April 9, 2024

Ep 165 - How We Got Concussions So Wrong with Isobel Whitcomb

Isobel Whitcomb is a trail runner, a writer and a science journalist who, what's most relevant to this podcast, wrote an excellent article about their experience going through their own concussion and recovery, "How We Got Concussions So Wrong" for @slate . We talk about what they've learned, what people…

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Oct. 23, 2023

Ep 164 - Brain Injury doesn't mean stopping, with Paul Moores

I misspoke in the intro, it's episode 164, not 165. From player to coach, coach to triathlete, triathlete to coach, Paul Moores wasn't daunted by life events. He lived them and went to what he loves doing; coaching and helping others. Paul talks about his spectacular bike crash during an…

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Aug. 27, 2023

Ep 163 - Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado with Zach Hudson

Episode 163 is with the Zach Hudson, the Program Manager of the Peer Mentorship Program at Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado (BIAC) @BIAColorado . A focused, inclusive and encompassing organization, BIAC provides many different levels of support to brain injury survivors. This includes plenty of educational material for kids, adults,…

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Aug. 6, 2023

Ep 162 - Victoria Brain Injury Society (VBIS) - the scene of my brain injury - with Pam Prewett

I've taken some time off from podcasting this summer, but as the 20th anniversary of my brain injury approached I found myself wanting to do another episode! Hence episode 162 with Pam Prewett and the Victoria Brain Injury Society (VBIS), Victoria, B.C., Canada. It is where I was doing my…

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July 3, 2023

Ep 161 - More About Dysautonimia - new research by Jenna Tucker & Lauren Ziaks with Lauren

Dysautonomia is a blanket term describing a disorder of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). As such, it covers a lot of important issues from mild to severe. Often the signs and symptoms of dysautonomia manifest following a concussion. Luckily, DPT Lauren Ziaks is always here (well, not HERE, here. 5,685km…

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June 25, 2023

Ep 160 - IPV, RNC & TBI with Cst. James Cadigan with Cassandra & Miriam (NLBIA)

For the final episode of Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada, Cassandra and Miriam of the NLBIA (Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association) talk to Cst. James Cadigan of the RNC (Royal Newfoundland Constabulary) about IPV (Intimate Partner Violence), one of the most pervasive causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).…

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June 18, 2023

Ep 159 - Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA) with Cassandra & Miriam

We meet our hosts! Miriam and Cassandra talk about what got them interested in brain injury, including the educational @memorialuniversity @mohawkcollege and personal aspects. They also talk about the great work the NLBIA is doing to positively affect the lives of people with brain injury, and their family and friends,…

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June 11, 2023

Ep 158 - Concussion Awareness & Education (Ashley Hiscock) with Cassandra and Miriam (NLBIA)

Ashley has been a guest several times on the podcast. The first time it was because I was interested in concussions in cheer (Ashley was the coach of MUN Cheer for several years). Since then, her already impressive understanding of concussion has only grown! Her knowledge of concussion through the…

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June 4, 2023

Ep 157 - Discussion 3 (Awareness, Acronyms, NLBIA): EN, JS, KS & me, with Cassandra & Miriam (NLBIA)

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada, so Cassandra, Coordinator of Programs and Services and Miriam, Summer Student, at the Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA) are hosting the podcast this month! For this episode, Erica, Jennifer (from episodes 143 and 148), Kerilee (another NLBIA board member) and…

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May 28, 2023

Ep 156 - Encephalitis, Brain Injury Support, Growth with Georgia Banjo

Geprgia Banjo is currently a correspondent for @TheEconomist and you can read her cover story about Britain's NHS (National Health Service) through the link on my website. Long before joining The Economist she was dealt a serious, perspective changing health event herself, encephalitis. She was only 16 at the time…

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May 7, 2023

Ep 155 - Vistendo (Concussion recognition, youth athletes & diagnosis) with Isabel Gutierrez

Isabel is an athlete, a sister, an entrepreneur and an engineer. With all of theses components, and along with a good advisory team, Isabel and Vistendo are working to provide a highly effective, hospital-approved mobile concussion diagnosis device! We talk about the story behind Vistendo and how she went from…

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April 30, 2023

Ep 154 - Concussion, Physiotherapy, Rugby and Mental Health with Cillian Harnett

Concussion can happen to anybody. Competitiveness and enjoyment of sports can mean the same thing; taking to sports with gusto! It can also mean increasing the risk of injury. As a physiotherapist Cillian was aware of concussions and the general, albeit vague, protocols one is recommended to follow, but when…

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April 23, 2023

Ep 153 - The Importance of Community in Rehabilitation & Recovery with Jim Scott

Jim Scott tells his story about how he was severely brain injured in 2006 in his book "More Than a Speed Bump". I first heard Jim on Dr. Jen Blanchette's podcast, The TBI Therapist. On this podcast he talks about his rehab and recovery in Boston, his incredibly supportive family…

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April 15, 2023

Ep 152 - Neuro Defence; Brain Injury, Karate, Recovery & Rehab with Jim Flood & Victoria Jackman

Jim Flood had a severe brain injury in 2005. Victoria Jackman is rehabilitating from brain surgery in January 2023. Together the two have started teaching neuro-divergent children Jim's neuro-defence program, helping to coordinate the brain, mind and body. We talk about brain injury, rehabilitation, exercise, the mind-brain-body connection and more!…

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April 13, 2023

Brainiac 3.8 - Brain Injury & Delayed Diagnosis (Amanda Burrill, part 2) with Melissa Biscardi

Welcome to another fun episode of the Brainiac podcast (episode 8, season 3 woot!) hosted by Melissa Biscardi @concussionrehab in affiliation with University of Toronto, Concussion Legacy Foundation @concussionlegacyfoundation9708 Today we have Part 2 with our friend, concussion advocate, veteran and so much more- Amanda Burrill. In this episode Amanda…

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April 9, 2023

Ep 151 - TBI and IPV with Dr. Eve Valera

Dr. Valera is an Associate Professor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School@harvardmedicalschool Director of Valera Lab, Psychiatric Neuroscience Division, and Research Scientist, Massachusetts General Hospital. We discuss her focus on Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) resulting from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). This is an area of TBI that has been under-studied,…

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April 3, 2023

Ep 150 - Paediatric Sport-Related Concussion

My good friend Goulet was my first ever guest on Concussion Talk Podcast way back in episode 2! Dr. Kristian Goulet, of the University of Ottawa and ActiveCare Medical Group, joins me 148 episodes later to talk about his paediatric practice in Ottawa where he specializes in paediatric sports medicine…

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March 28, 2023

Ep 149 - The Q-Collar & "When Heads Come Together"

Dr. David Smith is the inventor of the Q-Collar and the author of the recently published "When Heads Come Together", which describes how the nature has addressed the issue of brain trauma in woodpeckers and rams and how that is applicable to humans. Dr. Smith talks about the biomechanics, biology,…

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March 27, 2023

Brainiac 3.7 - Brain Injury & Delayed Diagnosis (Amanda Burrill) with Melissa Biscardi

Welcome to the Brainiac podcast! In this episode Brainiac host Melissa Biscardi @concussionrehab speaks with Amanda Burrill, a TBI advocate, veteran, chef, adventurist and more. Amanda shares her story, how she became a rescue swimmer, her journey to learning she has a TBI (or a few) and the health providers…

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March 22, 2023

Brainiac 3.6 - Cranial Therapy, Osteopathy & Concussion (Sara Pukal) with Melissa Biscardi

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Brainiac podcast with host Melissa Biscardi and fantastic guest Sara Pukal. Melissa and Sara have known each other for years, from studying together, working together and now teaching together they are a fun and dynamic duo. In this episode they talk about the benefits…

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March 19, 2023

Ep 148 - Discussion 2 - Wisdom, Acceptance, Mental Health and more with Erica, Jen and me

Erica, Jennifer and I discuss our brain injuries again! We talk about the life experience of a brain injury, acceptance, opportunity cost, mental health and more! Have a listen and check out the video on Concussion Talk Podcasts's YouTube channel!

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March 17, 2023

Brainiac 3 5 - Holistic Approach & Manual Therapy for Concussions with Melissa Biscardi

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Brainiac podcast with host Melissa Biscardi. This solo episode is a short and sweet dive into thinking about manual therapy to the head and face as part of concussion recovery. Melissa talks about the importance of a holistic approach that includes manual therapy to…

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March 5, 2023

Ep 147 - Brain Injury Advocacy, Time & Information with Amanda Burrill

Amanda Burrill @amandaburrill3768 is a U.S. Navy @USNavy Veteran, a chef, a journalist, a triathlete, a mountaineer and more, but most importantly, Amanda is a brain injury advocate! First brain injured in 2003 after a fall aboard a ship, but not diagnosed, Amanda went on with her adventurous and challenging…

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Feb. 26, 2023

Episode 146 - CLFC Dalhousie & Untangled Podcast with Mack Hancock

Mack Hancock (and his group of engaged CLFC - Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada @concussionlegacyfoundation9708 @DalhousieU students) talks to youth, in and around Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, about concussions. His podcast, The Untangled Podcast @untangled.podcast is also all about concussions and is available wherever you are! We talk hockey, baseline testing…

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