Tourette's Podcast

Hey folks! Quick mental-health week. That is to say it's a one-week break, and then right back to standard next week with another fantastic longform episode. Gotta address life's priorities. Let's talk in the meantime, though -- [email protected]. Thanks, everyone! --Ben

Have you ever wondered what goes through the mind of a racecar driver? With Tourette Syndrome? Our guest Esther Quaintmere, who has awesomely displayed the Tourette's Podcast logo on her racecar and is herself a Touretter, sheds light. And "fake tourettes?" Also: More reactions to Motherless Brooklyn, and a new podcast about misphonia.

We're back from Los Angeles with lots of thoughts about Motherless Brooklyn, the new film from Ed Norton (based on the Jonathan Lethem book), who plays the central character, Lionel, a private detective who has Tourette Syndrome. Is it just another narrow take on TS? Or something more dynamic and human? Hear from Ed Norton himself on this episode of Tourette's Podcast, later featuring a great conversation with guest Andrew of Canada, a dad in his 30s who, like many of us, uses his commute like a therapy session.

Motherless Brooklyn https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/motherless-brooklyn

Tourette Association events https://tourette.org/get-involved/events/

Free webinar! Sleep Problems and Management in Youth with Tourette Syndrome https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8417301772873766157

We've got Mr. Move & Speak! Marco is the pioneer of the #7DaysofTourettes hashtag and a talented artist (photography, music) with so many great stories (like the one about the neurologist who knew Marco had Tourette Syndrome a full decade before Marco himself did) and compelling ways of explaining what he's learned that we had to make it an extended episode.

After the first hour of seriously interesting life stories about artistic collaboration, swinging to practically total isolation, and then climbing back out (in Tourette fashion) -- for real, it's good -- listen -- we get into a great discussion about photography as Tourette therapy and a tool to cut through social anxiety. How can a camera turn the space around you into a composition under your control? How can it help you connect with people around you? And what are the ethics of this? It's a memorable discussion through a TS lens but not at all exclusive to it. Are you a photographer? Have a photo or set of photos you've taken that tie in somehow to the "you" of your brain? (Wouldn't they all, we guess?) [email protected] to submit.

Plus: Twins with Tourette?

Back next week with news from a screening of Motherless Brookyln with Ed Norton and the Tourette Association of America.

MrMoveAndSpeak on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mrmoveandspeak/

Ben's photography Instagram https://www.instagram.com/benbrownmultimedia/

A guest who keeps it all positive this week. Twenty-two-year-old Amanda is on track for a career in veterinary medicine, not giving TS any greater ultimate role in her life than as a companion who needn't get (too much) in the way. But she hasn't always been open to talking about her Tourette diagnosis, and like many (your host included) was long into a mode of masking the tics to keep questions away. Not until very recently has that changed. A lot of you will relate closely to how she's gone about it, and will absolutely dig her encouraging spirit. PLUS: Laura in Brazil gives her English class a presentation on Tourette Syndrome. And does anyone have "blackout tics"? A listener wants to know.

Pick a Tourette research project to fund! https://tourette.org/improving-research-improving-lives/ 

Laura's classroom presentation on Tourette https://youtu.be/exuKYcLXRJM 

Tourette's Podcast is made possible with support from the Tourette Association of America. Visit tourette.org.

Mike Miller is a professional musician who's had to recover from, of all things, 40 percent hearing loss while figuring out what the heck to do with his Tourette Syndrome. That would be enough of an interesting story, but both his hearing loss and TS have resulted in the incarnation of a superhuman, of sorts, whose fuel for advocacy and connection seems bottomless. You'll not regret getting to know drummer Mike Miller.

Tourette research initiative (check out specific projects and pick where your dollar goes!) https://tourette.org/improving-research-improving-lives/ 

https://www.instagram.com/mikemillerdrums/ 

https://www.geeksrising.com/ 

Myles R. Walker is, in his own words, a "Tourette's Advocate from the hood," and he's one of the most energetic advocates for TS we've had on this show, ever. It goes to experience, his having lent to a needed style of motivation yanked from tough situations. For instance, he recalls delicate times openly ticking around police in a part of town known for drug activity, but he always knew he could educate his neighbors -- every last one of them, it turns out -- how to identify and respect Tourette Syndrome in the world, because so many people live with it and just need that gentle break in understanding.

Myles on the news - https://youtu.be/RM-RDFGR4Cc 

Myles on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kingtourettesyndrome/ 

CBIT info https://tourette.org/research-medical/cbit-for-patients/ 

Tourette's Podcast is made possible with support from the Tourette Association of America. Visit tourette.org.

After audience responses to Destry's colors-and-numbers question, and a bit on how Ed Cooney's middle-finger tic influenced a listener, we hear from the mother-daughter team of Denise and Maggie. Maggie, 14, has Tourette Syndrome, and she and her mother have some standout stories about navigating the world with it. Maggie is getting into high school, too -- a pretty big transition that sometimes causes some tic-flaring nerves, but just listen to how she's developed a sense of command over things. Awesome episode, with healthy discussion of CBIT (comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics), too.

CBIT https://tourette.org/research-medical/cbit-for-patients/ 

Tourette's Podcast is made possible with support from the Tourette Association of America. Visit tourette.org.

We're back, new season, major updates and a great guest in Ed Cooney, who brings the insights and plenty of laughter in reliving odd, awkward moments of Tourette life. Ed is a total human whose way with words makes you want to point out that he has a way with words. It's a solid way to begin the new season.

Ed's guest blog at tourettespodcast.com https://www.tourettespodcast.com/blog/for-the-parents

Tourette's Podcast is back, with big news: the Tourette Association of America is now the show's primary sponsor, opening new doors amid lots of growth. Plus: listener questions and an update on the future of tic treatment.

Tourette's Podcast is made possible with support from the Tourette Association of America. Visit tourette.org.