Brain & Life

American Academy of Neurology
  • 4.8 (188)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

How do you keep your brain healthy? How can you live better every day after being diagnosed with a brain condition? Brain & Life® from the American Academy of Neurology tackles those questions and more in the only podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of brain health and neurologic disease. Each week neurologist host Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with neurology experts, celebrity advocates, and people whose lives are affected by brain conditions to educate and inspire you to maintain a healthy brain and a healthy you.

  1. 2d ago

    Author Mark Haddon on Living and Writing with Brain Fog

    In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by author Mark Haddon. Mark shares about the cognitive changes he experienced after bypass surgery and long COVID. He shares how brain fog affected his daily life and creative work, and reflects on resilience, recovery, and adapting to a new normal. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Jacqueline Becker, a clinical neuropsychologist and health services researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Together, they discuss why cognitive changes can occur after surgery and long COVID, and explore strategies that may help people manage these challenges.   Additional Resources What Is Brain Fog? How to Know If You Have Long COVID Leaving Home: A Memoir in Full Color   Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics Movement and Healing with Adventure Athlete, Author, and Activist Rebecca Rusch A Walk in the "Parkinson's" with Author Annmarie O'Connor   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media Guests: Mark Haddon @mark__haddon Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

  2. Aug 13

    Lauren Weedman on Bell's Palsy, Identity, and Learning to Smile Again

    In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by actress, comedian, playwright, and storyteller Lauren Weedman. Lauren discusses her diagnosis of Bell's palsy after developing a sudden facial paralysis while filming in 2024 and how it changed her outlooks on work, motherhood, and mental health. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Gary Gronseth, Professor and Chair of Neurology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Gronseth explains what Bell's palsy is, why it happens, what recovery typically looks like, and why some people—like Lauren Weedman—continue to experience lasting symptoms long after the initial diagnosis.   Additional Resources "This Is a Good Face": Lauren Weedman on Life After Bell's Palsy Bouncing Back from Bell's Palsy What Doctors Know About Bell's Palsy   Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics Playwright Sarah Ruhl Finds Inspiration in her Bell's Palsy Journey   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media Guests: Lauren Weedman @lauren_weedman Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

  3. Aug 6

    Bill Nye the Science Guy Takes on Ataxia Advocacy: Part Two

    In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by the one and only Bill Nye, an American science educator, mechanical engineer, television presenter, and author best known for hosting the Emmy Award–winning series Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill discusses his family's experience with a rare inherited ataxia and dives into his work with the National Ataxia Foundation to advocate for research on another form of the disease, Friedreich ataxia. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Stephan Züchner, a neurologist and geneticist who identified the genetic mutation responsible for the ataxia in Bill Nye's family.   Additional Resources Bill Nye: The Ataxia Advocate Guy What is Friedreich ataxia? Theater Is Therapy for Patients with Ataxia   Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics Paralympic Athlete Helen Kearney on Living Her Dreams with Friedreich's Ataxia   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media Guests: Bill Nye @billnye

  4. Jul 30

    Bill Nye the Science Guy Takes on Ataxia Advocacy: Part One

    In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by the one and only Bill Nye, an American science educator, mechanical engineer, television presenter, and author best known for hosting the Emmy Award–winning series Bill Nye the Science Guy. Bill discusses his family's experience with a rare inherited ataxia and explains why he is partnering with the National Ataxia Foundation to advocate for research on another form of the disease, Friedreich ataxia. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Stephan Züchner, a neurologist and geneticist who identified the genetic mutation responsible for the ataxia in Bill Nye's family. Stay tuned for part two of this conversation next week.   Additional Resources Bill Nye: The Ataxia Advocate Guy What is Friedreich ataxia? Theater Is Therapy for Patients with Ataxia   Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics Paralympic Athlete Helen Kearney on Living Her Dreams with Friedreich's Ataxia   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media Guests: Bill Nye @billnye Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

  5. Jul 23

    Celebrating World Brain Day with Brain Health Tips and Listener Questions

    On this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters celebrate World Brain Day by sharing practical ways to support brain health, from puzzles and meditation to exercise and community. They also answer listener questions about rural access to neurologic care, support groups, and brain health through the lens of recent Brain & Life articles on epilepsy, menopause, and memory.   Additional Resources People with Epilepsy in Rural Areas Face Greater Health Risks, Study Finds Study Suggests Certain Hormone Therapies May Support Memory After Menopause Teen Whose Father Has Parkinson's Disease Created a Community for Herself and Others_   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

  6. Jul 16

    Making Brain Health a Family Affair with Genein and Shawn Letford

    In this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, Drs. Daniel Correa and Katy Peters are joined by mother-son duo Genein and Shawn Letford. Genein, the founder of Brainolicious, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting brain health in a way that's fun, accessible, and lifelong, reveals how integrating arts and early childhood education can build resilience, prevent dementia, and even shape future leaders. Her 8-year-old son Shawn then shows us how kids can become brain advocates—speak before city councils, petition for World Brain Day, and spread awareness with confidence.   Additional Resources Brainolicious Steps to Building a Stronger Brain: Brain Health After Brain Injury Webinar Why Bike Helmets Are Essential for Kids Become a Brain Health Advocate   Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics Neurology Advocacy Out Loud: Live from the AAN's Annual Meeting Embracing Inclusion and Empowerment with Isabelle and Eliza Woloson   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media Guests: Genein Letford @brainoliciousadventures Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

  7. Jul 9

    How Hollywood Shapes Society's Expectations of Disabled People with Kristen Lopez

    In this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by award-winning film critic, journalist, and author Kristen Lopez. They discuss how movies shape public understanding of disability, identity, and belonging, and why storytelling can both reinforce harmful stereotypes and open the door to more honest representation. Kristen shares insights from her book, Popcorn Disabilities, including the power of media to influence how disabled people are seen and how they see themselves and the importance of authentic casting.   Additional Resources Kristen Lopez The Keys to Overcoming the Stigma of a Disability How Cosmetic Brands Are Creating More Accessible Makeup   Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics Acute Flaccid Myelitis and Disability Advocacy with Sarah Todd Hammer How Paula Carozzo is Redefining Disability and Advocating for Her Community Unseen: Molly Burke's Retinitis Pigmentosa Journey   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media Guests: Kristen Lopez @kristenlopez88 Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

  8. Jul 2

    Exploring the Strangeness and Wonder of Brains with Dr. Pria Anand

    In this week's episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-hosts Drs. Daniel Correa and Katy Peters are joined by author, educator, and neurologist Dr. Pria Anand. Together, they discuss the wonder and complexity of the human brain, and how storytelling, culture, and curiosity shape our understanding of neurologic illness and identity. Pria shares insights from her book, The Mind Electric, including the role of narrative in medicine, the resilience of memory, and why humility matters in neurologic care. They also explore the future of neurology, the importance of sleep and self-care, and how science and the humanities can work together to improve patient care.   Additional Resources The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains How are Mental Health and Brain Health Connected? Healing Words: Writing About Her Traumatic Brain Injury Helps the Author Make Sense of Her Recovery   Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics Exploring the Science of Everyday Wonder with Dacher Keltner The Secrets of Synesthesia with Dr. Joel Salinas Memory and Your Brain, Explained   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media Guests: Dr. Pria Anand @bmcneurology Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

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4.8
out of 5
188 Ratings

About

How do you keep your brain healthy? How can you live better every day after being diagnosed with a brain condition? Brain & Life® from the American Academy of Neurology tackles those questions and more in the only podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of brain health and neurologic disease. Each week neurologist host Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with neurology experts, celebrity advocates, and people whose lives are affected by brain conditions to educate and inspire you to maintain a healthy brain and a healthy you.

Information

  • Creator
    American Academy of Neurology
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    235
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Brain & Life

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