A Gluten Free Podcast
Episode 177

On this episode, I begin with a quick recap of last week's powerful chat with Professor Bob Anderson, where we explored the science behind coeliac disease and the complexities of its diagnosis and treatment.

This week, I’m taking a more personal turn.

I want to talk about something I know many of us carry: guilt. Whether you've been recently diagnosed or have been living gluten free for years, you may carry around the thought that your coeliac disease is your fault. I know I have and it's taken me a long time to shed that guilt. Admittedly, I'm still working on it!

Is it something I did? Was it my genes? My lifestyle? My diet? Or the doctors who missed it?

The truth is—coeliac disease is caused by a mixture of genetic and environmental factors that are completely out of our control. So let me say this clearly:
👉 It’s not your fault.
Let go of that blame. You didn’t choose this disease, and you don’t have to carry the guilt that comes with it.

If you’re still holding on to those feelings, just know that you’re not alone—and I’ll be offering more support for you very soon. Keep an eye on everything we’re doing at A Gluten Free Family.

What We Cover:

• A quick recap of last week’s episode with Professor Bob Anderson
• Why it’s not your fault you have coeliac disease
• Letting go of blame—whether it’s toward yourself or others
• Connecting with where you're at on your gluten free journey
• Hints about upcoming support resources
• A teaser for next week’s episode featuring Iron Ramen

Links & Resources:

• 🎧 Listen to the episode with Professor Bob Anderson
• 📬 Sign up to A Gluten Free Newsletter
• 📱 Follow us on Instagram
• 💬 Join our Facebook community

Let’s Connect:
Have you felt guilt around your diagnosis? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate this journey by yourself. Let’s keep the conversation going: one chat at a time.

Disclaimer

The content on this podcast is not a substitution for professional medical advice. It is the opinion and experience of the show host or guests. Please seek professional medical advice from a medically qualified professional before making any decisions about your health or diet.

A Gluten Free Podcast
Episode 176

On today’s episode I chat with Associate Professor Dr Bob Anderson — a world-renowned gastroenterologist, immunologist and trailblazer in coeliac disease research. From his foundational work at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) to creating Nexvax2, leading Novoviah Pharmaceuticals, and becoming President of the International Society for the Study of Coeliac Disease (ISSCD), Bob has shaped the coeliac research landscape as we know it.

We discuss how his career began, what he’s most excited about in current research, and what’s ahead for coeliac disease globally — including a look at ICDS 2026 in Melbourne.

What We Cover

🧠 How Bob first got involved in coeliac disease research
🔬 His early work at WEHI and key discoveries
💉 The Nexvax2 vaccine – what it was designed to do and why it was discontinued
🧪 New diagnostic tools like Interleukin 2 and their future use in screening and management
🌍 Thoughts on Italy’s population screening trial and the potential for something similar in Australia
📈 How coeliac research and diagnosis has changed over the decades
🌾 Whether gluten is the issue — or environmental/lifestyle factors are at play
🌐 Why global collaboration is essential in advancing coeliac research and care
🌟 His new role as President of ISSCD and its mission
🇦🇺 What to expect from the 2026 International Coeliac Disease Symposium in Melbourne
🔭 His hopes for the future of coeliac disease research

Guest Bio: Dr Bob Anderson

Associate Professor Dr Bob Anderson is an Australian-based gastroenterologist, translational immunologist, and coeliac disease expert. He has led major research projects and pharmaceutical programs focused on immune responses to gluten and has worked closely with both the scientific community and patient groups. Bob developed Nexvax2, the first peptide-based immunotherapy for coeliac disease, and currently leads the development of T-cell diagnostics at Novoviah Pharmaceuticals. He also practises at Mackay Base Hospital and was recently named President of the International Society for the Study of Coeliac Disease (ISSCD).

Links & Resources

🔗 Novoviah
🔬 Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)
🌐 International Society for the Study of Coeliac Disease (ISSCD)
📍 ICDS 2026 – Melbourne (More info coming soon)

Get Involved

📩 If you want to hear about Novoviah’s upcoming coeliac disease trials, register your interest at https://novoviahtools.com. These trials are contributing to the development of new diagnostics and therapies, and not all studies will involve a gluten challenge.

Connect with Us

💬 DM me on Instagram: @aglutenfreefamily
📰 Subscribe to A Gluten Free Newsletter
🎙️ Catch up on past episodes of A Gluten Free Podcast

A Big Thank You to Dr Bob Anderson

Bob’s dedication to coeliac disease research has been nothing short of incredible. His work has laid the foundation for everything we now understand about this condition, and it was an honour to have him on the podcast.

Disclaimer

The content on this podcast is not a substitution for professional medical advice. It is the opinion and experience of the show host or guests. Please seek professional medical advice from a medically qualified professional before making any decisions about your health or diet.

Episode 175

Welcome to A Gluten Free Podcast! In this Gluten Free Thoughts episode, I’ll be sharing my perspective on the importance of working together as a community—in the coeliac disease research space, advocacy, health care and the community living with coeliac disease ourselves.

What I’ll Cover in This Episode:

✅ Recap of last week's episode – Olivia Moscatelli shared how different coeliac disease organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and researchers need to come together to advance understanding and research in coeliac disease.
✅ Why collaboration is key in the gluten-free and coeliac disease space
✅ The challenges of competition versus community mindset
✅ Listing various coeliac disease organizations around the world and the work they’re doing
✅ Working together with your healthcare professionals for better diagnosis and management
✅ Supporting each other in the coeliac and gluten-free community
✅ Keeping the same goal in mind—to help those of us in the coeliac and gluten-free community
✅ How A Gluten Free Family and A Gluten Free Podcast are all about bringing people together

Next Week:

🎙 I’ll be speaking with Professor Bob Anderson, world-renowned coeliac disease researcher and now president of the International Society for the Study of Coeliac Disease (ISSCD). We’ll discuss how the International Coeliac Disease Symposium is helping to bring all countries and coeliac disease organisations together to advance research and awareness.

Links & Resources:
🌎 Celiac Disease Organisations around the world
👨‍💻 Debunking 5 Coeliac Disease & Gluten Free Myths blog
📩 Subscribe to A Gluten Free Newsletter – Get updates, exclusive content, and gluten-free insights straight to your inbox! Sign up here
🎙 Listen to Past Episodes – Check out interviews, expert insights, and personal stories. Browse here
📲 Follow A Gluten Free Family – Stay connected on Instagram & Facebook

If you enjoy the episode, please leave a rating & review—it really helps spread the word!

Disclaimer

The content on this podcast is not a substitution for professional medical advice. It is the opinion and experience of the show host or guests. Please seek professional medical advice from a medically qualified professional before making any decisions about your health or diet.