Seizing Life

By CURE Epilepsy

What's Seizing Life about?

Seizing Life, a CURE Epilepsy podcast hosted by Kelly Cervantes, aims to inspire empathy & give hope as we search for a cure for epilepsy. Together, we can find a cure. We can seize life.

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Seizing Life episodes:

06.05.2024
The Sudden and Life-Altering Impact of Adult-Onset Epilepsy
Jon Tuteur shares his journey with adult onset epilepsy. From his first seizure at age thirty, through his epilepsy diagnosis, treatment, and eventual brain surgery, Jon discuses the physical and emotional impacts of seizures, medications, diagnostic tests, and medical procedures The...
05.01.2024
Older Adults and Epilepsy: the Causes, the Signs, and the Treatments
Dr. Laura O’Dwyer discusses the fastest growing segment of people living with epilepsy, adults over 65 years old. Dr. O’Dwyer provides an overview of the causes of epilepsy in older adults, the subtle signs to look for, and the importance The...
04.03.2024
One Woman’s Epilepsy Journey Through Childhood, Parenting, Discrimination, and Surgery
This month on Seizing Life® author Laura Beretsky shares her decades-long journey with epilepsy chronicled in her recent memoir Seizing Control. The post One Woman’s Epilepsy Journey Through Childhood, Parenting, Discrimination, and Surgery appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
03.06.2024
A Nurse’s Knowledge & A Mother’s Love Leads to Son’s Life-Changing Brain Surgery
A mother uses her nursing knowledge to advocate for her son’s epilepsy care and surgery. The post A Nurse’s Knowledge & A Mother’s Love Leads to Son’s Life-Changing Brain Surgery appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
02.07.2024
Artificial Intelligence and Epilepsy: The Promise & Pitfalls of AI in Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Daniel Goldenholz of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discusses the current and potential impacts of artificial intelligence on epilepsy care. The post Artificial Intelligence and Epilepsy: The Promise & Pitfalls of AI in Diagnosis and Treatment appeared first on CURE...
01.03.2024
Best of Seizing Life 2023
This week on Seizing Life®, we revisit several compelling conversations from the past year in our Best of Seizing Life 2023 compilation episode. The post Best of Seizing Life 2023 appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
12.27.2023
Rare Epilepsy Organizations: Fostering Community and Advancing Research
This week on Seizing Life® we speak with two rare epilepsy organizations, The KCNT1 Epilepsy Foundation and The Cute Syndrome Foundation, about community, awareness, and advancing research. The post Rare Epilepsy Organizations: Fostering Community and Advancing Research appeared first on CURE...
12.13.2023
Regenerative Brain Cell Therapy: One Woman’s Journey to Seizure Freedom
This week on Seizing Life® Annette Adkins discusses the impacts of intractable epilepsy on her life, and how it led her to a regenerative brain cell clinical trial that has brought her a year of seizure freedom. The post Regenerative Brain...
11.29.2023
Infantile Spasms: The Facts, The Research, and The Hope for the Future
This week on Seizing Life® epilepsy researcher Dr. Chris Dulla provides information about infantile spasms, from detection and diagnosis to current research and future improvements in treatment. The post Infantile Spasms: The Facts, The Research, and The Hope for the Future...
11.15.2023
Epilepsy in Women: Challenges, Concerns, and Considerations
This week on Seizing Life® Dr. Elizabeth Gerard discusses concerns specific to women living with epilepsy. From puberty to menstruation, contraception, pregnancy, and menopause, we explore managing epilepsy through all stages of a woman’s life. The post Epilepsy in Women: Challenges,...
11.01.2023
NYC Marathoner Achieves Seizure Control and Runs for Epilepsy Research
This week on Seizing Life® Peter Burpee shares his experiences with absence and tonic clonic seizures and explains why he’s running for Team CURE Epilepsy in the upcoming NYC Marathon. The post NYC Marathoner Achieves Seizure Control and Runs for Epilepsy...
10.18.2023
Searching for Answers, Providing Support, and Understanding Grief After the Death of a Child
