IC You

September is IC Awareness Month, and I’m back with Part 3 of my four-part series all about interstitial cystitis. In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most important pieces of my own recovery and something I wish I’d understood MUCH earlier: the nervous system. I’m breaking down what neuroplastic pain actually means, how your brain can learn to become overly protective around bladder sensations, and why symptoms like burning, urgency, and pelvic pain can be very real even when your nervous system is contributing to them. I’m covering: What neuroplastic pain is and how it can develop The connection between your brain, bladder, and pelvic floor Patterns that can suggest your nervous system may be contributing to symptoms How fear, symptom monitoring, and expectations can reinforce the symptom cycle What provocative testing can teach us about learned triggers How somatic tracking can help you respond differently to bladder sensations How graded exposure gives your brain new experiences of safety Why a little bit of symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you’ve failed What I’m learning through my Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) training Simple ways you can start teaching your brain that safe sensations and activities don’t require a five-alarm response I also share some of the changes I’ve made in how I respond to my own bladder. Today, if I notice a random sensation, I can notice it and move on. And when you’ve spent years monitoring every little thing your bladder does, that’s a pretty big deal. FREE MASTERCLASS: If you’re wondering whether your nervous system, pelvic floor, or other factors could be contributing to your symptoms, watch my free masterclass, How to Find the Root Cause of Chronic Bladder Symptoms . I’ll walk you through patterns that can help you understand what may be keeping you stuck in the flare cycle and how to start identifying your individual root cause. Watch for free here! THE IC CONNECTION: The Interstitial Cystitis Association is hosting The IC Connection virtually on September 26! Learn more and register here.

September is Interstitial Cystitis Awareness Month, and I’m back with Part 2 of my four-part series all about interstitial cystitis. In this episode, I’m breaking down the IC diet, where our food trigger recommendations actually came from, and what the research really tells us about food and bladder symptoms. I’m covering: What the research says about IC food triggers What a newer systematic review tells us about diet and IC How to identify your individual food triggers Why hydration matters for bladder symptoms The nutritional and mental health risks of overly restrictive diets How fear and learned associations around food can affect symptoms Why your current food sensitivities don’t have to be forever I also share why I’ve seen so many people, myself included, eventually get back to drinking coffee, eating tomatoes, ordering pizza, traveling without packing their own food, and eating at restaurants without worrying about what their bladder will do afterward. WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FOOD SENSITIVITIES? Listen to Episode 97 of IC You, How to Overcome Food Sensitivities with IC and OAB , where I chat with nervous system therapist Grace Secker about food fear, the nervous system, and reintroducing foods. FREE MASTERCLASS: If you’re wondering what may actually be driving your bladder symptoms, watch my free masterclass, How to Find the Root Cause of Chronic Bladder Symptoms . I’ll walk you through what may be keeping you stuck in the flare cycle, why symptoms can keep coming back, and how to start identifying your individual root cause. Watch for free here! THE IC CONNECTION: The Interstitial Cystitis Association is hosting The IC Connection virtually on September 26! Learn more and register here.

September is IC Awareness Month, so I’m kicking off a four-part series covering what I want people with interstitial cystitis to know, especially if you’re newly diagnosed. In Part 1, I’m sharing what I’d focus on if I were diagnosed with IC today, including: Understanding that different factors can contribute to IC symptoms Getting evaluated by a pelvic floor physical therapist Hydration and bowel health Approaching food without immediately cutting out everything on an IC diet list Understanding the role of the nervous system Being intentional with supplements Looking for patterns without making your bladder a full-time job I’ve recovered from IC, and I’ve spent years helping others better understand what may be contributing to their symptoms. I want this series to give you more information, more options, and a clearer idea of where to go from here. NEW FREE MASTERCLASS: Want to learn more about my root-cause approach to IC? Watch my free masterclass here! THE IC CONNECTION: The Interstitial Cystitis Association is hosting The IC Connection: Science, Strategies, and Support virtually on Saturday, September 26 from 12:00–4:45 p.m. ET. The conference will cover topics including pain science, sexual health, disability, and more. Click here to register!

