
Episodes

Monday Feb 15, 2021
Episode 28 Sarc Fighter Andrena Johnson is making a Sacroidosis Documentary
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Andrena Johnson is fighting back by making a documentary on Sarcoidosis called Project Purple: Mission Sarcoidosis Awareness. Andrena is a a Hollywood actor and Director who is also fighting neurosarcoidosis. Frustrated by how it was impacting her career, Andrena produced a 12 minute documentary with essentially no budget. But thanks to friends in high places in the industry, she was able to get it on Prime Video where people began watching it. Before long she realized she needed to make a big time, full length documentary about sarcoidosis. In this episode of the Sarc Fighter podcast, Andrena details her own journey with sarc as well as her acting career and how she started her current documentary project.
Andrena on IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4315892/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
Project Purple Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Sarcoidawarenessfilm/
Andrena in Coffin https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1667416/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast
Andrena's production company on FB https://www.facebook.com/ascreativeproduction/
Surviving Sarcoidosis mini-documentary https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Sarcoidosis-Deborah-Rice/dp/B082DR6N88
More on aTyr Pharma: https://www.atyrpharma.com/
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/
FSR Summits 2020 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/patient-summits/
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Ryan Norenberg is fighting cardiac sarcoidosis with a one-two punch that includes the use of CBD oil and a holistic diet. Many people who have appeared on the Sarc Fighter podcast have been frustrated by the lack of choices when it comes to treatment of their disease. There is a menu of medicines that people are familiar with ranging from prednisone to Remicade to Imuran and others. For many people, these are only marginally effective.
So you ask yourself, "What if I just ate better?" or "Should I avoid certain foods?"
Ryan says yes. In fact his wife is now a certified Holistic Nutritionist.
In addition, Ryan has turned to a newer alternative - CBD oil. In this podcast, he explains how he uses this over-the-counter therapy to reduce inflammation.
Give the podcast a listen and see if there isn't an opportunity for you to make some lifestyle adjustments, that could improve your situation.
Additional notes from Ryan!
Lindsey Norenberg's Website www.nourishbylindsey.com
Realm of Caring website https://realmofcaring.org/
Here are a couple related to the Omega6/3 topic:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12442909/
This is an abstract to a research document that one would need to pay for but you can get the idea of it in the abstract provided.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/optimize-omega-6-omega-3-ratio
This is a good one I found geared more towards the layman. It explains the importance while providing some specific information about different foods and sources of omega 6’s and 3’s.
As it is with CBD, it is important to get fish oil from a reliable source. As it is unregulated, there is a potential of high mercury content. Additionally, it is recommended to consume in a true liquid oil form that is stored and shipped at cooled temperatures vs capsules that have been on a store or warehouse shelf for unknown time at unknown temperatures. I currently use Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega liquid available on Amazon and shipped with a cold pack. I take 2800 mg/daily (1 teaspoon).
The probiotic I take is Ther Biotic complete. This one has 12 strains of bacteria.
Here are some related to cannabinoid therapy:
Cannabinoids-as-novel-anti-inflammatory-drugs.pdf
This one focuses more on THC than CBD specifically but provides a good overview of our endocannabinoid system and how it works.
Here is a group related to inflammation
Research Library - Realm of Caring Foundation
Here is a group of research articles related to cannabinoids and their impact on immune function.
https://store.healthylivingshop.com/
Here is a link to the Cleveland Clinic Healthy Living Shop. The supplements on this site have been vetted by the CC and they consider trustworthy and reliable. However, that doesn’t mean that there are not other good options out there but the buyer needs to beware.
https://www.charlottesweb.com/
This is my trusted source of CBD. There are several other good ones out there as well. They offer different types (gummies, oil, lotions…) and different ratios of CBD/THC ranging from 100% CBD isolate to full plant extract containing up to the .03% federal limit on THC content.
Here is an article I found describing the legislation that established the hemp laws.
