Nov. 27, 2021

Ep 2.2 - Coaches & Athletes; Together Against Concussions with Volleyball Coach, Kristine Drakich

Ep 2.2  - Coaches & Athletes; Together Against Concussions with Volleyball Coach, Kristine Drakich

On this month’s episode of Brainiac we are joined by Kristine Drakich, Head Coach of the U of T Women’s Volleyball Team. Coach Drakich provides a unique perspective on the role that coaches play in fostering a team culture that prioritizes concussion awareness and encourages the reporting of injury. Stefan…

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Nov. 21, 2021

Episode 106 - Surfing & Brain Injury/PCS with Bjorn Hazelquist (Strength in Pain Foundation)

Episode 106  - Surfing & Brain Injury/PCS with Bjorn Hazelquist (Strength in Pain Foundation)

Surfing is a sport that lends itself quite obviously to spills and if you watch any amount of it, it's fairly easy to see why surfers are no strangers to dangerous situations! Bjorn Hazelquist is a surfer on the pro qualification circuit, and has started the Strength in Pain Foundation…

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Nov. 14, 2021

Episode 105 - Resilience, Readiness, Recovery; with Sun Sachs )CEO & Co-Founder of Rewire Fitness)

Episode 105 - Resilience, Readiness, Recovery; with Sun Sachs )CEO & Co-Founder of Rewire Fitness)

The Rewire Fitness app is geared towards athletes, but after learning more about it, and after talking to Sun Sachs, I can see an obvious correlation to brain injury/concussion recovery. The app is "designed to holistically quantify athlete readiness, build mental resilience, and improve mind/body recovery." I talk to Sun…

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Nov. 11, 2021

Keep Your Head Up - Free Virtual Mindfulness and Movement Programs

Keep Your Head Up -  Free Virtual Mindfulness and Movement Programs

Are you a Canadian resident impacted by traumatic brain injury, including concussion? The Keep Your Head Up Foundation is launching free virtual mindfulness and movement programs beginning in January 2022! Registration is limited and opens on Friday November 12th, 2021. Listen to this podcast to hear from co-founders Felicia and…

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Nov. 7, 2021

Episode 104 - Brain Injury Research; PCS, CTE, sport & Australia (Associate Prof Alan Pearce)

Episode 104  - Brain Injury Research; PCS, CTE, sport & Australia (Associate Prof Alan Pearce)

Associate Professor Alan Pearce of La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, Neuro Sports Labs, and the Australian Sports Brain Bank is a trove of knowledge and current information about brain injury, including concussion, CTE, persistent concussion symptoms (PCS), especially regarding Australian sports. We discuss all of that and more, including,…

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Oct. 25, 2021

BRAINIAC - Episode 2.1 Occupational Therapy, rehabilitation and recovery with Dr Anne Hunt

BRAINIAC - Episode 2.1   Occupational Therapy, rehabilitation and recovery with Dr  Anne Hunt

On this month’s episode of Brainiac, Dr. Hunt joins us to discuss the important role that occupational therapists play in concussion rehabilitation. Stefan and Dr. Hunt also touch on the impact that COVID-19 has had on concussion patients and the recovery process, ending with a discussion about concussion in youth…

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Oct. 25, 2021

Episode 103 Concussion Corner Academy Dr Jessica Schwartz (DPT, CSCS)

Episode 103   Concussion Corner Academy Dr  Jessica Schwartz (DPT, CSCS)

Jessica Schwartz PT, DPT, CSCS is an award winning Physical Therapist, a national spokeswoman for the American Physical Therapy Association, host of the Concussion Corner Podcast, founder of the Concussion Corner Academy®, and a post-concussion syndrome survivor, advocate and concussion educator. Jess has twice previously been a guest on Concussion…

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Oct. 18, 2021

Episode 102 First Mobile, Rapid Test for Concussion (Scott Anderson, CCO, SyncThink)

Episode 102   First Mobile, Rapid Test for Concussion (Scott Anderson, CCO, SyncThink)

Scott Anderson was on episode 45 introducing many listeners to SyncThink - where he is the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) - and describing their EYE-SYNC technology. Per the new release, "the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance of the EYE-SYNC technology as an Aid to Concussion, or…

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Oct. 10, 2021

Episode 101 The Brain on Youth Sports (concussions & CTE with Dr Julie Stamm)

Episode 101   The Brain on Youth Sports (concussions & CTE with Dr  Julie Stamm)

For the 101st episode of Concussion Talk Podcast my guest is Dr. Julie Stamm. Julie is a clinical assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Wisonsin, a neuroscientist, an athletic trainer, and the author of "The Brain on Youth Sports". She is also an avid fan (University of Wisconsin…

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Sept. 27, 2021

Episode 100 Why Concussion Talk?

Episode 100   Why Concussion Talk?

Thank you so much everyone! I hope this podcast has been useful, helpful, informative. One hundred episodes! This one is perhaps a little self-indulgent, but Lauren Ziaks and I talk to my three friends (make that two) who were on the bike ride with me on August 1, 2003 when…

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Sept. 19, 2021

Episode 99 The "Exit Interview" with Erin, former Coordinator of Programs & Services at NLBIA

Episode 99   The "Exit Interview" with Erin, former Coordinator of Programs & Services at NLBIA

On episode 99 I talk to former co-host of this podcast (introduced in episode 73) and former Coordinator of Programs & Services at the Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA). Last week, on episode 98, I talked to Cassandra Stockley about her new role and this week I talk…

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Sept. 13, 2021

Episode 98 Introducing the New NLBIA Coordinator of Programs & Services, Cassandra Stockley

Episode 98   Introducing the New NLBIA Coordinator of Programs & Services, Cassandra Stockley

The Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA) has a new Coordinator of Programs & Services. On episode 98, I talk to Cassandra Stockley about her new role and what she has planned for the NLBIA. Please join me in welcoming Cassandra!

