The Secret Life of Parkinson's

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Samantha Evans and explore the complex relationship between perimenopause and Parkinson's symptoms, discussing how hormonal changes can mimic or exacerbate Parkinson's symptoms, and what women can do to manage these overlapping issues.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Hormonal Changes and Parkinson's
01:49 Symptoms Overlap: What to Watch For
03:46 Understanding Perimenopause and Its Timeline
07:10 Sleep Issues in Parkinson's and Menopause
10:02 Tracking Symptoms and Medication Effects
12:52 Hormone Therapy: Safety and Research
18:07 Impact of Menopause on Women's Health and Parkinson's
21:55 Managing Symptoms: Practical Tips and Strategies
29:48 The Future of Research and Women's Health in Parkinson's

This episode of The Secret Life of Parkinson's was brought to you by Changing Parkinson's. If this podcast has meant something to you, consider making a gift to help keep it going. Visit changingparkinsons.org to give, get moving with PD Next Steps home workouts, or join our newsletter.

#parkinsons #perimenopause #menopause #hrt #hormonereplacementtherapy

What does the first year after a diagnosis really feel like — for the care partner? Darla Dahl, care partner to Dean Dahl (Episode 173), joins Jessica and Melissa to talk about going from hit-like-a-brick-wall to finally not thinking about it 24-7.

Darla has been a care partner since 2015 — for her mother-in-law, for her dad — but nothing prepared her for hearing those words about her husband in October 2025. In this honest patient-to-partner conversation she shares what helped most in year one: a virtual Struthers Parkinson's Center support group for newly diagnosed families, giving herself permission to quilt, knit and create even if it's just 10 minutes, and buying an RV in Arizona in January to prove life wasn't over — van life, tailgates, and workouts on the road with bands and free weights.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to The Secret Life of Parkinson's with Darla Dahl

02:30 Diagnosed October 2025 - hit like a brick wall

06:15 Support group + making time to quilt and create

09:40 We bought an RV - van life freedom

13:10 Today thoughts vs future thoughts

16:20 World Parkinson's Congress, anticipatory grief, and lasting friendships

19:30 Thumbs up / thumbs down communication tip

21:30 Last 30 seconds takeaway

This episode of The Secret Life of Parkinson's was brought to you by Changing Parkinson's. If this podcast has meant something to you, consider making a gift to help keep it going. Visit changingparkinsons.org to give, get moving with PD Next Steps home workouts, or join our newsletter.

#parkinsons #parkinsonsdisease #caregiving

Get stronger with Parkinson's in just 10 minutes! 💪

Join Melissa and Brian, and a special guest from Minnesota, Dean Dahl, for a simple, effective resistance band workout designed to help people living with Parkinson's build strength, improve mobility, and stay active wherever they are. (Watch till the end to see you decides to peek in!!)

Whether you're at home, traveling, or looking for a quick workout, these exercises can be adapted to your fitness level. Dean demonstrates easy modifications, including using a chair or wall for stability, exercising with one arm at a time, and using just your body weight if you don't have resistance bands.

Remember: Every movement counts! Work within your abilities, take breaks when needed, and use support for balance when necessary.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Dean's Road Workout
00:30 Warm-Up: Shoulder Squats and Presses
01:27 Exercise Modifications
02:28 Resistance Band Squats
03:58 Body Weight Alternatives and Stability Tips
04:55 Lateral Arm Raises and Balance
06:07 Alternating Lunges and Band Pull-Aparts
07:27 Increasing Repetitions and Heart Rate
09:41 Front Extensions and Cool Down

❤️ More than exercise. It's about living well with Parkinson's.

Subscribe for more Parkinson's exercise videos, education, and real conversations from Changing Parkinson's.

Exercise at your own pace and consult your healthcare provider or physical therapist if you're unsure which movements are appropriate for you.

#ParkinsonsExercise #ParkinsonsDisease #ResistanceBandWorkout #ParkinsonsFitness #ChangingParkinsons

In this episode, we dig into how Parkinson's care has shifted from inpatient long-term care to community-based outpatient programs — and why getting connected early helps people stay independent longer.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Parkinson's care evolution
01:47 The history of Parkinson's programs in long-term care
04:10 Growth of community awareness and support events
06:08 Shift from inpatient to outpatient Parkinson's support
08:04 Impact of healthcare policy on nursing home care
09:34 Importance of early supportive services for Parkinson's
11:02 Community engagement and the Parkinson's walk
12:29 Personal stories of resilience and community support
13:54 Resources and encouragement for Parkinson's patients and families

This episode was brought to you by Changing Parkinson's. If this podcast has meant something to you, consider making a gift to help keep it going. And join our PDNextSteps Home Workout Series with over 100 custom workouts delivered to your living room. Visit

http://changingparkinsons.org to give, get moving, or join our newsletter.

Deciding whether to move forward with deep brain stimulation can feel like a huge step.

In this episode, we talk with Kelly Geyer about his Parkinson’s journey, what led him to start considering DBS, and how he worked through the decision. Kelly shares what the evaluation process was like, what he hopes DBS will improve, what it can’t fix, and some of the emotional questions that come with making a decision like this.

