But You Look So Good

Two psychologists on a mission to illuminate the realities of living with chronic health conditions. Hosted by Sally Shaw and Seona Ilalio, both living with chronic conditions themselves. They lead Livology, a private practice specialising in psychological support for those navigating chronic health challenges. Tune in to hear candid conversations and professional insights designed to create community and connection within the chronic health conditions population.

Latest Episodes:

Do I Talk About My Condition Too Much? May 26, 2025

Show notes

“Am I oversharing? Are people sick of hearing about it? Should I just pretend I’m fine?” This week, Sally and Seona unpack the surprisingly loaded question: Do I talk about my chronic health condition too much? If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself mid-sentence or worried you’re becoming “that friend,” this one’s for you. We explore the internal and external pressures to minimise your experience — from polite silence to social masking — and dig into the fear of being seen as negative, dramatic, or attention-seeking. We’ll talk about internalised ableism, boundaries, why validation isn’t oversharing, and how being honest about your reality can create deeper connection (yes, even when it’s messy).

As always, expect warmth, lived experience, and a few tangents. Because maybe the real question isn’t “Am I talking too much?” — it’s “Why do I feel like I have to shrink myself to be heard?”

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

I Don't Want to Know May 19, 2025

Show notes

Join Sally and Seona, as they dive into the all-too-familiar phrase: “I don’t want to know if I’m getting worse.” In this episode, they explore why so many of us avoid medical tests or dread results — even when we know it might help. Blending warmth, humour, and psychological insight, they unpack the brain’s resistance to bad news, the function of hope, and how the fear of decline can quietly shape our decisions. If you’ve ever delayed a test, ignored a symptom, or just needed to hold onto hope a little longer, this one’s for you. With lived experience and the occasional tangent, Sally and Seona remind us: avoiding the news doesn’t make you weak — it makes you wonderfully human.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

Is This the Beginning of the End… and Other Lies Anxiety Tells Us May 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the what ifs — those spiralling thoughts that show up when anxiety grabs the mic. From “What if I never get better?” to “What if I lose everything?”, we explore why these stories feel so real, how chronic illness can amplify them, and what it takes to gently challenge the lies anxiety tells us. If you’ve ever found yourself spiralling into the worst-case scenario, this one’s for you.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

To Disclose or Not… and Other Workplace Woes May 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we dive into the complex, messy, and often exhausting experience of navigating work while living with a chronic health condition. From the invisible weight of fatigue to the emotional toll of deciding whether (or how) to disclose your diagnosis, we explore the unspoken pressures so many of us face. We talk about internalised ableism, the myth of the ideal worker, and what it means to reimagine work in a body that no longer plays by the old rules. If you’ve ever left a meeting to nap in your car or second-guessed asking for accommodations, this one’s for you.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

But You Could be Kinder to Yourself Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

This week, we’re diving into self-compassion — what it really means, why it’s so hard sometimes, and how it can make a real difference when you’re living with a chronic health condition. Sally and Seona share personal stories, research insights, and simple, practical ways to be a little kinder to yourself (without the eye rolls). If you’ve ever struggled with self-criticism or felt like self-compassion just isn't for you, this episode will help you rethink it.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

Stress Management 101 Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Psychologists Sally and Seona know how deeply stress impacts chronic illness. In this episode, they explore how it worsens symptoms like inflammation, pain, and fatigue—and why managing it is essential. They walk through four key areas to help lighten the load: daily hassles, ongoing stressors, everyday joys, and having something to look forward to. Blending lived experience with psychological insight, this is a compassionate chat for anyone feeling overwhelmed or worn out. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years in, you'll find validation, practical tools, and hope from two people who truly get it.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

Untangling the Story: Rewriting Your Narrative Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of But You Look So Good, Sally and Seona explore how Narrative Therapy can help people with chronic health conditions separate themselves from limiting, all-consuming stories. From labels placed on us to the scripts we internalise, it’s easy to feel stuck. We’ll share how reclaiming your narrative can offer clarity, compassion, and a renewed sense of identity—plus practical tools and personal insights to help you remember: you are so much more than your diagnosis.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

How Do You Feel About... Medication Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we dive into the tricky world of supporting clients who are managing chronic health conditions and wrestling with medication decisions. How do we respect the prescribing doctor’s expertise while also empowering clients to make informed choices? How can we talk about what we’ve seen work (or not work) without overstepping? And what about the emotional rollercoaster that comes with long-term medication—fear, frustration, even identity shifts? Join Seona and Sally as they unpack all of this and more. If you’ve ever felt stuck between medical advice and what feels right for you, this episode is here to help you feel more confident in your choices!

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

Coping with Kids - Parenting with a Chronic Health Condition Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Parenting is hard. Parenting with a chronic health condition? That’s a whole new level of complexity. In this episode, we dive into the messy, beautiful, and often exhausting reality of raising kids while managing an unpredictable body. From the guilt of missing out to the creative ways we adapt, we’re talking about the highs, the lows, and everything in between. We’ll also tackle one of the biggest questions: How do you talk to your kids about your condition? Whether you’re navigating fatigue, pain, or mobility challenges—or just trying to keep up with the chaos—this one’s for you.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

Is Post-Traumatic Growth Really a Thing? Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of But You Look So Good, hosts Sally and Seona explore the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) and its relevance to individuals living with chronic health conditions. They discuss whether significant adversity, such as chronic illness, can genuinely lead to positive transformation, or if this idea imposes unrealistic expectations on those already facing ongoing struggles. The episode examines the scientific basis of PTG, critiques of the concept, and ways to approach personal growth without pressure.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

⁠⁠MS: Get Your Head Around It! (Online Course)⁠⁠

If you need any support after listening to our podcast, you can contact Lifeline in Australia at 13 11 14, available 24/7. For support in other locations, please visit ⁠Befrienders Worldwide⁠.

⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

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