The Other Side of MS
Unfiltered voices. Uncomfortable truths. Deep humanity.
"MS is like having a roommate that you never invited to live with you, and they're always messing with your stuff."
"The hardest part isn't the physical symptoms, it's having to constantly explain to people why you can't do what you used to do."
"Sometimes people just don't need a silver lining. They need empathy. They need someone just to sit with them in that moment and say, 'Hey, I hear you.'"
"Where was the second half of this story — where we have these amazing medical breakthroughs and innovative research to prevent that from happening?"
"MS is isolating. But you're not alone. You have to be proactively not alone."
"I'm not gonna let this… be the decision maker for anything in my life. I'm not gonna sit on the sidelines and miss out on incredible opportunities because I have MS… it's been the reason I've done most of the things in my life since I was diagnosed."
"We need to go from awareness to action to impact… And that means changing the conversation from something daunting or taboo to something we celebrate—recovery, support, and the courage to ask for help."
Every story is a voice. Every voice deserves to be heard. Donations help us keep sharing them.
Why these stories matter
The Other Side of MS isn't here to inspire you. It's here to show you what it really means to live with multiple sclerosis (MS): the chaos behind the smiles, the invisible symptoms, the quiet grief, and the complex resilience.
This podcast creates a space where people with MS can tell their stories without performing, without toxic positivity, and without being reduced to a diagnosis.
These aren't highlight reels or polished success stories. They're raw conversations: sometimes uncomfortable, always honest.
Here, we don't ask guests to be brave; we ask them to be real. MS isn't just a disease; it's a life that keeps unfolding in ways most people never see. We explore the parts most people avoid: the rage, the fear, the mourning of who you used to be, and the strength that doesn't come with a cape but with survival.
This podcast isn't about the host. It's about the people who live with MS, who deserve to be seen, heard, and understood, not as heroes or fighters but as complex humans trying to make it through another day.
Inspiration may happen, too. This podcast creates that space. If their honesty inspires you, let it.
As Featured on NPR's "First Coast Connect"
In this NPR segment, host Al Emerick is joined by Teresa Eichner and Casey Murphy for a powerful conversation about multiple sclerosis, the mission behind the Jax Bourbon Social fundraiser, and the raw storytelling that drives The Other Side of MS podcast.
Listen on YouTubeFeatured Voices
Ursula Forrester
Ursula Forrester
Ursula has always been a runner—marathons, half-marathons, and miles that measured more than distance. But in October 2014, after years of unexplained symptoms, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Suddenly, endurance meant something entirely different. She is a wife, a mother of two, and a professional in advertising who still chooses to see the glass half full. But behind that optimism lies the daily reality of MS—modifying, compensating, and sometimes surrendering to the fatigue that doesn't show up on finish line photos. Ursula and her family created the Mill Chill, a local race that has raised more than $150,000 for the MS Society, and in 2023 they added Bike MS to their journey, forming Team Mighty Strong.
Steve Clayton
Steve Clayton
"As a trauma nurse, I knew the language of medicine. But living it — living MS — is different. You don't just explain the fear, you carry it."
Steve Clayton brings a unique perspective to The Other Side of MS—one shaped by years of caring for others in their most vulnerable moments. As a trauma nurse, he understood illness from the outside. But when MS entered his own life, everything changed. In this honest conversation, Steve explores the gap between medical knowledge and lived experience, sharing how his professional background both helped and complicated his journey with the disease.
Brad Romp
Brad Romp
"Who sees you when the cape comes off? Are you helping others because it heals you—or because you don't know how to stop?"
Brad was diagnosed with MS at 45. Now 64, he's a speaker, a cyclist, and a face of strength for others living with the disease. But behind the workouts, the travel, and the public optimism is a more complex truth—one that doesn't always fit into a social media caption or a feel-good campaign. In this episode, Brad sits down for a different kind of conversation. One that doesn't ask him to inspire, perform, or push through. Instead, we talk about the days he can't move. The pressure to keep showing up. The identity that forms around always being the strong one—and what happens when that strength runs out.
Episode Archives
S3_E21: Redefining Strength - Ursula's Story
Guest: Ursula Forrester
Ursula has always been a runner—marathons, half-marathons, and miles that measured more than distance. But in October 2014, after years of unexplained symptoms, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In this episode, Ursula reflects on running marathons, building a community through fundraising, and what it really means to balance resilience with honesty. Her story is not just about crossing finish lines, but about redefining what strength looks like when MS becomes part of the course.
S3_E20: Steve's Story
Guest: Steve
Steve joins The Other Side of MS to share his personal journey with multiple sclerosis. In this candid conversation, he opens up about the realities of living with MS, the challenges he faces, and the strength he's found along the way. His story adds another authentic voice to the podcast's mission of sharing unfiltered experiences from the MS community.
S3_E19: When the Cape Comes Off - Brad's Truth
Guest: Brad Romp
Brad was diagnosed with MS at 45. Now 64, he's a speaker, a cyclist, and a face of strength for others living with the disease. But behind the workouts, the travel, and the public optimism is a more complex truth—one that doesn't always fit into a social media caption or a feel-good campaign. In this episode, Brad sits down for a different kind of conversation about the days he can't move, the pressure to keep showing up, and what happens when that strength runs out.