This week on Seizing Life® Dr. Richard Goldstein, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, discusses his research into both Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics (SUDP) and the grieving process of bereaved parents. The post Searching for Answers, Providing Support,...
10.04.2023
Infantile Spasms Diagnosis and Treatment Journey Inspires Children’s Book
This week on Seizing Life® Kate Kostolansky shares her daughter’s infantile spasms diagnosis and treatment journey, and explains how these experiences inspired a children’s book to help newly-diagnosed families. The post Infantile Spasms Diagnosis and Treatment Journey Inspires Children’s Book appeared...
09.20.2023
An Extraordinary Life of Autism, Epilepsy, and Advocacy
This week on Seizing Life® Barbara D’Amora tells us about her son Nicholas, who lived with autism and epilepsy and became an active and inspirational advocate for the autistic community despite being nonverbal. The post An Extraordinary Life of Autism, Epilepsy,...
09.06.2023
A Young Woman’s Journey with Jeavons Syndrome
This week on Seizing Life®, recent college graduate and CURE Epilepsy summer intern Kiley Flowers joins us to talk about Jeavons syndrome and share her personal journey with this rare form of generalized epilepsy. The post A Young Woman’s Journey with...
08.23.2023
Pursuing Effective Epilepsy Treatment and Running for Research
This week on Seizing Life® Clare Phelps shares the difficult diagnosis and frustrating treatment journey of her young daughter Sophie, whose epilepsy has so far been treatment resistant. The post Pursuing Effective Epilepsy Treatment and Running for Research appeared first on...
08.09.2023
From Hiding Diagnosis to Advocating for Awareness: A Young Woman’s Epilepsy Journey
This week on Seizing Life® Mariah Mayhugh recounts her epilepsy journey, from hiding her diagnosis to becoming a passionate advocate for epilepsy awareness. The post From Hiding Diagnosis to Advocating for Awareness: A Young Woman’s Epilepsy Journey appeared first on CURE...
07.26.2023
A Teen Uncovers the Emotional Impacts of Childhood Seizures
This week on Seizing Life®, we speak with Hailey Yoon about the emotional and psychological impacts that childhood epilepsy may have even years after seizures subside. The post A Teen Uncovers the Emotional Impacts of Childhood Seizures appeared first on CURE...
07.12.2023
Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers: An Insider’s Guide
This week on Seizing Life® Dr. Dave Clarke gives us a thorough overview of the specialists and services available at comprehensive epilepsy centers and offers advice about when and how to access these care options. The post Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers: An...
06.28.2023
Love, Marriage, and Epilepsy
This week on Seizing Life® we speak with epilepsy advocates and married couple Tiffany and Chris Kairos about the impact that epilepsy has had on their marriage and professional lives. The post Love, Marriage, and Epilepsy appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
06.14.2023
The Caregiver Journey: A Father’s Story
This week on Seizing Life®, father and therapist Bud Hager discusses the daily responsibilities and the overarching emotional journey of parenting a child with a rare disease. The post The Caregiver Journey: A Father’s Story appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
05.31.2023
Epilepsy Researcher Compounds Lab Work with Fundraising
This week on Seizing Life® Dr. Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde discusses her 20+ years of epilepsy drug research and her decade-long epilepsy fundraising efforts. The post Epilepsy Researcher Compounds Lab Work with Fundraising appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
05.17.2023
A Daughter’s Diagnosis Inspires Concerts for Epilepsy
This week on Seizing Life® Matt Perrone shares his epilepsy journey, discusses the impacts of epilepsy on his mental health, and explains how his daughter’s diagnosis spurred him to create EpiPalooza. The post A Daughter’s Diagnosis Inspires Concerts for Epilepsy appeared...
05.03.2023
Teen Tennis Player Remains on Court Despite Seizures and Stigma
This week on Seizing Life® Reid Rainwater and his father Ryan share Reid’s epilepsy treatment journey and the impacts of epilepsy and stigma on his education and tennis career as one of the top young players in Oklahoma. The post Teen...
