Welcome to Season 3, Episode 13 of A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long Covid Podcast! In this episode, I got to connect with Heather Schulte. Heather is the powerhouse behind Stitching the Situation. From her website: "Stitching the Situation is a continuation of artist Heather Schulte’s textile work, Situation Report, a daily cross-stitch documentation of the coronavirus case and death counts in the U.S. from Jan 20-June 25. The Situation Report panels began as the artist’s way to record cases in the US, and translate them visually with stitch. "

We discuss a unique art exhibition called "It Comes in Waves," centered around the impacts of COVID-19. Set in The People's Building, an art gallery located on the east side of Aurora, Colorado, Heather took me on a tour of the displayed art pieces, which include drawings, dye sublimation prints, and masks. The exhibition, organized by Heather, features a mix of personal stories and collective experiences related to living with Long Covid. Special attention is given to the ‘Stitching the Situation’ project, which involves community participation in cross-stitching data and personal stories onto cloth. The discussion also highlights the incorporation of art from incarcerated individuals, collaborations with other artists, and the logistical challenges of managing such a significant project. I'm absolutely thrilled that this podcast is included in the exhibit. I called my portion "A Life Redacted," and it is made up of excerpts of episodes with words redacted from the transcripts. It Comes in Waves illustrates the power of art in documenting and processing collective trauma. Heather, you are amazing, thank you for all the work you do!

You can find Heather on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stitchingthesituation/ and https://www.instagram.com/heatherdschulte/

Press for It Comes in Waves includes

This feature from Visit Denver

A review from DARIA Art Magazine

One woman’s method for coping with COVID turned into a 5-year art project, now on display in Aurora

Art Show It Comes in Waves Brings Long COVID Stories to Light

From Denver Westword: Running through December 30, It Comes in Waves invites viewers to consider what happens when a crisis slips from public view but its consequences remain. Supported by an INSITE Fund grant from RedLine Contemporary Art Center, the project builds on artist Schulte’s ongoing initiative Stitching the Situation, a national effort to document the human toll of COVID-19 through collective textile work.

In this bonus episode of A Friend for the Long Haul, I get to talk with Dr. Julia Moore Vogel from Scripps Research. I slid into her DMs to see if she'd like to join me to discuss the recruitment and structure of a new clinical trial examining the effects of tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 and GIP agonist, on long COVID symptoms.

Dr. Vogel is the Senior Program Director, The Participant Center, All of Us Research Program. She's a fellow long hauler and "manages The Participant Center (TPC) for the All of Us Research Program which is charged with recruiting and retaining 350,000 individuals that represent the diversity of the United States. TPC aims to make it possible for interested individuals anywhere in the US to become active participants, for example by collaborating with numerous outreach partners to raise awareness, collecting biosamples nationwide, returning participants’ results and developing self-guided workflows that enable participants to join whenever is convenient for them." (Thanks for letting me borrow the blurb, Scripps. <3)

Our conversation covers the trial's remote format, patient support systems, potential impacts on symptoms like fatigue, GI issues, and mental health, as well as Dr. Vogel's personal experiences. This episode provides an overview for those interested in participating or learning more about cutting-edge long COVID research. Dr. Vogel also drops a few new nuggets of trial information that she hasn't shared elsewhere!

Here's the structure of the episode:

• Meet Dr. Julia Moore Vogel
• Discussing the TIRZEPATIDE Trial
• Remote Trials and Scripps Research
• Challenges and Support in Clinical Trials
• Placebo Concerns and Trial Integrity
• Gastrointestinal Concerns and Safety Monitoring
• Beth's quest to be sponsored by the Squatty Potty (Call me!)
• Support and the recommendations for therapy around Body Dysmorphia, Eating Disorders, Nutritional Guidance, and trauma from things like MCAS
• Metrics and Questionnaires for Measuring Improvements
• MCAS, EDS, and the Trifecta
• Drug formulations and brand confusion
• Hopes for the Trial
• Final thoughts and the big 3 questions

If you're interested in the the Long COVID Treatment Trial-Tirzepatide (LoCITT-T):

Check out their website: https://longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/

or email the team at longcovid-t@scripps.edu.

If you're interested in my anecdotal experience using tirzepatide as a first wave long hauler since January, you can follow me on Instagram, TikTok, or Substack. I have several posts there that you won't find anywhere else, and none are behind a paywall.

1. A GLP-Fun Adventure
2. One Month into GLP-Fun

Welcome back to another episode of A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long COVID Podcast! In episode 11 of Season 3, I sit down with Claire and Amaranthia from Sista Creatives Rising. We met shortly after Art and Mind 2025 so that we could recap the experience and tap in to how they were feeling after hosting the event. Held on Thursday, September 25th, Art and Mind 2025 gathered an impressive turnout and showcased a blend of artists, community care, and education. The team who helped support Claire and Amaranthia and who were featured artists includes:

• Sarena Brown
• Chi White
• Brenda Macintyre - Medicine Song Woman
• Frankie Fingerling
• Brittany Shorpshire
• Nabila Nugroho
• Veronica Lee
• Mondo Millions
• Han Hamel

You can find out so much more about them and find a TON of resources in this document! This year's themes included COVID, climate change, and isolation. You can watch the entire event via Claire and Amaranthia's YouTube channel and check out the interactive art gallery they created here. There's actually a full playlist of videos for the event here. This episode offers a deep dive into the meticulous planning, intentionality, and community collaboration that made Art and Mind 2025 a great success!

These two humans truly make the world a better place!

Find Claire and Amaranthia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sistacreativesrising/ and subscribe to their Substack.

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