That’s so Chronic!: An Interview with Jess Brien

“Sometimes you wake up and wish you just had a sign where everybody would know that something's going on for you, and to just be a little bit kinder. But living with this has made me realise that we truly have no idea what's going on in someone else's life." 

Podcaster, entertainer and advocate, Jess Brien. Source: Charlie Rose Creative.  

In the middle of serious health challenges, Jess Brien felt more alone than ever. After battling multiple sclerosis for five years, she couldn’t help but notice the overwhelming silence surrounding chronic illness.  

“I felt super alone,” Brien said. “I was like, surely I’m not the only person in the world feeling like this or experiencing these symptoms.” 

The lack of visible, ongoing stories about those simply living with chronic illness resonated deeply with Brien. Inspired by Kris Hallenga, an author and influencer who shared her journey with stage 4 breast cancer, Brien realised how uncommon it was to hear stories from people still in the trenches of their diagnosis. 

“A lot of the stories you hear are either because someone has passed away or [because] they’ve gone into remission. You rarely hear about the people just living with it.” 

Cover art for ‘That’s so chronic’. Source: Supplied. 

This realisation sparked a mission for Brien, one that would ultimately lead to her own podcast, That’s So Chronic, in 2019. “I just wanted to connect with other people living with chronic conditions—whether they’re surviving, thriving, or somewhere in between.” 

At first, Brien humbly admits, it was a selfish endeavour. “I just wanted to chat with people,” she told Canta. 

But her podcast soon blossomed into something much more meaningful, providing a platform for those whose stories often go untold. As Brien approaches the graduation for her second degree—a Bachelor of Health Science—her focus remains on studying, traveling, and embracing new opportunities, all while balancing her personal health journey. 

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2014 after losing vision in her right eye, Brien’s life took an unexpected turn. Optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve, led to an MRI that revealed lesions on her brain. The diagnosis of MS — a condition in which the immune system attacks the protective coating around nerves in the brain and spinal cord — was a pivotal moment. Despite the challenges, Brien’s vision returned, and with it came a renewed sense of purpose.

Jess Brien taking a selfie after an MRI. Source: Supplied.  

For Brien, the last decade has been marked by chronic pain, a constant companion in her MS journey.  

“That’s been a big part of my experience,” she said.  

Yet, through it all, she has found comfort in community. Attending in-person peer support networks, like the ones organised by the Canterbury Clinical Network, helped her realise she wasn’t alone in her struggles. “We all completely understood what it was like. It was so special.” 

Her podcast became an extension of that feeling, creating a space where people living with chronic illness could share their stories, feel seen, and connect with others who understand. 

Rather than actively searching for her next venture amidst her studies, Brien found herself "shoulder-tapped" for an opportunity that seemed destined. While in Scotland, she was enjoying lunch at her favourite noodle spot when a fortune cookie caught her attention. 

“Now bear with me here,” she recalled. “I opened a fortune cookie, and it said something like, ‘when opportunity knocks, open the door.’” 

She didn't think much of it until later that day when her inbox revealed an unexpected opportunity. Brien had been scouted through her podcast and mutual connections by award-winning director and producer Robyn Paterson and celebrated producer and editor Jai Waite. What truly brought them together, though, wasn’t just their accolades, but a shared passion for dynamic casting and authentic representation of disabilities and chronic illnesses. 

Sweet Productions Ltd, a new and innovative disability-led company, aims to bring purposeful, authentic, and diverse content to a broad audience.  

As Brien put it, “created by award-winning practitioners committed to a fresh and ethical industry culture, Sweet takes a flexible approach to production, embracing new-generation platforms, perspectives, and storytelling techniques." 

After being approached, Brien shared her fortune cookie moment with Paterson and Waite to test if the vibe felt right.  

“They were just so excited. And I thought, these are definitely my people.” 

Working with Sweet Productions has been a thrilling experience for Brien.  

“It’s been so exciting because they’re still a new company with lots of ideas and dreams. They’re really dedicated to shaking up the film and TV industry by sharing diverse and authentic stories.”  

Though she works remotely from her base, far from their Auckland office, Brien’s involvement hasn’t slowed down. From her internship role to promotion, community outreach, working with the cast and crew for the Wheel Blacks documentary, and researching for a new documentary series, her hands are full. 

Brien is particularly excited about blending her two passions—health and entertainment. “It’s been really exciting to marry my worlds together,” she shared. 

Working alongside respected professionals like Paterson and Waite has been a remarkable learning experience.  

“They’re incredible people who have worked on so much. Absorbing their knowledge and expertise has been wonderful, and they’re always open to new ideas.” 

For Brien, storytelling remains at the heart of her passion: “I wholeheartedly believe in storytelling. It’s been around for thousands of years, and it’s such a powerful medium. Working with Sweet Productions has reminded me just how valuable it is to share stories.” 

She is eager to explore new ways to ensure her stories reach broader audiences, especially considering accessibility challenges.  

“Podcasts aren’t always accessible for everyone. I’d love to explore other formats, like more social content or written pieces, to reach more people with That’s So Chronic.” 

Like many students in their final year, Brien experiences moments of uncertainty about the future. “Some days I wake up excited, feeling like the world is my oyster. Other days, I think, ‘Oh no, what have I done?’ It’s an existential crisis we all go through.” 

Despite the challenges in the industry, Brien remains optimistic. “Especially right now, in New Zealand, it’s easy to feel discouraged across many industries. But you just have to find what sparks joy. The world would be such a boring place without film and TV.” 

She believes storytelling will endure, no matter the changes in media. “People will always want to hear stories and tell their own. Storytelling will be around forever—we just need to keep finding new ways to do it.”