We also talk about device options, surgery, long-term maintenance, personality changes, expectations, and why having a medical team you trust matters so much.

If you’re considering DBS—or just starting to wonder whether it could someday be an option for you—Kelly’s experience offers a really honest look at what goes into that decision.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Kelly and His Parkinson’s Story
03:18 – When Medication Wasn’t Enough
05:40 – When DBS Entered the Conversation
06:37 – What the DBS Evaluation Really Looks Like
08:28 – The Emotional Side of Saying Yes to DBS
11:15 – What Kelly Hopes DBS Will Change
12:40 – Understanding What DBS Can—and Can’t—Do
18:49 – Surgery, Device Options and Battery Life
24:58 – Kelly’s Advice for Anyone Considering DBS
25:24 – Finding Support in the Parkinson’s Community

This episode was brought to you by Changing Parkinson's. If this podcast has meant something to you, consider making a gift to help keep it going. And join our PDNextSteps Home Workout Series with over 100 custom workouts delivered to your living room. Visit

http://changingparkinsons.org to give, get moving, or join our newsletter.

#Parkinsons #ParkinsonsDisease #ChangingParkinsons #Neurologists

Junior year homecoming with my twins gave me 1 win and 1 heartbreak as a mom living with Parkinson's — and a DBS win for now.

I made my daughter Kate's bouquet with her, but I couldn't pin my son Ben's boutonniere because of slowness in my fingers. If you know that feeling, this one's for you.

A Parkinson’s diagnosis usually comes from a doctor. But learning how to actually live with Parkinson’s happens somewhere else.

In this episode, we chat with Katie Webster about the gap between medical care and the day-to-day reality of living with Parkinson’s — and why community, education and trusted resources matter so much.

They discuss how organizations like Changing Parkinson’s and resources like The Secret Life of Parkinson’s podcast can help people feel less alone, better understand what they’re experiencing and become more confident navigating life with Parkinson’s.

Katie also shares why creating a safe, trusted community is so important, the emotional journey that often follows diagnosis, and how resources for newly diagnosed individuals, exercise programs and patient-led education can help fill some of the gaps traditional healthcare simply can’t.

Because sometimes the first step into the Parkinson’s community isn’t walking into a support group. Sometimes it’s pressing play.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest

00:28 The purpose of the podcast and nonprofit

02:25 Addressing the gap between diagnosis and reality

04:18 The importance of community and feeling safe

06:14 The impact of community on new diagnoses

08:04 The role of the podcast in education and support

12:10 The reach and impact of the podcast at the World Parkinson's Congress

16:48 Challenges in growing a nonprofit organization

22:55 The emotional journey of diagnosis and acceptance

26:57 Resources and support tools for newly diagnosed

27:23 Call to action and closing remarks

In this episode, Brian Baker shares what happened after just 4 days doing the 66 parkinson's voice project SPEAK OUT program from home — for free. From vocal warm-ups like "may me my mo moo" to counting 1-12 with intent, to reading about table tennis with inflection, he breaks down what actually works for soft speech, and why remembering to speak with intent at work is so hard.

0:00 - Brian started something new: SPEAK OUT

1:15 - What is the Parkinson's Voice Project?

2:40 - How the free daily online classes work (15-20 min)

4:10 - Warm-ups: may me my mo moo + sliding ahs

5:20 - Counting 1-12 with INTENT + inflection practice

6:15 - Swallow with intent & aspiration

7:45 - Does focusing really make Parkinson's symptoms stop?

8:50 - How to find a SPEAK OUT speech therapist near you

9:45 - Last 30 seconds: exercise your voice like you exercise your body

This episode was brought to you by Changing Parkinson's. If this podcast has meant something to you, consider making a gift to help keep it going. And join our PD Next Steps Home Workout Series with over 100 custom workouts delivered to your living room. Visit

changingparkinsons.org to give, get moving, or join our newsletter.

#Parkinsons #ParkinsonsDisease #SpeechTherapy #SpeakOut #ParkinsonsVoiceProject

Dr. Patel shares the signs and symptoms to look for when it comes to Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson's Dementia and Alzheimers. We originally recorded in 2023 as Ep. 80, remastered in 2026 because it's a topic that has come in up recent conversations with friends in the PD community.

Subscribe and never miss an episode of The Secret Life of Parkinson's, powered by Changing Parkinson's: http://bit.ly/4gQM3CB

The Secret Life of Parkinson's podcast is powered by Changing Parkinson's, a non-profit we started to meet PD patients where they are to help live their best life today. Visit www.changingparkinsons.org and sign up for our newsletter!

In this episode, we meet Jason and Angie, a couple navigating Parkinson's together since Jason's diagnosis at age 42. They share how Parkinson's has affected their marriage, the importance of communication and humor, and how they've learned to take life one day at a time. It's an honest conversation about the challenges Parkinson's brings—but also about staying connected, finding hope, and remembering that Parkinson's is only one part of their story.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Angie & Jason
02:24 Jason's Parkinson's diagnosis
06:48 Finding community and support
08:13 Parkinson's, marriage & intimacy
10:17 Communication and staying connected
17:13 Taking Parkinson's one day at a time
20:01 Advice for newly diagnosed couples
22:22 Choosing hope