04.19.2023
From LGS to Surgery to Just Being a Kid: A Mother Shares Her Son’s Epilepsy Journey
This week on Seizing Life® Colleen Jendreas shares her son Owen’s epilepsy journey and discusses the two interventions that have significantly improved his quality of life. The post From LGS to Surgery to Just Being a Kid: A Mother Shares Her...
04.05.2023
The Crucial Role of Nurses in Epilepsy Care
This week on Seizing Life® Advanced Practice Provider Lucretia Long shares her 30 years of experience in the epilepsy field and discusses the crucial role nurses and other non-physician providers play in epilepsy care. The post The Crucial Role of Nurses...
03.22.2023
From Desperation to Hope: The Founding and Future of CURE Epilepsy
This week on Seizing Life Susan Axelrod, CURE Epilepsy founder, and Barbara Kelly, the founding Research Chair, discuss the past, present, and future of the organization and epilepsy research. The post From Desperation to Hope: The Founding and Future of CURE...
03.08.2023
Sharing Epilepsy Diagnosis After Decades Leads to Climbing for Research
This week on Seizing Life® Carmen Zannier shares her 35 year epilepsy journey, discusses her recent decision to go public with her diagnosis, and explains how her passion for mountain climbing has led her to raising funds for epilepsy research. The...
02.22.2023
Epilepsy Can’t Stop Young Girl’s Competitive Spirit
This week on Seizing Life®, the Tsane family share daughter Christiane’s epilepsy diagnosis and treatment journey, and explain how they manage her seizures while nurturing her love of competitive running. The post Epilepsy Can’t Stop Young Girl’s Competitive Spirit appeared first...
02.08.2023
After Decades of Seizures, an Epilepsy Diagnosis Begins to Provide Answers
This week on Seizing Life® Ara Carbonneau shares her decades-long epilepsy journey from initial febrile seizures caused by meningitis at seven months old to her epilepsy diagnosis at the age of 36. The post After Decades of Seizures, an Epilepsy Diagnosis...
01.25.2023
Recent Advances in Diagnostic and Surgical Tools for Epilepsy
This week on Seizing Life® we look at diagnostic and surgical tools that assist physicians in localizing and removing areas of the brain that produce seizures. The post Recent Advances in Diagnostic and Surgical Tools for Epilepsy appeared first on CURE...
01.11.2023
Unleashing Your Inner Mama Bear
Epilepsy advocate Kate Neale Cooper and host Kelly Cervantes share their experiences parenting children with epilepsy and offer advice on advocating for your child’s epilepsy care. The post Unleashing Your Inner Mama Bear appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
12.28.2022
Kids Ask Docs the Darndest Things About Epilepsy
This week on Seizing Life® kids ask pediatric neurologists about epilepsy. Dr. Kristen Park of Children’s Hospital of Colorado and Dr. Adam Numis of the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital answer questions from kids on a wide variety of topics related The...
12.14.2022
Managing Epilepsy with the Stress of The Holidays
This week on Seizing Life® Neuropsychologist Eva Alden joins us to offer advice for those with epilepsy and their caregivers for coping with stress, anxiety, depression, and travel during the holidays. The post Managing Epilepsy with the Stress of The Holidays...
11.30.2022
A Mother Shares her Daughter’s Journey from Infantile Spasms to Brain Surgery
In support of Infantile Spasms Awareness week , Monica Diaz-Greco shares her daughter’s epilepsy journey from initial onset and diagnosis of infantile spasms through a VNS implant and brain surgery. The post A Mother Shares her Daughter’s Journey from Infantile Spasms...
11.16.2022
The Impact of Epilepsy and Seizures on Cognition and Memory
This week on Seizing Life® we speak with neurologist Dr. Alice Lam about the potential impacts of seizures on cognition and memory. We discuss both the possible short-term and long-term effects of epilepsy on cognition and memory, and the differering The...
11.02.2022
A Marine Explains the Value of Receiving An Accurate Epilepsy Diagnosis A Decade Late
This week on Seizing Life® former Marine Captain Jack Somers shares his long and sometimes frustrating journey to an epilepsy diagnosis, after living for more than a decade with a diagnosis of “generalized seizure disorder”. The post A Marine Explains the...
10.19.2022
Remembering a Brother Lost to SUDEP and Finding Hope in Community
CURE Epilepsy Board Member Hannah Whitten shares her experiences growing up with a brother with epilepsy and the tragedy of losing him to SUDEP. The post Remembering a Brother Lost to SUDEP and Finding Hope in Community appeared first on CURE...
10.05.2022
Celebrating 100 episodes: Community, Impact, and Hope
Guest host David Axelrod interviews Seizing Life host Kelly Cervantes about turning her epilepsy experience into advocacy, hope, and scientific advances. The post Celebrating 100 episodes: Community, Impact, and Hope appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
09.21.2022
Working to Overcome Disparities in Epilepsy Care in the Hispanic Community
This week we talk to Dr. Refugio Sepulveda about challenges faced by the Hispanic community in accessing quality epilepsy care and learn about a program aimed at addressing these issues. The post Working to Overcome Disparities in Epilepsy Care in the...
09.07.2022
Medical Cannabis: A Life Changing Journey for Mother and Son
This week we look at medical cannabis as a treatment for epilepsy with Sarah O’Hanlon. Sarah shares her journey to find relief for her son’s seizures from Colorado to advocacy to a master’s in medical cannabis. The post Medical Cannabis: A...
08.24.2022
Seizure Dogs: Predicting Seizures and Providing Comfort
This week on Seizing Life® we talk seizure alert dogs. Jessa Kenworthy of 4 Paws for Ability provides everything you always wanted to know about seizure alert dogs and how they serve those living with epilepsy. The post Seizure Dogs: Predicting...
08.10.2022
Determination and New Technology Lead to Successful Epilepsy Surgery
This week epilepsy advocate and mother Kate Neale Cooper explains how a new diagnostic tool enabled doctors to localize her daughter’s seizures after 16-years and ultimately perform successful epilepsy surgery. The post Determination and New Technology Lead to Successful Epilepsy Surgery...
07.27.2022
Growing Up with Epilepsy Leads to Making Movies About It
Filmmaker Miles Levin discusses growing-up with epilepsy and turning his experiences into the award-winning short film “Under the Lights”. The post Growing Up with Epilepsy Leads to Making Movies About It appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
07.13.2022
Inflammation’s Role in Epilepsy and How it Might be Prevented
This week on Seizing Life, epilepsy researcher Dr. Nicholas Varvel explains the connection between inflammation and epilepsy, the promising research being done, and the potential treatment. The post Inflammation’s Role in Epilepsy and How it Might be Prevented appeared first on...
06.22.2022
A Parent’s Guide to Your Child’s Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment
Child neurologist, Dr. Doug Nordli provides a guide for parents of children with epilepsy to help navigate diagnosis, physicians, and treatment decisions. The post A Parent’s Guide to Your Child’s Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
06.08.2022
Epilepsy Stories and the Research Making a Difference
This week on Seizing Life we present personal stories of three key areas of epilepsy research: Post-Traumatic Epilepsy, SUDEP, and Drug-Resistant epilepsy. The post Epilepsy Stories and the Research Making a Difference appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
05.25.2022
Rare Epilepsy: Collaborating for Advocacy, Research, and Community
Yssa DeWoody of Ring14 USA and the Rare Epilepsy Network provides a primer on rare epilepsies: what they are, how they are diagnosed and treated, and where to find resources and support. The post Rare Epilepsy: Collaborating for Advocacy, Research, and...
05.11.2022
Monitoring Mental Health in Kids with Epilepsy
We focus on mental health in children and teens with epilepsy. Pediatric neuropsychologist Madison Berl discussers potential issues and what to do. The post Monitoring Mental Health in Kids with Epilepsy appeared first on CURE Epilepsy.
04.27.2022
A Remarkable Journey to Seizure Freedom Through the Ketogenic Diet
This week on Seizing Life® Jim Abrahams, creator of some of the biggest comedy films of all-time, shares his son’s troubling and remarkable epilepsy journey to seizure freedom through the ketogenic diet. The post A Remarkable Journey to Seizure Freedom Through the...

