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

Brainolicious

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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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

Kristen Lopez

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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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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Social Media

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

Race to Erase MS - Funding Multiple Sclerosis Research Why it's Important to Recognize Signs of Depression in People with Neurologic Disorders

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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Social Media

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

Darby Saxbe's Website

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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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

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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: 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

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

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

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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

My Friend Isabelle- Book

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

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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: Izzy Woloson @askIZZE; Eliza Woloson @elizawoloson

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 musician Amy Grant. Amy discusses her inspiring journey of recovery following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2022. She shares her personal stories of resilience, the symptoms she felt and how she dealt with them, and how music continues to be a source of connection and healing. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Shae Datta, co-director of the NYU Langone Concussion Center. Dr. Datta shares expert knowledge on concussion and TBI management, recovery, and innovative therapies, highlighting how personalized care can make a difference in prognosis.

Additional Resources

Amy Grant

After a Traumatic Brain Injury, Work Challenges May Last Longer Than Expected

Surviving and Thriving After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is Reaching New Heights with Traumatic Brain Injury

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

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Social Media

Guests: Amy Grant @amygrantofficial; Dr. Datta @nyulangone

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

On this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters sits down with actor Ryan Reynolds, who opens up about his father's Parkinson's-related hallucinations—an often overlooked but common symptom for many people living with the disease. Ryan also reflects on the care-partner experience and shares the steps he's taking to support his own brain health. Later, Dr. Peters is joined by Dr. Jori Fleisher, a movement disorders neurologist and associate professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, who explains why hallucinations and other non-motor symptoms can occur in Parkinson's disease and what patients and care partners should know.

Additional Resources

More to Parkinson's

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Related Episodes of Brain & Life Podcast

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

Comedy and Courage: Comedian Richard Lewis on Living with Parkinson's Disease

Seen and Heard: Allie Signorelli's Young-Onset Parkinson's Story, Part One

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Social Media

Guests: Ryan Reynolds @vancityreynolds; Dr. Fleisher @rushmedical

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