The HeadRush Podcast with Paul Frase and Corey Berry

RNCN

5.0 (3)
Health & Fitness
Updated Biweekly

The HeadRush Podcast with Paul Frase and Corey Berry takes you inside the reality of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) through the lens of football and rodeo. With firsthand experience in two of the most punishing sports, Paul and Corey share their stories, the lasting effects of head trauma, and the fight for awareness and support.

3d ago

Pete Kennedy: The Brain Donation That Changed Everything

A year after rodeo legend Pete Kennedy's death, his family finally received answers. His brain was donated to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, where scientists searched for evidence of CTE and the lasting effects of repeated head impacts. What they discovered brought validation, new questions, and a deeper understanding of the invisible struggles Pete faced. When rodeo cowboy Pete Kennedy tragically lost his life, his family was left searching for answers. In this powerful follow-up episode, Pete's son KC Kennedy returns to The HeadRush Podcast alongside neuropathologist Dr. Julia Kofler from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Pathology—the physician who personally examined Pete's brain after it was donated for research. Together, they walk through the brain donation process, the autopsy findings, what researchers discovered, and the difficult reality that science is still uncovering the full impact of repeated head trauma. This conversation explores CTE, traumatic brain injury, mental health, grief, brain donation, and the urgent need for continued research. It also highlights the courage of families who choose to turn tragedy into knowledge that may help future generations of athletes, veterans, and anyone exposed to repeated head impacts. Whether you're a parent, athlete, coach, veteran, medical professional, or someone seeking answers about brain health, this episode is an important reminder that awareness, research, and hope continue to move us forward. Topics Covered:• Pete Kennedy's brain donation• CTE research and diagnosis• Repeated head impacts in rodeo• Mental health and brain trauma• Brain banking and autopsy science• The role of families in advancing research• Hope for future generations Supported by:Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | MC Wellness If these conversations matter to you, please support The HeadRush Foundation and help us continue raising awareness, education, and hope for those affected by brain trauma.

1h 10m
Jun 1

The Cowboy We Lost: Brain Trauma, Suicide & the Truth About CTE

A champion rodeo cowboy. A loving father. A man of faith.Then the memory loss, rage, depression, confusion, and suicidal thoughts began to take over. In one of the most emotional episodes of The HeadRush Podcast, the family of rodeo athlete Pete Kennedy shares the heartbreaking reality of repetitive head trauma, suspected CTE/TES, and the devastating impact brain injuries can have long after the arena lights go dark. This isn’t just about sports anymore. It’s about survival. What happens when repeated head trauma changes the person you love? In this deeply emotional episode of The HeadRush Podcast, former NFL player Paul Frase and former professional rodeo athlete Corey Berry sit down with the family of rodeo cowboy Pete Kennedy to discuss the devastating realities of brain trauma, suspected CTE, Clinically Diagnosed TES, depression, memory loss, addiction, rage, and suicide. Pete’s son KC and fiancée Kelly openly share the warning signs they witnessed, the personality changes that emerged over time, and the emotional aftermath of losing someone they loved to suicide after years of repetitive head impacts and concussions in rodeo. The conversation also dives into: CTE and TES symptomsBrain trauma in rodeo athletesSuicide ideation and neurological damageAddiction and dopamine dysregulationMemory loss, emotional instability, and rageFaith, recovery, and finding hopeWhy awareness and early intervention matterThis episode is raw, painful, educational, and necessary. If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of brain trauma, depression, or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. You are not alone. Supported by: Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Paradise Behavioral Health | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | MC Wellness | Ambio Life Sciences 🎧 Learn more about The HeadRush Foundation and support brain trauma awareness.📲 Follow The HeadRush Podcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn.

