Episode 119 Diagnosis Detective.

Episode 119: Diagnosis Detective

With guest Angel Parker

  • May 13, 2025
  • 40:19
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This Episode Vibes About...

Angel Parker’s journey with chronic illness is nothing short of extraordinary. After years of unexplained symptoms, she was featured on the Netflix documentary series Diagnosis with Dr. Lisa Sanders, where she finally received a diagnosis of CPT2, a rare metabolic disorder.

Despite facing constant pain, Angel pursued her passion for helping others—becoming a nurse and earning a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Now, she’s taking the next step by launching her own psychology practice..

  • Beyond a Diagnosis
  • Mental Health Matters
  • Dismissed + Disbelieved
  • Family Can Hurt or Heal
  • Tools to Cope + Thrive
  • Broken Systems + Real Lives
  • Stories That Connect + Uplift

Show Notes

Getting a diagnosis should feel like the beginning of healing—but for many living with chronic illness, it’s just the start of a much longer, messier road.

In this episode, Lyndsay Soprano sits down with Angel Parker from the Netflix documentary Diagnosis for a raw, honest conversation about what it really means to live with chronic pain and illness. From the emotional exhaustion of being dismissed by doctors to the quiet heartbreak of not being believed by the people closest to you, this conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. They talk about what happens when your body betrays you, when your mind starts to spiral, and when your world gets smaller because of pain.

But this isn’t just about struggle—it’s about survival. About building your own village when the system fails you. About learning to advocate for yourself, even when your voice shakes. About navigating the anxiety, the food triggers, the family dynamics, and the invisible weight you carry every single day.

Lyndsay and Angel also touch on the global gaps in healthcare, the mental toll of feeling alone in your illness, and the little things—like community, connection, and shared experience—that make all the difference. It’s not tied up in a bow. It’s real. And it just might make you feel a little more seen.

 

Episode Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction to Chronic Pain and Healing
(02:35) The Journey to Diagnosis
(10:18) Living with Chronic Pain: Personal Stories
(16:45) Mental Health and Chronic Illness
(20:32) Navigating Healthcare Systems
(26:49) Understanding CPT2 and Dietary Needs
(31:22) The Power of Community and Support
(37:23) Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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