The Head Start: Embracing the Journey

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  When Life Rewrites the Story: A Conversation with Britt Middleton 29.09.2026 30dk

  We all have a story we’re trying to tell, even when life has other plans. In this episode, Nora McInerny sits down with romance novelist and journalist Britt Middleton to explore how creativity can become both an escape and a source of resilience while living with Chronic Migraine. Together, they reflect on Britt’s fifteen-year journey to diagnosis, the realities of navigating high-pressure careers with a seemingly invisible disease, and why seeing characters with Chronic Migraine at the center of a love story can help others feel seen in their own lives.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://abbv.ie/prescribing_infoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Redefining What It Means to Show Up: Muneera Page on Living with Chronic Migraine 17.09.2026 32dk

  As a working mother, author, and speaker, Muneera knows what it means to juggle competing priorities. But living with Chronic Migraine has forced her to reconsider the pressure to always keep going. In this episode, Nora sits down with Muneera to explore the realities of managing family, career, and a very public life while navigating a seemingly invisible disease. She reflects on the guilt that can come with slowing down, the importance of listening to her body, and how redefining strength has helped her show up in meaningful ways.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://abbv.ie/prescribing_infoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Quiet Thoughts on Living with Chronic Migraine from Michelle Douglas and Caitlyn Eiffert 01.09.2026 25dk

  There’s something different about a voice note. It’s not polished. It’s not rehearsed. It’s just one person trying to put words around something that’s hard to explain. In this special episode, Nora McInerny steps away from the traditional interview format to hear directly from Michelle Douglas and Caitlyn Eiffert through personal voice notes. Together, they reflect on the long road to diagnosis, the challenge of living with a seemingly invisible disease, and what it means to finally feel believed. Along the way, Dr. Christopher Rhyne offers insight into the common threads in their stories and why validation, self-advocacy, and finding the right care can change the course of a Chronic Migraine journey. Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://abbv.ie/prescribing_info  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Where Are They Now? Checking in with Priya Rama and Qasim Amin Nathari on their Chronic Migraine journeys 04.08.2026 35dk

  Living with Chronic Migraine is rarely a straight line. Life keeps moving, responsibilities pile up, and the journey continues long after the moment of diagnosis. In the Season 4 premiere, Nora reconnects with two familiar voices from earlier seasons: Priya Rama and Qasim Amin Nathari. Together, they reflect on what has changed, what has stayed the same, and what it looks like to keep moving forward while living with Chronic Migraine. Along the way, Nora and Dr. Christopher Rhyne explore the importance of staying connected, checking in, and building a supportive community that reminds us we don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone.    Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHGSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Head Start: Embracing the Journey Season 4 is Here 21.07.2026 2dk

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  Chronic Migraine Through My Sister’s Eyes: A Conversation with Meghan McInerny 01.07.2025 32dk

  We all carry more than we show—juggling roles, responsibilities, and realities that often go unseen, even by those closest to us. In this episode, Nora sits down with her big sister, Meghan, for an honest and vulnerable conversation about the reality of living with Chronic Migraine—a reality woven into their family history. Together, they reflect on how this shared thread has shaped their relationships with each other and with their father. Meghan shares how her symptoms have shifted over time, and the quiet resilience it takes to adapt, especially when those around her may not fully see or understand what she’s navigating.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://abbv.ie/prescribing_infoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Strength Behind the Scenes: A Conversation with Lilly Singh 17.06.2025 35dk

  Living in the public eye brings constant pressure, making it even more important for actress and host Lilly Singh to approach life with intentionality while managing her Chronic Migraine. In this episode, Nora sits down with Lilly to explore the daily routines, open communication, and wellbeing-first mindset that have helped her manage both personally and professionally. She shares strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing wellness, and staying grounded - all tools that help her stay authentic while navigating a very public life.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://abbv.ie/prescribing_infoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Intimacy and Chronic Migraine: A Conversation with Tom Picerno 03.06.2025 37dk

  Talking about intimacy can be difficult, even with your partner. It’s nuanced. It’s often avoided. But it’s still very important. In this episode, Nora and guest Tom Picerno explore how he’s navigated these delicate conversations while living with Chronic Migraine. They’re joined by Tom’s wife, Cheryl, who adds an extra layer of perspective to how they’ve relied heavily on open communication, reframing what intimacy means to them while respecting each other’s boundaries.    Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://abbv.ie/prescribing_infoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Sweat and Resilience: Balancing Chronic Migraine with Fitness Goals 20.05.2025 35dk

  The healing power of fitness goes far beyond physical benefits—for today’s guest, it’s a form of self-expression and a celebration of what the body can do. In this episode, host Nora McInerny sits down with fitness personality Ivylis Rivera, who shares her deeply personal journey of navigating life with Chronic Migraine while holding onto her passion for movement. Ivylis opens up about the struggle of staying active while facing the fear of triggering a headache or migraine attack and the resilience it takes to keep pushing forward—a resilience that carried her through the challenging journey of finding a Chronic Migraine treatment plan that worked for her. Join Nora and Ivylis as they explore the concept of “soft living,” a philosophy Ivylis embraces—staying active, listening to your body, and building trust in oneself. Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://abbv.ie/prescribing_infoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Head Start: Embracing the Journey Season 3 is Here 06.05.2025 3dk

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  Two Generations, One Shared Disease: A Conversation with Mother and Son 23.07.2024 35dk