If you've ever found yourself going to the bathroom "just in case," constantly checking your bladder, Googling your symptoms, or wondering why your bladder is always on your mind, this episode is for you. I'm joined by OCD therapist Kaylee Bullen, LCSW , to talk about the surprising connection between OCD and bladder symptoms. We discuss how OCD differs from anxiety, why intrusive thoughts and compulsions can keep you stuck, and how bladder hypervigilance can become part of the cycle. I also share my own experience being diagnosed with OCD at 28, how exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy changed my life, and why getting the right diagnosis made such a difference. In this episode, we discuss: What OCD actually is (and why it's so much more than being organized) The difference between OCD and anxiety Somatic OCD and bladder hypervigilance Why reassurance seeking, body checking, Googling, and "just in case" peeing can become compulsions How avoidance keeps the OCD cycle going What ERP therapy is and why it's considered the gold standard treatment How to find an OCD therapist who truly understands the condition Whether you have interstitial cystitis (IC), overactive bladder (OAB), pelvic pain, or unexplained urinary urgency and frequency, this episode may help you understand the role OCD can play in your symptoms. Connect with Kaylee: Instagram: @kayleebullentherapyTikTok: @kayleebullentherapy Kaylee's website Connect with Callie: Instagram: @callieknutrition Tiktok: @callieknutrition Watch my FREE master class

Have you ever noticed one symptom improves, only for another one to appear? In this episode, I sit down with mind-body coach Alex McQueen to discuss: • What the symptom imperative is and why it happens • The connection between chronic pelvic pain, bladder symptoms, IBS, TMJ, headaches, and other chronic symptoms • Why healing is rarely linear • How fear can keep the nervous system stuck • The difference between symptom imperatives and extinction bursts • Why stress doesn't have to feel "bad" to affect your body • A simple body awareness exercise you can use when symptoms arise Whether you're living with interstitial cystitis (IC), overactive bladder (OAB), vulvodynia, pelvic pain, or other persistent symptoms, this conversation will help you better understand the nervous system's role in recovery and why new symptoms don't always mean something is wrong. LINKS: Alex's Instagram Alex's Website Callie's Instagram Callie's Tiktok Work with Callie

In this episode of IC You, I sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist and chronic pelvic pain coach Rachel Gofman to talk about bladder retraining, pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse, and the connection between the nervous system and bladder symptoms. We discuss why urgency and frequency can persist even when your bladder isn't full, how "just in case" peeing can impact bladder function, and practical strategies to retrain your bladder with less fear and frustration. Rachel also explains prolapse, when pelvic floor physical therapy can help, and how to approach healing through both a mind-body and physical therapy lens. If you've ever felt stuck between pelvic floor dysfunction, nervous system dysregulation, and chronic bladder symptoms, this conversation will help you better understand what's happening in your body and what recovery can look like. Links discussed in this episode: Listen to Rachel's story on Episode 83 of IC You Follow Rachel on Instagram Rachel's website WORK WITH CALLIE Watch my FREE master class Join Road To Remission Join R2R Self Study (men welcome)

In this episode, I sit down with health psychologist and psychotherapist Dr. Sula Windgassen to talk about the brain-body connection behind interstitial cystitis, bladder pain, chronic UTI symptoms, urgency, frequency, and pelvic pain. We dive into why symptoms can continue even when tests come back normal, how the nervous system and pain science play a role, the impact of food fear and bladder trigger beliefs, and practical tools like mindfulness, emotional processing, and nervous system regulation. Dr. Sula also shares her own personal journey with bladder symptoms and what helped her get relief. If you’ve ever felt confused, dismissed, or stuck in fear around your bladder symptoms, this episode will help you better understand what may be happening in your body and where to start. Links mentioned in the episode: Sula's Instagram Sula's Book "It's All In Your Body" Road To Remission Self-Study

