Celiac Project Podcast

Much of the time when we talk about the manifestation and symptoms of celiac disease we talk about G.I.symptoms. In recent years we are learning more and more that neurological and psychological issues are more common than once believed. Mike and Cam dig deep into some of the connections. Included in their candid conversation is a recent study showing that a large portion of folks diagnosed with ADHD actually have undiagnosed celiac. Mike also shares some of his childhood neurological challenges and his own issues around ADHD.

Mike and Cam are happy to sit down with Mike's daughter Jessica, who is now officially a teenager. Jessica shares some of the ups and downs of her summer from a celiac perspective and how she feels about going back to school in person for the first time in almost 2 years! Jessica talks candidly about some of her takeaways from her remote schooling, what she's looking forward to about returning to school in person, and the things that are adding to her stress. She certainly isn't looking forward to the cafeteria food fights!

It's September, which for many means heading back to school, so Mike and Cam sit down with Andrea Tucker of Baltimore Gluten Free to talk about some of the challenges of going back to school with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. She also points out some issues that may have changed for the better due to pandemic protocols. We also discuss the importance of 504 plans and how to plan for success when your student is heading off to college. Andrea has many tips and tricks and shares news of an upcoming webinar and her excellent GF College 101 Course.

Mike and Cam are so pleased to sit down with Dr. Daniel Leffler, Senior Medical Director at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Director of Research at the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Leffler is at the forefront of celiac disease research and treatment. This illuminating conversation covers far reaching topics ranging from the mechanisms that turn on celiac disease to some of the very promising treatments and cures coming down the pipeline. Dr. Leffler also shares his candid thoughts about what the future looks like for the celiac community.

Last week Mike shared the details of his exciting trip to Madison, WI. The following week he packed up his family and went to Milwaukee to take in a Major League Baseball game and enjoy the downtown area. Although it seemed that there were going to be lots of great gluten free places to visit on the journey, there were also some challenges to finding safe options along the way. Learn about how their family's quickly planned trip had some highs, lows and avoidable mistakes. Get Mike's top restaurant picks and places that you might want to skip.

Mike took a couple of consecutive weekends to visit two great Wisconsin cities and see what they had to offer from a gluten free perspective. First up is Madison for a softball tournament. While there, Mike and his family had some amazing Venezuelan food and gluten free pizza, allowing them to eat like everyone else (and skip the lines). In next week's episode, their journey to Milwaukee at times turned into a scavenger hunt for safe meals.

Mike and Cam are excited to be joined again on the podcast by "Chef Brian,"(also known as Cam's Dad). Brian shares some of his favorite summer meals, tips and recipes and they reminisce about an incredible 4th of July meal prepared by Brian. In addition, the three guys each chime in about their summer must have meals.

There are new studies looking at the correlation between celiac disease and IBS. Mike and Cam talk about their personal diagnosis of both conditions and talk about some of the similarities and differences that they see between the two.  They also examine the fact that some people with IBS who are not diagnosed with celiac disease (but have a celiac gene), tend to do better on a gluten free diet. Hopefully studying celiac and IBS together will lead to more medical breakthroughs!

Long time friend of the show, Erin Smith, of Gluten Free Globetrotter fame, joins Mike and Cam to talk about her 40 years of living with celiac disease. Since Erin's initial diagnosis as a very young child, much has changed in the celiac and gluten free world. Erin shares some of her most profound takeaways living a life with celiac both from the perspective of a child and an adult. She also shares what got her started advocating for people with celiac disease and what keeps her going.

Mike and Cam sit down with Carla Carter, Director of Outreach and Programing at National Celiac Association (NCA). Carla shares her own personal celiac story as well as the origin story of NCA. We also learn about some of the exciting programs and initiatives that NCA is doing to support those with celiac disease. This includes online and in person support groups, their exciting "Feeding Gluten-Free" program to help those with food insecurity, and so much more!

In the exciting conclusion of our 2 part Summer News and Notes podcast, Mike and Cam share more fascinating letters from listeners. This includes questions about gluten detection dogs and oats, how we go about dining out, and some important work being done by the National Celiac Association. The guys also share their thoughts on a recent Italian study that might prove that celiac is more common than previously thought.

It's time again for Mike and Cam to dig into their mailbag and share some amazing letters, including a listener who gets help with a diagnosis of another autoimmune condition from tuning into a past podcast! Plus, hear about how the NIMA sensor saved the day involving a meal out that went wrong in so many ways. The boys also share some news including their thoughts on Men's Health Awareness Month.

Mike and Cam sit down with Dr. Francisco Leon, renowned celiac researcher, immunologist, and founder of Provention Bio Inc. Dr. Leon is a leader in the research efforts to find treatments for celiac disease and shares with Mike and Cam some of the promising research efforts as well as the different forms that these treatments will take. Hear his compelling reasoning about why there isn't more celiac research in general as well as his insights about a possible celiac cure one day, when that might happen, and what it might look like. 

Mike and Cam sit down for a fascinating conversation with the author of "Celiac Mom," Ann Campanella. Ann shares the challenges that she faced as a first time mother, suddenly thrust into learning the ins and outs of raising a child with celiac disease. These struggles were amplified by the fact that cooking did not come naturally to her. Ann illuminates Mike and Cam on some of her biggest takeaways from her celiac and gluten free journey.

In the exciting conclusion of Cam's 2 part Colorado snowboarding adventure, we try another delicious Holidaily Brewing offering, this time a fantastic stout! Cam also discusses some celiac related challenges that he faced on and around his trip. He also shares some "edge of your seat" moments that came at 12,000 feet as Cam battled back from some scary moments alone in the wilderness!

Cam and a close friend recently took a road trip to Colorado to hit the slopes and to sample some of the finest gluten free beers, courtesy of Holidaily Brewing. In part 1 Cam recounts his gluten free food packing strategy, we sample a few beers and hear about some of the challenges from both a food and weather perspective that comes with a road trip like this.

As Celiac Awareness Month winds down, Mike and Cam reflect on some of their specific takeaways. They also discuss ways they believe that we as a community can amplify and focus our efforts to make celiac awareness resonate on a larger level and create ways to provide more support for those in need.

Many Americans have been struggling financially, trying to figure out a way to get food on the table. It's even more challenging for people who need to be on a gluten free diet and can't find safe food at their local pantry. Mend Hunger is there to lend a hand with "Pantry Direct," a program shipping safe gluten free food boxes nationally! Mike and Cam sit down with the founders and talk about how they have pivoted, from supporting folks locally to expanding their reach on a much larger scale.

Claire Baker, Senior Communications Director of Beyond Celiac, joins Mike and Cam to talk about some great initiatives going on at Beyond Celiac, including "Raise Your Voice" and their work toward identifying celiac disease in underserved communities, helping to support and diagnose people who might otherwise be left without answers.

May is Celiac Awareness Month, so Mike and Cam kick it off once again with their annual "Celiac State of the Union" podcast. Hear Mike and Cam's personal list of 5 things that they think have improved in the arena of celiac awareness, and 5 things that they both think need some work. Most importantly, Mike and Cam hope that this year, celiac awareness month will lead to some important improvements to those of us living with celiac disease!