

The POTScast
Standing Up to POTS, Inc.
Learn about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and more by joining us each week for a new episode. If you are living with POTS, MCAS or other chronic illnesses, you are not alone! Our goal is to raise awareness, nurture community, and empower patients with information and practical skills for living better with this chronic invisible illness.
Each month, we feature episodes with top POTS physicians as well as POTS patients. Because many POTS patients are eventually diagnosed with MCAS, the first Tuesday of every month we feature a new series called Mast Cell Matters, in which top MCAS practitioners share their experiences in better treating patients. You can learn more by listening to our groundbreaking POTScast anywhere, anytime. Visit our website at www.standinguptopots.org and follow our social media accounts @standinguptopots.
Each month, we feature episodes with top POTS physicians as well as POTS patients. Because many POTS patients are eventually diagnosed with MCAS, the first Tuesday of every month we feature a new series called Mast Cell Matters, in which top MCAS practitioners share their experiences in better treating patients. You can learn more by listening to our groundbreaking POTScast anywhere, anytime. Visit our website at www.standinguptopots.org and follow our social media accounts @standinguptopots.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 11, 2025 • 41min
Live from the 12th annual Run for Research - interviews with participants
Our 12th annual 5k/2k took place virtually and at Wittenberg University in Springfield Ohio and raises funds for research to help today's struggling POTS patients. We interviewed several participants while they were waiting for the event to begin and got a chance to find out what brings them to the event, why they want to raise awareness of POTS and more.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
Dr. Robert Groysman on mechanisms, novel treatments, E.A.T., stellate ganglion block and more
Dr. Groysman is founder of the COVID Institute, where they treat POTS/dysautonomia, MCAS, ME/CFS, long COVID, and are reporting good outcomes with evidence-based treatments that are relatively novel in the U.S., such as stellate ganglion block, Epipharyngeal Abrasive Therapy (EAT), vagal nerve stimulation and more. In this episode Dr. Groysman describes his approach, the 6 main underlying mechanisms he sees at work in these conditions, novel treatments he is finding effective, and what patients can expect at his clinic. Dr. Groysman also offers an online community for patients to ask questions and have discussions with him (and other members) at https://www.longcovidfamily.com/
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Oct 25, 2025 • 48min
Jill Krapf, MD on painful sex, vulvovaginal disorders and mast cells with Dr. Tania Dempsey on Mast Cell Matters
Dr. Jill Krapf is a Board-Certified OB/GYN who specializes in genitopelvic pain and skin conditions, is founder of the Center for Vulvovaginal Disorders and co-author of the book When Sex Hurts: Understanding and Healing Pelvic Pain. She is a wealth of knowledge and with Dr. Dempsey they discuss the mechanisms behind these disorders, treatments, plus their findings about how mast cells may be involved.
Dr. Dempsey's website is here
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Oct 19, 2025 • 37min
Tristan, from hiking, skating and EMT training to a looong wait
Tristan was an avid hiker, skate boarder and EMT-in-training when his world suddenly started spinning. Although his doctor diagnosed POTS and referred him to a top specialist, he has been waiting two years for that appointment. In the meantime he deals with a lot of symptoms (e.g., starting each day vomiting) and is unable to work, however he remains upbeat and even shares his successful chronic illness reference on Tinder.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

7 snips
Oct 12, 2025 • 50min
Dr. Kendal Stewart on a ‘hypo-adrenergic’ variant of POTS, genetics and novel treatments
Dr. Kendal Stewart, a former skull-base neurosurgeon turned neuroimmune specialist, dives into the complexities of POTS, especially the hypo-adrenergic variant linked to specific genetic mutations. He emphasizes the importance of genetic testing and nutrigenomics in tailoring treatments, discussing innovative therapies like exosomes and peptides. Dr. Stewart also explores the connection between chronic inflammation, immune modulation, and the role of CBD, providing insight into how these approaches can help manage symptoms effectively.

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 7min
Patrick Ussher, author of Understanding ME/CFS and Strategies for Healing
Patrick Ussher, author, advocate and patient with POTS and ME/CFS, explains research and treatment pathways from a personal perspective. He discusses misdiagnosis of psychogenic polydipsia and how oral rehydration solved severe thirst. He outlines a unifying biological model for ME/CFS, the Mitodacure curative initiative, and his experiences with therapies like HELP apheresis, HBOT, diets and breathing techniques.

Sep 28, 2025 • 47min
Kirti Sivakoti, MD, pediatric dysautonomia and complex illness expert
Pediatric dysautonomia expert Dr. Kirti Sivakoti, MD, is a pediatrician specializing in complex chronic illness, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at University of Utah, and Associate Medical Director of the Pain and Autonomic Symptoms Evaluation (PAUSE) Program at Primary Children's Center. In this episode she discusses her observations in this patient population, why she left a more conventional community-based practice to lead a program focused on complex chronic illness, and how her clinic and programs now work to bring together resources and a multidisciplinary approach to helping children and teens with dysautonomia. Dr. Sivakoti also shares her thoughts on POTS, ME/CFS, complex illness, how the healthcare system needs to better help these patients and more. This is a great conversation with a very compassionate, thoughtful and knowledgable physician and researcher.
More information about Dr. Sivakoti and her practice is here.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

5 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 34min
Taylor’s pleasure cruise that turned into another journey
Taylor caught COVID on a pleasure cruise and life has been pretty different ever since, but she is doing everything in her power to regain function and wellness, including going to top institutions and adding a service dog, Milo, to her already significant set of furry family members. Listen to her upbeat tales about living with POTS, gastroparesis and hypermobility.
You can find Taylor on Instagram here.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

7 snips
Sep 14, 2025 • 50min
Dr. Greg Plotnikoff on favorite new findings and a thiamin theory with Dr. Tania Dempsey on Mast Cell Matters
Dr. Greg Plotnikoff is a thought leader in dysautonomia/MCAS and complex chronic illness and in this episode he is freshly returned from giving two presentations at the Dysautonomia International Conference. He and Dr. Dempsey discuss what he learned and what he is currently excited/hopeful about, including new data about hypermobility as a potential underlying factor and how thiamine and other nutrients may theoretically play a key role in dysautonomia. Dr. Plotnikoff's article about 7 important questions to answer for symptomatic patients on a plant-based diet is here.
Dr. Plotnikoff's website is here.
Dr. Dempsey's website is here.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Sep 8, 2025 • 42min
Valerie is thriving in law school after a life-threatening reaction to medication
Valerie had a life-threatening reaction to a medication administered in the ER, and she has had POTS ever since. Valerie's advice to other patients with many sensitivities is to consider getting pharmacogenetic testing to see which drugs may be more or less well tolerated. Despite many challenges, Valerie is now thriving in law school, following her passion for justice reform.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.