In this episode, I sit down with one of my Road To Remission clients, Lynn, to talk about her 15 year journey with interstitial cystitis, bladder pain, urgency, frequency, pelvic floor dysfunction, and nervous system dysregulation. After years of medications, bladder procedures, elimination diets, and fear around symptoms, Lynn shares how joining Road To Remission helped her finally start addressing the root causes of her interstitial cystitis symptoms and begin finding relief. We talk about the connection between chronic stress, trauma, perfectionism, and interstitial cystitis symptoms, along with the mindset shifts that helped her stop catastrophizing every flare. Lynn also shares how she went from planning life around bathrooms to taking road trips, exercising, going to concerts, and feeling more confident in her body again. We also discuss: • Interstitial cystitis and the nervous system • Pelvic floor physical therapy for IC • Why the IC diet kept her stuck in fear • Neuroplastic symptoms and pain science • The tools inside Road To Remission that helped her feel safe in her body again • The importance of support, education, and community during healing If you feel stuck in the cycle of managing interstitial cystitis symptoms without long term relief, this episode will leave you feeling hopeful and understood. FREE OPEN HOUSE: Join us Monday, May 18th at 1pm EST (Lynn will be at this session) or Tuesday, May 19th at 7pm EST for a FREE Open House to learn more about Road To Remission! REGISTER HERE

After years of living with interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder, I spent a weekend in California doing things I never thought would feel easy again. From boat rides without bathrooms to paddle boarding, Pilates, coffee shop lattes, spicy foods, and even riding a motorcycle for the first time, this trip became a huge reminder of how much life can open back up when you address the root causes of symptoms. In this solo episode, I share: • What traveling used to feel like when my bladder symptoms controlled my life • How nervous system regulation changed the way I experience symptoms and fear • A powerful moment with Vanessa Blackstone that shifted how I think about anxiety and uncomfortable feelings • Why I’m finally accepting that my low back pain and heel burning are likely neuroplastic symptoms too • How distraction, safety, and self compassion can change symptom patterns • The freedom of eating, drinking, moving, and living without constantly scanning for symptoms • Why I stopped treating my body like it was fragile I also talk about how Pain Reprocessing Therapy, nervous system work, and pelvic floor support helped me rebuild trust in my body and get back to living fully again. If you’ve ever felt trapped by fear, hypervigilance, or constant symptom monitoring, I hope this episode gives you hope that healing and freedom are possible for you too. Learn more about Road To Remission and our upcoming Open House in the links below: Road To Remission FREE OPEN HOUSE:

On this episode of IC You, Callie’s client Faith shares her journey with interstitial cystitis (IC), from constant burning, urgency, and anxiety to living a full life with lasting IC relief. After years of confusing symptoms, negative UTI tests, and an IC diagnosis, she felt stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure what to do next. Traditional treatments did not give her answers, and her world started to feel smaller. Inside Road to Remission, Faith began addressing the root cause of her IC symptoms through nervous system work. Within weeks, she noticed changes in urgency, sleep, and overall anxiety. Over time, her symptoms continued to decrease as she built tools, confidence, and a sense of safety in her body. Now, she travels, eats freely, and no longer plans her life around interstitial cystitis. In this episode, we cover: How her interstitial cystitis symptoms started and progressed Why traditional IC treatments did not lead to relief The connection between the nervous system and IC symptoms Early wins with urgency, frequency, and sleep How she traveled while still healing from IC The shift from fear and control to confidence and IC relief If you are struggling with interstitial cystitis or looking for a different path to IC relief, this episode will show you what is possible. Want to learn what it's like to work with me inside Road To Remission? I'm hosting a FREE Open House for the program on May 18th at 1pm ET and May 19th at 7pm ET. Click here to register.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tovah Goldfine for a powerful conversation about how to support your nervous system during stressful seasons of life. We talk about why stress can amplify symptoms, how fear and hypervigilance keep the body stuck, and practical ways to create more safety, resilience, and healing. If life feels heavy right now, this episode is full of hope and perspective. We cover: • Why it’s often your relationship with stress that matters most • How chronic symptoms can be tied to nervous system patterns • Tools to calm the body when symptoms flare • The power of mindset shifts in healing • Why humor, movement, gratitude, and support matter • How to stop living in constant “what if” mode This episode is a reminder that your body is not working against you, and change is possible. Connect with Doc Tovah: 📅 Schedule a FREE Discovery Call with Doc Tovah (limited slots) — https://calendly.com/drtovah-support/new-meeting 🌐 Website — https://www.drtovah.com 📸 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/tmsroundtable/ 👥 Join the Supportive Facebook Group (3,000+ Members) — https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AwrZpoEdK 📘 Facebook Page — https://www.facebook.com/tmsroundtablerecoverychronicpain Connect with Callie: Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Tiktok Let's be Facebook friends Watch my FREE master class