Ryan also advises:
.03% THC adds up and is not completely negligible in its effects at higher doses. The Realm of Caring can offer some support here as well. If you do decide to try CBD, I recommend you read up on the “entourage effect”. You can find some articles on the Realm of Caring Research Library page. Basically, studies are limited but there is evidence to believe that CBD is more effective in the presence of THC and other cannabinoids vs isolated by itself.
Charlotte’s Web offers discounted pricing if you register with them and offers further discounts if you subscribe to recurring deliveries. I have found the subscription to be the most cost-effective way to get it.

Monday Jan 18, 2021
Monday Jan 18, 2021
In Episode 26 of the Sarc Fighter Podcast, Amy Cobb Describes how sarcoidosis is slowly taking over her body and to a certain extent - her life. Amy is a mother of three who works full time as a nurse practitioner. Now -- almost a year into the pandemic, she has been living with sarc, while treating patients fighting COVID-19. In this episode, Amy talks about how she's been able to handle Sarc and a cabinet full of medication while trying to continue as a soccer mom and medical professional.
More on the Sarcoidosis Documentary from Mission Purple. https://www.facebook.com/Sarcoidawarenessfilm/
Atyr Pharma News Release https://investors.atyrpharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/atyr-pharma-announces-completion-enrollment-phase-1b2a-clinical
More on aTyr Pharma: https://www.atyrpharma.com/
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Monday Jan 04, 2021
Episode 25 Tracy Bawtinheimer was a world traveling executive until...
Monday Jan 04, 2021
Monday Jan 04, 2021
In Episode 25 of the Sarc Fighter podcast, patient Tracy Bawtinheimer tells the story of how sarc slowly damaged her heart until she had to make serious life changes. At one point doctors told her she had a one percent chance of survival. Yet she has found a way to prevail, even though the difficult learning curve of how to live a life after sarcoidosis.
More on aTyr Pharma: https://www.atyrpharma.com/
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/
FSR Summits 2020 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/patient-summits/
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Monday Dec 28, 2020
Episode 24 Sarc Fighter Frank Rivera fights long Covid-19
Monday Dec 28, 2020
Monday Dec 28, 2020
Frank Rivera is one of the loudest voices in the Sarcoidosis community. But COVID-19 didn't care. It hit him with a vengeance, then it came back.
In Episode 24 of the Sarc Fighter Podcast, Frank talks about what doctors are calling "Long COVID" because it just doesn't go away.
Despite his condition, Frank continues to work as a volunteer, helping other sarc patients. In fact, he recently formed a new outreach group called strongerthansarcoidosis.org to help make it easier for people to get answers about doctors, medications and navigating the tangles mess that is too often between sarc patients and the care they need and deserve.
Stronger than Sarcoidosis https://strongerthansarcoidosis.org/
Frank's Blog https://lifeasararepatient.blog/?fbclid=IwAR0YpnPmGOgXX6GKxG9SHwetjuye8G4cJCbErhV1yxHSBPf7cLukJSg4k2o
Frank on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fjr311
Looking for previous episodes? https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarc-fighter-podcast/
The Sarc Fighter Podcast is presented in part by a grant from aTyr Pharma.
More on aTyr Pharma: https://www.atyrpharma.com/
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Monday Dec 07, 2020
Monday Dec 07, 2020
Dr. Taufiq Ahmad lives a quiet life in the UK. But slowly he felt that normal activities were wearing him out.
In Episode 23 of the Sarc Fighter podcast, Dr. Ahmad tells the story of how he went from active cyclist, recreational soccer player and general outdoors enthusiast, to a man who spends a lot of time on couch. Even though he is a physician -- Sarcoidosis was not one of the causes on his radar.
Ultimately, however it was determined that #sarcoidosis had badly damaged his heart.
Looking for previous episodes? https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarc-fighter-podcast/
The Sarc Fighter Podcast is presented in part by a grant from aTyr Pharma.
More on aTyr Pharma: https://www.atyrpharma.com/
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Monday Nov 16, 2020
Monday Nov 16, 2020
In this episode of the Sarc Fighter Podcast, Mary McGowan stops by to share more about herself, her extensive background in leadership for healthcare organizations, and her vision for the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research.
