Congress of Neurological Surgeons Podcasts

Podcast Miniseries: Cultivating a Culture – Growing a Healthy Neurosurgical Workplace

Ep. 3: Leadership at a Scale

Guest: Elad Levy

Hosts: Brian Gantwerker & Chris Newman

In this episode, we sit down with former CNS president and current Chair of the University of Buffalo Department of Neurosurgery Dr. Elad Levy for a wide ranging discussion on leading the CNS. Dr. Levy shares his insights on leadership transitions, setting an agenda, balancing the various opinions in the room, and the lessons learned from his experiences.

February 2026 Journal Club Podcast

Title: Maximizing Tumor Resection and Managing Cognitive Attentional Outcomes: Measures of Impact of Awake Surgery in Glioma Treatment

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2026/02000/maximizing_tumor_resection_and_managing_cognitive.15.aspx

Authors: Silvio Sarubbo and Luca Zigiotto

Guest Faculty: Pablo Valdes

Resident Planner: Alexander Himstead

Podcast Committee Vice Chair/Moderator: Martin Pham

Title: Wellness Podcast: Healing Ourselves - Neurosurgeons as Whole Person Health Advocates

Guest: Ann Stroink

Hosts: Brian Gantwerker and Lara Massie

In this episode of the CNS wellness podcast, we speak to a career neurosurgeon who has transitioned into a new role as a whole person health advocate and practitioner. Dr. Ann Stroink enlightens us with a unique and fresh perspective that's important both for us as Physicians and as people ourselves. We get front row seat in making tangible changes that can help our patients in their recovery from surgery and simultaneously positively affect our own health.  We hope you join us in the conversation.

January 2026 Journal Club Podcast

Title: Percutaneous Endoscopic Debridement and Drainage as a First-Line Diagnosis and Management Intervention for Spondylodiscitis: A Novel Treatment Algorithm

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/onsonline/fulltext/2026/01000/percutaneous_endoscopic_debridement_and_drainage.11.aspx

Authors: Nischal Acharya and Michael Oh

Guest Faculty: Christoph Hofstetter

Resident Planner: Roxana Beladi

Podcast Committee Chair/Moderator: Kimberly Hoang

Series Title: Conversations in Neurosurgery

Ep. 1: Negotiating Your Employment Agreement

In this episode, Jonathan Haines sits down with Attorney Ericka Adler to explore the key elements of your employment contract, providing clear insights and expert advice in this episode.

Title: ICH Evacuation

Guest Faculty: J Mocco, MD, MS

Hosts: Chris Newman, MD and Seth Oliveria, MD

In this episode we welcome Dr. J Mocco to discuss the nuances of evacuation of intracerebral hematoma. We review the indications, timing and techniques used for this procedure including the evidence that us available to guide clinical practice.

December 2025 Journal Club Podcast

Title: Association Between Operative Neurosurgical Intervention and Favorable Discharge Among Patients With Traumatic Subdural Hematoma and Poor Neurological Examination

To read journal article: jhttps://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/12000/association_between_operative_neurosurgical.15.aspx

Author: Tej Azad

Guest Faculty: Ryan Kitagawa

Moderator: Laura Zima

Committee Co-Chair: Rafael Vega

November 2025 Journal Club Podcast

Title: Thrombectomy for Patients With Large-Volume Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 6 Randomized Trials

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/11000/thrombectomy_for_patients_with_large_volume.5.aspx

Author: Mark Harrigan

Guest Faculty: David Altschul

Moderator: Zachary Sorrentino

Committee Co-Chair: Kimberly Hoang

In this episode of the CNS Innovation Podcast, moderator Dr. David Dornbos interviews Dr. Vincent Tutino, who is nominated for the 2025 CNS Innovator of the Year Award, for his innovation AneuScreen+.

Podcast Miniseries: Cultivating a Culture – Growing a Healthy Neurosurgical Workplace

Episode 2: Transforming Culture and Building Success

Guest: Robert Spetzler

Hosts: Brian Gantwerker and Chris Newman

This conversation highlights Dr. Robert Spetzler’s pivotal role in building the team that transformed Barrow Neurological Institute into the powerhouse it is today. The discussion will explore what the institution was like prior to Dr. Spetzler's arrival, how he set the course for the program, and how he adapted his approach through both successes and challenges.