What a great way to start the year! A personal story and a chat discussing brain injury, including concussion, education, and trying to help others! I talk to the Vice President off the board of the Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA) Dr. Jennifer Smith. Jennifer is an NLBIA board colleague and friend of mine. She tells of her cerebellar stroke and her desire to educate others about brain injury in its many forms. We also talk about our hopes for the NLBIA this year and ho...
Jan 03, 2023•44 min•Ep. 141
In this episode of the Brainiac podcast Melissa speaks with Dr. Jen Blanchette , psychologist and podcaster about how to leverage the powerful healing properties of the brain and work through the trauma of sustaining a concussion. This episode will be of interest to individuals recovering from concussion and clinicians looking to learn more about the trauma experience after concussion and strategies that can be leveraged for healing, Jen shares some powerful and easy to implement strategies that...
Dec 22, 2022•45 min•Season 3Ep. 2
What has changed in brain injury research in recent years? What areas need more study, more attention? What have been the research trends? David Brody, M.D, PhD, researcher and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Neurotrauma joins me to try to answer the questions in episode 140! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 20, 2022•37 min•Ep. 140
After 33 caps, two Rugby World Cup appearances ('03 & '07) for Wales and a professional career, Alix Popham retired from rugby due to a shoulder injury, but the repeated head trauma in games and practice had him concerned about his brain. A normal bike ride around his town that left him lost, was the impetus to co-found, Head for Change , "pioneering positive change for brain health in sport and supporting ex-players who are affected by neurodegenerative disease as a result of their professi...
Dec 06, 2022•34 min•Ep. 139
On episode 138, Cassandra of the Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA) joins me as co-host as we talk to Chris Ryan, a singer/songwriter from NL. Chris has had multiple concussions and we talk about the importance of recognizing the signs and the lasting symptoms. How have concussions effected his music career; including his song writing and live shows? How have concussions affected his life? Check out Chris's music in UPtv's Hallmark movie, Love in Wolf Creek Follow Chris o...
Nov 29, 2022•59 min•Ep. 138
I am joined by Dr. Daniel Rafie, a UCLA BrainSPORT Sports Neurologist! As the host of The BrainSPORT Podcast at Steve Tisch UCLA Health , Dan goes by Adel. We talk about The UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program , directed by Dr. Chris Giza; concussion, brain injury (briefly delving into dysautonomia) and, of course, their podcast! SPORT: S afety, P erformance, O utreach, R esearch, T reatment. We couldn't remain on the continent and be farther apart, but our podcasts share a common goal,- albeit ...
Nov 22, 2022•45 min•Ep. 137
In this episode we are introduced to the new host of the Brainiac Concussion podcast- Melissa Biscardi. Next, sex differences in concussion risk and recovery are discussed. Specifically, Melissa chats about the structural differences in the neck, hormonal responses of males versus females, and sex differences in brain structure. Both current research as well as a few nudges for future research are included. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. S...
Nov 16, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Steven Broglio, PhD, gives us an all encompassing look at the University of Michigan Concussion Center and talks about the extensive research and outreach that goes into the great work of the Center. The University of Michigan has a student population of about 51,000 as well as a popular and top-level athletics program! The Wolverines are well known for their football, basketball and hockey teams, to name but a few. The large student body and sports programs are certainly venues for outreach, bu...
Oct 25, 2022•32 min•Ep. 136
Just me this week, thanking everybody for their support, including HeadCheck Health ! Also to ask you to visit my website, the "Store" link and to consider buying any of the many items on my Teepublic Store page ! To potential advertisers or sponsors, please reach out to me via my website, https://www.concussiontalk.com/contact/ Thank you everybody for your support and your interest in learning more about brain injury and concussion! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-p...
Oct 18, 2022•5 min
"Richard Tedeschi, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and Professor Emeritus at UNC Charlotte. He was on the th core faculty for 42 years, and retired in June 2018. Dr. Tedeschi has published numerous articles and books on the concept of posttraumatic growth that he helped to develop [along with Dr. Lawrence Calhoun]. He serves as media consultant on trauma for the American Psychological Association and is a Fellow of the Division of Trauma Psychology and has provided presentations and training o...
Oct 04, 2022•37 min•Ep. 135
Charmaine Noronha, a freelance journalist, a former longtime reporter with The Associated Press and HuffPost Canada, had a concussion that, after experiencing the new, surprising symptoms and researching, she wrote an article in Canadian magazine, Chatelaine; I Got A Concussion From A Yoga Accident After the article was published, Charmaine was concussed again. Although the experiences and symptoms of a TBI can be challenging to interpret, Charmaine has started to appreciate the new perspective ...
Sep 27, 2022•38 min•Ep. 134
On episode 133 Dr. Jake Vanlandingham talks about how his work as a physiotherapist and his severe traumatic brain injury led him to a doctorate in Molecular Neuroscience and then post-doc work in Behavioural Neuroscience, and how all of this led him to his idea for the treatment of acute brain injury. Check out my store at Tee Public ! Get there from concussiontalk.com, Concussion Talk's Merch tab on Podchaser, or on Tee Public; shirts, hoodies, masks, notebooks, mugs, stickers and a whole bunc...
Sep 13, 2022•31 min•Ep. 133
Lauren Ziaks/Phoenix Concussion Recovery is back! On this episode, Lauren re-takes her role as podcast host for Phoenix Concussion Recovery as Assistant Professor, Clinical Neurological Content Coordinator, and PT, DPT Jenna Tucker and she share their expertise on dysautonomia. In particular, they discuss their research that they will be presenting at the American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine (ACRM) conference in Chicago in November. Find their paper here! PeJ0lrCJfw45qdkGVeGj Support thi...
Sep 06, 2022•52 min•Ep. 132
After several years away I am again volunteering on the board of the Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA) . June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada and I would like to ask listeners to please support and consider donating to the NLBIA (by email info@nlbia.ca or by calling 709-221-1288) or your local brain injury association! In this brief episode, I chat with NLBIA Coordinator of Programs & Services, Cassandra Stockley, and our summer student, Miriam. They talk a...
Aug 02, 2022•16 min•Ep. 124
I will be taking a few weeks off and in the meantime, I want mention that my bike trip across Canada was 20 years ago, in the summer of 2002. Please check out my YouTube Channel for the playlist of all 66 days. They're very short episodes that I did in 2018, and as difficult as my speech might be to fully understand now, it was more difficult, especially during that time. Thank you so much, and as they say in Québec, "À bientôt!" Concussion Talk Podcast YouTube Channel Support this show http://s...
Jul 26, 2022•2 min
On episode 131, I talk to author and audio documentary creator Hana Walker-Brown . We discuss her new book "A Delicate Game" about brain injury in sport and about how it's felt around the world. We also talk about Hana's 2019 Audible Podcast "The Beautiful Brain" where she looked at how attitudes and realities of brain injuries are disconnected. You can follow Hana on: Instagram @hana_walker_brown Twitter @HWalker_Brown tmBOSWsVQs6pr6dk8lFi Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion...
Jul 19, 2022•31 min•Ep. 131
Jamie MoCrazy is a former X-Games athlete who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, putting her in a 10-day coma, while competing in free skiing in Whistler. We talk about her journey and her involvement in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) research. Jamie hopes to educate and raise awareness about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). For this reason she founded MoCrazy Strong , "a non-profit organization that raises awareness for TBI and offers retreats and keynote programs that inspire others to rega...
Jul 12, 2022•49 min•Ep. 130
Thank you so much to Cassandra and Miriam of the Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA) for hosting Concussion Talk Podcast during June, Brain Injury Awareness Month! I'm back as host for episode 129 and my guest is Prof. Isabelle Gagnon who teaches neurorehabilitation and pediatric physiotherapy in the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy at McGill. She is also a researcher and clinician at Montreal Children's Hospital. "Prof. Gagnon's research program focuses on ho...
Jul 05, 2022•36 min•Ep. 129
Erica Norman has an incredible story! She began her professional life as a mechanical engineer in oil & gas, survived a stroke, and after seeing the powerful impact her physiotherapistsiri (PTs) had on her recovery and well-being, Erica switched her focus to becoming a PT and helping others at TSL Physio in St. John's, NL! She opens up to Cassandra and Miriam about her journey and the discovery that her stroke was due to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), resulting in a recurrence and few ...
Jun 28, 2022•31 min•Ep. 128
On the third episode in Brain Injury Awareness Month, Cassandra and Miriam talk to physiotherapist (PT) Jake Warren of NL Balance & Dizziness Centre . Through his athletic background and his training as a PT, Jake is well aware of the effects of brain injury and how to help! Physiotherapy at the clinic is not simply balance and dizziness related. They have a well-trained staff who can help with many different conditions. Find NL Balance & Dizziness Centre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter Y...
