Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) means dealing with difficult and often disabling symptoms. It can involve feeling pressure to conform to others’ expectations, even when it harms our health. For young people with MCS, this can be extra challenging.

In this episode of The Chemical Sensitivity Podcast, we’re exploring youth, chronic illness, and MCS. You'll hear Aaron Goodman speaking with Imogen Harper, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sydney in Australia. She explores how:

· Diagnosis in youth is often complex and requires adults noticing symptoms and advocating.

· Parents and caregivers can play a crucial in navigating medical systems and ensuring that their child’s needs are taken seriously.

· Chronic illness like MCS affect young people’s identity, relationships, and sense of independence.

· Youth and older people with chronic illnesses often deal with anxiety, isolation, stigma, and the challenge of staying connected with others.

Listen at https://www.chemicalsensitivitypodcast.org/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUHZINO1vQ2tRcy0GVU4Pmw

If you would like to share your experiences or feedback, email aaron@chemicalsensitivitypodcast or comment on social media.

#MultipleChemicalSensitivity #MCS #MCSAdvocacy #InvisibleIllnessAwareness #SafeHealthcareSpaces #ChemicalIntolerance #EnvironmentalDisability

Links:

Imogen's 2024 paper:
"Chronic Concealment and Awareness in the Affective Worlds of Young People Living with Chronic Illness."
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10497323241304571

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. No material or information provided by The Chemical Sensitivity Podcast, or its associated website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Thank you very much to the Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation for its generous support of the podcast.

If you like the podcast, please consider becoming a supporter!

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In recent weeks, as many listeners know, I've been exploring ways to challenge false arguments that MCS is a psychological disorder.

I hope you find this episode of The Chemical Sensitivity Podcast helps.

You'll hear me in conversation with Kevin Elliott, Ph.D. He is the Red Cedar Distinguished Professor of Philosophy of Science at Michigan State University in the U.S.

I was delighted to speak with Kevin, learn about his important research — and I am excited to share this episode with you.

Kevin explains how scientific research practices — from hidden assumptions to “undone science” — have shaped decades of misunderstanding around Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

You'll hear Kevin explore:

• How his mother's MCS inspired him to spend decades researching the illness
• Why certain kinds of evidence are ignored
• How harmful psychogenic theories persist
• And what needs to change in research frameworks to genuinely support people living with MCS.

This conversation is forward-looking and grounded in the belief that better science is both possible and urgently needed to support people with MCS.

Listen at https://www.chemicalsensitivitypodcast.org/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@podcastingMCS

#MCSAdvocacy #MultipleChemicalSensitivithy #MCS #InvisibleIllnessAwareness #SafeHealthcareSpaces #ChemicalIntolerance

Links:

Kevin Elliott:
https://kevincelliott.com/

Kevin's 2025 paper: "Alleviating Epistemic Injustice in Environmental Health Research: Strategies from Science and Values":
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11245-025-10268-3

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. No material or information provided by The Chemical Sensitivity Podcast, or its associated website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Support the show

Thank you very much to the Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation for its generous support of the podcast.

If you like the podcast, please consider becoming a supporter!

• Support the podcast.
• Find the podcast on Patreon.
• If you like, please buy me a coffee.

Follow the podcast on YouTube! Read captions in any language.

Please follow the podcast on social media:
Facebook
X
Instagram
BlueSky
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Thank you to everyone who took time to share feedback about The Chemical Sensitivity Podcast through the 2025 listener survey.

The goal was to learn more from you about how the podcast contributes to awareness, education, and support around MCS.

Share your feedback anytime on social media — and you can reach me at aaron@chemicalsensitivitypodcast.org

Listen at https://www.chemicalsensitivitypodcast.org/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@podcastingMCS

#MCSAdvocacy #MultipleChemicalSensitivithy #MCS #InvisibleIllnessAwareness #SafeHealthcareSpaces #ChemicalIntolerance

Support the show

Thank you very much to the Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation for its generous support of the podcast.

If you like the podcast, please consider becoming a supporter!

• Support the podcast.
• Find the podcast on Patreon.
• If you like, please buy me a coffee.

Follow the podcast on YouTube! Read captions in any language.

Please follow the podcast on social media:
Facebook
X
Instagram
BlueSky
TikTok