  It’s one thing, as a parent, to deal with your own struggles, but to watch your kid go through it - to see them face obstacles and struggles can be excruciating. It often feels like the parent’s job is to shield their child from hardships. In this episode, Nora shares the story of Angel and Xavier, a mother and son who are no strangers to Chronic Migraine, supporting each other through their respective journeys. They shine a light on their shared burden and how it may impact different generations. They push back on the pressure for parents to hide their struggles from their children, instead choosing to create a dynamic where it is ok to ask for help and need rest. Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Acting The Part Amidst Adversity: A Conversation with Aaron Matthew Atkisson 09.07.2024 30dk

  Oftentimes the standard “I’m good!” response isn’t rooted in the truth. We often act our way through our struggles, so we don’t burden someone else with our problems. In this episode, Nora delves into how Aaron Matthew Atkisson balances the art of acting both on set and as the primary caregiver for his family. When a migraine attack hits, he can’t simply ask his family to wait, or call cut on set. Reflecting on his approach to boundaries and fatherhood, Aaron sheds light on the stigmas surrounding men with Chronic Migraine and shares how he adapts his many roles and responsibilities. Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Teaching Through the Struggle: A Conversation with Danielle Mandoza 25.06.2024 33dk

  Navigating parenthood can be overwhelming all on its own, but Danielle Mandoza takes it a step further teaching young children at work, too. In this episode, Nora explores Danielle’s struggle to balance her roles as a parent and teacher with the ever-lingering threat of a migraine attack. Thanks to the experiences of her mother and grandmother who both lived with migraine, Danielle continues to face her own Chronic Migraine diagnosis head-on and confidently explores treatment options with her neurologist that might work for her. With the help of Dr. Rhyne, Nora debunks some common migraine treatment myths and takes a closer look at Danielle’s unrelenting juggling act. Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Healthcare Access & Affordability: A Conversation with Jaime Sanders 11.06.2024 33dk

  “Knowledge is Power” may be an old cliche, but it is never more true than when talking about living with a chronic illness, like Chronic Migraine. In this episode, Nora explores how writer and advocate Jaime Sanders found the right words to describe her migraine symptoms earlier than most, thanks to her access to healthcare education. Her community and support provided a springboard for her empowerment while navigating her Chronic Migraine journey. Otherwise known as The Migraine Diva, Jaime uses her story and experience to drive fierce advocacy and education for the Chronic Migraine community.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHG.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Silent Struggle Behind the Veteran Mindset: A Conversation with Ivan Perry 28.05.2024 33dk

  Most of us have probably heard “Suck it up!” or “Get over it!” at some point. But when you’re living with Chronic Migraine, these phrases are far from helpful. In this episode, Nora talks to Air Force veteran Ivan Perry who is pushing back on a culture that measures strength by silence and a lack of struggle. He channels the resilience he developed while living with Chronic Migraine by founding Operation Aspire Group, guiding companies to build and create more inclusive environments. Ivan emphasizes the importance of recognizing diverse experiences and meeting people where they are in their journey. Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Living with Chronic Migraine in the Grind Culture: A Conversation with Lauren Browning 14.05.2024 29dk

  The pressures of hustle culture can be nonstop. In this episode, Nora and guest, Lauren Browning, get vulnerable about navigating Chronic Migraine in the unforgiving and unrelenting world of entrepreneurship. Building a working environment that fits her life, Lauren shares what drove her to create the sustainable swimwear brand, Ricki Beach Club. She talks about bringing your authentic self to your work, even on the most challenging days, and managing her Chronic Migraine from the drawing board to the boardroom.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Head Start: Embracing the Journey is Back! 30.04.2024 2dk

  Nora McInerny returns with all-new conversations exploring personal stories of people living with Chronic Migraine. If you’re new to the series, there are eight episodes of our first season worth binging. Let’s learn a little more about Chronic Migraine together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Being Real About Chronic Migraine: A Conversation with Paula Dumas 16.10.2023 30dk

  In this episode of The Head Start: Embracing the Journey, Nora explores the impact and importance of storytelling and advocacy in people's lives and how it can help people feel seen and heard. She speaks with Paula Dumas about how her advocacy work in the migraine community is about more than just changing perception and policy. It's about connecting people living with migraine worldwide through their shared experiences. Being the producer and co-host of the Migraine World Summit and a former board member of the American Migraine Foundation, Paula has been able to see how sharing her own story has created a space to connect with hundreds of other people living with this disease. Nora shares how her own journey of storytelling as a writer and host has opened her eyes and changed her perspective on the importance of her work, and she learns from Paula the best ways to support someone living with Chronic Migraine.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Finding Support Along Your Chronic Migraine Journey: A Conversation with Meg Donnelly 05.10.2023 33dk

  In this episode of The Head Start: Embracing the Journey, Nora explores what a support network can look like and how to shape one that feels right to you. She has been connecting with people for years by sharing her personal journey to find support. Nora takes a look at the different types of support - interpersonal, creative, and even the more traditional medical support - and what that looks like for someone living with Chronic Migraine. She speaks with guest Meg Donnelly, a cinematographer working on the set of TV shows and movies, about how she has found a treatment plan and support network that works for her.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHG.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Searching for Work-Life Balance with Chronic Migraine: A Conversation with Winnielyn Bautista 07.09.2023 30dk

  In this episode of The Head Start: Embracing the Journey, Nora dives into the ever-blurring lines between work and life. Nora has made a career of sharing moments from her life to connect with others. That makes it nearly impossible to have any sort of separation between her work and life. She speaks with guest Winnielyn Bautista about how she tries to find and set boundaries between her career and personal goals amid the constant threat of a migraine attack. Winnielyn shares her thoughts on how to navigate difficult conversations with bosses and co-workers, especially when you might not feel comfortable sharing personal details - a situation those living with Chronic Migraine know all too well.   Click here for Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, or visit https://bit.ly/3BlbaHGSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.