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
A recent spate of Parkinson's related headlines – from miracle pumps to worm-based solutions – have had the Movers and Shakers questioning exactly how the condition is portrayed in the media. Are we getting a good balance between raising the salience of the diseases ill effects, on the one hand, and inspiring hope on the other? To discuss this, the (rather depleted) team in the pub are joined by a top newspaper editor and the Parkinson's UK's media bod. Sponsored by Boardwave , who support Cure ...
Mar 15, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Do you know what mitochondria are? Don't worry, neither did the Movers & Shakers until they gathered two top experts with them at the Notting Hill pub in order to probe this line of enquiry. Could "aberrant" (as the Judge is prone to call them) mitochondria be responsible for Parkinson's? And, if so, are there possible therapies that might impact the development of the disease, and, if not cure it outright, arrest its progression? All this – and more! – on a fascinating voyage into one of th...
Mar 08, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Would you rather: bid for a rugby shirt signed by the mysterious "Mike Tiddle", run a marathon around Loch Ness, or paraglide off the top of Mont Blanc? Those are some of the extraordinary fundraising projects undertaken in the name of Parkinson's, and that's what the Movers & Shakers are discussing in the pub today. With inspirational stories from great fundraisers as well as a look at how effective charities are – both at accumulating this money and also at spending it – this episode will ...
Mar 01, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 5
It's getting rather hot in the Notting Hill pub this week, as we convene to discuss the (t)horny question of intimacy. Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it – but do Parkies? The Movers and Shakers are joined by an expert sexologist and an intimacy co-ordinator to get to the bottom of the issues around sex. It's a candid conversation – covering everything from erectile dysfunction to vaginal dryness, viagra to lube – that will open your eyes to the possibilities of intimacy with the...
Feb 22, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 4
A man walks into the pub wearing vibrating shoes – no, that's not the start of a joke, but exactly what happened to Rory Cellan-Jones. On this week's episode, the Movers and Shakers are looking at some of the new technology, from fancy footwear to rhythmical cuing devices, to look at what tech can do for Parkies. They're also joined by the author of a snazzy new guide to Parkinson's gadgets, which aims to separate steps forward from snake oil. Sponsored by Boardwave , who support Cure Parkinson'...
Feb 15, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In October last year, broadcasting legend John Stapleton, a former host of shows like Nationwide and Watchdog , was diagnosed with Parkinson's. This week, he joins the Movers & Shakers in the Notting Hill pub to discuss his life, career and his PD journey so far. 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 has led an extraordinary life. Sitting down with Mark, Gillian, Rory, Paul a...
Feb 08, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 2
We're back! But today's episode isn't coming to you from the Notting Hill pub – instead, it was recorded live at the Middle Temple. In this special episode Rory, Gillian, Nicholas, Paul and Mark talk through their Parkinson's journeys and are joined, from the gallery, by a number of special guests (you'll have to tune in to find out who but they include a star neurologist, a research director and a charity CEO) to kick off this the fifth – !!! – season of Movers and Shakers . Sponsored by Boardw...
Feb 01, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 1
We're back in the Notting Hill pub for our final episode of 2024. And after some rather gloomy subjects in recent weeks – from caring responsibilities to assisted dying – the Movers and Shakers are turning their attention to something a little more optimistic. With contributions from listeners – and a couple of special guests – this episode looks at the reasons all Parkies have to be cheerful. Whether that's defying the condition or embracing it, there's always a silver lining to be found. Prese...
Dec 07, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Could discreet pumps, constantly providing adjustable doses of your top Parky drugs, be the future of 24-hour care? That's one of the suggestions made by advocates of a new range of pumps, one of whom, Professor Ray Chaudhuri (aka the Judge's neurologist), joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub. And if that's not a sufficiently bumper discussion, Prof Chaudhuri also discusses a new project that's he's developing: a Parkinson's dashboard to help make sure that new patients are asked...
