Episode description

What happens to identity and self-confidence when illness changes the body?

In this episode, Fatimah Ali is joined by Dr. Harriette Richard—psychologist, researcher, and three-time breast cancer survivor—for an honest conversation about illness, body changes, grief, visibility, and rebuilding a sense of self.

Although their health journeys are different, Fatimah and Harriette share a familiar experience: learning how to navigate life when symptoms, scars, fatigue, mobility changes, treatment, or recovery affect how you see yourself—and how you believe others see you.

Together, they explore:

• The grief of the “old you”
• Living with visible and invisible illness
• Self-confidence after scars, body changes, and altered ability
• Isolation, uncertainty, and feeling disconnected from former roles
• Faith, grounding, and emotional resilience
• Creativity and self-expression during recovery
• Post-traumatic growth without minimizing pain
• Hope and purpose while living with lupus, cancer survivorship, or chronic illness

This episode is for anyone living with lupus, breast cancer, autoimmune disease, chronic illness, disability, or a health condition that has changed their relationship with their body and identity.

Illness may change the body, but it does not erase your worth, voice, purpose, or capacity to become.