Michael S. Okun, MD is a neurologist, poet,  author and National Medical Advisor to the Parkinson Foundation. In this interview we explore his approach to patient advocacy, staying curious enough to "reach grandma's attic" and how patients can bring out the best in their doctors. 

• 4:30 - What's your approach to a person asking about Stem Cell treatments
• 11:40 - Vaccines and the pandemic
• 13:00 - How can people do their own research, or is that just a foolhardy endeavor?
• 15:00 - "Reaching grandma's attic"
• 17:30 - How can we do a more skillful job of maintaining empathy and hope
• 20:50 - Historically, doctors didn't help people live longer or get better
• 23:45 - I don't think that it's fair to judge people on their intelligence or their integrity, on one issue.
• 28:00 - Can you be a better patient in a way that makes your doctor a better doctor?
• 30:50 - Establishing cultural expectations
• 36:14 - "Lessons from the Bedside"
• 39:00 - John Graham-Pole and Patch Adams, pioneers in medicine 
• 43:18 - How do the lessons from the bedside tie into this mad scientist of neurophysiology?
• 46:45 - Do you have a prescription for the the cure for bullshit? Or what do you see as the key ingredient?
• 50:45 - I did a TED talk with Kelly Foote about controlling the brain

Parkinson Foundation - How to Join a Study
https://www.parkinson.org/advancing-research/join-study

Parkinson Foundation - Getting Involved in Research Fact Sheet
https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/research