1h 11m
May 25

Dr. Daniel Amen: Why Brain Trauma Isn’t Mental Illness (And How to Fix It)

What if depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts aren’t “mental health issues”…—but signs of a damaged brain that can actually heal?This might be one of the most important conversations we’ve had. In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, we sit down with world-renowned psychiatrist and brain health pioneer Dr. Daniel Amen—a physician who has analyzed over 300,000 brain scans across 155 countries. His message flips everything you’ve been told: 👉 Mental illness isn’t a “mind problem”… it’s a brain problem👉 CTE is not always a death sentence👉 And if your brain is damaged… you can make it better We go deep into: The real impact of repeated head trauma (NFL, rodeo, military)Why helmets don’t prevent brain damageHow SPECT scans reveal hidden brain injuriesThe link between brain damage and depression, anger, and memory loss Why the “CTE is untreatable” narrative is dangerously incomplete Practical ways to start healing your brain todayDr. Amen also breaks down: Neuroinflammation and brain recoverySupplements, therapies, and lifestyle changes that actually workThe role of faith, purpose, and mindset in healingWhy you should never believe every thought you thinkAnd one of the biggest takeaways: “You are not stuck with the brain you have—you can make it better.” If you or someone you love is struggling with:TBI, CTE, PTSD, depression, anxiety, or brain fog…this episode could change how you see everything.

1h 21m
May 18

If Only We Knew: The Hidden Signs of CTE & Brain Trauma Too Late

What if the signs were there… and everyone missed them? In this powerful episode, families who lost loved ones to brain trauma share the moments they now recognize as early warnings—and why awareness alone isn’t enough. This episode of The HeadRush Podcast comes from the M. Parkman Foundation Summit on Repeated Head Impacts—where conversations go beyond headlines and into real-life consequences. Featuring Karen and Doug Zagel of the Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation and Max Gray of CTE News, this discussion pulls back the curtain on what brain trauma actually looks like before it’s too late. Not just in professional athletes—but in high school players, college athletes, and everyday lives. You’ll hear: The early behavioral changes families dismissed as “normal”How repeated head impacts can lead to mental health decline and suicideWhy “there is no safe age” when it comes to brain traumaThe dangerous gap between diagnosis and directionWhat parents, athletes, and coaches need to start recognizing nowThis isn’t just about CTE. It’s about awareness, missed signs, and the cost of not knowing. If you’re a parent, athlete, veteran, or someone searching for answers—this episode matters. If you believe in helping people find hope through education, treatment access, and brain health advocacy, support The HeadRush Foundation. Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/SSTCMZF9E4Y2C Supported by:Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | MC Wellness

1h 5m
May 11

What If It’s Not PTSD? The Science Behind Brain Inflammation & Healing

What if depression, PTSD, and brain fog aren’t psychological… but biological—and measurable? For decades, brain trauma has been misunderstood. Veterans, athletes, and everyday people have been told their symptoms—depression, anxiety, brain fog—are psychological… or worse, dismissed entirely. But what if the real issue is neuroinflammation—and we’ve just never had the tools to measure it? In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, Mark Gordon and Jeremy Bowlingjoin Paul and Corey to break down:-The biological root of brain trauma and why it’s often missed-How new biomarker testing is changing diagnosis and treatment-Why traditional approaches focus on symptoms—not causes-The connection between inflammation, mental health, and recovery-Real stories of veterans finally finding answers after years of struggle This isn’t just a conversation about trauma—it’s about hope, healing, and redefining how we treat the brain. If you’ve ever felt like something was off—but couldn’t prove it—this episode is for you.

1h 26m
May 4

Who’s Fighting for Brain Trauma? The Foundations Bringing Hope for CTE, TBI & TES

CTE, TBI, TES, repeated head impacts, and blast exposure aren’t just sports problems—they’re life problems. In this episode, Paul Frase and Corey Berry break down the foundations leading the fight for awareness, treatment, and real hope. Brain trauma doesn’t end when the game is over. In this powerful episode of The HeadRush Podcast, former NFL player Paul Frase and former professional rodeo athlete Corey Berry shine a light on the foundations and organizations working every day to help people affected by CTE, TES (Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), RHI (Repeated Head Impacts), and repeated blast exposure. They discuss the missions and impact of organizations like the Mac Parkman Foundation, Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation, Concussion and CTE Foundation, Marshalling CTE, RL3 Foundation, Cowboys Helping Cowboys, and the growing mission of the HeadRush Foundation. From youth athletes and veterans to former pros and families navigating the devastating effects of neurological injury, this episode is about education, prevention, advocacy, and action. They also discuss:• why repeated head impacts matter long before the professional level• how families are driving national legislation and awareness• tools like red light therapy, neurofeedback, and precision psychiatry• why finding the right neurologist can change everything• the long-term vision behind the HeadRush Foundation’s neurological retreat center This isn’t just about concussions.It’s about saving lives. How to cope. How to find hope. Please like, subscribe, and share to help raise awareness and support the mission. Supported by: Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | MC Wellness – Cristal Clark | Ambio Life Sciences Donate to the HeadRush Foundation:https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/SSTCMZF9E4Y2C

