Brain Fever Podcast

JM Stebbins
  • 5.0 (21)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Brain Fever is hosted by autoimmune encephalitis survivor, Jackie M. Stebbins and is produced by her husband and former radio personality, Sean Arithson. Jackie was a nationally recognized trial lawyer until almost overnight, she couldn't read or tell the time, and had full body tremors and seizures. After a horror story illness and near-death experience, Jackie miraculously survived her "brain on fire" and began sharing her journey with others. Brain Fever is a testament to Jackie's resilience and the human spirit. She highlights not only her story, but the stories of others including cancer survivors, philosophers, lawyers, writers, and others affected by autoimmune encephalitis. She also focuses on mental health, hoping to bring to light the diagnoses so many face and to destigmatize it. (And she talks A LOT about Elton John!)Jackie is the author of "Unwillable: A Journey to Reclaim My Brain" and the JM Stebbins blog, a motivational speaker, and the host of the Brain Fever podcast.jmstebbins.comunwillable.com

  1. 12/31/2025

    Work-Life Balance: Truth or Myth

    Send us a text Calling all stressed out lawyers (dare I repeat myself) AND stressed out humans looking to find that inner feeling of balance. In this episode, Jackie is joined by Dr. Amy Wood, a clinical psychologist, executive coach, person who deals with stressed out lawyers extraordinaire, and author of "Lawyer Like an Athlete." While this show focuses a lot of energy on how quickly lawyers seem to expend the energy of their professional lives, any and everyone can benefit from Dr. Wood's generous knowledge and wisdom. Want to know more about mental health--listen to this show. Want to know about the true definition of burnout--listen to this show. Want helpful tips on how to reduce stress, find what nourishes and enriches your life, live better, and begin the daily striving for that inner balance--listen to this show. And to hear the one piece of concrete advice, for anyone looking for some self or professional improvement ... Dr. Wood's answer is: ___! You can do it. You can start small and see big benefits. But first, you'll have to--listen to this show! Spoiler alert: Jackie did next to nothing that Dr. Wood offers in her work to help lawyers. She also admits that if she could go back, she'd work with a counselor AND Dr. Wood. This really is life-changing material for practicing attorneys (and stressed out professionals). Learn more about Dr. Amy Wood HERE. Purchase her book, "Lawyer Like an Athlete," HERE. Happy Holidays & Happy New Year, Brain Fever friends!

    1h 12m

  2. 11/26/2025

    Promises Made, Promises Kept

    Send us a text In this episode, Jackie is joined by special guest and longtime friend, Jamie Selzler. Jamie is a brilliant businessman and political strategist. Through their work in politics, Jamie and Jackie met while Jackie was still in college at the University of North Dakota. Jamie is the kind of friend who finds out you have autoimmune encephalitis and walks a personal letter to Elton John's record label in London (true story). He's also tearing up the internet with his profoundly personal and courageous story about losing over 350lbs. Over the past few years, Jamie's been on a health journey to reclaim his life, health, wellness, and spirit. Jamie has taken his hard-won lessons, victories, and struggles and turned them into inspirational content to help better everyone's health and wellness. *His speaking and videos should come with a warning for tissues.* Jamie's story is perfect for Thanksgiving gratitude.  Listeners will be moved by Jamie's honesty, vulnerability, thankfulness, and wisdom. He's perfect for Brene Brown, but Jackie got to him first! This summer, Jamie catapulted into internet fame when he joined the Mind Pump podcast. You can listen/watch HERE. (And get those tissues out!) Follow Jamie's inspirational journey and helpful content on TikTok @jamselz Instagram @ jselzler Facebook @Jamie Selzler  And if you're really in the mood, ask him about Phil Collins!

    1h 40m

  3. 10/29/2025

    The Many Acts of Life

    Send us a text In this episode, Jackie is joined by David Gerken, a lobbyist turned writer turned "mindfulness guru" (Jackie's words). David, a California native, is a graduate of both Princeton and Georgetown. In his first act of life, he worked on the Hill and ran a lobbying firm in D.C. Called to a more creative life, he headed west to Hollywood and eventually landed the greatest job on earth (Jackie's words) as a writer for the Emmy Award winning "West Wing." David's now entered his third act by writing and sharing the beauty of mindfulness and meditation from California to the hinterlands (his words). David explains how his practical and consistent meditation practice helps manage the stress and chaos of everyday life. He also shares the science behind the practice and challenges Jackie to be less wired and anxiety stricken (her words). People in all walks of life will appreciate how developing their own meditation practice can help let go of their ego and lead a more calm, peaceful, and fulfilling life. David also takes a surprise expert question from former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan! Leading up to the show's taping, Jackie and David learned they had a wonderful friend in common. Sen. Dorgan asks about the effects of social media on mindfulness and David answers ... well ... you have to listen to hear. You can find David's work on his website at http://www.davidgerken.net/ and where Jackie found him, on Substack @davidgerken, where he's "Helping regular people use the basics of spirituality to do better in every facet of their lives in a fun, non-woo woo way (his words). Jackie is a bit woo woo, but she enjoyed this interview and loves David's writing!

    1h 36m

  4. 09/30/2025

    The Silence of the...

