In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters speaks with advocate and author Lori Jones about growing up in a family affected by Huntington's disease (HD), reflecting on stigma, isolation, caregiving, and the inspiration behind her memoir, Spared: A Memoir of Risk and Resolve. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Katie Moore, assistant professor of neurology at Duke University Medical Center, who explains what Huntington's disease is and how genetic testing can impact individuals and families living with HD.

Additional Resources

Lori Jones

What is Huntington's Disease?

Promising Therapies May Help Huntington's Disease

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics

Author Tanita Allen on Existing with Huntington's Disease

Rare Thoughts on a Rarer Neurologic Condition

We Are Brave Together with Jessica Patay

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: Lori Jones @lorijoneswrites; Dr. Katie Moore @DukeNeuroRes

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

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by musical legend Gloria Gaynor. Gloria talks about her journey in music and opens up about living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), undergoing surgery, and navigating the long road to recovery. She shares what the experience taught her about resilience and adapting when life doesn't go as planned. Next, Dr. Correa is once again joined by Dr. Shelly Hsieh, attending physician and Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Montefiore Einstein. Dr. Hsieh dives further into the multifaceted approach to rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries and the lifestyle factors that support healing.

Additional Resources

How Spinal Surgery Helped Gloria Gaynor Beat Chronic Pain and Return to the Stage

What is Spinal Cord Injury?

HEP2go Rehabilitation

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics

Answering Your Spinal Cord Injury Questions with Dr. Shelly Hsieh

"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: Gloria Gaynor @gloriagaynor ; Dr. Shelly Hsieh @MontefioreHealthSystem

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

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant, professor of neurology at UCSF and Director of the UCSF Regional Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. Together, they explore how diet, microbiome, and environmental factors influence the progression of multiple sclerosis, with a special focus on pediatric cases. Dr. Waubant also discusses the role of dietary patterns and vitamin D and highlights how emotional well-being and physical activity can impact disease outcomes.

Additional Resources

Expert Insights and Practical Tips for Managing Multiple Sclerosis

How Ultra-processed Foods Can Have a Negative Effect on Brain Health

Nutrition for kids: Guidelines for a healthy diet

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics

Advocating for a Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis with Comedian Kellye Howard

Embracing Each Day with Author and MS Advocate Lilibet Snellings Kyte

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 & Life Podcast?

· Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206

· Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media

Guests: Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant @ucsfmedicine

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 award-winning actor and playwright Michael Patrick, who shares his journey from studying science at Cambridge to becoming a celebrated actor. Michael also discusses his diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease (MND), his participation in a clinical trial, and how he continues to find hope and support from his network. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Matthew Harms, an Associate Professor of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Harms explains the complexities of diagnosing Motor Neuron Disease and ALS, the genetic factors involved, and the importance of early detection and treatment. He also discusses the importance of advocacy and what exciting research is happening now.

Additional Resources

What are motor neuron diseases?

Developments in ALS Research

Michael Patrick: Actor and Writer

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics

Focusing on Hope: Answering your ALS Questions with Dr. Rick Bedlack

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

Finding Strength in ALS Advocacy with Podcaster Lorri Carey

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: Michael Patrick @michaelpatrick314; Dr. Harms @osdib_cuimc

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

In this Olympics‑themed episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters explore what resilience looks like in the bodies, minds, and everyday lives of both Olympians and our listeners. First, they answer your listener submitted questions on concussion and Charcot‑Marie‑Tooth disease. Then, they look back on how former guests faced profound challenges and found a way forward through a collection of standout moments from past conversations with Olympians and Paralympians.

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes Mentioned

Olympic Swimmer Rowdy Gaines on His Career and Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Paralympic Athlete Helen Kearney on Living Her Dreams with Friedreich's Ataxia

Getting Back in the Game After a Concussion with Olympian Elana Meyers Taylor

Resilience and Recovery with Olympic Skier Colby Stevenson

Paralympian Jamal Hill on Winning Bronze with Charcot-Marie-Tooth

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 episode of the Brain and Life podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Brason Lee, a writer, social worker and traumatic brain injury survivor. Brason shares his journey from a severe ATV accident at 18, through rehabilitation, to a successful career in social work and advocacy. He discusses the challenges of recovery, the importance of supportive relationships, and his motivation to write and share his story to inspire others. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Erika Trovato, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer at Burke Rehabilitation. Dr. Trovato discusses returning to work and your community after a TBI and building new dreams after rehabilitation.

Additional Resources

Surviving and Thriving After a Traumatic Brain Injury

What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?

How Sports Neurologists Protect Football Players' Brains

Brain Injury Association of New York State

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics

Veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is Reaching New Heights with Traumatic Brain Injury

U.S. Soccer Legend Briana Scurry on Concussion and Mental Health

Healing the Traumatized Brain with Dr. Sandeep Vaishnavi

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:

Guest: Brason Lee @brason.lee; Dr. Erika Trovato @burke_rehab

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

In this episode of the Brain and Life podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by Dr. Elvis Francois, a spine surgeon known for integrating music into his practice. They discuss the intersection of music and medicine, common spine conditions, and the importance of human connection in healthcare. Dr. Elvis shares his journey from being a young musician to a surgeon and how music can enhance patient care and emotional well-being.

Additional Resources

How Spinal Surgery Helped Gloria Gaynor Beat Chronic Pain and Return to the Stage

What is Spinal Cord Injury?

The Growing Role of Music Therapy in Health Care

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics

Answering Your Spinal Cord Injury Questions with Dr. Shelly Hsieh

"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:

Guest: Dr. Elvis Francois @dr.elvis.francois

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

In this episode of the Brain and Life podcast, hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters answer your listener questions, touching on caregiving for Alzheimer's, staying motivated with Parkinson's, and the role of supplements in managing MS.

Additional Resources

Why Advanced Care Planning Is Essential for Caregivers

How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout by Taking Care of Yourself

How Peer Mentors Can Help Patients Navigate Life with Neurologic Disease

The Gut-Brain Connection: Why a Healthy Microbiome Is Key to Disease Prevention

Exploring the Link Between Gut and Brain Health

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on These Topics

Actress Yvette Nicole Brown Discusses the Caregiving Journey

The Future of Caregiving with Kat McGowan

Ed Begley Jr. on Utilizing a Healthy Lifestyle to Thrive with Parkinson's Disease

World's Toughest Row with Brendan Cusick and Pat Morrissey: Part Two

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 @KatyPetersMDPh