Tourette's Podcast

One of the most requested guests in Tourette's Podcast history is here. Jamie Grace is a two-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and actor who has refreshing angles on Tourette Syndrome, OCD, ADHD, anxiety and the components of each that are, sure enough, a privilege to have. (Hear her out!) She has a new book, called 'Finding Quiet,' a concept everyone in the room can relate to, and do we ever. On this episode we talk about all the brain-compressing things competing for our attention and where to find the elusive pause button.

Really, it's been quite a year; this episode is healthy.

Notes:

The new book by Jamie Grace, 'Finding Quiet'

Jamie Grace central, http://jamiegrace.com/

Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, holding its Virtual Gala (emceed by Tourette's Podcast host Ben Brown) on Oct. 29, 2020. Check out https://tourette.org/get-involved/gala/.

Join the Tourette's Podcast Discussion Group

Jollyville Radio maker Michael Crosa joins us this week with a Tourette story that's different from the standard model. He remembers his first tic down to the date and time of day. It was that jarring. This is an episode that gets more and more interesting as it goes. He also has a career that's kind of perfect for a Touretter. Can't wait for you to hear this one.

And don't forget, I'll be emceeing the Tourette Association's Virtual Gala on Oct. 29. Make sure to check tourette.org/gala for the details.

Michael's podcast, Jollyville Radio https://www.jollyvilleproductions.com/

Season 6 picks up right where Season 5 left off, and we'll leave it to Adam Curry to explain the how and why. Yep, that Adam Curry, the former MTV VJ these days known far and wide as the Podfather, a title that's followed him around since one of his inventions -- podcasting -- started to catch on. Not only would Tourette's Podcast not exist without it, but -- wouldn't you know it? -- Tourette Syndrome actually figures into the backstory. Here, Curry opens up like never before in discussing his life with Tourette Syndrome, from his youth, through his early radio and MTV days, and into his work as a hyperconscious tech and internet expert analyzing government legislation. Curry is a host of the popular No Agenda podcast and lives in Austin, Texas. You might've caught him recently on the Joe Rogan Experience; he addresses his tics within the first few minutes of that episode. Oh yeah, and what's a "gidget"? You'll relate. Big thanks to Adam Curry for spending time with us.

Relevant links:

Curry's main site No Agenda Curry on the Joe Rogan Experience (Sept. 8, 2020) Curry introducing Guns N Roses, MTV, 1988

Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, holding its Virtual Gala (emceed by Tourette's Podcast host Ben Brown) on Oct. 29, 2020. Check out https://tourette.org/get-involved/gala/

Join the Tourette's Podcast Discussion Group

Some catchup, your feedback, a shredded voice, and a request to join me (in virtual fashion) at a big event coming up --https://tourette.org/get-involved/gala -- as we kick off Season 6 of Tourette's Podcast, which opens with a GREAT guest, Adam Curry, the Podfather.

Unbelievable. It's the FINALE of Season 5. But we go out the right way -- raising a glass with a special guest, Aidy Smith, who you know from the great docu-series The Three Drinkers on Amazon Prime. We talk about Aidy's background developing a world-class knowledge of wine and spirits and where Tourette Syndrome fits in. Aidy's opening-up about TS in his life has led to an important media sweep in the UK, where news outlets are sharing a relatable story from a popular presenter.

Thanks to everyone who played a role in making Season 5 a highlight.

Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the support of the Tourette Association of America.

http://aidysmith.com/

https://www.thethreedrinkers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sypped/

https://twitter.com/sypped

HuffPo feat. on Aidy

We know sleep evades the "average" Touretter, but answer this, whoever you are: How do you typically start your day? Do you protest with the ol' "I just wanna keep sleeeeeping" or "I can't do this today"? Or do you do what Ellis Pascal does -- waking up exclaiming and jolting into the day -- ? Ellis is one of the most driven and energetic people we've heard from on this show, and his advice for a good life, balanced, productive life is pretty solid. He's used his own methods to tame his tics and create an environment for himself where he can help other people -- his ultimate goal. Really interesting guest here.

This podcast is made possible with support from the Tourette Association of America, online at tourette.org.

Ellis Pascal on Instagram

Elli$D on Spotify

TAA Young Investigator Award

New studio; new guest, and one many of you said you were excited to hear: Brian Lane. He's one of Tourette's best, working as an educator who, partly via TS, ends up being the perfect kind of person to lead a class and relate to what his students go through. He even helped one find a Tourette diagnosis. Brian himself lived a rough and disconnected youth, but found strength as he managed his TS and cultivated his own special skillsets of performing. On this episode we talk about isolation -- the bad and the potential okay-ness of it -- confidence and self-advocacy in a not-always-understanding world.

Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org.

Attack of the teens continues! This week: Hara, who brings us a maximally convivial and poignant conversation about the funny and not-as-much moments of being a teenager with Tourette Syndrome. But there's a lot more to it -- ethnic backstories, family dynamics, queerness and intersectionality. Really lucky to have Hara walk us through it all, with one of the best family about-face stories we've gotten to hear, a tense moment in the grocery store, and a weird time being yelled at while trying to get a diagnosis.

Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the support of the Tourette Association of America, tourette.org.

https://tourette.org/about-us/diversity-inclusion/

You asked for it -- more teenage voices on Tourette's Podcast. Shylah, known around the web as Simply Tourettes, represents that voice dang well, and candidly so. She opens up, smartly dissects the struggles of reckoning with a perceived-to-be-weird thing like Tourette Syndrome at her age of 13, and finding ways to build structure around it. Everyone can relate to this one in one way or another. PLUS: Upcoming free webinars, and a notable listener gives Spot the TS Studio Cat a stylish hat.

Simply Tourettes on YouTube

Simply Tourettes Instagram

Shylah on Tourette Talk with Britney Wolf

Tourette Association of America upcoming events, webinars

We're nearly to the end of June, and in turn near the end of Pride Month, which has celebrated and boosted awareness for the LGBTQ+ community. Obviously these celebrations (need to) continue beyond a single month, and Tourette's Podcast is always there for it. The Tourette Association of America has been gathering stories from the LGBTQ+ community of Touretters at tourette.org/pride. If you'd like to share your experience, please visit that site.

On this episode we have Carter, who TAA recently featured in an Instagram post for Pride Month. Carter, a trans man, was diagnosed with TS later in his adult life but has long known about his tics. We talk about the importance of having people in your life who know your context, so you don't have to spend all kinds of weighty time explaining your situation -- TS in this case. TS is not the only thing Touretters want to talk about, folks.

We also discuss the sense of melody and musical talent so familiar to the TS community -- Carter plays drums and ukelele.

Tourette's Podcast is made possible by the support of the Tourette Association of America, https://tourette.org.