Nov 30, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 13
This week the Movers & Shakers are celebrating our four-legged friends, both canine and feline. But how do pets help or hinder the experience of having Parkinson's? With expert testimony from Bilbo Mostyn, Derek Paxman, Sophie Cellan-Jones and Lana Del Grey Mardell – not to mention several listeners calling in – and some special guests, this episode explores the special bond between animals and humans. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, S...
Nov 23, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this special live edition of Movers and Shakers half of the gang – The Judge, Rory and Paul – head to the famous Belfry golf club, where Sport Parkinson's were hosting their annual Four Nations golf tournament. In this wide-ranging conversation about the merits of sports (and a few pitfalls), special guests join to discuss the various initiatives for motivating Parkies into athletic endeavour. From golf and football to horse riding and – you guessed it – ping pong, this will be the inspiratio...
Nov 16, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Women make up about 40% of all Parkinson's cases – but the Movers and Shakers panel doesn't often reflect that! Do we pay enough attention to women's experience with the disease? And does medical science have the same blindspot? On this week's episode of the show, we're talking about the female experience with PD, how the disease differently impacts the genders, and what we need to do to even the playing field for biomedical research. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark M...
Nov 09, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 10
In the world of Parkinson's, Bas Bloem is something of a rockstar. The Dutch neurological giant (in more ways than one) joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub for this special interview, where he talks about his personal journey into PD research, his suspicions on the causes of the illness, and his pathological optimism for the future of the condition. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman. Pro...
Nov 02, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 9
When Paul titled his episode " Help! (me please, I beg you, because I've been a bloody pillock) " we knew he'd bring his typical humour and candour to the trickiest of subjects. This week, the Movers & Shakers (minus Rory and Jeremy) are talking about care, and the assistance that can be offered both by loved ones and the state. If you haven't thought about how to arrange and finance care – whether that's domiciliary or residential – then this episode will guide you through the opportunities...
Oct 26, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Assisted dying is currently on the agenda in the UK, as a private member's bill enters Parliament. But with legislation comes a moral debate: should the state be involved in easing the passing of the sick? And, if so, what should the conditions be? What guardrails can be put in place to ensure that what ought to be about mercy doesn't become the subject of abuse? To discuss this difficult topic and the impact that the contemporary political push could have on the Parky community, the Movers &...
Oct 19, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Keir Starmer's new Labour government have been in power, now, for 100 days. After big promises to raise pay, slash the backlog and reduce waiting times, have Labour, and new Health Secretary Wes Streeting, made any in-roads? On this episode, the Movers and Shakers are joined in the pub by Gaynor Edwards and Professor Michele Hu (Paul's neurologist), as well as, down-the-line, by new social care minister Stephen Kinnock MP, and Parkinson's UK CEO Caroline Rassell. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, ...
Oct 12, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Were it not for the eventual verdict of the Court of Appeal, Holmes vs Poeton may well have been a landmark case for Parkies. Or so claims the (ex) Judge, Nicholas Mostyn, who serves as the guide in today's episode, where the Movers & Shakers look into some thorny questions: what causes Parkinson's? And who, if anyone, is to blame? Our guide is Professor Yoav Ben-Shlomo from the University of Bristol, who dissects the evidence – from controversial twin studies to a contaminated Marine encamp...
Oct 05, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Targeted ultrasound might sound like something a Bond villain would use to incinerate a Swiss canton, but, in reality, it could be the next big, breakthrough Parkinson's treatment. On today's episode, the Movers & Shakers gather in the Notting Hill pub to discuss this new therapy and are joined in that undertaking by returning guest Professor Ludwic Zrinzo, an expert in both this technique as well as its main rival, Deep Brain Stimulation (so expert that he had the honour of performing Gilli...
Sep 28, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 4
If music be the food of love (or, given we're in the pub, "the love of food"), play on . On this week's Movers and Shakers , the gang have gathered to discuss music, and the many ways it can impact the Parky community. From vocal warm-ups and singing helping to bring back Mark's booming voice, through to dance and gesture exercise keeping you fit and lyric translations keeping you brainy, music can have a huge impact. The team are joined in the pub by opera singer Bibi Heal (who gives a very spe...