In this episode, I’m joined by Bonnie Gross, the writer and executive producer of Lady Parts , a comedy based on her real-life experience with vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, pelvic floor dysfunction, and vestibulectomy surgery. We talk about what it is actually like to live with vulvar pain, from pain with tampons, sex, sitting, tight clothes, and everyday life, to the years of medical gaslighting that so many women face before getting real answers. I also share parts of my own story with vulvodynia and surgery, which made this conversation feel especially personal. Bonnie opens up about finally getting diagnosed, undergoing a vestibulectomy, navigating recovery, and dealing with the emotional toll chronic pelvic pain can take on intimacy, relationships, mental health, and self-worth. We also talk about painful Pap smears, trauma in gynecology offices, why trauma-informed care matters, and how Lady Parts is helping more people feel seen through humor, honesty, and storytelling. This episode is for anyone dealing with vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, painful sex, chronic pelvic pain, bladder pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, or the feeling that your body is being dismissed. In this episode, we cover: Vulvodynia and neuroproliferative vestibulodynia Vestibulectomy surgery and recovery Pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic pain Medical gaslighting in women’s health Painful sex, tampons, and Pap smears Shame, intimacy, and relationships Trauma-informed gynecologic care Bonnie’s film Lady Parts and where to watch it Follow Lady Parts & Watch The Film: Follow Lady Parts for upcoming screenings, streaming updates, and ways to support the film. WATCH THE FILM HERE Work with Callie: Join my FREE live master class on March 31/April 1st Watch my FREE master class Join Road To Remission

In this episode, I sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas to talk about what is actually normal when it comes to peeing, pooping, pelvic floor symptoms, and sex. We break down the everyday things so many people assume are normal, like peeing all the time, straining to poop, leaking urine, bloating, and pain with sex, and explain when those things deserve a closer look. Alicia also shares why she wrote Power to the Pelvis and how pelvic floor education can help people better understand what their bodies are trying to say. In this episode, we cover: • how often most adults should pee during the day and at night • what a healthy urine stream, color, and bladder volume look like • why “just in case” peeing can train your bladder the wrong way • what normal bowel movement frequency and stool consistency look like • why straining is not normal for urination or bowel movements • whether bloating should be considered normal • what leakage actually means and why it should not be ignored • why pain with sex is common but not something you should accept • when to see a pelvic floor PT If you’ve ever wondered whether your symptoms are just part of life or a sign your body needs support, this episode gives you a clear starting point. CONNECT WITH ALICIA: Follow Alicia on Instagram Buy "Power To The Pelvis" here WORK WITH CALLIE: Join my FREE master class on 3/31 and 4/1 : Get Bladder Relief By Summer Join Road To Remission FOLLOW CALLIE ON SOCIALS: Instagram Tiktok Youtube Facebook

