The Neurological Disorder Podcast
The Neurological Disorder Podcast is hosted by Yale University freshman Mridula Bharathi, a young changemaker and advocate for neurological disorders. In this podcast, she interviews people who are affected by neurological diseases, and they share their inspiring stories as a fighter of the disorder. She also talks with doctors and surgeons who are experts on these disorders, researchers who are working to find cures for them, and more! Through this podcast, she hopes to spread awareness for these neurological conditions so more people can stay informed, look out for early signs of these sometimes debilitating conditions, and be involved in creating a change, through legislative advocacy and community awareness, to improve care for everyone impacted by neurological diseases.
Episodes
28 episodes
27. Chiari Malformation ft. Debbie Ryan
What can Chiari malformation reveal about the gaps that still exist in neurological care and patient awareness?This week's episode features my conversation with Debbie Ryan, an inspiring mother of four from West Ireland who is studying a...
26. Artificial Intelligence (AI) In Neurology ft. Dr. Aniket Natekar
What if artificial intelligence could change how neurological diseases are diagnosed, treated, and even prevented? And how far are we from that future?This week's episode is with returning guest Dr. Aniket Natekar to explore how AI is ac...
25. Neuroinflammation and Nutrigenomics ft. Dr. Kendal Stewart
Could the key to brain health be found in your DNA—and on your plate?Welcome to Season 2 of The Neurological Disorder Podcast! This week's episode is with Dr. Kendal Stewart, a certified head and neck surgeon and otolaryngologist. In add...
24. Here's an Ally: ParkingNSites ft. Jawanza Lamar
This week's episode is with Jawanza Lamar, the founder of ParkingNSites, an organization dedicated to breaking down parking barriers and improving accessibility for mobility-challenged individuals.After experiencing a life-changin...
23. Here's an Ally: Dravet Syndrome Foundation ft. Mary Anne Meskis
This week's episode is with Mary Anne Meskis, a founding member and the Executive Director of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation (DSF)—a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, and funding research for Dravet syndrome.Dr...
22. Here's an Ally: National Brain Tumor Society ft. Tom Halkin
This week's episode is with Tom Halkin, the Director of Public Affairs at the National Brain Tumor Society—the largest patient advocacy organization in the United States dedicated to curing brain tumors and supporting patients and their familie...
21. Here's a Warrior: Multiple Sclerosis & Type 1 Narcolepsy ft. Nicole Kenyon
This week's episode is with Nicole Kenyon, head of the National MS Society Community Council in Tampa and a passionate fitness enthusiast. Living with Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 Narcolepsy, she is committed to empowering others through legis...
20. Here's a Warrior: Traumatic Brain Injury ft. Erica Renee Walker
This week's episode is with Erica Renee Walker, a TBI survivor and coach who is dedicated to raising awareness and helping others navigate life with brain injuries.In this episode, Erica opens up about her experience with traumatic brai...
19. Here's a Warrior: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex ft. Nic, Elizabeth, & Beckett Brown
This week's episode is with Nic Brown, father of Beckett. After their 2-year-old son Beckett was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a rare genetic disorder, Nic and his wife Elizabeth became dedicated advocates for the cause.In t...
18. Here's an Ally: Foundation to Fight H-ABC ft. Michele Levoir Sloan
This week's episode is with Michele Levoir Sloan, co-founder of the Foundation To Fight H-ABC. Michele and her husband started the foundation in 2015 after their daughter was diagnosed with H-ABC. Since then, they have supported families affect...
17. Here's an Ally: Patient Helpline + Patients Rising ft. Samantha Sauer
This week's episode is with Samantha Sauer, a patient navigator and the Director of the Patient Helpline at Patients Rising. Patients Rising is an organization that aims to empower patients in America to advocate for reforms, placing them, alon...
16. Here's a Warrior: Autism Spectrum Disorder & Type 1 Narcolepsy ft. Rachel Nesmith
This week's episode is with Rachel Nesmith, a singer-songwriter, mother, and advocate. Rachel has Autism Spectrum Disorder and Type 1 Narcolepsy, so today, we begin by discussing the setbacks she has faced and overcome living with ASD and then ...
