The Pyjama Interviews

 Having been diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, a rare Autoimmune Disease, Anessa Powell has dedicated her career to raising awareness and advocating for workplace inclusion through her company, AllAbility Recruiting. In this episode, we dive deep into discussions around the experience of getting a diagnosis and medical gaslighting that so many patients experience. Plus we have an honest conversation about parenting while living with chronic illness. Anessa also shares her tips for applying for jobs, disclosure, and knowing what accommodations you need in the workplace.  About Anessa Since being diagnosed in 2013 with Addison’s Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency), a rare Autoimmune Disease, Anessa Powell has been dedicated to raising awareness that disabilities come in many forms. In 2019, she began her work at the state and national levels as a patient advocate, speaking out for voices that have been traditionally overlooked in disability employment. As the pandemic changed lives in so many ways and employers began to recognize jobs can be done from home (and done well!), Anessa along with her husband, Bill, created AllAbility Recruiting where they strive to Leave No Ability Behind through disability employment, training, and consulting. Connect with Anessa LinkedIN: Anessa Powell Instagram: @allabilityrecruiting  Website: All Ability Recruiting About Michelle Irving A pioneer in the Chronic Illness space, Michelle Irving is the founder of Career and Chronic Illness International. Michelle has over 15 years experience in Mentoring and Executive Coaching for people navigating their career while living with chronic illness. Career and Chronic Illness programs include extensive, specialised content for authentic conversations about your experience and needs, developing excellent professional boundaries, managing your emotional, mental and physical capacities as well as progressing in your career of choice. Michelle's mentoring and training programs are suitable for people currently working and those returning to work after extended leave. You can have a career chat Michelle by booking at  at https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat Connect with Michelle LinkedIN: Michelle Irving Website: CareerandChronicIllness.com Instagram: @michelleirvingofficial Book a Call: https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat  Music by Avy Summerlind

  Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of reproductive age women and girls globally, and on this episode of The Pyjama Interviews pod, I’m joined by Antara Mascarenhas discussing how she has navigated this diagnosis that so many women experience in the workplace. She shares her experience and advice on the: The Diagnostic Odyssey,  How to talk with your boss about productivity and strategically contributing while working from home. Leading from the experience of chronic illness.  It’s a beautiful conversation to share with you. About Antara Antara Mascarenhas is an Executive in the energy and climate sectors and is currently a General Manager at Australian Energy Market Operator. She specialises in building and leading teams to deliver strategic outcomes and implementing national energy reforms. She has a Masters in Political Science at the University of Cambridge, England and undergraduate degrees from the University of Melbourne and Victoria University of Wellington. Antara is an ambassador of Endometriosis Australia and a Board Director of Cambridge Australia Scholarships. Antara is also passionate about inclusion in sport and runs a tennis coaching program for children from diverse cultural backgrounds in inner Melbourne.  Connect with Antara LinkedIN: Antaramascarenhas About Michelle Irving A pioneer in the Chronic Illness space, Michelle Irving is the founder of Career and Chronic Illness International. Michelle has over 15 years experience in Mentoring and Executive Coaching for people navigating their career while living with chronic illness. Career and Chronic Illness programs include extensive, specialised content for authentic conversations about your experience and needs, developing excellent professional boundaries, managing your emotional, mental and physical capacities as well as progressing in your career of choice. Michelle's mentoring and training programs are suitable for people currently working and those returning to work after extended leave. You can have a career chat Michelle by booking at  at https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat Connect with Michelle LinkedIN: Michelle Irving Website: CareerandChronicIllness.com Instagram: @michelleirvingofficial Book a Call: https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat  Music by Avy Summerlind avysummerlind.com/   

