What does it take to turn scientific breakthroughs into accessible, life-changing treatments for the millions of families affected by Parkinson’s disease?

In this episode of the Parkinson's Policy Podcast, we sit down with Dan Feehan, Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer at The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), to pull back the curtain on the legislative fights and advocacy efforts shaping the future of Parkinson's care and research.

Dan breaks down the foundation's current strategic priorities, how a unified advocate voice brings humanity to Capitol Hill, and what needs to happen next to turn discoveries into a cure.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

The Race to $600 Million: Why securing robust, bipartisan federal funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is critical to keeping the momentum of current scientific breakthroughs alive.

The Fight Against Environmental Toxins: Dan shares insight into statewide bans on paraquat—a highly toxic herbicide linked to a doubled risk of Parkinson's—and what these bills would mean for a nationwide EPA ban.

The National Parkinson’s Project: How the foundation is pushing for the full implementation of this whole-of-government initiative to revolutionize diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

The Power of Grassroots Advocacy: How everyday patients, care partners, and family members can effectively engage with lawmakers to demand measurable action.

If you’ve ever wondered how policy directly impacts the search for a cure, this deep dive is a must-watch.

“Oh crap.” 😮 It’s the unfiltered thought so many people have after a diagnosis, and it’s exactly why Dr. Sara Whittingham used it to title her incredible book, Oh Crap! It's Parkinson's: A Rebel's Guide to Taking Back Control of Your Life.

We recently interviewed Sara on the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, and her energy is absolutely infectious! As an Air Force veteran, M.D., mom, and Ironman triathlete living with PD, Sara is a force of nature.

In this episode, we talk about:
Shifting the mindset from "patient" to "person with agency."
The power of finding your "outrageous goals" and purpose.
How she’s taking the rebel fight all the way to Washington, D.C., to advocate for better care and research.

If you or a loved one are navigating this journey, Sara’s blend of medical insight, lived experience, and grit is exactly what you need to hear today. 

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Anne Hubbard, Chief Public Policy Officer to discuss the latest policy issues impacting the Parkinson’s community. From advocacy priorities and healthcare access to ongoing legislative efforts, Anne shares insights into how policy can shape better outcomes for people living with Parkinson’s and their families. Tune in for an informative conversation on the work being done to advance support, research, and patient-centered care.

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Representative Brian Cina, a Vermont legislator and sponsor of the bill to ban paraquat, a widely used herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease and other serious health concerns.

We discuss the growing body of research connecting environmental toxins to Parkinson’s, the policy efforts underway in Vermont, and why advocates, scientists, patients, and lawmakers are pushing for stronger protections against harmful chemical exposure. Rep. Cina shares insights into the legislative process, the challenges of advancing environmental health policy, and why public awareness and grassroots advocacy matter.

This conversation highlights the intersection of science, public health, and policy—and the importance of taking action to reduce exposure to potentially dangerous environmental chemicals.

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Deborah Swerdlow, Head of Policy at the Parkinson’s Foundation, and Ken Chason, a dedicated patient advocate and member of the Foundation’s Patient Policy Advisory Council (PPAC), for a timely and insightful conversation on the future of Parkinson’s policy.

Together, we explore the most pressing policy challenges impacting the Parkinson’s community today, from access to care and affordability of treatments to the need for increased research funding and stronger support systems for patients and caregivers. Deborah shares an inside look at how policy priorities are shaped at the Foundation, while Ken brings a powerful, lived-experience perspective on why patient voices must remain central to policymaking.

We also dive into what needs to happen next at both the state and federal levels to drive meaningful change, highlighting opportunities for advocacy and ways listeners can get involved.

Whether you’re living with Parkinson’s, caring for someone who is, or working in healthcare, policy, or advocacy, this episode offers valuable insights into how policy decisions shape real-world outcomes, and how you can be part of the solution.

More information for on the Parkinson’s Foundation’s policy work can be found here:  https://www.parkinson.org/how-to-help/policy-advocacy-priorities

In this episode of our Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we sit down with Rep. Hogan of Pennsylvania to discuss HB1135, a bill aimed at prohibiting the use of paraquat, a widely debated herbicide linked to increased Parkinson’s risk.

We explore the science behind paraquat, why this legislation matters for public health, and how advocates and constituents can effectively mobilize support. Rep. Hogan shares insights on the policymaking process and practical ways listeners can get involved in pushing for meaningful change.

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Geoff Horsfield, Legislative Director at the Environmental Working Group. Together, we explore the herbicide paraquat and its emerging connection to Parkinson’s Disease.

Geoff breaks down the latest policy developments, the science behind paraquat exposure, and why this issue is gaining national attention. We also discuss what constituents can do to advocate for change, including practical strategies for engaging with lawmakers and making their voices heard.

Whether you're directly impacted by Parkinson’s or interested in environmental health policy, this episode provides actionable insights and guidance on how to drive meaningful advocacy.

Contact [email protected] to get involved or ask questions

The Paraquat Resource Library that the EWG has put together: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N3W5H9vpUvpFtk6iLmdwfcJ5xroTJBiW_pr3LblsxVg/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.7iu5y1z4k82f

In this episode of the Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Senator Devlin Robinson about his sponsorship of Senate Bill 1158, legislation that seeks to ban the use of paraquat in Pennsylvania.

Paraquat is a widely used herbicide that has been increasingly linked to Parkinson’s disease through scientific research and legal cases. Senator Robinson shares the motivations behind introducing this bill, the challenges it faces in the legislative process, and what it could mean for both environmental safety and public health.

We also discuss:
•        The growing body of evidence connecting paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s
•        How state-level policy can influence national change
•        What advocates and citizens can do to support safer alternatives

In this episode of Parkinson’s Policy Podcast, we speak with Rep. Natalie Mihalek about her efforts to protect Pennsylvanians from toxic pesticide exposure. Rep. Mihalek is sponsoring a Pennsylvania House bill to ban paraquat, a widely used herbicide that has been linked in research to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. She shares why she introduced the legislation, what it would mean for farmers and communities across the Commonwealth, and how state-level policy can play a critical role in reducing environmental risk factors tied to Parkinson’s.

Listen as we sit down with Dr. Walter Koroshetz, former Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. We cover many diverse areas with Dr. Koroshetz including the alarming uptick in Parkinson’s diagnoses, the possibility of environmental causes, the origination of Parkinson’s in the gut, and, of course, Dr. Koroshetz shares his thoughts on Parkinson’s advocacy. He uses the passing of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s as a prime example of what advocacy is capable of doing and how it’s going to take the broad group, the National Plan Council, to continue to push this legislation into action.