15. Here's an Ally: The Spero Clinic ft. Dr. Katinka van der Merwe
This week's episode is with Dr. Katinka van der Merwe, a Doctor of Chiropractic who focuses on nervous system rehabilitation to help those suffering from chronic pain. She grew up just outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, and immigrate...
14. Here's an Ally: Syngap1 Foundation ft. Monica Dudley-Weldon
Today's episode features Monica Dudley-Weldon! Not only is she the founder and CEO of the Syngap1 foundation, but she also has a background in biology and teaching and attended Law School. Her son, Beckett, was the 6th person in the world and 3...
13. Here's a Warrior: LGI1 Autoimmune Encephalitis ft. Lisa Lauter
Today's episode is with Lisa Lauter, a nurse and public health advocate, raising awareness for encephalitis and promoting holistic and conventional medicine approaches to recovery. When she received a devastating diagnosis of autoimmune encepha...
12. Here's a Warrior: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Neuro-Behçet's Syndrome, Parkinson's Disease ft. Levi Peterson
This week's episode is with Levi Peterson, a fighter of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Neuro-Behçet's syndrome, and Parksinon's disease. Levi has also experienced 10 major brain surgeries, resulting in her becoming an expert on shunting ...
11. Here's an Ally: Vistim Labs ft. James Hamet
Today's episode is with the CEO and founder of Vistim Labs, James Hamet. In addition to building mind-controlled wheelchairs and ice sculpting, Mr. Hamet focuses on tracking cognitive decline in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, acce...
10. Here's an Ally: Parkinson's Disease ft Dr. George Ackerman
This week's episode is with Dr. George Ackerman, an attorney and Parkinson's Disease advocate. After being the primary caregiver for his mother, Sharon, who sadly passed away from Parkinson's, Dr. Ackerman strives to help other families experie...
9.Here's a Warrior: Neurological Perspective to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome ft. Carter Hemion
This week's episode is with Carter Hemion, a public speaker, legislative advocate, and fighter of EDS. Carter shares his long journey with EDS and all the painful experiences and uncertainties he endured before and after diagnosis. We also expl...
8. Here's an Ally: Headache ft Dr. Aniket Natekar
This week's episode features board-certified neurologist and headache specialist Aniket Natekar, MD, MSc. After completing his undergraduate degree at the Western University of London, Ontario, he pursued medical school at the John A. Burns Sch...
7. Here's a Warrior: Another Perspective on Type 1 Narcolepsy ft. Tara O'Connor
In this week's episode, I spoke with Tara O'Connor, dog mom, aunt, EMG technician, and warrior of Type 1 Narcolepsy (Narcolepsy with Cataplexy). Tara and I talk about the importance of self-advocacy--especially in the school setting--to receive...
6. Here's a Warrior: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome ft Robin Powers
This week's episode is with Robin Powers, a warrior of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. In her free time, she also loves to write and recently published a book about her other rare condition: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). After experiencing multip...
5. Here's An Ally: Huntington's Disease ft Ashley Clarke
This week's episode is with Ashley Clarke, a devoted advocate for Huntington's Disease in Northern Ireland! After watching her father experience this terrible condition, she started to educate others about Huntington's Disease and research to c...
4. Here's a Warrior: Type 1 Narcolepsy ft Matthew Horsnell
This week's episode is with Matthew Horsnell, a dedicated advocate and father of 3 with Type 1 Narcolepsy or Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. He is also a researcher and has co-authored 3 papers and is the lead author of 1 other! During our conversat...
3. Here's a Warrior: Stiff-Person Syndrome ft Jennifer Trujillo
This week's episode is with Jennifer Trujillo, an inspiring woman and warrior of Stiff-Person Syndrome. She loves to sing, spend time with her family, and was also featured in Céline Dion's music video! In this interview, we talk about Jennifer...