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Aug. 22, 2021

Episode 97 Health:Med Tech & Concussion with Dr Ashleigh Kennedy, CEO & Co Founder of Neurovine

Episode 97   Health:Med Tech & Concussion with Dr  Ashleigh Kennedy, CEO & Co Founder of Neurovine

Care for concussion patients in hospitals and clinics has improved dramatically with the intervention of the many different health/medical technologies available to doctors, researchers, physiotherapists and any practitioner. The importance of technology to the advancement of medical science and practice cannot be over-stated. In this episode, I am joined by…

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Aug. 16, 2021

Episode 96 Vision Development with Dr Sarah Hutchens and Vision Therapist Kara Osmond

Episode 96   Vision Development with Dr  Sarah Hutchens and Vision Therapist Kara Osmond

Changes to vision are some of the most noticeable effects of a brain injury/concussion. Perhaps ironically, I almost fail to notice my own double vision, yet it undoubtedly has a profound effect on my daily life, from balance to reading and much more. Luckily for me, Dr. Sarah Hutchens and…

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July 25, 2021

Episode 95 - The Concussion Calculator (Laura Langer of KITE:Toronto Rehab Institute)

Episode 95  - The Concussion Calculator (Laura Langer of KITE:Toronto Rehab Institute)

Laura Langer is a lead author of the KITE Research Institute study that developed the Concussion Calculator. KITE (Knowledge Innovation Talent Everywhere) is the research arm of Toronto Rehab Institute of UHN (University Health Network). Laura talks about the Calculator, who it's for, how it is meant to be used,…

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July 11, 2021

Episode 34 From suffering to happiness with Elisa

Episode 34   From suffering to happiness with Elisa

Elisa has been living with PCS for the past 5 years due to a wrong-place-wrong-time accident with a tennis ball. During the pandemic, she started blogging in the hopes of encouraging and educating others with her story. Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion…

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June 28, 2021

Episode 94 - USA Cheer; Talking Concussions, Cheer, STUNT and more with Laurie Harris & Jim Lord

Episode 94 - USA Cheer; Talking Concussions, Cheer, STUNT and more with Laurie Harris & Jim Lord

If you haven't seen cheer, go to YouTube. It's incredible! Athleticism, skill and, perhaps most importantly, trust in teammates are vital. USA Cheer develops interest and grows participation of the sport of cheer - and also STUNT - while also promoting safety and safety education for cheer in the United…

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June 27, 2021

Concussion Chats Episode 33 From Athlete to Military; Concussions and Empathy (Blair H.)

Concussion Chats   Episode 33   From Athlete to Military; Concussions and Empathy (Blair H.)

Blair H spent 9+ years in the Canadian Forces and was medically released due to the compounded effects of concussions throughout his life. He finished a degree in Human Kinetics this month and will be starting a masters of Physical Therapy this upcoming fall. Blair was previously on Concussion Talk…

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June 20, 2021

Ep 93 Neuro Rehab, Innovation & Technology with DPT Jenna Tosto Mancuso (Mount Sinai Hospital)

Ep 93   Neuro Rehab, Innovation & Technology with DPT Jenna Tosto Mancuso (Mount Sinai Hospital)

Jenna is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, specifically in the Abilities Research Center. We talk about new tech and innovation in rehab, notably neuro rehab, and how it is used by DPTs, physiotherapists, researchers and others to help patients in their…

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June 20, 2021

Concussion Chats Episode 32 Different experiences, sharing, peer support with Chinna

Concussion Chats   Episode 32   Different experiences, sharing, peer support with Chinna

Chinna is a school psychologist in Los Angeles, California. Since recovering from a subdural hematoma in 2019, he began competing on American Ninja Warrior with the intention of sharing hope for other survivors’ recoveries. Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with…

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June 14, 2021

Episode 92 Concussion, PCS and Identical Twins Ashley & Amy

Episode 92   Concussion, PCS and Identical Twins Ashley & Amy

As Ashley discusses in this episode and as she discussed in Episode 22 of Concussion Chats, a Monday night game of dodge ball resulted in a concussion that has transformed the way she interacts with the world. It also affects how her identical twin sister Amy and she interact. Erin…

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June 13, 2021

Episode 31 – Travel, concussion & gut health with longtime group member Gui

Episode 31 – Travel, concussion & gut health with longtime group member Gui

Gui is a civil engineer who has been dealing with PCS for 6.5 years and has suffered 10 concussions. He is working now as an autonomous worker part-time and enjoys various outdoor activities and sports, playing piano, reading and travelling. Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students…

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June 7, 2021

Episode 91 - Rethink Speech Therapy with Kara Focht

Episode 91 - Rethink Speech Therapy with Kara Focht

Seriously though, rethink it! After any brain injury, mild or severe, your speech may be effected , so you therefore may need to see a speech therapist, or speech language pathologist (SLP) . However, as Kara Focht discusses in this podcast, speech is just one of the many areas where…

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June 6, 2021

Concussion Chats - Episode 30 - Riding the waves of concussion; symptoms and treatment, with Ashley

Concussion Chats - Episode 30 - Riding the waves of concussion; symptoms and treatment, with Ashley

Here are a few words from Ashley: In April of 2018, I was on vacation in Mexico for a girls/surfing trip. On the second wave of my second day I bailed when my board struck me in the head underwater. I didn’t know what happened at the time, I just…

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