1h 13m
Apr 27

Trevor Millar on Ibogaine, TBI Recovery & the Future of Brain Healing | The HeadRush Podcast

What if the symptoms you’ve been told to “just live with” — brain fog, PTSD, depression, addiction, and repeated head trauma — could actually be reversed? Can ibogaine help heal traumatic brain injury, PTSD, addiction, and even symptoms linked to CTE? In this powerful episode of The HeadRush Podcast, Paul Frase and Corey Berry sit down with Trevor Millar, co-founder of Ambio Life Sciences, to break down one of the most controversial and promising conversations in modern brain health: ibogaine therapy. Trevor shares how Ambio Life Sciences is helping veterans, former NFL players, special forces operators, and trauma survivors address traumatic brain injuries, repeated head impacts, neuroinflammation, addiction recovery, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and neurological dysfunction through plant-derived medicine and intensive therapeutic protocols. They dive deep into the Stanford-backed ibogaine study involving special forces veterans with diagnosed TBI, where post-treatment fMRI scans showed significant improvements in blood flow and major reductions in PTSD, depression, anxiety, and disability scores. Trevor also shares real-world stories from Navy SEALs, former professional athletes, and severe TBI patients whose lives dramatically changed after treatment. The conversation also explores how ibogaine differs from psilocybin, ayahuasca, and other psychedelic therapies, why states like Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and New Hampshire are pushing legislation forward, and why many believe ibogaine could become one of the most important breakthroughs in brain trauma recovery. If you’ve been told “it’s all in your head,” this episode may change everything. Because at The HeadRush Podcast, the mission remains the same:How to cope and find hope. Supported by: Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | McWellness – Cristal Clark | Ambio Life Sciences Support and Donate to the Headrush Foundation here:https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/SSTCMZF9E4Y2C DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute the practice of medicine. The use of this information and the materials linked to this podcast is at the users' own risk. The content on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard and delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they have, and they should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

1h 9m
Apr 20

Trump’s Psychedelic Executive Order: Breakthrough for Brain Trauma or Dangerous Gamble?

A single executive order just cracked open decades of restriction on psychedelic medicine—could this finally change the future of PTSD, addiction, and brain trauma? A major shift just hit the medical and mental health world. In this episode of The HeadRush Podcast, Paul Frase and Corey Berry react in real time to a newly signed executive order from Donald Trump directing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to accelerate the review and research of psychedelic therapies—specifically focusing on Ibogaine. For decades, substances like Ibogaine and psilocybin have been heavily restricted. Now, with federal funding, expedited clinical pathways, and renewed scientific attention, the conversation has shifted from prohibition… to possibility. Paul and Corey break down: What the executive order actually does (and what it doesn’t)Why Ibogaine is gaining attention for PTSD, addiction, and brain traumaThe role of veterans and real-world case stories in pushing this forwardThe science behind neuroplasticity, dendritic growth, and brain recoveryWhy traditional treatments like SSRIs often fall shortThe risks, safety concerns, and why this is NOT a free-for-all solutionWhat this means for the future of mental health treatment in the U.S.This episode is raw, real, and grounded in lived experience—from two men who understand the long-term effects of repeated head trauma. ⚠️ Important: This conversation is for awareness and discussion only. Paul and Corey are not doctors and are not recommending or prescribing any treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional. If this research delivers on its promise, it could reshape how we approach brain health, addiction recovery, and trauma healing. But the question remains… Is this the beginning of a breakthrough—or just the first step into unknown territory? Supported by:Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation | Millennium Health Centers | Millennium Health Store | Paradise Behavioral Health | McWellness – Cristal Clark

56 min

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

The HeadRush Podcast with Paul Frase and Corey Berry takes you inside the reality of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) through the lens of football and rodeo. With firsthand experience in two of the most punishing sports, Paul and Corey share their stories, the lasting effects of head trauma, and the fight for awareness and support.

Creator

RNCN
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

44
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 RNCN

Philosophy

Philosophy

Updated Weekly