in pain while a plan was made without him. This inspired a deep urge to speak for himself, and to empower others to do the same. To that end, Joel is the founder of Psoriatic Disease UK, an IFPA ambassador, and the administrator of a peer support community of more than forty thousand people. He talks with Holly about the self-advocacy skill nobody handed him, what it cost to learn it in his twenties, and how he tries to hand it to the next person. Plus, in our history section, what the research says about why autoimmune disease is rising worldwide.

Joel Nelson spent his childhood being discussed in his doctors&rsquo; appointments, rather than conversed with. He was ten when the joint pain started, and for the next eight years the conversations about his body happened over his head, behind a curtain, between the adults in the room. He was poked and prodded and left in pain while a plan was made without him. This inspired a deep urge to speak for himself, and to empower others to do the same. To that end, Joel is the founder of Psoriatic Disease UK, an IFPA ambassador, and the administrator of a peer support community of more than forty thousand people. He talks with Holly about the self-advocacy skill nobody handed him, what it cost to learn it in his twenties, and how he tries to hand it to the next person. Plus, in our history section, what the research says about why autoimmune disease is rising worldwide.

Hosted by Holly Frey of Stuff You Missed in History Class, Season 3 of Our Skin: A Personal Discovery Podcast expands the conversation to spotlight the real, unfiltered stories of people living with psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and other conditions that show up on the skin—and what it means to navigate life in a body that others (and you!) don’t always understand.

Each episode, we pull up a seat for people who’ve been there: through the appointments, the flare-ups, the questions, and the quiet moments in between. These are honest, practical conversations about what actually helps: how to advocate for yourself, how to leave a doctor’s office feeling heard and taken seriously, and how to navigate the hard parts without having to figure it all out on your own. Because here, you’re not learning the hard way; you’re learning from people who already have.

Next, we zoom out to explore the wild, weird, and sometimes complicated history of skincare and treatment—from ancient remedies to modern breakthroughs that are still evolving.

Because when we share our stories with people who understand them we create something bigger than awareness. We create community. A place where you’re not the only one in the room… and you never have to feel that way again.

Hosted by Holly Frey of Stuff You Missed in History Class, Season 3 of Our Skin: A Personal Discovery Podcast expands the conversation to spotlight the real, unfiltered stories of people living with psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and other conditions that show up on the skin&mdash;and what it means to navigate life in a body that others (and you!) don&rsquo;t always understand.
Each episode, we pull up a seat for people who&rsquo;ve been there: through the appointments, the flare-ups, the questions, and the quiet moments in between. These are honest, practical conversations about what actually helps: how to advocate for yourself, how to leave a doctor&rsquo;s office feeling heard and taken seriously, and how to navigate the hard parts without having to figure it all out on your own. Because here, you&rsquo;re not learning the hard way; you&rsquo;re learning from people who already have.
Next, we zoom out to explore the wild, weird, and sometimes complicated history of skincare and treatment&mdash;from ancient remedies to modern breakthroughs that are still evolving.
Because when we share our stories with people who understand them we create something bigger than awareness. We create community. A place where you&rsquo;re not the only one in the room&hellip; and you never have to feel that way again.

Our Skin: A Personal Discovery Podcast

"I Didn't Know How to Be a Partner in My Own Care": Joel Nelson on Learning Self-Advocacy Late

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2985883d-01ee-40b5-a834-b49e004686be/transcript