Rare Rebels™
The Rare Rebels™ Podcast shares raw, unscripted conversations with patients, caregivers, advocates, and researchers who are changing the future of rare disease. These aren’t polished soundbites — they’re real voices from the front lines, revealing the humanity, heartbreak, and hope woven into the rare disease experience.
Because change doesn’t happen through statistics alone — it happens through connection.
Hosted by award-winning storyteller and advocate Melody Joy Paine, Rare Rebels™ brings lived experiences to the forefront, bridging gaps between families, researchers, nonprofits, and industry stakeholders. Through these deeply personal stories, we build understanding, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.
Formerly known as the Images of Joy Podcast, Rare Rebels™ is a relaunch and expansion that retains archived episodes while introducing a new lens: one focused on amplifying the rebels in rare disease who refuse to wait for systems to change and are doing something about it.
- Update frequency
- every 4 days
- Average duration
- 20 minutes
- Episodes
- 14
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2023
Archived - Sharing stories of resilience through pediatric illness
The Imperfect JOY® podcast is taking on a new focus. We will explore resilience through many different challenges that families face when they have a child diagnosed with critical illness. We’re not …
Archived - Patrick Moreau - Embracing imperfection for authentic voice overs
https://www.musestorytelling.com/
Archived - Anja Poehlmann - Capturing life stories through the teen years
As kids get older and naturally become more distant from their parents as the explore their indepedence and the way they fit into the larger world outside of the home, it often becomes challenging to…
Archived - Mandee Simas - Lifestyle wall art and healing through photos.mp3
Join our Affinity group or apply for a mentorship: https://imageofjoy.com
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Mandee Simas
Bewilder Photography
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderphotos
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03:28 Who is Mandee
05:30 Adjusting her approa…
Archived - Melissa Ortendahl - Storytelling is a constant in all genres.mp3
Melissa Ortendahl
https://www.melissaortendahlphotography.com/
https://www.instagram.com/melissaortendahlphotography/
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View Melissa's Images of Joy: https://imagesofjoy.com/episode-3/
Follow us: …
Archived - Lolly Nazario - Authentic Storytelling with In-Home Newborn Sessions
Lolly Nazario
https://www.lollyslens.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lollyslensphotography/
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Apply for the Family Filmmakers Certification Beta: https://imagesofjoy.com
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01:00 How Lolly got st…
Archived - Carter Paine - My 6 year old’s love note
Watch Carter's video love note on the companion blog post: https://imagesofjoy.com/episode-8/
Archived - Candice Shuman - Unconventional views of joy
View Candice's image of joy on the companion blog: https://imagesofjoy.com/episode-7/
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Candice Shuman
Candice Shuman Films & Photos
Ontario, Canada
Archived - Anja Poehlmann - Imperfections are part of joy
Companion Blog: https://imagesofjoy.com/episode-5/
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Anja Poehlmann
Brighton & Hove, UK
Archived - Mandee Simas - Light capturing the magic of the moment
See Mandee's image of joy on the companion blog post: https://imagesofjoy.com/episode-4/
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-----Guest info-----
Mandee Simas
Bewilder Photography
Muskoka, Canada
Archived - Melissa Ortendahl - A family of 5 self-portrait
See Melissa's image of joy on the companion blog post: https://imagesofjoy.com/episode-3/
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------Guest Info------
Melissa Ortendahl Photography
Central, Massachusetts
Archived - Lolly Nazario - Teaching her daughter photography
Companion blog post: https://imagesofjoy.com/episode-2/
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------Guest speaker------
Lolly's Lens Photography
Archived - Melody Joy - Why I am creating this podcast
Watch the companion film: https://imagesofjoy.com/episode-1/
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------Host Info------
Melody Joy Paine
Central, Massachusetts
Imperfect Joy Films & Photos
Archived - Images of Joy Trailer
Watch the companion film: https://imagesofjoy.com/podcast/