Two years ago, Fresenius Medical Care UK&I published a piece outlining Dee Moore’s journey with Chronic Kidney Disease, and the resulting creation of her podcast, The Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast (DOAKWP)– which was founded in 2020 and has been partnered with Kidney Care UK since 2021. On the five-year anniversary of its creation, we reconnected with Dee to see how she and the podcast have developed and evolved since the last conversation.
Origins of a warrior
This month marks the five-year anniversary of DOAKWP, Dee Moore’s podcast seeking to empower, educate, and uplift everyone affected by or interested in kidney disease prevention and overall wellness. The podcast features interviews with kidney patients and health professionals so that others can also learn from their lived and professional experiences, as well as from Dee’s own journey.
Five years ago, Dee did not know what a podcast was. Now she produces, stars in, and promotes her own podcast, after her husband initially suggested the idea.
Alongside her personal journey with kidney disease, Dee drew on her 24 years of experience working in the NHS to shape the podcast, bringing medical environments and processes to life for her audience. “I also have creative experience”, says Dee. “I love acting and singing, and so practical things like setting up recording tech and using my voice came very naturally to me.”
Reflecting on the origins of the podcast’s name, Dee describes how she kept a regular diary between the ages of eight and 21 years old and wanted a name that reflected this personal habit inspired by Anne Frank.
“When I decided to share my kidney health journey online, I had a mindset of recording things as they happened in my life. I wanted people to be able to see my journey, the lessons I’ve learnt from it, and then take that away themselves – so I knew it was going to have the word ‘diary’ in it.”
The phrase ‘Kidney Warrior’ was one that Dee had seen mentioned online. “I always disliked the phrase ‘suffering with kidney disease’”, says Dee. “I live with kidney disease, fighting through it and not letting it get me down – just like a warrior.”
Dee describes how this ‘warrior’ attitude emerged soon after diagnosis, when her health coach challenged her to choose to live. “This is when that warrior spirit, that determination really emerged in me”.
The kidney community
A huge part of Dee’s motivation for starting the podcast was to help others who are in a similar situation to her. “If by sharing my situation I can help others then nothing I have been through will have been in vain.”
For those with kidney disease, being connected to a community of people with similar situations can be a massive source of comfort and strength. “I met the right people at exactly the right times”, Dee explains, “Early on in my journey, I met someone that I see as a mentor, as well as health professionals who were kind enough to talk me through one of my first blood tests, explaining what each number, abbreviation, and range meant.”
A lot of these early mentors would go on to become good friends of Dee’s, and some would eventually feature on her podcast!
Spreading the word
Dee now seeks to share her experience and health information with her audience, making sure it is digestible and jargon-free. “Information is only information as long as it is understood”, Dee explains, describing how medical language and the initial shock of a diagnosis can make it harder for people to grasp their condition.
“One of the advantages of the podcast is that people can listen to it in their own time, when they are in the right frame of mind for it to sink in” says Dee. Her background in tutoring hundreds of people in Makaton, (a language programme using signs and symbols designed for those with learning/communication difficulties) gave her extensive experience in breaking down complex ideas into clear, accessible messages.
She also strives to use her platform to raise awareness of renal health issues, the symptoms that can present, and the steps people can take to prevent damage. “Kidney disease is one of the most prevalent and severe conditions worldwide, and it’s only growing – it doesn’t get the media attention it needs”, Dee describes.
Growth and improvement
Reflecting on how the podcast has developed over the last five years, Dee notes that her interviewing style has become more agile and organic as she grew in confidence.
“My skills in interviewing, editing, and all the aspects that go into the podcast have definitely grown over time”, Dee describes. “I used to always put a lot of pressure on myself to get each take right first time – now I am a lot more comfortable saying ‘let me take that again’ to my guest!”
Looking back on the podcast’s growth over the past five years, Dee has also gained more experience in inviting people on to the podcast and explaining how the recording session will go. “DOAKWP is a safe space for patients and healthcare professionals – I'm not bringing anyone on to sensationalise, and so another skill I've developed is putting people at ease to share their story in a way they are comfortable with.”
Looking ahead
When asked for a ‘sneak peek’ into the podcast’s future, Dee describes how she is always looking to innovate and bring things to the next level. “I plan on having more episodes that include video footage alongside audio and exploring an even greater range of topics with my guests”, Dee says.
Dee is eager to inspire others to connect with their health communities and create meaningful content, just as she has done. “Only you can reach the people that only you can reach – between all of us, we will make sure we reach everyone”.
To anyone who is looking to start a podcast or other project like she has, Dee has one piece of advice: “just start”. “It is becoming easier than ever to share your voice like I have – helping others in ways you couldn’t imagine. You can change the trajectory of someone’s life just by starting”.
Dee’s podcast is available on YouTube and all major audio streaming platforms