In part one of this two-part episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with internationally bestselling author Liz Nugent, who shares her journey as a writer and her experiences living with dystonia. Liz discusses her early career in theater and television and highlights the importance of advocacy, awareness, and storytelling. Dr. Correa is then joined by world-renowned neurologist and movement disorders specialist Dr. Alfonso Fasano, Chair in Neuromodulation at the University of Toronto and a neurologist at Toronto Western Hospital. Dr. Fasano explains how the different types of dystonia present and delves into treatment options. Tune in next week to hear about Deep Brain Stimulation and upcoming research.

Additional Resources

Liz Nugent

Dystonia Overview

Speaking Up About Dystonia

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Billy McLaughlin on Life as a Musician with Focal Dystonia

Rogers Hartmann on Beating Dystonia

Self-Discovery and The Lost Voice with Songwriter Greta Morgan

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Liz Nugent @liznugentwriter; Dr. Alfonso Fasano @al_fasao

Guests: Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by author, adaptive fashion model, and disability advocate Sarah Todd Hammer. Sarah Todd shares her experiences with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) from diagnosis to today, highlighting the diagnosis and treatment processes and how she has continued to follow her dreams throughout the years. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Kiran Thakur, a neurologist and expert in infections that affect the brain and nervous system. Dr. Thakur is an associate professor of Neurology at Columbia University and has worked around the world studying how diseases like viruses can lead to serious neurologic conditions. Dr. Thakur explains what AFM is, the effects it can have, and what can be learned about how to care for patients with rare and life-changing neurologic conditions.

Additional Resources

Sarah Todd Hammer

Rising Measles Cases Raise Concerns About Serious Brain Complications

Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

How Disability Advocate Wesley Hamilton Became Empowered by Adversity

Parenting and Writing While Disabled with Jessica Slice

How Paula Carozzo is Redefining Disability and Advocating for Her Community

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Sarah Todd Hammer @sarahtoddhammer; Dr. Kiran Thakur @columbiamed

Guests: Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters answer listener question to celebrate World Brain Day! They discuss healthy habits, finding support in small towns, and coping with big changes after a diagnosis. Do you have a question or topic you’d like to hear featured? Send us an email!

Additional Resources

Try These Habits for a Healthy Brain on World Brain Day—and Every Day

Natural Disasters Can Be More Dangerous for People with Neurological Conditions—Here’s How You Can Prepare

A Call to Action to Provide Poststroke Care for Impoverished and Rural Patients

Functional Connectivity in Adult Brain Tumor Patients: A Systematic Review

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Answering Your Rare Disease Day Questions!

Holiday Episode with our Listeners

Answering Your Spinal Cord Injury Questions with Dr. Shelly Hsieh

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this two-part episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by Elizabeth Ansell, founder and director of #NotJustFatigue. #NotJustFatigue is a nonprofit organization shining a light on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME/CFS, and educates patients, clinicians, and health organizations about the condition. Elizabeth shares how raising awareness, and furthering research really improves the everyday lives of people living with ME/CFS. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. W. Ian Lipkin, who is known internationally for his research and is the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology, Professor of Neurology, and Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Lipkin discusses what’s next in ME/CFS research and what the future could hold.

Additional Resources

#NotJustFatigue

How to Fight Fatigue

Understanding the Impact of Invisible Illnesses on Daily Life

How Families Are Leading the Charge in Rare Disease Advocacy

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Rare Thoughts on a Rarer Neurologic Condition

Shedding Light and Love on a Rare Genetic Condition with Deborah Vauclare

Neurofibromatosis Advocacy and Community Building with the Gilbert Family Foundation

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Elizabeth Ansell @notjustfatigue; Dr. W. Ian Lipkin @columbiapublichealth

Guests: Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this two-part episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by Elizabeth Ansell, founder and director of #NotJustFatigue. #NotJustFatigue is a nonprofit organization shining a light on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME/CFS, and educates patients, clinicians, and health organizations about the condition. Elizabeth shares her diagnosis journey and explains why education around ME/CFS is so vital. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. W. Ian Lipkin, who is known internationally for his research and is the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology, Professor of Neurology, and Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Lipkin explains what ME/CFS is and how it differs from other conditions with similar symptoms, like long COVID. Make sure to tune in next week for part two to hear about what’s next in ME/CFS research and the importance of care partners.