In this episode of the IC You Podcast, I sit down with my client Landi to talk about her experience with interstitial cystitis, bladder pain, urgency, frequency, and burning that continued even when urine tests were negative. We talk about what happens when symptoms feel constant, why nervous system dysregulation can keep the cycle going, and how healing often looks slower and more layered than people expect. Landi shares how her life changed after years of fear, restrictive diet advice, and feeling dismissed, and what began to shift once she started addressing neuroplastic symptoms and learning how to create safety in her body again. What we talk about How her symptoms began with recurring UTIs and later constant urgency, frequency, and burning without infection Receiving an IC diagnosis and feeling lost after medications and instillations did not fully help How online forums and the IC diet increased food fear and anxiety Discovering nervous system dysregulation as a major root cause The shift from feeling at war with her body to working with it The role of community support, emotional processing, and self compassion Nervous system tools she uses daily, including journal speak, somatic movement, breathwork, tapping, and safety statements What progress looks like now as she returns to concerts, shopping, and line dancing Why she started her own podcast, Surviving and Thriving FREE Resources/work with me: Watch my FREE master class Join Road To Remission Join R2R Self-Study

Did you know March is National Endometriosis Month? In this episode, I’m talking about endometriosis , how it can show up, why it often takes way too long to get diagnosed, and what real relief can look like when you stop treating pain like it’s only a “tissue problem.” I’m joined by pelvic physiotherapist Jill Mueller, who shares her personal story, what finally helped her become symptom-free, and how she now helps others through pelvic physio, pain science, and nervous system work. We also dig into the overlap between endometriosis, interstitial cystitis (IC), and overactive bladder (OAB) , including why so many people with endometriosis have bladder symptoms even when endometriosis isn’t actually on the bladder. If you’ve ever wondered “Is this endo, IC, OAB… or all of the above?”, this conversation will help you connect the dots without spiraling. Topics We Cover Why debilitating period pain isn’t “normal,” even if you’ve been told it is Fertility struggles as a common path to discovering endometriosis The difference between ablation vs excision surgery (and why training matters) The evolving role of ultrasound and MRI in diagnosing endometriosis Why symptom severity doesn’t always match how much endometriosis is present “Cross-sensitization,” and why pelvic organs can start acting like cranky roommates How predictable flares can become learned patterns (and how to interrupt them) Building a bigger “window of tolerance” so you’re not trapped in rigid rules to stay okay Why vacations can flare some people and calm others (and what that suggests) Work With Jill Join endometriosis 260 Jill's website Follow Jill on Instagram Work with Callie Watch my FREE master class Join Road To Remission Book a 1:1 coaching call (limited spots available) Follow me on Instagram

In this episode of IC You, I sit down with Faith Ashenden to talk about mind body healing, neuroplasticity, and how our response to symptoms can shape the healing process. Faith shares her story of living with chronic illness for a decade before discovering subconscious and nervous system work that helped her recover. We discuss her recent UTI experience and why it felt like a non event, which leads into a deeper conversation about fear, identity, and the meaning we attach to flares. Faith explains how thoughts influence neurochemicals in the body, why chronic stress keeps the nervous system stuck in survival mode, and why healing often requires stepping away from the “chronically ill” identity. We also share simple, realistic ways to support your nervous system day to day, from setting phone boundaries to focusing on presence rather than perfect routines. If you want to connect with Faith or explore her work, her links are in the episode description. WORK WITH FAITH: Faith's website Follow Faith on Instagram WORK WITH CALLIE: Watch my FREE master class Join Road To Remission Join Road To Remission Self-Study (men welcome) Book a 1:1 call with me (limited time offer) CALLIE'S SOCIALS: Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Tiktok Follow my Youtube channel

