In this edition of The Encephalitis Podcast, Dr Ava Easton is joined by Dr Greta Wood for a discussion around seizures and encephalitis. In this wide-ranging conversation, they discuss an important new research paper before answering some questions around seizures and encephalitis. Greta is an Academic Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases at the University of Liverpool and has a wide range of research interests, including the socio-economic impact of infectious diseases and multi-morbidity. Sh...
Dec 12, 2022•25 min•Ep. 30
We are delighted to welcome back Professor Benedict Michael to The Encephalitis Podcast. Ben talks to host Dr Ava Easton about the COVID-19 Clinical Neuroscience Study – a £2.3 million research study looking in the acute neurological and neuropsychiatric complications of COVID-19. He also shares his thoughts on being a front-line medic during the pandemic, the NHS in general and the upcoming Encephalitis Conference. Ben is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Liverpool, a Medical Res...
Nov 21, 2022•37 min•Ep. 29
Suzie Miller - the author of Prima Facie - joins The Encephalitis Podcast to talk about her career, personal experiences of encephalitis which she contracted in her early 30s, becoming an Ambassador with the Encephalitis Podcast and much more. Born in Melbourne, Suzie is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter who has a background in law and science, working as a human rights lawyer and children's rights lawyer before leaving the law to pursue a theatre writing career full-time. Prima Facie...
Sep 26, 2022•38 min•Ep. 27
Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Abi Morgan joins Dr Ava Easton in this edition of the Encephalitis Podcast. Abi, who is perhaps best known for the films Suffragette, The Iron Lady and Shame, is now an author, having recently published, This is Not a Pity Memoir. The book tells the story of her husband when he develops Anti-NMDAR encephalitis, the impact his illness had on their family, and also Abi’s own illness. Ava said: “I devoured this book. It’s incredibly written, profoundly insi...
Aug 02, 2022•52 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast, Dr Ava Easton talks to Dr Gavin Francis, a GP and author, about his book, Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence. This is a fascinating interview about how - and why - we get better, revealing the many shapes recovery takes, its shifting history and the frequent failure of our modern lives to make adequate space for it. For more about Gavin, his work and books, visit http://www.gavinfrancis.com/ To order a copy of Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalesce...
Jun 09, 2022•44 min•Ep. 25
We decided to keep things in-house for this episode of The Encephalitis Podcast. Dr Ava Easton interviews Phillippa Chapman, Deputy CEO of the Encephalitis Society, for a cosy chat which covers her ten years with the Encephalitis Society, becoming a new mum during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what the future holds for us a charity. Sit back, pour yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy this cosy chat between Ava and Phillippa. If you have been affected by encephalitis and would like to become a member of...
May 20, 2022•36 min•Ep. 24
In this special World Encephalitis Day edition of The Encephalitis Podcast, Dr Ava Easton talks to Dr Julia Granerod about our ground-breaking new report which looks at the global impact of encephalitis and could change millions of lives for the better. The report - Encephalitis: an in-depth review and gap analysis of key variables affecting global disease burden - has identified a range of difficulties surrounding encephalitis around the world. Crucially, however, it proposes a range of solutio...
Feb 22, 2022•25 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of the Encephalitis Podcast, Dr Ava Easton is joined by author Sam Goodwin Sam is a self-published crime writer from Leeds whose debut novel, Murder at Macbeth, was published just over two years ago. She has also collaborated on a new non-fiction book with some of her fellow writers called Indie Writing Wisdom which offers advice and insights on writing and self-publishing. Indie Writing Wisdom is dedicated to her dad who sadly passed away as a result of encephalitis in 2017 with...
Dec 29, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this edition of the Encephalitis Podcast, Dr Ava Easton chats to Gagun Gahir, our Chair of Trustees, about why she became a Trustee, the difficulties that the Encephalitis Society faced during the pandemic, the new vision and mission of the Encephalitis Society and why they are so important to a charity such as ours. Finally, we put her on the spot with a few hard-hitting Christmas questions such as "what part of Christmas Dinner DOESN'T she like?" A great behind the scenes insight into the E...
Dec 20, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Juliana Ortiz, a volunteer with the Encephalitis Society, shares her experiences and advice for people who have been affected by encephalitis. Juliana, who is a Psychology and Neuroscience student at the University of Florida, was speaking during Encephalitis Information Week. To read more about Juliana's story, visit https://www.encephalitis.info/julianas-story For more information about Encephalitis Information Week, visit www.encephalitis.info/informationweek If you have been affected by ence...
Oct 21, 2021•11 min•Ep. 20
In this edition of the Encephalitis Podcast for Encephalitis Information Week, Dr Ava Easton talks to James Pratt about clinical negligence and why it can be important to changing policy and practice among healthcare organisations. James talks about falling ill with encephalitis and his experiences of pursuing a medical negligence case and his relationship with his solicitor. If you have a legal question around encephalitis, or want to download our Neuro-Legal handbook, visit https://www.encepha...
Oct 19, 2021•21 min•Ep. 19
Author Catherine Jessop joins Dr Ava Easton to talk about her brilliant new book Pulling Through: Help for Families Navigating Life-Changing Illness. On Boxing Day 2016, Catherine's husband, Alan, had his first devastating seizure as a result of encephalitis, thrusting the Jessop family into an unknown world. In her book, Catherine shares advice and inspiration on everything she has learned, with chapters clarifying medical terms and explaining tests and scans as well as explaining some of the f...
Aug 13, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Rebecca Adlington, the four-time Olympic medallist and Ambassador of the Encephalitis Society, joins Dr Ava Easton for our latest episode of the Encephalitis Podcast. Motherhood, Pandemics and the Olympics delves into Rebecca's outstanding swimming career, the new addition to her family and what life was like for her during the COVID-19 lockdowns. She also talks about the Tokyo Olympics and what Team GM swimmers we should be looking out for! If you have been affected by encephalitis and are in n...
Jul 22, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This edition of the Encephalitis Podcast looks at fatigue which is one of the more common outcomes for people who are recovering from encephalitis and other neurological illnesses or trauma which cause injury to the brain. Dr Ava Easton, our Chief Executive, talks to Donna Malley, an an Occupational Therapy Clinical Specialist at the Oliver Zangwill Centre. If you have been affected by encephalitis and are in need of some support, please visit https://www.encephalitis.info/support If you have be...
Jul 16, 2021•51 min•Ep. 16
Dr Ava Easton talks to Professor Jon Stone and Dr Tim Nicholson about Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Professor Stone is Professor of Neurology at the University of Edinburgh, and Dr Nicholson, is Honorary Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), Kings College London. We cover everything from presentations of FND, encephalitis and FND, advice for someone who believes they have the condition, advice for medical professionals, and over...
Jun 25, 2021•41 min•Ep. 15
In this edition of the Encephalitis Podcast, Dr Ava Easton is joined by director and cinematographer Mike Day. In 2011, as he was finishing his first film, The Guga Hunters of Ness, Mike became ill with encephalitis. He lost the ability to walk and was even told that he would not be able to work again. However, during his recovery, Mike threw himself into his next film, The Islands and the Whales, a true labour of love which was filmed over five years in the Faroe Islands. This is a great interv...
Jun 18, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Our latest podcast - Lockdowns, Art, Cooking and Sin! - features our amazing Ambassador Mathew Bose. Mathew is an actor, an artist, nutritionist, life coach and an excellent cook! He has also been an Ambassador with the Encephalitis Society for around 14 years – his arrival and support was one of the catalysts for us really beginning to kick on as a global organisation. As always, our podcast is hosted by Dr Ava Easton, our Chief Executive. We enjoyed this podcast - and we hope you do too!...
May 21, 2021•43 min•Ep. 13
In this edition of the Encephalitis Podcast, Dr Ava Easton is joined by director John Hay and producer Donall McCusker whose latest production is the new Sky Original film, To Olivia, starring Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes. Synopsis: It’s 1962 and burgeoning children's author Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal, a glamourous Hollywood movie star, have retreated to the English countryside to bring up their expanding young family. Tragically, their lives are turned upside down by the devastating death...
Feb 17, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Professor Tom Solomon and Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of the Encephalitis Society, answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccinations and encephalitis. Professor Solomon is Chair of Neurology and Director of the National Institute for Health Research's Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections. Recorded 28th January, 2021. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and encephalitis, please visit https://www.encephalitis.info/covid-19-vaccination-statement...
Jan 29, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Title: Living and working in India during COVID-19 and the impact of the pandemic on black and ethnic minority communities. In our latest podcast, Dr Ava Easton chats to Dr Bhagteshwar Singh , Clinical Research Fellow, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool.
Nov 26, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Dr Jake Suett , an intensive care doctor, became ill with symptoms of COVID-19 early on in the pandemic. He talks to Dr Ava Easton about his illness and the lasting effects of the infection that he is experiencing today, a term which has become known as 'Long Covid'.
Aug 17, 2020•41 min•Ep. 9
Dr Ava Easton speaks to Anne Cassidy , a partner at Moore Barlow LLP , about her career as a medical doctor and lawyer, and the law and its role for encephalitis patients and how it operates in a pandemic world.
Aug 07, 2020•51 min•Ep. 8
The shoe is on the other foot for Dr Ava Easton - the CEO of the Encephalitis Society - in this edition of our podcast. Our Ambassador Simon Hattenstone quizzes her on life before the charity, her career and also asks her some Desert Island Discs-style questions.
Aug 03, 2020•57 min•Ep. 7
Dr Nicholas Davies , consultant neurologist and Chair of the Encephalitis Society's Scientific Advisory Panel, talks to Dr Ava Easton about his day-to-day life during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aug 03, 2020•32 min•Ep. 6
Dr Ava Easton speaks to Professor Peter Hotez about Covid-19 and the search for a vaccine. Professor Peter Hotez is Dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine and a Professor at the Departments of Paediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, which have been at the forefront of both research and treatment of the Covid-19 infection....
Jul 29, 2020•30 min•Ep. 5
Dr Ava Easton speaks to psychologists Dr Bonnie-Kate Dewar and Dr Jessica Fish about mental health and well being following the Covid19 outbreak. (Recorded on April 28).
Jul 29, 2020•56 min•Ep. 4
Neurologist Dr Benedict Michael talks to Dr Ava Easton about the newly created National Surveillance Programme on Neurological Complications of COVID19, CoroNerve.
Jul 28, 2020•22 min•Ep. 3
A podcast looking at the potential neurological impact of Covid-19 with experts Dr Ava Easton and neurologist Dr Mark Ellul . This podcast was recorded on April 14, 2020.
Jul 27, 2020•27 min•Ep. 2
Professor Tom Solomon, Dr Lance Turtle and Dr Ava Easton answer your questions about Covid-19 and encephalitis. Recorded: March 20, 2020.
Jul 22, 2020•36 min•Ep. 1
