Music Producer, artist David Rush was diagnosed with kidney failure and doctors told him that he would need a kidney transplant or dialysis to survive.  That is when he decided to take matters into his own hands and use his platform as a music artist and producer to raise awareness for kidney disease, home dialysis and organ donation. Rush teamed up with Pitbull to create a song called All Night which became a viral hit and helped raise awareness for kidney disease and organ donation. Today we learn more about his journey, his work and how he shares his experience with Lori of doing home dialysis while keeping up with a busy work and family schedule.

6/27/2023 - David Rush: Balancing Work and Play while on the Go

Making decisions about kidney failure treatment options can be daunting. Your lifestyle and other considerations play a huge part in the evaluation process. Where do you start? In this podcast, Lori and Dori Schatell, Executive Director at Medical Education Institute (MEI), discuss a new tool that can help you decide which treatment best suits your needs.

5/15/2023 - Choosing a Treatment for Kidney Failure

In this episode, Lori is joined by Dr. Meredith Stensland, Assistant Professor of Research in Psychology at The University of Texas Health Science at San Antonio. Dr. Stensland talks about her research on pet therapy in dialysis centers and the benefits that both patients and staff can experience with this service. Puppy love is contagious, so cuddle up with your furry friend and listen along!

5/2/2023 - Animal-assisted Therapy: Does this Benefit People on Dialysis?

People on dialysis spend a lot of time interacting with their social workers. These professionals are in the perfect position to help people learn more about kidney transplantation and the evaluation process at a transplant center. Anna Rutherford, MSW, a dialysis social worker, and Lori discuss what is involved and clue you in on things you may want and need to know.

4/17/2023 - Navigating a Kidney Transplant: How Your Dialysis Social Worker Can Help

Deciding to be a living kidney donor comes with considerations like job stability and earning a paycheck, yet they shouldn™t be obstacles. Dr. John Gill, MS, shares how the American Society of Transplantations Living Donor Circle of Excellence can remove this barrier by educating companies on how they play a role in this decision. Their unique program paves the way for corporate discussions and pledges to support employees who choose to give the gift of life.

4/4/2023 - Living Donor Circle of Excellence

Dawn Edwards

Dawn Edwards is a 31-year kidney-disease survivor who has served her peers and the community as a mentor and educator for more than 25 years. Today she talks to Lori Hartwell, also a long-time kidney-disease survivor, about her journey from her diagnosis to the current day as she works toward undergoing a kidney transplant. Listen in to learn how kidney care has evolved and how both of these powerful women have learned to cope and thrive in spite of chronic kidney disease.

3/21/2023 - Dawn Edwards: Wisdom from a Warrior

Nathan Gutierrez was born with the physical disability spina bifida. He has been restricted to a wheelchair since birth. The disease led to kidney failure to transplantation, yet he never let his disability interfere with his amazing accomplishments. He shares with Lori how he came to understand how his challenges are not who he is and how he has been able to live the life he was meant to live. Listen and be inspired to overcome your obstacles and live your best life.

2/24/2023 - Overcoming Obstacles to Live Your Best Life

Anyssa Dang authored the book so her younger brother could understand what he is going through. Kidneys for Kids helps kids who are diagnosed with kidney disease (and their siblings) understand what the doctors are telling them about their condition and helps them process their feelings. Listen in to learn how this book can empower children living with kidney disease diagnoses.

1/30/2023 - Anyssa Dang: Helping Kids Who Are Diagnosed With Kidney Disease

Dialysis social workers are the lifeline to those dealing with the emotional, financial, and transportation demands of kidney disease. Anna Rutherford, LMSW, is Senior Manager of Social Work Services at Fresenius Kidney Care. She is dedicated to helping her patients cope, adjust, and reach the goals they set for themselves to realize their best quality of life. Listen in as she talks about her role working in a dialysis clinic as she helps her patients thrive.

12/8/2022 - Life as a Dialysis Social Worker

For everyone, food is the number one topic! What to eat? The renal diet is complicated, and it changes throughout the different stages of kidney disease. A renal dietitian can make a big difference to people who are either struggling with, or are new to a renal diet. Anne Moselle, MS, RD, CHWC, shares how she helps people get excited about the foods that can help them have good outcomes and maintain good health. Listen in to hear renal-recipe-adjustment tips for go-to dishes for people on dialysis. You will get hungry, and might even find yourself thinking about becoming a renal dietitian!

11/30/2022 - Life as a Renal Dietitian

RSN’s KidneyTalk™ is an informative, inspirational, and entertaining online, half-hour radio talk show that launched in June of 2006 with host RSN Founder &amp; President Lori Hartwell.With Lori Hartwell’s, a renal disease survivor since 1958, KidneyTalk™ provides the audience with practical advice on how to live a full and productive life despite CKD. The show features healthcare professionals and people living successfully with kidney disease who share personal experiences in inspirational, thought-provoking interviews.

