Freezing is one of PD's most unusual symptoms. Whether it's a threshold, a zebra crossing or just getting out of bed, the sudden inability to move can strike at any moment. Why does it happen? And is there anything that can be done to combat this mysterious immobilisation? The Movers and Shakers – who have experienced very different types of freezing – squeeze into the Notting Hill pub (and hopefully don't freeze in place) with top experts on what's known as Freezing of Gait (FOG) or, here at M&...
Jan 24, 2026•30 min•Season 7Ep. 2
After our festive break, the Movers & Shakers are back in the Notting Hill pub with glad tidings for the new year. Gillian and the Judge have been sunning themselves (in Antigua and Australia, respectively), Rory has been hitting the Vegas strip, Mark has been battling with Turkish Airlines, and Paul has finally completed shooting of his new film. But Paul isn't the only Mayhew-Archer bringing life with Parkinson's to the screen. His son, Simon Mayhew-Archer , is the creator of Can You Keep ...
Jan 17, 2026•28 min•Season 7Ep. 1
It's the end of another year – and what a year it's been! From the Big Sing on World Parkinson's Day through the Parky Petition campaign and getting our debate in Parliament, 2025 has been a stellar year for the Movers and Shakers and our community. For this final episode before we tootle off for Christmas, we've gathered at Chez Lacey-Solymar (minus Gillian herself, who was struck down by flu) to recap our year. What were the best moments of the year that's been? And which episodes of the podca...
Dec 13, 2025•27 min•Season 6Ep. 13
From our little corner of the Notting Hill pub, it can be hard to see what life is like for people with Parkinson's across the rest of the UK – let alone around the world! Today, however, we're talking about Parkinson's care in Africa, a continent where levodopa access is limited and where stigmas around the condition still impact countless lives. We're joined by experts – both in the pub and down-the-line from the frontline of treatment – to try and understand the situation and how the global c...
Dec 06, 2025•32 min•Season 6Ep. 12
How do you run clinical trials that maximise the efficiency for patients, clinicians and drugs developers? That's the challenge being addressed by world's largest ever clinical trial of Parkinson's medications. To discuss this new, and potentially extremely effective, way of runnings multiple trials simultaneously, the Movers & Shakers are joined at the pub by some of the core team from the project, who answer their questions and consider whether this represents the future of clinical trials...
Nov 29, 2025•27 min•Season 6Ep. 11
So, after two long years of campaigning, this week the Parky Charter – our set of demands for the government – had its moment in Parliament. With the Movers & Shakers and other supporters in attendance, MPs debated the need for improved care for people with Parkinson's across the UK. But what were the important moments from the debate? What wasn't mentioned? And where do we go from here? To celebrate how far we've come and mull over our next steps, the gang gathered back at Gillian HQ (thoug...
Nov 22, 2025•21 min•Season 6Ep. 10
This week, the Movers & Shakers are joined in the pub by our friends from Cure Parkinson's and Parkinson's UK. They are two of the charities working so hard to find ways of dealing with Parkinson's and improving the lives of those with the condition. But they also face huge challenges. Is enough being invested in research? Are the charities forced to compete with one another for limited resources? And what is the rule of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the huge American body that operates at ...
Nov 15, 2025•32 min•Season 6Ep. 9
We try not to shy away from the less cheerful topics here on Movers & Shakers, and this week we're once again looking at depression. We're joined in the pub by a top expert – Professor Dag Aarsland – to look at how depression affects Parkies, whether there's something specific about the condition that causes it, and what responses are available. As ever, this is a candid chat that gets to the heart of a matter which is too often left silent. If you'd like to download a template for writing t...
Nov 08, 2025•30 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Let there be light! Well, certain types of light, at least. That's what we're discussing down at the Movers and Shakers Arms today, where the gang are joined by Professor Glen Jeffery , an expert in the use of light therapies. Why are some lights – like infrared – good for us, whilst others – like UV – are bad? How does light impact on our mitochondria? And, most importantly, what does any of this have to do with Parkinson's?! Join us for a fascinating dive into a less-discussed, but possibly ve...
Nov 01, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Over the summer months, we at Movers & Shakers HQ ran a competition: the local group who acquired the most signatures towards the Parky Charter petition would get their own special episode. And here it is, with the superstars from the Bexhill and Battle area, who acquired a whopping 573 signatures! Three of them joined the Movers & Shakers in the pub, and we also speak to the TikTok poet whose viral video spurred the campaign on. But most importantly, this episode contains important inst...
