Welcome to Vitafriends Voices - A Vitaflo Podcast!
Join us as we chat about everything from managing diets to living well and overcoming challenges.
Each episode, we will bring you engaging interviews with inspiring individuals and family members of those living with disorders of protein metabolism, as well as experts who are at the forefront of the field.
Whether you are seeking practical tips, personal stories, or expert insights, this podcast has something for everyone!
PKU Realities: Richard Farquhar & Kevin Alexander on Mental Health, Advocacy & Taking Control
What does it really mean to live well with PKU? In this deeply personal episode, two of the most passionate voices in the PKU community, Richard Farquhar and Kevin Alexander, come together for a rare, face to face conversation that spans continents, challenges, and everything in between. Despite living on opposite sides of the world, Richard and Kevin have built a close friendship rooted in shared experience, mutual understanding, and an unwavering commitment to advocacy.
Subsribe for more community stories and practical tips for living with a metabolic disorder. Follow our Instagram @Vitafriends_Voices to be the first to hear about future episodes!
Want to dive deeper into Kevin's advocacy journey? This conversation builds on two pieces he has shared previously;
In 'The Emotional Toll of Rare Disease Advocacy', Kevin opens up for the first time about the hidden burdens advocates carry, available as both a podcast episode and article: https://pkujournal.com/the-emotional-toll-of-rare-disease-advocacy/
And in 'Self Care is Advocacy', written following a candid exchange between Kevin and Richard on social media, he explores the emotional weight of holding other people's stories and why self care isn't optional for advocates: https://pkujournal.com/self-care-is-advocacy-advice-to-rare-disease-advocates/
All products and medications referred to in the podcast must be used under medical supervision. For more information, please speak to your healthcare professional.
17 Dec 2025
PKU & the Holidays Made Easy: Lorraine (@GrowingUpWithPKU) Shares Her Festive Tips
Lorraine, from @GrowingUpWithPKU, shares practical tips for managing a teenage daughter's PKU during the holidays, focusing on festive meals and ensuring she enjoys Christmas in this interview.
26 Nov 2025
The Role of Patient Organisations: Dietitian Suzanne Ford's Take on Season 2
Dietitian Suzanne Ford discusses how patient organizations support individuals and families managing metabolic disorders, addressing challenges and promoting education and peer connection in this interview episode.
19 Nov 2025
A Rare Diagnosis of Tyrosinaemia: Lorraine & Harry Spillane on Family Life & Empowerment
Lorraine and Harry Spillane share their experiences navigating family life and staying positive after their child's rare Tyrosinaemia diagnosis in an interview.
12 Nov 2025
PKU Diet for Life Study: Max and Harald Share a Doctor and Patient's Perspective
Dr. Maximilian Pichler and Harald Schossmann explore the Austrian 'Back to Clinic' study, focusing on returning to the PKU diet and providing both a patient's experience and a healthcare professional's perspective in this interview.
5 Nov 2025
PKU and Travel: Nicole Weber on Life as a Travel Nurse and Low Protein Living
Nicole Weber, a travel nurse, discusses her experiences managing phenylketonuria (PKU) while traveling, offering advice on flying, dining out, and maintaining a low-protein diet in this interview.
Éimear McGlynn shares her journey of acceptance while living with homocystinuria and how she transforms personal experiences into effective advocacy, in this interview.
21 Oct 2025
Maternal PKU and Partner Support: Helen & Steve Holt on Their Pregnancy Journey
Helen Holt and Steve Holt discuss their pregnancy journey with maternal PKU, highlighting preconception planning, daily management, and the crucial role of partner support in this interview.
14 Oct 2025
Returning to the PKU Diet: Stuart Sumner on Restarting the Diet and His BH4 Trial
Stuart Sumner discusses his experience restarting the PKU diet as an adult, detailing the challenges he faced and his participation in a BH4 trial in this interview.
19 Aug 2025
*BONUS EPISODE* Daragh and Wendy Nolan: "Navigating Family Life with PKU: A Heartwarming Journey"
Daragh Nolan and Wendy Nolan share their family's journey navigating life with PKU, offering insights into managing the condition and strengthening family bonds.
13 May 2025
Sarah Howe: "Reflections and Insights: A Dietitian's Wrap-Up"
In this season finale, metabolic dietitian Sarah Howe offers a professional’s perspective on the key themes discussed throughout the season. She reflects on the experiences shared by guests and provides valuable insights into living well with disorders of protein metabolism.
All products and medications referred to in the podcast must be used under medical supervision. For more information, please speak to your healthcare professional.
6 May 2025
Devin Smith: "A Father's Perspective: Navigating GA1 and Family Life"
In this episode, Devin, the father of a young girl with GA1, discusses their family's journey, including managing food aversions and the emotional aspects of parenting a child with a metabolic disorder. He reassures other parents that they are not alone in this journey. Some of you may know Devin as one of our Vitaflo chefs, which he also touches on in this episode.
All products and medications referred to in the podcast must be used under medical supervision. For more information, please speak to your healthcare professional.
29 Apr 2025
Annie Skidmore: "Trailblazing Research: Making an Impact Through My PhD Journey"
In this insightful episode, Annie shares her personal story of growing up with PKU while actively participating in sports. Now in her twenties, she is pursuing a PhD project designed to benefit both herself and others with PKU. She discusses how her research aims to study the combined impact of nutrition and exercise on the health of those with PKU, and her goal to develop evidence-based interventions that will improve quality of life for the community.
All products and medications referred to in the podcast must be used under medical supervision. For more information, please speak to your healthcare professional.
22 Apr 2025
Daragh Nolan: "Teen Life with PKU: Embracing Independence and Positivity"
At just 16, Daragh shares his uplifting perspective on living with PKU, focusing on how he balances a social life while transitioning to independence. His positive mindset serves as an inspiration to others navigating similar challenges.
All products and medications referred to in the podcast must be used under medical supervision. For more information, please speak to your healthcare professional.
15 Apr 2025
Bianca Albanese: "Living Life to the Fullest: Advice to Her Younger Self"
Bianca joins us from Australia and shares her wisdom and advice for young teens struggling with a disorder of protein metabolism. She emphasises the importance of support from family, friends and partners and encourages listeners to embrace life and all its possibilities.
All products and medications referred to in the podcast must be used under medical supervision. For more information, please speak to your healthcare professional.
8 Apr 2025
Richard Farquhar: "Living Well with PKU: A Holistic Approach"
Join Richard as he reflects on his journey with PKU, exploring how the condition has shaped his experiences at different life stages. He discusses his passion for fitness while offering personal anecdotes and encouragement.
All products and medications referred to in the podcast must be used under medical supervision. For more information, please speak to your healthcare professional.
1 Apr 2025
Aoife Murphy: "A New Chapter: Embracing Motherhood with PKU"
Aoife shares her heartfelt experience as a new mother to a baby diagnosed with PKU, discussing the challenges and triumphs of the first year. An honest and frank insight to other new parents into what she thinks the (bright) future will hold.
For more information on navigating a PKU diagnosis, visit https://www.vitafriendspku.co.uk/navigating-a-pku-diagnosis
All products and medications referred to in the podcast must be used under medical supervision. For more information, please speak to your healthcare professional.
Who has been a guest on Vitafriends Voices
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lorraine
Suzanne Ford
Lorraine Spillane
Harry Spillane
Dr Maximilian Pichler
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
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