Did you know that 38% of people living with chronic illness are in professional, leadership roles? This is exactly what Dr. Peter Ghin’s recent report, "Disclosing Illness at Work,” found.  Peter lives with ME/CFS, and on this episode of The Pyjama Interviews pod, he shares both his personal experience of chronic illness and career as well as the research findings in this area. In this week’s podcast we talk about: How we romanticize 'the great leader' and what it means when a leader becomes unwell.  What we can learn from how and why leaders disclose. How creativity often opens the door to a new path and where it can lead you in your corporate career. How you can use your experience of chronic illness to become a powerful Authentic Leader. About Peter Dr Peter Ghin is a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. His expertise is in the future of work, chronic illness employment, leadership, and organisational behaviour.  Connect with Peter LinkedIN: Peter Ghin Research: Leaders Disclosing Illness at Work Connect with Michelle LinkedIN: Michelle Irving Website: CareerandChronicIllness.com Instagram: @michelleirvingofficial Book a Call: https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat  Music by Avy Summerlind avysummerlind.com/     

This week, I talk with Jenn Sharp about On this episode of The Pyjama Interviews sharing how a diagnosis of Lyme disease turned her world of work upside down. Jenn went from accelerating her career in Human Capital and Talent Management, to confronting the world of disability policies, being bed bound and then making it all the way back to full-time work in management consulting in Washington D.C. We go deep into the toxicity of hustle culture and shame in the workplace, how to advocate for yourself, and why chronic illness prepares you for Authentic Leadership. Connect with Jenn Instagram: @jesharp LinkedIn:JenniferSharp07 About Michelle Irving A pioneer in the Chronic Illness space, Michelle Irving is the founder of Career and Chronic Illness International. Michelle has over 15 years experience in Mentoring and Executive Coaching for people navigating their career while living with chronic illness. Career and Chronic Illness programs include extensive, specialised content for authentic conversations about your experience and needs, developing excellent professional boundaries, managing your emotional, mental and physical capacities as well as progressing in your career of choice. Michelle's mentoring and training programs are suitable for people currently working and those returning to work after extended leave. You can have a career chat Michelle by booking at  at https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat Connect with Michelle LinkedIN: Michelle Irving Website: CareerandChronicIllness.com Instagram: @michelleirvingofficial Book a Call: https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat  Music by Avy Summerlind avysummerlind.com/ 

How do we face our own insecurities? When you are navigating your career and living with a disability/ chronic health condition it can feel like people either expect too little of you, or too much. And there is an awkwardness around you and your condition. In this vulnerable and powerful episode BJ Miller shares his deeply personal experience of navigating medical school, and learning how to use his inner strength to curate his career pathway. Plus the turning points in his career, and how he learned to befriend his own insecurity and find his way through the Unknown. About BJ Dr. BJ Miller is a longtime hospice and palliative medicine physician and educator.  BJ co-founded Mettle Health which provides personalized, holistic consultations for any patient or caregiver who needs help navigating the practical, emotional and existential issues that come with serious illness and disability. Led by his own experiences as a patient, BJ advocates for the roles of our senses, community and presence in designing a better ending. His TED Talk has been viewed over 15 Million times and he speaks internationally on themes of illness, death and loss. About Michelle Irving A pioneer in the Chronic Illness space, Michelle Irving is the founder of Career and Chronic Illness International. Michelle has over 15 years experience in Mentoring and Executive Coaching for people navigating their career while living with chronic illness. Career and Chronic Illness programs include extensive, specialised content for authentic conversations about your experience and needs, developing excellent professional boundaries, managing your emotional, mental and physical capacities as well as progressing in your career of choice. Michelle's mentoring and training programs are suitable for people currently working and those returning to work after extended leave. You can have a career chat Michelle by booking at  at https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat Connect with BJ LinkedIN: BJ Miller Instagram: @mettle_health Ted Talk: What Really Matters at the End of Life Website: Mettle Health Connect with Michelle LinkedIN: Michelle Irving Website: CareerandChronicIllness.com Instagram: @michelleirvingofficial Book a Call: https://www.careerandchronicillness.com/chat  Music by Avy Summerlind avysummerlind.com/