Living with IBS-C isn't just about managing physical symptoms, it's also about navigating the fear, worry, and emotional toll that often come with the condition. In this powerful episode, host Jacqueline Gaulin is joined by Dr. Sarah Ballou, clinical psychologist and Director of the GI Psychology Service at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to explore how fear shows up along the IBS-C journey and what you can do to face it with confidence and support.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The most common fears IBS-C patients experience and how they influence daily life and treatment decisions
• Why fear can sometimes hold you back from finding relief
  Practical tools to help you feel more in control, confident, and hopeful
• How to talk openly with your provider about the fears that affect your care

Whether you're newly diagnosed or feeling stuck after years of symptoms, this episode offers real-world guidance, emotional validation, and a reminder that you're not alone on this journey.

This episode is sponsored by Ardelyx.

In this follow-up to one of our most popular episodes, host Jacqueline Gaulin welcomes back Dr. Mark Pimentel, Executive Director of the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program at Cedars-Sinai, to dive deeper into the science behind SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and IMO (Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth).

Dr. Pimentel answers listener questions and explains how these complex conditions relate to IBS-D and IBS-M, why methane and archaea matter for gut health, and how motility and the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) play a crucial role in prevention and treatment. You'll also learn about the latest insights and therapeutic approaches that can help patients find lasting relief.

Produced in collaboration with the American College of Gastroenterology's Patient Care Committee, this evidence-based discussion helps you better understand the "why" behind SIBO and IMO—and what steps you can take toward better gut health.

In this inspiring episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Mel, an award-winning dog enthusiast from Valrico, Florida, who has earned more than 40 American Kennel Club titles with her beloved Schnauzers.

After life-changing surgery that left her with a permanent colostomy, Mel refused to let fear or stigma hold her back. She shares how she reclaimed her confidence, advocated for her own healthcare, and found strength through her passion for dogs.

This episode offers hope and insight for anyone learning to live fully after surgery—and a reminder that resilience, love, and purpose can shine through even the toughest challenges.

Starting a new IBS-C treatment can bring a mix of hope and uncertainty. How soon will it work? What if side effects appear? Should you keep going or call your doctor?

Host Jacqueline Gaulin sits down with Dr. Brian Lacy, gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, to answer the real questions patients ask when starting treatment.

In this episode, we discuss:
• What patients can realistically expect in the first days and weeks of treatment
• What "feeling better" truly means for each individual
• Common challenges and side effects patients may experience
• How to stay encouraged and avoid stopping treatment too soon without consulting your doctor

Relief takes time—and you're not alone on this journey.

This episode is made possible with support from Ardelyx.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common—and misunderstood—digestive conditions, yet many patients still suffer in silence. In this candid, patient-focused episode, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with Mitch Guttenplan, MD, FACS, a general surgeon and Medical Director for the CRH O'Regan System, to break the stigma and share clear, evidence-based guidance about hemorrhoids.

Dr. Guttenplan explains the difference between internal and external hemorrhoids, how to recognize common symptoms, and which lifestyle changes can help reduce discomfort and prevent recurrence. He also walks through current treatment options—including the CRH O'Regan System—so patients can better understand what's available and when it's time to seek medical care.

This episode is sponsored by the CRH O'Regan System.

Gravity keeps us grounded—but it also shapes our bodies, minds, and even our gut health in surprising ways.

In this fascinating episode, Dr. Brennan Spiegel, Director of Health Services Research at Cedars-Sinai and author of PULL: The Science of Gravity and How It Shapes Our Health and Happiness, joins Jacqueline Gaulin, host of the Gastro Girl Podcast, to explore how gravity influences digestion, mood, metabolism, and mental resilience.

Discover what "gravity resilience" means, why astronauts help us understand life on Earth, and how this invisible force could hold the key to living longer, standing stronger, and finding balance in body and mind.

You'll learn:
• How gravity affects digestion, circulation, and well-being
• The surprising link between gravity, depression, and emotional health
• Ways to strengthen your "gravity resilience" through movement, nutrition, and mindfulness

Listen to more expert insights at GastroGirl.com.

Pull is available by visiting Dr. Spiegel's website or wherever books are sold.

When a child has trouble eating, gaining weight, or explaining discomfort while swallowing, it can be heartbreaking for parents and confusing for the child. These may be early signs of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) — a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus that affects how food moves through the digestive tract.

In this episode, pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Joshua B. Wechsler from Northwestern Medicine shares what families need to know about recognizing EoE early, getting an accurate diagnosis, and navigating treatment options. He also offers guidance on helping children manage EoE at school, during meals, and in social settings — so they can live healthier, happier lives.

See related episode

Growing Up with EoE: A Family's Journey from Childhood to College

Resources & Support:
Find trusted, evidence-based information and resources on EoE at gastrogirl.com.

This episode is sponsored by Sanofi and Regeneron.