Brain Health Podcast

In this episode of the Brain Health Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by CNN's award-winning chief national correspondent, John King. John shares what it's been like to build a demanding career while living with multiple sclerosis (MS), and why community, support, and self-care have been essential to his journey.
Later, Dr. Peters speaks with Dr. Robert Shin, professor of neurology and director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Clinical Neuroimmunology Division at UVA Health. Dr. Shin discusses the latest advances in MS treatment and research, addresses persistent health disparities, and explains how MS can affect men differently.
 
Brain Health Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Continuing the Race to Erase MS with Nancy Davis
Exploring Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis with Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant
Voices from the Multiple Sclerosis Community
 
We want to hear from you!
Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain Health Podcast?
·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
·       Email us at podcast@brainhealth.com
 
Social Media
Guests: John King @johnkingcnn; Dr. Shin @uvahealth
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by author Mark Haddon. Mark shares about the cognitive changes he experienced after bypass surgery and long COVID. He shares how brain fog affected his daily life and creative work, and reflects on resilience, recovery, and adapting to a new normal. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Jacqueline Becker, a clinical neuropsychologist and health services researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Together, they discuss why cognitive changes can occur after surgery and long COVID, and explore strategies that may help people manage these challenges.
 
Additional Resources
What Is Brain Fog?
How to Know If You Have Long COVID
Leaving Home: A Memoir in Full Color
 
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Movement and Healing with Adventure Athlete, Author, and Activist Rebecca Rusch
A Walk in the "Parkinson's" with Author Annmarie O'Connor
 
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: Mark Haddon @mark__haddon
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 actress, comedian, playwright, and storyteller Lauren Weedman. Lauren discusses her diagnosis of Bell's palsy after developing a sudden facial paralysis while filming in 2024 and how it changed her outlooks on work, motherhood, and mental health. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Gary Gronseth, Professor and Chair of Neurology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Gronseth explains what Bell's palsy is, why it happens, what recovery typically looks like, and why some people—like Lauren Weedman—continue to experience lasting symptoms long after the initial diagnosis.
 
Additional Resources
"This Is a Good Face": Lauren Weedman on Life After Bell's Palsy
Bouncing Back from Bell's Palsy
What Doctors Know About Bell's Palsy
 
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Playwright Sarah Ruhl Finds Inspiration in her Bell's Palsy Journey
 
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: Lauren Weedman @lauren_weedman
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 the one and only Bill Nye, an American science educator, mechanical engineer, television presenter, and author best known for hosting the Emmy Award–winning series Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill discusses his family's experience with a rare inherited ataxia and dives into his work with the National Ataxia Foundation to advocate for research on another form of the disease, Friedreich ataxia. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Stephan Züchner, a neurologist and geneticist who identified the genetic mutation responsible for the ataxia in Bill Nye's family.
 
Additional Resources
Bill Nye: The Ataxia Advocate Guy
What is Friedreich ataxia?
Theater Is Therapy for Patients with Ataxia
 
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Paralympic Athlete Helen Kearney on Living Her Dreams with Friedreich's Ataxia
 
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: Bill Nye @billnye

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by the one and only Bill Nye, an American science educator, mechanical engineer, television presenter, and author best known for hosting the Emmy Award–winning series Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill discusses his family's experience with a rare inherited ataxia and explains why he is partnering with the National Ataxia Foundation to advocate for research on another form of the disease, Friedreich ataxia. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Stephan Züchner, a neurologist and geneticist who identified the genetic mutation responsible for the ataxia in Bill Nye's family. Stay tuned for part two of this conversation next week.
 
Additional Resources
Bill Nye: The Ataxia Advocate Guy
What is Friedreich ataxia?
Theater Is Therapy for Patients with Ataxia
 
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Paralympic Athlete Helen Kearney on Living Her Dreams with Friedreich's Ataxia
 
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: Bill Nye @billnye
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD