Congress of Neurological Surgeons Podcasts

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

Episode 1: Being Yourself in a Big Pond

Guest: Anand Veeravagu

Hosts: Brian Gantwerker and Chris Newman

In this first episode of a 4-part miniseries, we sit down with Dr. Anand Veeravagu of Stanford for a wide-ranging conversation on building, sustaining, and evolving institutional culture. Dr. Veeravagu shares insights on navigating the dynamics of a storied institution—discussing how to honor tradition while driving innovation, foster a strong reputation, and cultivate meaningful, productive relationships along the way.

July 2025 Journal Club Podcast

Title: Perioperative Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonist Use and Rates of Pseudarthrosis After Single-Level Lumbar Fusion: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/07000/perioperative_glucagon_like_peptide_1_agonist_use.9.aspx

Author: Konstantinos Margetis

Guest Faculty: Stephen Kalhorn

Moderator: Brian Saway

Committee Co-Chair: Kimberly Hoang

CNS Innovation Podcast

Moderators: David Dornbos and Emal Lesha

Guest: Uzma Samamdani

In this episode of the CNS Innovation Podcast, moderators David Dornbos and Emal Lesha interview 2024 CNS Innovator of the Year Finalist, Dr. Uzma Samadani about her innovation EyeBox. They discuss pearls and pitfalls of taking an innovative idea from concept to product.

June 2025 Journal Club Podcast

Title: Assessing Neurosurgery Training: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Case Minimums Versus Surgical Autonomy

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/06000/assessing_neurosurgery_training__accreditation.19.aspx

Author: Michael Haglund

Guest Faculty: Gabriel Zada

Resident Planner: Laura Zima

Moderator: Rafael Vega

Based on recommendations of an updated systematic review of the literature, surgical interventions for patients with Vestibular Schwannoma allow for a range of options, the choice of which depends on the specific aspects of the lesion and the individual patient. They are discussed in this podcast.

Brad Elder, MD

Jamie J. Van Gompel, MD

Brandon Lucke-Wold, MD

Title: Wellness Podcast: Impact and Possible Solutions for Decreasing Admin Burden for Neurosurgeons

Guest Faculty: Anthony DiGiorgio and Charles Mackel

Hosts: Brian Gantwerker and Lara Massie

In this episode of the CNS Wellness Podcast, Charles Mackel and Anthony DiGiorgio will discuss sources of physician burnout, meaningful work, and the administrative component of a successful career in neurosurgery.

May 2025 Journal Club Podcast

Title: Microsurgical Treatment of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Collaborative Investigation From the Multicenter Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research

To read journal article: https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/2025/05000/microsurgical_treatment_of_intracranial_dural.12.aspx

Author: Kunal Raygor

Guest Faculty: Matthew Koch

Moderator: Zachary Sorrentino

Committee Co-chair: Kimberly Hoang

This podcast discusses an updated systematic review of the literature and provides new recommendations for the role of Stereotactic Radiosurgery in the treatment of adult patients with Vestibular Schwannoma.

Brad Elder, MD

Isabelle Germano, MD

Title: Controversies in Neurosurgery: Carbon Fiber versus Titanium in Metastatic Spine Cancer

Guest Faculty: Ilya Laufer

Hosts: Brian Gantwerker, MD and W. Christopher Newman, MD

In this episode we will discuss the use of carbon fiber implants for spinal instrumentation in patients with metastatic spine cancer, covering the indications, benefits, and limitations. We also will discuss how to incorporate these implants into your practice.

Patients with metastatic brain tumors (MBTs) require a multidisciplinary team-based approach to select the best treatment interventions. This podcast updates recommendations addressing whether Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) provides benefit regarding local control, OS, PFS, performance status, or reduction in CNS side effects compared with standard management with chemotherapy, immune modulators and molecular targeted agents, SRS, WBRT, and surgical resection.

J. Bradley Elder, MD

Mark E. Linskey, M.D., FAANS

Kristin Huntoon, PhD, DO

Brandon Lucke-Wold, MD, PhD