S3_E18: School Dan vs Real Dan - A Teacher's Truth
Guest: Dan Kindel
Dan has been a teacher for over 20 years, a school spirit leader, a cyclist, and a quiet force in his Florida community. His energy is infectious. His optimism is constant. But behind the vibrant classroom persona is a man living with relentless, invisible pain—and the pressure to never let it show. He talks about the dual realities of living with a disease that makes him stronger while slowly wearing him down.
S3_E17: Behind the Bourbon Glass - Teresa's Story
Guest: Teresa Eichner
Diagnosed with MS in 2016, Teresa Eichner is the driving force behind Jax Bourbon Social, a fundraiser that's generated over $300,000 for the National MS Society. But behind the public accolades and polished events is a woman who naps every day just to function—and who quietly carries the invisible cost of looking "fine." In this episode, Teresa shares the truth behind the bourbon glass: the fatigue, the fear, and the fight most never see.
S3_E15: Finding Strength in Vulnerability - Emma's Story
Guest: Emma Archuletta
Emma shares her candid journey with MS, discussing the challenges of navigating life with an invisible illness while maintaining hope and determination. Her story offers insights into resilience, self-advocacy, and finding joy despite uncertainty.
S3_E14: Coming Out of My Shell - Hanna's Journey
Guest: Hanna Garrison
Hanna opens up about her experience with MS, sharing the raw realities of living with an unpredictable condition. Her story explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the power of authentic connection in the face of life's unexpected challenges.
S3_E13: Running Through MS - Chris's Journey
Guest: Chris Brown
Chris shares his inspiring journey of living with MS while maintaining an active lifestyle. From running marathons to navigating daily challenges, his story demonstrates that MS doesn't have to stop you from pursuing your passions and achieving your dreams.
S3_E12: Finding Strength in Vulnerability - Allie's Story
Guest: Allie Schmidl
Allie opens up about her journey with MS, sharing the raw realities of living with an invisible illness and how she's learned to find strength in vulnerability. Her story offers profound insights into resilience and the power of authentic connection.
S3_E11: The Journey with MS - Finding Strength in Vulnerability
Guest: Susie Wyss
Susie shares her powerful journey with MS, discussing how she's learned to navigate the challenges while maintaining her sense of humor and determination. Her story offers hope and practical wisdom for others facing similar struggles.
S3_E10: Resilience and Determination - Living with MS
Guest: Will Anthony
Will Anthony shares his powerful journey with MS, discussing the challenges, triumphs, and unexpected lessons learned along the way. His story is one of resilience and determination in the face of an unpredictable condition.
S3_E9: Navigating Life with MS - Troy's Story
Guest: Troy Mitchell
Troy Mitchell shares his personal journey with MS, offering insights into the daily challenges and unexpected moments of strength he's discovered along the way. His perspective brings a unique voice to the conversation about living with MS.
S3_E8: Katie Heckert - Finding Strength in Vulnerability
Guest: Katie Heckert • May 19, 2025
Katie was a litigator with a sharp mind and a powerful voice. But MS forced a different path—one filled with uncertainty, resilience, and new meaning. This episode isn't just about what MS takes—it's about what it reveals.
S3_E7: The Compassion You Don't Expect – with Dr. Deanna Greer
Guest: Dr. Dee • May 12, 2025
Dr. Dee, a veterinarian and owner of Birch Island Veterinary Center, shares her personal connection to MS through her husband's former spouse and why she became an annual donor to the National MS Society.
S3_E6: Cori - Sometimes, MS Is a Lesson for the Ones Who Watch
Guest: Cori • Apr 18, 2025
Cori shares her journey with MS and how she's learned to navigate life's challenges with resilience and determination, offering a raw and honest look at the realities of living with MS.
S3_E5: Zohra - The MS Day No One Sees
Guest: Zohra • Apr 14, 2025
Zohra shares her raw, unfiltered experience of living with MS, including the invisible symptoms and daily challenges that most people never witness.
S3_E4: Pam Grimes: Strength, Stencils, and Showing Up Anyway
Guest: Pam Grimes • Apr 07, 2025
Pam shares her experience navigating MS with grace and humor, offering insights into how she's adapted to life's challenges.
S3_E3: Becca - Becca's Unfiltered Journey with MS
Guest: Becca • Mar 31, 2025
Becca offers an unfiltered look at her journey with MS, discussing the daily challenges and unexpected moments of strength she's discovered along the way.
S3_E2: Amber Cunningham - The Journy of Transformation, Finding Why Through MS
Guest: Amber Cunningham • Mar 24, 2025
Amber discusses the daily challenges of MS, the misconceptions others have, and how she's learned to advocate for herself.
S3_E1: Jasmine Hanna - Conquering Life with MS; from Diagnosis to Advocacy
Guest: Jasmine Hanna • Mar 17, 2025
Jasmine discusses her approach to embracing life's journey with MS, sharing wisdom and practical advice for others facing similar challenges.
Why We Ride: A Tribute to Karyn Laterza
Guest: Multiple Bike MS - Georgia Peach Ride
Fearless Leaders of Bike MS
Guest: Ashley (VA), Sydney (FL), and Erika (CO)
The Power of Friendship and Resilience
Guest: Mike Tomlin & Jill Eisenberg
Spokes of Strength, A Bike MS Panel Conversation
Guest: Erik Henderson, Cher Herman-Darville, Bobby Small
MS, Suicide, and Mental Health
Guest: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, Dr. Marin Collazo, and Heidi Katz