Stay ConnectedReady to take control of your brain health? Neurologists Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters have deep conversations with other neurology experts, celebrity advocates, and people with unforgettable stories. You’ll leave each week’s episode knowing something new about the brain.
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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
Theater Is Therapy for Patients with Ataxia
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Paralympic Athlete Helen Kearney on Living Her Dreams with Friedreich's Ataxia
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Guests: Bill Nye @billnye
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD
On this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters celebrate World Brain Day by sharing practical ways to support brain health, from puzzles and meditation to exercise and community. They also answer listener questions about rural access to neurologic care, support groups, and brain health through the lens of recent Brain & Life articles on epilepsy, menopause, and memory.
Additional Resources
People with Epilepsy in Rural Areas Face Greater Health Risks, Study Finds
Study Suggests Certain Hormone Therapies May Support Memory After Menopause
Teen Whose Father Has Parkinson's Disease Created a Community for Herself and Others_
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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
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Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD
In this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, Drs. Daniel Correa and Katy Peters are joined by mother-son duo Genein and Shawn Letford. Genein, the founder of Brainolicious, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting brain health in a way that's fun, accessible, and lifelong, reveals how integrating arts and early childhood education can build resilience, prevent dementia, and even shape future leaders. Her 8-year-old son Shawn then shows us how kids can become brain advocates—speak before city councils, petition for World Brain Day, and spread awareness with confidence.
Additional Resources
Steps to Building a Stronger Brain: Brain Health After Brain Injury Webinar
Why Bike Helmets Are Essential for Kids
Become a Brain Health Advocate
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Neurology Advocacy Out Loud: Live from the AAN's Annual Meeting
Embracing Inclusion and Empowerment with Isabelle and Eliza Woloson
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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
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Guests: Genein Letford @brainoliciousadventures
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD
In this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by award-winning film critic, journalist, and author Kristen Lopez. They discuss how movies shape public understanding of disability, identity, and belonging, and why storytelling can both reinforce harmful stereotypes and open the door to more honest representation. Kristen shares insights from her book, Popcorn Disabilities, including the power of media to influence how disabled people are seen and how they see themselves and the importance of authentic casting.
Additional Resources
The Keys to Overcoming the Stigma of a Disability
How Cosmetic Brands Are Creating More Accessible Makeup
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Acute Flaccid Myelitis and Disability Advocacy with Sarah Todd Hammer
How Paula Carozzo is Redefining Disability and Advocating for Her Community
Unseen: Molly Burke's Retinitis Pigmentosa Journey
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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
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Guests: Kristen Lopez @kristenlopez88
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD
In this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-hosts Drs. Daniel Correa and Katy Peters are joined by author, educator, and neurologist Dr. Pria Anand. Together, they discuss the wonder and complexity of the human brain, and how storytelling, culture, and curiosity shape our understanding of neurologic illness and identity. Pria shares insights from her book, The Mind Electric, including the role of narrative in medicine, the resilience of memory, and why humility matters in neurologic care. They also explore the future of neurology, the importance of sleep and self-care, and how science and the humanities can work together to improve patient care.
Additional Resources
The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains
How are Mental Health and Brain Health Connected?
Healing Words: Writing About Her Traumatic Brain Injury Helps the Author Make Sense of Her Recovery
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Exploring the Science of Everyday Wonder with Dacher Keltner
The Secrets of Synesthesia with Dr. Joel Salinas
Memory and Your Brain, Explained
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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
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Guests: Dr. Pria Anand @bmcneurology
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD
In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is once again joined by Nancy Davis, founder of Race to Erase MS. Nancy discusses bringing leading scientists together through the Center Without Walls to collaborate rather than compete, and the "invisible" symptoms of MS, including depression, mood changes, fatigue, and other issues that can be hard to say out loud. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Adam Kaplin, a physician-scientist whose work sits at the intersection of psychiatry, neurology, neuroimmunology, and the lived experiences of the community with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Kaplin explains more about these invisible symptoms, especially depression, and how treating them can make a difference.
Additional Resources
Become a Brain Health Advocate
How Couples Navigate Multiple Sclerosis
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Nancy Davis' Race to Erase Multiple Sclerosis
Exploring Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis with Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant
Voices from the Multiple Sclerosis Community
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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
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Guests: Nancy Davis @nancypeaceandlove
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD
On this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by Dr. Darby Saxbe, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Southern California who is known for her research on the neurobiological underpinnings of the transition to parenthood. She is also the author of the book, Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How it Shapes Men's Lives. Tune in as they discuss exactly what "Dad Brain" is and how quality relationships affect the brain.
Additional Resources
Understand Neurological Risks and How to Protect Your Brain During and After Pregnancy
When Being Tired Isn't Normal: Understanding Extreme Sleepiness and Sleep Disorders
Related Episodes of Brain & Life Podcast
Jessie Owen on Advocacy, Awareness, and Parenting
Parenting and Writing While Disabled with Jessica Slice
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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?
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Social Media
Guests: Darby Saxbe @darbysaxbephd
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD
This episode of the Brain & Life Podcast was recorded live at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting. Co-hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters were joined by Jen Pollack from Alzheimer's Association, Rich Brennan from ALS Association, and Julienne Verdi from Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy to discuss how advocacy and sharing stories makes a difference. Tune in to hear these field experts share the positive effects of collaboration and advocacy!
Additional Resources
Become a Brain Health Advocate
The Why Behind Your Weakness- ALS Association
ASAP Act- Alzheimer's Association
HEADACHE Act- Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy
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
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Guests: ALS Association @als; Alzheimer's Association @alzassociation; Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy @allianceforheadacheadvocacy
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 novelist and disability advocate Sabina Nordqvist. Sabina discusses her personal 12-year battle with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), POTS, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She shares the profound impact of misdiagnosis, the importance of self-advocacy, and how her experiences in support groups led her to write a novel called It's All in Your Head that puts disabled characters front and center. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Jeremy Cutsforth-Gregory, an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, working in the Division of Neurologic Education. Dr. Cutsforth-Gregory explains cerebrospinal fluid and IIH, highlighting the treatments that are available and where research is going next.
Additional Resources
Sabina Nordqvist- It's All in Your Head
Understanding the Mysteries of POTS and Other Autonomic Disorders
A Swimmer Returns to the Pool After Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Diagnosis
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Parenting and Writing While Disabled with Jessica Slice
Outdoors Woman Crystal Gail Welcome on Nature and Chronic Pain
Author Samantha Lee Schmall on Life Beyond the Shunt
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
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Social Media
Guests: Sabina Nordqvist @nordqvistbooks; Dr. Cutsforth-Gregory @mayoclinic
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 Isabelle Woloson and her mother, Eliza to talk about Izzy's work to promote inclusion, challenge stereotypes, and embrace individuality as a young woman with Down syndrome. Together, they share practical insights on self-advocacy, community acceptance, and creating meaningful opportunities. They also discuss practical approaches to community acceptance, self-advocacy, and the evolving landscape of support and opportunities. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Seth Keller, a nationally recognized leader in developmental neurology, for a conversation about supporting meaningful and fulfilling transitions into adulthood.
Additional Resources
8 Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Moving Out of Pediatric Care
How Parents Advocate for Their Children with Rare Diseases
Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics
Exploring Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis with Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant
Author Samantha Lee Schmall on Life Beyond the Shunt
Raising Awareness for a Rare Cancer with Love4Lucas President Hide Harashima
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: Izzy Woloson @askIZZE; Eliza Woloson @elizawoloson
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD
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