In this episode, I’m joined by pelvic floor occupational therapist Paige Genova to talk about something that comes up constantly in the interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder space: why symptoms often continue even after the body has healed. We break down how the nervous system and pelvic floor work together, how neuroplastic symptoms can develop after things like a UTI or stressful life events, and why focusing only on muscles or biomechanics can keep people feeling stuck. Paige shares how her Pelvicology framework blends brain and body work to help people move toward lasting relief. We cover: The difference between pelvic floor PT and pelvic floor OT How fear and hypervigilance can amplify bladder sensations Why bladder diaries, trigger tracking, and over monitoring can sometimes backfire How to understand the role of neuroplasticity in IC, bladder pain, and OAB What it looks like to treat both tissue factors and the nervous system together If you’ve ever wondered why your symptoms linger, started “out of nowhere,” or have not improved with traditional pelvic floor therapy alone, this episode will help you see your symptoms through a new lens. Connect with Paige: Paige's website Follow Paige on Instagram Work with Callie: Watch my FREE master class Join Road To Remission Join R2R Self-Study (men are welcome) Connect with Callie: Follow me on IG Follow me on Tiktok Let's be Facebook friends Follow my Youtube channel

In this episode, I’m joined by therapist Vanessa Blackstone to talk about something I see all the time in the interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder space: the belief that our bodies are too fragile to handle life. We break down how this mindset shows up through food fear, exercise avoidance, social isolation, and hypervigilance. Vanessa explains how this protective response forms, why it makes so much sense, and what to do when it’s no longer helping. We cover: How the nervous system gets stuck in fear loops The connection between trauma and bladder symptoms What you’re actually telling your body when you avoid certain triggers How to build safety and flexibility without pushing too hard Vanessa’s 4-step process to work through fear and feel more free We also share personal stories (including one about poop on a plane) to show that healing can include humor too.If you’ve been feeling limited, scared to live outside your routine, or unsure how to start challenging your symptoms, this one’s for you.

If you’re dealing with interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder, pelvic floor dysfunction, pudendal neuralgia, or just stuck in the chronic symptom spiral, this episode ft Dr. Howard Schubiner is a must-listen. We dig deep into how your brain and nervous system play a huge role in symptoms like urgency, frequency, pain, burning, fatigue, dizziness... you name it. And no, that doesn’t mean it’s “in your head.” It means your brain and body are in constant conversation, and when your nervous system’s on high alert, your symptoms follow. Here’s what we get into: What neuroplastic pain actually is and why it matters Why the traditional way interstitial cystitis is diagnosed and treated is flawed What the research says (including the Boulder back pain study) Why having Hunner’s lesions or “angry bladder” findings doesn’t rule out neuroplastic symptoms How to use the FIT criteria to evaluate your own symptoms Emotional patterns like perfectionism, people pleasing, and needing to fix it ASAP What Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) actually look like in practice Connect with Howard: His website Read his book (new version coming out in May) Follow him on Instagram Listen to his podcast: The Science Behind The Symptoms Work with Callie: Join Road To Remission Join R2R Self Study Watch my FREE master class Follow Callie on socials: Instagram Tiktok Facebook Youtube

In this episode of IC You, I sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist and YouTube creator Dr. Brianne Grogan to talk about self love when your body feels like it has turned against you. We explore what it is like to live with bladder pain, urgency, frequency, pelvic floor symptoms, or prolapse and how easy it is to start seeing yourself as broken or defined by a diagnosis. We also dig into nervous system protection, perfectionism, comparison on social media, and why healing is rarely a straight line. Dr. Bri shares simple somatic tools, mirror work, and grounding practices so you can feel safer in your body and move through flares with more curiosity and compassion instead of blame. What You’ll Learn:• How feelings of body betrayal show up with IC, OAB, pelvic pain, prolapse, and other bladder symptoms• Why attaching your identity to a diagnosis can keep you stuck and how to gently step out of that role• The link between nervous system protection, perfectionism, and symptom flare ups• Practical self image and self love tools including movement, breath, sound, mirror work, and bone based grounding• How to view setbacks and flares as information rather than failure so you can stay compassionate and keep going Connect with Dr. Bri: Youtube Instagram Website Work with Callie: Join Road To Remission Enroll in Road To Remission Self-Study Connect with Callie: Instagram Tiktok Youtube