    Send us a text In this episode of Brain Fever, Jackie is joined by all-around badass, Jodene Weber, who is a former journalist, twenty-two-year veteran of the FBI, true crime sleuth and podcast host, and debut novelist. Jodene recounts her early days reading Nancy Drew (to Jackie's Hardy Boys), to her intense days joining and working for the FBI (Jackie's dream), to the terror of 9-11, and the terrifying health challenges she then battled from 9-11 toxin exposure. She also discusses why she chose to write a novel instead of a memoir, how she's built her online podcast and true crime community, and how it's felt to reclaim her health and wellness. For anyone who desires to turn their mess into a message, you don't want to miss this show! To learn more about Jodene: Shop her novel, "The Bald-Faced Deception," where you buy books (Bookshop.org, Amazon, Barnes & Noble). Follow her on Instagram @weberjodene. Subscribe to her podcast, "Caught in My Web," on Patreon.

    1h 15m

  5. 09/18/2025

    Get Back, Honky Cat

    Send us a text Annnnnnnnd ...we're back!  You asked - and we've answered! The Brain Feverpodcast has returned and sports a fabulous lineup! In this episode, Jackie (in solo mode, God help us) shares why she and Sean have been MIA, what she's been up to (Unwillable, speaking, her new WillableSubstack - pass it on!), why Elton's great, and some Easter Eggs about the upcoming guests! Send us your questions at: jms@jmstebbins.com Find and follow Jackie on Facebook at JM Stebbins, Instagram and Threads at jmstebbs84, LinkedIn at Jackie Stebbins, and TikTok at jmstebbs.

    33 min

  6. 09/22/2024

    Unicorn

    Send us a text To kick off another season of the Brain Fever podcast, Jackie welcomes special guest Jeremy Norton. Jeremy is the author of Trauma Sponges: Dispatches from the Scarred Heart of Emergency Response. Jeremy has an MA in creative writing, was a teacher, and has served over twenty years with the Minneapolis Fire Department where he is currently a captain. Jeremy was also the firefighter/EMT who first responded to aid George Floyd in May 2020. Join Jackie and Jeremy for a discussion about trauma, mental health, burnout, and a behind the scenes look at what it means to be a firefighter in a metropolitan area. The two also discuss thought provoking ideas from Jeremy's essays in Trauma Sponges, including issues such as race, class, healthcare, and emergency services in America. Jeremy also explains the story behind his Station's unicorn mascot (and Jackie pathetically begs for one of the Station's unicorn shirts ...). *This show is aimed at an adult audience and contains mature language.* Jeremy can be found doing right and being kind HERE You can find Trauma Sponges where you buy books HERE You can watch Jeremy's testimony in the Derek Chauvin trial HERE

    1h 28m

  7. 05/13/2024

    Life Lied

    Send us a text In this episode, Jackie hosts a dear old friend from law school, Amber Gustafson. Amber just happens to be a former lawyer turned judge, mother of three, Iraq veteran, and avid walker. She also happens to be a young widow. In 2021, on what started as a routine Tuesday morning for their family of five, Lieutenant Adam Gustafson suffered a massive heart attack and completed his end of watch. Amber and her children lost their husband, father, and the States of North Dakota and Minnesota lost a devoted veteran, patriot, and emergency services officer. Adam also left Amber a vast whiskey collection, which led her to begin "The Whiskey Widow," blog. You can now find Amber praying, walking, working, taxiing kiddos to all the sports, blogging, and guesting on a regional radio station. Amber and her family are also the founders of the Lieutenant Adam Gustafson Memorial Fund whose mission is to provide scholarships and other donations to law enforcement students and emergency services personnel. Join Jackie and Amber as they discuss how to move forward when it feels like life lied to you. You can find Amber's blog @ thewhiskeywidow.com ~ "Pour yourself a sip. Stay for the stories." You can also find Amber on Instagram @ thewhiskeywidow You can find and donate to Adam's Memorial Fund @ adamgustafsongive.com

    1h 19m

  8. 03/17/2024

    Nothing's Forever

    Send us a text Jackie has often heard of autoimmune encephalitis survivors unlocking hidden creativity after their diagnosis. And while she turned to writing in her days of survival and recovery, she still believes her creativity knows a lot of bounds. But what does it really mean to be a creative? What happens when you bring your creativity back "home?" What does it mean to sing your heart out through cancer in your airways? How can our creativity help us heal? In this episode, Jackie brings in a new friend, Jessie Veeder, a REAL cowgirl, author, and musician, to talk about her creative life, surviving cancer, walking among the wildflowers, and raising daughters. Jackie knew she was her kind of people when she met Jessie at a writer's panel last year, and Jessie doesn't disappoint in this conversation! Check out Jessie's work at https://jessieveedermusic.com/home

    58 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Brain Fever is hosted by autoimmune encephalitis survivor, Jackie M. Stebbins and is produced by her husband and former radio personality, Sean Arithson. Jackie was a nationally recognized trial lawyer until almost overnight, she couldn't read or tell the time, and had full body tremors and seizures. After a horror story illness and near-death experience, Jackie miraculously survived her "brain on fire" and began sharing her journey with others. Brain Fever is a testament to Jackie's resilience and the human spirit. She highlights not only her story, but the stories of others including cancer survivors, philosophers, lawyers, writers, and others affected by autoimmune encephalitis. She also focuses on mental health, hoping to bring to light the diagnoses so many face and to destigmatize it. (And she talks A LOT about Elton John!)Jackie is the author of "Unwillable: A Journey to Reclaim My Brain" and the JM Stebbins blog, a motivational speaker, and the host of the Brain Fever podcast.jmstebbins.comunwillable.com

Information

  • Creator
    JM Stebbins
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Brain Fever Podcast
  • Show Website
    Brain Fever Podcast