Lori is an inspiration and the show really has some amazing info :)

Love this show!

These interviews are so informative for renal patients like never before.

My bloodworks

RSN’s KidneyTalk™ is an informative, inspirational, and entertaining online, half-hour radio talk show that launched in June of 2006 with host RSN Founder &amp; President Lori Hartwell.<br><br>With Lori Hartwell’s, a renal disease survivor since 1958, KidneyTalk™ provides the audience with practical advice on how to live a full and productive life despite CKD. The show features healthcare professionals and people living successfully with kidney disease who share personal experiences in inspirational, thought-provoking interviews.

KidneyTalk - An Online Radio Show By Renal Support Network

Lucy Kim is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood, CA. She has worked with transplant recipients for several years. Patients always ask her, "After I get my transplant, how long will my Medicare benefits last?" In this interview, Lori and Lucy talk about what people need to know if their benefits end 36 months after their transplant to help them look for other ways to get their life-saving antirejection medication.

5/14/2013 - Medicare Benefits for Transplant Medications: When Do They End?

Chronic illnesses and hospitalizations are no laughing matter, until you're living them and realize that laughter helps you get through these difficult times. Carla Ulbrichthe Singing Patientlaughed and sang her way through a stroke, kidney failure, and severe lupus. She explains to Lori how she discovered the healing and coping powers within herself. She has songs about sitting in the waiting room, dealing with a collection of specialists, finding the right person to draw blood, and even seeing her butt disappear because of illness. Can you relate? This is our 200th KidneyTalk show, and what better way to celebrate, than by laughing our way to healing.

9/3/2013 - Laugh and Sing Your Pain Away (200th Show!)

Marcel Levique (a dialysis travel specialist) shares tips on traveling with dialysis to ensure an uneventful trip.

8/8/2006 - Taking Dialysis on the Road

Glenda Payne

Spending time in dialysis units is what Glenda does to help protect Patients Rights. Observations, questions and inspections insure that units meet the minimum Medicare requirements. Listen and learn what your dialysis unit should provide to YOUand what it doesn't. Glenda Payne has been a nurse for over 30 years and works for the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services as an educator and surveyor.

2/19/2008 - Keeping Dialysis Units Up to Snuff: Glenda Payne, the Eyes and Ears of Medicare

The definition of dialysis success for this long-time kidney patient, Roanne Dale, is looking great and feeling great while on dialysis. While this might sound like an oxymoron, one look at Roanne proves that dialysis success is achievable.

7/31/2006 - Dialysis Success

Two patients who provide real-life advice and insight on dating in light of the special restrictions of living with renal disease.

6/13/2006 - Dating with Kidney Disease, and When Do You Tell?

It is important to know your dialysis treatment options and peritoneal is a great choice for people who want to have more control, a more liberal diet and freedom with their dialysis schedule. Lori, who was on this therapy for nine years, interviews Stephanie Curd, RN, and Director of Home Therapies with Fresenius Medical Care. They both know the ins and outs of peritoneal dialysis so if you want to know about this option from two insiders listen to this show.

6/14/2011 - No Needle Sticks: Use Your Belly!

Bill Peckham, a long-term dialyzer and kidney disease advocate is an incredible example to people who are on dialysis. Like many who have just learned that their kidneys have failed and will need to start dialysis, Bill was very angry and depressed. He often hoped it would rain because he didn™t want to go outside. Bill shares how he turned his attitude around to live a full life. Bill™s unstoppable attitude is infectious. Listen in to hear Bill™s tips to getting the most out of life despite being on dialysis for twenty eight years.

6/18/2018 - Living the Fullest Life Possible with Kidney Disease " Part One

Lynne Sanditen's father was diagnosed with kidney disease and was constantly trying to figure out the phosphorus, potassium, protein and sodium for his diet. It was daunting. She knew she had to find a way to help him and thus, the Kidney Diet App was born. Listen to how this user-friendly tool works and can be personalized to help you make the right renal friendly food choices.

3/11/2013 - Kidney Diet Info at Your Fingertips

Jessianna Saville, an RD and LEAP therapist truly believes in the power and positivity of focusing of what you can have that makes the renal diet more livable and more lovable. This KidneyTalk show is packed with so much information that is easy to understand and apply to your lifestyle. Listen in to learn how to think less about your diet in terms of restrictions to see all the foods you can have and how to work in the foods that you really love.

