The Now What Podcast: Young Adults and Epilepsy

In an era where social media can be polarizing, how do we use it for good?This episode welcomes Dr. Jessica Lowe, a double board-certified neurologist and epileptologist who is nationally recognized for her innovative public education efforts as “Doctor Brain Barbie.” With over 175,000 followers, she uses social media to make neurology accessible, accurate, and empowering for patients and families.Also joining the conversation is Miles Levin, an award-winning writer, director, and disability advocate whose work has helped change how epilepsy is portrayed on screen. His film Under the Lights has become a movement to break the stigma surrounding epilepsy.This episode explores how social media can help reduce stigma, share reliable information, and build community for people living with epilepsy — while also navigating its challenges responsibly. Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.For more resources and ways to get involved, visit thecameronboycefoundation.org.Follow Dr. Jessica Lowe: https://www.instagram.com/doctorbrainbarbie/?hl=enFollow Miles: https://www.instagram.com/underthelightsfilm/?hl=enGet involved:instagram.com/thecameronboycefoundation facebook.com/cameronboycefoundation tiktok.com /officialtcbftiktok

Epilepsy can feel isolating, and the lack of community often makes it even harder.In this episode, members of our Young Adult Advisory Board — Madison Parham, Serina Lall, Katie Price, and Mia Randell — come together to talk openly about their experiences with epilepsy, why community is so important, and the advice they’d offer to others navigating similar paths.This conversation centers on connection, shared experience, and the power of knowing you’re not alone.Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.For more resources and ways to get involved, visit thecameronboycefoundation.org.Get involved:instagram.com/thecameronboycefoundation facebook.com/cameronboycefoundation tiktok.com /officialtcbftiktok

Epilepsy can feel isolating, and the lack of community often makes it even harder.In this episode, members of our Young Adult Advisory Board — Madison Parham, Serina Lall, Katie Price, and Mia Randell — come together to talk openly about their experiences with epilepsy, why community is so important, and the advice they’d offer to others navigating similar paths.

This conversation centers on connection, shared experience, and the power of knowing you’re not alone.

Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.For more resources and ways to get involved, visit thecameronboycefoundation.org.

Get involved:instagram.com/thecameronboycefoundation facebook.com/cameronboycefoundation tiktok.com /officialtcbftiktok

Epilepsy can feel isolating, and the lack of community often makes it even harder.In this episode, members of our Young Adult Advisory Board — Madison Parham, Serina Lall, Katie Price, and Mia Randell — come together to talk openly about their experiences with epilepsy, why community is so important, and the advice they’d offer to others navigating similar paths.This conversation centers on connection, shared experience, and the power of knowing you’re not alone.Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.For more resources and ways to get involved, visit thecameronboycefoundation.org.Get involved:instagram.com/thecameronboycefoundation facebook.com/cameronboycefoundation tiktok.com /officialtcbftiktok

In this episode, Karan welcome's David Randell, dad to Mia Randell and a dedicated parent advocate, for an honest conversation about parenting a young adult with epilepsy.

David shares what he’s learned navigating fear, uncertainty, and growth as a parent, and how the journey evolves as your child becomes more independent. From early diagnosis to young adulthood, this episode explores the emotional realities parents face, the lessons that stick, and how families can support their children while also learning to let go.

Whether you’re a parent of a child with epilepsy, supporting a young adult through this transition, or looking to better understand the caregiver perspective, this conversation offers insight, empathy, and reassurance.

Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.

For more resources and ways to get involved, visit thecameronboycefoundation.org.

Get involved:instagram.com/thecameronboycefoundation facebook.com/cameronboycefoundation tiktok.com /officialtcbftiktok

This Community Stories episode centers on the power of resilience, identity, and hope in the face of epilepsy. Guest host Briar Nolet, a professional dancer living with epilepsy who was on last year, welcomes Brielle May, who shares her life-changing experience after a seizure in 2024 left her in a coma for two months.

Following her hospitalization, Brielle was diagnosed with NORSE/FIRES, a rare and severe neurological condition. Now living with frequent seizures, she speaks honestly about recovery, grief for the life she once knew, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

Briar and Brielle discuss what it means to continue pursuing your passions, how community support can make all the difference, and why sharing real stories helps others feel less alone. This episode is a reminder that even after unimaginable moments, life - and purpose - can still take shape.

Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.

For more resources and ways to get involved, visit thecameronboycefoundation.org.

In this episode, Karan and Sophie are joined by Maya Boyce and Alexandria Tonore to explore a side of epilepsy that isn’t often talked about: the experience of being a sibling. Maya and Alexandria open up about the fear, responsibility, love, and grief that come with growing up alongside someone living with epilepsy — and what it means to continue on after losing a sibling to this disease.

Their stories shed light on how epilepsy shapes families, how grief evolves over time, and why support for siblings is just as essential as support for patients.

Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.

For resources and ways to get involved, visit thecameronboycefoundation.org.

In this episode, Karan and Sophie welcome Jaime Simpson, disability advocate, public figure, mom of two, and service-dog trainer, for a deep dive into Service Dogs & Epilepsy.

Jaime shares her personal journey living with epilepsy and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the medical challenges she’s faced, and how her seizure-alert dog, Echo, became a life-changing partner in her safety and independence. Once a professional dancer and now returning to modeling, Jaime talks about resilience, identity, and navigating chronic illness while raising a family.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, supporting someone with epilepsy, or just curious about how service dogs work, this episode breaks down the essentials.

Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.For more resources and ways to get involved, visit thecameronboycefoundation.org.

We're back with Season 2 of The Now What Podcast! Karan and Sophie of The Cameron Boyce Foundation are joined by Sameera Polavarapu & Dr. Eleni Rizakos to discuss shame and how it affects epilepsy.

Sameera is an NYC-based writer and strategist who works at the intersection of culture and design. Dr. Rizakos is a licensed psychologist who specializes in treating children, adolescents, and young adults with a variety of emotional and medical conditions, including epilepsy.

Shame is something that everyone deals with, but it can have much harsher affects on those with epilepsy. Sameera draws on her experience living with epilepsy while Dr. Rizakos shares what she has learned treating patients. T

his podcast is produced and brought to you by The Cameron Boyce Foundation and wouldn't be possible without our sponsor UCB.

To learn more about UCB visit their website at https://ucb-usa.com/

For more resources on this topic and to learn more about TCBF, visit ⁠www.thecameronboycefoundation.org⁠

In this episode, Sophie is joined by Tim Ogeltree & Dr. Dan Friedman. Tim, who has epilepsy, is a friend of The Cameron Boyce Foundation and was made aware of SUDEP from Cameron's passing.

Dr. Dan Friedman is a Professor in th Department of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine & is the director of the division of epilespy.

In this episode we talk about SUDEP, what we know and what we don't know. We know this episode can be triggering for a lot of people with epilepsy. We do our best to share tips and give support for those who are rightfully so, afraid.

If you're looking for support, please join our Epilepsy Support Groups on our Facebook page below.

Thank you to our sponsor UCB for making this podcast possible.

For more resources on this topic, visit our website at www.thecameronboycefoundation.org

Get involved:instagram.com/thecameronboycefoundation facebook.com/cameronboycefoundation

tiktok.com /officialtcbftiktok