What's Seizing Life about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Seizing Life episodes:

The Sudden and Life-Altering Impact of Adult-Onset Epilepsy

Older Adults and Epilepsy: the Causes, the Signs, and the Treatments

One Woman’s Epilepsy Journey Through Childhood, Parenting, Discrimination, and Surgery

A Nurse’s Knowledge & A Mother’s Love Leads to Son’s Life-Changing Brain Surgery

Artificial Intelligence and Epilepsy: The Promise & Pitfalls of AI in Diagnosis and Treatment

Best of Seizing Life 2023

Rare Epilepsy Organizations: Fostering Community and Advancing Research

Regenerative Brain Cell Therapy: One Woman’s Journey to Seizure Freedom

Infantile Spasms: The Facts, The Research, and The Hope for the Future

Epilepsy in Women: Challenges, Concerns, and Considerations

NYC Marathoner Achieves Seizure Control and Runs for Epilepsy Research

Searching for Answers, Providing Support, and Understanding Grief After the Death of a Child

Infantile Spasms Diagnosis and Treatment Journey Inspires Children’s Book

An Extraordinary Life of Autism, Epilepsy, and Advocacy

A Young Woman’s Journey with Jeavons Syndrome

Pursuing Effective Epilepsy Treatment and Running for Research

From Hiding Diagnosis to Advocating for Awareness: A Young Woman’s Epilepsy Journey

A Teen Uncovers the Emotional Impacts of Childhood Seizures

Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers: An Insider’s Guide

Love, Marriage, and Epilepsy

The Caregiver Journey: A Father’s Story

Epilepsy Researcher Compounds Lab Work with Fundraising

A Daughter’s Diagnosis Inspires Concerts for Epilepsy

Teen Tennis Player Remains on Court Despite Seizures and Stigma

From LGS to Surgery to Just Being a Kid: A Mother Shares Her Son’s Epilepsy Journey

The Crucial Role of Nurses in Epilepsy Care

From Desperation to Hope: The Founding and Future of CURE Epilepsy

Sharing Epilepsy Diagnosis After Decades Leads to Climbing for Research

Epilepsy Can’t Stop Young Girl’s Competitive Spirit

After Decades of Seizures, an Epilepsy Diagnosis Begins to Provide Answers

Recent Advances in Diagnostic and Surgical Tools for Epilepsy

Unleashing Your Inner Mama Bear

Kids Ask Docs the Darndest Things About Epilepsy

Managing Epilepsy with the Stress of The Holidays

A Mother Shares her Daughter’s Journey from Infantile Spasms to Brain Surgery

The Impact of Epilepsy and Seizures on Cognition and Memory

A Marine Explains the Value of Receiving An Accurate Epilepsy Diagnosis A Decade Late

Remembering a Brother Lost to SUDEP and Finding Hope in Community

Celebrating 100 episodes: Community, Impact, and Hope

Working to Overcome Disparities in Epilepsy Care in the Hispanic Community

Medical Cannabis: A Life Changing Journey for Mother and Son

Seizure Dogs: Predicting Seizures and Providing Comfort

Determination and New Technology Lead to Successful Epilepsy Surgery

Growing Up with Epilepsy Leads to Making Movies About It

Inflammation’s Role in Epilepsy and How it Might be Prevented

A Parent’s Guide to Your Child’s Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment

Epilepsy Stories and the Research Making a Difference

Rare Epilepsy: Collaborating for Advocacy, Research, and Community

Monitoring Mental Health in Kids with Epilepsy

A Remarkable Journey to Seizure Freedom Through the Ketogenic Diet

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