1/8/2018 - KidneyGrub

How often does the doctor become the patient? Unfortunately, Mark Wedel, MD, like the protagonist in the movie "The Doctor," had to live this transformation. When he was told that his kidneys were failing and that he needed a transplant, Dr. Wedel had no idea where to begin, what to do, or what to ask. After carefully researching his options, he decided to write a book to better explain to other patients and health care professionals what they need to know to prepare. Lori and Dr. Wedel go though many of the things you need to understand before you get a transplant.

9/12/2013 - So You're Thinking About a Kidney Transplant

Not all dietary needs of those with kidney disease are the same. Therefore, it can be difficult to learn everything about cooking to satisfy your own specific dietary requirements. John Vito, a chef, restaurateur, and a kidney transplant recipient, was on dialysis for several years. He talks with Lori about his new cookbook Cooking for your Kidneys, and offers tips on how you can prepare your own tasty low-sodium meals. Listen in to this show and learn about techniques that apply to patients in any stage of kidney disease.

7/16/2019 - Cooking for your Kidneys

Dr. Rafael Villicana, medical director of kidney transplants at Loma Linda Medical Center, and Lori Hartwell, are both well-acquainted with the kidney transplant process. Listen in to this show to learn about how to become listed to receive a kidney transplant. During the interview, Lori and Dr. Villicana will talk about the requirements and timelines for both living and deceased donor transplants and walk you through the process of getting the tests they require. You™ll also hear about scenarios that may prevent you from becoming listed.

10/10/2019 - Cleared for a Kidney Transplant

Holidays can be challenging for those with kidney disease. Watching portion sizes and indulging in tempting treats in moderation is key. But so is keeping a focus on the enjoyable foods that are within the renal diet instead of thinking about the foods to be avoided. Lori and Lubna will discuss some delicious main course choices and sides that satisfy special dietary needs such as stuffing a turkey with apples and serving brie as a lower phosphorus cheese option. Listen in to learn all this and more and enjoy those holiday parties and meals!

12/17/2019 - Choosing and Preparing Kidney-Friendly Holiday Foods

As someone who has had kidney disease since age 2 back in 1968, Lori Hartwell has witnessed many exciting medical breakthroughs throughout her life. Today she speaks with Geoffrey Block, MD, vice president, nephrology, at Reata Pharmaceuticals, about some of those breakthroughs. Dr. Block is part of a team researching a new, regenerative medicine to improve kidney function in those with rare forms of kidney disease such as Alport Syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Listen in to this show to hear the encouraging results of the team™s published clinical research.

10/24/2019 - Hope for Treating Rare Forms of Kidney Disease

Comedian Howie Mandel, host of the TV game show "Deal or No Deal," discusses how humor can help you through a chronic illness. Oftentimes, humor is just the medicine we need!

7/18/2006 - Laughing Through the Illness

Robin Russell, MS, RD, LD, is the Fresenius Regional Lead Dietitian at North Texas Region, Great Plains Group. Today she talks with Lori about all-things sodium. People who are on dialysis know the struggles of controlling thirst and managing fluid. Sodium intake has a lot to do with successfully keeping thirst at bay. Robin shares with Lori the difference between table salt, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and all the many other ingredients you will find in food. Listen in to learn all of this, plus some sodium free alternatives.

2/6/2020 - What is Sodium?

Larry Green is an accomplished artist and spent many of his dialysis days drawing his access arm capturing the different needle angles, tape and changes he saw occurring to help pass the time. He was becoming restless with the time dialysis took. One day he had an epiphany and realized that if he wanted to get off of dialysis and get transplanted, he would have to take control. Here is the amazing story of how he found his kidney on Craigslist from an altruistic donor.

5/24/2011 - Finding a Kidney on Craigslist

David Rosenbloom, author of Becoming Me, shares the emotional evolution he experienced while dealing with the many challenges of kidney failure. He shares insight into how his wife was his advocate and champion, but became overwhelmed after two transplant opportunities had fallen through, which caused her to have some health issues. This incident caused David to make changes in his life, attitude and treatment plan. David and Lori discuss how he made this transition.

5/9/2011 - Nurturing Relationships and Taking Control of Your Care

Target weight, often referred to as dry weight, has always been challenging for healthcare professionals to measure. This is due to the fluctuation in a hemodialysis patients weight as it changes from treatment to treatment. Fluid overload will increase the risk of complications. During dialysis, too much fluid removal can cause cramps, low blood pressure, and create other problems. Dr. Daniel W. Coyne, a nephrologist, explains why. Listen and learn about fluid management, and the diagnostic tools and strategies healthcare professionals use to hit the right target.

7/9/2019 - Fluid Overload - Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention

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