Additional Resources

#NotJustFatigue

How to Fight Fatigue

Understanding the Impact of Invisible Illnesses on Daily Life

How Families Are Leading the Charge in Rare Disease Advocacy

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Rare Thoughts on a Rarer Neurologic Condition

Shedding Light and Love on a Rare Genetic Condition with Deborah Vauclare

Neurofibromatosis Advocacy and Community Building with the Gilbert Family Foundation

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Elizabeth Ansell @notjustfatigue; Dr. W. Ian Lipkin @columbiapublichealth

Guests: Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Phil Rosenthal. Phil is the award-winning creator, executive producer, and host of “Somebody Feed Phil,” as well as a two-time New York Times Best Selling Author, soon-to-be restaurant owner, and cared for his mother during her journey with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Phil shares about his mother’s journey and how his family worked with doctors to prioritize her needs. Dr. Correa is also joined by Dr. Bjorn E. Oskarsson, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida who specializes in ALS. Dr. Oskarsson explains ALS, how it can affect people in differing ways, and what treatment options typically look like.

Additional Resources

Max and Helen’s: A Neighborhood Diner Honoring Phil Rosenthal’s Parents

A Marathoner on a Quest to End ALS

Tips on How to Choose and Pay for In-Home Health Care

When is Palliative Care Appropriate?

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Making the Years Count with Brooke Eby, Influencer Living with ALS

Finding Strength in ALS Advocacy with Podcaster Lorri Carey

Aaron Lazar on His ALS Journey and the Impossible Dream

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Phil Rosenthal @phil.rosenthal; Dr. Bjorn E. Oskarsson @mayoclinic.flneuro

Guests: Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, your spinal cord injury (SCI) questions are getting answered! Co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Dr. Shelly Hsieh, attending physician and Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Montefiore Einstein, and they discuss injury types and classification, how progress is tracked, assistive devices that can help improve daily life, how to manage the emotional toll that a SCI can take, and the importance of advocacy and making your voice heard.

Additional Resources

What is Spinal Cord Injury?

Complete vs Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Disability Products and Services Guide

SCI Assistive Technology

United Spinal Advocacy Program

Other Brain & Life Episodes on This Topic

“Roll with Cole & Charisma" On Building a Life Together as an Interabled Couple

How Disability Advocate Wesley Hamilton Became Empowered by Adversity

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media:

Guests: Dr. Shelly Hsieh @MontefioreHealthSystem

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by actors Micah Fowler, Kelsey Cardona, and Phoebe Rae Taylor. Micah shares how his Cerebral Palsy (CP) diagnosis differs from the character who he played on ABC’s Speechless and his sister Kelsey explains the benefits of this representation that she’s seen in real-time. Phoebe Rae then explains how she got her role in Disney’s Out of my Mind and how acting has inspired her for the future. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Ann Tilton, a Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at LSU Health New Orleans with more than 30 years of experience in the field. Dr. Tilton explains what CP is, how it can differ from person to person, and what advancements the community can look forward to.

Additional Resources

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Biking Gives Freedom to a Teen with Cerebral Palsy

Becky Dilworth Skied and Raised a Family Despite Cerebral Palsy

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Scoring Goals with CP Soccer’s Shea Hammond

Gavin McHugh is Building an Acting Career and a Community with Cerebral Palsy

RJ Mitte on Living Confidently with Cerebral Palsy

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media:

Guests: Micah Fowler @micahdfowler; Kelsey Cardona @thekelseycardona; Phoebe Rae Taylor @phoeberaetaylorx

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD