about us
In 2002, I was prescribed a benzodiazepine called clonazepam (Klonopin) and took the medication for 12 years without any warning.
My withdrawal from the medication was extreme and I developed a neurological condition called BIND. I experienced more than 70 distinct symptoms, many severe and life-altering, and still endure complications to this day. It even led some of my friends to end their own lives. It’s been brutal. I won’t sugarcoat it.
But living through something like BIND teaches you a great deal about yourself. You learn how to find meaning in hardship, cultivate joy in difficult times, and, most importantly, hold onto hope.
For a workaholic like me, that meant keeping busy. I wrote a book, hosted two podcasts, trained doctors, coached clients, and co-authored several research papers, including the first study to identify BIND. Yet, I couldn't avoid one simple realization.
Regardless of what I said or did, I couldn’t make people heal faster.
I could answer questions, validate what they were experiencing, and offer suggestions, but I couldn’t speed up time. What I could do was help ease the anxiety, fear, and hopelessness that came with a chronic illness which few have ever heard, and even fewer understood. And, I could connect them with a community that understood and reminded them that they were not alone.
Along the way, I discovered something unexpected: the more honest I was about my own struggles and failures, the more people connected with me. I became less of an “expert” and more of a friend; someone right there in the trenches with them.
Eventually, people dealing with other illnesses, significant loss, and simply the messiness of life started showing up, too. I realized that the lessons I learned through our experiences with BIND resonated far beyond that community.
That’s what led me to launch "Life in Question," a podcast for anyone looking for a friendly, honest conversation about life and all the complications that come with it.
I’ll stop there for now. But if you’re a true glutton for punishment and want to hear even more about my background (fair warning: I have a tendency to ramble), just click here for D's complete bio.