In this episode of the STEIN Fireside Podcast, Dr. Kai Miller and Bryan Klassen sits down with world‑renowned neuroscientist, psychiatrist, mathematician — and lifelong surfer — Dr. Michael Breakspear.

They dive into Breakspear’s unconventional path through math, medicine, physics, and psychiatry, and how those experiences shaped his groundbreaking work on neural field theory, brain oscillations, and large‑scale brain dynamics.

From his early days programming on 1980s Mac computers to surfing the powerful reefs of Newcastle, Breakspear shares how curiosity, creativity, and lifestyle balance fuel his scientific thinking.

You’ll hear discussion on:

Whether you’re into neuroscience, physics, AI, medicine, or just love a good story about surfing and science colliding, this episode is a deep, engaging ride through the brain’s most beautiful patterns.

In this episode, Dr. Kai Miller (Neurosurgery) and Dr. Bryan Klassen (Neurology) from Mayo Clinic dive into the fundamentals of microelectrode recording (MER) and its role in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.

They break down:

Why Microelectrode Recording Still Matters

How MER Works

Mapping the Brain During Surgery

What Surgeons Listen For

Why This Matters for Patient Outcomes

The Human Element

Join us for an in‑depth fireside conversation with Dr. Sean Pittock, Chair of Neurology at Mayo Clinic and pioneer in neuroimmunology, and Dr. Nathan Staff, neuromuscular neurologist and Chair of the Mayo Neurology Research Committee. Hosted by Dr. Bryan Klassen and Dr. Kai Miller, this episode dives into the real stories, scientific breakthroughs, and future‑shaping ideas transforming neurology today.

From life‑changing early discoveries to the frontier of neurotechnology, this episode offers a rare inside look at how innovation happens at a world‑leading institution.

-What You’ll Hear in This Episode

Dr. Pittock recounts how one rotation changed his path from psychiatry to neurology — and how a simple knock on a lab door led him to help discover the first‑ever antibody biomarker for an MS‑like disease.

Dr. Staff and Dr. Klassen break down the difference between surface EMG, needle EMG, and how modern algorithms are augmenting (not replacing) clinical expertise.

Hear a clear, powerful explanation of how CAR‑T works — and how precision immune‑cell targeting may revolutionize care for rare neurological disorders.

Why rare diseases aren’t truly rare — and how solving one rare disorder accelerates treatments for many others.

Our guests discuss how Mayo is shifting from siloed labs to collaborative, infrastructure‑driven innovation — and why patients can’t afford 25‑year timelines for cures.

A candid discussion about NIH pressures, diversification of funding, and the growing role of industry and benefactors in powering medical breakthroughs.

 Why This Episode Matters

Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, engineer, student, or simply fascinated by the brain, this episode reveals the real mechanisms behind transformative discovery — not just in science, but in leadership, mentorship, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

In this episode of the STEIN Fireside Podcast, Dr. Kai Miller and Dr. Bryan Klassen have the tables flipped and are interviewed by Dr. Chris Honey to explore how innovation really spreads within neurology and neurosurgery. From informal conversations over conference coffee to industry‑driven breakthroughs and peer‑to‑peer mentorship, they unpack the three major channels that shape modern clinical practice.

Learn how deep brain stimulation, neuromodulation strategies, surgical techniques, and even small day‑to‑day improvements make their way from one expert’s hands to the entire field. The team also shares the origins of the STEIN community, their passion for electrophysiology, and why logical thinking—from Apple II programming to modern‑day signal decoding—helps drive their work.

Whether you're a trainee, clinician, engineer, or simply curious about how neuroscience evolves, this episode gives an inside look at the collaborative, innovative culture behind neurosurgical progress.

In this episode of STEIN Fireside Podcast, Dr. Kai Miller takes us inside the complex world of epilepsy surgery and explains how doctors decide the best treatment for patients with drug-resistant seizures. You’ll learn:
• How patients move from initial consultation to surgery
• The role of multidisciplinary teams in planning treatment
• Key diagnostic steps like EEG, MRI, and semiology
• Surgical options: open resection, laser ablation, and neurostimulation
• Cutting-edge techniques like stereotactic laser therapy, deep brain stimulation, and responsive neurostimulation
• Why minimally invasive approaches are transforming patient outcomes
This episode is packed with insights for medical professionals, students, and anyone curious about the future of epilepsy care. Watch now and subscribe for more neurosurgery deep dives! Access the full paper via QR code in the video.

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Stein Fireside Podcast! Join Dr. Kai Miller and Dr. Bryan Klassen from Mayo Clinic as they sit down with Dr. Chris Honey, a leading expert in cognitive neuroscience, for a fascinating conversation on how the brain stitches together reality across time. In this episode, we explore: