Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast ! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Stephen Casper, first featured in Episode 30. A globally respected medical historian, Dr. Casper is Professor of History and Associate Director of Honors at Clarkson University, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His groundbreaking research has profoundly influenced how we understand the cultural and intellectual history of neuroscience—especially in relation ...
Jun 24, 2025•43 min•Ep. 84
Send us a text Dr. Rachel Grashow, director of epidemiological research initiatives for the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University and co-lead of the Family Experiences Managing Football Lives project. A research scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr. Grashow’s work focuses on how environmental exposures shape brain and overall health in vulnerable groups from children and pregnant women to veterans and professional athletes. With over 40 publications and mo...
Jun 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 82
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, This episode, we're diving deep with Dr. Robert Cantu — world-renowned concussion expert, clinical professor at Boston University, co-founder of the CTE Center, and medical director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation. With over 550 publications and 34 books to his name, Dr. Cantu has shaped the global conversation on brain trauma in sports. From the NFL to World Rugby, his advisory roles have influenced concussion protocols at the ...
Jun 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 81
Send us a text Today, we’re honoured to welcome Sarah Willey—a dedicated volunteer and board member with conneCTErs, an organization raising awareness and offering support around Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Sarah brings a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership, but she joins us today in an even more personal role: as a wife and mother. In this episode, Sarah shares what conneCTErs is all about and opens up about her family's journey with what is believed to be CTE. It’s a powe...
Jun 03, 2025•37 min•Ep. 80
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast . Today, we’re joined by former West Coast Eagles defender Will Schofield. Over his 14-year AFL career, Will played nearly 200 games, appeared in two grand finals, won a premiership, and earned life membership with the club. Post-retirement, he’s become a respected voice in media through Fox Footy and 6PR Perth. Will is also the co-founder and CEO of Backchat Studios, leading innovative media ventures and reshaping how athletes engag...
May 27, 2025•36 min•Ep. 79
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we're thrilled to be joined by Hamish Brayshaw. Hamish is a former AFL player who now stars in the WAFL with East Perth, where he serves as co-captain. In 2023, he was honoured with the Sandover Medal, recognising him as the league’s best player. His impact on the game extends beyond the field—Hamish has lent his expertise as a midfield coach for the West Coast Eagles’ AFLW team. Off the field, he’s also made his mark as a co...
May 20, 2025•29 min•Ep. 78
Send us a text Welcome back to headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour and privilege to be hosting Nick Rushworth. Nick Rushworth is the Executive Officer of Brain Injury Australia, a position he has held since 2008. Before joining Brain Injury Australia, Nick worked for the Northern Territory Government setting up their Office of Disability whilst also formerly a producer with the Nine Television Network’s “Sunday” program and ABC Radio National, where Nick’s journalism has wo...
May 13, 2025•36 min•Ep. 77
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast . Today, we're honoured to be joined by Professor Dominic Malcolm, a leading expert in the Sociology of Sport from Loughborough University. As Director of Doctoral Programmes and former editor of the International Review for the Sociology of Sport , Professor Malcolm's work explores the critical intersections of sport, medicine, and health. His recent research delves into how the media shapes public understanding of concussion and CT...
May 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 76
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast . Today, we are honoured and privileged to welcome Sophie Curtain. An NRLW Athlete who represented New South Wales in the Under 19 State of Origin and an accomplished Australian and World Junior Muay Thai Champion. Sophie’s talents extend far beyond the field and ring. She’s a qualified Sports Nutritionist with a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, specialising in personalised, evidence-based nutrition programs designed to support h...
Apr 29, 2025•47 min•Ep. 75
Send us a text We are joined by Dr. Sharief Hendricks from the University of Cape Town — a leading figure in sports science and medicine. Dr. Hendricks is the Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport and has served on the editorial boards of the British Journal of Sports & Exercise Medicine and the European Journal of Sport Science as Social Media Editor since 2014. He is also the Past President of the South African Sports Medicine Association, and currently c...
Apr 22, 2025•37 min•Ep. 74
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst . Today’s guest is a true legend — Wally Lewis. A rugby league immortal, State of Origin icon, and one of the greatest to ever play the game. With over 250 club appearances, 38 Origin games, and 34 Tests for Australia, his legacy is undeniable. Wally shares a deeply personal message about brain health, concussion and probable CTE. He does not blame the game or anyone involved, his mission is to provide education and raise awareness so we can continue to p...
Apr 15, 2025•34 min•Ep. 73
Send us a text **Re-Release Episode 23 - Original Date: 05/03/2024** Welcome to "Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast," . In this instalment, we're thrilled to have retired NRL and English Super League player, Lachlan Coote, join us. Lachlan stands as one of the greats of the game, boasting an impressive record of over 250 professional games. His achievements include clinching the 2015 NRL Premiership with the North Queensland Cowboys and conquering the 2016 World Club Challenge. Transitioning to the...
Apr 08, 2025•41 min•Ep. 72
Send us a text Welcome back to HeadFirst: A Concussion Podcast . Today, we are the privileged and honour to be joined by Dr Lopez Frías. Dr Lopez Frias is an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology Department at Penn State University, whilst also a Senior Research Associate at the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State's Dr Lopez Frías' areas of expertise are in the ethics of sports, including topics such as doping and the use of human enhancement technologies in sports. With more than 100 academic ...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 71
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast ! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined again by popular demand, renowned historian and Emeritus Professor Tony Collins. Professor Collins joined us on episode 61 discussion history of football origin. For those who are new or yet to listen Professor Collins work is a leading expert in sports history, having authored over 13 books and won the prestigious Aberdare Prize four times. His expertise has been sought after by majo...
Mar 25, 2025•57 min•Ep. 70
Send us a text In this episode, we dive deep into the abnormal physiology that occurs at the cellular level during a concussion. From the disruption of ion gradients in neurons to the neurometabolic cascade that follows, we explore how these changes lead to an energy deficit disorder in the brain. Understanding these processes is crucial for grasping the long-term effects of concussions, including energy imbalance and neuronal dysfunction. Join us as we break down the intricate mechanisms behind...
Mar 18, 2025•41 min•Ep. 69
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast . Today, we're honored to be joined by Stephanie Convery. Stephanie is an inequality reporter and formerly the Deputy Culture Editor at The Guardian Australia in Melbourne. Before her time at The Guardian , she worked as a freelance journalist and served as Deputy Editor of Overland Magazine . Additionally, Stephanie is the author of After the Count: The Death of Davey Browne and former vice president at Elsternwick Football Club. - ...
Mar 11, 2025•53 min•Ep. 68
Send us a text Today, we’re excited to be joined by Dr. Nick Cecchi, a pioneer in the field of brain injury biomechanics and helmet design. Dr. Cecchi is passionate about enhancing human safety through cutting-edge research and technology. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UC Irvine and a PhD in Bioengineering from Stanford University. Over the years, his ground-breaking work has led to patented technologies and headgear solutions that have been implemented across various sports, and ...
Mar 04, 2025•42 min•Ep. 67
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast . Today, we’re honoured and privilege to have Dr. Julie Stamm return as our guest, following her first appearance in Episode 28. Dr Julie Stamm, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving her doctorate from the Boston University School of medicine in anatomy and neurobiology. Dr Stamm also studied at the psychiatry neuroimaging laboratory at Harvard medical school alongside Boston University, ...
Feb 25, 2025•39 min•Ep. 66
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast . Today, we're joined by Professor Jon Patricios, a leader in sports medicine since 1996. He is the Director of Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery and a Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where he leads the Wits Sport and Health Research Group. With fellowships in sport and exercise medicine from South Africa, the UK, and Ireland, he also founded Sports Concussion South Africa. Professor Patricios con...
Feb 18, 2025•32 min•Ep. 65
Send us a text Welcome Back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, in this discussion, we’ll address the trial of a new rule being implemented during the upcoming pre-season challenge matches in the NRL. This rule has sparked significant controversy, with many fans and academics seeing it as a step in the wrong direction. Rather than improving safety, the rule has been criticized for its potential to negatively impact the game, especially in terms of concussion management. We’ll delve into the deta...
Feb 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 64
Send us a text * We want to apologize for the episode being a bit out of context due to some internet connection issues during our recording. Unfortunately, we had a few technical hiccups along the way. That said, we want to extend a huge thank you to Ian Roberts for his patience and for recording with us not once, not twice, but three separate times to make sure we could bring this episode to you. His dedication and understanding truly made this conversation possible, and we're incredibly grate...
Feb 04, 2025•28 min•Ep. 63
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast ! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Monique Le Mottee. Monique is a high-performance physiotherapist and certified strength and conditioning coach at WA Sports Performance. Prior to moving to Perth, she worked at the renowned Athletes Authority in Sydney, where she supported the NRL and NRLW West Tigers, the Under 19s Women’s State of Origin, and Moto Sports Centres. On top of her professional accomplishments, Moniqu...
Jan 28, 2025•38 min•Ep. 62
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast ! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Tony Collins, a renowned historian and Emeritus Professor. With a career spanning decade, Tony is a leading expert in sports history, having authored over 12 books and won the prestigious Aberdare Prize four times. His expertise has been sought after by major TV programs like BBC Radio 4’s Sports and Football: A Brief History on the British and History Channels. Tony’s impact on th...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 61
Send us a text Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or your medical practitioner before making any changes to your diet, supplementation, or treatment plan, especially if you have a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The content shared here should not replace personalized care from your doctor or nutritionist. Welcome back to Headfirst: A ...
Jan 14, 2025•50 min•Ep. 60
Send us a text Welcome Back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, Today, we have Dr. Joe Warne who is a leading authority in sports science, biomechanics, and physiology, specializing in the biomechanics of running and the role of footwear. With a wealth of hands-on experience in Strength and Conditioning, Dr. Warne has worked with elite athletes and teams, also serving as a high-performance coach and sports science consultant. Holding a PhD, his ground-breaking research has positioned him as a fo...
Jan 07, 2025•49 min•Ep. 59
Send us a text Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast - Best of 2024 – Part 3 of 3 In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast , we’re revisiting some of the most insightful, thought-provoking, and eye-opening moments from our past episodes. If you’ve missed any of the crucial conversations we've had about Research, Concussion Devices, Professional Athletes, Doctors, Reporting, Policies and legalities. This episode is your chance to catch up with all the best bits. We’ve hand-picked high...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 58
Send us a text In today’s episode, we’re bringing you Part 2 of 3, where we revisit some of the most insightful, thought-provoking, and eye-opening moments from our 2024 episodes. We’ll be covering a range of important topics, including interpersonal violence, blast exposure, baseline testing, imaging techniques, as well as concussion in paediatric, youth, and female populations. We’ll also share a personal experience on the subject. ** Please be advised that this episode contains discussions of...
Dec 24, 2024•58 min•Ep. 57
Send us a text Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast - Best of 2024 – Part 1 of 3 In this special episode of Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast , we’re revisiting some of the most insightful, thought-provoking, and eye-opening moments from our past episodes. If you’ve missed any of the crucial conversations we've had about mild traumatic brain injurie's history, concussion and CTE, this episode is your chance to catch up with all the best bits. We’ve hand-picked highlights from each theme, featuring expe...
Dec 17, 2024•55 min•Ep. 56
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast ! Today, we are thrilled to have Dr. Mu Yang with us. Dr. Yang is an Assistant Professor at Columbia University and the Director of the Mouse Neurobehavior Core. With over 25 years of experience, she’s made significant contributions to the field of pre-clinical mouse models for human diseases and neurological disorders. In addition to her impressive academic work, Dr. Yang is known for her sharp skills as a research sleuth, uncoverin...
Dec 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 55
Send us a text Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast . Today, we are privileged to have Dr. Jason Chan join us. Dr. Chan recently retired after a distinguished 10-year tenure as the Chief Medical Officer for the Melbourne Storm, where he oversaw the medical management of the team during an era marked by remarkable success. Under his leadership, the Storm appeared in five grand finals, securing two premierships and five minor premierships. Dr. Chan’s tenure also included overseeing nine...
Dec 03, 2024•43 min•Ep. 54