Oct 25, 2025•27 min•Season 6Ep. 6
There are few great anxiety inducers for Parkies than the prospect of having a fall. Squeezed into the Notting Hill pub – having dodged bustling waiters, stray chair legs and a labyrinthine tangle of cables – the Movers & Shakers are joined by two experts, Laura Douglas from Neuro Heroes and the University of Exeter's Dr Will Young , to discuss the reality of falls. Are people with Parkinson's at greater risk? And, if so, what can we do to a) prevent falls, and b) mitigate the seriousness? N...
Oct 18, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 5
On today's Movers & Shakers, we're putting down our pints and rolling a joint talking about how cannabis could be an important part of Parkinson's treatment. Subject to stigma over its use, have we been ignoring the therapeutic qualities of the plant? To discuss this, we talk to Professor Mike Barnes, a world expert in medical cannabis, and hear from many of our listeners who have dabbled with the various strains. With uses for everything from pain to sleep, this is an in-depth look at a muc...
Oct 11, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Can you hide your Parkinson's? And should you? Those are the questions we're tackling today, as we're joined in the pub by Rob Burley, a former BBC producer and author of Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me? , a book about the lost art of the political interview. After his PD diagnosis, Rob went on television and found himself subjected to unfortunate social media feedback. Do we always know when it's time to reveal a diagnosis? And can you really keep things private as symptoms set in? This c...
Oct 04, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 3
This week, we're issuing a special episode to remember the life of John Stapleton, who died last week. We were privileged to have John join us in the pub earlier this year to discuss his life, career and PD journey. From getting pecked off our screen's by Rod Hull's intemperate Emu to making a film about his diagnosis with his award-winning documentarian son Nick, John led an extraordinary life. In this episode, we reflect on what made him a great presenter and a superb advocate for people with ...
Sep 27, 2025•29 min
Parkinsonism is the term used to refer to a group of conditions – like multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and Lewy Body Dementia – which resemble Parkinson's in some of their symptoms. To discuss these sibling conditions, the Movers & Shakers are joined at the pub by guests from across the spectrum who share their stories – often very uplifting – about learning to live with the new realities brought on by their illnesses. Spon...
Sep 20, 2025•34 min•Season 6Ep. 2
The Movers and Shakers are back in the pub after a relaxing summer. Oh, who are we kidding? It's been a frantic struggle to get the #ParkyCharter petition to 100k signatories but we – which is to say: you – did it! Now we're kicking off the new series with a look at Gillian's big news. She's had the brand new produodopa pump installed. But is it the blessing its champions suggest? Or do the downsides outweigh the positives? To discuss, we're joined by international expert Professor Camille Carro...
Sep 13, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Our final profile of this summer series has a very particular set of skills... Jagdeep Aujla is a London-born karate champion and martial arts enthusiast who, since his Parkinson's diagnosis, has established the Dopamine Warriors Boxing Club. Jagdeep joins the Movers & Shakers in the pub and shows all the resilience you'd expect from the Bruce Lee of PD – but also some cheering optimism about embracing the challenges of the condition and fighting through. Sponsored by Boardwave , who support...
Aug 09, 2025•27 min
Our profile this week is of a Parky on a mission: Alison Anderson who is, as you listen to this episode, cycling across America to raise money for Cure Parkinson's. This isn't Alison's first marathon bike ride, she's previously zoomed across Southeast Asia, raising money and awareness. An inspiration for both her athletic endeavour and fundraising prowess, Alison is living, cycling proof that Parkinson's doesn't have to stop you in your tracks! You can still sponsor Alison's bike ride across Ame...
Jul 26, 2025•18 min
This Wednesday, our titanic campaign to reach 100,000 signatures on the Parky Charter petition reached its climax. After a marathon effort involving Gillian commandeering EasyJet planes, the Judge haranguing cricket-goers at Lords, and an unexpected segue into TikTok virality, that target was reached. To celebrate, we gathered 80% of the Movers & Shakers at Gillian's to raise a glass of bubbly – and were delighted to be joined by some very special guests who had gone the extra mile to get si...
Jul 19, 2025•17 min
In a long and varied career, John Caulcutt has worn many hats: rock musician, stockbroker, marketing man, bobsled champion, fundraising extraordinaire, and, since 2019, parky. He joins us for this, the latest in our summer interview series, to discuss a life well-lived and how he ended up a prolific philanthropist who believes that a breakthrough for PD could be just around the corner... Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com ! Sponsored by Boardwave , who ...