More about Mary and the rest of the staff at FSR https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/about/staff/
More on aTyr Pharma: https://www.atyrpharma.com/
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/
FSR Summits 2020 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/patient-summits/
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Monday Nov 09, 2020
Episode 21 Why Sarc is more prevalent in women with Ozioma Chioma PhD
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Ozioma Chioma is a postdoctoral fellow at Vanderbilt University. A microbiologist, she is putting her skills to work thanks to a grant from the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. Ozi - as she is often called, is looking specifically for a link between hormones in women and sarcoidosis. Her preliminary findings indicate there is such a link. This could lead to a cure or at least a better treatment down the road.
Dr. Chioma will talk about her research, how far they have come and what's next.
More on Dr. Chioma https://medicine.vumc.org/person/ozioma-chioma-phd
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oziomachioma/
Also in this podcast, I give you the rundown for the November FSR Summit that will be held virtually this year on November 14. I will be moderating a patient panel discussion that day! Hope to see you there. Whether it's self care, dealing with COVID fears, or trying to eat better -- or meeting other Sarc Fighters there are many reasons to attend.
Check out the summit agenda here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/november-virtual-sarcoidosis-patient-education-summit-tickets-109038432888
More on aTyr Pharma: https://www.atyrpharma.com/
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/
FSR Summits 2020 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/patient-summits/
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Monday Oct 26, 2020
Episode 20 Mark Landiak was hiking the Grand Canyon, when ...
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Cardiac Sarc Fighter Mark Landiak has had a tough run of it. One day he is feeling great, getting some fresh air with his daughter on a hike most people would never undertake. The next, he isn't sure what's wrong -- but it's not good. In Episode 20 of the Sarc Fighter Podcast, Mark talks about his struggles to get through that day and how it cot worse after that. But not to be held down, Mark has written a book on how he fought sarcoidosis and how you can too. He's also a mega-fundraiser for the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research.
Mark's Website: https://gettingbetterwithmark.com/
A quick look at Mark's story: https://gettingbetterwithmark.com/story/
Mark's Blog: https://gettingbetterwithmark.com/coping-with-sarcoidosis/
More on aTyr Pharma: https://www.atyrpharma.com/
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/
FSR Summits 2020 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/patient-summits/
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/

Monday Oct 12, 2020
Episode 19 Desiree was a cover girl for health ... until.
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Desiree West-McCarty was young, beautiful and healthy. So much so that she was on the cover of a magazine with the caption "A picture of Health." Then she started getting headaches. "I was on the beach in Hawaii, and it hurt so bad I cried," Desiree said. Over time she would come to learn that she had neurosarcoidosis in her brain. In Episode 19 of the Sarc Fighter podcast, Desiree details her story, of how things went from headaches to the hospital and more.
After we recorded the podcast Desiree emailed the following about prednisone...
Shortly after our conversation, I remembered a fact that I had forgotten: I said that at the time of my stroke, I was just taking CellCept, but I forgot that I was also tapering off prednisone at the time. I think I was down to 20 mg/ day. A theory is that the prednisone taper was too fast and that could be what triggered the stroke. After the stroke, they upped my prednisone dosage to 80 mg/day again and did a slow taper over the course of about 9 months. I loathed prednisone, but it helped me in so many ways, too. I definitely have a love-hate relationship with it.
Meet Mary McGowan -- the new CEO for the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/fsr-announces-new-ceo/
Sample agenda for November Summit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/november-virtual-sarcoidosis-patient-education-summit-tickets-109038432888
Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser!
If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier
You can listen on You Tube as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCbA3EDJ6Ak&list=OLAK5uy_ktdC7Pn7_ezhy4ZJzV_u7o76bqIv6cC6o
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/
FSR Summits 2020 https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/patient-summits/
Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E
My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/
email me carlinagency@gmail.com
Sarc Fighter Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SarcFighter/
Sarc Fighter on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesarcfighter/
Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/