Sep 21, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Every hero needs a sidekick: Batman and Robin, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Ronald McDonald and Grimace. And, in Parkinson's world, if Levodopa is the crime-fighting vigilante, then enzyme blockers (or inhibitors) are keeping the seats warm in the Batmobile. To discuss the vital role that this group of drugs play, the Movers and Shakers are joined in the pub by Professor Peter Jenner, a pharmacological expert, and Lynn Guldin, a new PhD student looking into Parkinson's treatments. Presented by Ror...
Sep 14, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Pour yourself a drink and pull up a chair: the Movers and Shakers are back in the pub ! To open our fourth ( yes, fourth – we can hardly believe it either ) season, the gang gather to discuss their summer holidays – from Scottish ping pong to Alpine dystonia – and make a big announcement. Whilst pretending to be on their jollies, Gillian and Mark have been leading the charge with a brand new music video extravaganza, a Parky version of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive'. In addition to all this, w...
Sep 07, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 1
For our final Parky Profile of this summer mini-series, we're joined in the pub by broadcasting legend Dave Clark. From launching Sky Sports New to becoming one of the key faces in the success of darts, Dave has been an iconic of sports TV. When he was diagnosed with Parkinson's over a decade ago, it brought back memories of his own family, and the next years were defined by an attempt not just to overcome the tribulations of the illness but also to prevent history repeating itself. His journey ...
Jul 27, 2024•18 min
Our Parky Profile this week is a man who's been riding the Parkinson's wave far longer than any of the Movers and Shakers. Matt Eagles was diagnosed at the tender age of seven, and has had a full-life PD experience, from being a ropey designated driver to finding love on Facebook. Matt is an eternal – and determined – optimist, and his Parky journey is sure to inspire listeners as to what can be achieved with, because, or in spite of the condition. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-S...
Jul 20, 2024•26 min
Our guest in the latest of our Parky Profile series is Emma Lawton. Emma wears a lot of hats (and not to cover her pink hair!): graphic designer, blogger, stand-up comedian and parky! Having been diagnosed at the age of 29, Emma has spent the last decade coming to terms with her diagnoses and working out how to live a full life and check items off her f***-it list! Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mardell, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Jeremy Paxman. Prod...
Jul 13, 2024•28 min
For the next in our series of profiles of fascinating folk with Parkinson's, Paul introduces the gang to Kevin Cahill. For decades, Kevin was the Chief Executive of Comic Relief, a role that entitled him dubious honours, like employing Paul to write University Challenge sketches, and convincing Billy Connolly to run round Trafalgar Square in nothing but his God-given fatigues. Kevin joins the Movers and Shakers in the Notting Hill pub to discuss his life, career, and journey with Parkinson's. Pr...
Jul 06, 2024•25 min
In the pub this week, for the latest instalment of our Parky Profiles series, is none other than Paul Sinha: qualified doctor, award-winning comedian, professional Chaser. Paul's journey through Parkinson's hasn't been without its difficulties – to compound things, he had a heart attack at the Edinburgh festival – but over a Diet Coke in the Notting Hill pub, Paul shares his wit and wisdom on living, and thriving, with Parkinson's. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Mard...
Jun 29, 2024•27 min
On this bonus election episode of the podcast (don't worry, the politics is over and our Parky Profile series will resume on Saturday!) we're speaking to Victoria Atkins, the current Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. We discuss the impact that the Conservatives are having on the backlog in the health service, the future for neurological provision, and what she can – and can't – promise when it comes to the Parky Charter. Presented by Rory Cellan-Jones, Gillian Lacey-Solymar, Mark Ma...
Jun 26, 2024•25 min
In just a couple of weeks, Wes Streeting may find himself the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. If that wasn't a sufficiently daunting proposition, this week he finds himself at the Notting Hill pub surrounded by our group of militant Parkies! What does Streeting make of the Parky Charter? Will he promise an influx of new neurologists? And how will he prevent the NHS succumbing to sclerosis? On this special election edition of Movers and Shakers , the gang put the prospective Health...
Jun 22, 2024•41 min