Jul 05, 2025•21 min
This summer we'll be interviewing a handful of interesting people who are living with Parkinson's. First up: the novelist Linda Grant. Linda started life as a journalist before becoming acclaimed fiction writer who won the Women's Prize in 2000 for her novel When I Lived in Modern Times , and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2008 for The Clothes on Their Backs . Here, she talks for the first time about her Parkinson's diagnosis, how it has impacted her writing, and how she plans to become...
Jun 21, 2025•27 min
Earlier this month, the Movers and Shakers descended on Brighton in order to drum up enthusiasm for our petition. We're looking for 100,000 signatures in order to guarantee that our Parky Charter – a list of demands/requests that would improve Parkinson's care – gets a debate in Parliament. On this special episode (during our summer break) we report back from the (very rainy) seaside, and catch-up in the Notting Hill pub to look at how the petition is progressing and launch a very special compet...
Jun 14, 2025•15 min
As a special extra, to round out this fifth season of Movers and Shakers , the show is coming to you live from Henley! Away from the pub (and with a live audience) the gang talk about their Parkinson's progress and are joined by a couple of special guests, representing the local area and giving you a glimpse inside Paul's brain... Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter petition by going to ParkyPetition.com ! Sponsored by Boardwave , who support Cure Parkinson's . Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones,...
May 10, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 15
This week saw the first substantial debate in the UK Parliament on the subject of Parkinson's – and it was initiated by an enterprising Scottish MP, Graeme Downie, off the back of the Movers and Shakers' Parky Charter. So, for this emergency episode, Gillian and Mark report live from Parliament, introducing some highlights from the debate, and speaking to Graeme and his office manager, the inimitable Vonnie, about how politics can be used to help Britain's Parkies. Don't forget to sign the Parky...
May 03, 2025•15 min•Season 5Ep. 14
In this, the last episode in our current series, the Movers & Shakers have gathered at the Notting Hill pub with (most of) their spouses, to talk about how to navigate a relationship after the diagnosis. With the able assistance of a relationship expert, Gillian and Mike, Mark and Jo, Paul and Julie, Nick and Liz, and Rory – riding solo – talk through the ups and downs of coupledom in the wake of the Parkinson's reveal. Honest, revealing and often very funny, this is a guide on how to (or, p...
Apr 26, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Travelling with Parkinson's shouldn't be a nightmare – but often it is. From long lines at the airport to the constant battle for a seat on the Tube, how can people with Parkinson's navigate the frenetic world of travel? On this episode, the Movers and Shakers gather at the pub to consider their experiences – good and bad – and whether there's the chance to reinvent the way that companies and the public think about disabled people travelling. We also speak to a top travel expert, and a former Ho...
Apr 19, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 12
On this very special episode of Movers and Shakers , the gang head out of the Notting Hill pub to take, once again, to Downing Street. But handing over the latest petition is only the start of an action packed day – from there, it's on to the Houses of Parliament to convene with hundreds of Parkies for The Big Sing! This episode is a little journey through the day, as we speak to people who made the trip down to London about their experiences and hopes for the future. Plus, Mark Mardell is up in...
Apr 12, 2025•16 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Each time we, the Movers and Shakers, convene at the pub for a recording session, we follow it up with an anarchic planning session, where we analyse the episodes that been recently broadcast and debate what should be featured on future instalments. This week, we're leaving the microphones running during this meeting to give you the inside scoop on how the podcast is made, and a little preview of the exciting editions that might be headed your way soon. Don't forget to sign the Parky Charter pet...
Apr 05, 2025•21 min•Season 5Ep. 10
There's no doubting the ability of music to uplift the soul – but could it also help to manage the symptoms of Parkinson's? That's what the Movers and Shakers are discussing today in the Notting Hill pub, as they're joined by musical experts, including a man who whistled for Monty Python's The Life of Brian and a Welsh samba band (who have brought their drums all the way to W11). Whether it's a conduit for new creativity, a means of raising awareness or a cuing mechanism to arrest the disease's ...
Mar 29, 2025•30 min•Season 5Ep. 9
It's said that the most consistent symptom of Parkinson's isn't the tremor, but constipation. Could this rather inconvenient truth reveal a relationship between our gut microbiome and development of the disease? To help with this deep-dive into the gut, the Movers & Shakers are joined by a gastroenterologist, a professor of microbiome, and the creator of a probiotic for gut health. Tune in, and get to the heart of how a Mediterranean diet could help with PD (though sadly it doesn't consist o...
Mar 22, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 8
