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:

Looking Back with Kindness, Moving Forward with Intention Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

As 2025 comes to a close, Sally and Seona invite you to pause, breathe, and reflect — gently. In this episode, they look back on the year that was and talk about why reflection can be especially meaningful (and complicated) for people living with chronic health conditions. Together, they explore how to acknowledge challenges, honour invisible effort, and make sense of change without slipping into self-blame or pressure.

The conversation then turns toward 2026, with a focus on setting intentions rather than rigid goals. Sally and Seona share their own reflections and intentions, and discuss how values-based, flexible intentions can better support fluctuating energy, health, and capacity.

This episode is a compassionate end-of-year check-in — a reminder that rest is productive, pausing is allowed, and growth doesn’t have to look loud or linear. Wherever you’re landing at the end of this year, you’re welcome here.

⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠

⁠Webinars and Resources⁠

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 Christmas - Re-Release Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

In this re-released episode (recorded Christmas 2024), Seona and Sally delve into the whirlpool of the festive season, sharing personal anecdotes and exploring strategies to help you manage the stress and chaos of Christmas. From dealing with grief during the holidays to navigating the pressure of social expectations, they offer practical tips and psychological insights. Tune in for a candid discussion that prioritises connection over perfection, and learn how to create a joyful season, even amidst the holiday madness. Perfect for anyone looking to transform their Christmas from a time of endurance to a time of genuine enjoyment.

⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠

⁠Webinars and Resources⁠

⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠

Pets & Health: The Power of Companionship Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

Join psychologists Sally and Seona for a fun, heart-warming dive into the world of pets and the surprising ways they can boost our wellbeing - especially when living with a chronic health condition. From loyal dogs who get us out the door, to snuggly cats who know exactly when we need comfort, to fish, birds, and all the quirky critters in between, this episode explores why animals can make such a big difference to our daily lives.

Sally and Seona chat about the science behind companionship, the gentle motivation pets bring to move our bodies, and the small routines that help us feel grounded. They also keep it real, unpacking the less-fluffy side of pet ownership - the costs, the cleaning, and the challenges of caring for an animal when your own health is unpredictable.

Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or pet-curious, this one’s for you!

⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠

⁠Webinars and Resources⁠

⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠

Who's Going to Date You Now? - Re-Release Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Re-Release: In this episode titled “Who’s going to date you now?," hosts Sally Shaw and Seona Ilalio tackle the complexities of dating with a chronic health condition. They delve into the unique challenges of disclosing your condition to potential partners and how this crucial conversation can often serve as a useful screener for compatibility or to filter out unsuitable matches. Sally and Seona share their personal experiences of dating after their diagnoses, offering candid insights and practical advice for navigating romance with a chronic illness.

⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠

⁠Webinars and Resources⁠

⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠⁠

Can We Talk? Effective Communication for Real Life Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Communication feels like it should come naturally — we speak every day, after all — but real, effective communication isn’t instinctive. It’s a learned skill, not a personality trait. And if you’ve ever thought, “I’m just not good at communicating,” here’s the good news: you absolutely can learn it, strengthen it, and make it work for you.

In this episode, we unpack why communicating can feel so much harder when you’re juggling symptoms, fatigue, emotions, or just the general overwhelm of life. Because let’s be honest — expressing your needs, setting boundaries, or navigating tricky conversations takes energy… and sometimes you simply don’t have much to give.

We’re here to normalise it: you’re not bad at communicating — you’re tired, stretched, and human. Join us as we explore practical, compassionate ways to communicate more clearly, kindly, and confidently, even when you’re not at your best.

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

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

But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)

Webinars and Resources

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

Running on Spoons Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Ever wondered why people with chronic illness talk so much about spoons?

In today’s episode, psychologists Sally and Seona dive into Spoon Theory - the cutlery-based metaphor that attempts to explain what it’s like to navigate life with limited energy. They unpack the origin story of the theory, created in 2003 by writer Christine Miserandino, who used a handful of spoons in a restaurant to explain the invisible daily costs of living with lupus.

Sally and Seona chat about why the spoon metaphor resonates so deeply with people living with chronic health conditions, how it helps with communication, pacing and planning, and why “spoonies” everywhere have proudly embraced it. Expect laughs, real-life examples, and gentle validation for anyone who’s ever had to choose between washing their hair or answering an email.

Whether you're running on one spoon or a full drawer, this episode is for you.

⁠⁠Free Webinar - All I Want For Christmas... Is My Sanity - Preparing for Christmas Living with a Chronic Health Condition⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (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

The Pity Model: When Good Intentions Miss the Mark Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

We often hear about the medical and social models of disability — but there’s another one quietly shaping attitudes toward people with chronic illness and disability: the pity model, sometimes called the charity model.

This model positions people as tragic or brave simply for existing, creating distance rather than connection. It can show up in fundraising drives, well-meaning comments, or systems that treat support as generosity rather than rights.

In this episode, we unpack how pity disguises itself as kindness, how it impacts self-worth and inclusion, and what it takes to move from sympathy to solidarity.

⁠Free Webinar - All I Want For Christmas... Is My Sanity - Preparing for Christmas Living with a Chronic Health Condition⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠

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

⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠

⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

What an Ego! Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we’re talking about ego - not in the “you’ve got a big ego” kind of way, but in the psychological sense: the part of us that helps shape our identity, our sense of control, and how we relate to the world.

For people living with chronic health conditions, understanding ego is powerful. Because illness challenges everything the ego likes: control, competence, independence, achievement, and identity.

We’ll unpack what ego is, what it looks like when it’s in balance or out of balance, and how awareness of ego can support acceptance, connection, and self-compassion.

Free Webinar - All I Want For Christmas... Is My Sanity - Preparing for Christmas Living with a Chronic Health Condition⁠⁠

⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠

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

But You’ll Be OK (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

Creating Habits: Reducing the Need for Will Power! Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Join psychologists Sally and Seona as they unpack the art of habit creation when you’re living with a chronic health condition. We’re not talking about running marathons or green juice cleanses - we mean small, doable habits that actually make life easier. From moving your body (even a little), eating well without guilt, managing appointments and meds without losing your mind, to nurturing your relationships and mental health - we’ll cover it all with honesty and humour. Discover why tiny habits matter even more when energy is limited, and how to make self-care automatic on the days motivation has left the building. You’ll finish this episode with a few realistic, research-backed ideas to try this week - no perfection required. Because when life already demands a lot, good habits should help you breathe easier, not harder.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Free Webinar - All I Want For Christmas... Is My Sanity - Preparing for Christmas Living with a Chronic Health Condition⁠⁠

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

⁠⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠

Green-Flag Relationships: How to Spot the Good Ones Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Ever found yourself wondering if that friend who says, “You don’t look sick!” is waving a tiny red flag? In this episode, psychologists Sally and Seona dive into the world of green-flag relationships - the people who make you feel safe, seen, and slightly more human on the rough days. We unpack what red and green flags really mean, why supportive connections are good for both your mood and your immune system, and how to spot those rare gems who bring soup and good boundaries. Expect plenty of laughs, a dash of psychology, and some real-life stories about friendship, fatigue, and figuring out who’s worth your limited energy. Tune in for a warm, funny, and slightly irreverent chat about finding — and keeping — the people who let you be your gloriously imperfect self.

⁠⁠⁠Livology (Psychology - Private Practice)⁠⁠⁠

⁠Free Webinar - All I Want For Christmas... Is My Sanity - Preparing for Christmas Living with a Chronic Health Condition⁠

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

⁠But You’ll Be OK (Online Course)⁠

⁠⁠Instagram @butyoulooksogoodpodcast⁠