Jun 21, 2022•23 min•Ep. 127
Ashley is no stranger to this podcast, but in case you missed any of her past "appearances" - since it's an audio podcast, she didn't really appear. I guess "her past vocalizations", but that's more of a singing thing! I work on it! I digress... Ashley is the owner of Premier Athletic Therapy in St. John's NL. Their "OUR TEAM" page gives a better bio for Ashley than I could, so I won't try to re-invent the wheel. That being said, Ashley really knows concussion (which is not mentioned), which com...
Jun 14, 2022•23 min•Ep. 126
In Cassandra and Miriam's (Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association, NLBIA) first episode as Brain Injury Awareness Month's co-hosts, they talk to Dr. Michelle Ploughman about her Recovery and Performance Lab in St. John's, NL, Canada . Dr. Ploughman's lab is doing extremely interesting, novel and applicable research in neuroplasticity and brain recovery! Her Twitter account: @michploughman Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acas...
Jun 07, 2022•27 min•Ep. 125
Rosie Mangan is an Irish scientist researching insect pests. Since her brain injury she's become a committed advocate for access to neurorehabilitation services. I chatted with Rosie about ABI Ireland, her advocacy of the right to rehab, about her own neurorehabilitation and a couple of questions about her work in biocontrol and sustainable pest control. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 17, 2022•35 min•Ep. 123
Dr. Leslie Ray Matthews is a very experienced trauma surgeon, an expert in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in vitamin D - which Dr. Matthews points out should be called 'hormone D'. We talk about how vitamin D can be used, in conjunction with important treatments and therapies, to assist, potentially profoundly, with recovery from TBI, as in the case of Jordan Sloane (high school football player). Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast....
May 10, 2022•34 min•Ep. 122
This is a recording of Dr. Alain Ptito's talk to the Concussion Legacy Foundation - McGill Chapter support group. This is an excellent primer on concussion and post concussion syndrome/persistent concussion symptoms (PCS). He covered a few stats regarding occurrence and symptoms as well as his research on brain activity reduction following head trauma. He's also doing innovative work on using the tongue as a Brain-Machine Interface (BMI). Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-t...
May 02, 2022•24 min
Co-founders Felicia and Allie of the Keep Your Head Up Foundation share some of the new and exciting projects the organization has been working towards! They also share insights and accomplishments from the first 4 months of Keep Your Head Up’s Mindful Moments programming! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 29, 2022•17 min
MYndspan is a startup in the UK that aims to ameliorate brain health. It has been looking hard at concussions and what they and their technology can do to improve outcomes. I talk with co-founder and Chief Financial Officer Caitlin Baltzer and Chief Scientific Officer Ben Dunkley to discuss; the company, its plans and its use of the brain imaging technique magnetoencephalography (MEG). * I apologize for the bad (too loud) recording of my voice! Caitlin and Ben sound good though and that's what m...
Apr 26, 2022•40 min•Ep. 121
The Straz Strong Foundation is focused on improving the lives of those with physical and mental disabilities and there is no better ambassador/inspiration than Ryan Straschnitzki ! Ryan's amazing attitude shines through as we talk about #rehabilitation, #sledgehockey, and his goal of playing at the Paralympics! Of course, we also talk about the bus crash in 2018, involving his Junior A hockey team, the Humboldt Broncos , upending the lives of everyone involved, including Ryan. #HumboldtBroncos S...
Apr 19, 2022•21 min•Ep. 120
Daniel Carcillo is Founder and CEO of Wesana Health ( Wesana Health on LinkedIn ). He is also a former professional NHL hockey player, @Car BombBoom13 on Tiwtter, winning two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks . It was during Daniel's time playing pro hockey that he was diagnosed withe seven concussions. His search for help with his symptoms led Daniel to create a company looking to share the benefits of what he found. Follow Wesana on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter . Support this show h...
Apr 12, 2022•23 min•Ep. 119
It looks like an over-ambitious topic for one podcast, nevertheless Dr. Michelle Ploughman studies those issues everyday as the Canadian Research Chair in Rehabilitation, Neuroplasticity and Brain Recovery. Michelle's training in and love for physiotherapy shines through as her research primarily focuses on how they relate to multiple sclerosis (MS) and stroke at her Recovery and Performance Lab in St. John's, NL, Canada. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hos...
Apr 05, 2022•37 min•Ep. 118
