RealTalk MS

Latest Episodes:

RealTalk MS Episode 17: Open Sesame -- A Life-Changing App Jan 30, 2018

Show notes

Sometimes, important breakthroughs can come from unexpected places. This week, our guest is Oded Ben Dov, an Israeli game developer who ended up creating life-changing technology designed to help people living with MS, ALS, and other disabilities. We're talking about some exciting news in Progressive MS research. We're also talking about a possible treatment for MS fatigue. Researchers in Australia have patented a molecule that's designed to protect the central nervous system and support myelin repair. And we'll tell you about a chewing gum that offers the controlled release of cannabinoids to treat MS pain and spasticity. We have a lot to talk about! So are you ready for RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 16: Robots & Rehabilitation With Dr. Maja Mataric Jan 23, 2018

Show notes

Robots?? Really??? The answer is YES! Dr. Maja Mataric joins us on the podcast, and we're talking about how socially assistive robots could be real game-changers for people living with MS and other chronic conditions, as well as their caregivers. We're breaking down the specific ways that the new U.S. tax code will impact people living with MS. We're also talking about how the FDA just raised a red flag for one stem cell treatment for MS that made promises it wasn't keeping. And we'll tell you about a new project designed to study emotional processing challenges experienced by people living with MS. We have a lot to talk about! So are you ready for RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 15: We Are Illmatic Jan 15, 2018

Show notes

Jon's guest on the podcast is Victoria Reese, founder of the We Are Illmatic campaign. We Are Illmatic is building awareness and providing support for women of color who are living with MS in their lives. We have good news about the U.S. Defense Department's MS Research Program, and the passage of the bipartisan RAISE Caregivers Act. We'll tell you how an MS patient's handwriting may predict a decline in movement, sensory, and cognitive skills. And we'll share some interesting research about a hidden benefit associated with Gilenya. Are you ready for RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 14: New Year News Roundup Jan 09, 2018

Show notes

It's a new year and we have a lot to talk about! There's good news about new clinical trials...the FDA has given a "Breakthrough Therapy" designation for the first MS treatment approved for children and teens living with MS...UCLA researchers have identified why estrogen seems to have real potential as a treatment for MS...prices for some MS drugs are going up...pharmaceutical companies are suing the state of California over prescription price transparency...and host Jon Strum will tell you why the pace of scientific discovery is going to increase in 2018.

Are you ready for some RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 13: The International Progressive MS Alliance With Prof. Alan Thompson Dec 12, 2017

Show notes

The International Progressive MS Alliance is an unprecedented global alliance of MS organizations, researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, and people living with progressive MS, transforming the landscape of multiple sclerosis. This week, we're talking about the work and the progress of the Alliance with Professor Alan Thompson, Dean of Faculty of Brain Sciences at University College London, and Chair of the Alliance's Scientific Steering Committee. We're also talking about a study published by Johns Hopkins School of Medicine that demonstrates how pursuing a healthy lifestyle can further limit disability and depression in MS. And we're discussing how a simple blood test may soon replace MRI scans to measure MS disease progression. We'll also tell you about a $4 million dollar innovation challenge to create next-generation smart mobility devices. We've got the news, views, interviews & breakthroughs that are important to you. So...are you ready for RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 12: The Difference Between Men and Women With MS Dec 05, 2017

Show notes

Multiple sclerosis affects men and women differently. Women are 3 times more likely to get MS, but men often develop more significant disabilities from MS. This week's guest, Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, is a trailblazer in not only exploring the differences between the sexes in MS, but in identifying what seems to be a safe and effective treatment for MS symptoms. So why aren't pharmaceutical companies lining up to bring this treatment to market? Hear what Dr. Voskuhl has to say about that and more in this week's podcast. We're also talking about a study that illustrates how your diet may be an effective tool in reducing MS symptoms and limiting disability. And we're discussing what thousands of people with MS once considered to be a "breakthrough" in treating MS that, according to its creator, doesn't work at all. We've got the news, views, interviews & breakthroughs that are important to you. So...are you ready for RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 11 Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

Whether it's research, news, or even pending legislation, there's a lot happening around the world that's going to impact families living with MS. In this week's podcast, we'll round up some of that news and bring you up to speed on some of the things that you ought to know about. We're talking about how the pending income tax legislation can be financially devastating to families living with MS - and we'll explain what you can do about it right now. We'll look at a new clinical trial testing a cannabis-based medicine designed to treat MS symptoms. We'll talk about the construction of what's being billed as, "the world's leading treatment and research center for multiple sclerosis." We'll give you one more very good reason why people diagnosed with MS should not be smoking. And we'll break down how, when, and by how much, multiple sclerosis impacts a woman's pregnancy. We've got the news, views, interviews & breakthroughs that are important to you. So...are you ready for RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 10: Caregiving Nov 21, 2017

Show notes

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and we're talking all about caregiving. Being a caregiver for a family member with MS or any chronic illness can be one of the greatest blessings that a person may receive. It can also be one of the most stress-producing, anxiety-creating, and even life-threatening undertakings that a person may endure. No one ever applies to be a caregiver, and the job doesn't come with an instruction manual. So we're going to be discussing:

The real costs -- both financial and emotional -- of caregiving
The 3 characteristics that all great caregivers have
How to spot the signs of caregiver burnout and depression

We'll even share some specific strategies designed to empower caregivers to provide outstanding care to their loved ones while still maintaining a sense of balance in their own lives. We're also talking about the current income tax legislation being considered in Congress. We'll take a close look at the tax bill that's been passed by the House of Representatives, and the version of the bill still under consideration in the Senate, because each version of this legislation carries risks that can be financially devastating to families living with MS. We've got the news, views, interviews & breakthroughs that are important to you. So...are you ready for RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 9: MS & Depression Nov 14, 2017

Show notes

Experts estimate that about 50% of the people living with MS are impacted by depression. And left untreated, depression can darken your entire outlook on the world. It has a way of making everything less. We're going to explore MS and depression with my guest, Dr. Amy Sullivan, Director of Behavioral Medicine at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Cleveland Clinic. We're also talking about a study that may offer some good news about what seems to be a highly effective drug therapy for the 10,000 children who have been diagnosed with MS. We'll look at a nationwide study that indicates that women who are diagnosed with MS are reluctant to talk with their doctors about how MS might affect their work lives, their family planning choices, and even their personal relationships. And we'll look at the pending European Union approval of Ocrevus as a treatment for both Relapsing Remitting and Primary Progresive MS. We've got the latest news, views, interviews & breakthroughs that are important to you. So...are you ready for RealTalk MS?

RealTalk MS Episode 8: The MS MOSAIC Study Nov 07, 2017

Show notes

This week's guests are Doctors Lee Hartswell and Katherine Heller, the co-primary investigators of the MS MOSAIC study from Duke University. Everyone listening to our podcast is eligible to participate in this study -- even if you don't have MS. And all of the data collection will be done through your smartphone, so you won't even have to leave home! More than just a study that will help us learn a lot about day-to-day living with MS, the MS MOSAIC study is a perfect example of how we're going to interact with our medical teams in the very near future. We're also talking about the link between adolescent concussion and multiple sclerosis. We'll be looking at a new study that shows a connection between diet and exercise and MS pain. And we'll give you a heads-up on a free online event for caregivers. We've got the news, views, interviews & breakthroughs that are important to you. So...are you ready for RealTalk MS?

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected